Hei Zi was overjoyed.

Finally, someone else could share the “love and care” of their master. Life suddenly seemed much more hopeful.

In the courtyard, a person and a snake were playing happily.

Xuanwu had been flipped onto its back in the center, legs sprawled upwards, unable to turn over no matter how hard it tried.

“Hei Hei, get moving,” Jiang Yuanxi commanded the black snake.

Hei Zi happily lifted its tail.

Pa! Pa! Pa! The tail lashed against the turtle shell.

Xuanwu spun at high speed, its neck stretching long.

By the time it stopped, it was so dizzy it almost lost its soul.

It vomited up everything it had eaten over the years.

At that moment, it finally realized what kind of little demon it had provoked.

Jiang Yuanxi watched with great amusement.

She even joined in herself, lifting Hei Zi and smacking it down on Xuanwu’s shell.

“That’s for turning back!”

“That’s for burrowing into my arms!”

“That’s for getting me struck by lightning!”

Jiang Yuanxi played with sheer delight.

Jiang Fengyuan simply sat under the window, watching his daughter play.

Chen Xinwan smiled gently. “Aren’t you going to stop her? That poor little turtle is suffering.”

Jiang Fengyuan held his wife’s soft hand.

“My dear, it’s just a turtle. Besides, it’s incomplete anyway. Keeping it doesn’t serve much purpose—might as well let Yuanxi have her fun.” It was rare to see his daughter this happy.

Chen Xinwan doted on her daughter, but as she watched, her smile slowly faded.

“Yuanxi is going to the palace later. Take her with you.”

Jiang Fengyuan was surprised.

His wife was actually letting him take Yuanxi to the palace today?

Soon, he understood why.

At the palace gates, Jiang Fengyuan habitually carried his daughter in his arms.

At this time of day, the officials entering and leaving the palace often passed through this gate.

He walked proudly with his daughter in his arms—after all, he was now the father of a princess.

He enjoyed hearing the refined officials of the court offer their congratulations.

“So fortunate.”

“Truly blessed.”

“What excellent children.”

Jiang Fengyuan welcomed all of it.

He even took a longer route, walking through the busiest areas to bask in more praise.

It was summer, and Chen Xinwan had put a little hat on Jiang Yuanxi. But along the way, Yuanxi got hot and impatiently yanked it off, tossing it aside.

“Greetings, Lord Jiang.”

Jiang Fengyuan nodded.

That official glanced at the person in his arms and suddenly burst into laughter.

After walking for a while, Jiang Fengyuan noticed something was off.

Why were people looking at him so strangely?

From a distance, Zheng Guang spotted Jiang Fengyuan.

Remembering how Jiang Fengyuan’s son had taken his own son to that kind of place, Zheng Guang was already filled with rage.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Lord Jiang.”

Who was speaking in such a sarcastic tone?

Jiang Fengyuan turned around.

“Lord Zheng.” He cupped his hands in greeting.

Zheng Guang’s mouth twitched when he saw the person in Jiang Fengyuan’s arms.

“Lord Jiang, at your age, with such accomplished children, one can’t help but be envious.”

Jiang Fengyuan waved his hand modestly. “Oh no, no, it’s all thanks to my wife’s teachings. I’m just a rough man—my children being well-behaved is a credit to her.”

Zheng Guang glared at him. Give him an inch, and he takes a mile!

“The temperament of young Master Yuancheng…” Zheng Guang hesitated before continuing, “If not properly guided, he may cause trouble in the future.”

“No need to worry.” Jiang Fengyuan cut him off. “I see Yuancheng gets along well with your son. They seem to be like-minded. Perhaps they’ll become close friends like us someday.”

Jiang Fengyuan wasn’t the least bit concerned. Yuancheng was mischievous, sure, but he was a good child at heart.

Zheng Guang’s face darkened.

He shook off Jiang Fengyuan’s hand, full of disdain. “Who wants to be your close friend?”

He was definitely going to tell his son to stay far away from Jiang Yuancheng.

His own son was gentle and refined—he couldn’t let that little rascal corrupt him.

Jiang Fengyuan wasn’t worried about Zheng Guang anymore.

After all, he now had leverage over him—thanks to his daughter.

Looking down, a glint nearly blinded him.

Without her hat, Jiang Yuanxi’s bald head gleamed under the sunlight.

Jiang Fengyuan finally understood.

No wonder his wife refused to bring Yuanxi to the palace.

She was afraid of the embarrassment!

Inside the hall, the crown prince caught sight of Jiang Yuanxi’s head and struggled to suppress his laughter.

Honestly, like this, she did bear some resemblance to his sixth brother.

The moment Jiang Yuanxi entered, she ran straight to the emperor’s desk.

The table was filled with fresh delicacies—pastries, fruits, everything prepared in advance just for her.

“What a shame about your hair,” the emperor sighed, truly feeling sorry for her.

His resentment toward those mischievous young masters grew even stronger.

Jiang Yuanxi fished around in her pouch and took out a bowl of turtle soup, placing it on the table.

“Emperor Father, this is great for you!” She beamed, presenting it like a treasure.

The emperor was shocked.

She can pull things out of thin air?

No wonder the astrologers at the Bureau of Astronomy were adamant about making her their director.

A rich aroma quickly filled the imperial study, making everyone feel instantly energized.

The crown prince kept craning his neck.

What exactly did Yuanxi bring Father? It smells amazing.

Even Zheng Guang, standing below, sniffed the air and started drooling.

He took a deep breath. “Hey, what’s His Majesty eating? Smells incredible.”

Jiang Fengyuan already knew.

It was the soup made from the giant turtle his daughter had defeated.

He had tasted it before even the emperor did.

Zheng Guang glanced at him and scoffed. Why is he acting so smug? It’s not like he’s eaten it before.

The emperor took a sip, and his body surged with energy.

He felt like he could review hundreds of documents in one sitting.

He even scraped the bottom of the bowl clean.

The servants were astonished—His Majesty had barely eaten anything today, yet he finished every last drop of the soup the princess brought.

The crown prince stared eagerly.

Why didn’t Father leave me even a sip?

The emperor asked, “Yuanxi, what kind of soup is this?”

“Turtle soup.”

[Hehe, it’s from the big turtle I caught at Prince Mu’s manor. But that stingy turtle only gave me a piece of its shell.]

Jiang Yuanxi pouted.

[How can I convince it to stew itself for me to taste?]

The emperor: “…”

The crown prince: “…”

Jiang Fengyuan: “….”

She’s a little demon. No doubt about it.

Since the emperor needed to discuss matters with his ministers, the crown prince took Jiang Yuanxi to the Bureau of Astronomy.

On the way, he hesitated several times before finally asking, “Yuanxi, do you have any more of that soup? Can I have a taste?” He practically begged.

The smell had tormented him—he had to try it.

He wanted to know what a thousand-year-old turtle spirit tasted like.

Without hesitation, Jiang Yuanxi pulled out another bowl.

The creamy white broth shimmered with strands of spiritual energy.

Just one sip made the crown prince close his eyes in bliss.

He drained the bowl, nearly licking it clean.

He even wanted another serving.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Jiang Yuanxi clutched her pouch tightly.

[Big Brother Crown Prince is bad—he wants to steal my food!]

The crown prince awkwardly turned away, rubbing his nose.

She guarded her pouch as if he were a thief.

He regretted everything.

Just because of one greedy look, the good brother image he had built up was gone forever.

Forget it. I’m never drinking that soup again.