“Daddy.”

“Big Daddy.”

Two tender voices echoed through the vast palace.

A small white figure and a pink one bounced joyfully as they ran inside.

The five-year-old young girl in pink nestled into Fan Zhi’s embrace, sweetly calling, “Daddy.”

The six-year-old boy with a milky complexion was lifted onto the dragon throne by Fan Zian.

Fan Zhi lovingly picked up the pink bundle, saying, “My little Qiujin!”

Fan Qiujin blossomed into joy in Fan Zhi’s arms, an affectionate sight for everyone.

Fan Zian patted the white bundle on the shoulder and said, “Xinwu, just look at how your Big Daddy loses it when he sees your younger sister; he can’t stop smiling.”

Su Xinwu, with a serious expression, replied, “I also think my younger sister is very cute. My daddy even said he wants to take Jin’er back home.”

Fans Zhi, not pleased and protective of his child, retorted, “Hey, your unreliable dad, I dare not let him have Qiujin, not even for a moment.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“What are you all chatting about, so happily?”

Dressed in elegant blue, exuding royal nobility, a handsome, mature man walked in.

Despite some wrinkles under his eyes, the man’s face remained pleasing, now in his forties.

“Imperial Uncle.”

Fan Zhi and Fan Zian greeted respectfully.

Fan Qiujin and Su Xinwu obediently called, “Grand Imperial Uncle.”

Shi Zhao inquired, “Is this man none other than Regent Fan Fuhuai?”

“Precisely, Fan Fuhuai is the Former Emperor’s Eleventh younger brother and the one absolutely loyal to the Former Emperor; that’s why he is still alive today.”

“Wouldn’t he be in his forties… maybe over fifty?”

Shuiyang rolled her eyes at Shi Zhao, “He’s only forty-seven, okay?”

Shi Zhao curled his lips, “He doesn’t look that old.”

Not wanting to continue talking to this fool, Shuiyang chose to stay silent.

Fan Fuhuai bowed to Fan Zian.

“Your Majesty, I salute you.”

“No need for formalities.”

Fan Fuhuai patted Fan Zhi’s shoulder, “You rascal, you still remember to come back, huh?”

Fan Zhi replied with greasy sweetness, “I missed you, so I came to see you.”

“Do I believe your smooth talk?”

Fan Fuhuai poked Fan Zhi’s forehead.

After the uncle and nephews had their conversation, Fan Fuhuai awkwardly approached Xu Shaoqing, fumbling with his hands, unsure of where to put them, and spoke hesitantly.

“Uh… Shaoqing, can… can we talk?”

Xu Shaoqing glared coldly at Fan Fuhuai, then turned and took leave of Fan Zian.

“Your Majesty, I will take my leave now.”

She slung her medical kit over her shoulder and strode out with determination.

Fan Fuhuai was left embarrassed and stuck, while Fan Zhi teased him.

“Imperial Uncle, aren’t you going to chase her?”

Fan Fuhuai pointed at Fan Zhi, wanting to scold him, but had no time, hurriedly rushing out after her.

Fan Zhi and Fan Zian exchanged a knowing smile.

Fan Zhi couldn’t help but jest, “Our future Imperial Aunt sure has quite the temper.”

Hearing this, Shi Zhao and Shuiyang’s eyes lit up simultaneously. They exchanged a sly glance and, with a swoosh of their sleeves, made their way to outside Changle Palace.

Fan Fuhuai caught up with the furious Xu Shaoqing.

“Shaoqing, Shaoqing, Xu Shaoqing!”

Fan Fuhuai called her name several times before Xu Shaoqing finally stopped.

Standing still without turning, and not moving an inch, Xu Shaoqing heard Fan Fuhuai sigh as he walked up to her.

“Are you angry?”

Fan Fuhuai asked softly.

Xu Shaoqing maintained a cold face, replying irritably, “No.”

Fan Fuhuai patiently explained, “I didn’t mean to leave without saying goodbye, it’s just…”

Xu Shaoqing looked up, staring straight at him, her tone agitated, “It’s just you didn’t want to see me? It’s just you didn’t want to say goodbye to me, right?”

“I…”

Fan Fuhuai was at a loss for words, unable to even explain. Seeing his silence, Xu Shaoqing’s heart turned cold, and she bitterly smiled, “It’s my foolish infatuation, my lack of self-awareness. I shouldn’t have aspired to be with the Regent. What am I to you? Just a commoner, not worthy of you, Regent!”

Xu Shaoqing shouted in anger, her eyes reddening as she turned to leave. Fan Fuhuai pulled her into his arms.

Witnessing this, Shuiyang and Shi Zhao were left gaping in astonishment.

