"It is all this servant's fault for being useless, bringing trouble to you, mistress."
Nanny Li felt deeply guilty.
"Princess, there's no need to send guards. Which household sends guards for a servant being moved out due to serious illness?"
"This servant will go back now to pack up and leave the estate shortly."
As Nanny Li spoke, she kowtowed to Duoduo.
"This servant can no longer serve by your side, Princess. You must take great care. Be wary of others, and always be cautious!"
Duoduo quickly stepped forward to help Nanny Li up.
"Everything you taught me, I've remembered!"
"Here's what we'll do: I'll send Qingliu with you. She knows martial arts and can protect you in case of danger!"
"Qingliu, come in!" Duoduo called toward the door.
Qingliu pushed the door open and entered. "This servant greets the Prince and the Princess."
"Qingliu, go pack your things and accompany Nanny Li when she leaves the estate."
"Remember, you must protect Nanny Li well. If anything happens to her, I will not go easy on you!"
"Yes, this servant obeys!" Qingliu responded promptly.
Beside them, Xiao Yi watched with amusement as Duoduo put on a stern little face.
Duoduo had already mastered the art of balancing kindness and authority in managing subordinates.
In Xiao Yi's heart, there was a strong sense of pride, like "my daughter is growing up."
Nanny Li was deeply grateful. She kowtowed three times to Duoduo and three times to Xiao Yi before returning to her room to pack her luggage.
"Father, moving Nanny out isn't enough. We also need to prepare some herbal dregs."
"Oh, and I think we should send a few guards as well."
"After all, the other party used a contagious medicine."
Duoduo's thoughtful expression made Xiao Yu's lips curl into a smile.
He nodded approvingly.
"Yes, you're right."
"Yunxiao, did you hear that?" He glanced sideways at Yunxiao.
Yunxiao was confused.
Hadn't the Prince just given these orders?
Still, Yunxiao bowed his head. "Yes, this subordinate will arrange it immediately."
Yunxiao left, and the room was left with just father and daughter.
"How is your mother doing?"
Since Madam Su had arrived, Xiao Yi had used work as an excuse to avoid the inner courtyard.
He hadn't seen Su Xian in days.
Although he knew most of what happened in the estate, he still wanted to hear it from Duoduo.
Duoduo blinked. She wasn't sure what exactly her father wanted to know.
"Mother is fine," she answered vaguely.
Xiao Yi's eyes flickered.
Was Duoduo trying to brush him off?
"Has Madam Su given your mother any trouble?" Xiao Yi asked directly.
Duoduo heard this and gave Xiao Yi a bright smile.
"Yes! But I talked back to her!"
"Father, don't worry—I won't let anyone bully Mother!"
Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction. "Well done!"
"As the daughter of this Prince, you naturally have the right to scold others."
"If you come across someone who doesn't know their place, have them dragged out and beaten first!"
"If one beating isn't enough, then two!"
"On my territory, they dare to nitpick and cause trouble? Do they think I'm a toothless cat?"
As Xiao Yi spoke, his aura turned heavy with menace.
Duoduo was slightly surprised.
"Father, didn't you say that violence is the lowest form of strategy?"
Xiao Yi looked at Duoduo.
"Violence is indeed a low-level tactic."
"But it is also the most direct and effective one!"
"For some people, reasoning with them doesn't work—they won't understand."
"But if you beat them once, they immediately know where they went wrong."
"So for those kinds of people, there's no need to waste words!"
Duoduo's eyes lit up, her little face brimming with excitement.
"Father, that's what I think, too!"
"I told Mother today that I'll be courteous first. If she crosses the line again, I'll use force!"
Xiao Yi nodded in praise.
"Yes, you did the right thing!"
"If anyone dares to provoke you, strike first and ask later!"
"No matter who they are, don't be afraid. Your father has your back!"
When Duoduo heard the last words—"Your father has your back!"—her vision began to blur.
She couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart.
It was like knowing that even if she caused trouble, she didn't need to be afraid.
Because there was someone behind her, ready to cover for her.
She only needed to move forward fearlessly, knowing she always had a strong support behind her.
In that moment, her heart was filled with boundless gratitude.
And also, boundless greed.
She knew she wasn't the biological daughter of the Prince of Pingyang. Neither the Prince nor his wife had any obligation to give her their wholehearted devotion.
She also knew that the Prince of Pingyang had saved her out of momentary pity.
He had said that the manor didn't keep useless people.
So she worked hard to make herself useful.
Even when the Prince of Pingyang made strict demands of her, she would study tirelessly, sparing no effort, even if it meant burning the midnight oil.
She had a photographic memory, yes, but she was only four years old.
To retain so much content without forgetting, she had to recite it constantly—whether eating or sleeping.
Duoduo still remembered the difficulty of memorizing everything Xiao Yi taught her.
She would recite at the dinner table, she would recite as she lay down to sleep.
The hardship was known only to Duoduo herself.
There were nights when she almost couldn't go on and hid under the covers to cry.
But the next day, she gritted her teeth and persevered.
Because she understood: a phoenix is reborn only through the pain of trials.
Gradually, the frowns on Xiao Yi's face began to lessen.
Later, his expressions softened.
And eventually, he would occasionally show signs of approval.
All of this became the driving force behind Duoduo's relentless efforts.
Duoduo still remembered the first time Xiao Yi praised her.
She was so excited she couldn't sleep all night, immersed in extreme elation.
At the same time, she noticed her own transformation.
She dared to voice different opinions when faced with problems, and she even dared to argue with Xiao Yi.
She made her first bet with her father, and through her own efforts, she solved a difficult problem!
In the past, Duoduo wouldn't have dared to imagine such a thing.
Half a year ago, she was still suffering from hunger and cold, constantly under the shadow of death.
But half a year later, she not only had plenty of wealth but also owned her own shop.
These changes came from her own hard work.
But more than that, they came from the man standing before her.
The mist in Duoduo's eyes grew thicker, eventually forming tears that rolled down from her eyes.
Xiao Yi, watching her, felt a pang in his heart.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Duoduo rush over and embrace him tightly.
"Father!"
Xiao Yi's body stiffened.
Then, slowly, he relaxed.
He raised his hand and gently patted Duoduo's back until her emotions calmed down.
After Duoduo finished crying, she noticed that Xiao Yi's robe was now smeared with her tears and snot.
Feeling very embarrassed, she tried to wipe it off with her hands, attempting to destroy the evidence.
