I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 14: A Symbol of Splendor and Auspiciousness

"You’re welcome." A smile appeared on Ye Qianning’s round face as she asked curiously, "You can obviously tell what color it is, so why didn’t you answer when they asked?"

Sang Zhi was silent.

Ye Qianning didn’t mind his silence. She just smiled and added, "Iris suits you. It symbolizes splendor and good fortune."

Sang Zhi remained silent.

Seeing him still not speaking, Ye Qianning started to wonder if he had some kind of communication disorder. She scratched her head; the atmosphere had grown a little awkward.

’I’m really not good at getting along with children,’ she thought. ’Especially a silent, mature-beyond-his-years child like him.’

"Pang... Pangtuan." Cui’er peeked her head out from behind a flowerbed.

Ye Qianning glanced over before turning her wide eyes back to Sang Zhi. Her face was the picture of innocence as she grinned and teased, "You’re really handsome, you know."

A faint blush crept across Sang Zhi’s serious little face, only to be immediately replaced by a flash of anger.

Ye Qianning noticed the change and smiled like a little fox whose plan had just succeeded. ’So this little old-timer isn’t so hard to talk to after all,’ she thought.

"Pangtuan..." Cui’er sounded urgent.

"Coming, coming," Ye Qianning replied.

Cui’er emerged from behind the flowerbed, grabbed Ye Qianning’s hand, and dragged her a good distance away before letting go. Full of lingering fear, she said, "Pangtuan, how could you provoke the Seventh Prince? He’s a notorious little tyrant! Crossing him could be a death sentence!"

"It’s fine. He’s just a kid."

"...Don’t take this so lightly! The Seventh Prince is truly terrifying. You’ll be crying about this later!"

Just a kid? That wasn’t just any kid; he was a Prince.

Sang Zhi remained standing in place, his eyes following the small, retreating figure. Not until she disappeared around a corner of the long corridor did he finally look away and lower his gaze to the colorless flower in his hand.

’So, this is purple...’

’Iris... purple...’

An indescribable feeling stirred in Sang Zhi’s heart.

"Eighth Brother." A voice rang out. Sang Yan, dressed in ink-black robes, walked over, his tone laced with concern. "I heard Seventh was just here. He didn’t bully you, did he?"

Sang Zhi said nothing.

Sang Yan found his silence odd. Following his brother’s gaze, he saw the iris in his hand and instantly assumed that Sang Rui must have been tormenting him again.

"Third Brother will get him back for you tomorrow."

"Third Brother, this is purple," Sang Zhi said quietly.

Sang Yan froze, then his face lit up with joy. "Eighth Brother, you can see colors now?"

Sang Zhi paused, then shook his head.

Sang Yan’s joy was fleeting. He tried to console his brother, "It’s okay. This world is a big place; there must be someone who can cure your eyes. In the future, if Sang Rui tries to mock you with things like this again, just tell Third Brother. Third Brother won’t let him get away with it."

Sang Zhi nodded, carefully tucking the iris into his sleeve. His slender, pale fingers then clutched the cuff, as if afraid of accidentally losing the flower.

’So purple is this beautiful...’

—

By the time Ye Qianning followed Cui’er to Lanxuan Garden, the young Commandery Princess was already asleep. Cui’er then recounted their encounter with the princes to Princess Changyang.

"The Seventh Prince has been spoiled rotten by Consort Yu, so he’s naturally mischievous. But you needn’t take it to heart. He still shows some restraint within the Prince Mansion." Princess Changyang gestured for Ye Qianning to sit down and pushed a plate of pastries in front of her. "Try one."

"Thank you, Princess Consort." Ye Qianning picked one up and took a small bite.

Princess Changyang was a kind, dignified, and magnanimous woman. The old saying that one’s heart is reflected in their face was certainly true of her.

"There’s no need for such formality. In fact, I should be the one thanking you." Princess Changyang gave a gentle smile, her demeanor exceptionally warm.