“Say you’re sorry to Brother, and promise never to bully him again.”
Completely defeated, Guo Xin dared not refuse.
He walked over to Lu Jingchuan, clasped his fists, and bowed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have picked on you. I promise I won’t cause you any trouble at the academy either.”
Once he had apologized, his face flushed bright red and he hurried away.
It was far too humiliating to lose to a two-and-a-half-year-old girl!
To make matters worse, his followers were completely oblivious. “Chief, you really couldn’t beat the princess?” “She’s so amazing when she comes to the academy, I want to follow her as our new leader!”
…
Guo Xin’s face turned even redder. “Of course not! I let her win on purpose. The princess is so lovely how could I be anything but gentle toward her?”
“Enough, all of you, get out! I need to change my clothes!”
He chased them away.
With the contest over, the adults also returned to the main hall to await the official start of the banquet.
Yi Yi and Lu Jingchuan were taken away to change back into their formal attire.
Yi Yi sat quietly on a stool, letting Qinghe arrange her hair and ornaments.
Lu Jingchuan, being a boy, needed no such fuss. He sat beside her and began peeling sunflower seeds for her.
“Princess, you were incredible just now.” He had watched her move with such speed and skill during the game.
Yi Yi ate the seeds happily, her expression full of pride. “Of course I was!”
After all, she was the mighty Taotie Queen!
“When you come to the academy, we can play together every day. I’ll protect you.”
Yi Yi thought for a moment. “Alright then I’ll ask Daddy to take me there tomorrow.” So many children would surely make it great fun!
Lu Jingchuan quickly shook his head. “That won’t work. The academy only accepts children who are three years old or older.” Yi Yi was only two and a half, even though he too wished she could join him sooner.
Hearing she had to wait so long, Yi Yi’s round, chubby face fell into a look of deep disappointment.
Seeing her sad, Lu Jingchuan peeled seeds even faster to cheer her up.
As the two chatted away, Qinghe listened in growing astonishment.
Everyone knew the Prime Minister’s son was slow-witted and simple-minded but after playing just a short while with Yi Yi, he was speaking clearly and smoothly.
There could be only one explanation: her princess was truly blessed, like a little lucky star sent from heaven!
Yi Yi paid no attention to Lu Jingchuan’s change. Instead, she wrinkled her nose.
What is that smell? It smells wonderful…
She caught a scent that made her mouth water exactly the same as the Gu worm she had absorbed from inside her father.
Turning toward the source, her eyes lit up. Delicious little bugs!
She licked her lips, thinking hard how she could get there. Mummy had told her not to wander off, so the only way…
DONG
The great bell rang, signaling the banquet was about to begin.
Qinghe quickly led the two children back to their seats.
Pei Xue and Jiang Wantang welcomed them, pulling them close.
Jiang Wantang lifted Yi Yi onto her lap, while Pei Xue pinched her son’s cheeks and asked, “Little Chuan, what did you play with the princess? Was it fun?”
“We competed with Guo Xin and Guo Tao throwing sandbags,” Lu Jingchuan replied.
“Sandbags?!” Pei Xue immediately turned him around to check him from head to toe.
Her son was always slow to react he would probably still be blinking even when the sandbag was right in front of his face. And the opponents were two much bigger boys.
Finding not a single scratch on him, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t worry, Mother. The princess is very strong. She beat them until they surrendered.”
Pei Xue had felt something was different, but hearing her son speak so clearly and at such length finally struck her.
His condition… it seems to have vanished!
No more hesitation, no slurred speech his words flowed smoothly and naturally.
“Little Chuan… can you speak properly now?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.
Lu Jingchuan stared, startled by her excitement. It took him a moment to realize it himself: his mind did feel clearer than ever.
Before, his thoughts had always felt foggy and distant, as if wrapped in thick mist. Now, everything felt bright and sharp.
He turned to her, his voice full of joy. “Mother, I really am well again!”
“It must be the princess it’s all because of her!”
Pei Xue made the connection at once. The only change in Lu Jingchuan’s day had been spending time with Yi Yi.
The princess had saved their family!
“Quick go and fetch your father!”
Prime Minister Lu Zhao was called over, looking annoyed. The banquet was about to start what matter could be so urgent?
“Speak quickly,” he said gruffly. “The ceremony is beginning soon.”
Pei Xue raised an eyebrow. “Of course nothing matters more than your duties. Never mind that Little Chuan’s illness has completely gone away.”
“You !” Lu Zhao was about to snap back, then froze. “Wait… what did you say? His condition is cured?”
Lu Jingchuan stepped forward and bowed properly. “I greet you, Father. It is true my mind is clear and whole again.”
His speech was steady, his gaze bright and focused nothing like the confused, vacant look he used to have.
Lu Zhao finally believed it. His son was truly well.
“When did this happen?”
Before Lu Jingchuan could answer, Pei Xue pulled Lu Zhao aside and told him her thoughts that the princess might have been the cause.
Lu Zhao found it hard to believe. How could a two-year-old child cure what the royal physicians could not?
“We must observe this further. Let us first find out everything he ate today. If it truly was the princess who healed him, I, Lu Zhao, will devote my life and service to her forever.”
…
They agreed to wait and watch for a few more days, then returned to their seats.
A quarter of an hour later, the great bell rang nine times, marking the official start of the state banquet.
“His Imperial Majesty has arrived~” called out the high-pitched voice of the chief eunuch.
All the guests rose and bowed low.
Dongfang Mo walked in, robed in bright imperial yellow, with a crown of beads hanging before his brow. His features were handsome and striking, his eyes sharp and commanding though their coldness gave him a distant, unapproachable air.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he carried himself with immense dignity and authority. Though only twenty-two years old, he already possessed the stern, decisive presence of a ruler who had known war and power.
“Rise, all of you,” he said, stepping onto the dais and taking his seat.