Just as the words left Xie PanâErâs mouth, Madam Luo cried out in alarm, forgetting the pain in her knees as she tried to sit up. The words she spoke were full of panic.
Xie PanâEr sensed something amiss in her motherâs words and pressed further.
"What do you mean? What do you mean it would bring ruin to our entire family?"
Madam Luo shut her mouth tightly, refusing to say another word no matter how much Xie PanâEr probed.
Frustrated, Xie PanâEr went to ask Xie Wulang, but he was busy chugging wine from his gourd!
The Young Emperor, who was watching the drama unfold, was also dumbstruck. The Ji brothers, too, sensed that this Xie Family was anything but simple.
Xiaosuisui, knowing nothing of this, had started to doze off cluelessly in the Young Emperorâs arms, her little tummy rumbling.
The Young Emperor frowned. "Has this girl not had lunch yet?"
Ji Youzhi figured that Xiaosuisui had been so pampered since arriving at the Ji Family that she slept until she woke naturally, probably eating her breakfast and lunch together. So, he replied, "She likely had her breakfast and lunch combined."
The Young Emperor shook his head, amused. "Letâs go find a place to eat."
The Young Emperor hadnât eaten lunch either. He had rushed through approving memorials and dragged two ârebelliousâ ministers out of the Palace, all for the sake of watching the show.
He hadnât seen much of a show, but heâd certainly become intrigued by Xie Wulangâs family!
"Xie Wulang is actually a scholar," the Young Emperor mused. "Youzhi, look into which year he became a scholar. And how did his leg get broken? Best of all, find the examination essay he submitted for me to see!"
Holding Xiaosuisui, the Young Emperor entered a private room in the restaurant and whispered to Ji Youzhi.
Ji Youzhi nodded. "Yes! I will go at once."
The Young Emperor said, "Eat lunch before you go. Do you both still think itâs suitable to place Third Miss Xie with the little girl?"
Ji Youze didnât utter a word.
But Ji Youzhi nodded.
"I believe this young lady is insightful, possesses courage, dares to act, and can distinguish right from wrong. Having her by Suisuiâs side would indeed be beneficial. Itâs just... her life-fate is short. I fear she wonât be able to accompany Suisui for many years. If something were to happen to her, Suisui would surely be heartbroken!"
Ji Youzhi then recalled the National Masterâs words about her life-fate and couldnât help but feel a pang of pity for Xie PanâEr.
The Young Emperor remained calm and did not respond to this.
Ji Youze, however, noticed Xiaosuisui stirring. She opened her sleepy eyes and met his gaze directly.
"Who said Pretty Sister has a short life-fate? Pretty Sister has such wonderful fortune! Sheâs beautiful and kind-hearted; sheâll live for a very, very long time, da!"
Xiaosuisui possessed the âCelestial Gaze,â so neither the Young Emperor nor the Ji brothers doubted her words.
"Truly? If she can indeed live a long life, that would be for the best." Ji Youzhi couldnât conceal the delight in his heart.
Xiaosuisui shook her head vigorously. "She wonât live to be a hundred, da! She and His Majesty, my foster father, should live for about the same amount of time!"
The Young Emperor was stunned.
Ji Youzhiâs expression stiffened. "Donât speak recklessly! How can Third Miss Xieâs destiny be compared to His Majestyâs?"
Ji Youze, however, knelt and pleaded with the Young Emperor for leniency. "Your Majesty, please forgive us! Suisui spoke without thinking. I beg you not to take offense!"
The Young Emperor waved his hand. "Rise. Iâve said it before, the Ji Family members do not need to kneel!" He then turned to Xiaosuisui. "My dear girl, how long do you think I, your foster father, will live?"
Xiaosuisui blinked. "Foster Father, Suisui already said, just like Pretty Sister, youâll live for many, many years, da!"
The Young Emperor let out a sharp breath of relief. "As long as I live for a very long time, thatâs all that matters!"
Heavens, this little girlâs words terrified him!
Having answered the Young Emperor, Xiaosuisui suddenly turned to Ji Youzhi with a question. "Uncle Seven, youâre a Divine Hunter, right? Can you catch all the bad people?"
"Naturally. Uncle Seven can catch any bad person. Thatâs why Suisui must always be a good girl, understand? Otherwise, Uncle Seven will have to come and get you!"
Xiaosuisui shook her head. "Suisui wonât be a bad person, da! But Uncle Seven, you should arrest that Madam Xie! Sheâs a bad person! A very, very bad one!"