Chapter 194

Words : 1075 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Ji Nian blinked playfully at him: "Dad, don’t you like it? Grandma said these fried snacks are delicious, really fragrant." Ji Tingzhou’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably, clearly disgusted by what he saw. Ji Nian chuckled inwardly, but on the surface, she looked utterly innocent as she asked, "What’s wrong, Dad? Are you scared?" Ji Tingzhou was simply revolted. But instead of saying so outright, he replied coldly, "How can you eat cicadas?" A passing cicada glanced over and said, "Help yourself." Ji Tingzhou: "......" Leaving Ji Tingzhou’s resentful gaze behind, the cicada—Zhiliao—walked away, a faint smirk playing on its lips. Ah, how many years had it been since it had seen him with that expression? What should have been an ordinary dinner turned into a comedic spectacle at the Ji household. Ji Tingzhou nearly got into a fight with Ji Nian, using his chopsticks to block hers from reaching the plate of insects. They were practically wielding their chopsticks as weapons. In the end, Ji Tingzhou had a sudden idea: "The little crown prince sent you a gift." Ji Nian immediately froze. "Eh? The little crown prince himself?" She was genuinely surprised. After all, their brief interaction had been while he was unconscious. Though irritated that her curiosity about the insects had been diverted by Lu Jinghuai, Ji Tingzhou was still relieved she wouldn’t be eating bugs. "It’s with Zhiliao." Ji Nian put down her chopsticks and called for Shen Qingtang, and the two children scurried off together. Seizing the opportunity, Ji Tingzhou shot a glance at a servant, signaling them to remove the unappetizing dish. With the fried cicadas gone, Wei Yang became the next victim. Rubbing his suddenly kicked backside, Wei Yang whined, "I didn’t even eat any!" Ji Tingzhou sneered. As if I didn’t see your shoulders shaking like a sieve. If I can’t deal with Zhiliao, can’t I deal with you? Wei Yang massaged his sore rear as his brother asked what had happened during Ji Nian’s visit to Chen Mo’s hometown. Wei Yang remembered Ji Nian had told him not to mention it. But no matter. "Ugh, Chen Mo’s dad—" He exaggeratedly recounted how Old Man Chen had insulted Ji Tingzhou right in front of Ji Nian. Ji Tingzhou remained unfazed. He’d heard far worse hundreds of times before. But when he heard about the child’s reaction, he practically glowed with satisfaction: "At least she’s filial." If only she’d stop trying to eat bugs. Then, upon hearing that Ji Nian had told Chen Mo she was angry because the old man had also insulted him, Ji Tingzhou curled his lips mockingly: "Quite the diplomat." Defending him was filial, defending Chen Mo was diplomacy. The hypocrisy was breathtaking. "That’s all?" He’d thought Ji Nian might have been mistreated at the Chen family. Wei Yang nodded. "That’s it." "Shen Rushan’s parents are arriving tomorrow. Send someone to fetch them." He was about to leave but then turned back, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Old Man Chen seems to have quite the opinion of me." "Since the Shen elders are coming, contact Chen Mo and tell him to bring his parents too." Ji Tingzhou didn’t even recognize Ji Nian’s birth mother, let alone care about her parents. But... The child was born from their daughter’s sacrifice. If not for ‘The Crow’s’ interference, she would have rightfully belonged to them. There was no reason to stop Ji Nian from interacting with them. As for why he’d been so hostile toward Chen Mo before... No particular reason. He just didn’t like him—especially after learning he was the one responsible for keeping him bedridden for so long. That dislike was more than justified. Ji Tingzhou had mulled over a lot. Maybe he hadn’t even realized how much he’d changed. Because the Ji Tingzhou before raising Ji Nian? He never reasoned with anyone. ... "Zhiliao-jiejie! Dad said the little crown prince sent me a gift." Not particularly hungry, Ji Nian dragged Shen Qingtang to find Zhiliao, dinner forgotten. Zhiliao thought for a moment and recalled a fragrant wooden box. "There is." While Ji Tingzhou was away, Zhiliao had handled his tasks before accompanying Ji Nian to Chen Mo’s place. The first thing she did there was thoroughly clean the Chen residence—almost sweeping out Number Two along with the trash. When Zhiliao finally left, Number Two’s joy was barely concealed. But ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍enough digression... "Here." She handed Ji Nian the gift from Lu Jinghuai. Every item intended for Ji Nian underwent rigorous scanning and inspection before reaching her. Once again, the two girls huddled together, whispering excitedly. "What is it?" "Feels heavy." After much scrutiny, Shen Qingtang suddenly asked, "Why do you call him the little crown prince?" Ji Nian paused. "Because his mother is a princess. I’m speaking from the perspective of the princess’s father—the former king (since Lide abdicated). The king’s grandson would naturally be a little crown prince, especially since he has succession rights." "Of course, I made all that up." She’d just started calling him that without thinking. What else would you call a princess’s son? Shen Qingtang nodded in understanding. Then they returned to examining the box. "I thought it might be jewelry." Boys their age usually gave those, right? Shen Qingtang’s reference point was Gu Xiuyuan. His family dealt in jewelry, so Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian often received small accessories from him. Ji Nian recalled the frail boy she’d seen lying in bed, but beyond that, nothing came to mind. Yet, for some reason, she remembered the striking silver-gray eyes from her dream. "Doesn’t seem like it." She murmured. The two girls ended up bent over a balcony chair, the wooden box placed before them. Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally bright, the sky devoid of clouds. A crescent moon hung among the treetops, its outline sharp as a CEO’s jawline. The cool breeze carried a hint of floral scent, soothing the children as they sat in perfect silence. In this tranquil moment, Ji Nian opened the little crown prince’s box. A delicate mechanical sound accompanied the lifting of the lid. Under the girls’ wide-eyed gazes, a tiny stage rose in the moonlight. A porcelain-skinned fairy with shimmering phosphorescent wings descended, her limbs moving with impossible grace. An enchanting melody, unlike any they’d heard before, accompanied her dance. As she twirled, the stage’s backdrop shifted in dreamlike hues. The girls were utterly mesmerized, their eyes glued to the magical spectacle—so entranced they barely remembered to breathe.

Chapter 194

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