I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 23: You Should Call Me Eighth Uncle

Ye Qianning had heard that Prince Changyang and his Princess Consort had two sons, both of whom had unfortunately died from illness—one at twelve, the other at four. As a result, the couple doted excessively on Nanxiang. Ever since she was little, even a simple sneeze from her could send them into a panic.

’With Nanxiang’s poisoning and this surprisingly skilled maid, the two young Princely Heirs from the Prince Mansion must have died unnatural deaths as well.’

"Go, keep an eye on her for me," Ye Qianning said, looking up at the bird above her.

"Why should I?" The little bird in the tree tossed its head, looking extremely haughty.

"Three worms."

"Five."

"Deal." Ye Qianning gave a hand signal, and the bird flew off after the maid.

The world of birds was a very simple one. As long as you had a hold on their food supply, you could get them to do your bidding.

She was also curious about who Prince Changyang and the Princess Consort could have possibly offended to warrant such viciousness—to have several of their children murdered, one after another.

Ye Qianning started walking back, shaking her head from time to time. She had died young in her past life; in this one, she just wanted to live to a ripe old age. To achieve that, she would have to accumulate more good karma for herself.

「Night fell, and the spring evening was slightly cool.」

Ye Qianning pulled her clothes tighter and broke into a jog on her way back. Being plump, her quick pace made her look like a rolling ball to any onlooker...

"Running is forbidden in the Prince Mansion." A small figure blocked her path.

Ye Qianning stopped. Sang Zhi stood not far away with his hands clasped behind his back, his little face set in a very serious expression.

"What running? I’m just getting some exercise."

Sang Zhi stared at her, his face stern. "Until you enter the Third Prince’s household, you will follow me. I will teach you the proper etiquette."

"You’ll teach me etiquette? So I can turn into a little traditionalist like you?" Ye Qianning laughed. ’This kid is interesting.’

"You should address me as Eighth Uncle," Sang Zhi said earnestly.

"..."

’Eighth Uncle? Eighth Uncle my ass.’

"Since you are the Third Prince’s daughter, that makes you my niece."

Ye Qianning almost laughed. "Who told you I was the Third Prince’s daughter?"

"Although you are plump, your eyes are very much like the Third Prince’s," Sang Zhi stated matter-of-factly.

"Little traditionalist, I think all that reading has blurred your vision. I’m obviously much prettier than your Third Prince." Ye Qianning cupped her face with her small hands and began to boast, "If I were to slim down, even a handsome doll like you would have to step aside."

’It wasn’t just baseless bragging, either. Her looks were definitely on point. She was as cute as a cherubic doll from a New Year’s painting, and if she slimmed down, she would undoubtedly be a great beauty.’

Sang Zhi’s little brow furrowed. "One must learn to be humble."

"What’s ’humble’?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Humility is..."

Sang Zhi began to explain earnestly, looking for all the world like an elder giving a profound lesson to a junior.

Ye Qianning looked up at the sky, speechless. The little boy’s voice droned on in her ear like the Tang Monk’s endless chanting.

"Do you understand now?" Sang Zhi asked.

Ye Qianning shook her head.

"If you didn’t understand, I’ll explain it to you again slowly tomorrow after I finish my lessons." Seeing her distracted look, Sang Zhi concluded that her comprehension skills were a bit lacking and that she required patient instruction.

"Alright, alright, I’m a hopeless case. You can study until you’re silly, but don’t you dare drag me down with you." Ye Qianning waved her hand dismissively and added, "And I’m not the Third Prince’s daughter."

Sang Zhi simply assumed she was a child talking nonsense. After all, having wandered among the common folk for so many years, it was understandable that she’d picked up some bad habits of speech.

’From now on, I’ll have to guide her diligently and correct some of these bad habits of hers.’

"I’m really not! If you don’t believe me, go ask your brother!" Ye Qianning, as if sensing his thoughts, denied it once more.

’Being targeted by this little traditionalist can’t be a good thing...’