I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Chapter 496: How About the Three of Us Share a Family Tree 12

"Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. Prime Minister Gao, you should worry about yourself. You already caused some trouble with the Crown Prince of Xi Yan yesterday, and today you dragged him into the water. You should think about how you’re going to make amends." Worry was written all over Zhan Yi’s face.

Prime Minister Gao grew worried as well at the thought of Xiliu Yuan. Yesterday, the man had shown killing intent just because the Prime Minister’s wife’s carriage had bumped into his.

After being dragged into a mud pit, would he be so easily forgiving?

"Old Master Zhan," a maid said, hurrying over.

"How is the Crown Prince of Xi Yan?" Old Master Zhan asked.

"His Highness had the clothes I prepared thrown out."

"And where is he now?"

"The Crown Prince is still in the west wing. His guard has gone back to the inn to fetch a change of clothes," the maid said.

"Gather all the maids in the manor and have them wait outside the west wing. See if His Highness needs anything."

"Yes."

The maid withdrew.

"Argh, it’s all the fault of these hands!" Prime Minister Gao fumed, raising his hand and slapping his own left hand hard.

’Prime Minister Gao is putting on an even better show than I’d anticipated,’ Zhan Yi thought.

’He was so large that when he fell, he grabbed someone. And his wife was only dragged down because she instinctively grabbed his clothes.’

"What am I to do?" Prime Minister Gao fretted.

"Rest assured, Prime Minister Gao. This all happened so suddenly. If he dares to try anything, I, Zhan Yi, will stand firmly by your side." Zhan Yi patted his chest, the very picture of loyalty.

Hearing this, Prime Minister Gao was impressed and looked at Zhan Yi in a new light. "Thank you, Old Master Zhan."

"We are all from Beili. There’s no need to thank me."

"For saying that, Old Master Zhan, if the Zhan family ever has need of me in the future, I will surely offer my full support." To have someone stand by him so firmly in a time of crisis touched Prime Minister Gao deeply.

Zhan Yi gave a slight nod but said nothing more.

Silence fell over the main hall as the two men quietly waited for the Crown Prince of Xi Yan’s return.

「After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, at the west wing.」

Xiliu Yuan emerged from the west wing, having changed into a noble, black robe with gold trim. As he rounded the corner into the long corridor, he immediately spotted a small child in pink standing at the other end.

Ye Qianning stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her jet-black eyes fixed on Xiliu Yuan as he approached, step by step.

The black, luxurious robe only served to make him seem colder and more aloof.

’Since he entered the west wing, I haven’t heard him say a single word. He and Xi Fengying must have communicated by writing.’

’I’m not exactly sure what they were plotting.’

"Three days."

As Xiliu Yuan drew near, she uttered two barely audible words.

"Miss Xiang," Xiliu Yuan said.

"I just heard from the servants that you fell into the mud pit in the flower garden, Your Highness. I’m terribly sorry," Ye Qianning said, her face a picture of remorse. "It’s all my fault for being negligent. If I’d had someone fill it in yesterday, this never would have happened."

"There’s no need to blame yourself, Miss Xiang. Yesterday, I misunderstood you. Today, I came to your home and fell into a pit you dug. Let’s just say we’re even now," Xiliu Yuan said calmly.

"So you won’t press the matter, Your Highness?"

"No."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Xiliu Yuan didn’t speak, his gaze lowered to study the small child before him.

’Her skills are unparalleled. Even for a prodigy, how could a six-year-old silently kill a Shadow Guard? And she’s so clever... did she really just happen to find that "Two Rites Symbiosis" manual?’

Ye Qianning met his probing gaze with a wide, brilliant smile.

It was a smile as radiant as a blooming flower.

Xiliu Yuan paused for a fraction of a second, then averted his gaze.

"Your Highness, I have to go supervise the servants filling in that pit, so I won’t accompany you any further. Please watch your step on the way out."

Xiliu Yuan nodded.

Ye Qianning turned and walked away down the corridor.

’Three days. No matter the reason, I won’t cover for Xi Fengying any longer.’