Mo Chou turned and left, leaving Xiao Yu Er standing alone at the gate, gazing wistfully at the peach forest. She blinked, wondering what would happen if her mother returned.
Just then, several tall figures emerged from the peach forest. Hearing the sound, Xiao Yu Er straightened up with joy and quickly looked over.
Unfortunately, it wasn't her mother, but several imposing men.
The man at the forefront had narrow eyebrows as dark as ink, slanted upwards to his temples. His handsome phoenix eyes held a deep, serene pool of jade-green water. His skin was smooth and lustrous, his black hair tied up with a golden hairpin. He wore a purple brocade robe with golden threads outlining the hem and sleeves, a multi-colored sash at his waist, and purple court boots.
Wu Qing, delicate as crystal, and Wen Yu, like a seductive rose, were incomparable to this man, who could be likened to a peony. He possessed unparalleled elegance, yet exuded a wild, unbridled spirit. His every move carried an innate kingly demeanor that commanded respect.
Who was he? How did he enter Wú Qíng Valley?
Xiao Yu Er scowled, glaring coldly at the group entering.
The newcomer was Emperor Xian. His narrow brows rose, and a dark glint swept across his star-like eyes as he fixed his gaze on the adorable little girl before him. The girl wore a pink silk dress, her face tender and rosy, her skin as delicate as a peach blossom. Her eyebrows were long and finely shaped, her beautiful phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and she was glaring at them with cold anger.
Emperor Xian, Mu Rong Liu Zun, recognized the little girl at a glance and was so excited he wanted to embrace her.
She was his daughter, the Eldest Princess of Da Xian.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's pupils deepened, growing more alluring. He desperately suppressed his excitement, fearing he would frighten his beloved daughter, whom he had never met before.
Xiao Yu Er watched as the men approached her. She had already retreated from the corridor to the gate, her hands on her hips, blocking the entrance, and looked up at the handsome, captivating man before her.
"Who are you?"
"Your Father Emperor," Mu Rong Liu Zun's words carried an innate arrogance and dominance, a paternal pride hidden within. However, upon hearing his words, Xiao Yu Er's expression changed drastically. She was already in a bad mood lately, and now this man who dared to take liberties. She immediately cursed angrily.
"How dare you take advantage of me!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she rolled her eyes and ordered inside, "Xiao Zun, go! Teach this old man a lesson for me."
As her voice faded, a large, snow-white wolf burst from the house and pounced towards its prey. For a moment, the open space before the gate became a battlefield of man and wolf. The little girl standing on the corridor shook her head, watching the spectacle, clapping her hands and cheering, "Well done, Xiao Zun! If you win, I'll give you two bones."
Mu Rong Liu Zun was a skilled martial artist. If he hadn't been afraid of harming the wolf, he could have defeated it with a single move. But by doing so, he would have made an enemy of his daughter upon their first meeting, so he held back from striking hard.
However, thinking of the name his daughter called him, the corners of his thin lips couldn't help but twitch. What was this "Xiao Zun"? Who had given it that name?
His gaze suddenly became dark. Besides that woman, he couldn't think of anyone else. Not only had she divorced the Emperor, but she had also named a dog the same as himself. He didn't feel annoyed, only amused.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's subordinates, the foremost of the Four Dark Guards, Chang Ting and Duan Hun, along with two imperial guards, all looked at the little girl and heard the Emperor's words. They knew this little girl was the Eldest Princess born to the Empress. They weren't sure if they should help the Emperor.
If the Emperor wished to deal with this mere wolf, he could defeat it with one blow. However, the Emperor didn't do so, perhaps not wanting to harm the little girl's pet. That's why he fought for a few more rounds, just to make the Eldest Princess happier.
Xiao Yu Er was engrossed in the excitement when Mo Chou walked from the end of the corridor, carrying a tray. Hearing the commotion at the gate, she moved lightly and quickly reached Xiao Yu Er's side, asking with concern, "Xiao Yu Er, what happened?"
