Si Mingjing’s heart skipped a beat.
She pondered for a mont, continuing to walk without speaking. After they had passed through two more corridors, she finally asked, "Why her? I don’t think it’s necessary. Soone who passed away tens of thousands of years ago still occupies the throne. This isn’t very helpful for governing the country. The Monarch is ant to serve the people, not just be a spiritual leader."
It’s like squatting over a latrine without pooping, why bother?
Si Lisao could tell from her tone that she wasn’t very interested in becoming Queen, so he chatted idly with her as they walked.
"This was the people’s choice," he explained. "They want to preserve the throne forever for the Saintess who sacrificed herself to save them. This is not only a tribute of gratitude and a testant to their faith, but also because they believe that only soone willing to sacrifice themselves for the people is qualified to sit on the throne of Mu Continent and govern this nation. Don’t you understand yet?"
A warmth spread through Si Mingjing, a gentle current flowing from her heart and throughout her entire body. After a long mont, she smiled and said, "Oh."
Si Lisao had made his point and didn’t elaborate further, as they had reached her courtyard and saw several guards.
Si Mingjing instructed soone to prepare lunch.
The siblings had a simple al together.
During the al, Si Mingjing asked, "Brother Crown Prince, what’s the deal with that child, Ye Jingzhe from the Hua Family?"
Si Lisao’s hand, the one holding his chopsticks, suddenly tensed.
He was silent for a long mont.
Si Mingjing said, "I heard you plan to adopt that child. But you’re still pursuing Si Yuan and haven’t won her over yet, and now you’re thinking of an adopted son? Isn’t this just adding an obstacle to your marriage?"
Si Lisao’s hand relaxed. Listening to Si Mingjing’s tone, he knew she wasn’t suspicious.
"I have no plans to adopt him, just giving him so extra care," Si Lisao said lightly. "He’s a proud child. Even if I wanted to adopt him, he might not be willing. He has high self-esteem and lofty aspirations."
Si Mingjing chuckled. "That’s good. But I quite like that child too. He looks like soone you’d want to dote on."
That’s probably maternal instinct, Si Lisao thought.
"Since you like him, when you’re free, you can take him out for a al," he suggested. "He’s been an orphan since he was young. Although he’s never lacked for fine clothes or food, he sorely lacks love."
Si Lisao knew Ye Jingzhe was a lonely child who lacked love, but he never indulged him. He wanted to raise a child with a resilient mind.
Si Lisao firmly believed that adversity breeds talent.
However, just because he didn’t dote on the child didn’t an he wanted others to refrain from doing so.
Especially his younger sister.
He hoped his sister would dote on the child; besides, today was the child’s birthday.
If she weren’t so insistent on staying with Mo Yinhe, he would have told her imdiately that the child was her own flesh and blood. But...
The mont he told her, the child would be taken away from Mu Continent.
That fellow, Mo Yinhe, wouldn’t leave the child here.
Mu Continent had already lost too many Little Dragon cubs and couldn’t afford to lose any more—especially not Ye Jingzhe, the child he valued most.
"Alright. Yinhe also really likes this child," Si Mingjing said while eating.
Si Lisao’s brow twitched sharply, and he didn’t pursue the topic.
After lunch, Si Lisao left Si Mingjing’s courtyard to find Bai Qingshui.
Bai Qingshui had already returned from the police station.
Although she had committed a foolish act by framing Ye Siyuan and had beco the target of public condemnation online, the police could do nothing as long as Old Mada Bai chose not to press charges. As for her cursing Ye Jingzhe with a voodoo doll, that was a matter of moral condemnation; legally, she couldn’t be charged.
This was precisely what infuriated Hua Jinse. So, early that morning, she had bought a viral dia campaign to expose Bai Qingshui. Her reasoning was clear: if the law couldn’t punish Bai Qingshui, then public condemnation would.
Bai Qingshui had spent the entire night at the police station, terrified. Her mother had also beaten her, leaving her in pain, frightened, and deeply regretful—regretting her lack of ticulous planning and her mistake in trusting Xianglan, the traitor. Overwheld by a torrent of emotions and utterly exhausted, she had finally fallen asleep.
Si Lisao went to find Bai Qingshui personally. Her assistant woke her, announcing, "Crown Prince Lisao has arrived."
"What did you say?"
"Second Miss, Crown Prince Lisao is currently having tea in the living room. The Madam is entertaining him. You should hurry and get ready."
Under normal circumstances, Bai Qingshui would have scrambled to dress and apply makeup. Today, however, she trembled with a chilling fear. "No, no, no, I won’t go! He must be here to call to account! What should I do? I have to escape! Yes, I must escape!"
In the living room, Bai Chuanfeng was also at her wit’s end. With Si Lisao personally inquiring about the matter, even the strong-willed woman couldn’t find an imdiate solution.
Bai Chuanfeng had nearly exhausted all pleasantries, but Si Lisao rely sipped his tea leisurely, not uttering a single word.
His silence was oppressive. The air in the entire living room seed to stagnate, making it difficult to breathe.
The servants standing in attendance were all sweating profusely, daring not even to breathe too loudly. Our Second Miss is truly foolish! they cursed internally. Of all people, why provoke Crown Prince Lisao?
A few monts later, two guards dragged in a frantic Bai Qingshui, who had been trying to escape. They shoved her into the living room and reported, "Your Highness, we saw Miss Bai dragging a suitcase, attempting to leave the Bai Family by submarine, so we brought her here."
Si Lisao’s cold gaze swept over Bai Qingshui indifferently. He still said nothing.
Bai Chuanfeng felt her vision darken. This daughter of mine... truly a lost cause! Did she really think running away at a ti like this would help?
"Your Highness, it is my failure in raising my daughter..." Bai Chuanfeng began, her voice carefully modulated and her words subtly chosen, attempting to make excuses for her daughter.
But she had barely started when a livid Si Lisao interrupted her, "Since Mada Bai acknowledges her failure in raising her daughter, then allow to discipline her on your behalf."
Si Lisao placed his teacup down and rose. With majestic strides, he exuded the cold, formidable aura of an emperor whose fury has been stoked in defense of his beloved. His gaze fell upon Bai Qingshui.
Looking at that face of hers, he had always found it difficult to punish her severely. Now, it was clear his leniency had only emboldened Bai Qingshui, making her increasingly presumptuous.
Si Lisao stepped forward until he towered over the trembling Bai Qingshui. He looked down at her disdainfully. "Does having that face make you think you’re superior? So much so that you’ve forgotten who you are?"
"No, no, no, Your Highness!"
Bai Qingshui was truly terrified. Tears stread down her face, a mixture of fear and resentnt churning within her. "I just... Why do you like Ye Siyuan so much? What’s so good about her? She’s the Princess of Atlantis, and Atlantis has always been close to the land-dwellers. Haven’t you always opposed Mo Yinhe’s political ideology? Now that you’re interested in Ye Siyuan, what will the other marine nations think? They will surely interpret this as you endorsing Mo Yinhe’s political views! Ye Siyuan is not a worthy match for you at all!"
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