Die Only After Myself?

Xue Qinghe glanced at the Pellet Drum Ye Qiu had placed on the table and chuckled. "What? Do you think I'd neglect my own child so badly that you have to bring even a little toy like this?"

"Of course not. I just didn't know what to prepare, haha. Besides, something I bought with my own hands carries a different meaning, doesn't it?" Ye Qiu picked up the Pellet Drum and gave it a gentle shake, smiling. "If the child likes it, my handiwork is actually pretty good too."

"And..." Ye Qiu changed the subject and said with a smile, "though she isn't your biological child, given our relationship, calling her your child wouldn't be wrong. Of course you wouldn't mistreat her."

"Hmph! Ye Qiu, don't go too far. She is my child, a princess of the imperial family, His Majesty's granddaughter. Not just anyone gets to claim kinship with her." Xue Qinghe snorted, clearly not buying Ye Qiu's reasoning.

"I'm saying, Xue Er, there's no one else here right now. Do you really need to put on the Crown Prince act?" Ye Qiu set down the Pellet Drum, speaking gently with a hint of smugness on his face. "Besides, if anyone's trying to claim kinship, it's that old fellow Xue Ye trying to latch onto me. If he knew my daughter had so many Titled Douluo behind her, he might skip right over you and make her his successor."

"You're dreaming!" Xue Qinghe rolled his eyes irritably and poured Ye Qiu a cup of wine. "The value of an empire this vast cannot be measured by a few Titled Douluo. Besides, when has any empire, kingdom, or duchy ever had a woman inherit the throne?"

"Why not? Is Xue Ye more noble than the Pope of Spirit Hall? If