Volume 1 Chapter 4: Asking Brother for Help with Washing

  Xia Jin Han listened to her words, looking at the astonishment in her eyes and the saliva slowly flowing from the corner of her mouth. His mouth twitched violently, and a cold light shot out from his narrowed eyes.

  Beauty? He hated hearing this word. Even if it was said by a child.

  But this child's eyes didn't have any mocking meaning, instead they were full of sincerity and admiration, which made Xia Jincheng's mood a little better.

  "Ah..." Being stared at by him, Shangguan Qing'er suddenly remembered her situation and realized who this man was. She trembled slightly and felt a chill on the corner of her mouth. Her face turned red as she hastily reached out to wipe it away, still forcing a smile and letting out two awkward "hehes".

  "Hmph..." Even if Xia Jin Han was as stoic and cold as ice, seeing Shangguan Qing'er's silly and hilarious actions at this moment, he couldn't help but let out a light chuckle.

  Just then, Qingyun walked in with something and saw the usually stern Prince smiling slightly, almost spilling the water basin in his hand.

  He must have seen it wrong, how could their young master smile? He had never seen it before, that's impossible.

  However, Shangguan Qing'er clearly saw the smile on Xia Jincheng's face, although that smile was fleeting and disappeared in an instant, but she still saw it clearly.

  To be honest, this was the first time Upper Official Light had seen such a smile, so pure and beautiful to the extreme.

  Seeing Officer Jing's gaze fixed on him, Xia Jinhan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Have you had enough of looking?"

  Shangguan Qing'er shrunk her neck and revealed two pretty front teeth, honestly shaking her head, "No, brother, it's okay."

  The tender voice sounded sweet and was like a gentle breeze that swept across people's hearts, making Xia Jinhan's mood become more pleasant.

  Qingyun stood at the door with a basin of water, and Xia Jinhan looked down at the little girl's dirty face and said, "Do you know how to take a bath?"

  Take a bath? Of course I can, but... if I couldn't, would the handsome guy have to help her bathe?

  "A faint smile spread across her delicate little face, and her soft voice effectively concealed her impure intentions."

  Xia Jinhan looked at her, who seemed to be only three years old, and it was not surprising that she couldn't take a bath. Looking at her delicate skin, she must have been well taken care of by someone before. An ordinary child from an ordinary family wouldn't grow up to be so beautiful, would they?

  Nodding, Xia Jinyan said, "Qingyun, help her get cleaned up."

  What? Is there something wrong? Let that cold-blooded man help her wash?

  Shangguan Qing'er's face suddenly fell, and she was about to protest with a look of discontent, but a voice came out faster than hers, "Your Highness, she is a girl, this..."

  Qing Yun looked at Xia Jin Han with a difficult expression, naturally unwilling to help Shangguan Qing'er take a bath. He was a big man, called him to take a knife and gun onto the battlefield to kill the enemy, his eyes wouldn't even blink, but let him give a little kid a bath? And it's a girl... This is simply asking for his life!

  Wow, I haven't even refused you yet, and you're already protesting? Humph, do you think I won't even give you a bath?!

  Shangguan Qing'er hesitantly reached out and tugged on Xia Jinhan's clothes, "Qing'er wants brother to take a bath..."

  Upon hearing Shangguan Qing'er's sweet voice, Xia Jinhan raised an eyebrow and didn't feel displeased by her way of addressing him. Instead, he looked at her with interest and asked, "Do you want me to bathe for you?"

  Shangguan Qing'er blinked her beautiful eyes and nodded vigorously, with full of expectation in her shining eyes.

  She was originally very cute, with a chubby little face, two adorable front teeth, fair skin, and fluffy short hair, each of which made people feel loving. Especially that smile, brighter than the sun, could easily infect the emotions of those around her.

  "Do you know who I am?" Xia Jinhan continued to ask.

  Shangguan Qing'er giggled and asked in a childish voice with a hint of doubt, "Are you... brother?"

  Upon hearing this response, Qingyun's mouth twitched uncontrollably as she couldn't understand why the normally serious Prince would suddenly take an interest in such a young whippersnapper. If it were any other time, not only would bringing this child back be out of the question, but even just having her fall onto the prince's head and mess up his hair would be enough to get her killed several times over.

  Xia Jincheng also felt that he was being too serious, after all, she was just a little kid, how would she know the difference between identity and status?

  Yes, when people are born, there is no distinction between nobility and humility. The eyes of children are the purest and will not be biased or follow the crowd. It's just that different living environments have created so many selfish people.

  Xia Jinhuan, who grew up in the imperial palace where you deceived me, suddenly felt that this child in front of him was much more lovely than those princesses in the capital.

  He picked up Shangguan Qing'er along with her cloak and said to Qingyun, "Put the water basin behind the screen and bring in the dishes."

  Qingyun widened her eyes in surprise and asked, "Your Highness, you..."

  Your Highness won't be...won't be helping this child take a bath, will you? This...

  Seeing Xia Jinhan's stern expression, Qingyun didn't dare to say more and obediently put down the water basin and the little kid's clothes in her hand, turned around and walked out.

  Xia Jinhan took Shangguan Qing'er to the screen and looked at her small face, then looked at the little thing in his hand and said faintly, "You'll have to make do."

  The desert city was close to the desert and water resources were not rich. Of course, as a prince, Xia Jinhan could still get several buckets of water for bathing, but he wasn't that extravagant, so his food, clothing and expenses here were relatively frugal.

  Shangguan Qing'er now feels happy as long as she can take a bath, even if it's just with one basin of water. At least it's better than being dirty all the time.

  She nodded obediently, and her cloak was pulled open by Xia Jinhan, revealing that she was only wearing a small red bellyband.

  Shangguan Qing'er was a bit shy, covering her body with her hands, clearly not used to this overly delicate body. Standing in front of a handsome man while undressing, she really did feel a bit embarrassed.

  "Come on, take off your clothes." Xia Jinhan reached out and was about to undress her.

  Shangguan Qing'er's face turned red as she hid away, shaking her head. Her childish voice rang out again, "Brother, I can wash myself. Grandma said that good kids should wash themselves, and I'm a good kid."

  Looking at the determination in Shangguan Qing'er's eyes, Xia Jinyan suddenly felt a little displeased, "Wasn't it you who wanted me to help you wash? Are you afraid?"

  Shangguan Qing'er shook her head and replied seriously, "Qing'er needs to grow up quickly and learn to wash herself."

  Xia Jin Han heard this and didn't insist anymore. For the first time, he was so enthusiastic about helping a child take a bath, but was actually rejected. He felt somewhat puzzled.

  He stood up and walked away with big strides, leaving behind a cold back view for Shangguan Ling'er.

  Didn't she provoke him? How did he suddenly become so scary? Shangguan Qing'er pouted, seeing Xia Jinhans' departure, hastily took off her clothes and ran into the water basin to soak comfortably.

  It's so comfortable...

  Shangguan Qing'er enjoyed washing her delicate body with her small hands, but since the water was limited, she didn't dare to wash for too long and quickly got up, grabbing a nearby garment to put on.