Xiao Dezi smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits: "Princess, why don't you go and take a look and you'll find out?"
Perhaps her cow has arrived?
No, if it's about cows, you'd definitely see them at Qianhua Palace!
So, what could it be?
Yuan Yao was overjoyed, only regretting that her legs were too short. She rushed into Dan Qing's arms and let Dan Qing hold her, walking quickly.
Haoran Hall.
Ministers dressed in blue, purple, and scarlet robes of different ranks lined up in two long rows. Beside the gate, two more rows stood people wearing robes different from those of the Great Qi.
Danqing covered Yuan Yao completely with his wide sleeves and walked all the way to the side of the Ninth Prince.
As Yuan Yao passed by the ministers, she overheard one of them muttering, "This... why is the young princess here? This is the imperial court..."
The news of Consort Ruan being possessed by an evil spirit had already spread throughout the court.
And the one who's making a fuss about Consort Ruan being haunted is none other than Princess Yuan Yao right here in front of us.
Someone muttered, "This child might actually be a bit strange..."
"What's so strange about it? It's probably just a kid talking nonsense, and it was just a coincidence!"
"Shh...don't let her hear..."
Yuan Yao was listening intently when a soft, fragrant embrace took her in.
She took a sip and called out in a soft, sweet voice, "Daddy."
The Ninth Prince stretched out his slender fingers and pinched Yuan Yao's rosy little round face: "Look at this sun, it's almost melting my little dumpling, it really breaks my heart."
Hearing this, Yuan Yao blushed even more.
This is probably what they call "spoiling"?
Yuan Yao rushed into the arms of the Ninth Prince and buried her face in his chest, saying, "Daddy, hug me."
His Highness smells so good!
The cool, refreshing fragrance is so pleasant that even your pores feel relaxed after just one sniff.
Why not take advantage of a beautiful woman?
The Ninth Prince chuckled softly, picked up Yuan Yao, and sat down at the desk. His voice was soft and languid as he slowly addressed the ministers in the hall: "The two princes from Xiqiu and Chu who came to study in our Great Qi have arrived. In addition to the young prince, Chu also sent me a white tiger cub. I have been thinking that white tigers have never appeared in the territory of Great Qi, so I invited you gentlemen to come and take a look."
The State of Chu actually gifted a white tiger to the Grand Prince?
The ministers in the hall were surprised and all looked at the envoy from Chu.
What is the intention behind sending a tiger as a gift?
The Chu envoy wiped away his cold sweat and had a cage covered with black silk carried into the hall.
"Aww..."
A faint cry came from inside the cage.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao curiously looked in the direction of the voice.
Two envoys from the Chu Kingdom stepped forward, removed the black silk, and revealed an iron cage. Inside the cage lay a small white tiger cub with snow-blue eyes, snow-white fur, and blackish-brown stripes. Its little head was resting on its chubby front paws, and it looked around in bewilderment.
It's so cute!
She had only seen white tiger cubs in videos before, but she never expected to have the chance to see a live tiger cub in this time and space!
But... what does the State of Chu mean by this?
tiger?
A heart of a tiger or wolf?
Is this a way of using the tiger to mock the Emperor?
What if this gets back to the emperor, and he decides to kill the Grand Eunuch?
At that time, even the daughter of the Nine Thousand Years Old will not be able to live!
Yuan Yao's heart trembled.
At this moment, a minister mustered up his courage and said, "Your Majesty, may I touch this tiger cub?"
The Ninth Prince waved his sleeve, indicating his consent.
The man rolled up his sleeves, strode to the iron cage, bent down, and reached out his hand.
Unexpectedly, before he could even reach in, the tiger cub braced its front paws on the ground, poised to attack, and hissed as a warning.
The official's face turned pale, and he withdrew his hand in shock.
Some people gloated, saying, "Lord Zhang is a civil official; his aura probably can't overpower this tiger cub."
Lord Zhang was so angry that he flung his sleeves, his beard trembling: "If you're so capable, then you do it!"
