Chapter 449 - 203: She Finally Has a Beautiful Name

"My lord!"

Lu Wu stood up, clasped his hands in salute, and bowed respectfully.

"Mm, you’ve worked hard."

Yun Zheng strode over, reached out, and patted his shoulder, his gaze passing over him to look at the little one in the corner.

When he saw the condition of the small figure, his pupils contracted sharply, a surge of fury filled his eyes, his chest filled with anger, and his hand on Lu Wu’s shoulder unconsciously tightened.

Even though he had heard about the little girl’s tragic state from Yun Wanqing, he had still underestimated it.

In his sight, the little one’s exposed skin was in terrible condition, almost unrecognizable.

What a vicious Shang Family!!!

Perhaps sensing the fury emanating from him, the little one shrank timidly, limping over to Lu Wu’s side, hiding behind him, clutching a corner of his robe tightly.

Lu Wu: "..."

Without other strangers present, he was the most unfamiliar person to her.

But whenever a more dangerous, new stranger appeared, this little one treated him as a person she could trust and rely on.

She certainly thought highly of him, but if the lord truly wanted to harm her, he couldn’t protect her.

However, he reckoned that a person like the lord wouldn’t go against a little girl, would he?

But if it wasn’t to go against her, why would the lord specifically send him to Nanzhou Prefecture to bring her all the way to the Capital?

Suddenly, Lu Wu felt uncertain.

Honestly, the little girl had already suffered terribly; he really couldn’t bear the thought of the lord doing anything more to her.

While he was lost in thought, Yun Zheng had already composed himself, crouched down in front of the little one, and looked at her as gently as possible.

"Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. This is your home now. From now on, I am your father."

What, what????

Upon hearing those words, before the little one could react, Lu Wu couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock, looking incredulously at Yun Zheng, then at the little one.

The lord, what was he saying?

This little one is his daughter?

The lord’s illegitimate daughter?

How could it be?

The lord’s illegitimate daughter, how could she be with the Shang Family in Nanzhou Prefecture?

He had been with the lord since he was twelve; many years had passed, and he didn’t remember the lord ever staying in Nanzhou Prefecture, nor did he recall the lord being close to any woman other than Lady Yun.

But if not, why would the lord go through such lengths to have him bring her back?

No, no, the lord isn’t that kind of person!

The Shang Family in Nanzhou Prefecture is the family of the lord’s sister’s husband. The lord ordered actions against the Shang Family and had his brother-in-law and his mistress brought here.

So, could this child have something to do with the lord’s sister?

It scared him; the lord’s words were so easy to misunderstand that he almost thought the lord had gotten into a romantic entanglement outside of Lady Yun’s knowledge.

Coming to his senses, Lu Wu carefully observed the little one’s expression.

He saw that although her expression had relaxed a bit and she was no longer as wary and uneasy as she had been initially, she still didn’t speak, her eyes devoid of any emotion as she looked at Yun Zheng.

It seemed she could hear but may not have sensed any malice from Yun Zheng.

Children, though naive, can still sense goodness and evil in others.

"My lord, she hasn’t spoken the whole journey; I don’t know if she’s mute."

Lu Wu awkwardly offered, causing Yun Zheng to be momentarily stunned.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Can you speak? If you can, nod your head; if not, shake your head."

The little one still did not react; she neither nodded nor shook her head, and this response caused Yun Zheng much frustration.

This little one was likely withdrawn; winning her over wouldn’t be easy, and he didn’t have the patience to coax a withdrawn child, so he decided to take her to Lady Yun.

They’re all children; perhaps after spending some time with Yun Rui and Yun Wanqing, the little girl will slowly open up.

Having made a decision, Yun Zheng reached out and picked the little one up.

After years of torment, the little one had lost her reflexes; even when picked up by a stranger, she didn’t struggle at all, almost like a piece of wood, blank and unresisting.

"Where is the Shang couple?"

Holding her, Yun Zheng looked at Lu Wu with a stern expression.

Lu Wu quickly responded, "My lord, that couple has been imprisoned in the dungeon, awaiting your decision."

"Mm, understood. Wait here for a moment while I take the little one to Lady Yun. I have other matters to discuss with you."

"Yes."