Luo Luo rested her chubby little face in her hands. “Daddy, aren’t you super happy right now? In five years, you’ll have such a clever and adorable daughter like me!”
( ′ )
“Are you so overjoyed you’re about to go crazy?”
Xiao Lin remained expressionless as he gently lifted the little bundle from his lap, making as if to set her down on the floor.
Happy?
Overjoyed?
This little devil had blown up his retinue for breaking off the engagement the moment she appeared, causing an uproar throughout the city. What part of that was remotely “adorable”?
But the little bundle wouldn’t give up, immediately clinging to his arm with her plump little hands, her soft voice tinged with grievance.
“Look, Daddy, Auntie Su pinched my face until it turned all red.”
As she spoke, she raised her little hand to rub her pink cheek, then cleverly rolled her eyes and actually managed to squeeze out two glistening tears from the corners.
“Waa waa, it hurts so much. Luo Luo is in so much pain she won’t be able to sleep.”
Xiao Lin rubbed his throbbing temples and finally bent his tall frame, blowing gently on her round, puffy cheek.
“Does it still hurt?”
“It hurts, it really hurts!”
The little bundle immediately seized the opportunity, whining in her milky voice, “It won’t get better unless Daddy personally applies the Jade Condensation Ointment.”
The regent who struck fear throughout the imperial court actually picked up the ointment and began carefully applying it.
Yun Ying, standing nearby holding the rosewood medicine chest, secretly gave the little mistress an approving gesture.
To be able to stop His Highness from going to the Clear Moon Pavilion – this little ancestor was truly remarkable.
Luo Luo blinked triumphantly, but was caught in the act.
“What’s wrong with your eyes?”
She hurriedly put away her smug little expression, pouting and whimpering, “Daddy, Luo Luo’s face still hurts…”
Xiao Lin continued applying the ointment with a stern face, but his movements were as gentle as a spring breeze.
“It won’t hurt after the ointment is applied.”
“Luo Luo knew that Handsome Daddy is the best!”
Before the words finished, a loud “mwah” sound landed on his cheek.
Xiao Lin stiffened all over, nearly throwing the little bundle in his arms out: “What improper behavior!”
The little girl blinked her big, dark eyes, completely unapologetic. “Before, Daddy loved it most when Luo Luo showed affection like this.”
Before, she often kissed Daddy, and the future Daddy was much better than this Daddy – this Daddy was really too fierce.
“No mischief allowed.”
Xiao Lin scolded coldly, though the tips of his ears quietly turned faintly red.
Calling him Daddy when she needed something, stupid daddy when she didn’t!
He had completely seen through this little devil.
Yun Ying and Xuan Ying exchanged shocked glances – the little princess had been so presumptuous, yet His Highness hadn’t thrown her out.
After the ointment was evenly applied, just as Xiao Lin was about to stand up, his lapel was firmly grasped by a small hand again.
The little bundle lifted her ointment-covered face, completely justified: “Luo Luo is afraid of the dark! She needs Daddy to hold her and count stars to fall asleep!”
“Didn’t I assign you two matrons and four maidservants?”
“No want~”
The milky tone dragged out the last word. “Without Daddy accompanying me, Luo Luo will dream of big tigers~ So scary!”
Gazing into those bright eyes identical to his own, now shimmering with tears, Xiao Lin looked down at this childish little face and finally surrendered.
“Just this once.”
“Daddy is the best!”
The little bundle happily burrowed into his embrace.
It seemed this Daddy hadn’t been completely bewitched by that enchantress yet – there was still room for redemption.
Yun Ying watched the prince carrying the young mistress toward the bedchamber, excitedly tugging at Xuan Ying’s sleeve.
“The prince truly isn’t going to Clear Moon Pavilion tonight!”
Xuan Ying nodded slightly, a rare smile touching his lips. “The young mistress is indeed the one who breaks the stalemate.”
As night deepened, candlelight flickered within Clear Moon Pavilion.
Su Yuyao slammed the Cloisonné Enamel teacup heavily onto the table.
Tonight, she would definitely conquer Xiao Lin.
What she loved most was stealing male protagonists with extraordinary combat power from various worlds – all male protagonists would eventually submit to her.
