Song Fengyan wasn't sure why, but he felt something unexplainable when he first saw his niece's new friend. He must be seeing things. However, he couldn't help but remember Lan Xiyan, seeing the little girl.

  He dramatically clutched his c.h.e.s.t and acted like he had been hurt by Little Star's words. He didn't know why, but this girl was starting to pick up the devil's traits. He was bothered that in the future, he might need to be wary of her on top of being vigilant with Feng Tianyi.

  "Darling, that isn't nice to say that to your Uncle Yan." As if he had been saved by an angel, Song Fengyan heard Tang Moyu's voice.

  Little Star furrowed her brows in confusion and remained silent as she looked at him, then to her mother. She was only teasing her Uncle Yan. Was he offended by it? She wondered.

  It took a moment before the girl sighed and wrapped her chubby arms around Song Fengyan's neck and gave him a peck on his cheek.

  "Little Star is only joking, Uncle. I didn't mean to hurt you."

  "Aiya! Being kissed and hugged by Little Star makes Uncle Yan really happy!" Song Fengyan gave his niece a hug before gesturing to the table. "Little Star, take a look at what I bought for you and your brother. Where's Xiao Bao anyway?"

  He looked around but he couldn't see his nephew and his young friend, Huo Yunhao.

  "They are probably still in the bedroom taking the toy robots and trains they need, Uncle." Little Star answered before leaving Song Fengyan with Lan Yunru, who was shyly looking at him.

  They heard Little Star's pattering feet as she made her way to the kitchen, her squeal of delight reaching their ears as she pulled out her favorite tub of ice cream from the bag Song Fengyan left on the dining table.

  "Yu Gege! Yu Gege! Come out! Uncle Yan brought us ice cream!"

  As if they just heard a magic word, the two boys emerged from the bedroom across Feng Tianyi's room and found Little Star with a tub of ice cream in her hands.

  "Mommy! Can we have some ice cream please!" The two little buns requested at the same time, not giving Tang Moyu a chance to reject their request. She could only shoot Feng Tianyi with a pointed glare, letting him know that she was unhappy at how he spoiled their children rotten while she wasn't allowed to. He mouthed a sorry, before taking the tub from their daughter's hand.

  "Alright, you can eat, but not too much, okay? Dinner will be ready soon, so don't overeat your dessert." He told the twins as they followed him to the open kitchen, where they could also see Song Fengyan talking to Lan Yunru.

  "So Little Miss, may I know your name now? You are our Little Star's new friend?" He asked the girl with a gentle smile. He extended his hand and introduced himself. "I'm their Uncle Yan, nice to meet you."

  "Hello, Uncle Yan. I'm Lan Yunru. Nice to meet you too." Lan Yunru held his larger hand and gave it a shake.

  Song Fengyan's eyes widened, his heart trembled inside his c.h.e.s.t as he heard her name. He caught himself and smiled awkwardly at the girl.

  "Lan Yunru? What a nice name for a little dumpling like you." He patted her head gently, earning a slight blush from the girl.

  "M-my mommy also calls me her little dumpling…" She told him.

  "Oh, I think your mommy is right! You are such a cute little dumpling. Say, Yun'er, how old are you now?"

  Song Fengyan desperately needed to know. He needed clues to know if she was Lan Xiyan's child or not. Her brows, her eyes, and the shape of her lips were just like Lan Xiyan. He had also seen her photo as a child, so he could tell the resemblance between the two.

  Feng Tianyi had just given Xiao Bao and Huo Yunhao their share of ice cream when he saw his cousin's ghastly expression. He turned his head and looked at the empress, who was also watching the two interact.

  "I understand now…" He told Tang Moyu.

  "Understand what?" The empress blinked, not understanding what he meant this time.

  "I understand now why Lan Yunru looks familiar."

  At first, Feng Tianyi thought that he had seen the girl somewhere, but seeing Lan Yunru talk with his cousin, he now realized why the girl looked extremely familiar.

  They saw Song Fengyan looking at the girl with confusion as Lan Yunru joined the other children at the dining table and ate her ice cream. She was almost the same age as Little Star and Xiao Bao, although the two were obviously older than her by a few months. He dragged himself until he was face to face with his cousin.

  "That girl… she…" But he wasn't able to finish his words. Whether he was afraid or feeling at a loss, the devil and the empress weren't sure.

  "Moyu didn't you say you've already talked to Lan Yunru's mother before she came here?" Feng Tianyi asked and Tang Moyu felt like she was in a hot seat right now.

  Should she tell them that Lan Yunru's mother was Luo Qingqing? But didn't Feng Tianyi say she had a history with Song Fengyan? She also gave Luo Qingqing her word that she wouldn't reveal her relationship with Yunyun to anyone.

  Song Fengyan stared at her, his expression turning glazed as he waited for the empress's answer.

  "Indeed, I have talked to her mother but…"

  "But she made you a promise not to tell anyone who she was?" Came Feng Tianyi's question, and the empress felt like an idiot for falling for that.

  She glanced at Song Fengyan's face and couldn't help but feel guilty. He was obviously anxious to hear her answer, as if his whole life depended on it. Years ago, Lan Xiyan had utterly destroyed him as a person, and now seeing a child resembling her, he couldn't help but feel troubled.