Bai Xilie was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly.
He gently patted his daughter’s head, "In the future, I’ll remember to bring you a few more milk cakes, okay?"
Zhi’er nodded happily, her eyes as black and shiny as pearls, full of sparkling little stars.
"Zhi’er likes Daddy the most!"
She held a spoon in her small hand, carefully savoring the wontons in front of her.
Bai Xilie wore a benevolent smile filled with fatherly love.
He was worried that his daughter, being young, might really believe he had another child outside.
Back when Jing Jia was pregnant until she gave birth, Bai Xilie stayed by her side through everything.
He knew very well how many children he had; there would be no mistake.
Unfortunately, being in a high position, there were plenty of people scheming with ill intentions.
This time, they aimed their malice at the four-year-old Bai Zhi’er, which was truly hateful.
A shadow of gloom flickered in Bai Xilie’s eyes.
Bai Yanyan followed Wang Yi back to the Wang Family.
Wang Yi glanced out of the corner of his eye at Historian Wang, who wasn’t far behind them.
Feigning a loud voice, he said to Bai Yanyan, "Your identity is in doubt, so calling you Miss Bai is inappropriate. From now on, while in the mansion, we’ll call you Miss Yan."
Bai Yanyan shrank her neck, looking very startled and aggrieved, listening silently.
Wang Yi said sternly, "Since it was fate that I encountered you, it shows that we are destined. As long as you behave yourself in this mansion and don’t cause trouble, you’ll be treated as an honored guest."
"I’ll send people these days to help you find your relatives. Once found, you can leave, and I will have done my utmost duty."
As Historian Wang passed by them, he didn’t even glance at them, nor did he speak.
He just let out a heavy cold snort, then turned his steps and went back to his courtyard through the Gate.
The two brothers of the Wang Family had never split up; they lived separated in a large house divided in two.
Seeing Historian Wang leave.
Bai Yanyan finally shed her timid appearance.
"I want to wear beautiful clothes, just like Bai Zhi’er!" Bai Yanyan blurted out arrogantly.
Wang Yi gestured for silence, pulling Bai Yanyan further away from Historian Wang’s courtyard.
"Are you crazy! If you shout louder and let my brother hear, we’ll both be in trouble!" he reprimanded.
Bai Yanyan turned her head, snorting disdainfully, "That’s your problem. Anyway, since you asked me for help, I must wear the most expensive clothes!"
Wang Yi frowned, secretly cursing this reckless counterfeit, "The Emperor doesn’t believe you’re the real Princess. If I let you wear nice clothes just after arriving at my mansion, won’t it provoke criticism?"
Bai Yanyan stared at him, rudely rolling her eyes, "You asked me to pose as the Princess, risking getting beheaded."
"Now that the Empress’s fate is uncertain, it’s fine if she doesn’t return. But if she does, I’ll be the one to lose her head!"
"Is it too much to ask for a few new clothes in such a dangerous task?"
"Besides," Bai Yanyan crossed her arms, "if I don’t wear good clothes, how can I compete with Bai Zhi’er and outshine her!"
Wang Yi only felt she was a hot potato.
After some consideration, he said with a difficult expression, "Fine, I can agree, but I have a few warnings you must remember!"
"First, do not let anyone find out you are actually six and not four years old!"
"Second, since you were brought out from the village, be careful with your speech, so you don’t slip with an accent and get noticed!"
"Third, if after a month the Emperor still refuses to believe you are his real flesh and blood, you’ll have to go back to where you came from!"