Quentin Hua carried her into the grand palace, where two stunning beauties led a group who had already been waiting. Quentin Hua ascended the steps to the center of the hall and lazily settled onto the spacious seat atop the platform.
Everyone below knelt on one knee, respectfully greeting in unison, "Greetings, Sect Master!"
Quentin Hua narrowed his eyes at the crowd below, feeling rather satisfied. After clearing out the unnecessary people, the Lotus Sect truly became his. Now, after a year away, the Lotus Sect had remained peaceful under the leadership of the two deputies.
Roxy Shangguan turned around in Quentin Hua's arms, her small feet dangling as she faced the dozens of bowed heads below. She asked, "Quentin, how many followers do you have?"
Afraid she might fall, Quentin Hua held onto the fabric at her waist before replying, "I've never counted." Although he still couldn't fathom Roxy Shangguan's peculiar nature, he answered her question earnestly—he truly hadn't counted.
The two stunning beauties leading the group did not look up, but both frowned slightly. They had seen Quentin Hua carrying a child before, but now, witnessing this little one’s boldness and Quentin Hua’s indulgence, they couldn’t help but wonder what made her so special. Still, it was clearly not the right time to ask.
"Rise." His tone remained lazy. The group below responded in unison, "Thank you, Sect Master!"
The crowd rose, excitement flickering in their eyes. For a year, there had been no word from the Sect Master, and many had feared something had happened to him. If not for the deputies’ insistence that he was safe, they might have believed he was gone for good. Now, seeing him well, their worries eased. Though the Lotus Sect had flourished under the deputies, it was nothing without its master. If Quentin Hua were truly gone, the deputies would surely have followed him.
Before anyone could report on the sect’s affairs, Roxy Shangguan turned and snuggled into Quentin Hua’s arms, her voice soft and sweet. "Quentin, I want to see the flowers."
Hearing this, Quentin Hua carried her outside, leaving only a brief command: "We’ll talk later if there’s anything else."
The group left behind exchanged bewildered glances. Who exactly was that little girl?
Whispers gradually rose, and everyone was undoubtedly discussing the little girl who could make the Sect Master abandon his duties.
"Could she be the Sect Master's child?"
"I think it’s possible. That child is so striking—if she’s the Sect Master’s daughter, it wouldn’t be surprising. Besides, he’s never indulged any child like this before!"
Though the Sect Master seemed lazy, he was strict with his followers and never careless about sect affairs. Yet after a year away, his first act upon returning wasn’t to check on the sect, but to take that little girl to see the flowers. He was truly indulgent!
"Nonsense! The Sect Master has always kept himself pure—how could he possibly have a child?" The rebuke came from Irene Yi, the Left Envoy of the Lotus Sect.
Her sharp retort quieted the crowd. Irene Yi was famous for her icy beauty. It wasn’t her coldness they feared, but her authority as the Left Envoy, and her proven capability. Naturally, no one wanted to challenge her.
Luna Ying spoke up softly, "Irene..." She knew Irene Yi had always liked the Sect Master, though he never seemed interested.
The Lotus Sect’s two envoys were both outstanding in skill and beauty. Unlike Irene Yi’s coldness, Luna Ying’s beauty matched her name—serene and gentle, like the moon, elegant and pure.
Irene Yi glanced at her and fell silent. It had always been her own wishful thinking; she never expected the Sect Master to reciprocate. Still, hearing such rumors, she couldn’t help but speak out. It seemed true selflessness was difficult to achieve.
"Quentin, I want to make pastries!" Roxy Shangguan stroked a beautiful flower, her face full of longing.
Quentin Hua chuckled at her obvious desire to eat the flower. He sat down casually on the ground, pulled her into his arms, kissed her small cheek, and asked, "Do you know how?"
Roxy Shangguan blinked and replied, "If I don’t know, I can learn! Mom says, to win a man's heart, you have to win his stomach first."
Quentin Hua froze for a moment. Did Morgan Shangguan really teach her that? She didn’t seem like that kind of person!
Sure enough, Roxy continued, "But Mom also said that’s completely wrong—even if you win someone, you might not win their heart, so capturing an organ is useless!" She glanced at Quentin Hua and added, "So I’ll make them for myself. You’re not allowed to eat any!"
Quentin Hua’s lips twitched. Even if winning a man’s stomach didn’t work, did she have to be so ruthless as to deny him a taste? "When did your mom say that?" He wondered, since Morgan Shangguan was always with Damien Gray—how did she have time to teach Roxy these things?
Roxy Shangguan giggled, "Dad wanted Mom to cook for him, but she wouldn’t!" In the end, though, Mom gave in. Sigh... Roxy thought her mom was just too soft-hearted, always giving in to Dad’s persistent coaxing.
Quentin Hua flopped backward onto the ground, hands behind his head, gazing at the little girl sitting on his stomach. He felt a bit resentful—when would Roxy grow up? Why could Damien Gray be lovey-dovey with Morgan Shangguan, while he could only hold a little girl he could look at but not touch?
Seeing Quentin Hua’s plaintive expression, Roxy Shangguan grinned and crawled onto his chest, cupping his face with her small hands. She blinked and said, "Quentin, let’s go make pastries!"
With that, she scrambled up, grabbed Quentin Hua’s hands, and tugged him eagerly. Seeing her excitement, Quentin Hua didn’t want to dampen her spirits. He had someone pick some flower petals, then followed Roxy into the kitchen.
Roxy Shangguan waved her little hand, shooing everyone out of the kitchen. Quentin Hua raised an eyebrow and asked, "You’ve chased everyone out—who’s going to teach you?"
Roxy Shangguan lifted her chin and looked at him with disdain. "Silly! This princess is naturally gifted—of course I can teach myself!"
Quentin Hua suppressed a smile and nodded, impressed by her use of idioms. She was indeed clever, though he still doubted she could really teach herself!