The words spoken stunned the guards.
Yun Xiaojing felt no guilt; the man in the wheelchair was his scumbag father.
Even though he didn't intend for his scumbag father to know he was his son, it didn't stop him from acting righteous now!
The guards suddenly understood. They remembered the little beggar was the child who was almost abducted by human traffickers a few days ago, and who had mistaken their prince for his father. But hadn't he later said he wasn't his father? Why had he run away and now returned?
"You, I remember you. Didn't you say the Prince wasn't your father back then?" the guard asked.
"Now I think he is my father!" Yun Xiaojing declared, still self-righteous.
The guards felt awkward. Besides the young heir, how could their Prince possibly have a second son?
This...
It was clearly unlikely!
Could the little beggar be hallucinating from hunger because he had no money?
But given the situation now...
"The Prince is not your father, little one," the guard explained the truth with great reluctance.
For a child, this truth was rather cruel.
But Yun Xiaojing didn't care. "He is! If I can't see my father, I'm not leaving!"
The guards were at a loss and could only go in to report.
Coincidentally, they ran into Qiu Lu, who had just seen Zhan Xiaoli off and was returning.
Upon seeing the guards, Qiu Lu asked, "Why aren't you guarding outside? Did something happen?"
"Something has happened, Protector Qiu. Do you remember the child from a few days ago, the one who was almost abducted by human traffickers right outside the Prince's mansion, and whom the Prince rescued?" the guard asked.
Qiu Lu nodded. "Yes, I remember."
"He's come back and insists the Prince is his father! He's clamoring to see the Prince. I don't know what he's been through these past two days, his clothes are in tatters, and he hasn't washed his face in days; he's so filthy and looks quite pitiful," the guard said.
Qiu Lu frowned. "Alright, I'll go tell the Prince."
He recalled that the Prince seemed quite fond of the child that day.
He was probably quite pleased with him.
Suddenly.
A flash of inspiration struck him.
The young heir had always been alone in the mansion, without any friends. Perhaps they could take in that child to be a companion for the young heir?
With that thought, he quickened his pace.
He directly knocked on the door.
"Enter."
After Qiu Lu entered, he repeated the guard's words to Zhan Tianye.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Tianye raised his eyes.
Qiu Lu continued, "The young heir has always been lonely, which is why he wanted to find his mother. If... I have a suggestion, why doesn't Your Highness adopt that child and let him be a companion to the young heir? Moreover, the child seems to have a destined connection with Your Highness."
At the very least, the child wasn't afraid of the Prince.
Zhan Tianye's dark eyes deepened, and he remained silent.
Qiu Lu felt uneasy, unsure if the Prince would agree. If he agreed, that child would no longer have to wander the streets for the rest of his life!
If the Prince disagreed, the child was a beggar now, and would remain one in the future.
"Bring him in," Zhan Tianye commanded in a deep voice.
"Yes!" Qiu Lu responded immediately.
Outside the Prince's mansion.
Yun Xiaojing was idly kicking stones on the ground.
If someone had paid close attention, they would have noticed that the stones he kicked aside were all gathered together in the end.
Just then, a small cat, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, approached Yun Xiaojing.
Upon seeing Yun Xiaojing, the cat shivered.
But it quickly came to Yun Xiaojing's side, rubbing against his leg.
Then it purred and acted coquettish.
The guards nearby were so astonished their jaws nearly dropped.
"This cat..."
What was happening today?
Normally, it would hiss and scratch at anyone who tried to hold it, as if it wanted to claw them to pieces!
After all, it was a very good-looking cat.
Children loved playing with it.
However, it didn't take a liking to anyone!
If anyone forcibly held or petted it, they would definitely be scratched into a bloody mess!
But now!
It was actually acting affectionately towards the little beggar!
He could even see its fawning, almost obsequious expression!
It felt utterly surreal!
Yun Xiaojing, oblivious to the guards' reactions, bent down and picked up the cat, stroking its head. "You're quite well-behaved!"
The cat purred again, leaning its head into Yun Xiaojing's palm.
It seemed eager for Yun Xiaojing to pet it further.
The guards' eyes widened even further. "This cat scratches people."
"No, it's very well-behaved!" Yun Xiaojing blinked his bright eyes.
"It does! Don't let it hurt you, let it go quickly." The guard kept his eyes fixed on the cat, fearing it might harm the little beggar because it didn't recognize him.
Yun Xiaojing gently grasped the cat's small paw and showed it to the guard. "Uncle, look, it won't scratch. Its claws are retracted. If you don't believe me, you can touch it."
The guard looked on in amazement. The sharp little claws were retracted?
How was that possible?
Just as he was about to reach out and touch it, the sharp little claws suddenly extended.
It seemed to be in a defensive posture, not wanting the guard to touch it.
But the moment Yun Xiaojing touched it, the little claws retracted obediently.
Under such a stark contrast, the guard's mouth twitched severely.
Just then, Qiu Lu emerged.
He had been somewhat prepared for the child's miserable state after hearing the guard's description.
But he hadn't expected it to be even worse than he imagined.
"Protector Qiu." The guard saw Qiu Lu.
Qiu Lu walked up to Yun Xiaojing.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the cat in Yun Xiaojing's hands.
"Protector Qiu, this kitten is very strange today. It's not scratching him; instead, it's letting him hold it!" the guard said.
Qiu Lu raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at the cat held by the little one. It was completely docile, showing none of the ferocity it had displayed before.
It was indeed strange.
However, he didn't dwell on it and instead said to Yun Xiaojing, "Little one, the Prince wishes to see you. Come with me."
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiaojing's bright eyes sparkled. "Really?"
It worked?
He could see his brother soon?
Hooray!
"Of course, let's go," Qiu Lu said with a smile.
He saw liveliness and spirit in this little one, qualities that the young heir lacked.
If this child could make the young heir more cheerful, that would be wonderful!
With hopeful anticipation, Qiu Lu led Yun Xiaojing into the Night Prince's mansion.
Yun Xiaojing absently stroked the cat with his small hand.
He glanced around the Night Prince's mansion.
He secretly pouted.
It was nothing special!
Not even as luxurious as Uncle Ruan Xi's house!
Just a little bit bigger.
His scumbag father didn't seem to have much money.
Had his fortune been snatched away by someone else?
He curiously looked around, wondering where his brother lived.
Perhaps it was because they were close, but he could sense that his brother was feeling particularly sad right now!
Hmph! It was all the scumbag father's fault!
For wanting to get a stepmother for his brother!
What a lecherous old man!