Chapter 1

No, no, I have heard that he is an illegitimate child, and his mother is a lowly citizen of Nanlin, which is why he has an unremarkable appearance. People with such looks have rarely been seen in Nanlin.

Xiao Yuanxia has a gentle disposition and lacks assertiveness, and with her mind not fully engaged, it is uncertain whether she can manage a group of veteran officials. Xiao Jinfeng is extremely astute; she harbors ambitions for the throne, yet it remains to be seen how capable she is in governing the country

Of course I know. She leaned close to his ear and said: "When a man and a woman share a room, the harmony of yin and yang, the blending of heaven and earth, varies from person to person. It takes at least one day, and at most three days, to completely conclude. I see that Fifth Brother is the foremost talent in the south, so it may take seven or eight days to finish. Therefore, Anu is also quite cautious..."

Upon seeing this, Princess Dafei's expression was inscrutable. After returning to her seat, she remained silent.

Fifth Brother, do not underestimate yourself. At the age of sixteen, you have already written military strategies for Nanlin. Now, the generals at the border, the Xu family, regard the first volume of "Changmu Military Strategy" as a treasure, reading it three times a day. Even in the palace, they keep the second volume of "Changmu Military Strategy," and everyone knows you are the greatest talent of Nanlin, referred to as the Longmu of Nanlin. Anu truly does not know if there is anyone in the world who can compare to my Fifth Brother. She was immensely proud and, with a smile, snatched the handkerchief from his hand to help wipe the sweet juice from the fruits off his long fingers. She tilted her head to look at him, gently touched the tear mole at the corner of his eye, and softly said: "As for appearance, in Anu's heart, Fifth Brother is already very good. Really, Anu likes Fifth Brother just the way he is, likes Fifth Brother's tear mole. Even if you never come of age, Anu is willing to stay by Fifth Brother's side, to be Fifth Brother's eyes and hands.

Do you think I am really good

Xiao Yuanxia's fist was tightly clenched

The king gazed for a long time, then smiled at his sons and daughters on both sides

As soon as he opened his mouth near the emperor's lips, he saw a pair of fiery light beauties glaring at him with a fierce killing intent. He was momentarily stunned, then raised his eyebrows to look at Xu Changmu, whose appearance was so plain that it was hard to remember. The Grand Princess of the Phoenix, sitting beside him, chuckled.

"Fifth brother, is it delicious?" she asked

You may eat as you wish. His Majesty has only bestowed this upon you.

"Yes." Da Feng and Xiao Yuanxia replied in unison. The latter glanced over at the pair of siblings, unable to suppress a grimace. Siblings, is it really necessary to be so affectionate in this fierce wind? Does she not understand the situation?

Indeed, there is no one in this world who is perfect. Xu Wuchang is renowned for his talent and intelligence in the capital, but unfortunately, his appearance is flawed. Such a countenance, akin to that of a lowly person from the south, truly makes it difficult to secure a good marriage. Father, why not act as a matchmaker for Young Master Xu? This would also allow General Xu to rest easy as he returns to the frontier, wouldn't it? General Xu?

Nan Lin, the emperor, was taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly and took a bite. "Why is everything you give so delicious?"

The Emperor of the South cast a glance at him, laughed heartily, and shifted the topic in accordance with his suggestion

"Fifth Brother, if you truly wish to have a coming-of-age ceremony... then Anu can also assist you." She reluctantly said, hoping in her heart that he would be well for the rest of his life

Xu Liefeng, filled with rage, replied loudly: "Who says that all the people from Nanlin love beauty? I certainly do not..."

Have you undergone your coming-of-age ceremony

"It's quite sweet," he said flatly. "Anu, my vision is merely blurred, but it's not to the extent that I cannot see. I can manage on my own."

He squinted as he scrutinized Xu Wu, who was half obscured by shadows in the car

Xiao Yuanxia noticed the tension on her face and quickly held her back, simultaneously preventing Xu Changmu from getting out of the car. "It's just a small matter, the Fifth Young Master is not in a position to get out, there is no need to do so, is there? Your Excellency?"

