Chapter 1: The Sweetness of a Family of Four

Chapter 1: The Sweetness of a Family of Four

Ten years later.

It was the height of spring. A brisk breeze blew, insects and birds chirped softly, and wisps of gentle sunlight illuminated the Imperial Garden, making the delicate flowers appear even more sacred and beautiful. Beside the clear Jingming Lake, green waters rippled with the waves. With weeping willows and painted bridges, it was a truly captivating scene.

"Truly, the scenery of Jiangnan is beautiful, and to meet you again in the season of falling flowers is a joy." A man stood by the edge of Jingming Lake, his white hair fluttering in the wind like willow silk. His handsome face still retained the elegance of his youth. "This view before my eyes is by no means inferior to Jiangnan."

The woman beside him curled her lips slightly, habitually leaning against his shoulder. "With a clear mind, everywhere is a beautiful view. Xiao, you seem to be in a good mood."

He turned slightly, instinctively pulling her into his arms. "Of course!" With his beloved in his arms, the nation at peace, and his children surrounding him, what else could there be to worry about?

Jun Yuyin raised her willow-leaf eyebrows and looked at the two of them, her pink lips slightly parted. "Daddy, Mommy, that's why you shouldn't always stay in the Imperial Study. You should come out and walk more often." Jun Yuyin’s brows rose slightly, her youthful, cute face overflowing with the purest smile. Dressed in a pink silk skirt that accentuated her delicate, graceful figure, a pair of exquisite coral hairpins swayed on her head, with two strands of hair falling over her chest. She was so noble and elegant that anyone who saw her couldn't help but feel a surge of affection.

"Yin'er is right. Daddy will definitely listen to Yin'er from now on." Jun Moxiao looked at Jun Yuyin with doting affection; in his eyes, there was nothing left but tenderness.

Xia Zibing said nothing, merely shaking her head silently. This man had nothing but his daughter in his eyes and heart; she had truly been spoiled beyond all reason.

"Mm!" Jun Yuyin nodded as if used to it, though her face maintained its consistent smile. "According to ancient medical texts, prolonged sitting causes the blood and qi throughout the body to become stagnant..." Following this, a long lecture on medical theory poured out of her. At thirteen, her head was filled almost entirely with medical knowledge. Whenever something related to medicine was mentioned, she could never help but talk incessantly. And this was precisely Jun Moxiao's biggest headache. He had no interest in medicine—absolutely none.

"Yin'er..." Jun Moxiao called out helplessly. He admired the child; the things she understood at thirteen sometimes even made her mother find it unbelievable.

"Ah? Daddy? What is it?" Jun Yuyin pulled her thoughts back and quickly looked up at Jun Moxiao.

"It's nothing!" Jun Moxiao curled his lip helplessly.

"Oh!" Jun Yuyin looked thoughtful, about to speak again, when suddenly her body felt light...

"Ah!!"

A figure, swift as lightning, swept Jun Yuyin into the sky. By the time she reacted, she was no longer on the ground.

"Hahaha..."

A man in black held Jun Yuyin in his arms with wild abandon, flying recklessly through the sky above the Imperial Study. It seemed as though he was intentionally playing with her. His laughter was equally wild and unrestrained.

"Presumptuous! Who dares to be so bold!" Jun Moxiao's expression suddenly darkened with rage. With a light tap of his toes, he soared into the air. Seeing Jun Yuyin's frightened expression, his heart ached instantly.

Xia Zibing leaned leisurely against a willow tree, arms crossed over her chest, watching the scene in silence.

Seeing Jun Moxiao approaching, the man in black was startled at first, but then he put even more effort into dodging. He was clearly having more fun than before. It took about half a cup of tea's time before Jun Moxiao finally pulled the man in black down. After placing his precious daughter safely on the ground, he stared intensely at the man in black and tore off his mask.

A jade-like face was revealed, which was an exact replica of Jun Moxiao in his youth. However, compared to Jun Moxiao, this face possessed more vitality and less gloom. It was the face of a youth full of vigor, mischievous and playful, without a trace of sorrow.

"You brat!"

Upon seeing the man's true face, Jun Moxiao could no longer restrain himself. He raised his hand, ready to strike down in fury. This boy always made it impossible for him to remain calm.

"Dad... I was wrong, I was wrong..." Jun Yuling lowered his head and closed his eyes, one hand shielding his head as pleas for mercy followed. "Don't, if you hit me, you won't have a son anymore."

Jun Moxiao's angry eyes stilled for a moment. He narrowed his eyes, looking at Jun Yuling playfully. "Is that so?" His gaze suddenly sharpened. "I have a daughter; what use do I have for a brat like you?"

Now it was Jun Yuling's turn to be indignant. He stopped shielding himself and looked at Jun Moxiao righteously. "It was Yin'yin herself who said that once my lightness skills were perfected, I must take her for a few flying laps. Why are you blaming me, Daddy?"

Jun Moxiao's eyes flickered, and he withdrew his angry hand. He glanced at Jun Yuling before looking back at Jun Yuyin, his gaze softening instantly. "Yin'er, is that true?"

Jun Yuyin was still standing there, trembling from the shock, and said nothing. She had loved medicine since she was small and had never cared for martial arts. Nor had Jun Moxiao ever required her to learn them. Consequently, she had never experienced lightness skills before.

