"Yao'er understands, but... Yao'er doesn't want to make things difficult for Master, nor does she want to cause you any trouble!" the little girl said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.
Xiao Yuhan shook his head and sighed, thinking that this girl had been bullied since she was a child, and her temper had become too tolerant. Even though Li Qianyun and Liu Bishui were no longer her match, she still wouldn't take advantage of her current strength to bully them back. This was a very serious problem. It was good to have a broad mind, but being too kind would only lead to being bullied.
After all, she is destined to become an empress in the future, so a weak personality won't do. Xiao Yuhan looked at Bai Yao thoughtfully. Today's outfit does make her look like the right person, but she still exudes insecurity from the bottom of her heart. She is so beautiful, with a pretty face and a great figure. If she grows up and develops further, she will definitely be a stunning beauty who will bring ruin to the country.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yuhan immediately made a plan, thinking that she must find an opportunity to change her personality.
However, since it's the Lantern Festival today, Xiao Yuhan plans to put this idea aside for now and have some fun with the girl first.
Once outside on the street, Bai Yao was still quite shy. Perhaps it was because she had never worn such beautiful clothes before, nor so much jewelry, and she was still a little unaccustomed to it.
Passersby couldn't help but admire such a pretty little girl.
"Brother! Your daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman!"
"Look at that handsome young man, he looks like he stepped out of a painting. It's just a pity he's already married. He looks so young, but his daughter is already so big. If only I had met him sooner..." many women said, swooning.
Bai Yao was both embarrassed and angry. When she heard others misunderstand that she was her master's daughter, she hurriedly tried to explain, "Hmph! He is my master... not my father!"
Xiao Yuhan sighed and reached out to pat Bai Yao's head. "Girl, the most unavoidable thing in life is other people's opinions. It's just gossip and rumors. Don't take it to heart. These people are just misunderstanding and making a few jokes. It's nothing."
Just then, as he finished speaking, several street thugs nearby stared at the two of them and whispered among themselves.
"Look at that young master, probably someone's son? He really knows how to have fun. Such a pretty little girl, she looks so young, is she his concubine?"
"What do you know? That's called being romantic. Those rich young masters in the capital don't even spare six- or seven-year-old girls!"
"What an animal!"
"You don't know anything. What if they're father and daughter?"
"Nonsense! Today's Lantern Festival is for these young masters and ladies to come out and have fun!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yuhan frowned, thinking that the Lantern Festival is indeed the traditional Lantern Festival. Indeed, many beautiful women and gentlemen come to the lantern festival hoping to meet and find their beloved, but it is not just for that purpose. However, the way these people say it has changed its meaning.
Looking at Bai Yao's expression, she was both ashamed and angry, but she just glared fiercely at those people.
"Girl, don't listen to their nonsense. That's just how people are. No matter how well or badly you do, even if you just walk past them calmly, you'll inevitably attract their accusations and insults. Since we don't know each other, they don't have to take responsibility for their words and actions. As long as we walk up to them, these people will have no choice but to shut up. If they still talk nonsense in front of me, I'll beat them up!"
Bai Yao shook her head. "Master... Heaven is watching what people do. Speaking recklessly is a sin, a helplessness of the incompetent. So seeking pleasure from belittling others is a despicable act."
Xiao Yuhan was taken aback. "Who taught you these words?"
"Junior Uncle, it's alright, Master. I won't mind, because we are not the same kind of people as them."
"Sigh...girl, all people are the same, only their hearts are different. There are still more good people than bad in this world!"
Bai Yao seemed lost in thought, but her attention was quickly drawn to the candied hawthorns on the street. Xiao Yuhan smiled helplessly, stepped forward and bought some. The little girl was still a little girl, she just had a sweet tooth. However, Bai Yao was very good at sharing, and then she handed a string of candied hawthorns to Xiao Yuhan, "Master! You have some too!"
"I don't like eating this!"
"Master, Master~ Please eat~" Bai Yao was very persistent, and even started to act coquettishly, so Xiao Yuhan had no choice but to accept.
You could tell that the girl was very happy today, far less withdrawn than she had been on the mountain. The bustling Lingsu City seemed to have unlocked some kind of restriction in the girl's heart, and she was having a blast in no time. One minute she wanted to go boating, the next she wanted to climb the Sky Tower to see the night view, and then she wanted to go see the lanterns and guess the riddles.
They played until dusk, when the master and apprentice arrived at Linghu Lake in Lingsu City. Small boats floated on the lake, filled with young men and women whose hearts were fluttering with love, their laughter echoing endlessly. The ancient archway on the shore was brightly lit, and a girl stood on the shore under the moonlight, her long hair blowing in the breeze. Bai Yao turned her head and saw Xiao Yuhan, smiled gently, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
“Master…this is the happiest day of Yao’er’s life, and I will always remember this day…”
As soon as she finished speaking, fireworks erupted from the shore, illuminating the world with their dazzling light. At that moment, the girl stared at the sky for a long time, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yao'er? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Xiao Yuhan was puzzled, thinking that if it was a happy day, why would she cry?
Bai Yao shook her head without speaking, but her face lit up with joy, showing no sign of unhappiness. After a moment, she became cheerful and lively again, "Master, Master! Let's go release sky lanterns! I heard that wishes made through sky lanterns come true!"
After saying that, the little girl came up, grabbed Xiao Yuhan's hand, and ran towards the stall selling sky lanterns. When they arrived at the stall, the owner looked at the two of them with a meaningful expression. Only then did the two realize what was going on. They looked down and saw that they were still holding hands.
Bai Yao quickly withdrew her hand and explained to the shopkeeper, "No...it's not what you think, he's my master..."
Clearly, such an explanation was somewhat weak and more likely to cause misunderstandings. Sure enough, the stall owner's expression became even more amused, and he even smiled and glanced at Xiao Yuhan.
As a seasoned veteran, Xiao Yuhan immediately understood what that look meant. He thought to himself that this was something that couldn't be explained. In his boss's eyes, he was already the scumbag master who preyed on his apprentice. Thinking of this, Xiao Yuhan frowned and didn't bother to explain. The more he explained, the less useful it would be.
The master and disciple bought sky lanterns and went to the shore to release them. Bai Yao clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and murmured softly, "I hope my master is healthy and happy every day. I hope I can often eat candied hawthorn, osmanthus cake, and roasted rabbit head in the future..."
Xiao Yuhan looked at the many food-related wishes she made and smiled wryly.
At this moment, Bai Yao finished reading the list of things she wanted to eat, gently opened her eyes, turned to look at Xiao Yuhan who was lost in thought, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said very softly, "I hope to be with Master forever..."
Xiao Yuhan didn't hear these words, but when he realized that Bai Yao was looking at him, he was slightly taken aback. A strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart, a little flustered and uneasy.
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