Chapter 358: I

"Before, it was fine that Yun Zhi hadn't returned; now she's back, and you still want to take Xiao Chen from her, Ye Qingran—don't you think that's too much?"

Ye Qingran stared intently at Lin Xueyan and said softly, "You conclude that Yun Zhi is Xiao Chen's birth mother just like that?"

Lin Xueyan was startled.

What does Ye Qingran mean by that?

Could she know something?

Impossible!

"Of course, Bloodline Detection doesn't lie!"

Ye Qingran nodded, "But I don't think so. After all, Bloodline Detection isn't infallible, unless…"

"Unless what?" Lin Xueyan's chest tightened.

"Only if the conclusion comes from a Soul-Attracting Pearl would I believe it."

Soul-Attracting Pearl?

Lin Xueyan felt a sudden thud in her heart.

She had indeed heard of the Soul-Attracting Pearl; it is a relic of the Dan Valley in Beimingzhou, and one of its functions is to test bloodline kinship.

But she quickly composed herself.

"Ye Qingran, do you know what you're saying? The Soul-Attracting Pearl vanished along with the Dan Saint's disappearance!" Lin Xueyan sneered.

There is only one Soul-Attracting Pearl in the world, yet its whereabouts are unknown; even the heavens won't aid Ye Qingran!

Has the Soul-Attracting Pearl disappeared?

Ye Qingran merely smiled and said nothing.

Nevertheless, Lin Xueyan's reminder today means it's time to summon the Soul-Attracting Pearl!

Since she has decided to have the child recognize its father, so they won't be called fatherless Wild Offspring, she needs sufficiently strong evidence.

The Soul-Attracting Pearl is undoubtedly the best way to prove their mutual identities!

Lin Xueyan added, "Ye Qingran, you say that only because you don't want to admit it! Yet the National Master believes it, you can't just refuse! I think you'd better give up that stubbornness early!"

Yun Zhi observed Ye Qingran's reaction, and the pent‑up resentment in her heart eased a bit.

Earlier she had gone to the Ye Residence, begging Ye Qingran to let her see the child; Ye Qingran refused, claiming she wasn't the child's birth mother. Later Xiao Chen's cold attitude further aggrieved her, filling her heart with hatred toward Ye Qingran.

However, the Bloodline Detection results restored her confidence.

So what if Xiao Chen likes Ye Qingran?

She, Yun Zhi, is Xiao Chen's birth mother, the mother of the National Master's legitimate son; a mother's status rises with her child, so marrying the National Master and becoming Grandmaster's Consort is only natural!

Yun Zhi thought this, subtly lifted her chin, assuming the bearing of the lady of the National Master's residence, and walked toward Ye Qingran.

"Miss Ye, during this time I've been very grateful for your care of Xiao Chen," Yun Zhi said softly, a faint smile on her face, "But now I'm back, and Bloodline Detection also proves I'm Xiao Chen's birth mother. I hope you'll return Xiao Chen to me."

Ye Qingran gave a sarcastic smile, "If Xiao Chen truly is your child, why would you need me to give him back to you?"

Yun Zhi's eyes flashed with anger.

In her view, if Ye Qingran hadn't used certain methods, would Xiao Chen have been so bewildered by her?

"Because over these years I was never by his side; he has lacked motherly love. Your appearance gave him the warmth of a mother's love, so he became very dependent on you." In other words, the reason Xiao Chen likes you is that you took advantage of his vulnerability!

Ye Qingran crossed her arms over her chest, a smile that was half‑smile, half‑frown.

Yun Zhi smiled confidently, "I believe that as long as I stay by Xiao Chen's side, he will change his mind!"

"Is that so? Then I'll be watching!"

Lin Xueyan sneered, glancing at Ye Qingran before turning to Yun Zhi, "Yun Zhi, now the truth is clear: you are Xiao Chen's birth mother, and the National Master has taken you back to Guoshi Fu. If all goes as expected, the National Master will soon grant you a title, making you the rightful Grandmaster's Consort."

Those words made a flush rise on Yun Zhi's face.

