Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

"Brother, from childhood to adulthood... I have never asked you for anything."

Xiao Luochen's voice suddenly lowered, shedding all the majesty of an emperor, leaving only an almost cautious plea.

"Just this once, let me stay by her side. I swear, I will never dare to have even the slightest thought of replacing my brother in this lifetime."

Looking at the unprecedented humility in his eyes, Xiao Hanxing felt a lump in her throat, a dull and painful sensation.

They are brothers born of the same mother, and have been deeply attached to each other since childhood. However, the issue of "love" has become the most difficult knot for them to untie.

He wanted to scold them and drive them away.

But looking at her younger brother's temples, which were also streaked with the frost of time, and at his eyes that seemed to say, "I can't live without her," she was overwhelmed.

All the anger turned into a powerless sigh.

Liu Yunshu's nails dug deeply into her palms, the slight stinging pain barely clearing her chaotic thoughts.

She looked at the two men before her, both covered in dust and with the same deep obsession hidden in their eyes.

One was her former lover, whom she had once deeply loved and missed day and night.

One is the current monarch who had an unexpected entanglement with her but is now willing to bow down to her.

And sleeping peacefully in the cradle is the most tender concern she had risked everything to protect.

"You... let me think about it."

Her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, and it was still hoarse from crying. "It's too stuffy in here... I'm going out for some fresh air."

Before the two could respond, she pushed open the wooden door, her steps unsteady, and fled out as if escaping.

Xiao Hanxing instinctively wanted to chase after him, but Xiao Luochen raised his hand to stop him.

"Let her have some peace and quiet."

Xiao Luochen's voice was low, and his eyes showed unconcealed worry. "If we pressure her now, it will only make her want to escape even more."

Xiao Hanxing stiffened, finally stopping in his tracks, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Yunshu's departing figure, filled with anxiety.

"Luo Chen, you shouldn't have said those things."

He said in a deep voice, "You are the emperor, how can you wrong yourself like this? Besides... this may not be a good thing for Yun Shu and Niannian."

Xiao Luochen turned around, his dark figure appearing particularly lonely in the deepening twilight.

"I have no other choice."

He gave a wry smile, his eyes filled with an unyielding stubbornness.

"Brother, we both understand that if I back down today, there will be no turning back. I'd rather suffer in silence than experience the pain of losing her again."

As they were talking, Niannian in the cradle suddenly let out a soft hum, her little brows furrowing as if she were about to wake up.

The two stopped talking at the same time and went to the cradle simultaneously.

The little one was probably disturbed from his sleep by the noise; his eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Those were extremely clear eyes, black and white distinct, like black glass washed clean.

She blinked blankly at first, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Hanxing before landing on Xiao Luochen's face.

Then suddenly her little mouth split open, revealing a toothless smile.

She even stretched out her chubby little hand and reached out to grab Xiao Luochen.

Xiao Luochen's heart skipped a beat, as if struck by something soft.

He instinctively reached out and let those tiny fingers grasp his fingertips.

The touch was soft and warm, with the delicate tenderness unique to infants, which strangely soothed all the anxiety and anger in his heart.

"She... doesn't seem afraid of me."

Xiao Luochen's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, and a bittersweet warmth welled up in his eyes.

Throughout the year, he imagined what the child would look like countless times.

But I never imagined that she would smile at me so unreservedly on our first meeting.

Xiao Hanxing watched this scene with mixed feelings.

There was indeed a hint of world-weariness in Niannian's brows.

Especially his straight and delicate nose, which was practically a carbon copy of Xiao Luochen's.

He reached out his hand, wanting to gently touch the child's cheek.

Niannian suddenly let go of Xiao Luochen, then grabbed his sleeve and babbled affectionately.

The two men exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting complex emotions.

This child is the most difficult knot between them, but also the only bond that allows them to temporarily put aside their disputes.

Liu Yunshu stood alone in the courtyard, the evening breeze ruffling her skirt.

It brought the fresh scent of mountain grass and trees, but it couldn't dispel the turmoil in her heart.

"Yun Shu".

A soft call came from behind, and Liu Yunshu's back stiffened slightly, but she did not turn around.

That was Xiao Hanxing's voice; she knew that anxiety and tenderness all too well.

Footsteps approached slowly and stopped beside her.

Xiao Hanxing didn't step forward again, but stood beside her, gazing into the distance she was looking at, his voice low and gentle:

I know you're confused. If you haven't made up your mind yet, we can wait, as long as it takes.

Liu Yunshu's nose tingled, and tears welled up again.

He was always like that, always understanding her difficulties and always willing to make concessions for her.

But it was precisely this kindness that made her feel even worse.

She sniffed, and asked with a heavy nasal tone:

"Hanxing, you could have a much better life, why do you insist on holding me back?"

"Because without you, life, no matter how good, is not good."

Xiao Hanxing turned his head and his gaze fell on her face, which was still wet with tears.

His fingertips brushed her cheek very lightly, the movement so gentle as if he were afraid of breaking her.

"Yun Shu, I didn't mean to force you. Whatever your final decision, I'll listen to you. Just... please don't push me away anymore, okay?"

Liu Yunshu closed her eyes, tears silently sliding down her cheeks.

At this moment, the wooden door was pushed open again, and Xiao Luochen came out carrying Nian Nian.

The little guy woke up sometime ago and is now staring with his round eyes wide open.

She gazed curiously at the night sky, occasionally making babbling sounds from her little mouth.

Xiao Luochen walked to the two of them, his gaze falling on Liu Yunshu's face. Gone was the previous humility; only a calm earnestness remained.

