The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 1538 - 747 Master Jing Kong (second update)

Little Jingkong was playing joyfully with the Little Prince, their laughter audible from a distance.

Back in the palace, the Little Princess never behaved so childishly; she always put on a mature front, feigning gravity beyond her years.

The two children were chasing the sporadic twinkle of fireflies in the courtyard, oblivious to the approach of someone.

Zhang Dequan was the first to notice His Majesty, and he hastily bowed.

His Majesty raised his hand, gesturing for him to stand aside.

Zhang Dequan stepped to one side.

The two continued their pursuit, the Little Princess running ahead. Unaware, she bumped into His Majesty’s thigh.

Little Jingkong, unable to stop in time and trying to avoid crashing into her, swerved to the side, colliding with His Majesty’s other thigh instead.

His Majesty had met Little Jingkong only twice before.

The first was when Little Jingkong and the Little Princess stood outside the Qilin Palace, singing a song—"You love me, I love you," sweet as honey—a tune still echoing in His Majesty’s mind. As for appearances, His Majesty hadn’t taken a close look.

The second was at noon, with the two children sitting in the Qilin Palace, their faces filthy, and the details of their features obscured.

Now that Little Jingkong stood before him, His Majesty was finally able to take in the child’s youthful face.

His handsomeness was undeniable. Little Jingkong’s exceptional looks were undiminished by his tan; whether in his natural pallor of Zhan Country or now with his wheat-colored skin, he was adorably charming.

Yet within his delicate features, there was a hint of valiance.

Even more important was the look in his eyes—he did not exhibit the slightest fear before the monarch of Dayan Country.

This child, when he grew up... would certainly be remarkable.

"Uncle!" the Little Princess exclaimed, clinging to His Majesty’s thigh.

Little Jingkong uttered an "oh," took a step back, and politely greeted, "Hello, Uncle Xiao."

His Majesty’s gaze was steadfast upon Little Jingkong’s face.

He watched, his brow unwittingly furrowing.

A strange feeling washed over him, one that he couldn’t quite identify himself.

"Your Majesty."

Xiao Hen came walking from under the old pagoda tree.

"Qingqing," His Majesty shifted his gaze from Little Jingkong to Xiao Hen, "did their noise disturb your rest?"

Xiao Hen was currently cultivating an image of frail health with only half a year left to live.

Regulating his breathing to convey a trace of weakness, he said, "Not at all, the heat made it hard to sleep."

His Majesty suggested, "If you feel unwell, the National Master can get you some medicine."

Xiao Hen gave a bitter smile, "There’s no need to waste herbs on me."

For someone on the verge of death, medicine served as mere psychological comfort. Xiao ’Sly’ Hen mastered his persona flawlessly!

Yet His Majesty’s attention was involuntarily drawn back to Little Jingkong.

He furrowed his brows, "This child..."

Xiao Hen explained, "Doctor Xiao mentioned that he just returned from the woods, best to observe him at the National Master Hall for a day or two to ensure his body and mind suffer no major harm before sending him back. I have already informed his family."

After all, this was the child who had bravely saved Shangguan Xue; it was only reasonable for him to recuperate for a few days in the National Master Hall.

His Majesty looked deeply at Little Jingkong, but said no more, "Xiaoxue, we should return to the palace now."

Reluctant to leave, the Little Princess waved goodbye to everyone, "See you, Jingkong! Goodbye, teacher! Bye, little nephew! See you, cousin!"

Shangguan Yun waved back at her from behind the window.

His Majesty glanced at Shangguan Yun, his brow creasing slightly, yet ultimately said nothing.

After boarding the carriage, the Little Princess delightedly played with the light-colored glass bottle in her hand.

The bottle was semi-transparent, holding the fireflies captured by Little Jingkong; they flickered like stars in the sky.

But His Majesty was thinking about that child.

A five-year-old child who dared to bite someone in the street and not let go, who had calmly led Xiaoxue out of their confinement and found a place to hide—an entire afternoon spent concealed.

He starved himself, giving all the food to Xiaoxue.

Brave, clever, composed, kind... all the world’s laudable traits seemed to fit this child.

"Uncle, can I come again tomorrow to play with Jingkong?" the Little Princess interrupted His Majesty’s reverie.

"Aren’t you afraid anymore?" inquired His Majesty.

"Afraid of what?" the Little Princess retorted.

His Majesty said with amusement, "Didn’t you say this afternoon that you wouldn’t go out anymore? You were afraid of running into bad people outside the palace."

"Oh, that," the Little Princess replied, "I also told Jingkong about it. But Jingkong said that we can’t... we can’t grandfather a stone!"

His Majesty was puzzled—what was "grandfather a stone"?