Who taught his father to be so obsessed with saving every penny, causing the Xu family army at the border to suffer greatly, with all the savings stuffed into his own pockets? Yet, his father sternly forbids her from speaking out, otherwise, she would have long exposed the secrets of the Yu family

He finds it amusing and thinks that having a little loyal dog of his own is not a bad idea either

His Majesty Nanlin let out a gentle hum and smiled affectionately at Xu Liefeng

A small loyal dog obediently and attentively supports a person

As the palace banquet came to an end, she slowly walked to the palace gate, supporting Xu Wu along the way. In fact, Wu Ge was capable of walking on his own, but she simply wanted to assist him, as it made her feel like an indispensable sister to him

It seems that after becoming his eyes and hands, the bond of brotherhood between the two of them can be firmly tied together. In fact, everything she does for him now is no different from that of a maid; does she not realize this?

Xu Liefeng immediately glared fiercely in that direction

"Haha, how could I possibly be angry with you?" He embraced her, allowing Xu Wu to stand alone in the center of the hall, and took a grape to feed it into her rosy little mouth

Indeed. Lord Li was well aware of the significance of the Xu family to the southern territories, and he understood that the young Xu Wu before him was merely a youth. Thus, he composed the renowned "Longing for Military Strategies." The privileged youths, however, were dismissive in their hearts, as they stood outside the center of power and were completely unaware of the events unfolding within.

Since she was five years old, she discovered through some small matters that she could draw closer to others by helping them. From then on, she worked hard to become his eyes and hands

Her words were like pearls, resonating with clarity. What was originally a lively palace banquet after the New Year has now turned silent, with no one daring to speak further

What is so funny? What is so funny! This is her fifth brother, not their fifth brother, as long as she doesn't mind! Moreover, her fifth brother is not unattractive; he just appears slightly ordinary among most of the people from Nanlin, yet they dare to laugh at him! ... She shot a resentful glance at them, mentally noting down the names of those laughing women, surnamed Luo, surnamed Fang ...! ... She will never forget them in her lifetime! She shot a resentful glance at them again, mentally noting down the names of those laughing women, surnamed Luo, surnamed Fang ...! ... She will never forget them in her lifetime!

She turned around and exclaimed: "Xiao Yuanxia!"

Xiao Yuanxia is only one year younger than the Fifth Brother, and they are quite friendly with each other. Since her childhood, she has been summoned by His Majesty from time to time, and as a result, she often has the opportunity to see the Grand Princess of the Great Phoenix and Prince Xia by His Majesty's side

Their speed was slower, and the officials gradually boarded their carriages and left. Now, only the Xu family's carriage remained parked outside the palace gate. She helped her fifth brother onto the carriage and heard him say softly inside:

It is unclear who started shouting: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Xiao Yuanxia had not yet changed out of her palace attire, having hurriedly appeared from the night. He smiled at her with raised eyebrows and said

Are your eyes so impaired that you require assistance? Why not seek a maidservant?

His Majesty responded with a sound and said

Who mentioned the coming-of-age ceremony to you

Xu Changmu replied calmly: "In the residence, everyone manages their own affairs. However, today is Your Majesty's grand invitation to the palace banquet, and it is not permissible for the maidservants to offend at the banquet, which is why I sought Xu Liu's assistance."

It is precisely the commoner Xu Wuchang who yearns.

"Fifth Brother, Anu is a bit sleepy." She covered her yawn, pulling his hands to her abdomen, and nestled softly in his embrace. "I want to take a nap."

"What should I be careful of?" He became expressionless

However, she knows that when Fifth Brother encounters things he is reluctant to do but must, his hands are always cold and rely on her to keep them warm by rubbing them... When will Fifth Brother help her keep warm by rubbing her hands...

"Fifth Brother, His Majesty has asked me to come over for a moment." Seeing him nod, she turned back with each step, ensuring that Fifth Brother would not fall or anything of the sort

He gently touched her earlobe and smiled nonchalantly, pretending that nothing had happened

You should come up quickly, the wind is strong, let's leave first. Father has been kept by His Majesty, most likely to discuss matters concerning the border. His Majesty will grant a sedan chair to send Father back to the residence.

The elderly father-in-law chuckled and said

Princess Daring smiled and said, "Father, although I and Brother Xia are born of different mothers, our sibling bond is no less deep than that of Xu Wu and his younger sister."

Thank you for your gracious favor, Your Majesty, Xu Wu said in the carriage

"Free to love? Little Lie Feng actually understands this. Xu Wu has truly guided you quite a bit." Nan Ling's laughter was unceasing. "And what about Little Lie Feng? Do you also wish to love freely? How can that be? I have been pondering for years about which talent in Nan Ling is worthy of you; at the very least, it should be the most powerful person in Nan Ling who is worthy of you..."

