Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 273 Father and daughter talk at night

As night fell and the lights came on, the family gathered around the dining table, enjoying a sumptuous dinner. Afterward, Dugu Moyan, Shen Zhenzhu, and Murong Linzhi all stood up, said their goodbyes, and returned to their respective courtyards. Only Dugu Xin, Dugu Jingyao, and Liu Jingyue remained in the spacious hall.

In fact, such an arrangement had already been tacitly agreed upon by the others, and everyone had intended to leave this opportunity for solitude so that the father and his two daughters could communicate freely.

Dugu Xin sat upright in his chair, his eyes gentle and concerned as he gazed at his two daughters. He coughed softly and began, "Earlier today, there were so many people at the gate that I couldn't ask too many questions. After dinner, I saw you looked tired, thinking it was from the long journey, so I wanted to let you rest first, so I didn't ask any more questions. But now that I finally have time, I want to ask you about your journey."

Liu Jingyue opened her mouth to answer when her father asked, but Dugu Jingyao beat her to the punch. Dugu Jingyao smiled calmly and replied, "Dad, don't worry. The journey was smooth. We just had a little fun, enjoying the scenery as we walked, and unknowingly wasted some time, so we came back a little late."

However, Dugu Xin felt something was amiss after hearing these words. He frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Although Yao'er and Xunfeng both sent me letters to let me know they're safe, as parents, we're always worried. I'm afraid you'll encounter some difficulties or troubles, but you only report good news and not bad news!"

After he finished speaking, he slowly turned his gaze to Liu Jingyue, who was sitting beside him. Liu Jingyue was holding up her teacup and gently sipping it, but in reality, her heart was already surging like a raging sea. She thought to herself, "Huh! Isn't this just bullying me because I'm younger? My sister and Xunfeng are both older than me, so they naturally have their own opinions and thoughts. When something happens, they always report good news and not bad news. Do they think I'm the only one who can handle it best?"

Dugu Xin had been staring at Liu Jingyue. Seeing that she hadn't reacted to what he had just said, he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. So, he decided not to beat around the bush and asked directly, "Yu'er, why are you so silent? Tell me quickly, how was your journey?"

When Liu Jingyue heard Dugu Xin's question, she secretly groaned inwardly: Oh, what bad luck! How did the topic finally come to me? In desperation, she had to pretend to be confused and ignorant, blinking her big watery eyes, pretending not to understand what Dugu Xin meant, and asked in a delicate voice: "Daddy, are you calling me?"

Dugu Xin frowned slightly at this, wondering: What on earth is going on today? They all seemed distracted and lost. However, he simply said, "Hmm," in response to Liu Jingyue's question.

After receiving Dugu Xin's affirmative answer, Liu Jingyue quickly asked, "Then why did Daddy call me?"

Dugu Xin looked at his innocent daughter and said earnestly, "Daddy is worried that your sister and Xunfeng will only tell me good news and not bad news because they're afraid of worrying me. So, I thought of asking you, have you encountered any special situations or interesting experiences along the way?"

Liu Jingyue thought for a moment, then glanced at Dugu Jingyao. Dugu Xin, speaking sternly from the top, said, "Yuer, don't look at your sister. Tell the truth."

Liu Jingyue thought: "We are both sitting here peacefully now, so I don't need to make things so serious." So she said coquettishly: "Okay, okay, I'll tell you what I want to say. Don't be angry, Daddy!"

Then she chose to avoid the main issue: "Something did happen, but that was all part of our plan to lure the snake out of its hole. Dad, don't worry."

Dugu Xin frowned and asked doubtfully, "What plan? What do you mean by luring the snake out of its hole?"

Liu Jingyue explained, "Sister suspected that someone would harm us on the way back, so we deliberately leaked our itinerary. But don't worry, Daddy. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Guangping have sent us elite soldiers, and there are secret guards in the dark, as well as people Daddy left for us, so we are fine. It's just that some soldiers died or were injured. Daddy must reward the soldiers in our Dugu family army who were injured or sacrificed!"

Dugu Xin understood the whole story and his brows relaxed slightly. He said, "I see! Yue'er is right. I will reward the soldiers who escorted you back to Yunnan."

Liu Jingyue smiled brightly and nodded.

Dugu Xin asked again: "Have you found out who wants to harm you?"

Dugu Jingyao shook her head and said, "We have already guessed that it is either the Cui Mansion or the Gu Mansion of the Dali Temple. However, it is more likely to be the Cui Mansion. After all, Lord Gu would not harm our two princesses for a concubine's daughter."

Seeing Dugu Xin's frown tightening again, Dugu Jingyao comforted him, "Dad, don't worry. Li Chu has already started investigating this matter. If he has any news, he will inform me as soon as possible."

Dugu Xin knew that Dugu Jingyao was comforting him, so he pretended that his anger had subsided, gave his two daughters a slightly awkward smile and said, "Okay, I also believe in Li Chu's ability to do things." Just like that, at least tonight, this matter was over.