"Girl, what are you thinking about? Eat up, the food won't taste good if it gets cold."

Xiao Yuanshan reminded her and then put some food on her plate.

Xiao Zhixing snapped out of his reverie. "Thank you, Father."

Xiao Yuanshan's mouth stretched from ear to ear at the sound of "father". "Hehe, daughter, if you like to eat, I'll find a few more chefs and we'll feed our bellies properly."

"Alright, I'll do whatever Father says."

The neighboring families all pricked up their ears and glanced sideways at the father and daughter, who seemed to be a loving and filial pair.

Oh, Zhang Rengui was expressionless, Li Jun, the Duke of Li, and his son were unfathomable, Grand Tutor Li Xiao was all smiles, Marquis Ping was still as tense as a rock, Huo Jindao was scolding his son, and Feng Liyan had a heavy face.

Xiao Zhixing found these important officials quite interesting.

The emperor gently held the cup, his smile warm, and suddenly said, "Come, Yuansheng, let me toast you again."

Xiao Zhixing raised his glass with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is I who should toast you."

Xiao Yuanshan's smile faded.

The emperor drank a full cup and asked with a smile, "Do you have any ideas for your coming-of-age ceremony?"

Xiao Zhixing said, "I will follow my father's arrangements."

Xiao Yuanshan immediately put on a smile.

The emperor shook his head. "Your father is a rough man; he wouldn't know anything about these things. Why don't I send a few maids over to take care of things for you?"

Xiao Zhixing gently swirled the cup, his smile unchanged. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I don't want to be too extravagant. A small event is fine, Father can arrange it."

As they talked, the hall gradually became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The emperor put down his cup. "Ah, you are the only female general and a first-rank prince in my Great Sheng Dynasty. How can your coming-of-age ceremony be simplified?"

Xiao Zhixing's smile was perfectly timed, "Your Majesty, I dislike those cumbersome formalities."

The emperor raised his eyebrows and said, "Don't refuse yet. Those old ladies are from Yuanfeng Palace. They are quite capable. They are getting old, and I want to give them a good place to go. With them to handle your coming-of-age ceremony, it will definitely be perfect."

*Thud!* Someone accidentally knocked over a cup, making a loud, clear sound.

Xiao Yuanshan's lips tightened, his tiger-like eyes dark and deep.

Everyone held their breath.

Xiao Zhixing lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "Then I thank Your Majesty for your grace and allow the old ladies to come to my palace to live out their days."

Before Zhao Yunqi could speak again, she downed the wine in her cup in one gulp, stood up abruptly, and said, "This humble subject is not a good drinker and will take her leave now."

With that, he tossed his cloak aside and strode away.

They just left like that?!

The ministers were amazed; this, this—

They all turned to look at the emperor, their faces contorted with rage.

No!

The emperor even chuckled, "Still a child. I wonder who he takes after for his temper. Come on, everyone, let's continue."

Xiao Yuanshan gritted his teeth and bowed, "Your Majesty, I apologize. This child has the same temper as me. I will punish her when we get back."

"Oh, Yuanshan, how can a father punish his child so easily?"

Everyone: The emperor must be crazy. There's a hidden meaning in what he said, isn't there?

Didn't you see Xiao Yuanshan's face turn dark?

[This is giving me a strange headache. What does "渣渣奇" mean?]

Is he crazy?

[The goddess has never admitted that her mother is Xiao Yan, yet he keeps flirting with her; no wonder she's angry.]

He clearly wants to be the goddess's father!

[Get lost, he doesn't deserve it!]

[Ugh, that scumbag is truly despicable. Yuanfeng Palace seems to be where Princess Yuansheng lived when she was Empress. Those old women are most likely her servants.]

He's deliberately trying to disgust people.

[Um, just saying, isn't he competing with Xiao Yuanshan for favor? Giving her the princess's people, isn't that a way of showing affection?]

This statement immediately drew a barrage of negative comments.

You're blind!

[Idiot, he betrayed the princess. This reward is like a victor showing off; it's disgusting.]

[Exactly! If nothing unexpected had happened, our goddess would probably be a princess of the dynasty, showered with endless favor! But now she has to address me as a humble subject!]

[This entire empire belongs to the goddess's grandfather; Zhao Yunqi is a thief!]

Everyone was cursing and swearing.

[Uh, the young prince is so angry, yet he still endured it and accepted the people from Yuanfeng Palace. Doesn't that indirectly prove that she is indeed Princess Yuansheng's daughter? Previously, it was just everyone's speculation, and the goddess hadn't confirmed it. Now, Zha Zha Qi and everyone else can be certain that she has a relationship with Princess Yuansheng.]

【！！！】

[Holy shit!]

So, is Zha Zha Qi deliberately testing me?!

[As expected, the emperor wouldn't speak lightly; this was all a trap.]

Those present realized what was happening, and their hearts were filled with mixed emotions.

Xiao Zhixing is really that person's daughter. How should they treat her?

My head hurts, it hurts terribly.

Many people are speculating about the deeper meaning behind the emperor's actions.

Are you trying to test their loyalty? Or to see if they still remember their former master?

Or perhaps they want to use Xiao Zhixing's identity to uncover something hidden?

Suddenly, everyone felt that the food and drink no longer tasted good, and some even found it difficult to swallow.

Xiao Zhixing: Watching a play.

The people of the future guessed some things correctly.

However, one thing was missing: she was certain that Zhao Yunqi was seducing Xiao Yan again.

It's hard to guess what a scumbag is thinking, but it's probably pretty much the same.

As for her performance just now.

She did it on purpose. It's normal for children to have a temper, especially when it involves their biological mother; a strong reaction is to be expected.

Even someone who is mature beyond their years has their weaknesses that shouldn't be mentioned, the kind that could explode at the slightest provocation.

This is what a true young person should look like.

She hadn't forgotten the Emperor System's eyes. If she acted too incredibly mature and powerful, how would she trick it into possessing her body later?

Anyway, she didn't like banquets, so she might as well take this opportunity to get away and be free as soon as possible.

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