CHAPTER 53: YOUNGEST PRINCE

"What is it? You wanna say something?" Ling Yu asked as she looked at the little guy who was staring at her with a strange look on his face.

But she couldn’t care less about what he thought as she called in a bunch of male servants to give him a nice wash up. All the blood stains and dirt on his body need to be cleaned up if she wanted to take care of the wounds, before they got infected, and put on some nice clothes before she took him to take the guardianship officially.

Seeing that he pretended not to understand her words, Ling Yu’s lips bent in a smirk as she leaned close to his ear, whispering to him. "I know your secret, so it’s best if you don’t act in front of me."

The boy stared at her for a long time before his airheaded expression changed into that of a normal, dry, and cold expression.

’Just as I thought, this guy here has been pretending to be a fool. What a good show he put on, even the Emperor himself couldn’t see through his disguise...’

Ling Yu thought as she smirked, staring at the expressionless face of the little guy before her.

"How did you know that I was pretending? Are you sent by the Nie Empire?" The guy showed a strong hostility towards Ling Yu as he knotted his eyebrows together, keenly observing her every step.

Flick!

"Ack!" The guy didn’t realise when Ling Yu got before him as he felt a stinging pain on his forehead.

Ling Yu flicked his forehead with just one finger, but his strength control was hard to restrain from flying off.

"Stingy brat, learn to show some respect to your seniors. I didn’t have any intention to take you away either... No, I didn’t even know about your existence until today."

"If not for them calling me over and pushing a burden over to me, I wouldn’t even cross the threshold of the Palace." Ling Yu frowned as she pursed her lips and stared at the guy who was observing her like a little prey watching out for the hunter.

"Furthermore, now that I’ve saved you, willingly or not, you should pay it back. Retract that disrespectful glare and listen to me if you want to live."

This time, the guy’s eyes wavered a little as he asked cautiously, "How am I supposed to believe that you won’t go back on your words? Do you really think I’m naive?"

"Then do you think I’m some kind of demon living off of humans’ flesh and blood?"

"Yes."

"..."

Ling Yu only wanted to give an example, but she didn’t expect him to answer so honestly that it would make her speechless!

"Well, whatever I make you do or how I use you, I assure you that you won’t be living worse than you do at the Palace. I’m not a big enough demon to make a child work or torture them."

"...," The guy was silent as he seemed to be in deep thought. Ling Yu also didn’t disturb him as she crossed her arms over her chest, observing him.

He seemed to be in a state worse than Ye Qingxue when she first found her.

Even though Ye Qingxue was starved, she didn’t go through such harsh torture, unlike him; it’s only right that he was in this condition.

Had he not acted like a fool and disguised his intelligence, he would’ve suffered even more.

But it seems that because Ling Yu was being friendly and tolerant, his guard was up against her motive and gain in helping him.

’Hmm, since he has been living with a bunch of scoundrels for too long...’

Should I also act like one?

"I’m not telling you I’ll let you live for free, of course, you’ll need to pay for the debt you owe me for saving your lowly life!" Ling Yu’s tone changed as she gave off an evil smirk, which made the guy before her flinch.

"You’ll act as my slave and do whatever I ask... No, order you to do without talking back or questioning! You need to run errands for me and my people, do this and that, blah, blah, blah..."

"So, in short! Remember this debt you owe me and act accordingly!" Ling Yu ended up giving a short speech as she finished talking, glancing at the guy to see his expression.

’Did he finally feel convinced? Well, it’s not like he can refuse my condition either. I’m taking over his guardianship, of course, he will weigh the pros and cons of following me.’ Ling Yu thought as she looked at the stunned expression of the guy who seemed to be in a daze.

Was it too much to ask for after all?

Well, she couldn’t care less.

"So, you mean after I repay this debt, you’ll set me free?" After thinking for a while, the guy finally looked at Ling Yu properly as he asked her cautiously.

’What, of course not! But it’s not necessary for me to tell that now, right?’ Ling Yu thought as she gave off a brazen smile, "That’s a question for the future! Seems like you are convinced to start your new life as my subordinate."

"We’ll discuss the terms of the contract later, after we leave the Palace. In that case, now get going and take a bath first!"

As soon as she finished talking, Ling Yu’s expression changed into a disgusted one as she looked at him like looking at a garbage tank, squinting her nose as she hushed him.

"Yuck! It stinks!"

"..." The guy seemed to be speechless at her change of attitude, but it was also true that he stank terribly!

Not being able to refute, he just resigned to his fate, turning around and walking towards the bathroom.

"You need assistance? Should I call for some maids?" Ling Yu asked casually, still holding her breath.

"The guy seemed irked by her attitude, but he just sighed and let it go, replying in a rigid tone, "No need."

As he disappeared behind the door of the bathroom, Ling Yu let out a long and deep sigh before sinking down on the sofa.

’What a deal... To think he would be so hard to deal with... I want the baby kitten back!’

Ling Yu couldn’t help but complain in her heart. He was totally different from his first impression of her, one that of a naive and bright person.

If it’s possible, she wanted to treat him normally. But he was having trust issues after staying in the Palace for so long. And from his reaction earlier, he didn’t trust any of those palace servants.

Looks like all of them are guilty of tormenting him.

It would be a hassle to deal with this, but she couldn’t care less; not when they made the mistake of torturing a kid one more time.

They treated Ling Yu even more horribly than this little guy, though she wouldn’t mention it to him. And she thought she would just let them go, but they ended up making a second mistake.

[Be cautious, Host. The target is very agitated and malicious; you need to be careful when dealing with him.]

The system sounded serious when it alerted Ling Yu, but she was too lazy to care.

"Don’t worry, the little guy knows that he can’t beat me yet. Besides, he is not stupid enough not to see the hostile treatment they give me. He would be stupid if he didn’t take advantage of this situation and use me to become his foundation of revenge."

Ling Yu knew his intentions not because it was obvious, but because it was only natural to feel hostile towards the people who tortured you for so long. Even if Ling Yu gave up on her revenge and decided to prepare for the upcoming disaster, he may not have the same mindset.

Though it doesn’t really matter. Since she would help him if he wanted revenge, regardless. But not right at this critical moment.

"By the way, what’s with that weird title? What ’target’ are you talking about? He has a name!" Ling Yu frowned as she threw a disdaining gaze towards the system window.

[Does the host know his name then?]

"..."

[You didn’t even ask him.]

Ling Yu sighed as she shook her head. She didn’t ask him because she didn’t need to. "Well, that’s because I know his name. Since there is only one youngest prince the Nie empire has."