The pea cake in Su Yuyao’s hand fell to the ground with a “clatter,” shattering into pieces.
The surrounding guards looked at each other in confusion.
Luo Luo abruptly propped up half her small body, her teary eyes wide open, forgetting to cover the red marks on her face.
Silly Daddy… was… comforting her?
Even though he blew on her face like he was cooling soup!
So silly!
In the eerie silence, Xiao Lin himself was stunned.
His palm still seemed to retain the faint warmth from approaching that burning little face—a real, undeniable blood connection.
He abruptly withdrew his hand as if scalded.
The rare clumsiness on his face was instantly replaced by deeper coldness.
“Take Su Yuyao away and confine her for one month. She is not to leave without my permission.”
Su Yuyao collapsed to the ground.
“Your Highness, I didn’t do anything. It was the little princess who framed me!”
“Take her away now!”
Xiao Lin’s icy voice echoed throughout the large courtyard.
Everyone around was momentarily stunned.
Yun Ying and Xuan Ying exchanged glances.
The prince had punished this woman because of the little princess!
The little ancestor is mighty!!!
Su Yuyao was taken away by several guards, her eyes filled with resentment.
Xiao Lin had already fallen for her charms.
Why would he still care about that little abomination?
Xiao Luoning must be the biggest obstacle on her path to conquering Xiao Lin!
Xiao Lin straightened up. “Find a clean courtyard and assign some experienced women to look after her.”
“Get her cleaned up.”
This time, the guards moved swiftly, as if granted amnesty. Carefully avoiding the still-dazed little troublemaker on the ground, they quickly “escorted” her out from both sides.
The dining hall was left with only cold leftovers.
In the northwest corner of the prince’s residence, a small courtyard named “Orchid Pavilion” was quickly cleaned up.
Quiet and tidy, it usually only stored unused old items.
Two plainly dressed matrons with uneasy expressions were hastily assigned by Liu Bo.
Hot water was brought in.
Xiao Luoning was stripped of her dirty little jacket and pressed into a large carved bathtub.
“Lady Luo Luo is taking a bath!”
Her small body splashed in the steaming water.
A warm cloth gently wiped away the last traces of dirt.
A delicate, jade-like little face emerged through the mist.
Especially those large, dark eyes—exceptionally beautiful.
Truly combining the best features of both parents.
No wonder she’s the prince’s daughter.
Xiao Lin sat alone in his study, trying to regain a sense of control befitting the regent prince from the stained military reports.
His brush was lifted and set down repeatedly.
His mind was in turmoil.
The chaotic scenes from the day crashed through his thoughts.
Those burning little black eyes beneath the tremendous explosion; the eerie fusion during the blood test; the piercing wails while rolling on the ground.
Pei Qingci…
Just a woman skilled at deception, not worth mentioning.
The study’s heavy door was gently knocked.
“Your Highness, Miss Su is deeply distressed and suffering from severe heart pain. She sent her maid to inquire after Your Highness’s well-being.”
Su Yuyao’s personal maid knelt outside the door, her voice melodious with just the right amount of anxiety.
Xiao Lin’s fingers gripping the brush tightened suddenly. “Hmm, I know. I’ll go later.”
“Thank you for Your Highness’s compassion.”
The maid outside quietly withdrew.
After the rustling of skirts faded away, Yun Ying, the guard on duty under the corridor, spat quietly.
“Tsk, again! She’s not even a concubine, yet relying on her looks, she sends someone to summon the prince every day. Truly overstepping and shameless!”
Xuan Ying nodded in agreement. “What kind of evil magic does that Su woman possess? Even we rough men can see she’s climbing the social ladder. How could the prince, so wise, not see through it?”
“Exactly. Su Yuyao can’t compare to the Pei family’s legitimate daughter in any way, yet the prince favors her and insists on canceling the engagement with the Pei residence.”
Before Xuan Ying could finish, he felt a warm presence beside him.
“You two have quite good judgment.”
A childish yet mature voice sounded.
Xiao Luoning had somehow arrived beside the two men. Pursing her little mouth, she actually applauded approvingly.
Her mother was recognized as the capital’s top talented woman, the daughter of the Duke Zhen Country Estate, and even personally titled Huayang Princess by the Empress Dowager.
Such noble prestige.
How could that evil woman Su Yuyao compare?
Yun Ying looked down and saw the delicate little figure. He quickly bent down and asked with mixed surprise and doubt:
“Little ancestor, when did you arrive?”
Luo Luo clasped her hands behind her back, looking up with a clear voice. “Just a moment ago. Did that wicked woman send her maid again to summon my father?”
Yun Ying repeatedly affirmed, lowering his voice even more to complain:
“You’re right, little ancestor. This Su woman sends someone to summon the prince every night. Without proper status, she acts as if she’s the mistress!”
Luo Luo nodded like a little adult, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.
“Don’t worry. With Lady Luo Luo here, how can I allow her to occupy the magpie’s nest and steal my mother’s position?”
After speaking, she actually stood on tiptoe like an old person, reached out, and patted Yun Ying’s shoulder armor with just the right pressure to show approval.
Then, she toddled on her short legs and directly pushed open the study’s heavy carved wooden door.
Yun Ying watched the small back disappear through the door crack, exchanging helpless glances with Xuan Ying as they shook their heads.
“Ah, how can the little princess stop this?”Daddy~~”
ε==(づ′▽)づ
The little ball dragged out a sweet, sticky ending tone, spreading her legs and rushing to the massive rosewood desk. She happily spun in place, the skirt of her newly changed moon-white soft silk jacket fluttering.
“Daddy, look at me quickly. These are my new clothes.”
Xiao Lin’s gaze fixed on the child’s jade-like little face, not moving away for a long time.
The eyebrows, the corners of the eyes… exactly like Pei Qingci.
“Daddy, I’m all clean now! Look at me quickly!”
ω
Luo Luo’s two small hands climbed up his solid arm, nimbly scrambling upward. With a little effort, her small body managed to sit steadily in that broad, cold embrace.
Xiao Lin remained expressionless, looking down to examine the little “hot potato” in his arms.
His voice was deep and cold like a frigid pond: “Where did you really come from?”
He and Pei Qingci had never crossed boundaries—how could this suddenly appearing young girl possibly be born from them?
The innocent little face in his arms revealed a honey-sweet smile, the clear, childish voice resounding through the quiet study:
“Daddy, I came from five years in the future. I’m your most beloved little darling.”
(′,,,,)
Xiao Lin pinched the bridge of his nose with a headache.
So, in five years, he would have such a daughter?
Could he… not have her??