Chapter 250: Chapter 250

After arriving at the National Guardian General Mansion, Xiao Lizi didn’t bother with pleasantries with anyone. He sought out Jun Ning and directly addressed the matter at hand, "Princess, please follow the Emperor’s instructions and do not keep the person. Okay?"

Lan Xihe was right there, yet Xiao Lizi brought up this issue, completely disregarding Lan Xihe.

Lan Xihe also feared being abandoned!

She stood behind Jun Ning, trembling, lips tightly pursed, head hung low, clutching her garment’s hem in fright.

"The Emperor is doing this for your sake." Xiao Lizi continued with heartfelt sincerity.

"Regardless of what Father thinks, I will definitely keep Lan Xihe." Jun Ning was resolute, "Lan Xihe isn’t a bad person, nor will she harm me. She’s just a poor soul separated from her parents, and if I don’t take care of her, she’ll die."

"Princess..." Xiao Lizi spoke helplessly, "There are countless pitiable people in the world. If you take care of all of them, can you manage?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥

"One saved is better than none at all." Despite being a young child, Jun Ning spoke with an air of maturity.

"Alas..." Xiao Lizi looked at the horsetail whisk in his hand and sighed deeply. He didn’t have the long-term vision of Emperor Yongning; he could only see the present.

He continued, "Princess, if we can manage our own affairs and live a life of peace and prosperity, it’s more than enough. Why bother with so many other people’s matters and add trouble for oneself?"

Jun Ning remained silent.

Having lived two lives, she possessed a certain wit.

Currently, she only wanted to do right by herself and didn’t wish to change anyone’s views. Some prejudices are deeply entrenched, and attempting to uproot them is like tearing skin and sinew, leaving one half-alive.

But Xiao Lizi didn’t relent, "Princess, the Emperor has been so good to you. How can you hurt his heart over an outsider?" He paused, "I want to ask you, in your heart, is an outsider more important than your own father?"

Because Emperor Yongning cherished Jun Ning, his little daughter, Xiao Lizi also grew fond and protective of Jun Ning.

However, Xiao Lizi was ultimately Emperor Yongning’s man, and in this type of father-daughter conflict, he might side with Jun Ning once or twice. But if it happened frequently, he would naturally stand by the Emperor.

Jun Ning felt a headache.

"Mr. Li, I’m simply trying to save someone and have no intention of hurting Father’s feelings." Jun Ning, facing Xiao Lizi’s questioning, was exasperated, "If Father wants a compliant daughter, there are plenty of people willing to give him one child after another willingly."

"Princess, how can you say such things?" Xiao Lizi replied, "The Emperor is considering your safety, not because he wants a compliant daughter, that he advises against casually keeping people around."

Perhaps Xiao Lizi was hitting menopause, for today’s words were all cutting.

Jun Ning listened with great irritation; she really didn’t want to hear anymore, "Then you go tell Father that Lan Xihe absolutely won’t harm me or anyone else."

Her judgment was spot-on. She trusted her intuition.

Lan Xihe was a good person.

Though Lan Xihe was young now, her goodness might not be evident yet. But Jun Ning believed that one day, Lan Xihe would, as her name suggests, radiate warmth like the sun and become someone beneficial to the country and its people.

"My princess..." Xiao Lizi sighed, "Why won’t you listen?"

Madam Qi generally wouldn’t go against the eunuchs close to Emperor Yongning to avoid trouble later. But today, she couldn’t bear it any longer, "Mr. Li, Ah Ning is right; it’s not about obedience. Saving a life is better than building a seven-tiered pagoda."

"..." Why does everyone love playing the benevolent fool? Xiao Lizi shook his head, "If it must be so, then I take my leave."

Just as he walked away, the Crown Prince arrived with Jing Shu.

This time, the Crown Prince didn’t appear as mysteriously as before when he startled Jun Ning by suddenly bringing Jing Shu over. This time, he entered through the main gates of the National Guardian General Mansion carrying Jing Shu.

Was he aware of what Xiao Lizi just said to Jun Ning? As they crossed paths, Xiao Lizi amiably greeted the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince coldly snorted in disdain.

Xiao Lizi walked away embarrassed.

Jing Shu knew nothing of it, remaining absorbed in her own world.

A child nearing four years old, reclining over her father’s shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck, whispering secrets to him.

As a norm among noble families of the Royal Family, such intimate gestures with their father were uncommon.

Jing Shu was the first.

For Jun Ning’s situation differs from Jing Shu’s.

Jun Ning’s uniqueness comes from having seventeen brothers, while not Jing Shu.

As the Crown Prince’s eldest daughter, Jing Shu was fortunate not to be neglected for being a girl by someone like the Crown Prince’s status, and moreover, she was deeply cherished by him.

"Jing Shu, we’re here." The Crown Prince reminded, "If you don’t come down soon, your aunt will start playing with others."

"I’m coming down now." Jing Shu hurriedly climbed down from the Crown Prince’s embrace.

But suddenly recalling something, she tugged at the Crown Prince’s clothes, tilting her head and appealing, "Father, don’t forget your promise to me. When you return from official duties, please bring Jing Shu the candies she loves most."

"Alright, alright, I’ll definitely bring them for you." The Crown Prince fondly patted Jing Shu’s head, "Father must leave now. In the coming days, stay with your aunt, understand?"

Jing Shu nodded, "I understand."

The Crown Prince then approached Jun Ning, crouched before her, and spoke evenly, "Do what you believe is right, and let nothing hinder your path."

Jun Ning knew the Crown Prince brother was comforting her after Xiao Lizi’s remarks, and she nodded, "Brother, I understand."

Fearing Jun Ning might not grasp his true intent, the Crown Prince added, "You needn’t mind that dead eunuch’s words. Ever since my childhood, he’s been prone to nonsense, and with so many years gone by, he hasn’t changed."

Maybe not enough punishment.

Best not to let him cross paths henceforth.

Jun Ning found humor, "I won’t mind, don’t worry, Brother."

"Good." The Crown Prince hugged Jun Ning again, then prepared to leave.

Recently, the borders between Dong Chu and Bei Xia were unstable with frequent unrest, reaching a level necessitating the Crown Prince’s personal intervention.

Qi Qin was also accompanying this journey with the primary task of safeguarding the Crown Prince.

Madam Qi, holding Qi Xiao, instructed the maid beside her to hand the prepared bundle to Qi Qin, expressing her deep concern, "Qi Qin, promise me you’ll return safely?"

Her words barely finished as the child in Madam Qi’s embrace, Qi Xiao, began to sob...