"Oh, I trust you..." Trust what? It's the same as saying nothing. Xu Liefeng was puzzled and, seeing his embarrassed expression, could only say: "Then I will get in the car first"

Ah Nu... at this moment, I truly wish to take a close look at the appearance of your little loyal dog.

Xiao Yuanxia, I have a matter to ask you

Indeed, I am also very curious, Xu Wuchangmu, how did you come to write this "Changmu Military Strategy"

She was quite pleased with herself. "It was all taught to me by my fifth brother! He is a genius of Nanlin, and everyone calls him Nanlin Changmu. Your Majesty, not only do I have my fifth brother, but I also have four older siblings above me, all of whom are currently guarding the Nanlin territory for Your Majesty at the border. No matter how many palace banquets Your Majesty wishes to hold, or if there comes a day when you no longer attend morning court, the Xu family will still be Your Majesty's hands and feet, continuing to protect Nanlin. The loyalty of the Xu family is as evident as the sun and moon. If Your Majesty were to discriminate against my fifth brother because of my second mother's status, it would be an irreparable loss for Nanlin." The loyalty of the Xu family is as evident as the sun and moon. If Your Majesty were to discriminate against my fifth brother because of my second mother's status, it would be an irreparable loss for Nanlin.

Xu Liu!" Xu Changmu whispered.

He responded ambiguously, standing against the wind with his back to her

Xu Changmu choked for a moment, then calmly said: "Anu, do you... know what a coming-of-age ceremony is for?"

Xu Liefeng was truly afraid that her father would agree just like that, so she quickly interrupted his words and retorted to Princess Dafeng:

Your fifth brother has been standing there for a while and must be tired; please help him back to sit down.

"The person is right there and won't run away." His Majesty Nanlin extended his hand, pulling her into his embrace, and said with a smile: "Let me see whether the little fierce wind, whom I haven't seen for a long time, has gained weight or lost weight?"

She wants to argue that she is not lazy; rather, she has not been sleeping well. There are noises and smells everywhere that disturb her sleep, causing her to wake up as soon as she dozes off. However, no one has ever asked her about it, not even her fifth brother, who sometimes shares the same bed with her.

So devotedly for her so-called Fifth Brother... She thought that by making him unable to do without her, he would come to like her. It is truly regrettable; in fact, whether she is there or not makes no difference to him. In this world, there is no such thing as someone being indispensable to another.

The little one in his arms rubbed against the back of his hand, and he looked down with a smile. The little dog he raised had quite sharp teeth, and it was actually starting to gnaw on his hand. Was she dreaming of eating in her sleep? That makes sense; during the palace banquet, she was busy serving him and hardly touched her own food with her chopsticks.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanxia instinctively looked towards his father, the emperor. The most powerful person, could it be... He felt a slight chill in his heart and subtly gestured again to Xu Liefeng.

He gritted his teeth. Where in the south are there any ugly monsters? Are you really looking for your ugly fifth brother? He truly wanted to say this, but he knew very well that she was very close to Xu Wu. If he dared to mock her like this, it would mean a complete break with her.

What is there to be concerned about? Xu Liefeng was just about to respond, and she was actually looking forward to it! This emperor is being overly meddlesome!

Like me?

Minister ... ... General Xu stood up from the seat at that end

She glared at His Majesty again, preparing to retort as soon as he opened his mouth to laugh

Xu Liefeng smiled and said: "Of course. It is even more delicious than what Your Majesty has given me"

"Long Mu's oral account, written by Xu Liu"

Xiao Yuanxia gave her a glance, signaling her to appease His Majesty. She was completely bewildered and softly asked, "Is Your Majesty angry?"

The two of them have always had a tacit understanding. When she shifted her gaze slightly, a hint of surprise crossed her face, yet she still responded in accordance with Xiao Yuanxia's subtle suggestion

The Emperor glanced deeply at him, seemingly smiling yet not quite, and said:

I humbly beseech Your Majesty to forgive her, as Xu Liu is still too young and lacks understanding of propriety. Perhaps it is due to the excessive indulgence from the Xu family. If Your Majesty is displeased, Xu Wu will certainly instruct her in accordance with Your Majesty's wishes

Xiao Yuanxia was looking at her, and she immediately broke into a radiant smile. Xiao Yuanxia coughed lightly while covering his mouth; although he could not see her features clearly, he knew she was smiling directly at him. The thought of her usual cheerful smile made his face slightly flush, and he turned his head away.

