九九热线精品视频26

Upon witnessing Xiao Chen’s departure, the Second Prince’s smile faded, and his voice took on a cold tone. “Seems like the Duke’s son is becoming increasingly arrogant. If you ask me, Father is far too forgiving.”

“Loli, you shouldn’t speak so casually about Father. If he were to hear you next time, I won’t come to your aid,” the Eldest Prince responded, maintaining his smile as he disregarded Xiao Chen and his brother’s impudence.

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother,” Loya called out, joining the Eldest and Second Prince at their side.

“Our little sister has arrived. How is everything? Have you found any noble lady that catches your interest? Since you’ve just returned, it would be beneficial to engage with your peers,” the Eldest Prince inquired.

As expected of the Eldest Prince, he could discern from a single glance that Loya held no enthusiasm for the banquet. Thoughtfully, he handed her a glass of iced plum juice, a beverage she had developed a fondness for since arriving in the empire.

“Thank you, Brother!” Loya expressed her gratitude, accepting the iced plum juice with a smile. She took small sips, relishing the beverage while discreetly observing those around her.

The Second Prince had been attentively observing his younger sister’s actions. Her careful scrutiny of her surroundings mirrored that of a cat he had once owned—a blend of curiosity and wariness towards everything.

“Little Sister, have you always been this adorable? On the trash planet, you’ll easily attract the attention of unsavory individuals, particularly those ruthless interstellar space pirates, ” the Second Prince deliberately frightened Loya.

Loya shot a glare at her Second Prince brother. He had always enjoyed scaring her, but she couldn’t fathom why he relished such mischief.

The Third Prince mercilessly taunted his twin brother. “Hahaha, Second Brother, why bother lying to frighten me? And can’t you make it sound more convincing? Even a three-year-old child wouldn’t be scared by your attempts. How do you expect to scare me?”

“I’m truly relieved that you and Second Brother are fraternal twins. Otherwise, you two would have the same face. One moment, you’d be frightening me with a serious expression, and the next, you’d be mocking me for being childish. It’s a terrifying thought!” Loya conjured up this imaginary scenario and shook her head in disbelief, unwilling to dwell on it any longer.

Observing the quiet squabbling between his younger siblings, the Eldest Prince stood by and watched. It dawned on him for the first time that his trouble-prone third brother seemed to have mellowed out after their younger sister’s return. It appeared that having a younger sister truly had a maturing effect on his wayward sibling.

Upon his return to the residence, the Duke discovered his son, who was expected to attend the palace banquet, seated in the living room. He seemed to be awaiting his father’s arrival.

“Where is your sister?”

“She’s still at the palace. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for someone to keep an eye on her. She won’t get lost.”

The Duke’s question to Xiao Chen remained lodged in his throat. The inability to voice it left him feeling uneasy, caught between spitting it out or swallowing it back. After a moment, he let out a sigh. There was truly nothing he could do about his son.

The Duke took a seat on the sofa. “Explain to me why you’ve returned. The banquet shouldn’t have ended yet.”

“I’m not sure what Sister said to the other noble ladies, but she left the venue alone, ” Xiao Chen glanced at the Duke and continued, “I was conversing with the Eldest Prince, but unfortunately, the Second Prince approached, so I decided to come back.”

The Duke felt a surge of anger. “If you knew your sister was upset, why didn’t you immediately go to her? Why did you come home instead?”

Xiao Chen responded with indifference, “I left the banquet to search for her.” “And what was the outcome? Where is your sister?”

“She’s still in the palace. Don’t worry, I’ll ensure someone keeps an eye on her.

She won’t get lost.”

This was the second time today that the Duke had heard his son say this. Anger welled up within him, rushing from his heart to his head.

“You ungrateful child! She’s your sister. Can’t you show more concern for her safety?!”

Despite her father’s anger, Xiao Chen maintained her indifferent expression, but her words turned even colder. “I’m an exemplary father to you, yet I’m an ungrateful child who doesn’t care about his siblings. If you hadn’t been in Xiao Han’s mother’s bed when my mother passed away over a decade ago, you could have been a devoted husband, and I could have been the caring brother you longed for to dote on your sister.”

It was evident that this was not the first time the Duke had heard his son express such sentiments. Rather than becoming angry, he gradually regained his composure, as if he had aged several years in an instant. “I’ve let down your mother, but I haven’t failed you. I hired the finest tutors in the empire for you, and I ensured your material needs were on par with those of the princes. Yet, due to this, I have been accused by other nobles of harboring disloyal intentions. Thankfully, His Majesty is a wise ruler who didn’t blindly listen to rumors and hold me accountable.”

“All I ask is that you and your sister get along well. Why must you go against me? Are you planning to cast your sister aside after my demise?”

“And what if I am?” Xiao Chen locked eyes with the Duke, unflinching..