CHAPTER 52: GUARDIANSHIP (2)

Had they known that there was a huge mine such as this that Ling Yu discovered, then they would’ve never given her the land!

It was a big loss for the Royal family! And they must take it away while it still exists!

’See? All along, the land was their main target.’ Ling Yu thought as she stared at the anxious face of the Empress.

Initially, someone who can look down on their own flesh and blood like that... Ling Yu couldn’t quite believe that she was her mother. But after learning that she indeed wasn’t made from the same flesh and blood of the Royal family, rather than feeling discouraged, she felt as if a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

Now, Ling Yu understood why she always felt that way.

Because she was extremely gratified that a woman like this wasn’t her mother.

Regardless, now that it has come to this...

Before Ling Yu could open her mouth, Emperor Jiang spoke up once again. "I’ll give you the title of the Regent Princess as it is after you marry him, and you can enjoy all the power, status, and luxury that comes with this title. Instead, just give us the land."

’Does he think I’m stupid like Jiang Meng, that he can coax me into giving up my things?’

Not so easy!

Ling Yu’s lips curved into a mysterious smile as she spoke up, "It’s fine. I’d rather not take up the title. Instead..." She looked down at the boy who was still smiling at her with sparkling eyes, then looked up with a determined expression. "You have the papers of guardianship over the hostage prince, right? Give it to me."

"Are you dismissing the order of your Emperor, Former Princess?" The Crown Prince finally spoke up as he directed his glaring eyes at Ling Yu, but she didn’t even bother to glare back at him, her eyes staring straight back towards the emperor.

"Of course not, I’m just stating my own conditions." Ling Yu said as she continued, "It was mentioned in the contract that the Eastern lands would be completely under my authority, and His Majesty is not to interfere in the matters regarding the land. However, taking back the land is considered a breach of the contract. To make an equal amount of compensation, he should agree to my conditions as well, right?"

Her speech was within reason, which no one can refute. Just as the second prince was about to argue back, Emperor Jiang stopped him as he gestured for her to continue.

"As you can see, I’m willing to give the land to the Empire. But I don’t like it when my possessions stay under other people’s control and authority. I’ll give you the land," Ling Yu stooped before glancing at the boy and continuing, "Since it’s about the mining issues, how about paying me some compensation instead? I’m sure you will be able to get a lot from the mining; it wouldn’t be a problem to pay me for the loss to some extent, right? Also, transfer the guardianship of the little hostage prince to me."

"You audacious, mannerless child! How dare you negotiate with His Majesty?! You..." The Empress stomped her feet in anger as she was fuming in rage, but was stopped by Emperor Jiang once again.

"Very well, I shall transfer the guardianship to you. Even so, you still have to accept the bestowed title, since the nobles might raise issues over the transfer of the land ownership."

"Your Majesty!" The Empress wanted to shout in protest, but couldn’t do anything but stop herself.

"Alright, I shall return soon. Please send over the contract as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget the compensation, too." Ling Yu ended the conversation, ignoring the Empress’s intense glare that seemed to say, ’I dare you to take the money! You wretched, cursed girl!’

"You may."

Ling Yu looked up at the Emperor, and for the first time, she saw a flick of strange light pass across his eyes before they returned to being the cold, indifferent pair of eyes.

She was certain that this stare was meant for her, but she didn’t care at all.

If it’s sympathy, she didn’t need it. If it’s a pity, she didn’t need that either.

But if that was a father’s guilt for their neglected child, it was already too late to express it. She didn’t need that fake guilt or sentiment; she would rather he give her a lot of money.

Instead, she crouched down to be at the same eye level as the little guy as she stared right into his eyes and asked, "Little guy, wanna come with big sister?"

"That guy, you are to marry that guy! Why are you acting as if he is your brother?!" Jiang Cheng seemed annoyed as he shouted in frustration, not that Ling Yu cared at all.

"Since his guardianship is being transferred to me, it’s up to me whether I make him my brother or my subordinate. No one is to dictate over my authority, or else this deal is off." Ling Yu said just loud enough to let everyone present in the room hear her, before she held her hand out to the little guy.

"Uhh! Ahh!" The guy nodded vigorously as he clasped her hand tightly, not daring to let go, as if he could feel that if he let go of this hand, he might suffer an eternal hell within this palace.

"Let’s get out of here. We still need to get you a change of clothes and a bath; you should look presentable when transferring the guardianship." Ling Yu said casually as she led the sickly child out of the courtroom, heading directly towards the dressing room of the guest palace.

In the corridor, the moment she turned the corner, someone passed by her like a gust of wind, walking towards the courtroom with long strides as his black coat flapped in the air like wings of a crow.

’What a peculiar guy, I almost crashed into him had I not been careful...’ Ling Yu thought as she turned her head to the side to take a look before turning back.

With one look at his back, the first thought she had was...

’His raven hair really resembles crow feathers.’

As she was leaving the palace, it felt like a chain tightening around her neck was slowly coming loose. She still felt breathing inside this place was difficult, but she had more pressing matters to look up to right now.

"Tsk, look at how dirty you are. Even your face is like a chunk of charcoal, how am I supposed to determine your worth?" Ling Yu clicked her tongue as she arrived in the dressing room, making the boy sit down on the chair as she inspected him.

Actually, she wasn’t the least bit worried about anything. Rather, she was really curious about the boy in front of her.

At first, Ling Yu thought it didn’t matter if they wanted to dump a sick and dying child on her to bring up and raise; she could just let Song take care of him. This little guy didn’t appear in her last life as much as she remembers; perhaps he, too, perished under Jiang Meng’s torment and eventually lost his life before the disaster.

However, as soon as she set her eyes on him, her interest was piqued as she examined his status window, which was completely gray.

Even if she used her appraisal skill, all his status was locked completely. She could remember that the same thing also happened to Song, but it was only half of the status; the normal conditions were still alright.

But when it came to this guy, his entire status window was locked, which made her wonder if it was because of his mental problem.

’Well, doesn’t matter.’ She shrugged off the worry as quickly as it came. Now that he would follow her, she can continue observing him closely, and who knows, someday she might just get to see the skill status unlock.

Before that, she needs to have Song babysit this guy and fatten him up! Look at his body being all skin and bone! If she needs to use him, how could she do that when he is in this state?

The child didn’t resist her leading him outside, looking up at her back, then down at the hand that clasped his hand tightly, his eyes teared up with thoughts that didn’t make sense to him.