She felt a bit anxious and happened to make eye contact with the son of the minister at an angle. His name was Yu Yanxian, the same age as Xiao Yuanxia, yet she found him utterly detestable. Whenever she encountered him on the street, it was inevitable that they would engage in a brawl that left him bruised and battered! Especially in recent days, her mood had not been good, and she had been a bit heavy-handed. At this moment, seeing him, she could vaguely make out the bruising under his eyes, concealed by white powder.

So far away, yet there is the sound of silk and bamboo; how can I hear their idle chatter over here

Er Niang refers to Wu Ge's mother. Everyone says that Wu Ge's mother comes from a lowly background, while his father is of noble descent from the Xu clan, and thus he could not take her as his wife. Therefore, Wu Ge is an illegitimate child, which his father tacitly acknowledged. It is precisely because his mother is of lowly status that Wu Ge, as the son of a lowly person, despite having written military strategies rarely seen in the world, is still unable to hold an official position

The young man turned pale, gritting his teeth in anger

He does not resemble Xu Liu at all, nor does he look like General Xu.

She said: "Your Majesty, I ... ... "

"Fifth Brother, this is the fruit bestowed by His Majesty, and it is our turn at this table." This time, the Xu family attended the palace banquet with only her father, Fifth Brother, and herself; the other siblings were still at the border and had not returned, while those with official positions were seated at another table, leaving this side for family members. Fifth Brother had poor eyesight, so she immediately stood up to receive the fruit presented by the Grand Duke on his behalf.

The fierce wind also desires freedom and love, just like Your Majesty. Your Majesty should not recklessly speak on behalf of the fierce wind.

Thank you, Your Excellency she said, but her tone lacked much respect

Remember, when you speak to the Empress Sister next time, think twice before you act, and do not be foolish enough to fall into her trap. Just now, were you trying to confront her? In the future, do you not care about beauty or ugliness when you get married?

Xu Liu's younger sister, have you forgotten? How can the royal family marry into the families of the lowly? I am also doing this for the good of your fifth brother. The lowly people of Nanlin now bear little difference in appearance from us, but long ago, everyone knew that there was a group of lowly people whose appearances were as flawed as that of Young Master Xu. Although the myths of the lowly do mention these flawed individuals, it is said that after coming of age, some may gradually become more beautiful, resembling the beauty of the people of Nanlin, but these are all myths, and no scholar dares to come forward to confirm them. The people of Nanlin have a natural love for beauty; if it were not for His Majesty's decree of marriage, perhaps no one would... The people of Nanlin have a natural love for beauty; if it were not for His Majesty's decree of marriage, perhaps no one would...

Xu Liefeng widened his eyes and quickly interjected: "Your Majesty, I am very content with my fifth brother being here with me, why must we seek a maidservant?"

It was a pursuit that could not be fulfilled. Xu Liefeng performed a courtly gesture, retreated to the center of the hall, and seeing that Fifth Brother showed no signs of anger, he then flatteringly wagged his tail and assisted him back to the banquet.

That girl, precisely the young lady of the Xu family, Xu Liefeng. At merely ten years of age, she resembled the beautiful young men and women of Nanlin, already hinting at her future beauty. She let out a disdainful snort and muttered, "What a thing!"

Where did she anger him? She reflected quietly... Since childhood, she had a good relationship with her fifth brother... Very good, so good that even if the other siblings did not like her, as long as the fifth brother did not dislike her, she would be satisfied. They were so close that she could spend all day with the fifth brother, and he never complained a word.

The lengthy work "Changmu Bingce," consisting of one hundred thousand words, is divided into two volumes. The first volume is widely circulated, while the second volume, which truly delves into the strategies of commanding troops and arranging formations, is locked away in the palace and not disseminated. However, the first volume has already attracted the attention of various nations. If it were not for the fact that Nanlin Xu was destined to serve Nanlin with utmost dedication, even to the point of death, it is likely that this Xu Changmu would have been persuaded away by the envoys of other countries.

He gazed out of the car window into the pitch-black night—far away was the palace shrouded in darkness, devoid of any glimmer of light. Of course, it might also be due to his poor eyesight; to him, the palace and the other low houses appeared as a uniform expanse of black, with no discernible difference.

Therefore, even if Fifth Brother goes through a thousand adult ceremonies, he should not become estranged from her after the ceremony

I heard what Third Brother said. They mentioned that because Fifth Brother is... once you have gone through the coming-of-age ceremony, you will be able to see people clearly, and your appearance will also become as good-looking as First Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother. However, I think Fifth Brother is already very good-looking now. She felt a bit scared, fearing that if he were to change his appearance, he would become like the other siblings, harboring a vague hostility towards her.

