Ye Qianning knew they understood. Sang Zhi was currently just like an ugly duckling. He was riddled with insecurity because people feared, ostracized, and bullied him for his color-blind eyes.

If he didn’t muster the courage to change, others would always hold him down, and one could easily imagine his end.

Biding his time and hiding his talents while slowly growing stronger was the only true way to protect himself.

Sang Zhi was silent for a long time before he finally came to. He looked at Ye Qianning, and though his eyes were gray, they seemed to shine with a new light. "I understand."

Ye Qianning smiled. ’He’s already very smart, even smarter than the other princes in the palace.’

’Just like the ugly duckling, a swan is bound to transform. And gold is always bound to shine.’

"So that’s what you meant! The ugly duckling... what a great story. Today was a real treat, getting to hear something so good." Qian Zhuye now completely understood the meaning of the ’ugly duckling.’ He had to admit that Pangtuan was incredibly smart to think of such a story to encourage the Eighth Prince.

"Don’t just listen. Share your thoughts," Ye Qianning asked. "Everyone needs something to strive for, an ideal to pursue. What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Qian Zhuye lowered his head in serious thought. After a moment, he looked up, his expression firm. "When I grow up, I want to be a Great General! I want to be just like General Xiang, fighting on the battlefield to defend our nation."

"You can definitely do it." ’Ye Qianning could tell that Qian Zhuye was a natural at martial arts. If he kept this as his goal, by the time he grew up, her own father, the Great General, would probably have to step aside for him.’

"Of course! I’m not interested in anything but fighting on the battlefield." The story of the ugly duckling had gotten Qian Zhuye even more fired up.

’I should give him the pills for improving Inner Strength later,’ Ye Qianning thought. ’They’d be a huge help to him.’

"And you, Sang Zhi?" She turned to look at him.

Sang Zhi’s expression was incredibly earnest. "I want the people of this land to live in peace and prosperity. I want them to have full bellies, warm clothes, and to be free from the ravages of war."

"Those are wonderful ideals! One of you a General, the other a scholar. I can already picture you two standing together in the imperial court when you’re older." Ye Qianning thought that with one specializing in military matters and the other in civil affairs, the two of them would be an incredible force when they grew up.

"What about you, Pangtuan?" Qian Zhuye asked.

Sang Zhi looked at her curiously as well.

"Me?"

’To be honest, I haven’t really thought about what I want to do in the future,’ Ye Qianning thought. ’Right now, I just want to expand my space and get my body back into good health. My ’fortune’ reserves haven’t budged at all.’

’I’ve been using my powers quite frequently over the past half-month, and I’m a little worried my body might suffer for it.’

"Figured it out yet?" Qian Zhuye asked again.

Ye Qianning snapped out of her thoughts, her gaze landing on Sang Zhi. She tilted her head and said sweetly, "Your wish is to protect the world, so my wish is to protect you."

’I have to stick close to this major lucky star, my little jar of fortune!’

Sang Zhi froze. His heart began to pound, and his face instantly turned bright red.

Qian Zhuye was not pleased to hear this. "I’ll be on the battlefield! I’ll be in way more danger than him. How come you’re not offering to protect me?"

"Because you know martial arts. Sang Zhi is completely helpless, so he needs more protection," Ye Qianning said, her tone half-serious. Then, she added playfully, "Plus, he’s prettier than you."

"I can’t believe you judge people by their looks." Qian Zhuye touched his own small face. ’But I’m not bad-looking, either!’

"Looking at pretty things puts you in a good mood, just like looking at flowers." Ye Qianning swayed her little head from side to side, propping up her chubby cheeks with her hands. Her bright eyes remained fixed on the boy whose face was now beet-red.

Sang Zhi’s heart had never pounded so hard. He struggled to compose himself, but his face remained bright red. "I... I... don’t need your protection!"

’It’s the boy who should be protecting the girl!’