The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

Chapter 4 Xiao Qingyi's First Arrival in the Tang Dynasty

Xiao Qingyi looked around blankly, instinctively clutching her little skirt, but her innate curiosity quickly overcame her unease. She began to wander around the room, her big, round eyes taking in the antique furnishings around her.

"Wow!……"

The guards outside the door were startled by the commotion inside and rushed in, their hands on their swords. In an instant, their eyes met.

· Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

The two guards stared at the exquisitely beautiful, strangely dressed little child before them and fell silent for a moment.

"Where did this little baby come from?"

"Judging by her entire demeanor, could she be... one of the princes' young princesses in the palace?"

"Even if she isn't, she must be a noblewoman from the palace. Look at her fair and plump skin, her brocade clothes and fine garments; she's definitely not from an ordinary family."

Little Qingyi looked up at the gleaming armor before her, utterly amazed. In her sweet, childish voice, she exclaimed, "Wow, your clothes are so sparkly and beautiful!"

The two guards exchanged bewildered glances, unsure how to respond, when a young man in a brocade robe approached at the sound of the commotion. "What's all this noise?"

"Greetings, Lord Du." The two men quickly bowed and greeted him. "A child was found in the side hall..."

Du He's gaze fell upon a pair of clear, innocent eyes. Xiao Qingyi was dressed in Officer Judy's short skirt, an outfit he had never heard of before, and a sense of unease arose in his heart.

He softened his expression, squatted down, and asked gently, "Young lady, what's your name?"

"Uncle, Daddy said we can't just tell strangers our names," Xiao Qingyi replied seriously, shaking her head.

Du He: ...

In the heart of the palace, the sudden appearance of a young child usually indicates a member of the imperial family. But what adult would dress a child in such a bizarre manner? If she were an assassin, given her tiny arms and legs that barely reach the height of her sword, the guards' heads could probably be twisted off and used as footballs. Judging from her delicate makeup and plump figure, it's clear she is extremely favored.

He suppressed his frustration and patiently pressed on, "Then do you know where you live?"

"I'll just stay at home!" Xiao Qingyi said innocently, as if she were stating a perfectly clear truth.

Du He: …………

This... is as good as saying nothing at all.

"I'm asking, which neighborhood and street do you live in?"

"Our home is in a really big yard!" Xiao Qingyi spread her arms wide, trying to gesture the size of the yard, which she couldn't wrap her arms around. "There are so many people, including Daddy, Mommy, and Xiaoling Jiejie!" She looked down and counted her fair fingers, but found that they didn't seem to be enough.

Hearing her description of a large household with many servants, Du He was even more convinced that she came from a distinguished family. He patiently and gently coaxed her, "Then do you remember how you got here?"

"I don't know," Xiao Qingyi pouted, feeling wronged. "I went to find the ancestor, but as soon as I opened the door, I found myself here."

Du He: >.<

This adult is too carefree, letting such a young child run around alone.

"Then who are your parents?" Du He tried to use a more formal title.

"Night Maiden?" Xiao Qingyi scratched her head in confusion. "What's a Night Maiden?"

"They are the people who gave you life and raised you," Du He explained.

"The people who give birth to and raise the family?" Xiao Qingyi tilted her head and thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Oh, you mean Daddy and Mommy!"

Papa? Mama?

Du He's eyebrows twitched slightly. Could this form of address be a foreign custom? But looking at the child's appearance, she clearly resembled someone from the Tang Dynasty. How exactly did she manage to sneak into this deep, forbidden palace?

"Uncle, my dad's name is Li Qi, and my mom's name is Ye Yi'er!"

Li Qi? Du He quickly went through the list of eligible young men from the imperial clan and the Li family of Longxi in his mind, but there was no such person. Ye Yi'er? He had never even heard of her before.

It seems that only by taking her to see the Crown Prince can we find out her background. Thinking of this, Du He bent down and picked up the little dumpling. It was heavy in his hands. He subconsciously weighed it in his hand and looked at her round body. He immediately understood.

"Uncle, where are you taking me?" Little Qingyi suddenly remembered her father's instructions and became alert. "Are you the bad guy Daddy talked about? Where are you taking me?"

Du He: ………

"Don't sell me!" She hugged Du He's neck tightly and added eagerly, "I can eat a lot! My daddy can give you lots and lots of money!"

Du He: ………

"Why aren't you talking, Uncle?" Xiao Qingyi tightened her arms around his neck and leaned closer to ask, "Uncle hasn't answered my question yet."

Du He: (҂⌣̀_⌣́)

"Uncle," Xiao Qingyi said seriously when he didn't answer, "It's impolite of you not to answer me."

Du He: ………

Xiao Qingyi looked up, her big eyes filled with confusion and determination.

"Uncle—"

Du He: ￣□￣