"I know this is difficult for you. But neither your brother nor I will force you. We can give you time, as long as you want."

He paused, looked down at Niannian in his arms, and a soft smile appeared in his eyes.

"But Niannian is still young. She needs her father and his complete protection. Yunshu, don't let her live with the lack and regret that we did when we were young."

Liu Yunshu suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Niannian in his arms.

The little guy seemed to sense her gaze, turned his head, and stretched out his chubby little hand in her direction.

He grinned carefree, his eyes filled with pure dependence and trust.

At that moment, Liu Yunshu felt as if her heart had been violently struck.

Yes, Niannian is the most innocent; she shouldn't have to bear any responsibility for the grudges between adults.

But what should she do to give Niannian a complete family without letting down the two men who have given her their whole heart?

"Yun Shu, no matter what, let's go back to Liu Family Manor first."

Xiao Hanxing's voice rang out at the right time, gentle and without coercion, simply giving her a reason she couldn't refuse.

"Uncle and Aunt, you've really missed me this past year."

Looking at the little hand that was waving and babbling, Liu Yunshu felt a pang of sadness again.

The deepest pain she felt this year was the guilt she felt towards her parents. Her departure without saying goodbye had caused them countless gray hairs.

She nodded slightly, her voice as soft as a sigh: "Okay."

Packing didn't take long; Liu Yunshu simply packed a few clothes and baby supplies for Nian Nian before leaving the mountain cabin with the two of them.

After just a few days' journey, the Liu Family Manor came into view.

Green tiles and white walls are hidden among the lush bamboo forest. In front of the manor gate, two elderly figures have been waiting for a long time.

It was none other than the Liu family, who had been eagerly awaiting their daughter's return home.

"Yunshu! My son!"

Madam Liu choked up, staggered forward, and hugged her daughter tightly. Tears instantly soaked Liu Yunshu's shoulder.

Master Liu stood to the side, his temples bearing more white hair than he remembered.

His cloudy eyes were filled with the ecstatic joy of finding what he had lost and the heartache of losing it again. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally said in a trembling voice:

"It's good that you're back...it's good that you're back..."

Liu Yunshu nestled in her mother's arms, unable to hold back the pent-up grievances and longing she had been suppressing for so long, and cried uncontrollably.

Xiao Hanxing and Xiao Luochen stood quietly to the side, silently watching the family express their emotions of being reunited after a long separation.

Startled by the crying, Niannian in Xiao Luochen's arms pouted and gently patted Madam Liu with her chubby little hand.

It was making soft, babbling sounds, as if it were trying to comfort someone.

Madam Liu then noticed her granddaughter, her crying stopped, and she carefully released Liu Yunshu, her hand trembling as she reached out:

"This is... Nian Nian?"

Liu Yunshu nodded with tears in her eyes, gently stroking her daughter's soft hair: "Mother, her name is Liu Nian, she is your granddaughter."

Xiao Luochen then handed Niannian to Madam Liu.

The little guy wasn't shy at all; he grabbed the buttons on Madam Liu's clothes with his little hands and giggled out loud.

That clear, childlike laughter, like a ray of sunshine, instantly dispelled the gloom that had lingered over Liu Family Manor for many days.

Master Liu also stepped forward, his gaze falling on Nian Nian's eyebrows and eyes, his cloudy eyes suddenly brightening.

She glanced at Xiao Luochen subconsciously, then quickly looked away. Her throat moved, but she ultimately said nothing.

Madam Liu held Niannian in her arms, unable to put her down, and choked up as she said, "Good, good name... Niannian, thinking of home, thinking of family."

She looked up at Xiao Hanxing and Xiao Luochen, her gaze lingering on them for a moment.

When it finally landed on Xiao Luochen, it carried a complex warmth.

"Your Majesty, and Hanxing, thank you for bringing Yunshu and Niannian back safely."

"Auntie, you flatter me," Xiao Hanxing replied gently. "Protecting Yun Shu is what I should do."

Xiao Luochen nodded slightly, his tone unusually gentle: "Madam Liu, you don't need to be so polite. It's my wish to take them home."

As the group entered the resort, hot water and light meals were already prepared in the courtyard.

Madam Liu held Niannian in her arms and sat in Liu Yunshu's former boudoir, her fingertips gently stroking the child's soft hair.

His gaze kept drifting towards the window, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

"Yun Shu,"

Madam Liu finally spoke, her voice low, as if afraid of waking the child in her arms.

"Tell your mother the truth, those two outside... what are you really thinking about them...?"

"mother……"

Liu Yunshu lowered her eyes, staring at the embroidery on her clothes, her fingertips unconsciously stroking it, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"I don't know either."

She told her mother everything about the conversation that took place in the mountain cabin.

Lady Liu was stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock: "His Majesty...is he really willing to be subordinate to someone else?"

The bamboo shadows outside the window swayed gently in the wind, and the moonlight shone through the windowpane, falling on Liu Yunshu's pale face.

She nodded bitterly: "That's what he said."

"This...this won't do!"

Madam Liu's voice trembled with anxiety. She stood up, holding Niannian, and paced around the room.

"His Majesty is the supreme ruler; how can the dignity of the Xiao imperial family be treated so lightly?"

"Besides Hanxing, we can all see how he feels about you. He's been searching for you so desperately this past year that he's practically driven us crazy. If you really want to..."

She couldn't bear to stop talking. Looking at her daughter's red eyes, she felt nothing but heartache.

"My silly daughter, how did she end up with such a heavy emotional debt..."