Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

After he sat down, he then smiled faintly. "As you all saw in the Sacred Hall, the Ninth Princess possesses no magical abilities. Therefore, for her safety and well-being, I have decided to raise her personally by my side."

It's just a single statement but it's enough to shocked everyone.

Yuanjiu who is still resting her head on Ouyang Qingcheng's shoulder, suddenly lifted her head.

She opened her large eyes in disbelief, and her small mouth gaped open in astonishment.

A few droplets of saliva inadvertently dribbled out—an unavoidable reflex for a baby, regardless of her will.

Luckily, she was facing Ouyang Qingcheng's back, so no one noticed it, not even Cailun, who stood at his side.

Realizing she had wet Ouyang Qingcheng's shoulder, Yuanjiu quickly closed her mouth, her guilty conscience surfacing.

Aunt Yue and Hanxue, meanwhile, grew increasingly anxious.

Wasn't Yuanjiu now being thrust into the eye of the storm?

The Emperor's favor was a double-edged sword.

While it brought blessings, it also invited jealousy and hostility from others.

The concubines exchanged uneasy glances upon hearing Ouyang Qingcheng's declaration.

This was no trivial matter.

Wouldn't it mean even less time for them to spend with the Emperor?

Still, none of them dared to object him openly.

It was the Empress who finally broke the silence.

She gracefully stood up while scanning the crowd with a calm and composed smile.

In a gentle tone, she said, "Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess is still very young and may cause disturbances by staying at Your Majesty's side. Perhaps it would be better to entrust her to one of us concubines, it could also allowing us to share in easing Your Majesty's burdens."

Ouyang Qingcheng gently stroked Yuanjiu's soft, fuzzy head while chuckling softly. "The Empress is mistaken. It's pecisely because the Ninth Princess is still very young and has lost her mother that I wish to personally make up for the hardships she has endured. My beloved concubines already have their own children to care for; I cannot bear to let them take on further toil."

Although his words were lighthearted, the sharp and unyielding determination in his gaze left no room for dissent.

Yuanjiu squirmed uncomfortably under his persistent stroking.

Sensing this, Ouyang Qingcheng reluctantly stopped and turned to the assembly. "It's getting late. Let the banquet begin."

I'm starving…

Yuanjiu stared intently at the flower garden behind Ouyang Qingcheng.

Unable to speak and unwilling to cry to express her hunger, she resorted to tugging on his long hair.

However, his silky hair slipped through her tiny fingers repeatedly, leaving her helpless.

Ouyang Qingcheng, unsure of what she wanted, placed his hands under her small arms to lift her up and studied her face closely.

He froze for a moment.

The baby face—it had changed.

It was now ten times more exquisite and beautiful than before.

Her round, glistening eyes, delicate lashes, rosy lips, and jade-like cheeks radiated an extraordinary charm.

Those innocent, blinking eyes, framed by long, fluttering lashes, made her seem fragile and utterly defenseless.