“I’m sorry, I’m at fault. I just didn’t know how to talk to you. I’m afraid that if I see you, I won’t want to leave. Shaoqing, I’m already at an old age, but you’re still young! Your whole life shouldn’t be ruined by being with me…”

Xu Shaoqing pushed Fan Fuhuai away and shouted angrily, “Fan Fuhuai, can’t you be a man? I, Xu Shaoqing, am not afraid of anything, so what are you afraid of? I’m not asking for anything. I’m ready to give my whole life to you. Do you want it or not, Fan Fuhuai?”

Fan Fuhuai hesitated.

“Shaoqing, I…”

Xu Shaoqing, both angry and ashamed, grabbed Fan Fuhuai by the collar and demanded, “Fan Fuhuai, what exactly are you afraid of?”

Fan Fuhuai couldn’t answer. His thoughts were scattered, and his heart was uneasy.

Xu Shaoqing didn’t care about any of that. She kissed Fan Fuhuai fiercely, with a mix of passion and defiance.

Shi Zhao immediately covered Shuiyang’s eyes, but she kept trying to peek, pushing his hands away.

Fan Fuhuai’s mind went blank, and his chaotic thoughts were instantly replaced by the rapid beating of his heart.

Xu Shaoqing bit down hard on Fan Fuhuai’s lips. The pain snapped him back to reality as Xu Shaoqing walked away angrily.

Fan Fuhuai touched his bleeding lip and watched Xu Shaoqing’s proud figure disappear in the distance, and then he began to laugh.

Shuiyang and Shi Zhao circled around Fan Fuhuai, scrutinizing him like a rare treasure. Fan Fuhuai’s foolish grin made the two deities facepalm repeatedly.

“Why are you so happy after being bitten?”

Shuiyang asked, almost exasperated.

“Let’s go.”

Shi Zhao grabbed Shuiyang and they disappeared with a whoosh.

Three days later, at the Imperial Palace.

At Fengyang Gate, an armored general with a broad build and a long sword was blocking the path of two men and a woman.

One man, dressed in blue with a turquoise forehead band, tried to reason with the general, “General, please let us through. We are here to find our Little junior sister, He Wanyu. She took on the task from the Imperial Notice a few days ago to treat His Majesty. You surely know her. Even if you don’t, you must have heard of her. Please let us in to look for her?”

“Absolutely not! The Imperial Palace is not a place for petty individuals to trespass. Leave now! If you persist, don’t blame me for using force to drive you out!”

The armored general stood his ground, his tone carrying a clear threat.

The man was at his wit’s end and turned back to look at the Man in White standing behind him. The Man in White, with a black sword mark on his forehead, raised his deep eyes and pulled the man in the blue robe aside.

“Qing’an.”

He stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the armored general.

“General, we do not intend to force our way in. We simply wish to see our Little junior sister. We will wait right here. Please inform her or convey this token to her.”

The man handed a sword tassel with cloud patterns to the armored general. The general glanced at the man and asked sternly, “What is your name?”

The man replied, “I am He Shiwen. This is my Second Junior brother, He Qing’an, and my Third junior sister, He Yi.”

He Yi gracefully curtsied to the armored general.

However, the armored general said, “I’m sorry, but the person you seek is not here. The three of you should leave.”

With that, he turned to leave. He Shiwen couldn’t wait any longer and gathered his internal energy, striking with his palm. He Qing’an opened his fan and joined the attack, while He Yi took swift, decisive steps into the fray.

At that moment, He Wanyu was in Changle Palace treating Fan Zian. A palace attendant came to report that someone claiming to be the Sage Doctor He’s Senior brothers and Sister was forcing their way into Fengyang Gate.

Hearing this, He Wanyu’s face changed. She immediately left Fan Zian and ran out. Everyone in Changle Palace was stunned, except for Fan Zian, who began to smile.

Just as He Wanyu exited the palace gate, she brushed past Fan Zhi. Sensing something unusual, he turned to look but saw only a pink figure quickly receding into the distance. After a moment of thought, he decided to follow.

At Fengyang Gate.

The trio was clearly no match for the armored general and were surrounded by soldiers. The armored general approached He Shiwen with his long sword pointed at him. At that critical moment, a sudden, sharp surge of killing intent swept by. A young woman in pink appeared, catching the sword blade between two fingers. The armored general felt a violent shake in his arm, and with a light twist from the woman, the sword snapped with a “crack.”

“Wanyu! Wanyu!” He Yi and He Qing’an exclaimed in joy upon seeing He Wanyu.

He Wanyu glared coldly at the armored general and spoke in a low voice, “If you point that sword at them again, I guarantee that the next second, your blood will splatter on the ground!”

Fan Zhi, who had hurried over, took in the entire scene. The woman’s explosive internal energy and her protective demeanor struck him, reminding him intensely of someone because she, too, had a penchant for shielding her loved ones.

