Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

Ouyang Qingcheng, watching her intently, remained silent, his expression unreadable but gentle, silently urging her to continue.

Yuanjiu's face turned pale, her voice trembling as tightly clenched fists betrayed her turmoil.

"He implanted a strange chip in my brain," she began, her words quivering. "I slept for ten days. When I woke up, my mind was filled with knowledge—five languages, countless skills… I was completely turned into his tool, stealing for him, killing for him. The only time I could leave that room was when I had a mission to complete, and only then could I see other people. But even then, he forbade me from talking to anyone else.

"I didn't know what was right or wrong. Everything he said felt like the absolute truth… When I turned twelve, during one mission, I encountered someone who was far stronger than me in combat. He told me that killing was wrong."

"I didn't believe him at first, but he kept explaining it to me, over and over. That was when I finally realized… I had done so many terrible things."

"I didn't want to be his tool anymore. So, one day, I took a fruit knife and tried to end my life…"

"Yuanjiu! Stop talking!" Ouyang Qingcheng exclaimed and pulling her into his embrace with a heartache that ran deep.

He was shaken to his core.

Although he had long suspected that Yuanjiu was no ordinary child, he hadn't imagined her past would be so harrowing.

Yuanjiu, forcing herself to appear indifferent, said coldly, "Now you know I'm a bad person. Even if you decide to kill me, I won't blame you."

Unconsciously, her small hands gripped Ouyang Qingcheng's hair tightly.

Despite her words, fear stirred within her heart.

She dreaded the possibility of him abandoning her.

Over time, she had come to love his warm embrace, his kindness, and his gentle care.

She couldn't bear the thought of losing the warmth he had brought into her life.

"Ouyang Yuanjiu!" For the first time, Ouyang Qingcheng called her by her full name, his tone stern and commanding.

Yuanjiu looked up, glaring defiantly, unaware that her eyes were red and shimmering with unshed tears of grievance.

"Ouyang Yuanjiu, listen to me carefully," Ouyang Qingcheng said, his voice firm but filled with emotion. "You are no longer that person. You are Ouyang Yuanjiu, my daughter, the seventh princess of the Caohan Empire. Do you understand?"

Yuanjiu stared at him, stunned.

She could see the unmistakable pain in his eyes, the deep ache that mirrored her own.

"Forget your past, my treasure," he said gently, his tone softening. "You didn't know what was right or wrong back then. That's something I will teach you. I forbid you to dwell on your past. Now, you are a two-year-old child, and everything begins anew."

"I will take care of you, love you, and protect you. Do you understand?"

Ouyang Qingcheng finally realized that emotionally, his little girl was like a newborn, innocent and vulnerable, trying to shield herself with cold indifference.

The thought of how much pain she must have endured to develop such a façade tore at his heart.

Yuanjiu, overwhelmed by his words and his unwavering gaze, felt her defenses crack just a little.

Deep down, she wanted to believe him—wanted to trust in the safety and warmth of his arms.

However, it was a leap of faith she wasn't sure she could take.