Fifth Brother... she was extremely disappointed and wanted to cling to him again, but his earlobes were slightly red, clearly indicating he was furious. She did not dare to provoke him at this moment and had no choice but to obediently sit apart from him on either side.

Princess Dafeng leaned over and teased

"Give me a moment, Fifth Brother?" She turned to look at Xu Changmu in the car

Previously, their attention was entirely focused on the controversial illegitimate child Xu Changhe and the book Mu. Now, upon closer inspection, it is evident that the woman is not wearing the white that represents the Xu family today, but rather a black dress adorned with golden embroidery. The crowd is slightly moved; golden? Isn't that the color of royalty? It is also a gift from His Majesty

Her fifth brother concealed his arrogance very well, but he did not believe that their father, the emperor, could not see through it. He had once read the second volume of military strategies kept in the palace and lamented Xu Changmu's humble origins, wondering if one day their father might meet this person and, disregarding Xu Changmu's background, promote him and challenge the ancient and unchanging system of Nanlin.

The south is filled with subtlety, and these words have been kept in his heart for a long time. He had intended to find a good opportunity to express them casually, but in the end, he still spoke them haltingly, causing great embarrassment.

Your mother, from beginning to end, is but one; calling someone else 'second mother' depends on whether she can bear that title

Xu Changmu responded to her with a single word, and both of them knelt down together, saying in unison: "Long live Your Majesty"

"Fifth Brother, it's time to kneel down," she said eagerly

Xiao Lie Feng is indeed much more enthusiastic than the people of Nanlin. She personally attends to matters concerning her elder brothers and sisters, and her feelings are always openly expressed. If her siblings were you, the Nanlin royal family would surely be harmonious. You two should learn from her attitude

Are you all like this at home? Always together? Is your sister taking care of you like this? He slightly squinted his eyes

He responded with a slight smile, saying, "You are still so young; it is only natural that you cannot endure."

Xu Liefeng's face twisted slightly. Just a moment ago, she had clearly been at odds with the Grand Phoenix Princess, yet how could the princess's demeanor change so quickly, now appearing as friendly as a biological sister?

Is it true that "Changmu Bingce" was written by him in his youth? Wasn't it said that the children born to inferior people lack intelligence? Could it be that someone else wrote it for him? The woman engaged in idle chatter was silenced by fear, as a girl at the Xu family's table bared her teeth and glared at them.

Nanlin was once home to a female emperor; this time, who will ultimately be the future emperor? His Majesty never specifies and intends to declare the heir in the will.

I originally did not ... ...

Father is indeed very fond of you, Sixth Sister. When I was your age, Father would not let Feng'er be away for even a day, as if it were three autumns apart.

Xu Changmu took out a handkerchief, gently pulling her fingers back and slowly wiping them. He smiled casually and said

He gently blinked his eyes. Her features were still a blur, but he could fully feel her two passionate gazes unreservedly fixed on his face

The nearby family members were all taken aback, their ears perked up as they turned to look in her direction. It is known among the court officials that His Majesty favors the sixth daughter of the Xu family, and this has circulated among the families as well. However, they were unaware that she was actually favored to the extent that she could choose the rewards from His Majesty herself

She thought, "She deserves it!"

Xiao Yuanxia steeled himself to speak and ease her discomfort, but unexpectedly, Nan Lin, the emperor, laughed heartily, saying:

Xu Liefeng obtained the consent of Xu Changmu, and only then did he carefully rise to assist his most respected Fifth Brother.

He frowned slightly, thinking to himself: Xiao Liefeng is quite fond of her fifth brother, and Xu Changmu's eyesight is not good, so feeding him like this is not a big deal. However, he could not help but feel a vague sense of disgust towards Xu Changmu.

"Fifth Brother, Xiao Yuanxia is a very nice person. Why does he also think that Xiao Jinfeng will ascend to the throne?" She opened the jade bowl and picked a grape, bringing it to his lips.

The lofty Southern Monarch came to his senses and frowned. "Xu Wuchang, is it?"

He shook his hands and took several steps back. "Why are you asking about such things?"

