Normally, in the Smoke Township Manor, Ji Xia doesn't have breakfast with Qian Qian and the others because he meditates at night and doesn't wake up until noon.
Today was different. About an hour after sunrise, Ji Xia awoke from his meditation.
Upon entering the reception hall, he saw Shi Yang and Su Yao sitting upright, while Qian Qian, Shang Luo, and Ji Lin were playfully gathered around the round table.
Su Yao was happy to see Qian Qian and Shang Luo so cheerful. Children's adaptability was stronger than many adults'.
She was content with her current life. Back in the Spring River Kingdom, although she had been with her clan, the kingdom was weak, and its citizens faced calamities from time to time. One such calamity was the donkey-headed people.
Many Rabbit-ear Clan members were captured, slaughtered, and turned into food for other creatures. This kind of death could hardly be called normal.
But what could they do? The weak had no choice but to live this uncertain life in the boundless wilderness.
Now, in the Smoke Township Manor, she lived without worry. She only had to sweep the yard, prepare meals, and didn't need to fear being captured or eaten, nor worry about other races harming her.
Moreover, the young master of the manor was kind-hearted. He smiled whenever he saw them, and when there was free time, he would even play with Qian Qian, his gaze full of sincerity.
It was clear that the young master truly liked Qian Qian.
But... Qian Qian was a human, even lower than the Rabbit-ear Clan. Would the young master truly like her from the bottom of his heart?
Although Su Yao didn't know how noble Qin Ji's bloodline was, she could infer much just by observing the influential young men who frequently visited the manor.
Not to mention Zhaowu, the imposing figure in armor, but even the young lady, Fan Zhu, impressed Su Yao greatly.
Fan Zhu, elegant and noble, arrived in a luxurious carriage, surrounded by bodyguards, always carrying numerous packages.
When facing Qin Ji, however, she hid all her brilliance, her smile warm and genuine.
Su Yao had once overheard Fan Zhu mention that the items were gifts from the Sixth Prince.
The Sixth Prince of the Great Fu?
Su Yao wasn't sure how important he was.
Even though she didn't follow these matters closely, she knew that the Great Fu was a dominant power. For the Spring River Kingdom, a single word from the Great Fu could bring it to ruin.
So how noble would the Sixth Prince of the Great Fu be?
A person of such nobility, when facing Qin Ji, still prepared humble gifts, which clearly indicated the extreme nobility of Qin Ji's own status.
In Su Yao's view, the more noble someone was, the less likely they were to treat lowly races like hers as beings worthy of life.
They were seen merely as food or servants.
But with Qin Ji, these perceptions seemed to fall apart.
It was evident that, despite Qian Qian's lowly status and bloodline, Qin Ji liked her deeply. Even when he meditated at night, he would go out of his way to adjust Qian Qian and Shang Luo's blankets.
These actions amazed Su Yao, and she felt grateful to have encountered such a benefactor.
Ji Xia entered the reception hall, interrupting Su Yao's thoughts.
When the others saw him enter, Shi Yang and Su Yao stood to salute. The three children, who had been playing, also stood in front of their chairs and looked at him.
Ji Xia sat at the head of the table and nodded for them to sit down.
Once everyone was seated, Ji Xia glanced around and said, "I have an important decision to announce."
Everyone listened intently, and Ji Xia continued, "As you all know, I am not from the Great Fu. I'm just traveling through. Now, I must head to the next kingdom."
He nodded at Qian Qian and Shang Luo and spoke firmly, "Qian Qian and Shang Luo must come with me to the next kingdom, and Shi Yang will be responsible for their protection."
Shi Yang immediately stood and respectfully acknowledged.
Ji Xia then nodded at Su Yao and Ji Lin. "You two may choose to come with me, or stay in Feng Fu. I'll inform Zhaowu to arrange for you to stay at the Fu Zhao mansion. You won't need to serve anyone and will have your own courtyard to live in peace."
"You need to think this through. The conditions in Feng Fu are quite generous. If you come with me, you won't have such favorable circumstances."
Ji Lin tilted his head, looking confused, as if he didn't fully understand Ji Xia's words.
On the other hand, Qian Qian and Shang Luo understood immediately. They looked at Su Yao and Ji Lin with anxious expressions, afraid that they might stay behind in Feng Fu and be separated from them.
Su Yao glanced at Qian Qian and Shang Luo, then lowered her head, avoiding Ji Xia's gaze. "Young Master, I'm alone now. Qian Qian and Shang Luo were my former neighbors. I raised them, and they're like family to me."
"Although the favorable conditions are nice, I need to be with my family. Otherwise, I'll feel lost."
She then mustered the courage to look at Ji Xia, but quickly lowered her gaze again. "Moreover, Young Master is our benefactor. You saved our lives, and Shi Yang has exceptional skills. He can assist you in returning the favor. My skills are weak, and I can only repay you by preparing delicious meals for you in the future. If I stay in Feng Fu, how could I repay the favor?"
Hearing Su Yao's sincere words, and knowing he already enjoyed her cooking, Ji Xia nodded casually and said, "In that case, that's fine."
He then turned to Ji Lin, who seemed clueless, and laughed. "In that case, everyone in the Smoke Township Manor should come with me. It wouldn't be good for you to stay behind alone."
Qian Qian and Shang Luo, upon hearing that Su Yao and Ji Lin would be joining them, jumped up in excitement and ran off to play with Ji Lin.
Ji Xia smiled as he watched the lively figures of the children, shaking his head.
Then his expression suddenly became serious.
"Shi Yang!"
Seeing Ji Xia's serious demeanor, Shi Yang immediately stood at attention, waiting for his command.
"I still have some things to attend to and need a few more days before I can leave Feng Fu. Tomorrow at dawn, take everyone from the Smoke Township Manor and head east. Cross a desert, pass through several small kingdoms, and you will reach a vast plain."
"That place is called Zhou Qing. You'll wait for me at the border of Zhou Qing."
Shi Yang didn't hesitate. He bowed and said, "Understood!"
Ji Xia thought for a moment, then handed him a bag.
It was Lu Yuqi's bag, and its contents had been transferred to Pang Shixie's bag, which was now filled to the brim.
"Take this bag and purchase more food today. Make sure not to let Qian Qian and Shang Luo suffer too much on the journey. They are still young and shouldn't endure too much hardship."
Hearing Ji Xia's words, Su Yao felt a lump in her throat. She had always cared deeply for the two children who had lost their parents so early.
Now, in Feng Fu, after all they had been through, and with no one else around, she had almost treated them as her own siblings.
Seeing how much Ji Xia cared for Qian Qian and Shang Luo, Su Yao felt deeply moved.
"Qian Qian and Shang Luo were captured here and must have endured many hardships on the way. How could they be so delicate?"
Su Yao thought, "It's clear that the Young Master truly cares for them."
Shi Yang took the bag, his brow furrowing slightly.
After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "Why doesn't the Young Master leave with us?"
Ji Xia's gaze suddenly turned cold. He thought of Shi Yu's words, and his heart filled with murderous intent.
He coldly replied, "I need more time to wait for an opportunity."