Seeing the pitiful look on the little boy's face, Chen Pingjin felt her heart clench. She bent down and whispered, "Don't cry, Jia-ge'er, don't cry, Jia-ge'er, don't cry..."

Shen Pingjin suddenly thought of Nian Ge'er from her previous life. He seemed to be about the same age as Lu Qingjia back then, and both of them were so beautiful and delicate that they were pitiful.

She still vividly remembers the image of Nian Ge'er crying on the execution ground; his heart-wrenching screams still chill her to this day.

She couldn't understand why Shen Ruixue, who was also a member of the Shen family, could be so heartless...

Seeing Shen Pingjin comforting her, Lu Qingjia immediately put on a smiling face, "Pretty sister told me not to cry, so I won't cry! I want to be the most obedient and well-behaved little girl in front of pretty sister!"

Yan Jue looked at Lu Qingjia with a dangerous gaze, but the latter was completely unaware and continued to act coquettishly towards Chen Pingjin.

Shen Pingjin was almost overwhelmed by Lu Qingjia's cuteness. In addition, she suddenly thought of Nian Ge'er. She hugged Lu Qingjia in her arms with heartache and coaxed her gently, "Little baby, don't cry. Sister will take you back to the Zhenguo General's Mansion."

Upon hearing that she had to return to the Zhenguo General's Mansion, Lu Qingjia's face showed a hint of difficulty. "Pretty sister, I... I don't want to go back yet."

This puzzled Shen Pingjin. "Why don't you want to go back to the General's Mansion? Your father and mother might be waiting for you there."

Lu Qingjia shook her head, her chubby little hands clutching Chen Pingjin's sleeve, her eyes glistening with tears, "Pretty sister, little Jia'er doesn't want to go back... Waaah..."

Oh dear, why are you crying again?

Shen Pingjin couldn't stand children crying, so her heart immediately softened. "Okay, I won't take you back."

Lu Qingjia burst into laughter through her tears, "Okay, okay, I knew that pretty older sister was the best to me!"

Then he grabbed Shen Pingjin's sleeve with his other hand, looking like a rogue.

Yan Jue's gaze suddenly turned dangerous.

Poaching someone?

Shen Pingjin suddenly remembered the kidnapper who had tried to abduct Lu Qingjia. She turned to Yan Jue and asked, "Where is that kidnapper?"

Yan Jue was somewhat angry. "I didn't know."

Shen Pingjin was completely unaware that someone was throwing a tantrum. Looking around and not seeing the kidnapper, she snorted, "Good thing he ran fast, but..."

Shen Pingjin led Lu Qingjia to Yan Jue's side, saying, "We really have to thank our Regent for personally intervening."

The girl who ignored him actually still remembered him.

Yan Jue was stunned, and the anger in his heart seemed to have burst out all at once. He glanced at Lu Qingjia and said in a cold voice, "You are my queen, so it is only right that I do these things."

"Pfft—"

Shen Pingjin couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Yan Jue asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you laughing?"

Shen Pingjin remained silent because she knew that the regent still valued his reputation.

She couldn't very well tell him that she had noticed his earlobe was red and made her want to pinch it, could she?

Shen Pingjin shook her head. "I can't tell you that. You just said you were going to take me somewhere. Shall we leave now?"

Yan Jue looked at Lu Qingjia, who was clutching Chen Ping's brocade sleeve, his gaze dark. "You're taking this kid with you?"

Chen Pingjin frowned slightly. "Otherwise what? We can't just leave him here alone."

Lu Qingjia pouted and looked up at Yan Jue. "Hmph, does he need your permission to go with this pretty lady?"

Yan Jue looked at Lu Qingjia with a threatening gaze. The two had been facing off for a while. After all, the latter was only a five-year-old child. He avoided eye contact and hid behind Chen Pingjin, trying to find a safe haven.

Shen Pingjin was completely unaware of the standoff between the two. Seeing that Yan Jue remained silent, she asked again, "Yan Jue, I recognize this little boy. He is Lu Qingjia, the grandson of General Lu of the Zhenguo General's Mansion. Although there haven't been any rumors in the capital recently about the general's grandson going missing, but..."

Shen Pingjin's gaze was resolute. "I still believe that we must keep him by our side."

Yan Jue's gaze suddenly sharpened. "You mean, this little child is the eldest grandson of the General of the State?"

Shen Pingjin nodded. "When I was still unmarried some time ago, my father took me to visit General Lu. It was on that occasion that I met this little boy. I can confirm that he is the legendary, exceptionally talented grandson of the General of the State."

Yan Jue lowered his head and looked at Lu Qingjia. When he saw the milky white and lustrous jade pendant at Lu Qingjia's waist, he nodded. "Let's go. You take him with you and get into the carriage with me."

Lu Qingjia was still hiding behind Shen Pingjin. He was a little surprised to see that Yan Jue had actually agreed to take him away with the pretty older sister. He pouted and slowly shuffled out from behind Shen Pingjin with his short legs. His childish voice was tinged with reluctance as he said, "Thank you, big brother."

Yan Jue coldly uttered three words, "Call me brother-in-law."

Lu Qingjia: ...You're getting a good deal and you're still acting innocent?

Lu Qingjia pouted and, under Yan Jue's expectant gaze, poured cold water on him without hesitation, "If you don't call her, who knows if you're taking advantage of the pretty lady?"

Yan Jue: ...

Help! These two are talking so funny!

Shen Pingjin almost burst out laughing again. She rubbed her cheeks and said seriously, "Are you two coming or not?"

Lu Qingjia's whole body was puffed up with anger. "Let's go! The pretty lady said she's leaving, so I'm definitely going with her!"

Yan Jue had no intention of arguing with a child. He grabbed Shen Pingjin's wrist and said, "Let's go. I'll shut up and not say anything more."

Chen Pingjin: ...

Okay.

Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, the crowd that had been huddled around them quickly dispersed like the receding tide, and in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a wide road opened up in front of them.

At this moment, as if remembering something, Shen Pingjin looked at Yan Jue and asked, "Yan Jue, are you sure that scarred Li just now secretly slipped away?"

Yan Jue nodded. "That's right, he slipped away, but I have already sent people to keep a close eye on his whereabouts."

“I have a feeling that Lu Qingjia’s appearance here is not a coincidence.” Before Shen Pingjin could think, the next moment, the sound of iron hooves broke through the sky and entered the ears of the surrounding crowd.

A reddish-brown steed, saddled in leather, stood with slightly red eyes, a rounded nose, and smooth, supple fur. With a rough "Whoa!", the horse came to a slight halt in front of the crowd. The man, dressed in dark green brocade robes with gold lettering, held a soft blade. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his black hair, which was held high, was tied back with a ribbon. What drew the most attention was the scar on his left cheek, which added a touch of ruthlessness to his already somewhat hardened face.

Lu Qingxiao dismounted and landed steadily. His sharp gaze pierced through Chen Pingjin and Yan Jue, directly hitting the little child behind them.