Volume 1 Chapter 20: A Change in Expression?

  The afternoon sunlight slanted down into this quiet room, casting a soft glow over it, making the two people dining at the table look very warm and harmonious.

  Shangguan Qing'er smiled and looked at Xia Jincheng with a pleased expression, then obediently sat down, picked up the chicken leg and started gnawing on it.

  It feels great to have a handsome man serving me, especially someone as noble and cold as Xia Jinhan, who has always had others serve him. It's particularly fulfilling for Shangguan Linger, and the food tastes even better.

  She just hasn't grown all her teeth, and eating looks a bit awkward. Moreover, when she's pleased, eating is particularly ungraceful, to the point of... getting her face all dirty and oily, but she herself doesn't notice because she's in a good mood.

  Having been a three-year-old for so long, Shangguan Qing'er had slowly gotten used to this body and gradually accepted the fact that her hands and feet were not agile and her speech was unclear.

  But Xia Jin Han looked at her so rough appearance, still felt very difficult to accept.

  Shangguan Qing'er is still the little princess of Zhao Guo, even if she has lost her memory. The innate temperament and the unique upbringing she received since birth are things that cannot be changed no matter what.

  Xia Jinhuan, who had grown up in the palace since childhood, deeply understood the strict etiquette of the imperial court. How could this Upper Official Lian'er...

  "How can you still be so rough? In this state, how dare I take you to attend the dinner party?" Xia Jinhan looked at Shangguan Qing'er's rough appearance, and with a sigh of extreme helplessness, she picked up her handkerchief and vigorously wiped her cheeks.

  Shangguan Qing'er winced in pain, shrinking her neck, but she caught the key point of Xia Jincheng's words and asked with shining eyes, "Brother, are you taking me to attend the dinner party?"

  She saw her eyes shining, a face full of expectation. Xia Jincheng nodded slightly, his narrow and long eyes without any expression, yet extremely beautiful, his delicate chin slightly raised, his cherry-colored sensual lips lightly opened, and he spoke in a melodious tone, "That's natural, you're the one who saved my life, how could tonight's celebration banquet be without you?"

  Lifesaver? What lifesaver? Shangguan Qing'er looked at Xia Jinhanshu with a puzzled expression, her watery eyes blinking silently, but making it clear what she was asking.

  Xia Jinhan's palm landed on her head, gently rubbing her fluffy short hair, with a profound gaze and an icy tone that was clear as ice, "You only need to remember, you are the one who saved my life. Once we arrive at the Imperial Garden, just stay by my side."

  Shangguan Qing'er's eyes rolled around, and she suddenly understood something. She smiled obediently and nodded her head, lowering it to continue eating the delicious dishes that Xia Jinhan had served her with a pleased expression.

  Life-saving benefactor, are you going to tell Xia Jinhuan the excuse that was made up just to keep her from leaving?

  After all, as the crown prince of a country, let alone keeping a princess from another country by his side, even keeping any child or adult from Xia Guo by his side requires reasonable reasons.

  She was only three years old, so she couldn't stay as a maid or guard like Lihua and the others. That would leave her with an unsuitable status, so they had to give her a suitable one that would allow her to stay without raising eyebrows.

  It must be said that Xia Jinhan really has the demeanor of a king, at just 16 years old he can be so deeply thoughtful and calm in handling matters, composed and fearless, this is something that Shangguan Qing'er, who has lived for over twenty years, cannot even begin to compare with.

  Xia Jin Han leaned against her chin, watching Shangguan Qing'er eat with relish, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of her mouth. That faint smile, on that originally extremely handsome face, like a celestial being, although fleeting, was deeply etched in Shangguan Qing'er's heart.

  The warm sunlight spilled on the windowsill behind him, as if it had gilded him with a layer of golden light, making him look even more handsome and captivating.

  Upper official Cheng was so absorbed in watching that he forgot to eat.

  They say "beauty can be a feast", I guess they're talking about someone like Xia Jinhan. Just looking at him, even if you don't eat or drink, you'll still feel happy.

  Shangguan Qing'er suddenly felt that she was very lucky to have met Xia Jinhuan. She only hoped that he really wanted to treat her well, and not just because of those purposes that he was being so indulgent towards her.

  Seeing the official's daughter looking at herself with almost drooling, Xia Jinhan's mouth twitched and she reached out to tap her forehead, scolding in a low voice, "After eating your fill, go take a bath, change into some clothes, and let Lihua dress you up properly. If you make a fool of yourself at the banquet later, you'll be the one who's embarrassed."

  Shangguan Qing'er sneaked a peek at the handsome guy and didn't get caught, nor was she embarrassed or pretentious. She giggled and nodded, got up and ran to Xia Jinhans side, hugged him and rubbed against him, smiled with her big front teeth showing, and her sparkling eyes were full of joy, as if there was also a hint of slyness.

  "Qing'er knows, Jin Gege is the most handsome. Qing'er won't look at anyone else, hehe." After speaking, Shangguan Qing'er turned around and ran inside, her small body, her footsteps still a bit unsteady, running with a wobbly gait, making people worry that she might fall over.

  She ran while calling out in a soft and gentle voice, "Sister Lihua, Qinger is taking a bath."

  Xia Jin Han couldn't help but look at the small figure disappearing behind the screen, only to realize that the cunning in the little girl's eyes was for what reason. Is he the best-looking? Won't she look at others? Does this count as a disguised confession?

  Xia Jinhan's face turned slightly red, and then the corners of his mouth twitched, muttering, "Just kidding." A three-year-old girl would confess? He had been spending too much time with her lately, and even his IQ had been lowered by that little girl.

  It was Lihua who had just entered, seeing them already facing the majestic and powerful Lord Yingming alone, with his head down and a hint of a profound smile at the corner of his mouth.

  As expected, Miss Qing'er is indeed different; to the Emperor, she's an exceptionally special existence.

  Li Hua walked into the room with her head down, ordered someone to prepare hot water, and then attended to Shangguan Qing'er to take a comfortable bath.

  This was the most comfortable bath Shangguan Qing'er had taken since coming to this world. Previously in the military camp, all the facilities were very simple, and on the road, they had been camping out under the stars, and even when staying at an inn, it was just a quick wash before being rushed off again.

  At this moment, Shangguan Qing'er was like a small fish jumping into the pond, swimming happily in the large bathtub. Her originally crystal-clear face turned red after being soaked in hot water, looking even more like a crystal apple that tempted people.

  Peach blossom stood behind Shangguan Qing'er, watching her sit in a chair placed inside the bathtub because she was too short, waving her small hands non-stop and swimming around like a happy fish, and couldn't help but be infected by her joy, revealing a faint smile on her indifferent face.

  Happiness can be infectious at times, just like Xia Jinhan, who was always aloof, became much warmer after meeting Shangguan Qing'er. The pear blossoms that had been following Shangguan Qing'er for some time also underwent a great change.

  The pear blossom was lost in thought with her head down, but suddenly heard a "splash" from the bathtub, which scared her back to life, and she rushed over hastily.

  By the way

  Ahh-ooo!