Feng Ninghe took a deep breath, maintaining her composure. "It was incredibly difficult for me to give birth to Xin Xin. I have no intention of explaining the full story to you. In short, I am taking Xin Xin with me."
There were too many unavoidable circumstances surrounding the events of that year.
The Feng family pursued her relentlessly, demanding that her child be stillborn to preserve the Feng family's reputation.
She barely escaped with her life, her unborn child's condition precarious. She spent her days navigating jungles teeming with wild beasts.
If she could barely protect her own life, how could she possibly protect Xin Xin?
Hearing her dismissive words, Si Jianye grew even angrier.
He was the revered King of the Underworld, yet this woman was too lazy to speak with him?
The atmosphere between them became instantly awkward.
"Daddy... Daddy."
A childish, milky voice reached their ears, breaking the tension.
Si Xin Xin, a tiny figure, stood not far away, her bright, wide eyes staring blankly at the scene.
Feng Ninghe and Si Jianye’s gazes immediately fell upon her.
Si Xin Xin's eyes were brimming with tears, her lips tightly pressed together. She looked at Feng Ninghe, "Pretty Mommy, are you truly my mother?"
Looking at the small figure before her, Feng Ninghe's eyes began to mist over.
Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded.
"Wuwu! Xin Xin finally has a Mommy! All the other children had mothers, but I didn't. Now I have a Mommy too!"
Si Xin Xin rubbed her eyes, sobbing, and rushed towards Feng Ninghe.
The small figure darted towards Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe quickly embraced Xin Xin, holding her tightly.
Si Xin Xin buried her face against Feng Ninghe's, tears and snot mingling. She even managed to reach for a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
"Mommy, Xin Xin knew you didn't mean to abandon me. Mommy, can you please not leave anymore? Just stay with Xin Xin?"
She opened her big eyes, trying her best to stop crying, wanting to appear as well-behaved and adorable as possible.
Looking at the little dumpling before her, Feng Ninghe's mood instantly improved. She gently stroked Xin Xin's head and softly replied, "Mommy won't leave anymore. I'll stay with Xin Xin."
Their intimate conversation, as if no one else were present, caused Si Jianye to raise an eyebrow.
He was, after all, her father. How could Xin Xin forget him now that she had a mother?
He let out a low hum, "Xin Xin, you need to make a decision. Will you stay with Daddy or Mommy from now on?"
His cool, detached voice instantly drew everyone's attention back.
Si Xin Xin finally remembered Si Jianye behind her. She tugged at her sleeves aggrievedly, her head drooping. "Hmm... Xin Xin wants to be with Mommy and Daddy. Can't I be with both of you..."
Feng Ninghe instinctively looked at Si Jianye.
Just then, the man was also looking at her.
Their eyes met.
Feng Ninghe didn't want Xin Xin to be sad, yet she also wanted Xin Xin all to herself.
Looking at the little dumpling in her arms, Feng Ninghe hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Xin Xin, we can discuss this later. There's no need to rush into a decision."
If all else failed, she would simply snatch Xin Xin away and run to a place no one could find them.
Si Jianye's gaze deepened, his eyes shifting between the two of them.
Xin Xin was his child. He would never stand by and watch his child be without a father.
As for Feng Ninghe...
There were hidden circumstances surrounding the events of that year. He might be willing to keep both mother and daughter!
In the shadows.
Two figures were crouched in the jungle.
Old Man Xu and A Xi stared intently at the scene, afraid they might miss something if they blinked.
"I never expected Xin Xin's mother to be her!"
A Xi looked at the scene before him in disbelief.
Old Man Xu was equally astonished. "I never imagined Ninghe's child survived. She's already this big."
Through Xiao Zhao's vivid descriptions, Old Man Xu had a clear understanding of the events of that year.
A Xi's brow furrowed tightly. He gently stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Back then, when Feng Qingcheng brought Miss to the King of the Underworld, she claimed Miss's mother abandoned her and died shortly after. I never expected there to be more to this story!"
Mentioning Feng Qingcheng, Old Man Xu scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain. "That woman spewed lies, stealing a child for her own glory. Her words are not to be trusted."
Old Man Xu held no good feelings for anyone in the Feng family. If it weren't for Feng Ninghe, he would never have set foot in the Feng residence.
At the entrance of the mansion.
A carriage stood quietly.
Inside the carriage, Feng Qingcheng waited patiently.
She lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the sky, her delicate brows knitting unconsciously. "It's getting dark, and there's still no sign of anything."
The maid looked up at the sky. "Second Miss, it's almost dark. How long are we going to wait here? Everyone knows the King of the Underworld's temperament. If he doesn't wish to see us, we likely won't get to meet him."
Feng Qingcheng understood the logic. Her gaze suddenly sharpened, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "Even if I can't see him, I will wait."
She had to prevent Feng Ninghe from contacting the King of the Underworld.
Once the events of five years ago were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Even if the King of the Underworld didn't want to see her, she had to wait.
The maid said no more, closing her mouth and remaining quietly in the carriage.
Inside the mansion.
Si Xin Xin clung to Feng Ninghe, her small head nuzzling against her. The little pigtails on her head stood up excitedly.
"Mommy, I want to sleep with you tonight!"
Si Xin Xin blinked her bright eyes, looking at Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe readily agreed, picking up Si Xin Xin. "Let's go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Mommy will take you to play."
Si Xin Xin poked her head out and waved at Si Jianye. "Daddy, you come too."
She still hoped her father and mother could reconcile.
Si Jianye's handsome face was cool, his expression inscrutable, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
A Xi seemed to recall something and quickly stepped forward. "King of the Underworld, the Second Miss of the Feng family has arrived and is waiting at the entrance."
"Feng Qingcheng?"
Mentioning Feng Qingcheng, Si Jianye's eyes immediately changed, a hint of coldness appearing. "She actually dares to come."
Si Xin Xin pouted, whining, "Mommy, I hate Feng Qingcheng the most. This woman is always clinging to Daddy, always flirting with everyone!"
After learning what Feng Qingcheng had done to her mother, her anger towards Feng Qingcheng intensified.
The past grievances resurfaced in her eyes. Feng Ninghe held Si Xin Xin's hand and stepped forward. "Since she's here to see the King of the Underworld, why don't we see what she wants?"
It was Feng Qingcheng who had handed Si Xin Xin over to Si Jianye. This woman knew very well that Xin Xin was her child.
It was likely that Feng Qingcheng feared this matter being exposed the most.
She was curious to see how Feng Qingcheng's expression would change.
Si Jianye's gaze sharpened. He let out a low hum and strode forward.
Outside the courtyard.
The maid glanced at the completely darkened sky again and asked, "Second Miss, it seems the King of the Underworld will not appear. Are we still waiting here?"