Chapter 52: My Name is A Yan

Hearing Ji Tianxin’s words, Sikou Yan finally returned to his senses.

The momentary lapse he had just shown seemed as if it had never happened at all.

He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “In the future, if a stranger approaches you, don’t respond to just anyone.”

Though he knew Tianxin was strong, she was, after all, still a child—innocent and unversed in the ways of the world. If someone were to trick or abduct her…

This thought, for no apparent reason, stirred a vague anger in him. Even the smile that had been lingering on his lips faded away.

Ji Tianxin pondered for a moment. “Would you count as one?”

Sikou Yan’s expression froze briefly before he adopted a serious demeanor. “No, from now on, we are no longer strangers.”

“Oh…” Ji Tianxin nodded.

Her master often told her this as well, and frequently reminded her not to accept food from others.

He said he was worried she would be deceived.

In truth, Ji Tianxin had never considered this problem.

Because whether someone tried to deceive or harm her, it never ended well for them.

In her presence, these things could not affect her in the slightest.

Just as she was well aware that Ji Yuanruo wanted to kill her, yet she never took it to heart.

Only when she first arrived in this world, when everything was unknown, perhaps that was the only time she had felt fear here.

Listening to their conversation, Su Qing couldn’t help but feel as if her own mistress was being duped.

Not just Su Qing—even Lin Si found the prince’s behavior odd.

Ji Tianxin, having eaten and drunk her fill, packed some candied fruit to take with her. She nodded to Sikou Yan, signaling she was ready to leave.

But before departing, Ji Tianxin suddenly paused and looked back at him.

At the same time, Sikou Yan’s gaze was fixed intently on her.

“You’re called A-Yan,” Ji Tianxin recited his name.

She seemed to remember it as three syllables, but only these two remained clear in her mind.

Sikou Yan gave a faint smile, gentle as a spring breeze. “Yes.”

Ji Tianxin nodded. “I’ll remember it.”

If she said she’d remember, she definitely would.

Su Qing also tilted her head for a glance at Sikou Yan. Such a handsome man—aside from her mistress, who could possibly forget him after just one meeting?

Hearing Ji Tianxin’s words, the smile at Sikou Yan’s lips deepened.

After that, Ji Tianxin led Su Qing away.

As they stepped out from behind the screen, most of the guests upstairs had already dispersed.

Those who remained clicked their tongues in envy as they watched Ji Tianxin and her maid emerge. Ah, to be a child—how easily one can ask for treats. And this little girl was so beautiful and adorable besides.

Still, no one knew who exactly was behind that screen. Such an imposing manner, he couldn’t possibly be the son of an ordinary family.

It was a pity that, from start to finish, none of them had caught so much as a glimpse of the young master behind the screen.

“Your Highness, this rabbit…” Lin Si looked at the small rabbit lantern set aside and asked.

Sikou Yan cast a cold glance at the little rabbit. “Burn it.”

Lin Si looked up at Sikou Yan, then immediately lowered his head. “Yes, sir.”

At the General’s Estate.

Ji Huaili paced back and forth in front of the South Courtyard gate, hands clasped behind his back, his brows tightly furrowed. From time to time, he would stop to peer inside the gates, then pause again to ponder.

Fortunately, there were few servants near the South Courtyard, so no one witnessed Ji Huaili’s current state.

His face was still shadowed with worry, uncertain what to do.