His eyelashes fluttered as he looked at her

His Majesty remarked that today the Xu family's fierce wind is exceedingly delightful, and it has greatly lifted his spirits. He has requested that we send more fruits to Miss Liu. However, we are concerned that our selection may not suit Miss Liu's taste, so it would be better for Miss Liu to choose herself

Xu's family has raised her very well, and I greatly appreciate her temperament. The people of Nanlin are mostly reserved, and few possess her naturally exuberant and passionate nature. Moreover, the majority of the citizens of Nanlin are born with frail constitutions. She is excellent, truly excellent. Everyone, please rise; you too, get up. Otherwise, this little fierce wind will be kneeling on the ground, and at such a young age, it must be tiring for her. Come here so I can take a closer look at you.

You... it was just once... where did the days one, two, three come from... South Lin... the wife and the coming-of-age ceremony... must be different people, after I experienced it, I didn't like it... please don't take offense... I didn't do it again... trust me...

Of course, Fifth Brother is excellent both inside and out she said sincerely

Of course! Better than Princess Daphnia!

You two truly collaborate seamlessly. Nan Lin, the Emperor, looked at Xu Liefeng and said with a smile, "Young Liefeng is still quite young, yet not only does he write beautifully, but he also understands the complex vocabulary of his elder brother. Truly remarkable.

Does Xiao Lie Feng find it troublesome? Even I, seeing how carefully your fifth brother takes care of you, feel pity for you. You are still young, it is the time for you to play and be mischievous, yet you have to spend that effort taking care of your blind... that brother with poor eyesight. Otherwise, I will arrange a marriage for your fifth brother. From now on, let your sister-in-law take good care of him, so you won't have to worry about your fifth brother.

You should be cautious and not mention the recent adult ceremony to His Majesty

He laughed out loud. "Both inside and out? I can't believe you would say that."

Could it be that the princess wishes to marry my fifth brother? Otherwise, why would she show such concern for his marriage? What a flawed appearance! My fifth brother is quite well indeed

Your Majesty was momentarily taken aback, a fleeting haze clouding the eyes, and the embrace was loosened

Your royal sister is truly full of transformations, leaving me dizzy and confused, as if the Great Phoenix Princess has two personalities. Clearly, I feel like I am arguing with her, yet how can she, in the next moment, speak to me with a smile? She simply does not see Xiao Jinfeng favorably

Xu Liefeng stared wide-eyed at the father and son above him. Hadn't they known all along?

I ... ...

With the Emperor and the officials as witnesses, is she forcing you to fulfill it? At that time, are you really going to find an ugly person?

Fortunately, you walked slowly, which allowed me to catch up with you. Along the way, I encountered Lord Li, who, under the orders of the Emperor, something happened. He is to give you ... ... to you and Xu Wu

Upon hearing this, Xu Liefeng smiled broadly and said

She widened her eyes. "Why not you? You are quite good too!"

After a while, when he turned back, he saw her unusually affectionately feeding Xu Changmu

Then what about Xu Wu? He sighed inwardly, Xu Wu is her elder brother, what is he comparing to! He smiled and said: "Hearing you say this is better than the Great Phoenix Princess, I feel that we have a tacit understanding between us. In my heart, you are far superior to the young ladies of the Fang and Luo families." After saying this, his face turned slightly red.

She widened her eyes. "Your Majesty, it is already very good that the fierce wind is taking care of Fifth Brother like this. Please do not disrupt the bond between us siblings. Moreover, if this marriage turns into a source of resentment, Your Majesty will not be able to afford the consequences. It would be best to allow Fifth Brother to love freely; that would be the greatest blessing."

The reward given to Anu is a reward for our Xu family. Fifth brother, you take a little, I take a little, and then give some to father, hey, just right for three portions

Did Fifth Brother not notice that this year Anu has not spent even one night rolling around in your bed? If she rolls for too long, she might accidentally let Fifth Brother complete his coming-of-age ceremony, then..." She sighed, truly hoping that day would never come

I am very close to Fifth Brother, aren't I? Whatever Fifth Brother asks Anu to do, Anu will do it. She said softly, tightly gripping his long fingers

She promptly fell silent, stealing glances at Fifth Brother. This Fifth Brother certainly speaks lies with great fluency

His Majesty has decreed that Xu Wuchang shall step forward to pay his respects

It is truly a pity that Xu Wu is actually a descendant of a lowly commoner; otherwise, he would surely have entered the court to serve as an official

"Anu, what is it?" the young man beside her asked

In full view of the public, Xu Liefeng led him towards the center of the hall. Everyone was greatly astonished; who in the capital did not know that Xu's sixth son was inherently arrogant? Not only was he indulged at home, but even the Emperor turned a blind eye to his antics beneath the throne. Yet now, what were they witnessing?

