That mysterious Tenth Prince, Prince Anren…
Had actually been forced by her!
Seeing how frightened she was, the little boy reined in some of his ferocity. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked to the bedside, turned around, and declared imperiously, “From today onward, you are my servant, atoning for your wicked deeds!”
Mo Lingzheng was dumbfounded.
What did he say?
He wanted her to be a servant to a five- or six-year-old child?
Wait…
She rubbed her temples, trying hard to calm herself down.
Looking again at this little face that was the spitting image of Prince Anren, a bold guess suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Could this little fellow be Prince Anren’s son?!
Was he here to collect a debt on his father’s behalf?!
Once this thought crossed her mind, her knees went weak, and she knelt directly before the little boy. “Young Master, I didn’t mean to do that kind of thing to your father! I didn’t know Prince Anren was already married with children, and I never intended to disrupt your parents’ relationship! Really, I swear, what happened today was just an accident. I can pretend nothing happened at all, and I absolutely won’t have any improper thoughts. Please, I beg you, put in a good word for me with Prince Anren!”
To express her utmost sincerity, she secretly pinched her thigh hard, forcing herself to shed a few tears of remorse.
This little fellow was young; he should be easy to fool.
It must be said, her kneeling genuinely stunned the little boy.
After hearing her plea for mercy, the corners of the little boy’s mouth twitched uncontrollably several times.
This damned woman actually thought he was his own son!
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear any of your excuses!” The thought of how she had caused him to be unable to return to his original form made Yan Si grit his teeth in anger. “From this moment on, you are my servant, my slave. If you dare neglect me in the slightest, I will have your head removed!”
Mo Lingzheng looked up at him.
What more could she say?
She had forced herself upon his father, and now he wanted to enslave her. Considering the circumstances, this was already showing mercy. After all, if it were seriously pursued, violating a prince and imperial relative would mean her head wouldn’t stay on her shoulders.
Thinking it over carefully, Prince Anren had not only spared her life but also helped her. If his subordinates hadn’t arrived in time and helped her come up with an excuse for returning late, she would probably be fighting with the people in the manor by now.
It was just serving a child, after all…
“Hehe! Young Master, are you thirsty? Hungry? You must be tired coming here so late at night. Should I go to the kitchen and make you some midnight snacks?” Having accepted her punishment of servitude, she immediately put on an ingratiating smile and asked with utmost concern.
“There is no ‘Young Master’ here!” Yan Si corrected her coldly.
“Uh…” Mo Lingzheng instantly understood—the little fellow didn’t want to reveal his identity. That made sense; Prince Anren was so mysterious, how could he let others know he already had a son! So she cautiously asked, “Then how should I address you?”
“A-Si!”
“Hehe!” Mo Lingzheng continued with her flattering smile. “Young Master A-Si, may I ask what you need me to do now?”
Yan Si, with his hands behind his back, narrowed his eyes and scanned the entire room. Finally, his gaze settled on the bed behind him. “I’m going to rest.”
Mo Lingzheng kept a smile on her face, but inwardly, she couldn’t help but grumble.
This is just a child in kindergarten, so why is there not a trace of innocence or cuteness in his words, actions, and demeanor? The way he clasps his hands behind his back, looking fierce, arrogant, and domineering, is as if some ancient ancestor has possessed him—it’s awkward no matter how you look at it.
But since she had decided to serve him well, she quickly stepped forward to make the bed.
Fortunately, the little one didn’t completely treat her like a slave and climbed onto the bed himself.
Just as he was about to take off his shoes, Mo Lingzheng suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, “Young Master Yan Si, do you want me to accompany you to the latrine?”
Yan Si glared at her with icy eyes.
Mo Lingzheng forced a dry laugh. “I don’t mean anything else. I’m just reminding you that it’s best to relieve yourself before bed. Otherwise, if you wet the bed, there might not be extra sheets or bedding to change into.”
As her words fell, Yan Si couldn’t help but darken his expression and grit his teeth. “I don’t wet the bed!”
Mo Lingzheng muttered under her breath, “How many children don’t wet the bed? If you really do, don’t blame me for not warning you!”
