Bai Xilie listened to his daughter’s praise.
He was not stingy with his own compliments.
"Marquis Wan, your thoughtful nature truly merited reward."
Feng Fuce slightly raised an eyebrow and simply replied, "Not bad."
Bai Xilie was long accustomed to his manner of speaking.
He did not reproach him for disregarding hierarchy.
Bai Xilie called Qingmei over, instructing her to leave with Bai Zhi’er first.
As the little one was leaving, she didn’t forget to wave her small hand in the air: "Goodbye, Father, Brother Fu Ce, I’m going now!"
Her round, rosy cheeks made her as adorable as a drifting cloud.
Bai Xilie had a gentle smile, the look of a father devoted to his daughter: "Alright, alright, I’ll join Zhi’er for a meal later."
Only after Qingmei and Bai Zhi’er disappeared from sight,
did Bai Xilie turn his gaze to Feng Fuce.
Yet he found that the latter’s cold gaze was still fixed in the direction where Bai Zhi’er had left.
"Marquis Wan, earlier you moved swiftly, protecting the Princess in the first moment, which deserves commendation."
Otherwise, little Zhi’er would definitely have witnessed a cruel scene.
Feng Fuce’s long eyes were as deep as dark wells, his expression calm yet aloof.
He never sought credit.
Bai Xilie was well aware of this.
So he said, "I will grant you 500 gold taels as encouragement."
Receiving such an amount of silver, Feng Fuce merely raised an eyebrow slightly and accepted with a cupped hand salute.
"And the servants and family members in Zheng Jin’s mansion?"
Bai Xilie lifted his head: "Zheng Jin beheads nine clans, the rest are for you to settle, remember, if there’s any rebellious intent, better to err by killing than letting go."
Feng Fuce nodded faintly and took his leave.
However, just as he walked past the long corridor.
He discovered that Bai Zhi’er’s small, soft silhouette was seated in the pavilion.
Feng Fuce’s steps gradually slowed.
Seeing Feng Fuce, Qingmei hurriedly bowed her head and spoke a few words to Bai Zhi’er.
The little one lifted her eyes: "Brother Fu Ce!"
She smiled broadly and ran towards him.
Feng Fuce’s gaze was deep: "What else do you need?"
Bai Zhi’er looked up at him with her round little face.
Her large eyes were as bright as grapes pulled from the water.
"Are you free tonight?" the little one asked, soft as a bun.
Feng Fuce immediately raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and answered, "Yes."
Bai Zhi’er covered her mouth with her small hand and whispered secrets only the two of them could hear.
"Then after dinner, come pick me up! Let’s go to Zheng Jin’s house!"
Feng Fuce found himself amused by her treating him as one of her own.
He slowly bent down: "What are you going to do at his house?"
Bai Zhi’er spoke righteously: "He broke one of Father’s incense burners, I plan to search his house and find some money to make him pay!"
Feng Fuce straightened up, leisurely folding his arms: "Why didn’t you mention this in the hall earlier? As long as you speak up, the Emperor would likely agree immediately."
The little one pouted: "Father wouldn’t agree, he only fears I’ll be snatched by bad people if I leave the house."
With that, Bai Zhi’er blinked her long lashes: "The reason Zheng Jin’s case was solved is because of my and Brother Fu Ce’s joint efforts!"
"We are now friends who’ve faced adversity together, so it’s safest if you accompany me for the raid!"
At this moment, Qingmei was cautiously calling from afar: "Your Highness, we should be returning!"
Bai Zhi’er then waved to Feng Fuce: "So it’s settled, come pick me up tonight, Brother Fu Ce!"
With that said, she turned and lifted her little dress, running towards Qingmei.
Watching the small figure disappear in the distance.
Feng Fuce’s handsome and cold face revealed a smile full of intriguing nuances.
She wants to be friends with him?