Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

Yuanjiu stared at the man who couldn't help but smile whenever he saw her, her eyes filled with a faint sorrow.

Tell him.

This gnawing unease was tormenting her.

Whether to stay or to sever ties—let it be resolved today.

After all, her arrival in this world might just have been a coincidence, wasn't it?

She decided to treat it as a gamble.

Win or lose—it would all be determined today.

Ouyang Qingcheng softly called to her, "My darling, is there something you want to say to Father Emperor?"

She stared at him with her big round eyes for a long moment before finally speaking, slowly and hesitantly: "Good morning, Fa… Father…"

It was her first time using this title, and it made her feel a little shy.

It was also her first time speaking.

Her voice carried the soft, sweet tone unique to children.

It was an ordinary morning—the sun hadn't fully risen, the western sky still held a faint gloom, and the wind seemed colder than usual.

Yet, in this moment, he had finally received a response from his darling.

Ouyang Qingcheng's dark eyes lit up with disbelief, emotions flashing through them—excitement, joy, surprise, and deep affection—all blending into a soft sigh of contentment as he planted a gentle kiss on Yuanjiu's forehead.

Somehow, she had become the only one who could affect his emotions so profoundly.

"My darling, you've finally decided to call me that?" he murmured.

Among all those who called him "Father," only Yuanjiu's voice could bring a sense of peace and tranquility to his heart.

It was a feeling more precious and fulfilling than recovering something lost.

"My darling, say it again."

"…Father."

"Good girl."

Ouyang Qingcheng nuzzled her cheek with his lips.

"Father, why do you want to keep me by your side?" Yuanjiu lay back on the bed, spreading out her tiny limbs in a pose that suggested she was ready for a conversation.

The sight of such a small child adopting such a mature posture made Ouyang Qingcheng chuckle.

He raised an eyebrow and gazed into her eyes. "Because I don't like the loneliness I see in your eyes. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yuanjiu met his gaze directly.

Due to the emotions surging within her, her eyes began to shimmer with a hazy, multicolored glow.

It was the first time Ouyang Qingcheng had seen her eyes transform like this.

He couldn't help but smile gently and plant another kiss on her delicate eyelids.

"I have a big secret," Yuanjiu confessed, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

She was truly tired—every day spent pretending and concealing her true self left her utterly drained.

"Father is all ears," Ouyang Qingcheng responded, his tone calm and inviting.

Yuanjiu spoke quietly but steadily, "Actually, I was born with the memories of my past life."

After saying this, she glanced up at Ouyang Qingcheng, expecting a flash of hostility or suspicion.

Instead, she caught a hint of surprise in his eyes, followed by an encouraging smile.