296. To adopt her into his own name.

The surrounding officials were also stunned, whispers rose and fell, but no one dared to step forward and ask any questions.

Xie Wenling ignored everyone's gazes, looked down at the bewildered little girl in his arms, and reached out to wipe away the tears on her face.

Then, looking up at the little girl's family, he said, "Princess, come with me first. We can discuss anything at the palace."

After saying that, without waiting for the people from the Marquis of Beiding's residence to react, he picked up the little dumpling and headed towards the palace.

Upon seeing this, Qu Zijin quickly followed.

Although he didn't know why, his good-natured nature kicked in, and he explained to the stunned people from the Beiding Marquis's residence as he walked: "Lord Marquis, Lady Marquis, don't panic. I'm sure Lord Xie means no harm. It's just that His Majesty in the palace is waiting for a reply. The county princess will go with her and be back soon. You should hurry up and follow her."

The people of the Marquis of Beiding’s residence finally realized what was happening. They quickly wiped away their tears and followed behind the crowd, their hearts filled with doubts, but they dared not ask any more questions. They could only hurry along to the palace.

The surrounding officials followed suit, and what was originally a lively welcoming scene turned into a grand procession entering the palace.

-

The group followed Xie Wenling into the palace. The little boy nestled in his arms, his little hands clutching his clothes, looking around curiously. The hood of his cloak had slipped down to the back of his head, revealing his round face full of curiosity.

The little princess was even more excited than her. She toddled around, sometimes stretching out her arms to hold the little dumpling's hand, and sometimes running to Qu Zijin's side, her eyes sparkling: "Wow, so many people! Are they all here to welcome us?"

As she spoke, she looked around several times, but couldn't find that familiar person.

She stopped, frowned slightly, and asked the palace maid who was leading the way, "Huh? Where's Jiayou? Why haven't I seen him today?"

The palace servant quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the prince was attacked before. Although he was unharmed, he has been absent-minded ever since he woke up. He keeps talking about 'that girl' in the palace and won't allow anyone to look for him. His Majesty is afraid that something might happen to him again, so he hasn't let him out."

"That girl?" The little princess immediately pouted, hands on her hips. "It must be that girl who secretly sneaked out to meet him before, right? I even beat Jiayou up back then... cough cough, let me tell you, she's not a good person, Jiayou must have been tricked by her!"

The little princess wanted to say more, but the palace servant smiled and said, "Your Highness, the young prince has already been summoned to the Imperial Study by His Majesty and is waiting for Your Highness and the other officials there. Let's go over there quickly, and we will be able to see the young prince."

The little princess calmed down and skipped away, not forgetting to turn back and shout, "Hurry up!"

Soon, the group arrived outside the Imperial Study.

As soon as they stood still, the door to the Imperial Study was pushed open, and Wei Xiuming himself came out to greet them.

He saw Xie Wenling, quickly stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and praised him, "Minister Xie, you've worked hard. You've protected the children and brought them back safely during this disaster relief effort in the south. You are truly a great hero of my country."

Xie Wenling bowed respectfully, his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty flatters me. I have only done my duty and dare not accept the title of meritorious official."

Wei Xiuming smiled and waved his hand, then turned to Qu Zijin and patted his arm: "Minister Qu, you've suffered a lot this time. I'll have the Imperial Hospital treat you properly later."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine," Qu Zijin bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Then, when Wei Xiuming's gaze fell on the little dumpling, his tone softened a bit: "It's good that the county princess is back. Your father and mother must have been worried sick during this time."

The little girl quickly got down from Xie Wenling's arms, took her parents' hands, and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Yue'er is alright now!"

She wore a short cloak, which made her small figure look round and chubby. When she bent over, she looked like a little pom-pom, which was especially cute and made Wei Xiuming laugh out loud.

Before Wei Xiuming could say anything more, the little princess skipped and hopped up to him, tilting her little face up, clutching his clothes with her tiny hands, and puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction: "Father! Why don't you praise me? I was very brave this time too!"

Wei Xiuming looked down at her, the genuine smile on his face vanishing, replaced by a forced grin: "Praise you? I'll settle the score with you later for sneaking out of the palace and causing trouble. You're already being lenient by not being punished, and you still expect praise?"

"Huh? Father, you're so mean!" The little princess's face immediately fell, and she grabbed the little dumpling's hand and ran towards the imperial study. "I'm not talking to you anymore! I'm going to find Jiayou!"

