Volume 1 Chapter 8: Lian'er Likes

  It was at dusk, a red sun hung in the western sky, the setting sun was like blood, and it was breathtakingly beautiful.

  At this moment, Shangguan Qing'er finally felt the grandeur of the ancient poet's verse, "The vast desert smoke rises straight, the long river sunset is round."

  In front of them, not far away in the military camp, dinner was being cooked at this time, and wisps of blue smoke were rising. On the edge of this desert, it seemed to have a different flavor. And further away in the sandy city, as soon as the news of the prince's defeat of Zhao Guo was transmitted back, people in the city ran out of their homes one after another, hanging lanterns and colored banners. In an instant, the originally empty streets became extraordinarily lively.

  At eight o'clock in the evening, everyone was preparing a sumptuous dinner. Although the common people could not celebrate with the prince to share the joy, they were all celebrating this hard-won victory with their own actions.

  The sunset is infinitely good, it's just near dusk.

  No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it's just a momentary thing, just like the harmony between Shangguan Qing'er and Xia Jinhans now. Shangguan Qing'er can be warmly hugged in Xia Jinhans' arms, looking very favored by the crown prince, but who knows if this cold man will kill her in the next moment?

  After all, Shangguan Qing'er's origin is unknown, a child picked up from the deep mountains and old forests. Why would this wise and martial crown prince dote on her so much? If he didn't know about his own life story and had ulterior motives for himself, then he must be putting on an act of benevolence.

  Upper official Light Child thinks the former possibility is greater, because now Xia Jin Han is already the crown prince and has won a battle, his reputation is good enough, outsiders almost say he is a god, such a person fundamentally does not need to use himself to make that so-called benevolent name resound.

  Shangguan Qing'er quietly leaned into Xia Jinhan's arms, her clear big eyes shining with tears, occasionally stealing glances at Xia Jinhan.

  She thinks that being a kid also has its advantages, at least she can gaze at handsome guys without being scolded.

  Xia Jinhan felt her scorching gaze and looked down at her, saying, "What are you looking at me for?"

  "Brother is handsome, Light Rong, I like it." Shangguan Light Rong giggled, a small pink face smiled, and two beautiful front teeth were exposed. At this time, she was hugged in Xia Jinhans arms again, looking like a little white rabbit, so cute.

  Xia Jinhan was stunned for a moment, and then he pointed to her forehead with some helplessness, holding her in his arms and said, "Little horse farting spirit, do you think that by being so nice to me, I will forgive you for sneaking out today?"

  Shangguan Qing'er didn't expect that her attempt to curry favor would end in failure, and instead she was scolded. She looked at Xia Jincheng with a pitiful gaze, her head hung low as she said softly, "Qing'er doesn't dare."

  Seeing Shangguan Qing'er's disheartened little face, Xia Jincheng's eyebrows furrowed tightly, and for some reason, seeing this girl's worried and distressed expression made his mood somewhat oppressive and stifling.

  Xia Jin said coldly, "Don't show this expression again in the future."

  Shangguan Qing'er looked at Xia Jincheng with a puzzled expression, blinking her beautiful eyes to ask him what he meant by that.

  "Can't you even say two words properly? Who are you making that sorrowful face for, do you have to be punished by me before you'll behave?" Xia Jinhan's voice was stern, icy and intimidating.

  Shangguan Qing'er was stunned for a moment, then revealed a bright smile like sunshine, her hands tightly wrapped around Xia Jincheng's neck, leaning on her shoulder and giggling "Hehe", "Qing'er knows, brother is not angry, Qing'er is happy."

  That crisp laughter, like the tinkling of a bell, improved Xia Jinhan's mood by quite a bit. With one hand holding Shangguan Qing'er and the other patting her little buttocks, she said, "If you want to stay by my side from now on, be obedient."

  She thought that she was now a three-year-old child and couldn't leave his side, where else could she go? Shangguan Qing'er calculated in her heart, planning for her own future.

  Two people were talking, but Xia Jinhan suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then, a series of footsteps came from the front, although they were still some distance away, Shangguan Qing'er and sensitive Xia Jinhan heard them.

  Xia Jinhan stopped, and Shangguan Qing'er turned her head to look forward. When she saw that it was a group of men wearing tight-sleeved shirts different from Xia Jinhan's, she slightly furrowed her brow. It seemed like something flashed through her mind, but she couldn't remember what it was. She only felt like she had seen this attire somewhere before.

  Those people also saw Xia Jinhuan, and under the leadership of a general in his thirties, they hastily came over to pay their respects to Xia Jinhuan.

  "Zhou Yuan had met the Crown Prince of Xia Guo before, and the Crown Prince was over a thousand years old." The man who spoke first looked to be in his forties, wearing a tight-fitting official uniform. From his attire and accent, he didn't seem like someone from Xia Guo. At least, there was a huge difference between him and the people of Xia Guo that Shangguan Linger had met before.

  I heard that a few days ago, Xia Guo and Zhao Guo went to war, and Zhao Guo was defeated and sought peace. The person in front of us should be the great general Zhou Yuan who came from Zhao Guo to negotiate the peace talks.

  "I have met His Highness the Crown Prince, may he live for a thousand years." Except for Zhou Yuan, the envoys behind him and the generals of Xia who received these envoys all knelt down to pay their respects to Xia Jinhan.

  Xia Jinhan nodded slightly, her cold face expressionless, and even the gentle expression she had when she was with Shangguan Qing'er before had turned icy again.

  "General and envoys, please don't be polite, let's get up." Xia Jin Han stroked his sleeve, the action was natural and effortless, with a born king's temperament that made him look very majestic and domineering.

  Xia Jinhans arms were still wrapped around Shangguan Qing'er, who was now hugging Xia Jinhans neck with both hands, her head turned to the side, a pair of bright eyes sizing up Zhou Yuan and the others in front of her.

  Zhou Yuan raised his head and found that Xia Jinhan was holding a child in her arms. A flash of surprise flickered at the bottom of her eyes, especially when she saw the child's beautiful eyes and delicate face. Suddenly, she felt as if she had been struck by five thunders, staring blankly and unable to move.

  Xia Jin Han looked at Zhou Yuan's astonished expression without changing his tone, a faint chill flashing in the bottom of his eyes. He had already understood Ou Guan Qing Er's identity but didn't expose it, and even his facial expression didn't change as he opened his mouth, "General Zhou, why are you so surprised? Do you... recognize the child in my arms?"

  Zhou Yuan finally came back to his senses, recalling the news he had learned before setting out for Xia Guo's large camp. He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then regained his initial calmness and smiled, "Your Highness is joking, this general has never seen this child before, but at first glance, I felt that this child was exceptionally lovely, it reminded me of the newborn baby in my family."

  Xia Jin Han stretched out his hand, gently rubbing the delicate little face of Shangguan Qing Er, nodding thoughtfully, with a calm tone, "So that's how it is, I thought General recognized this child."