Ever Since I Claimed the Emperor as My Grandfather

Seven years after transmigrating, Wen Bingyu was found and brought back.

She was told that her biological father was the Crown Prince, but he was dead.

No one knew who her biological mother was. She was probably dead, too.

The only close relative she had left in this world was the ruler of the Great Zhou, the sovereign honored by all nations, the Emperor himself.

Wen Bingyu, who until recently had been treated like a servant, ordered around, starved, beaten, and locked up, was stunned.

Her body was seven years old. Standing in the resplendent palace, she looked up at the Son of Heaven on his lofty throne. All she could make out was a face blurred behind the strands of his ceremonial crown, and a neatly trimmed gray-white beard.

Silence filled the hall. The palace attendants kept their heads bowed. No one told her what to do.

After hesitating for a moment, she blinked and asked timidly,

"G-Grandpa Emperor?"

The old man on the throne did not answer for a long time.

At last, he waved to his attendants. "Take her away..."

They bowed, swords already drawn.

"...and see that she's thoroughly cleaned up and well cared for. Once she's recovered, prepare to make her a princess."

The swords that had been drawn suddenly began to tremble.

Countless astonished eyes turned to Wen Bingyu, silent yet intense.

Wen Bingyu looked up uneasily. The old man had the corners of his mouth drawn down in a stern expression, but it seemed he was struggling to keep it from softening and revealing a hint of affection.

"Since you've called me Grandpa, I suppose I should make you a princess."

*

The founding emperor of Great Zhou had once been praised by all as a wise ruler.

But as he grew older, the wise ruler of the past became a suspicious and cruel tyrant.

He slaughtered meritorious officials and ordered the Crown Prince's death.

His sons, any of whom he suspected of harboring ulterior motives, were killed or maimed. Fleeing to distant lands was the safest fate they could hope for.

The once-sagacious golden dragon now held on to the peak of power with a cold grip, seemingly determined to take both his power and the vitality of the entire country with him to the underworld.

He believed it himself, and had made up his mind to do just that.

Until, one year, someone brought the late Crown Prince's daughter into the palace, a child whose mother's identity was unknown.

She was all skin and bones, too young to understand the world. Her timid call of "Grandpa Emperor" carried a sincerity and affection the palace had not heard in years.

The old dragon's heart, frozen for so long, gave a faint tremor.

At first, it was only a title and some clothes and food.

Then came toys, a swing, and a garden.

Later, the wise ruler returned. He devoted himself to governing day and night, sparing no effort to make his beloved granddaughter's future a little safer, and then safer still.

Finally, he declared in an unquestionable voice:

"I shall appoint an Imperial Princess as heir to the throne."

*

A fictional-history version of Heidi and Grandpa.

Palace politics played at make-believe, court affairs treated like child's play. This is simply a story about royal family affection.

The CP isn't decided yet. There is one, but it won't be the main focus.

If you insist on knowing, the heroine will of course ascend the throne, but that's later. It won't get much attention in the main story.