"Someone trespassed into the valley again. I'm letting Xiao Zun teach him a lesson."
As she spoke, she pointed to the men in the corridor. At that moment, the man waved his purple robe, stirring up a fierce wind. The wolf, unable to withstand it, whimpered and ran back. Xiao Yu Er grumbled in dissatisfaction:
"Xiao Zun, you're so useless! You just ran away in fright. Is that a man's behavior? You're a male wolf, you know."
The little girl was scolding the dejected wolf when Mo Chou's expression changed drastically as she met the gaze of the men entering the valley. She immediately placed the tray on the corridor's platform, swiftly walked to the side, knelt down, and said respectfully, "Your servant greets Your Imperial Majesty."
"Rise," the Emperor commanded.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty," Mo Chou stood up and moved to the side. Xiao Yu Er, at the head of the corridor, stared at everything before her with wide eyes. After a long moment, she pointed at Mu Rong Liu Zun and slowly said, "He's the Emperor?"
"Xiao Yu Er, come here quickly. This is your Father Emperor."
"Father Emperor," Xiao Yu Er repeated, looking up at the man before her. His eyebrows did indeed hold a sense of familiarity. It turned out that her appearance was very similar to his, which was why she had felt a bit strange earlier.
"I don't have a Father Emperor. I only have Mother. My name is Mu Xiao Yu."
Everyone in the open space was stunned. They never expected that despite the Eldest Princess's young age, her thinking would be so unique. Even Mu Rong Liu Zun was surprised.
Could it be that she was truly his child? Had she educated their child with their world view, which was why Xiao Yu Er was so intelligent? She didn't seem like a two-year-old child at all, but rather a shrewd, grown child.
Chang Ting and Duan Hun, fearing their master's anger, turned to look at him. However, their master showed no anger; instead, he appeared lost in thought.
At this moment, Mo Chou suddenly knelt down with a thud.
"Your Imperial Majesty, please save my mistress."
If there was anyone in the world who could contend with the Imperial Consort of Dan Feng Kingdom, it was no one else but the Emperor. That was why Mo Chou had pleaded with the Emperor to act.
Mu Rong Liu Zun was somewhat bewildered. He stared coldly at Mo Chou and slowly spoke in a voice as cold as flowing water, "What is going on?"
"Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty, my mistress was captured by the Imperial Consort of Dan Feng Kingdom. He is Wu Qing's father. I beg Your Imperial Majesty to save my mistress."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's handsome face was instantly shrouded in a bewitching, deep charm. Grinding his teeth, he uttered words as cold as winter frost.
"Let's go," he said, preparing to leave as swiftly as the wind. Xiao Yu Er, who had been standing on the high platform, saw them preparing to depart and quickly leaped down. With three quick steps, she caught up to the figures ahead and reached out, tightly gripping Mu Rong Liu Zun's purple brocade robe.
Mu Rong Liu Zun stopped and turned to look at his daughter. A bright spark flashed in her large, ink-black eyes. She spoke with neither humility nor arrogance.
"If you take me to find my mother, then you are my Father Emperor. Otherwise, I will have no Father Emperor from now on."
As her words fell, the air stiffened. Several people felt a tightness in their chests, sensing a layer of frost descending around them.
The Princess had such audacity! To directly threaten the Emperor. This wild and unrestrained nature was truly a bit like the Emperor, but also very much like the Empress.
However, Emperor Xian was not angry. On the contrary, he was very happy. The thin, cool aura on his exceptionally handsome face lessened slightly, and he said softly, "Alright."
He actually agreed to Xiao Yu Er's request. Because of his daughter, he had never taken care of her. Since she had a request, how could he refuse? However, to prevent Xiao Yu Er from being harmed, he looked up and sternly commanded, "Mo Chou, you must protect the Eldest Princess."
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."