In Shouci Palace, breakfast had already been removed.
As soon as Xuandi entered the hall carrying the little baby, he had just passed the screen when he was met with a fat face that was grinning like a chrysanthemum. The smile, which revealed his teeth but not his eyes, was full of flattery, and even Xuandi, with his thick skin, felt a chill down his spine.
"Oh! The Fifth Young Master has arrived! Please come in, please come in!"
The smiling, chubby middle-aged man in front of him immediately jumped up as if pricked by needles when he saw Xuan Di, and rushed forward eagerly, his tone exaggerated, "Oh! How can we trouble you to carry our little princess yourself? Leave such rough work to your humble servant!"
As he spoke, the man actually tried to come up and take the little baby from Xuandi's arms.
Xuan Di glanced coldly at the round man rushing towards him, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed, and he immediately sidestepped, dodging the man and causing him to miss his target.
"Wait! Xuan Di—"
Huo Chengche's eyelids twitched when he saw this, and he immediately stood up to stop it, but it was too late.
Xuan Di saw clearly what the newcomer was doing – he was trying to snatch the little baby from his arms. He immediately narrowed his icy eyes, raised his foot, and kicked the newcomer in the back of the knee. There was a loud "plop".
Huo Chengche couldn't bear to look any longer and raised his hand to rub his temple.
Emperor Chongjin looked at the person kneeling on the ground, his spineless appearance, and especially when he thought of his sycophantic behavior just now, his face darkened.
The little baby in my older brother's arms blinked blankly, looked down, and his little mouth widened in surprise. His dimples sank in, and his soft, tender little voice rang out with delight, "Uncle Fatty!"
Fat Uncle?
Xuan Di raised an eyebrow and looked closely. Just then, Duke Zhongwu raised his head and met Xuan Di's scrutinizing gaze. He immediately broke into a bright smile.
Xuan Di's eye twitched, a wicked smile curled his lips, and he sneered. He raised his hand and patted Zhongwu Gong's shoulder twice, making Zhongwu Gong wince in pain. The mirror was much more pleasing to the eye than his previous fawning smile.
"Oh, it's Brother Tang! Oh dear, it's been a long time. Brother Tang looks much older now," Xuan Di said with a smile, showing no intention of lending a hand.
Duke Zhongwu, Qin Tangzhi: ...
Nonsense! I'm just a mortal! You think you're like your family? None of you are human!
However, Duke Zhongwu only dared to curse someone in his heart, and only dared to curse once before he quickly forced a stiff smile and gave Xuandi an awkward but ingratiating smile.
The Duke of Zhongwu was not surprised at all by Xuandi's blatant bullying, nor was he even slightly uncomfortable. After all, he had been bullied by Xuandi since he was a teenager, after he went to the border and followed the Prince of Hengchang. He had long been used to being bullied.
At this moment, he shrank back without a word of complaint, got up from the ground, rubbed his shoulder which was sore from Xuan Di's slap, and forced a sheepish smile at Xuan Di.
Xuan Di raised the corner of his mouth with a half-smile, staring at Zhongwu Gong so intently that it made him feel uneasy, before slowly speaking, "My dear cousin, you've come to the palace so early in the morning, and straight to the Empress Dowager's palace. Is it because your daughter bullied my precious sister yesterday?"
Upon hearing Xuandi mention this matter, Duke Zhongwu was so frightened that his toes trembled. He hurriedly explained, "No, no, no! Fifth Young Master, you've misunderstood! This is absolutely a misunderstanding! My daughter did speak rudely to the Fifth Princess and Princess Changyin yesterday, but she absolutely, absolutely did not bully Niannian!"
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