Chapter 1148: Digging a Hole
Chapter 1148: Digging a Hole
Andre brought Antonio to visit as promised. Qi Haoran knew that the children were curious to see them up close, so he was happy to turn a blind eye.
As soon as Andre and Antonio entered, they saw the smiling Little Bear and a young master behind him.
Having seen all of Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin’s children, Andre could tell at a glance that this young master was not from either family.
After returning yesterday, Andre specially got someone to understand the customs of Great Qi, thus became aware that the second day of the Lunar New Year was also an important day. Other than a married woman returning to her maiden home, only more important guests would visit.
This young master, whom he had never seen before, had an extraordinary bearing and could stand here as a host. Clearly, he was not an unrelated person.
Thinking of Qi Haoran’s status, Andre nodded respectfully at this young master.
Little Bear introduced with a smile, “This is my cousin. Mr. Envoy and Mr. An, why don’t you take a seat in the reception pavilion first? As my Father King is busy now, you’d have to wait for a while.”
Andre expressed his understanding.
Qi Wenqian’s attitude was noble yet gentle as he received the two guests as a host.
As soon as Andre and Antonio sat down, Qi Wenqian made an excuse to leave for a while. Little Bear nodded with a smile and took the initiative to start a conversation to divert their attention.
As soon as Qi Wenqian left the reception pavilion, he ran towards the veranda.
Qi Wenmi was spinning around anxiously. When he saw his third brother enter, he immediately went up to him and asked, “How is it? Did you see the Westerners?”
Qi Wenqian nodded excitedly. “So there are really people in this world who have blue eyes. But their body odor is indeed very strong, making me wonder just how much spice they’re wearing. Don’t tell me they really don’t bathe?”
Qi Wenmi widened his eyes. “Are Westerners that rich?”
One had to know that the price of spices wasn’t low. They would rather use spices to cover their odor than bathe?
Tiger Head and Little Lion laughed unkindly and said meaningfully, “If you’ve ever smelt the scent of foreigners who don’t wear spice packets, you’ll know that it doesn’t make much difference whether they take a shower or not.”
Little Treasure smacked him. “Don’t make fun of others. It’s not appropriate for a gentleman to gossip behind others’ backs.” The little ones immediately stood at attention, but they still kept winking. Clearly, they didn’t care to be a gentleman.
Little Treasure felt very helpless. However, Qi Wenmi had already jumped up excitedly and shouted, “It’s my turn next. Big Brother, quickly bring me there.”
Little Treasure could only lead them to the reception pavilion.
Although Little Treasure had only stayed in Guangzhou for half a year, Andre still remembered him. Seeing that he had brought another curious child over, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
Yes, the curious child was here to look at them up close.
Although Qi Wenqian was polite and didn’t look at them disrespectfully, Antonio and Andre weren’t fools. Naturally, they could tell that the child’s bright eyes were filled with curiosity and noticed that he was sizing them up inadvertently.
After that kid finally left, another child was brought here. So they were treated as rare objects to be viewed?
Andre was fine. As a businessman who ran around the world, he was used to being viewed as a rare object. Therefore, he only smiled and sat on a chair for the child to view.
However, Antonio was different. This was his first diplomatic mission to the East. In the Western countries, he had a noble status and everyone would only look at him respectfully.
When they arrived at the Eastern country, not only was he received by children when he visited, even he himself had become the object of the children’s attention. Therefore, his expression immediately turned ugly as he looked at Qi Wenmi with a malicious gaze.
This was the first time the young Wenmi had seen such an expression, startling him greatly. If he had not constantly reminded himself to pay attention to maintaining the bearing of a prince, he would have lost his composure on the spot.
Little Treasure took a step forward and stood in front of Wenmi without batting an eyelid. Smiling at Antonio, he said, “This is the envoy from Spain? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Little Bear also put down his teacup. Although there was still a smile on his face, his eyes were a little cold as he said to Andre, “This is my eldest cousin. Mr. An should be familiar with him. He’s also the Crown Prince of the current dynasty.”
Andre and Antonio were stunned. Clearly, they hadn’t expected Little Treasure’s identity.
Taking a closer look at him, they saw that his figure was indeed similar to the Crown Prince that they had seen at the palace banquet.
As the Western envoys’ seats were too far back, not only did Qi Wenjin and the others not see these Westerners clearly, but these Westerners also did not see the people sitting in front clearly.
Andre could tell at a glance that Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling were sitting there only because he knew in advance that they would be sitting there. Secondly, both parties were extremely familiar with each other.
As for the others, especially the children, they really did not pay attention to them.
Since this cousin was the Crown Prince, what about the identity of that previous kid and this one currently standing here?
Andre and Antonio immediately guessed that these two were also princes. Andre smiled and hoped that the crown prince wouldn’t mind Antonio’s attitude.
It was impossible for Little Treasure to not mind. Wenmi, his younger brother, was intimidated by the other party just because he had looked at him out of curiosity. Like his father, Little Treasure was incredibly protective of his younger siblings.
Little Treasure decided that no matter what the purpose of their trip was, he would not easily satisfy them.
If Andre knew what Little Treasure was thinking, he would probably cry to death.
Seeing that it was about time, Antonio asked, “When can we meet King Rong?”
Little Bear took out his pocket watch to check the time and smiled. “Soon. My Father King should be here by now.”
Previously, they had already discussed the time at which Qi Haoran should appear, which was about now, since the kids had satisfied their curiosity. However, they had changed their minds now.
Little Treasure glanced at Little Bear. Having worked together for many years, Little Bear tacitly understood with just one look from the former.
Little Bear immediately changed his attitude. He straightened his back and tilted his body slightly forward, then looked at Antonio and asked, “May I know why Your Excellency is looking for my Father King?” Little Bear smiled and said, “His Highness the Crown Prince and I have been involved in political affairs since last year. Perhaps we can help to deal with it.”
Qi Haoran, who had just arrived at the door and was about to enter, stopped in his tracks when he heard this. He thought for a moment and stopped moving.
Andre and Antonio looked at each other hesitantly. Seeing as the two children were too young, they weren’t sure if they could make the decision.
Little Bear explained with a smile, “Are you minding our age? Mr. An, you should know that we’re not considered young in Great Qi at this age, and are already old enough to govern the country. I followed my Father King to the battlefield last year, and His Highness the Crown Prince has also already begun to supervise the country.”
Andre nodded slightly at Antonio. At this age, Han children had indeed begun to interact with foreign affairs.
Antonio smiled and his attitude towards them improved.
Compared to negotiating with the experienced King Rong, they naturally preferred these two fledgling children.
They had just started interacting with politics last year, so they must be eager to do something to prove themselves. He had seen many such children, and Antonio’s displeasure from being viewed as exhibits finally dissipated slightly.
Little Bear glanced at Little Treasure, and the two of them looked away tacitly.
Despite their tender age, they had been through a lot. Moreover, in terms of tacit understanding, the two people in front of them could not compare to them at all.
Outside the door, Qi Haoran stood and listened for a while before turning to leave. When he was far away, he waved at a servant and said, “Go to the reception pavilion and inform them that I have something urgent to attend to. Have those two Westerners speak to the Prince first and just update me subsequently.”