"I'll go, I'll go." The adult who had been mocking him actually rolled up his sleeves and strode confidently toward the iron cage. However, before he even reached the cage, the little tiger bared its teeth: "Roar..."
The teeth marks on the tiger's mouth were bright red.
In an instant, the others in the hall could no longer stand still and stepped forward to test the waters.
Without exception, everyone was frightened by the little white tiger and retreated.
The Minister of War, his face dark with anger after being bitten, said, "Raising a tiger will only bring trouble in the end. If it hurts people when it's young, it will eat people when it grows up! In my opinion, this tiger cub cannot be kept. It's better to kill it while it's still small!"
Kill him?
Such an adorable little tiger! It would be so unfair to kill it!
Yuan Yao withdrew her gaze and volunteered, "Father, let Yao'er give it a try."
The soft, sweet voice rang out loudly in the main hall.
"You?" The Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow.
Yuan Yao nodded, her eyes bright and dark: "I like that little tiger."
The Ninth Prince, preoccupied with some unknown purpose, glanced at the ministers in the hall and said with a smirk, "Go."
After speaking, he put Yuan Yao on the ground and stopped Danqing from following him.
Yuan Yao, with her short legs, huffed and puffed as she descended the steps, walked to the iron cage, and squatted down.
Inside the iron cage, the tiger cub raised its head: "Roar..."
The voice was not aggressive at all; on the contrary, it carried a hint of curiosity.
This is probably... a white tiger cub's mutual affection for a human cub?
Yuan Yao was amused by her own thoughts.
She stretched out her fair and tender little hand, tentatively and slowly reaching towards the front of the little tiger's nostrils.
"Princess!" Danqing stood not far away, her heart pounding in her throat.
The other ministers in the hall also nervously gripped their sleeves.
However, when they turned their gaze to the Ninth Prince, they found that he showed no worry whatsoever; instead, he leisurely sipped his tea...
At this moment, someone exclaimed in surprise: "It didn't even harm the princess!"
Everyone turned their gaze to Yuan Yao.
Then, the white tiger cub tilted its head, came closer, and stuck out its pink tongue to lick Yuan Yao's little hand.
The soft barbs landed on Yuan Yao's hand, their wetness and slight itch providing a pleasant sensation.
Yuan Yao smiled so much that her eyes narrowed.
Once the tiger cub was familiar with her scent, Yuan Yao reached out and struggled to pick up the furry cub. The cub blinked its icy blue eyes, buried its head in Yuan Yao's arms, and nuzzled her gently a few times.
Inside the main hall, everyone watched in amazement.
The Ninth Prince put down his teacup and withdrew the hidden needle from his sleeve.
Yuan Yao, holding the tiger cub, turned to look at the Ninth Prince: "Father, this tiger cub seems to like me a lot. Can I have it?"
If given to someone else, this tiger cub probably won't live long.
If she comes, at least it can keep it alive for the time being...
The first official, Lord Zhang, who had tried to touch the tiger cub, realized what was happening and immediately shouted, "Your Highness, you mustn't! The princess is too young to tame a wild beast!"
Several other ministers chimed in, saying, "Tiger cubs may be cute, but they will eventually grow into fierce tigers. Keeping them in the palace is indeed inappropriate. Releasing them into the mountains and forests may harm the people. It would be better to deal with them while they are still young!"
The cacophony of rebuttals was exceptionally loud in the main hall.
The envoy from Chu, on the other hand, acted as if he were completely detached from the matter.
The Ninth Prince remained silent, instead turning his gaze to Yuan Yao: "Little Yao, once the tiger cub grows up, it might hurt or even eat people. If that happens, would you still be willing to raise it?"
Yuan Yao glanced at the bewildered tiger cub in her arms, then looked at the Ninth Prince, and nodded firmly: "Father, I want to raise it! If it hurts or bites anyone without reason in the future, whether you want to kill or torture it, Yao'er will personally deliver it to you!"
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