Thinking of this, she affectionately leaned closer, wishing she could sit in his lap, allowing him to feel her goodwill, her respect, and her fondness for him, hoping that one day he would not push her away to a thousand miles when he no longer needed her

Upon hearing this, Princess Daring's beautiful eyes flickered with a barely perceptible displeasure, and she forced a smile

The people of Nanlin are generally frail, and most individuals do not enjoy good health; the current royal family is no exception. His Majesty has been ill for many years, and the Imperial Medical Bureau has gathered the finest physicians from Nanlin and even sought expertise from the Great Wei. Unfortunately, such a frail constitution is hereditary and can only be managed through diligent care and nurturing. He has five offspring, who have inherited his poor health; three of them have passed away, leaving only the siblings Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Yuanxia.

How long did you spend? One day? Two days? Or three days?

Xu Changmu gently stroked her soft long hair, feeling her nuzzle against him once more

She revealed a fierce, wolf-like demeanor towards him. A plate of fried fish had just been served on the table, and she forcefully jabbed her chopsticks into the fish, provocatively gazing at Yu Yanxian, whom she often referred to as fried fish.

Xu Changmu's finger trembled slightly as he calmly pushed away the overly familiar sixth member of the Xu family.

You raise your head

There is a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, yet his handsome eyes are filled with tenderness. "Does Xiao Lie Feng believe that I am very good?"

Hmm? You ask. He gently rubbed her cool hands, contemplating how to subtly suggest that she maintain a bit of distance from the Emperor. He truly feared that the Emperor had ulterior motives... ulterior motives...

Sleep

Xiao Yuanxia took the opportunity to pull her closer as Li Gonggong stepped back, whispering: "You fool, next time do not go against the Empress Sister"

Do not tell father that I fell asleep in the car. She was afraid that father would be angry at the Xu family for being so intolerant.

Fifth Brother is worried that she might catch a cold, and she feels a surge of joy in her heart. Smiling, she is about to get into the carriage when someone behind calls out:

No, no, now I am the eyes of Fifth Brother, I am the hands of Fifth Brother. After the coming-of-age ceremony, there will be no need for Anu. Of course, Anu must serve Fifth Brother well now. Is it very sweet? She is greedy, secretly taking a bite from Fifth Brother, and indeed it is plump and juicy. Should one say that His Majesty's gift is good, or that she, Xu Liefeng, is too discerning?

Someone nearby at the banquet is gently covering their mouth and smiling

Human emotions are such that those who are pleasing to the eye tend to come together. She found Xiao Yuanxia very pleasing to the eye, indeed very pleasing, and thus the two of them became close friends.

Unbeknownst to when, the singing and dancing had ceased. Xu Liefeng immediately stood up and carefully supported his arm. "Fifth Brother, let me help you over there."

Of course! She is also afraid to tell His Majesty, as His Majesty wants him to quickly reach adulthood.

Xu Changmu replied in a seemingly respectful manner

"Little Gale, you are ten years old this year, aren't you?" he asked with a smile

She turned back to look at him and nimbly jumped onto the carriage. "We can go now," she said to the coachman, then nestled into Xu Wu's arms, her beautiful eyes still resting on Xiao Yuanxia.

"Hmm, I am ten years old now." Does she need to cheer His Majesty up? She understands this. In the past, she often tried to make her family and brothers happy, but they never appreciated it. She even took a grape and offered it to His Majesty's mouth. "Your Majesty, please have a bite."

She quickly turned her head and said to him in a flattering manner

Little did he know that at the imperial banquet, his father, the Emperor, actually ignored Xu Changmu's talents, allowing the Crown Princess to trample on his pride, while focusing solely on Xiao Liefeng. This was truly beyond his expectations

Who could it be? If it were Your Majesty, he would surely choose...

Xu Changmu raised his head, but his eyes were half-closed, not directly gazing at the man on the high throne

She responded with a sound, initially intending to quickly return to the car, but suddenly turned back, took his hands, and asked in a low voice:

However

... ... you you you ... ... so what?

Xu Liefeng was taken aback, feeling somewhat confused. Where had she made a mistake? She raised her eyes to meet Xiao Yuanxia's gaze, but his expression had turned a tragic shade of dark.

"Your Majesty's grace, led by the fierce wind." She pondered for a moment and specifically chose the fruits that her fifth brother loved to eat

Xiao Yuanxia's heart skipped a beat, and he naturally interjected, "Father, Xu Wuyuan has poor eyesight; how could he possibly have written down the military strategy?"

