Chapter 83: But I’m Too Lazy to Move

Ji Tianxin tasted a morsel of the cold dish on her plate and then set her chopsticks down. Clearly, this food did not suit her palate.

She raised her head with unhurried composure, looking at Ji Huaili, her brows knitting slightly. On such a delicate face, it somehow gave the illusion of grievance.

“But I’m too lazy to move,” Ji Tianxin uttered, each word dropping from her lips.

She was indeed lazy, often lying down wherever she went, too indolent even to move.

She was merely stating the truth: she truly didn’t want to move.

Ji Huaili was momentarily speechless, a tightness in his chest. “Then just sit here,” he finally said.

At this point, he cared little for decorum; better to break the rules than to have this little troublemaker cause a scene.

If only he had let her feign illness and remain in bed at home, he could have simply offered an excuse to His Majesty. Then he wouldn’t be so anxious, fearing she might stir up trouble in such an occasion.

“Mm.” Ji Tianxin nodded in agreement and continued to sit where she was.

The dishes were unappealing, but the fruit was edible.

Suqing knelt beside Ji Tianxin, peeling the fruit for her.

Those present couldn’t help but glance sideways at the scene.

Their eyes exchanged the same message:

It seems General Ji truly dotes on his newly returned third daughter…

He even let her sit with him at the table, pushing his eldest son to the back.

Emperor Duan Qing was somewhat surprised, casting Ji Tianxin a few more glances. To him, this little girl, aside from being charming and making one want to scoop her up and cuddle her at first sight, could she possess some other remarkable talent? What could warrant such affection from General Ji?

The empress held a different view, speaking softly: “Perhaps this third Miss Ji suffered much outside, and General Ji wishes to make amends, to shower her with extra care.”

The empress found Ji Tianxin especially endearing. Mothers are always fond of children, and even more so when the child is this beautiful.

She was clearly different from other children at a glance—cool yet adorable, making one long to hug her.

Hearing the empress’s words, Duan Qing found them reasonable and nodded in agreement.

If Ji Huaili knew what the emperor and the courtiers were thinking, he would likely be so furious as to cough blood.

But now, he had no choice but to share a table with Ji Tianxin, casting frequent glances her way.

He felt that, ever since meeting Ji Tianxin, he had completely lost the dignity of a father.

“That little wretch…” Ji Yucheng swallowed the last word, “Why does she get to sit next to Father?” She dared not speak loudly in such a setting, only muttering her displeasure under her breath, grinding her molars nearly to dust.

Her face still ached, and with her anger, every muscle throbbed painfully.

Ji Yuanruo did not reply, his gaze fixed on Ji Tianxin at the head table beside their father.

“Did you not remember what she said? Mind your tongue. If you keep this up, even Father and I may not be able to protect you,” Ji Yuanruo warned quietly.

Though Ji Yucheng was willful, she was Ji Yuanruo’s only full sister, and he naturally wished her no harm.

Ji Yucheng bit down hard, refusing to believe that little monster was truly capable of anything.

She refused to believe it!

Once the Chen family learned the truth, she was convinced that little monster wouldn’t be able to live so freely!

The Chen family would surely kill her! They would surely kill her!

Then she would become the sole lady of the general’s manor, and Father would dote on her alone!