Fan Zhi was momentarily dazed until one of the soldiers spotted him.

“Greetings, Prince Yan Xuan!”

One person called out, and the rest followed.

“Greetings, Prince Yan Xuan!”

The armored general still hadn’t recovered from the terrifying pressure exerted by the young woman, with cold sweat trickling down his temples.

Fan Zhi snapped out of it and walked over, pulling the armored general behind him. He gave He Wanyu a slight smile.

“Apologies, Miss He. General Ren was merely performing his duty; he meant no harm. Please…”

Before Fan Zhi could finish, He Wanyu had already moved to his side, sending a shiver down his spine.

He Wanyu’s solemn voice pierced Fan Zhi’s ears.

“Control your men. If this happens again, I won’t mind helping you manage them.”

Fan Zhi had no response as He Wanyu quickly returned to He Shiwen’s side, her demeanor instantly becoming sweet and endearing.

“Shiwen~”

He Wanyu pouted at He Shiwen, who kept a stern face and was about to leave, pulling her along.

Fan Zhi executed the world’s top lightness skill, “Crane Riding,” and silently appeared before the four of them, raising a hand to stop them.

“Young Master He, your Junior sister is currently the sage doctor appointed by His Majesty. The Emperor is still unwell. Why don’t you stay in the palace for a while?”

“No,” He Shiwen flatly refused.

But He Wanyu shook He Shiwen’s hand.

“Shiwen, I want to stay.”

“Wanyu!”

He Qing’an and He Yi tried to persuade her, but He Shiwen remained silent, his expression growing even darker.

He Shiwen let go of He Wanyu’s hand and silently walked towards the Imperial Palace.

“Shiwen.”

He Qing’an, knowing He Shiwen was angry and considering scolding He Wanyu but unable to bear it, hurriedly followed after him.

He Wanyu lowered her head. He Yi took He Wanyu’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”

“Yiyi~” He Wanyu pouted, looking aggrieved.

He Yi poked He Wanyu’s forehead, and Wanyu clung to He Yi’s arm, pouting.

He Yi sighed, “You really did it this time. Eldest Senior brother is genuinely angry.”

He Wanyu didn’t dare say a word as she was quietly led into Fengyang Gate by He Yi.

In the heavens, two shabby Deities watched the entire drama unfold at the palace gates.

Shi Zhao remarked, “That little girl’s martial arts aren’t bad. What’s that technique called?”

Shuiyang stayed silent, staring blankly in the direction of the palace gates.

Shi Zhao nudged her, “Hey, what are you spacing out for? I’m talking to you.”

Shuiyang turned her head and looked at Shi Zhao seriously. Thinking she was angry, Shi Zhao hurriedly apologized, “I didn’t mean it.”

But Shuiyang’s eyes were resolute. “That person’s soul is definitely not their own.”

“Huh?” Shi Zhao was bewildered.

At the imperial hospital.

He Wanyu tried to appease He Shiwen the entire way, but he remained unresponsive, with not even a hint of a smile.

He Wanyu knew she had really caused trouble this time. She sought help from He Yi and He Qing’an, but surprisingly, they refused to help her this time.

He Wanyu pouted, shut her mouth, and stood quietly by He Shiwen’s side.

He Shiwen spoke in a low voice, “Why did you come to the Imperial Palace?”

He Wanyu obediently replied, “The Emperor is gravely ill. I came to save him.”

“Do you always like meddling in other people’s affairs?”

He Wanyu defended herself, “No, I didn’t want to interfere, but I found out that the Emperor’s illness could only be cured by me. You know my condition well; he’s a good Emperor. I couldn’t just let him die, right?”

Seeing that He Shiwen was about to lose his temper, He Qing’an took the initiative and shouted, “Wanyu! But you shouldn’t have left without a word. Do you know how worried we were? Especially Eldest Senior brother, he was nearly going insane looking for you. Now, apologize to him!”

He Qing’an gave He Wanyu a meaningful look, and Wanyu understood immediately. She knelt down, tears welling up in her eyes, and sobbed as she apologized to He Shiwen.

“Shiwen, I was wrong. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have snuck out quietly and made you worry. I was wrong. I’m sorry…”

As she spoke, her tears fell like pearls. In the end, He Shiwen’s heart softened; he couldn’t bear to scold her. Gently, he helped her up. “Stand up, don’t kneel.”

“Shiwen~” He Wanyu’s tearful face was heart-wrenching, and He Shiwen couldn’t bear to reprimand her, so he turned to glare at He Qing’an instead.

“And you, always shielding her, you’ll spoil her completely one day.”

He Yi laughed, “Shiwen, it looks like you’re the one who spoils our Junior sister the most.”

