I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 44: Going to Helian Royal Mansion for Birthday Congratulations
It was the birthday of the old Prince of the Helian Royal Mansion, and most of the Capital City’s dignitaries and nobles had come to offer their congratulations. The street outside the Prince Mansion had been bustling with a constant stream of carriages since noon.
"Official Zhang, you’ve arrived."
"Official Li, after you."
"You’re too kind. Let’s go, let’s go."
The court officials spoke in their customary formal tones, chuckling as they entered.
"Hey, look. Isn’t that General Xiang?"
"I think it is. When did General Xiang return to the Capital City?"
"And he’s holding a little girl. Whose child is that?"
Many people at the main gate stopped to stare, thoroughly puzzled.
As Xiang Minghou walked in holding Ye Qianning, the crowd immediately swarmed forward to greet him.
"General Xiang, long time no see."
"General Xiang, you returned to the capital without a word! We would have thrown a proper welcome banquet for you."
"Come, come, it’s perfect that you’re all here. Let me make an introduction. This is my daughter." Xiang Minghou moved closer, holding the little girl.
"..."
The crowd was visibly stunned. Everyone knew that General Xiang had sustained an injury that left him unable to father children. ’Where on earth did this child come from?’
Facing so many stares, Ye Qianning felt a bit awkward. The best way to hide it was to smile, so she deployed her special talent, beaming like a blooming flower.
There was no denying the lethal charm of a cute child.
"Since when did General Xiang have a daughter? She’s absolutely beautiful."
"Congratulations, congratulations! What an adorable daughter.
"General Xiang, you didn’t steal this little girl, did you?"
"HAHAHAHA."
"Nonsense! She’s my very own daughter, my flesh and blood." Xiang Minghou’s face was wreathed in smiles.
’Having a daughter is wonderful,’ he thought. ’Everyone loves her wherever I take her.’
"Ah, General Xiang, you’re finally here! Please, come in, come in. The old Prince was just asking about you." The butler from the Prince Mansion hurried out to welcome him upon seeing his arrival.
Xiang Minghou tossed the gift he was holding to the butler and entered with a chuckle, still carrying the child.
The butler hurried to keep up, gift in hand. "General, the old Prince sent me to see if you had arrived. Now that you are, he invites you to his study for a private talk."
"Very well," Xiang Minghou nodded.
"Daddy," Ye Qianning called out.
"What is it?"
"Nanxiang is over there," Ye Qianning said, pointing with her little finger.
At the same time, Nanxiang also spotted Ye Qianning and waved her little hand. "Pangtuan! Pangtuan!"
Princess Changyang turned her head, saw the two of them, excused herself to the ladies she was with, and walked over. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"Your Highness," Xiang Minghou greeted with a bow.
"I never imagined Pangtuan was actually General Xiang’s daughter. You are a very fortunate man, General," Princess Changyang praised. After Sang Yan had told her what happened that day, she had come to greatly admire General Xiang.
"For that, I must thank Your Highness for taking her in. Otherwise, I would have missed out on such a wonderful daughter. I will be sure to pay a formal visit another day to thank you properly," Xiang Minghou said with a smile.
"You’re too kind, General Xiang. I also feel it was fate that brought me and Pangtuan together."
"General Xiang," the butler at his side prompted, unable to wait any longer.
"Dad, you can go. I want to stay with Nanxiang," Ye Qianning said.
Xiang Minghou hesitated.
"General Xiang, you can leave Pangtuan with me," Princess Changyang kindly offered.
"Very well." Xiang Minghou set Ye Qianning down and reminded her, "Stay with Her Highness and don’t wander off. The Prince Mansion is huge; don’t get lost."
Ye Qianning nodded.
"Rest assured, General. I will return your daughter to you safe and sound when the banquet begins." ’Who would have imagined that the general, rumored to kill men as easily as scything flax, could be so fussy at a time like this?’
Xiang Minghou wasn’t embarrassed in the least. He gave her a few more reminders before he was finally reassured enough to leave.
Princess Changyang couldn’t help but praise him inwardly. ’He really is a good father.’ This thought put her much more at ease.