The group followed them into the Imperial Study. As soon as they entered, they noticed the young prince standing in the corner.

He was wearing casual clothes, his hair was neatly combed, but he looked listless, his head was drooping, and his eyes were unfocused, clearly appearing absent-minded.

The little princess ran over, patted his arm, and said in a clear, cheerful voice, "Jiayou! I'm back! Why aren't you talking to me?"

But the young prince showed no reaction whatsoever, keeping his head down and muttering to himself, "Who is she...? She hasn't shown up, has something happened to her..."

The little princess frowned and nudged him again: "Jiayou, stop talking about that person! I'm telling you, she..."

"Chaoyun, stop fooling around," Wei Xiuming said.

He walked to the main seat and sat down, then looked at Xie Wenling, becoming approachable again: "Minister Xie, this time you not only successfully completed the disaster relief mission, but also brought the children back safely, and thwarted the Prince of Zhennan's conspiracy. Your contributions are invaluable."

"I will issue an imperial decree to reward you with a thousand acres of fertile land, a hundred taels of gold, and to promote you to a higher official rank. This will be a reward for your hard work."

Wei Xiuming's meaning is quite clear.

To be promoted and given a higher rank.

Given Xie Wenling's position, the next highest rank he could attain was that of Prime Minister.

Xie Wenling stood in the hall and, upon hearing his words, merely bowed slightly, his tone calm: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I have only done my duty. As for the reward, Your Majesty can arrange it as you see fit."

His composed demeanor, however, puzzled Wei Xiuming.

Why did he get the feeling that Xie Wenling was angry?

Unsure of the situation, he said a few polite words, praising him for his youth and potential, and encouraging him to serve the court more in the future.

Then he changed the subject, asking indirectly, "By the way, Minister Xie, you just said you had evidence of the Prince of Zhennan's ambush and killing of you? As a prince, how dare he do such a thing? I want to hear just how bold he is."

Xie Wenling raised his eyes, his gaze steady: "Your Majesty, I have collected the evidence, which is all concrete proof of the Prince of Zhennan's treason, and I can present it to Your Majesty at any time. However, before presenting the evidence, I would like to ask Your Majesty for a favor."

"Oh? Tell me." Wei Xiuming raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.

Xie Wenling rarely asked him for favors, but this time he specifically mentioned it before the evidence for one particular matter.

Everyone in the hall looked at Xie Wenling with curiosity, even the absent-minded little prince raised his head slightly.

Xie Wenling stepped forward, his gaze falling on the little dumpling not far away, and said in an exceptionally serious tone: "Your Majesty, I would like to request permission to adopt Princess Fukang into my name so that I may raise her myself."

The moment these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

The entire family of the Marquis of Beiding was utterly shocked.

Jiang Xiyue was the first to react, quickly walking to the little girl and hugging her tightly: "No! Absolutely not! Yue'er is my own daughter, how can she be given away to someone else?"

Marquis Beiding frowned, his face grave: "Lord Xie, we know you saved Yue'er this time, and our whole family is grateful to you. However, the matter of adoption is of great importance. Yue'er is our flesh and blood, and we absolutely cannot agree to it. Please make some other requests, and we will do our best to repay you, giving you everything we can."

Jin Qi stepped forward, standing between the little dumpling and Xie Wenling, and said firmly, "Uncle Xie, I know you love Yue'er, but she is my sister. Our Beiding Marquis's Mansion will protect her well and will never let her be in danger again."

The second brother nodded in agreement: "That's right. If my sister wants to play with Brother Xie, she can go anytime. But we can't adopt her. Our family can't be separated."

Wei Xiuming frowned as well: "Minister Xie, this adoption is inappropriate. The county princess has biological parents. Although you are a distant relative of hers, forcibly adopting her is not only against the rules, but also too hurtful to her family. Please think about it again."

---

A note from the author:

I wonder if our dear readers still remember this title and the kinship.

It's okay if you don't remember, I'll help you sort it out again—

Xie Wenling was the cousin of the Marquis of Beiding, a distant relative.

Therefore, Xiao Tuanzi and her two older brothers should normally call Xie Wenling their cousin.

However, the little dumpling liked to call Xie Gege (Brother Xie), and the second brother and the little princess were also influenced and started calling him that too.

However, Jin Qizhi was not misled.

Therefore, the correct way to address him is Jin Qizhi to call him Uncle Xie, but Xiao Tuanzi and his second brother are used to calling him Brother Xie.