Page 340

Thus, the father and son spent an hour each day in the Kunning Palace courtyard.

Xiao Yan did not disdain his young son's age; while crafting woodwork, he would meticulously explain the intricacies to him. Xiao Lie, in turn, obediently sat by his father's side, accompanying him in his work.

Qi Zhen held Xiao Yu in her arms and peered through the latticed window at the pair. The father and son sat beneath a tree, their similar features displaying equal dedication and tranquility.

After observing for a while, the little one in Qi Zhen's arms began to fuss again.

She unbuttoned her robe, skillfully nursing her child while laughing. "You're the most impatient one."

Xiao Yu, with half-closed eyes as she nursed, heard her mother's words and immediately lifted her eyelids. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes gazed up at Qi Zhen.

Upon meeting her gaze, Qi Zhen's sternest heart melted, and she spoke gently, "It's alright, you're our Xiao family's little princess. It's fine to be a bit impatient. When you grow up, your Father Emperor will find you a prince consort with a gentle temperament just like his. If the prince consort's temper is bad, we'll ask your Father Emperor to replace him."

As Empress Qi spoke, on the borders of Jinan Prefecture, atop Floating Jade Mountain, a three-year-old boy carrying a longbow couldn't help but sneeze loudly.

His father, walking ahead, turned back and asked, "Is Little Suiguan tired?"

The young boy shook his head and replied coolly, "Not at all. I must pull back this bow today."

Gu Jun laughed heartily, squatted down, and hoisted his young son onto his shoulders. "Come on, let Father take you to practice archery."

On the day the little boy drew the longbow, Xiao Yan finally completed Xiao Yu's custom cradle.

That very night, Xiao Lie pushed the cradle, eager to try, as he said to Qi Zhen, "Empress Mother, let your sister sleep." His face was filled with anticipation.

Under Xiao Lie's expectant gaze, Qi Zhen gently placed Xiao Yu into the cradle, which was lined with a thin velvet blanket. The moment she was separated from her parents' arms, the infant, who would normally sob upon waking, opened her eyes. Just as she was about to cry, the cradle began to sway gently.

Xiao Lie raised his hands to rock the cradle, saying, "Sister, go to sleep."

Upon hearing her brother's words, Xiao Yu blinked, her lips relaxing, and she fell asleep once more.

Granny Gui carried the cradle out of the inner palace with great care.

Xiao Lie followed closely behind, muttering, "In the future, Zhaozhao will guard over Zhaozhao while she sleeps."

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhen couldn't help but share a smile with Xiao Yan.

She had been out of confinement for over two months, and Xiao Yu had been living in the Kunning Palace since the day she was born. Despite their amorous intentions, they had to restrain themselves in front of their daughter.

With great effort, the little princess had finally fallen asleep in her cradle and could be taken to the side palace. Qi Zhen hastily pulled Xiao Yan's hand and led him towards the bed.

No sooner had they tumbled onto the bed than they heard the sound of Aunt Gui's footsteps outside.

"Your Majesty, Empress, the little princess has woken up!"

Qi Zhen and Xiao Yan exchanged glances and laughed in unison.

Xiao Yan said, "Move the cradle onto the bed. Let Zhaozhao sleep with us."

The infant, who had been crying so hard in the wooden cradle, finally fell back asleep upon returning to the familiar bed, smelling the familiar scent and hearing familiar voices.

It wasn't until Xiao Yu's first birthday banquet that she was willing to move to the side palace, just like Xiao Lie.

Her constitution was weaker than that of ordinary children, and it took Xiao Yan and Qi Zhen four years to nurse her back to health.

As her body grew stronger day by day, Princess Ling Zhao transformed from a petulant crier into a beloved darling of the palace.

On New Year's Eve of Jiayou's sixth year, a young nobleman arrived at the palace.

The young lad appeared delicate and frail, with an air of sickness about him.

Despite meeting him for the first time, Xiao Yu felt an immense familiarity with him. She glanced at her elder brother Xiao Lie, then at the young lad, tilting her head as she laughed. "You resemble my imperial elder brother. Should Zhaozhao call you 'imperial elder brother' too?"

Being descendants of the Xiao family, they inevitably shared some resemblance in their features.

"Zhaozhao mustn't be disrespectful. This is Prince Yan, also our elder brother," Xiao Lie introduced Xiao Yan warmly. He was almost a year younger than Xiao Yan, so according to their family hierarchy, he indeed had to address Xiao Yan as his elder brother.

Xiao Yu readily called out, "Elder brother."

Ever since she was four, she had eagerly awaited the chance to become an older sister. Unfortunately, neither her father the emperor nor her mother the empress had granted her a younger sibling. Now, having gained an elder brother out of the blue, how could she not be delighted?

Her exquisite eyes sparkled with concealed joy.

Before entering the palace, Xiao Yan had been somewhat uneasy. However, after meeting Xiao Lie and Xiao Yu, his nerves eased, and his anxiety dissipated.

Recalling the words Age Official had spoken to him before his entry into the palace, Xiao Yan softly said, "Prince Yan has met Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Princess Ling Zhao."

This year, Jinan Prefecture had been plagued by an epidemic. Xiao Yan should have succumbed to it, but his imperial uncle sent people to Floating Jade Mountain to heal him.

The Imperial Uncle was well aware that Guardian Ni had hidden him on Floating Jade Mountain, but he had never entertained the thought of killing him; in fact, he had saved his life when he was on the brink of death.

It took him almost half a year on the mountain to fully recover.

After much deliberation between Guardian Ni and Uncle Gu, they decided to send him to the capital to meet the Imperial Uncle, accompanied by Suiguaner.

Upon entering the city gates, Guardian Ni went to take his punishment, leaving Uncle Gu and Suiguaner to escort him to Donghua Gate.

At that time, Suiguaner told him, "Since His Majesty has long known your whereabouts with Uncle Ni yet never attempted to apprehend you, he even saved your life. It's likely he will let you leave the palace unharmed. Father and I will wait for you outside, so we can return to Floating Jade Mountain together."

Xiao Yan comprehended that as long as he could leave the palace safely, he could live his life openly and honestly, no longer needing to hide or conceal his identity.

Uncle Gu also solemnly said to him, "The current emperor is benevolent and wise. Speak your mind and tell him the truth as it is."

Indeed, Xiao Yan spoke the truth, expressing his reluctance to assume the role of Xiao Yan. He declared his desire to remain as Ni Yan forever, to spend his entire life in Jinan Prefecture.

The people of Great Yin whispered that his birth father was an evil demon, feasting on the blood of innocent children.