Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

Hearing this, Consort Yu's face turned red, then white.

She slammed the table furiously. "How dare you imply that I am unreasonable! Guards, teach this insolent child a lesson!"

Xiaoci and Xiaoyi immediately moved to shield Yuanjiu. "Who dares to step forward?" they challenged, standing protectively in front of her.

Yuanjiu's voice was cold. "If I am insolent, then what about you? Your behavior is far worse than mine."

Just as Consort Yu was about to speak, a deep, calm, and unfamiliar laugh echoed from outside.

"Hahaha! what an interesting scene.'"

Yuanjiu turned around to see her Father Emperor Ouyang Qingcheng, walking in with a young man who bore a slight resemblance to him.

The laugh had clearly come from the younger man.

Upon entering, his eyes were immediately fixed on Yuanjiu, an amused expression crossing his face.

It turned out that the shadow guard had sensed trouble and reported the situation to Ouyang Qingcheng.

Coincidentally, the Imperial Brother Ouyang Yuantian, had just returned from outside the city.

Ouyang Yuantian is the younger brother of the current emperor Ouyang Qingcheng.

Hearing the report, both men decided to come over.

They had been standing outside for a while, listening to the exchange.

Ouyang Yuantian who is increasingly entertained by Yuanjiu's clever remarks, couldn't resist to revealing himself.

"Your Majesty!" Consort Yu's face turned pale upon seeing Ouyang Qingcheng's stern expression.

She and everyone else was panicked and they immediately knelt down to pay their respects.

Only Yuanjiu remained standing.

Upon seeing her Father Emp approaching, she ran to him, shaking her tiny figure as Xiaoding trotted behind her.

"Father Emperor," she called out affectionately.

Ouyang Qingcheng smiled gently, picking her up and walking into the pavilion.

After sitting down, he waved his hand, signaling everyone else to rise.

"Imperial Brother, My Dear Consort, please be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Consort Yu replied with a coquettish smile, seating herself carefully.

Ouyang Yuantian on the other hand, casually adjusted his robes and sat beside Ouyang Qingcheng, his gaze fixed on Yuanjiu with growing interest.

He extended his arms and said, "Ninth Princess, you're so adorable. Come, let your royal uncle hold you."

Yuanjiu glanced at him briefly but ignored him.

"Haha. My darling, this is your father's younger brother. You can call him Uncle Qingtian."

Consort Yu and Ouyang Yuantian exchanged astonished looks when they heard Ouyang Qingcheng laugh so heartily.

Ouyang Yuantian, in particular, was shocked.

Having grown up with his brother, he knew that Ouyang Qingcheng was naturally cold and reserved.

Since ascending the throne, his demeanor had only grown more distant.

Even when he smiled, it was usually a polite, perfunctory gesture.

Yet now, he was laughing so freely and joyfully.

It seemed that during his absence from the imperial city, Ouyang Qingcheng had changed significantly.

And the reason for this change was undoubtedly the little girl in his arms.

It's no wonder when he saw his brother earlier in the imperial study, he felt that the usual chill around him had noticeably lessened.

He had thought it was just his imagination.

Now he realized how wrong he had been.

As for Consort Yu, she just lowered her head.

A flicker of unwillingness flashing in her eyes.

It was only then that Yuanjiu called out, "Uncle Qingtian."

Her voice was crisp and sweet, filling Ouyang Qingtian with delight.

He eagerly leaned closer to her and extending his hands. "Good girl. Little one, come let Uncle hold you."

Yuanjiu didn't bother to acknowledging him further.

Instead, she turned her back, closed her eyes, and leaned against Ouyang Qingchengs's chest, her refusal clear.

Ouyang Qingtian awkwardly scratched his nose, and said. "Ah, it seems the Ninth Princess dislikes me. Brother, you summoned me back to meet this adorable little one, but she won't even look at me."

Hearing this, Yuanjiu felt she might have gone too far, which could be seen as disrespecting her father.

Reluctantly, she turned around, extending her chubby little arms in a gesture of tolerance.

Her exaggeratedly patient expression made both Ouyang Qingtian and Ouyang Qingcheng burst into hearty laughter.

Ouyang Qingtian finally got to hold Yuanjiu, lifting her happily to stand on his knees.

"Now this is even cuter."

Seeing all their attention focused on Yuanjiu, Consort Yu suppressed the jealousy in her eyes and leaned closer to Ouyang Qingcheng with a pout.

"Your Majesty, that dog barked earlier and scared me so badly."

Ouyang Qingcheng gave her a cold, sidelong glance. "I seem to recall hearing my dear consort say she wanted to 'properly teach a lesson' to my little treasure."

Consort Yu panicked.

Moments ago, she had been sharp and domineering, but now she morphed into a pitiful, tearful figure.

"Your Majesty, you didn't see how the Ninth Princess treated me so rudely and even used her magical beast to frighten me!"

Hearing her distortion of the truth, Yuanjiu turned her gaze toward her father.

Ouyang Qingcheng smiled gently at Yuanjiu, reassuring her.

Then he pulled her back into his arms and let out a cold snort, addressing Consort Yu. "I already know what happened. My daughter is only two years old, yet you aggressively twisted the truth. Should I commend you for your remarkable audacity?"

Consort Yu's face turned ashen. "Your Majesty…"

From the moment Ouyang Qingcheng referred to Yuanjiu as his "treasure," she had sensed that things were not going in her favor.

What she hadn't anticipated was that Ouyang Qingcheng cherished Yuanjiu so deeply that he would publicly scold her in front of Ouyang Qingtian.

It was easy to imagine how humiliated she felt.

"No need to say more. My dear consort, you may leave now."

Consort Yu performed a stiff courtesy before storming out of the imperial garden, her frustration palpable.

Yuanjiu wriggled out of Ouyang Qingcheng's embrace and hurried over to check on Xiaoding's injuries.

After confirming there wasn't a single scratch, she finally relaxed.

Ouyang Qingtian, like a curious child, squatted beside Yuanjiu, watching her with amusement.

"Xiaojiu, you were also at fault today."