This Xiao Lin had refused to touch her for so long.
Tonight, she would undoubtedly claim him.
The specially prepared incense was still curling upward, yet the figure that should have arrived as scheduled remained conspicuously absent.
Su Yuyao calculated the time with her fingertips, finally losing patience. She turned and snapped at the maid standing nearby:
“Furong, go see why the prince is so delayed! What time is it already!”
Furong accepted the order, gathered her skirts and hurried toward Xiao Lin’s bedchamber.
In the main hall, brilliant lanterns shone as bright as daylight.
At the Golden Phoebe wood table, Xiao Luoning was devouring a Crystal Pork Knuckle with whirlwind intensity, her cheeks bulging and glistening with oil.
She struggled to swallow the delicious morsel, then earnestly offered the thoroughly gnawed pork bone to Xiao Lin’s nose:
“Father! Won’t you really try some?”
Xiao Lin cast a disdainful glance at the “delicacy,” his brow slightly furrowed. “I’ll pass.”
“If Father won’t eat it, Luo Luo will!”
(´▽ʃ♡ƪ)
Midnight snacks were truly wonderful.
Just then, a “knock knock knock” sounded at the door, followed by Furong’s voice through the door:
“Your Highness, Miss Su has sent this humble servant to inquire when you might grace Clear Moon Pavilion with your presence?”
The door swung open as Xiao Lin’s robes stirred, ready to step out.
Unexpectedly, a weight settled on his leg.
Luo Luo wrapped around him like ivy clinging to a tree, her small arms tightly encircling her father as she lifted her dumpling-like face, her large eyes instantly filling with tears.
“Father, Luo Luo is truly so afraid. Don’t leave Luo Luo alone.”
Before she finished speaking, golden teardrops had already begun pattering down, her small shoulders shaking with sobs. Her pitiful, aggrieved appearance could move even the stoniest heart.
Xiao Lin glanced down at this “human accessory” and said helplessly, “Tell Yuyao that I’m detained by urgent matters tonight. I’ll definitely visit Clear Moon Pavilion tomorrow evening.”
“Your Highness…”
Furong wore a troubled expression, about to say more.
Yun Ying, standing guard nearby, shot her a cold glare and barked in a low voice, “The prince’s orders are clear! Withdraw immediately and deliver your message!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Furong’s heart clenched in fear as she hastily curtseyed and retreated.
In Clear Moon Pavilion, incense smoke curled through the warmly lit room.
Su Yuyao had already changed into a sheer silk nightgown that clung to her voluptuous figure, revealing a section of jade-white calf.
She had carefully applied rose perfume to her snow-white neck and slender wrists – the sweet, alluring fragrance designed to captivate the senses.
With all preparations complete, she reclined languidly against the soft bedding, waiting only for the familiar figure to push open the door.
Footsteps finally sounded outside, but only Furong entered alone.
Seeing that Xiao Lin hadn’t come as promised, Su Yuyao’s willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, the carefully crafted seductive smile on her face instantly freezing:
“Where is the prince?”
Furong kept her head bowed, not daring to breathe heavily, and whispered, “Miss, the prince sends word that… He is afraid he can’t come tonight. He says… he’ll definitely accompany you tomorrow.”
“What did you say?!”
Su Yuyao’s voice suddenly sharpened, her gaze instantly turning cold as frost. “Xiao Lin isn’t coming tonight?”
Furong lowered her head even further. His Highness said the young princess was too frightened and uneasy to sleep alone. He… must stay with her…”
Crash!
A celadon teacup was violently smashed against the floor, shattered porcelain flying everywhere.
Furong trembled and dropped to her knees with a thud, prostrating herself in fear.
Su Yuyao’s chest heaved, her fingertips digging deep into her palms, her silver teeth nearly grinding to dust.
“That Xiao Luoning! Truly the bane of my existence! Always opposing me!”
But the anger lasted only a moment before her full red lips quietly curved into a cold, confident smile.
“Hmph, what can a mere little girl possibly accomplish?”
Did she, a villainess who had crossed over into this world, really need to worry about handling such a insignificant child?