I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Ye Qianning said nothing and turned to leave, leaving behind a group of confused women.

In the front courtyard, Luo Xuan swiftly assembled the twenty-one Hidden Guards concealed within the manor. They all lined up.

Such a large show of force startled the manor’s servants and maids, causing them to hide in the distance and watch.

Xiang Mingli and Mrs. Wang had just led Zhenzhu to the front courtyard, where they saw Old Gu directing people to carry a large chest away. It wasn’t until they entered the main hall that they learned the full story.

The mother and her children were both delighted and worried. They were delighted because if Ye Qianning wasn’t a member of the Xiang family, she couldn’t compete with the heirs of the second branch for the family inheritance. Their worry was that she was now a child of the Zhan family.

Imperial relatives! If she decided to settle scores with them, they wouldn’t have enough heads left to be chopped off.

However, before the family could come up with a plan, they heard a maid hurriedly report that many guards had gathered in the front courtyard.

The group was startled and rushed over to see. The sight of more than twenty guards in combat attire was incredibly imposing.

"Mother, don’t be afraid. Those are Eldest Brother’s guards," Xiang Mingli said. He didn’t recognize the Hidden Guards themselves, but he recognized their uniforms.

"Your... Eldest Brother isn’t even home. What do these people want?" Mrs. Wang’s face was as swollen as a steamed bun, and she stammered as she spoke.

"I don’t know." Xiang Mingli was also puzzled.

’Other than Eldest Brother, no one can command these men. Even I can’t order them around. Who on earth could it be...?’

Suddenly, he thought of someone.

"Is that little bastard home?" Xiang Mingli suddenly remembered that today was a day off from Lou Mountain Academy.

"I don’t know."

Xiang Mingli turned his head to look at the steward.

"Second Master, the Eldest Miss went straight to Yuehua Small Building upon her return," the steward replied.

"So it is her. Mother, look! The man at the very front—he’s the one who was with that little bastard the other day." Xiang Mingli had spotted Luo Xuan.

At the mention of Ye Qianning, Mrs. Wang grew so furious she looked ready to drink her blood. "Little bastard," she spat.

"Mother, keep your voice down! She’s part of the Zhan family now."

"So what if she’s from the Zhan family? I heard Lady Zhan say today that the little bastard got a scare at Lou Mountain Academy. I thought about it, and I’ll bet she got beaten, just like that old crone who brought her here."

Xiang Mingli agreed.

"Why didn’t whoever did it just finish the little bastard off..."

"I’d still be living just fine long after you’re dead," Ye Qianning interrupted coldly.

A chill ran down the backs of Mrs. Wang and Xiang Mingli. They turned slowly, only to see Ye Qianning walking toward them and stopping right in front of them.

Xiang Mingli instinctively hid behind his mother.

Mrs. Wang was a little frightened too, but facing so many people, she couldn’t afford to look weak. "Don’t think you can throw your weight around just because you’re from the Zhan family. This is the General’s manor!"

"I recall the Emperor rewarding me with a number of items a few days ago. I wonder why not a single one has made it to my Yuehua Small Building." Ye Qianning’s expression was icy, her tone deceptively light.

Mrs. Wang and Xiang Mingli both froze.

"What rewards? We don’t know anything about them," Xiang Mingli said.

"You don’t know? Du Yi, go to the Imperial Palace and inquire. The Emperor himself promised me rewards. Ask them why they have not yet arrived."

"Yes."

"Wait...!" Mrs. Wang cried out hastily.

Ye Qianning raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"The Emperor did give some things, but they were all nourishing tonics. A child like you has no use for them, so I consumed them." Realizing she could no longer hide the truth, Mrs. Wang decided to be frank.

"Consumed them? Hah." Ye Qianning scoffed. "Du Yi, go to the palace and get an itemized list of the rewards."

"Yes." This time, Du Yi actually left.

Mrs. Wang was dumbfounded. "What are you trying to do? So what if you get the list? What’s been eaten is eaten!"