Chapter 23: Can Cuteness Be Eaten?!

After eating and drinking to his fill, Fang Xu let out a satisfied burp, smiling as he watched Xiao Ya wipe the grease from the corners of her mouth, unable to keep from laughing. Xiao Ya realized that her earlier behavior might have been a bit improper, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. Yet, she kept sneaking glances at Fang Xu, leaving him both amused and helpless.

“Brother, are you angry with me?” Xiao Ya nervously tugged at the hem of Fang Xu’s robe, for in her eyes, she had finally gained a brother, and she didn’t want to lose her only family.

“How could I be? Brother finds you so adorable!” Fang Xu reached out and gently patted Xiao Ya’s little head, and she looked at him in confusion.

“Brother, what does adorable mean? Is it something you can eat? Is it tasty?” Just a moment ago, Xiao Ya had looked pitiful, and now she wore a comical expression, swallowing as she spoke, which left Fang Xu at a loss.

“Adorable isn’t something you can eat,” Fang Xu replied, coughing lightly, a bit embarrassed. Only now did he realize that the concept of “adorable” was not yet popular in this era, so naturally Xiao Ya didn’t know what it meant. Still, he hadn’t expected her to associate the word with food.

He had to admit, Xiao Ya was truly a little foodie. But in Fang Xu’s eyes, there was nothing wrong with that. He wished for Xiao Ya to live her life in this simple, silly way, at least it would spare her many troubles.

“Then, Brother, what does adorable actually mean?” Xiao Ya, wide-eyed and curious like a child discovering something new, gazed expectantly at Fang Xu. Seeing those sparkling eyes, he touched his nose in embarrassment.

“Well… how should I explain it? It means you’re very likable,” Fang Xu thought for a moment and finally found a word close in meaning, one he was sure Xiao Ya would understand.

“So that means Xiao Ya is very liked by Brother?” Xiao Ya blinked her big eyes at him, and Fang Xu smiled, nodding as he touched his nose.

Seeing his gesture, Xiao Ya seemed as proud as if she had eaten honey, puffing out her little chest and looking smugly at the surrounding maids.

Perhaps, to Xiao Ya, winning Fang Xu’s affection was a matter of great pride.

But watching her behavior made Fang Xu even more embarrassed, for he himself was quite shy by nature.

The maids couldn’t help laughing as they observed Xiao Ya’s antics, but she paid no mind to their giggles.

“It’s late now, I should return and rest. Tomorrow I’ll speak with His Majesty and ask if Xiao Ya can accompany me, would you like that?” Fang Xu suddenly remembered Qin Suwen, who lay on the bed, and rubbed Xiao Ya’s head as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ya’s cheeks, along with those of the maids present, turned red with embarrassment.

“What’s wrong? Does Xiao Ya not want to be with Brother?” Noticing their reaction, Fang Xu curiously asked the girl in his arms, who was still rubbing her head.

“No, no! Xiao Ya wants to be with Brother! Really!” Xiao Ya quickly raised her head, looking anxiously at Fang Xu.

Her nervousness made him laugh, and he reached out to gently touch her nose.

“If that’s so, then Brother will go check on His Majesty now.” With that, Fang Xu walked out of the imperial kitchen, leaving Xiao Ya and the maids behind, their faces still flushed.

Once Fang Xu had left, the maids gathered around Xiao Ya, whispering things she found embarrassing. She lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her official robe, nodding occasionally.

Of course, Fang Xu had no idea what was happening in the imperial kitchen. At that moment, he was organizing the complicated information in his mind. His current position forced him to stay vigilant; he could not simply idle his days away.

Moreover, Fang Xu was not someone accustomed to idling, though his identity was something of an obstacle.

Everything in this world has its pros and cons. His status now made certain things easier, things others could not do, but in some ways, it hindered him.

The only solution was to help Qin Suwen govern Great Qin more effectively. But if the goal was to govern well, internal reforms were necessary; otherwise, if something happened, it wouldn’t matter whether the external barbarians could be resisted—if internal factions colluded with those barbarians, it would be catastrophic for Great Qin.

Walking toward his palace, Fang Xu’s mind raced with thoughts. In his view, the biggest problem within Great Qin was the minorities in the remote regions, many of whom harbored hostility toward Great Qin.

If he were a barbarian, he would target those minorities, and if they joined forces, it would spell disaster for Great Qin, whose foundation was still unstable.

According to his memories, Qin Suwen had considered this problem, but the minorities simply refused to obey the court’s authority. If conflict was forced, it would only weaken Great Qin’s own power.

In the end, the barbarians would be the ones to benefit. Thinking this, Fang Xu couldn’t help but rub his brow.

“Hm? What’s wrong?” A clear, crisp voice suddenly called out. Following the sound, Fang Xu realized he had somehow returned to his palace.

Apparently, he was already accustomed to it. Qin Suwen, reclining on the bed, looked at him in confusion.

“Oh, I was just thinking about something,” Fang Xu said, waving his hand with a smile. He certainly didn’t want Qin Suwen to know what he was pondering, for he understood her strong nature.

Coupled with his own unique identity, this was precisely what kept him from discussing affairs of state with Qin Suwen.