Chapter 120: Just Seems Familiar

The young boy didn’t seem bothered by Little Qiyue’s accident at all. Instead, he stood up and seriously addressed Ning Qingyuan. “Lord Ning, the girl has wet herself. Could you provide some clothes to change her so she doesn’t catch a chill from the wind?”

Liu Zhoucheng, now a bit more composed, looked at the young boy, who not only spoke with maturity but also seemed unusually grown-up for his age. However, Liu Zhoucheng wasn’t overly surprised. After all, children from royal families were not like ordinary ones. If they didn’t grow wise beyond their years, they would end up as pawns in court intrigue. It was not unusual for them to mature quickly.

Ning Qingyuan glanced toward the back courtyard, then replied, “Your Highness, please don’t worry. I’ll ask County Magistrate Cao for some clothes right away.”

The young boy nodded and, without any sign of distaste, carefully removed his outer robe and wrapped Little Qiyue in it to shield her from the wind.

A warmth enveloped Little Qiyue, and she blinked in confusion, sensing that this feeling was oddly familiar. But her suspicion didn’t stop her from testing this stranger. She squirmed in his arms, as if trying to assert some independence.

Liu Zhoucheng, noticing her restlessness, quietly asked, “Your Highness, let me hold her. You go and change your clothes.”

However, the young boy refused to let go, continuing to speak to Ning Qingyuan. “Hurry up.”

Ning Qingyuan complied without hesitation. “Yes, Your Highness.”

As Ning Qingyuan left to find the county magistrate, Liu Zhoucheng reflected on the situation. He had been a bit surprised by the young prince’s actions at first, but after thinking about it, he realized that the Third Prince had always been kind-hearted, and showing care for a helpless little girl wasn’t unusual for him.

Liu Zhoucheng, now reassured, didn’t press the matter further. He simply waited for Ning Qingyuan to return with the necessary help.

Soon enough, Ning Qingyuan came back, accompanied by Wan Chunmei.

Wan Chunmei had been busy embroidering flowers in the back courtyard when Aunt Zhang had called for her. Upon hearing that Little Qiyue had wet herself, she rushed over, her mind racing with worry.

However, the young boy showed no intention of handing Little Qiyue back to her. Instead, he stood up and asked, “Where are the clothes?”

Ning Qingyuan, following closely behind, quickly clarified, “Your Highness, this little girl belongs to this lady. If you give her to her, she’ll take her back to change.”

The young boy paused for a moment, casting a hesitant glance at Wan Chunmei.

Little Qiyue, sensing the tension, extended her little hand toward Wan Chunmei, softly calling out, “Nang… Nang…” Her sweet, soft voice broke the awkwardness in the air.

Finally, the young boy reluctantly handed Little Qiyue over, though his reluctance was evident.

Wan Chunmei hurriedly took her in her arms, soothing her as she felt the wetness on Little Qiyue’s clothes.

Wan Chunmei was puzzled. Little Qiyue was rarely prone to accidents like this. Why, of all days, had she chosen today to wet herself?

As Wan Chunmei walked toward the back courtyard, still unsure, she realized that she had brought extra clothes for both Little Qiyue and Tan Liujin, so she wasn’t in a rush. With practiced hands, she quickly changed Little Qiyue into a fresh outfit.

Meanwhile, the young boy had also changed his wet clothes. Stepping out of the room, he looked around, seemingly searching for something.

Ning Qingyuan approached him and asked, “Your Highness, it seems like you’re quite fond of that little girl.”

The young boy, his refined features gradually returning to their usual childish expression, finally spoke in a soft voice. “She looks like someone I’ve seen before… It’s just that I can’t quite place her.”

“Seen her before?” Ning Qingyuan asked with a smile. “You mean you’ve met her?”

Ning Qingyuan found it hard to believe. After all, how could a royal prince have met such a humble child from a remote village? Surely, the young boy was just speaking idly.

But after thinking for a moment, the young boy nodded with certainty. “Yes, I’ve seen her before. I just can’t remember where.”

Ning Qingyuan brushed it off, assuming the boy was just speaking nonsense, as he often did.

After all, the Third Prince was the beloved son of the Emperor’s favored consort, Consort Chen, who came from a foreign land. There was a strange tale surrounding his birth. It was said that when he was born, he was holding a strand of black, silk-like hair that didn’t belong to his mother.

Rumors spread that the Third Prince was of extraordinary origin and had been reincarnated to find someone. But of course, such stories were dismissed as mere jokes.