The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot
Chapter 661

Chapter 661: 661

Although neither person was exceptionally striking in appearance, the transcendent, dust-free aura that surrounded them made it impossible to look away.

Zhong Mingxin couldn’t shift his gaze away, or more accurately, he couldn’t take his eyes off that woman. Even though he had never met her before, she somehow felt very familiar and dear to him.

Watching Zhong Mingxin’s lingering gaze on Zhong Niangyao, Lu Yichen felt displeased, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. He then stepped forward, positioning himself directly in front of Zhong Niangyao and subsequently blocking Zhong Mingxin’s intense stare.

At that moment, Zhong Mingxin realized his indiscretion and quickly averted his gaze.

Nangong Xin, who had been kneeling on the ground all this time, nearly jumped up at the scene. Zhong Mingxin had never even deigned to glance at her before, yet now his eyes were fixed on Zhong Niangyao.

Although Zhong Niangyao repeatedly claimed that Zhong Mingxin was her father, Nangong Xin didn’t quite believe it.

No matter how one looked, Zhong Mingxin seemed to be only twelve or thirteen years older than Zhong Niangyao. How could they possibly have a father-daughter relationship?

Zhong Mingxin took a step forward, facing the man seated behind the royal desk, Nolan Deye, and immediately knelt down to greet him, "Your humble citizen greets the Emperor."

Even though he had been in this era for ten years and had been confined by Nangong Xin in the Commandery Princess Mansion, he had learned all about the customs and etiquette of Lai Country.

After all, he had always planned on leaving and naturally wanted to understand this era and country. As for Nangong Xin, she wouldn’t have refused his modest request.

Nolan Deye nodded slightly, "Rise."

Zhong Mingxin immediately stood up.

Nolan Deye looked at Zhong Mingxin and didn’t beat around the bush, directly speaking out, "Zhong Mingxin, the reason I summoned you here today is because of the State Preceptor."

"The State Preceptor?" Zhong Mingxin was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

Seeing Zhong Mingxin’s reaction, Nolan Deye felt a moment of doubt. After glancing at Zhong Niangyao, he still spoke, "This is the State Preceptor of our Lai Country. Due to certain matters, she had left Lai Country for ten years and has recently returned."

"The State Preceptor claims you are her biological father, having been confined by Mingyue in the Commandery Princess Mansion. However, Mingyue insists that you agreed to marry her and stayed of your own volition. Now the two of them are in a deadlock. That’s why we’ve called you here, for you to tell us the truth."

Upon hearing the phrase "biological father," Zhong Mingxin became so stunned that he couldn’t take in anything else being said. He looked at Zhong Niangyao in shock and nostalgia, his eyes also filled with a hint of doubt.

Earlier on, he had felt a deep affinity for the woman before him. When the Emperor turned his gaze upon her, he knew she was the State Preceptor. But was she really his daughter?

In his life, he only had one daughter, born to the woman he loved most.

But how could Nianyao possibly be here? Moreover, the ages didn’t match! He had only been in this era for ten years; Nianyao would be at most in her teens. However, this woman appeared to be in her twenties, how could she be Nianyao?

Though his reason told him it was impossible, Zhong Mingxin’s gaze involuntarily settled on Zhong Niangyao. His eyes were filled with loving kindness, as if looking at his own daughter.

"Your Majesty, this is impossible, this absolutely cannot be Ming Xin’s daughter," Nangong Xin could no longer hold back, disregarding the rules and standing up, pointing at Zhong Niangyao, "Just look at Ming Xin’s age; how could he have such an adult daughter?"

"This—"

A flicker of difficulty crossed Nolan Deye’s face.

From the start, he had no idea that the father referred to by Zhong Niangyao was a man in his thirties. As Nangong Xin said, the State Preceptor did not seem like Zhong Mingxin’s daughter. The age difference between them was obvious, and they appeared to be anything but father and daughter. Brothers and sisters, perhaps, would be more believable.

Zhong Niangyao stepped forward, looked at Zhong Mingxin, and then smiled slightly, "Father, I specifically came to find you. Mother misses you dearly, so I’ve come to take you back."

"You are—?" confusion filled Zhong Mingxin’s voice.

Everyone present began to harbor doubts at this scene. Was Zhong Mingxin really Zhong Niangyao’s father?

Zhong Mingxin seemed to be completely unable to recognize his own daughter.

Only Nangong Xin, at the bottom of her eyes, couldn’t help but reveal a trace of satisfaction.

Zhong Niangyao did not pay attention to the others. She looked at Zhong Mingxin and then continued, "Mother has now awakened. She has been longing to see you. She was planning to come as well. But she has just awakened and is still weak, not fit to overexert herself."

"So, I asked her to continue staying at grandfather’s house, and I came to find you myself."

"Le Yao has awakened?" Zhong Mingxin exclaimed joyfully, "Is what you’re saying true? Has she really awakened?"

If this news was true, then it truly was the best news he had heard in ten years.

But if what this woman said was true, then could what she claimed—that she was his daughter—also be true?

He really wanted to know what had happened during the ten years he was away.

"Indeed, she has awakened," Zhong Niangyao nodded slightly, then continued, "Mother’s coma was caused by Yi Huai. Now that Yi Huai is dead, Mother also woke up a while ago."

As for how Yi Huai died and how Baili Lele came earlier, she did not go into detail. Such matters could be discussed later if the opportunity arises.

After hearing Zhong Niangyao’s words, Zhong Mingxin looked at her and hesitantly said, "Then you, are you really Nianyao?"

"I am," Zhong Niangyao nodded and continued, "I know you have many doubts in your heart, but I truly am Zhong Niangyao. Some things, I simply can’t explain right now. However, I am indeed here to take you back."

"Not only does Mother miss you, but grandfather and grandmother have also been worried about you. They are getting old, and their greatest wish is to see you return home."

Hearing Zhong Niangyao mention the woman he loved most and the parents he had owed all these years, even the manly Zhong Mingxin couldn’t help but have tears well up in his eyes.