Inside Splendid Palace.
Xia Qianlin came back to his senses. His clothes had already been dirty, and after all that tearing and tugging, they were now in tatters.
Yet his handsome little face was filled with resolve.
"Wanwan, can I marry into your family and become one of you?"
Xia Wanwan struggled to her feet and waved her hands. "N-no..."
Xia Qianlin smiled in understanding. That brush with the Ghost Gate had left his scalp prickling, and he had even greater faith in the little one before him.
She was no strange creature.
She was an immortal descended to earth.
"All right, all right. Whatever Wanwan says is right."
A quiet desire to protect her for the rest of his life took root in the Crown Prince's heart.
"Eat... meat mush..."
Xia Wanwan gazed up at him with her big, pleading eyes, rubbing her round little belly, her face full of anticipation.
"Didn't you just finish eating? Be good. We'll eat again later. I'll take you to break off some coral first."
Xia Qianlin stood, intending to carry her outside.
But Xia Wanwan haughtily turned her head away and crawled out on her own.
She muttered as she crawled.
"Stingy... stingy..."
"Won't even... give me... meat mush..."
"If I'd known... I wouldn't... have saved yoo..."
Xia Qianlin smiled wryly and went outside to summon Eunuch Wang.
The sight of him scared Eunuch Wang nearly out of his wits.
Then Eunuch Wang turned and saw Xia Wanwan, alive and full of energy. His legs buckled, and he cried, "A ghost!" before fainting.
Suhui Palace.
Several people sat below the emperor, discussing the First Prince's marriage.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager was dissatisfied with one family's daughter after another, Liu Wan found herself in a bind.
This match was proving difficult