Thinking of that extraordinarily handsome, uniquely striking man, her heart couldn't help racing.

In Yun Gu Cun, accustomed to the burly villagers, arriving at Xiliang City and suddenly seeing such a superbly handsome man made her fall for him instantly.

These past days, she dreamed of becoming the lady of Guoshi Fu. Marrying such a perfect man, the villagers of Yun Gu Cun would surely be very envious, wouldn't they?

"Look, I just said one thing to you and you're already embarrassed. If you truly marry the National Master in the future, what should you do?"

Lin Xueyan's peripheral glance caught Ye Qingran; she deliberately said that to try to provoke her.

But she was disappointed.

Ye Qingran remained unmoved.

"Xueyan, stop talking!" Yun Zhi shyly lowered her head, biting her lower lip.

At that moment, a servant entered from outside, carrying a large bundle, saying the snacks the National Master ordered had arrived.

The few people were startled, then realized the snacks were likely bought by the National Master for the children.

Ye Qingran was quite surprised inside—had Fu Hanxiu changed his nature? To thoughtfully buy snacks for the children?

Yun Zhi, after hearing that, assumed the posture of the lady of the house and said to the servant, "Oh, give me the items; I'll take them to our Xiao Chen later."

The servant, not recognizing Yun Zhi, instinctively glanced at Fu Er.

Fu Er nodded, evidently agreeing.

The Bloodline Detection results proved Yun Zhi is the young master's mother; it was most fitting for her to take the snacks to the young master.

Seeing Fu Er's approval, the servant prepared to hand the snacks to Yun Zhi.

Lin Xueyan, seeing this, seized the chance to mock Ye Qingran.

"Indeed, since these snacks were bought by the adult for Xiao Chen, it's only proper for his birth mother to deliver them herself!" Lin Xueyan deliberately emphasized the word "birth mother."

At that moment, a burst of laughter came from outside.

"Hey! Your horse is running too slow! Can you go faster?"

"Horse, horse, run fast!"

"Big horse, take to the sky!"

Several people exchanged bewildered glances.

In the next instant, a figure appeared in the front hall.

Everyone focused their gaze and saw, to their shock, that it was Fu Hanxiu.

At this moment, a child sat on each of his left and right arms—namely Xiao Hu and Xiao Chen.

It was obvious that Fu Hanxiu was the "horse" the children were talking about.

Lin Xueyan was stunned.

It was fine that Fu Qianchen sat on Your Majesty's shoulder, after all he is Your Majesty's son, but what right does Mo Xiaohu, this wild offspring, have?

Seeing this, Ye Qingran's heart also tightened.

What's going on?

Fu Hanxiu probably wouldn't recognize Xiao Hu, would he?

This realization made Ye Qingran feel awful.

However, upon further thought, she had originally intended to let them recognize each other as father and son, so recognizing them early was fine.

Thus, she quickly regained her composure.

"Mother?!"

The two children saw Ye Qingran, their eyes lit up, and the "big horse" beneath them instantly lost its appeal. Using hands and feet, they crawled down from Fu Hanxiu and rushed toward Ye Qingran.

Seeing this, Fu Hanxiu felt a sudden sense of loss.

In front of the mother, this father of his obviously had no presence!

As Fu Hanxiu watched the two children rush toward Ye Qingran, he felt a sense of loss, but more so a feeling of fulfillment.

What could be happier than having his child's birth mother happen to be the woman he loves?

Thinking this, a hint of gentleness appeared in Fu Hanxiu's usually deep eyes.

"Milady!" Yun Zhi called out softly upon seeing Fu Hanxiu, her eyes full of spring water.

Upon hearing that voice, Fu Hanxiu's gaze shot over like a hawk's; seeing Yun Zhi, his face instantly darkened.

"How could they be here?"

Lin Xueyan instinctively thought Fu Hanxiu was asking about Ye Qingran and her entourage of three; before Fu Er could answer, she blurted out, "National Master, it's Ye Qingran and her party who came uninvited! She, knowing full well that Yun Zhi is Xiao Chen's birth mother, still insists on snatching Xiao Chen from Yun Zhi—this is simply outrageous!"