The diamond ring had been crafted according to the design Feng Jiu’er had once sketched out.

Feng Jiu’er had always believed diamonds must exist somewhere in this world — simply undiscovered for the time being.

Still, she hadn’t held out much hope.

She never expected that the design she’d casually drawn, the stone she’d casually mentioned, would actually be taken to heart by someone.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, lowered her small hand, and rested it on Di Wu Ya’s broad shoulder.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, tell me, where did you find this? Hurry, tell me!”

“There’s more in the bedchamber — a bigger piece,” Di Wu Ya said, looking at the little girl as he casually pulled the mask off his face.

Feng Jiu’er’s eyes went wide, and she swung her legs again. “Put me down, I want to go see.”

There’s more? A bigger one? How exciting!

Di Wu Ya didn’t set her down, only quickened his pace.

Feng Jiu’er held onto him tightly, making it easier for him to walk.

Still — was she really that light?

This man was carrying her one-armed and had walked quite a distance, yet his face hadn’t even flushed, his breathing hadn’t even changed.

Once they reached the room, Di Wu Ya kicked the door open with a long stride.

“Prince.” A servant hurried over, but seeing there was nothing to help with, could only wait off to the side.

Only after the master had entered did the servant carefully step forward and close the door.

The moment they entered the room, Feng Jiu’er braced herself against Di Wu Ya’s shoulders and leapt lightly out of his arms, landing steadily on her feet.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, a bigger piece — how big? Where is it?” She spread out her small hand, demanding the diamond.

Di Wu Ya looked at the fair, smooth little hand before him and reached out with his large one to take it.

Feng Jiu’er said nothing more, letting herself be led further inside.

Di Wu Ya walked over to a cabinet on one side of the hall and stopped.

“In here?” Feng Jiu’er excitedly withdrew her hand and pulled the cabinet open.

A dazzling light flickered before her.

Feng Jiu’er froze in place, drew a deep breath, and finally reached both hands inside.

“Whoa! Such a huge diamond?” Surely her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her — it was nearly the size of her fist.

Feng Jiu’er cradled the diamond in her arms, turned, and walked to where the candlelight was, lifting it up.

She hadn’t studied diamonds much, but she could tell with reasonable confidence that it was genuine.

After gazing at it for quite some time, she took a deep breath, turned around, and found that tall figure standing right behind her.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.” Feng Jiu’er threw herself forward, burrowing into Di Wu Ya’s embrace.

“I love today’s gift.”

“Such a small trinket isn’t worth much,” Di Wu Ya said, gently cupping the small frame in his arms.

“Mm,” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “It’s not worth much now, but it will be someday.”

“Tell me, where did you find it? When I have time, I want to go dig for more too.”

In this era, the value of diamonds had yet to be discovered.

But that wouldn’t stop Feng Jiu’er from paying attention to them.

She thought she’d collect them carefully for now, and leave them for their descendants as treasures someday.

Passed down generation after generation, until eventually there would be people who could truly appreciate them.

Or perhaps, even in this current era, she could use these little stones to strike it rich.

Diamonds! She loved them, loved them so much!

Feng Jiu’er’s head was ruffled gently, and she lifted her gaze with a smile.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, take me—”

She didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence — the man sealed her pink lips with his own and lifted her into his arms once more.

He carried her, kicking open the door to the inner chamber.

The inner chamber’s door was closed from within, and from inside the room came the sound of a woman’s complaints.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, let go of me! I want to go out, I want to go dig for diamonds.”

“Never mind, I’m not going, I’m tired, I need to rest!”

“Hey! Don’t you dare, I’m going to sleep!”

“Wait… wait… don’t touch my ring, you can’t… hey…”