Chapter 13: I Am Your Daughter

Seeing Ji Tianxin’s face clearly, Ji Huailei was momentarily taken aback, as if some memory had been stirred deep within him. Unable to help himself, he asked aloud, “Who are you?!”

Ji Tianxin fixed her gaze on him, her eyes calm and cold, her words deliberate and clear: “I am your daughter, Ji Tianxin.”

Ji Huailei was stunned, his voice tinged with urgency. “What did you say?!”

Ji Yuanruo, putting away his riding crop, stepped forward, disbelief written all over his face.

“My mother’s name is Li Xiaodie,” she continued slowly, her tone cool and indifferent, betraying no emotion.

At the mention of that name, Madam Chen’s knees buckled and she collapsed backward. The maids behind her rushed to support her in panic.

“Madam, madam!”

“Oh yes, today is Li Xiaodie’s death anniversary,” Ji Tianxin added, as if speaking to herself. “So, I’ve come back to acknowledge my kin. And, incidentally, take care of some matters.”

Her voice was slow and unhurried, each word drawn out, at odds with the ruthlessness she had just displayed.

When he heard Li Xiaodie’s name, Ji Huailei’s expression had already changed.

“Impossible… Impossible! Li Xiaodie died in childbirth before the baby could be born, and the child died in her womb as well. Both were buried together; it’s impossible for her to be Li Xiaodie’s daughter!” Madam Chen protested in confusion.

Granny Chen had said the coffin was nailed shut; even if the baby had been delivered, it would’ve been buried alive long ago! How could she possibly still be alive!

Yet, looking at Ji Tianxin now, she couldn’t help but admit—she looked far too much like that vixen!

That vixen had seduced the master with her looks back then. This wretched girl, though still young, already bore the signs of a beauty who could one day ruin kingdoms.

Ji Huailei hesitated at these words, but after meeting Ji Tianxin’s gaze for a moment, he straightened, assuming the posture and dignity befitting a general, and waved his hand dismissively.

At once, the soldiers behind him stepped forward to disperse the surrounding townsfolk.

“If you’ve come to claim kinship, why resort to violence?!” he said in a deep voice. “Everyone, let’s return to the estate before we continue this discussion!”

Even if angered, he couldn’t afford to quarrel with a child before the eyes of the public.

Kinship?

He stared into the eyes of the seven-year-old girl before him, determined to see just what kind of kin she claimed to be.

At his command, everyone from the General’s estate retreated inside.

“Master…” Madam Chen tried to protest further, but Ji Huailei silenced her with a glare.

Regardless of whether this girl was truly his daughter, causing such a commotion outside the General’s estate would only make him a laughingstock in Jin’an City.

Moreover… He glanced at the estate guards who had been beaten and a thoughtful look passed through his eyes. The way he regarded Ji Tianxin grew more grave.

Ji Tianxin shifted her gaze away from him, furrowed her brow, and clicked her tongue softly, muttering to herself, “What a bother.”

Ji Huailei heard those words as well and his face darkened further.

Su Qing stood quietly beside Ji Tianxin, suddenly recalling a conversation from the day before between Master Bai and her mistress.

“You’re going back? Why?” Bai Shu’s pleasant voice rose with surprise.

“Tomorrow is the anniversary,” Ji Tianxin replied lazily, squinting as she rolled over on the soft couch, preparing to sleep again.

Bai Shu circled around, then crouched before her, asking, “What are you going back for? You love to sleep and eat; what if you can’t get used to the food or the beds there?”

Su Qing: “……”

Ji Tianxin opened her eyes, looked at Bai Shu, and uttered two words slowly: “Repay a debt.”

Bai Shu was puzzled; he never understood what went on in his little disciple’s mind anyway.

And so, Su Qing had witnessed a grown man trying for ages to persuade a seven-year-old girl to stay—though in the end, her mistress had left all the same.

Repay a debt? Su Qing gazed at Ji Tianxin’s profile, wondering silently: What kind of debt is it, that would require her mistress to come in person?