"Everyone, rise, rise! What a loyal little Xu Liu! Do I not have the magnanimity to accommodate such minor objections from the Xu family? In the future, I will be sure to save on these palace banquets." He saw Xu Wu still kneeling there and smiled, saying: "Xu Wu, what are your thoughts at this moment?"

She let out a sound of surprise. These are the grapes from the recent palace banquet; could it be that His Majesty has noticed her fondness for them? She smiled as she accepted them and said, "Please convey to His Majesty that both my fifth brother and I are very pleased."

Hahaha... His laughter continued, and his gaze fell upon Xu Wu. "Where did you get the second lady? Tell me about it."

He really wanted to touch his forehead, turn around, and run away, but he thought that if he really did that, he would no longer need to be a person.

That is a smile concealing a dagger, Xiao Yuanxia sighed inwardly. He thought, this little girl before him cannot learn such profound things, but he... he simply likes her sincerity, very much likes it...

Your Majesty, you have only seen the fierce wind a few days ago; how can it be said that it has been a long time since we last met

She glanced over her father's face again. Her father also had his eyes half-closed, seemingly indifferent to the giggles of the womenfolk. In her heart, she felt even more pity for Fifth Brother, suddenly realizing that he, like her, was also unloved by their father and brothers; they were both equally pitiful in their shared plight.

Today marks the first imperial banquet of the year after the Lunar New Year, to which all the prominent officials and their families in the court have been invited to attend

Could it be the orphan raised by someone else? Isn't Xu Sidinping's family just like that?

He approached, holding a small jade bowl, and opened a corner of the jade lid, allowing Xu Liu to see the crystal-clear grapes inside. "These are the crystal pearls delivered from a thousand miles away for the imperial banquet, only the royal family is permitted to consume them. His Majesty instructed us to specially reserve them for Miss Liu and Master Wu."

The Xu family in the south is also among them

Fierce Wind

Xiao Yuanxia firmly pulled the fierce wind away from the carriage, gently touching her cool forehead with his own, and softly said

Xu Liefeng was unaware of the astonishment and uncertainty in the hearts of others, as she glanced in the direction of His Majesty under the dim candlelight. The palace banquet was held in the evening, and due to the distance, His Majesty's face was not clearly visible; however, her eyesight was excellent, and she could clearly see His Majesty and the prince Xiao Yuanxia beside him.

"Well, look at you, just because of your brother, you are making me angry." He said with a smile to his children on either side, "Look, they have a very good relationship."

Xiao Yuanxia discreetly gestured for her to quickly withdraw

In the future, whatever she says to you, just bear with it. Undoubtedly, the one who will succeed in the future will be her, so do not offend her.

Look, it's so cold now, get in the car quickly. I will find an opportunity to visit you another day

Why cannot bear ... ...

Xiao Yuanxia's complexion turned slightly pale

To the south, there has always been one Emperor and one Empress for three hundred years without exception. Your Majesty married at the age of sixteen, and only after the first Empress passed away did the second Empress arrive. To this day, both Empresses have been gone for many years, yet the position remains vacant. Is it not true that Your Majesty deeply cherished both Empresses, enduring over a decade of solitude?

The pair of siblings whispered to each other during the banquet. In terms of appearance, Xu Liefeng was young yet strikingly beautiful, completely overshadowing the ordinary Xu Changmu. Especially when they stood together, Xu Changmu almost became completely invisible. However, in her demeanor, she treated Xu Changmu with utmost respect, and the warmth in her gaze towards him was beyond that of typical siblings, which made it seem as though the control lay in the hands of this unremarkable Xu Wu.

She felt a bit down upon hearing this. ... She did not quite like the way Fifth Brother used such a condescending tone to allow her to do anything, which resembled the indifferent attitude of her other siblings ... ... On the surface, it seemed that he agreed with her actions everywhere, but what she wanted was not this ... ...

So, is that Xu Wuchang that everyone is talking about? The families whispered among themselves

She moved closer to him and said earnestly: "Have you gone through it or not? Every man from Nanlin must experience this, right?"

The sound of rustling, everyone is kneeling

He was originally in a state of meditation, but upon hearing her words, his eyelashes fluttered as he gazed at the soft crown of her head. Occasionally, a thought would cross his mind—he wanted to see the face of his sister, not the blurred visage captured by the focus, but to observe every subtle texture of her skin and every nuance of her expression in detail

Xu Changmu half-lowered his eyelashes, not correcting her attitude