“Exactly,” He Qing’an agreed.

He Shiwen lifted He Wanyu’s sleeve, and his heart ached at the sight of her bandaged arm.

“I knew it. Have you told anyone about your identity as a medicinal person?”

He Wanyu shook her head, “No, I haven’t told anyone. They all think the Emperor’s medicine these past days was mixed with chicken blood.”

“Yu Er, come here and let me see!”

He Yi pulled He Wanyu over and unwrapped her bandages, revealing arms covered in fresh, unhealed cuts. Tears streamed down He Yi’s face uncontrollably.

“Wanyu…”

He Qing’an frowned, deeply distressed, and grabbed He Wanyu, attempting to leave.

“No more of this. We’re not treating any dog Emperor. Let’s go, I’m taking you out of here.”

“Qing’an…”

He Wanyu was about to say something when a woman’s voice came from outside the door.

“Miss He!”

The four looked at each other, and finally, He Wanyu decided to step out.

The other three, unable to convince her otherwise, followed.

Opening the door, He Wanyu saw two women.

One was dressed in an elegant, azure-blue phoenix robe, exuding nobility. There was no doubt—this was the Empress of Long Xia Kingdom, Ning Zhirou.

The other woman wore simple, plain white garments. Her face was petite and refined, with a fresh and simple demeanor.

For a moment, He Wanyu felt dazed. They seemed to have changed, yet remained the same.

But she had truly changed, and they no longer recognized her.

He Wanyu came to her senses to find He Shiwen and the other two already standing protectively in front of her.

He Shiwen respectfully spoke, “You must be the Empress. I am He Shiwen, an ordinary citizen and Senior brother to Wanyu. This is my Second Junior brother, He Qing’an, and Third junior sister, He Yi. We pay our respects to the Empress.”

Ning Zhirou hurriedly helped He Shiwen up, “Young Master He, there’s no need for formalities. This is Bai Tan. We came upon hearing about the matters concerning Fengyang Gate. My apologies for any disturbance. Those involved have been punished. From today on, the four of you can come and go freely in the palace without restriction.”

“Thanks.”

“Bai Tan! You must be the Gracejade Sage Doctor, wife of the Cold Sparrow Sword Master, Yuexia Yu Shu?”

He Yi exclaimed in surprise.

Bai Tan nodded humbly, “Yes, that’s me.”

Still upset about He Wanyu’s injuries, He Qing’an grumbled, “With such a great doctor here, it looks like my Little junior sister isn’t needed anymore. Little junior sister, let’s go.” He grabbed He Wanyu, trying to leave, but Ning Zhirou and Bai Tan anxiously stepped in to stop him. However, He Qing’an couldn’t budge He Wanyu.

“Wanyu!” He Qing’an said in frustration.

He Wanyu gently released herself from He Qing’an’s grip and walked towards Ning Zhirou. “I understand Your concerns. Rest assured, I will heal the Emperor before I leave. I keep my promises.”

Ning Zhirou, trusting her words, bowed sincerely, disregarding her status as Empress. “Thank you, Miss He. I bow not as the Empress, but as Zian’s wife.”

At Xiandu Palace, two figures, one clad in purple and the other in black, walked effortlessly into the palace.

“Fan Zhi!”

Before his eyes could see the visitors, Fan Zhi recognized the voice of Yuexia Yu Shu.

“The Great Hall of the Imperial Palace demands silence!” Fan Zhi said, putting on a regal demeanor.

Yuexia Yu Shu and the man in purple exchanged amused glances.

The man in purple teased, “Today, I witnessed a scene in front of Fengyang Gate. That young lady was indeed impressive.”

Fan Zhi, uninterested, replied, “You stood by without lending a hand, just watching me get bullied?”

“If it had been a rude, burly man, maybe I would have intervened. But since it was a young lady, it would be inappropriate for me to interfere, right?”

Yuexia Yu Shu was bewildered. “What young lady? Hey, you two better not be doing anything that would wrong Chu Yue. Otherwise, even Tan’er would come after you.”

Fan Zhi and the man in purple ignored Yuexia Yu Shu’s outburst and continued their conversation.

“Fengyao, what do you think of that girl’s martial arts?”

Su Fengyao furrowed his brows, pondering. “That’s the strange part. Even I couldn’t discern what kind of martial arts she practices. Very unusual.”

“Her internal energy is profound, but she appears to be no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. It’s impossible for her skills to surpass ours.”

Yuexia Yu Shu grew increasingly anxious, as he couldn’t follow their conversation.

“Hey! What are you two talking about?”

Su Fengyao and Fan Zhi exchanged a knowing smile, then conspicuously fell silent.

Yuexia Yu Shu became even more agitated, relentlessly questioning them.