He Jin invited the Huo couple and their children to the Grand Palace and also hired the best photographer in Southeast Asia to take a family portrait for them.
Little Junyu is unsteady on his feet and sometimes needs to use a walker, but he has a great fondness for the Royal Garden of the Grand Palace. He waves his chubby little hands on the lawn, babbling excitedly as he greets the butterflies and birds.
Huo Zhixing lifted him up and carried him on his shoulders, which amused his son so much that he screamed repeatedly.
Jiang Can watched in terror, and tried several times to stop him, but He Jin stopped her each time.
"Don't worry, Mr. Huo is definitely aware of the situation and won't hurt his son!" he smiled.
Jiang Can paused for a moment, then lowered her head and chuckled. He Jin may have said it casually, but in reality, he had all the palace guards and maids follow him closely, so that if Huo Zhixing slipped, they would definitely be able to catch the little one.
Jiang Can was very grateful and said with a soft smile, "Your Highness is so thoughtful."
“I just like seeing him smile,” He Jin said softly. “They have so much fun together, father and son!”
“He Jin…” Jiang Can wanted to ask, “Do you really like Zhi Xing?” But after hesitating for a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
What's there to ask?
He Jin has already decided to keep this a secret, so we will respect his wishes.
"What's wrong?" He Jin turned around and asked.
Jiang Can smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just think... you're a good person. If you become king one day, the people of Southeast Asia will be very happy."
"Ha, I really want to be king." He Jin curled his lips in self-deprecation, "But if the people of Southeast Asia knew what kind of person I was, they might drive me out of Southeast Asia!"
"Would they drive away someone who genuinely cares for them?" Jiang Can looked at him. "He Jin, people aren't as old-fashioned or naive as you think. They can distinguish right from wrong and know who is good to them!"
"Moreover, I think a person's character is the most important thing! As long as one acts uprightly and honestly, everything else can be tolerated."
He Jin's eyes flickered; subconsciously, he felt that Jiang Can seemed to already know something...
Jiang Can smiled at him, then ran to her husband and son. The two played with their son together, while the photographer busily snapped photos of the moment.
He Jin gazed at the family of three from afar, a pang of sadness welling up inside him, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of happiness.
Seeing them happy made him happy too.
This is probably the meaning of love.
Little Junyu was tired from playing and leaned softly against his father's shoulder.
Jiang Can walked back to He Jin's side, and was about to say goodbye when He Jin spoke first: "Don't leave in a hurry, there's still a show to come!"
"What?"
“Nie Xin said he wanted to help Sang Qing have a coming-of-age ceremony,” He Jin said with a smile. “He said he celebrated Sang Qing’s eighteenth birthday when they were in England, but she still owes him a coming-of-age ceremony, so he’s borrowing my place today to make up for it!”
Jiang Can chuckled to herself. No wonder Nie Xin had been harassing her since early this morning, sending her photos of outfits one after another, asking her which one looked good and which one was attractive to women.
"So, don't leave yet, let's celebrate with Sang Qing here before you go!"
Huo Zhixing and Jiang Can exchanged a smile and took Xiao Junyu to rest first. Soon after, they heard lively sounds outside.
As evening approached, the sunset painted the sky a golden pink, and an open-air barbecue was about to be held in the Imperial Garden. In addition to the main characters Sang Qing and Nie Xin, He Jin had also invited many young men and women from wealthy families in Southeast Asia, making the scene lively immediately.
No one could refuse the prince's invitation.
Moreover, this open-air barbecue wasn't about grilling pork belly; it was all about human relationships and social interactions.
As the music began, Sang Qing appeared before everyone in a stunningly embroidered gown. Nie Xin, like a loyal knight, escorted the princess gracefully towards the crowd.
...
Inside the palace, Heya had a terrible headache. Hearing the laughter outside made her feel even more suffocated. Suddenly, she picked up a crystal vase from the table and smashed it.
"What is He Jin trying to do!" she roared hysterically. "What does he think the Imperial Garden is, letting in such a bunch of shady characters!"
"Your Highness, they are all... they are all from the major wealthy families of Southeast Asia." The maid hesitated, "Besides the young lady and son-in-law of the Yin family, there are several other young masters and ladies, and..."
"Who else?!"
"Young Master Xin." The maid's voice gradually lowered.
Heya was startled and hurriedly ran out to see. Sure enough, Nie Xin was there in the bustling Imperial Garden, but his gaze remained fixed on that person…
Heya trembled with rage, her face turning pale.
"Your Highness, shall we go and take a look?" the maid asked her. "It's said that today is Young Master Xin's coming-of-age ceremony for that Sang... that slut."
"Ha, a lowly woman like her doesn't need such a grand display." Heya took a deep breath, then suddenly remembered something. "Have you investigated everything I asked you to investigate?"
"Your Highness, there is some news, but not much."
"Speak quickly!"
“That Sang Qing used to live in the slums of Manchester,” the maid whispered. “I heard she lived in a basement, it was filthy and smelly, and she even mingled with Gypsies…”
Herya's heart tightened.
Manchester? If I remember correctly, my aunt abandoned my aunt's daughter in Manchester, which is also a slum...
"Is there anything else?"
"Not at the moment."
Heya rolled her eyes, thought for a while, and then put the matter aside.
Manchester slums? What kind of clue is that? Which city doesn't have a few slums?
Even if the aunt abandoned that girl in the slums, it couldn't be the same one, could it...?
Apart from her hair, Sang Qing doesn't seem to resemble her aunt at all.
Yes, I must be overthinking it. How could Sang Qing possibly have any connection with the royal family!
Even if there is a connection, we can just get rid of her. Why go through all this trouble?
Heya bit her lip and began to display her stupid and wicked nature—
“Help me back,” she said slowly, “help me change and put on makeup! And then find me a small gift.”
"Your Highness, you..."
"It's someone's coming-of-age ceremony, after all. How could I not go and congratulate them?"
The maidservant immediately did as she was told, and soon Heya finished dressing and strode towards the royal garden.
Before she even reached the party venue, she saw many servants carrying basins of charcoal towards it.
This is an outdoor barbecue party, so we'll need a lot of charcoal...
A wicked thought flashed through Herya's mind in an instant.
She quickened her pace and hurried toward the barbecue party.
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