Chapter 74: Once, It Was a King

Madam had warned her countless times—here in this household, you could offend anyone except Miss Tianxin.

Suqing, quick-eyed, immediately stepped in front of Ji Tianxin.

Ji Yuanqing looked up, recognized Suqing, and burst into loud, unrestrained sobs, pointing past Suqing to Ji Tianxin. “Sister! Sister!”

If one looked closely, the boy’s features were actually quite proper, but his foolish expression and crooked mouth and eyes gave him a rather unsightly appearance.

Suqing frowned and scolded the maid behind her, “What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you watching him?”

The maid hurried forward, wringing her hands nervously. “Miss Tianxin, please don’t be angry. The young master is ignorant and doesn’t understand. Please don’t blame him.”

Ji Tianxin stepped forward, her gaze settling on the wailing child, Ji Yuanqing.

“Master, this is the fourth young master of the General’s Manor, Ji Yuanqing—the one they call an imbecile,” Suqing whispered softly to Ji Tianxin.

“Ji Yuanqing.” Ji Tianxin looked at him, repeating his name.

And as she called out, Ji Yuanqing seemed to understand. He lifted his head, looking at her, and called out with muddled speech, “Sister… Sister…”

“How strange…” The maid’s face was full of surprise. “Even Madam herself never gets a reaction when she calls him by name…”

Ji Tianxin took two steps forward, gazing at Ji Yuanqing, her brows drawing together ever so slightly.

He had been poisoned—since birth, it seemed.

“Sister, sister!” Ji Yuanqing’s face looked terribly vacant, yet he still stubbornly stared at Ji Tianxin, arms outstretched, begging for an embrace.

The maid grew anxious. Even the master shunned the fourth young master, let alone this pampered Miss Tianxin. If this foolish boy offended her, she wouldn’t care—but if she herself got caught up in it, what then?

“Master…” Suqing called out softly.

“Ji Yuanqing,” Ji Tianxin addressed him once more.

Ji Yuanqing looked up again, clearly understanding. He knew Ji Tianxin was calling him.

Ji Tianxin gave a faint smile. She didn’t embrace him but instead reached out and gently patted his head.

“I cannot carry you,” she said.

Her own small frame could not manage him. Even if her strength was sufficient, it would look odd.

Ji Yuanqing stared at her blankly, saying nothing.

The maid hurried forward and pulled him away. “Come along, young master.”

Though Ji Yuanqing was led away, his eyes remained fixed on Ji Tianxin.

After saluting Ji Tianxin, the maid quickly withdrew, taking him out of the manor.

Today was the palace banquet, and the carriages had long been waiting. Though Ji Yuanqing was a simpleton, as a child of the General’s Manor, he was still required to attend.

Ji Tianxin spoke softly, “Suqing, in the future, bring that child to my courtyard more often.”

Suqing nodded. “Understood.”

In the distance, Ji Yuanyou’s gaze drifted away from Ji Tianxin, his eyes deep and unreadable. Then, he turned and strode out.

“Awoo~!” Shiyue suddenly darted over, circling Ji Tianxin’s feet as if pleading to follow her.

Ji Tianxin took a step forward. “My spatial ring cannot contain living things. Once I refine a spiritual-quality space, you may enter.”

Shiyue immediately lay down, resting his head on his forepaws, gazing at Ji Tianxin with hopeful eyes.

Seeing Shiyue like this, the corners of Ji Tianxin’s lips curved gently. “I wonder, when you gain intelligence in the future, will you regret behaving so foolishly now?”

Once, he too had been a king—

Until he met Ji Tianxin.