"Look at what you've done to frighten your sister! Even if it was as you said, why the need for such an outfit?" He shot a resentful glance at Jun Yuling before turning to gently pat Jun Yuyin's shoulder to comfort her.

Jun Yuling's gaze turned slightly cold as he swept over the scene, rolling his eyes helplessly. "Little girls are just too easily startled." He turned back to look at Jun Moxiao with a fawning expression. "Daddy doesn't know, Yin'yin just lacks exercise. Actually, I originally wanted to test her courage. Daddy, I did this for Yin'yin's own good. If..."

"Enough!"

Unbekوى, Jun Moxiao's hand suddenly rose. In the next second, he was about to deliver a slap.

Only then did Jun Yuling shut his mouth.

Xia Zibing, who had been resting with her eyes closed under the willows, felt her gaze tremble slightly, and a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.

"Alright," Xia Zibing's calm voice drifted over. She opened her eyes slightly and stepped forward gracefully. "Ling'er, seeing how much your father dotes on that precious daughter of his, what are you still competing for? Are you looking for a beating?"

"Bing'er..." Jun Moxiao was dissatisfied. "This matter was originally..."

"Yes, yes, yes, it was originally Ling'er's fault. He frightened your precious daughter." Xia Zibing raised her hand to signal a pause. "Ling'er shouldn't have practiced so hard just to make his sister happy. And Ling'er certainly shouldn't have prepared so meticulously to give his sister a surprise."

"This..." Jun Moxiao looked panicked, suddenly feeling that Xia Zibing's words were being a bit unfair to Jun Yuling.

Jun Yuyin huddled in Jun Moxiao's arms, avoiding the situation entirely. She didn't say a single word. She had indeed been frightened just now, but it was truly thrilling. She didn't blame Jun Yuling. However, if she spoke up now, her father would be left without any support. She absolutely could not do that.

"Mother still loves Ling'er the most!" Jun Yuling's previously dark face instantly brightened into a smile. "Daddy is just biased!"

"Presumptuous!" Jun Moxiao suddenly felt his dignity was being challenged. He raised his eyebrows and stood with his hands behind his back, exuding the unique authority of a strict father. "Regardless, you did this while your sister was unprepared. You were in the wrong." He gave Jun Yuling a flat look and said displeasedly, "Go. Copy the *Art of War* one hundred times. You are not to step foot out of the palace gates until it is finished."

"One hundred times?" Jun Yuling's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Forget one hundred times—he found that thing annoying just looking at it once.

"No, two hundred times," Jun Moxiao added calmly.

"Dad..." Terror filled Jun Yuling's eyes, signaling that this was unacceptable. "Yin'yin, Yin'yin, you can't treat your brother like this." He pulled Jun Yuyin to his side indignantly. "Sister, please persuade Daddy. I beg you."

Jun Yuyin looked longingly at Jun Moxiao, then at Jun Yuling, and gave an awkward smile. "Actually, Brother, the *Art of War* is quite interesting. Yes, I believe that once you have copied it two hundred times, you will surely have a great epiphany."

Xia Zibing rolled her eyes helplessly but said nothing.

"You..." He never expected this little girl to be so heartless. "I treat you so well every day, how could you?"

"Exactly, this is precisely an expression of my love for you, Brother. Don't you see? You are usually so much of a playboy that even the Grand Tutor is a bit afraid of you. If you don't work hard, how can you shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the state?" She smiled innocently, biting her pink lip slightly in triumph.

"Jun Yuyin!" Jun Yuling was furious. "I'll remember this!"

"It's a good thing if you remember me, Brother. I'm just afraid you'll forget. Hehe..." Jun Yuyin smiled innocently and stuck out her tongue, looking utterly provocative.

"Hmph!"

Jun Yuling glanced back at Xia Zibing, and seeing that even his mother remained unmoved, he turned to leave in resignation. He had to go back and miserably copy that annoying *Art of War*. Thinking about it, his old man's way of punishing people was truly unique—he always chose exactly what he hated. Damn it, wasn't he just wearing a night suit to spar with his father's lightness skills? If he had known his father was this ruthless, he never would have taken the risk.

The next day, on the streets of the Eastern Capital. A man in elegant silk clothes held a jade fan. Two strands of hair fell over his shoulders. He appeared on the street with a dashing, romantic air. Behind him followed a man dressed in grey and white checkered cloth.

"Too much! That little girl is too much!"

With a *snap*, the fan opened, displaying his master's current dissatisfaction.

"Too..."

The man behind him was about to speak when Jun Yuling's fan snapped shut like lightning, tapping him on the head.

"Too what? It's Young Master!" He looked at Ye with disappointment, as if wishing the man were more disciplined.

"Yes, yes, Young Master," Ye corrected, rubbing his head.

Only then did Jun Yuling continue walking, grumbling as he went. "Just how wicked is that little girl? She didn't plead for me in front of Father at all. She made me think I'd really be up all night copying that damn military manual. Then in the middle of the night, she runs to tell me she pleaded for me and that Father said I don't have to copy it anymore. Ye, tell me, isn't that girl intentionally messing with me?"

"Young Master, I believe..." He was about to mention the word "Princess, but after thinking for a moment, he suddenly stopped and looked around. "I believe..."

"Believe what? Speak up!" Jun Yuling glared at Ye in dissatisfaction.

"I have said it; Young Master must not blame this lowly one." Ye looked at Jun Yuling cautiously.