Yan Si raised his hand and pointed to the foot of the bed, ordering through clenched teeth, “Go stand over there!”
Mo Lingzheng couldn’t stand his ferocity any longer, so she obediently went to stand at the foot of the bed.
Perhaps it was too late at night, and the little one was truly exhausted, as soon even breathing could be heard from the bed.
Mo Lingzheng cautiously approached and peeked over, confirming that he was really asleep. She curled her lips mockingly. “Kids will be kids—falling asleep as soon as they say they will!”
Then she went to the chest to fetch a clean set of clothes before leaving the room.
After bathing in the backyard, she returned to the room, blew out the candle, and groped her way to a corner at the foot of the bed, curling up into a ball. The exhaustion of the day finally began to ease, and she didn’t have the energy to think about anything else. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.
The next day.
Mo Lingzheng, still in the midst of a dream, suddenly felt a sharp pain in her arm. She jolted awake and sat up, blurting out, “Who’s so wicked as to disturb someone’s peaceful sl—” Before the word “sleep” could escape her lips, she saw a grumpy little face and hurriedly forced a smile to greet him. “Young Master Yan Si, good morning!”
“Morning?” Yan Si gritted his teeth and gestured for her to look out the window. “It’s almost noon! Are you trying to starve me to death?”
“Uh…” Mo Lingzheng glanced out the window and saw that it was indeed true! She gathered her clothes around her and got out of bed, asking as she did so, “Young Master Yan Si, please wait a moment. I’ll go to the kitchen to make something to eat. But let me make this clear—all I have here is plain soup and noodles. Don’t say I’m mistreating you!”
Before leaving, she glanced back and couldn’t help but mutter to herself: He’s just a little brat, yet instead of running and jumping around on the ground, he’s sitting cross-legged on the bed!
Is he trying to Cultivate or something?
As soon as she left, light footsteps entered the room.
“Young Master.”
Yan Si opened his eyes and cast a cold gaze toward the newcomer.
Mo Si’an walked straight to the bedside with a food tray, a gentle smile on her face, her voice filled with concern and consideration. “Young Master, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I brought you some food. Please try it and see if it suits your taste.”
With that, she handed the tray to Yan Si.
Yan Si remained seated cross-legged, his small, fair hands resting on his knees, showing no intention of taking it. He only asked coldly, “Why have you come here?”
Mo Si’an smiled even more gently and kindly. “Little master, I don’t mean anything else, I’m just worried you might go hungry here.” After a pause, she asked, “Little master, be honest with your sister—what is your relationship with Prince Anren, and why did Prince Anren send you to my cousin? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. And as long as you tell me the truth, I’ll bring you even more delicious food!”
Yan Si pursed his little lips, showing no intention of replying.
Seeing this, Mo Si’an thought he was shy around strangers. She placed the food tray on the bed and reached out to pull him. “Little master, my cousin is rigid and boring. What’s the point of staying with her? Why not come with me instead? In my courtyard, there are delicious treats and fun things to play with. If you don’t like any of that, I can even take you to a restaurant for roast duck and braised pork knuckles!”
That wretched Mo Lingzheng—what right did she have to take care of Prince Anren’s people?
Trying to curry favor with Prince Anren? Not a chance!
As long as she treated this child well and had him speak highly of her in front of Prince Anren, she would have climbed onto Prince Anren’s high branch! In the future, when she married into the Pingnan Marquis household, even without the support of the Weiyuan General’s estate, she would still have the backing of Prince Anren’s residence!
Watching her outstretched hand, Yan Si’s pupils contracted sharply. Just as she was about to touch him, his small hands resting on his lap suddenly flipped over, and he forcefully struck Mo Si’an’s shoulder with a palm—
“Ah!”
The sudden blow caught Mo Si’an completely off guard, the pain forcing her to stagger back several steps.
Clutching her shoulder, she stared in disbelief at the bed, unable to fathom how a child of only five or six could possess such strength…
‘Pfft’!
Yan Si suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
At that very moment, Mo Lingzheng returned to the room and happened to see the little one on the bed spitting blood. Her face turned deathly pale with fright, and she rushed over, kicking Mo Si’an!
“Mo Si’an, what are you trying to do?”