Chapter Three: This Adorable Child Is a Little Ruthless

Lin Feifei was stunned with fear; fortunately, Xiao Jingxuan pulled her back just in time, or else that little dagger would have left a hole right in her face.

“If you dare bully my mother, I’ll kill you all!” Yunbai’s childish voice rang out as he charged forward, only to be scooped into Su Jingluo’s arms. What had the original owner taught this child, to fill him with such violent intent?

“Yunbai, don’t be like this. Mother was so anxious looking for you that she ran into the rockery.” Su Jingluo, being a doctor, knew well how terrifying a child’s pain and lack of security could be. She didn’t want Yunbai to become like this. A parent who loves their child must plan for their future.

“Mother, Yunbai isn’t stupid. Don’t be afraid. Yunbai will protect you.” Little Yunbai used his tiny body to shield Su Jingluo. Her eyes reddened, and the mother was moved—this child was so sensible it made her heart ache. What kind of wretched mother would make such a small child worry like this?

Su Jingluo caught Yunbai’s small hand and took away the dagger, then lifted his little body into her arms.

“Yunbai, mother can protect herself. And she will protect you. Your father will protect you too.” Su Jingluo truly didn’t want to redeem that scoundrel, but she couldn’t let the child feel unloved by his father.

Xiao Jingxuan’s icy expression suddenly faltered for a moment before he helped Lin Feifei up and said to Su Jingluo with annoyance, “You’ve raised the child to be so wild and unruly. You still have the nerve to demand custody. Go home and reflect—he’s about to start his studies. Is it appropriate for you to take him with you?”

“You’re not father—you’re a bad man.”

Little Yunbai twisted out of Su Jingluo’s arms, glaring fiercely at Xiao Jingxuan.

Xiao Jingxuan frowned as he looked at Yunbai; the little fellow was clever and adorable. In that bleak little courtyard, his cheeks were red from the cold, holding a small shovel to clear snow—enough to tug at anyone’s heartstrings.

Xiao Jingxuan held Lin Feifei tightly and looked at Su Jingluo with indifference.

“Return to your original quarters. You are not to cause any more trouble.”

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“Ha! Cause trouble? Just don’t come looking for me, and I won’t cause any,” Su Jingluo retorted, holding Yunbai as she strode out, pushing past the scoundrel and his tea girl, heading toward the little courtyard she remembered. Xiao Jingxuan was left gnashing his teeth in anger.

Yunbai silently wept in Su Jingluo’s arms, wiping the wound on her forehead with his small hand.

“Oh dear, boys shouldn’t cry so much. Look at me—no, your mother—see, I’m fine, aren’t I?”

Much as she liked the child, she had never really been a mother; after the child cried for a while, her patience wore thin.

Yunbai wiped his tears with his sleeve and nodded, “Mother is right, Yunbai won’t cry anymore. Mother, I know they bullied you. I’ll avenge you.”

Su Jingluo was both amused and exasperated; the child was so sensible, it was hard to fool him.

“Yunbai, mother only has one wish for you: grow up happy. Don’t worry about anything else, alright?” Su Jingluo earnestly tried to correct his worldview.

Yunbai nodded, half understanding, and hugged Su Jingluo’s neck, finally relaxing his tense little body. But he still whispered, “Yunbai understands, but Yunbai can only be happy if mother is happy.”

So stubborn! She would have to teach him slowly; one or two days wouldn’t change that resolve.

Su Jingluo returned with peace of mind, but Xiao Jingxuan was in turmoil. Suddenly, everyone in Prince Jing’s household fell gravely ill—foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling back, all seemingly close to death. Physicians were summoned; their diagnosis was poison, but what kind, they couldn’t tell. The doctors hesitated, and by the time the cause was found, it would likely be too late for everyone.

Xiao Jingxuan’s face darkened. No one had ever managed to poison Prince Jing’s residence, but truthfully, there were many who wanted him dead—each one powerful and influential.

Royalty and nobility from distant lands feared Xiao Jingxuan’s fierce army and had attempted to assassinate him dozens of times, but each time he escaped unscathed—such was his skill. Yet even in his own country, there were those who wished him dead; in the capital, the Emperor and Empress Dowager most of all.

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Xiao Jingxuan’s imperial brother was raised in luxury since birth, yet Xiao Jingxuan repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, his achievements towering over the ruler, who had long sought his removal. But with neighboring states watching hungrily, they dared not let him die, so they feigned gratitude, arranged a marriage to Su Jingluo to save him, and kept him under surveillance.

Thus, the Emperor would not lightly attempt to kill him. But who else had the ability to poison the entire household unnoticed, evading even the secret guards? The whole residence, except for Xiao Jingxuan and his guards, was poisoned—strange indeed. To slip poison under Xiao Jingxuan’s nose was no trivial feat; he felt a chill down his spine. Whoever did this must be found.

Investigate!

Xiao Jingxuan dispatched his most capable secret guard, Zhuoyue An, to conduct a thorough search.

Zhuoyue An was swift and meticulous. Without him, those hundred lives would surely be lost.

While Zhuoyue An investigated, Xiao Jingxuan was busy scribbling names onto paper—his enemies and anyone with the opportunity to harm him, even Lin Feifei’s name was there.

When Zhuoyue An returned to report the name, Xiao Jingxuan was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out.

Xiao Yunbai!