Uncle Kundera

"This looks kind of weird." Tang San stood before the fitting mirror, looking at the black suit he wore as he awkwardly tugged at his shirt collar.

"Not at all. You look quite good in this suit. It suits you very well." Tang Ling came over from the other side and examined him closely, her eyes full of satisfaction.

The boy wore a black tailcoat, with simple patterns embroidered in gold thread along the lapels, cuffs, and lower back. His trousers bore no patterns at all, and paired with short boots, he looked both understated and noble.

"As long as it fits." Tang San secretly rejoiced at the praise. Then he turned to Tang Ling, who wore a pale blue puffed dress, and praised her with reddened ears, "Senior Sister looks very beautiful too."

"Of course. My taste has always been excellent." Tang Ling smiled as she lifted her skirt and spun around. "I had this crinoline specially made. It's light, but it still gives the skirt the right shape."

"And," Tang Ling blinked, revealing a sly expression, "this will be the perfect thing to win the Queen's favor."

"Senior Sister is amazing. You'll definitely get what you want." Tang San looked at her smiling face and offered his sincere blessing.

Then he asked seriously, "Is there anything you need me to do? I remember I'm supposed to meet the princes."

Tang San had always supported whatever his senior sister wanted to do without asking why. If he could help, he would help; if he did not know whether he could help, he would go ask.

"No need." Tang Ling picked up a pair of pearl earrings and put them on. After admiring them carefully for a moment, she led him outside.

"The King has five sons, all born to different mothers. When you meet them, you don't need to do anything. Just answer whatever they ask according to the information I gave you."

As they walked, Tang Ling instructed him:

"You only need to remember their questions, as well as their tones and expressions."

"Okay, I'll definitely remember them clearly!" Tang San hurried after her and nodded solemnly. This was the first task Senior Sister had given him. He had to do it well.

"It's fine even if you don't remember clearly. Little Heavenly Dao will follow you. He can record it." Seeing how tense he looked, Tang Ling instinctively comforted him.

"Okay, then I'll let him stay in my hair. The recording will be clearer that way." Tang San took Round Pancake from his pocket and placed him atop his hair.

Having concealed his weight, Little Heavenly Dao rested there like air, impossible for anyone to notice.

"We'll definitely work together properly. We won't ruin anything!" Little Heavenly Dao cooperatively patted the top of his head and swayed his body with a serious expression.

"Alright~ I believe in you two." Tang Ling smiled and poked each of the two little cuties eager to prove themselves.

Then, ignoring the smiling father-and-son pair, she stepped elegantly toward the door.

Waiting beside the carriage at the entrance were not only people from Princess Manor, but also two guards the King had sent to show his regard.

Tang Ling gave the two men a friendly smile before boarding the carriage first, with Tang San following right behind her.

A moment later, escorted by four guards, the carriage slowly made its way toward the Royal Palace.

"Chloe, my child, I am greatly relieved to see you so healthy." King Kundera looked at the little girl bowing before him, smiling as he took her hand and gently patted it.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's care and concern, I have lived very well." Tang Ling raised her head to look at her bargain-bin cousin-uncle and offered him a sincere smile.

That was not false at all. A child who had inherited a vast fortune at birth and had never encountered any evildoers had indeed been watched over by someone.

"No need to be so polite, little Chloe. No matter what, I am your uncle." Kundera smiled and stroked her head, a trace of pity flashing through his eyes.

Then he pulled her aside to sit down, cleared his throat, and asked somewhat seriously, "I heard that the child you brought back is Tang Ye's disciple?"

"Yes, Uncle." Tang Ling sat properly and looked at Kundera with a smile. "While sorting through Father's belongings, I found a letter he had left behind. It said that he had taken in a disciple on the battlefield.

The letter mentioned that Tang San's mother had fallen ill after toxins destroyed her body when she saved my mother. Father then took Tang San as his disciple.

He had written to Steward Roger, asking him to care for them, help arrange the funeral, and then bring Tang San back. But the letter was never sent.

I felt that Father should not be allowed to break his word. Besides, he had no parents and was very pitiful, so I brought people to find him."

"Good. You're a filial and kind girl." Kundera nodded approvingly. Then, seeing the little girl's reddened eyes, he said gently, "The two of you are both alone.

From now on, rely on each other and live well. This child can also be considered something your father left behind.

But you must put yourself first in all things. Remember, you are the Princess of the Balak Kingdom.

If his temperament changes in the future, do not let old feelings hold you back, and do not fear being blamed. Drive him away immediately. Do you understand?"

"I understand! Thank you, Uncle!" Tang Ling nodded emphatically, her face filled with deep affection and trust.

"Alright, go meet your aunt in the rear hall. There are no girls in our family. She'll definitely like you." Kundera smiled and patted her head before having someone lead her away.

Tang Ling rose and bowed, then obediently followed the servant outside.

After finishing his concerned conversation and setting his mind at ease now that he knew the little girl would not be deceived, Kundera too headed toward the front hall under a servant's guidance.

The adorable little girl in her crinoline puffed dress quickly won the Queen's affection.

After receiving a series of crinoline sketches and a set of design drawings for a simple yet graceful mermaid dress, Tang Ling was kept by the Queen's side throughout the entire banquet.

Only after the banquet ended, once they were seated in the carriage home, did Tang Ling and Tang San finally gather together again.

"Did anyone bully you?" Tang Ling took a sip of water and carefully examined Tang San.

Tang San obediently raised his arms, then shook his head. "The Queen sent someone to attend to me. Everyone who approached me knew I came with you, so no one bullied me."

"But..." Tang San frowned hesitantly, looking utterly puzzled. "Some people asked whether you treated me well, and then both the men and women smiled in a very strange way."

Tang Ling looked at his confused expression and burst out laughing. Meeting his baffled gaze, she pointed at his cufflinks. "The Lotus Insignia on your cufflinks is the symbol of Chloe Manor. It is my mother's martial soul.

And you are my father's disciple. In the Balak Kingdom, any well-off family with an only daughter, whether noble or wealthy merchants, will raise a commoner husband for their daughter.

They may have misunderstood. It's my fault too. I was afraid you would be bullied, so I gave you cufflinks like these."

"It... it's fine. This is quite good. I was already Senior Sister's person." Tang San's face immediately reddened after hearing that. He reached out and gripped the cufflink on his sleeve before replying quickly.

"What's good about it?" Tang Ling chuckled and tapped his forehead. "You're still too young. You don't understand these things.

But it's not a big deal. It just means you can't find a wife in Barak City anymore. It won't have much effect."

Tang San listened to her teasing and nodded dazedly.

His mind kept replaying the looks others had given him, and he felt secretly excited. There should be more banquets where he attended as Senior Sister's person!