Chapter 81: Beauty Does Not Belong to Your Family Either

Ever since Duan Yu returned to the palace, he had been unable to forget the little girl he saw that day.

It was as if he had stumbled upon a precious treasure while out and about—her image lingered in his mind, day and night.

He found himself sighing daily, thinking how wonderful it would be if that girl were his own younger sister. Then he could see her every day in the palace and lavish her with affection.

He even worried—what if she became angry with him one day? Would she still be willing to speak to him the next time they met?

After his return, he ordered his attendants to investigate the girl’s identity. Judging by her clothing and bearing, she was surely a daughter from a prominent family. It should have been simple to find out with a little inquiry.

But in the end, he could not learn anything about Ji Tianxin’s background.

Even at tonight’s banquet, he found himself dispirited—until, quite unexpectedly, he saw her here!

The Sixth Prince, standing at his side, noticed the sudden brightness in Duan Yu’s expression and leaned in. “Elder Brother, what have you seen that pleases you so?”

As he spoke, he followed Duan Yu’s gaze and happened to rest his eyes upon the members of the Ji family as they entered.

In an instant, he, too, was captivated by the little girl entering with them.

“What a beautiful child,” the Sixth Prince exclaimed admiringly, unable to suppress a smile.

Duan Yu, who had also been smiling, suddenly reined in his expression and retorted, “Beautiful, but she’s not yours.”

The Sixth Prince felt wronged. What had he said to deserve his brother’s barbs? As if that lovely girl could ever be his.

After entering the great hall, Ji Tianxin slowed her steps and walked behind Ji Huaili, together with Suqing.

“Your Majesty,” Ji Huaili greeted, leading the Ji family in a respectful bow.

He deliberately kept Ji Tianxin hidden behind him—she was so small that, with a single block, she disappeared entirely from view.

He worried that Ji Tianxin would not know the proper etiquette and might inadvertently offend the royal family, creating trouble for them all.

But Duan Yu and the Sixth Prince, Duan Yan, kept craning their necks, searching for a glimpse of Ji Tianxin.

Their odd behavior did not go unnoticed. Those nearby began to wonder—what were the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince looking for?

The emperor, too, was intrigued. “Yu’er, what are you searching for?”

Duan Yu snapped back to himself. “Ahem, nothing, Father. I simply seldom have the chance to see Young Master Ji, and I’ve heard he has reached the third stage of marrow cleansing at such a young age. I wanted to take a closer look.”

Ji Yuanruo, hearing this, also glanced up at Duan Yu, then replied with a polite smile and a respectful nod.

The emperor beamed with satisfaction. “Indeed. You are of an age—you should associate more in the future.” He still hoped to draw the Ji family closer.

“Yes,” Duan Yu replied with a nod.

Hidden behind the others, Ji Tianxin could see nothing due to her short stature. She simply sat down where she was. At once, she scanned the dishes laid out on the table, and her brows knitted.

Upon seeing Ji Tianxin’s expression, Suqing knew at once that her mistress was regretting coming here.

“By the way, General Ji,” the emperor suddenly said, “speaking of your children, where is your newly returned daughter?”

He was quite interested in the Ji family’s third miss, who had caused such a stir throughout the city. He was curious to see what kind of girl could set all of Jin’an abuzz for days on end upon her arrival.

Ji Huaili frowned, but since the emperor had asked, he had no choice but to present Ji Tianxin.

He gestured for those standing behind him to step aside, and even Ji Yucheng, who was still covering her face, was tugged into place by Ji Yuanruo.

The moment Ji Tianxin, concealed at the back, was revealed to all, the hall fell instantly and utterly silent.