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She walked slowly toward Chu Qi with the painting in her hand.

Chu Qi was still reeling from the shock a moment earlier.

When he heard the little lady’s question, he snapped out of his trance, but he frowned.

He looked frosty and the smile on his lips disappeared.

For some reason, Ji’er felt a little scared when she saw Chu Qi acting this way. She clutched the paintings firmly and her little face looked determined. She asked again, “Who are these women in the paintings?”

Her tone was extremely upset and Chu Qi’s expression softened again. However, his dark eyes continued staring at her as he felt mixed emotions.

Ji’er was only nine this year. Where did she learn such a flirtatious move?

Did Ji’er make some bad friends during the year he was away?

“What aren’t you saying anything?” Ji’er lost her patience when she saw his resolutely grim expression, and she suddenly felt a little sad.

Chu Qi’s gaze fell onto the paintings in her hand and he finally answered, “These are the potential wives His Majesty had ordered the Ministry of Rites to pick for me.”

Plop!

The paintings in Ji’er’s hands fell to the ground.

She looked at him in disbelief. “You’re getting married?”

Chu Qi wanted to tell her that he was never planning on getting married in his whole life, but the memory of her actions just now made him change his mind.

“Yes,” he answered with a tone of indifference.

Ji’er was hurt and upset when she heard this. She said accusingly, “But you promised me during the last Palace banquet that you would never get married. You aren’t keeping your promise!”

Chu Qi felt unsettled as well when he saw how hurt she was. He clenched both fists and hardened his heart to say, “That was in the past. I’ve changed my mind now—a man must get married and have children at the end of the day. Not to mention, I’m getting older. I have to start building my own family.”

Ji’er felt like it was the world was crumbling around her when she heard this. She covered her ears and screamed, “I won’t listen to you, I won’t. I won’t allow you to get married and have children.”

Chu Qi’s expression changed when he saw how agitated she was. He went closer to her. “Listen to me, Ji’er…”

“I won’t. I’m not listening to you!” Ji’er slapped his hand away and wheeled around as she ran off.

Chang had heard the commotion and came running over, just in time to witness Ji’er running away.

Chu Qi was already moving toward the doorway and he wanted to continue pursuing her when he saw her fleeing. However, he abruptly stopped. “Mother Chang, please help bring Ji’er back.”

Chang had no idea what just happened, but when she saw the conflicted expression on Chu Qi’s face and how Ji’er was running away, she guessed it must be serious. She did not delay a moment longer as she quickly agreed and ran toward the direction Ji’er had disappeared

Chu Qi leaned against the doorframe and stared into the night, looking dazed.

Did he do something wrong? Had he made a mistake?

Ji’er was still a child, after all. That kiss might not mean anything.

However, Ji’er’s reaction was too extreme when she found out he was getting married.

He had always known Ji’er was overly dependent on him. It never used to bother him, but that was because Ji’er was young back then.

However, that kiss made him suddenly realize Ji’er had grown up. She was no longer the baby he carried in his arms.

Should he… keep his distance?

He pursed his lips.

Ji’er had not gone far and Chang found her very soon.

Chang’s heart ached when she saw the little girl standing in the dark, her shoulders trembling while she cried.

Chang approached her and hugged the little girl.

“It’s getting cold, let’s go back. If you get sick, His Majesty, Her Highness, and Lil Qi would all be sad.”