He glanced around several times but found no one resembling "his family." His gaze fell upon the vendor, and he couldn't help but frown.
"Are you his family?"
Seeing him eyed him like a human trafficker, the vendor's body trembled, and he quickly waved his hands.
"No, no..."
"Your Highness, please discern! This young master seems to have lost his mother. He only came to me just now to buy a skewer of candied hawthorns..."
Although he didn't give him any.
Ye Tinglan frowned upon hearing this and looked at the small ball of fluff in his arms.
"Is what he said true?"
Feng Jinchen thought for a moment and nodded. "I haven't found Mother yet. Let go of me quickly, I need to go!"
As he spoke, he kicked his short legs, preparing to jump down. In the ensuing chaos, Ye Tinglan's dark brocade robe was suddenly marked with several shoe prints.
Qi Xuan and the vendor's eyelids twitched violently. To their surprise, Ye Tinglan was not angry at all. Instead, he tightened his embrace around the child.
"Do you know your mother's name? When and where did you get separated from your mother?"
He intended this question to gather information and help the child find his mother. However, as he lowered his head, he was met with the same wary eyes.
Ye Tinglan's forehead throbbed slightly. "If you refuse to say anything, how can I help you find her?"
The sky was already darkening, and he was uneasy about letting such a small child wander the city alone. He couldn't discern the child's identity from his attire, so he wanted to ask a few more questions. Yet, the little one refused to say anything more, guarding him as if he were a thief.
Feng Jinchen didn't understand that he intended to help him search. But after a moment of hesitation, he still shook his head.
"I don't need your help, I can find her myself!" He couldn't tell anyone about his mother's affairs!
To his surprise, Ye Tinglan chuckled at him. "How will you find her?"
"I..."
He stammered as soon as he opened his mouth. Feng Jinchen's small mouth parted, and a hint of bewilderment flashed across his face. Yes, this capital city seemed quite large. Where would he find his mother?
Seeing his expression, Ye Tinglan understood. The corner of his lips curved upwards, and he pressed his advantage.
"It's getting dark. If you can't find your mother tonight, where do you plan to sleep?"
Feng Jinchen's small brows furrowed. "I'm not afraid of hardship!"
He had already considered this when he arrived. As long as he could find his mother, sleeping on the streets would be acceptable!
He seemed resolute, but Ye Tinglan's words unnerved him.
"There are bugs on the streets, aren't you afraid of them?"
Bugs!
The moment he heard the word, Feng Jinchen's face paled slightly.
Ye Tinglan glanced at him and then, at that moment, released his grip.
"Since you've already made up your mind, I won't force you any further. Qi Xuan, let's return to the manor."
With that, he placed Feng Jinchen by the roadside and turned to return to the carriage. Feng Jinchen had not expected this at all. He was still hesitating when he saw this and immediately grabbed his robe again.
"Wait...!"
This uncle, although he seemed a bit strange, seemed quite distinguished, judging by the title "Prince" they had used. While his mother had told him not to follow strangers, the current situation was special. Staying at his home for a night should... be acceptable? At worst, he could give him some elixirs as thanks!
With this thought, he nodded. Ye Tinglan, who had been secretly observing his movements, turned around upon seeing this.
"What is it? Do you have any other questions?"
The little one, abandoning his previous stubbornness, gave him a coaxing smile.
"Uncle Prince, can I stay at your place tonight?"
The smile on Ye Tinglan's lips froze for a moment. "Prince uncle," indeed!
However, before he could correct him, a long, drawn-out growl sounded from in front of him. The sound came from the little one's stomach!
Ye Tinglan glanced at him, and for some reason, his anger subsided by more than half. He even took two steps back and scooped the child up.
"You must be hungry. Come, I'll take you for a meal."
Feng Jinchen was indeed a bit hungry. He hadn't eaten much during the journey, surviving on wine and elixirs until now. When Ye Tinglan mentioned it, he felt even hungrier! He weakly swung his arms. After only a couple of steps, Ye Tinglan suddenly stopped. He turned his head in confusion, and before he could ask why, he saw Ye Tinglan directly leading him towards the candied hawthorn stall by the roadside.
With long, well-defined fingers, he picked up a skewer and offered it to him. Before Feng Jinchen could react, the candied hawthorn was already in his mouth. Instantly, sweetness flooded his taste buds, spreading throughout his mouth.
So sweet! Sweeter than Mother's candy! Oh, he liked it so much!
Seeing him almost in tears with the candied hawthorn in his mouth, Ye Tinglan's lips curved upwards, his mood greatly improved.
"Hold it yourself."
The small, fleshy hands quickly took the bamboo skewer. Feng Jinchen had just smacked his lips when he saw Ye Tinglan wave a large hand at the candied hawthorn stall and sternly order, "Deliver all of these to Prince Mo's manor."
Feng Jinchen: All of it?
Qi Xuan: All of it???
Vendor: All of it?!!!