2002 Little Fourth Duan's Predicament

Qiao Mu turned to look at Crown Prince Mo while propping up her petite chin. "Lian, do you have something you want to say?"

"No." Mo Lian calmly finished his porridge and set down his bowl.

Qiao Mu puffed out her cheeks and pouted while looking at him. "Liar! You clearly froze up earlier wanting to say something but then changed your mind! Don't you treat Qiaoqiao like a dummy!"

Crown Prince Mo couldn't help but break out into a chuckle.

Feng Chen curved his eyes as he nodded in agreement. "Qiaoqiao, it's right that you think this way! He's a liar. Look, he hides even trivial matters from you, let alone those big matters?"

"Shut up." Crown Prince Mo promptly stuffed a bun into Feng Chen's mouth. He then turned to say to Qiao Mu, "It's not anything big, just that I heard a rather interesting rumor that has to do with Duan Yue."

"What rumor?" Qiao Mu asked curiously.

"Fourth Duan comes from the Rong Clan of the Ultramarine Province."

"The Rong Clan of the Ultramarine Province. What place is that?" Qiao Mu expressed her puzzlement.

"The Ultramarine Province is one of the Upper Three Provinces." Feng Chen filled her in with a smile, "The Divine Province, the Ultramarine Province, and the Nether Province make up the Upper Three Provinces. My Qiao, you don't even know this?"

Qiao Mu pursed her lips and nibbled on a hibiscus cake. "How can I remember that much."

Whenever they talked about the Six Prefectures and Three Provinces and the like, what went in one ear would go out the other...

The little lady stirred the porridge with her spoon and asked curiously, "The Rong Clan of the Ultramarine Province? Duan Yue?"

Mo Lian nodded. "I received news that not long ago, Duan Yue already returned with the Ultramarine Province Emperor to Phoenix Imperial City, the capital of the Ultramarine Province."

"The Ultramarine Province Emperor has promoted his mother, the youngest daughter of the Duan Clan patriarch, to Noble Consort Duan."

"Doesn't the Divine Province have a concealed weapon patrician family?"

"Mhm." Mo Lian nodded. "Fourth Duan's lineage can be said to stem from the Duan Clan of the Divine Province, but they probably haven't interacted in centuries."

Qiao Mu frowned. "If it were me, I wouldn't want this kind of dad."

"Oh? My Qiao!" The Venerable Peach Blossom Immortal squinted his pretty eyes. "That is the Ultramarine Province Emperor! He, along with the Divine Province Emperor and the Nether Province Emperor, make up the three emperors of the Upper Three Provinces. My Qiao wouldn't want this kind of dad?"

"Why would I want him? He ditched Duan Yue and his mother on Sikong Planet and neglected them for 20 years. The old patriarch of the Duan Clan brought him up with much difficulty, yet a single word from the emperor brought them away! Ha, how is there such a wonderful thing in this world. Even if you handed this kind of dad to me on a platter, I would refuse!"

Not only would she refuse, it was best to cut off all ties to that kind of family!

Qiao Mu thought of something, and a sharp light flashed through her eyes.

Mo Lian chuckled as he caressed the little fellow's head in understanding.

His little lady's temper was just this earnest. You had to put in tremendous effort before she treated you wholeheartedly in return.

Otherwise, the little fellow would bury her thoughts deep inside, prohibiting you from even inching toward her.

The Venerable Peach Blossom Immortal clicked his tongue and remarked with repeated nods, "What Qiaoqiao says makes sense. Then in that case, is that Fourth Duan someone who is greedy for wealth and rank?"

Qiao Mu pressed her lips lightly and kept mum.

"Qiaoqiao, regarding this matter, Fourth Duan can't not go back just because he doesn't want to." Crown Prince Mo mused it over and still couldn't help but speak up for Little Fourth Duan.

When Qiao Mu thought of the Ultramarine Province Emperor's power and influence, she could understand him now.