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

On this day, Mu Yunling and Shen Run returned from the Western Regions, travel-worn and exhausted.

Mu Yunling wore a moon-white gauze dress, her figure slender, but her expression showed more composure and dignity than usual.

Shen Run, standing beside her, was dressed in a blue robe, gentle and refined, only showing appropriate concern when his gaze fell on Liu Yunshu.

The two first bowed to Master Liu and Madam Liu.

Before Liu Yunshu could speak, Mu Yunling flew over like a swallow returning to its nest and hugged her tightly: "Sister Yunshu!"

Her voice trembled, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Where have you been all year? Do you know how hard we've searched for you!"

Liu Yunshu was slightly swayed by the bump, and the faint fragrance of orchids from her sleeve lingered around her nose.

She gently hugged Mu Yunling and said softly, "I'm sorry, Yunling, I made you worry."

Shen Run also stepped forward slowly, his gaze first sweeping over Liu Yunshu's slightly pale face, then lingering briefly between Xiao Hanxing and Xiao Luochen.

Finally, she leaned down on Niannian, who was sleeping peacefully in the cradle, and a gentle smile spread across her eyes.

"It's good to see you back. This year, Brother Xiao, you've traveled almost all over the Central Plains, and His Majesty has also deployed quite a few secret agents. We all miss you very much."

Looking into Mu Yunling's red eyes, Liu Yunshu felt a surge of warmth in her heart and gently stroked her back with her fingertips.

"It's all in the past. Look, I'm doing just fine now, and I even have Niannian."

She turned to the side, making way for the cradle. "Her name is Liu Nian, and she is my daughter."

Mu Yunling looked in that direction and was immediately drawn to the tiny ball.

She instinctively tiptoed closer to the cradle, her voice low: "Oh my god...so sweet! Her eyelashes are even longer than mine!"

She carefully extended her finger and gently touched Niannian's clenched fist, then turned to Shen Run.

"Brother Shen, I wish we could have a daughter as lovely as Niannian someday."

Upon hearing this, Shen Run reached out and gently put his arm around her waist, his gaze so soft it seemed to melt her.

"Yes, we will. Our child will surely be just as adorable." Her voice was gentle and full of longing.

Mu Yunling was still immersed in the joy of meeting Nian Nian for the first time, but when she turned back to look at Liu Yunshu, her expression was one of reproach and heartache:

"Sister, you're so heartless! You just left without a word, do you know how worried we were? Especially Alliance Leader Xiao..."

She glanced at Xiao Hanxing, who was silent beside her, and said, "You've gotten clues several times only to come up empty-handed. You've lost a lot of weight."

Xiao Hanxing just smiled faintly, but his gaze remained fixed on Liu Yunshu.

That smile held the preciousness of something lost and then regained; what others said about him seemed unimportant.

Xiao Luochen still leaned against the pillar, his black robes making his figure appear even more upright.

Only his fingertips unconsciously caressed the jade pendant at his waist, his eyes a deep, unfathomable pool.

He knew the importance of Shen Run and Mu Yunling, and their attitudes might influence Liu Yunshu's final decision.

After gaining a general understanding of the turmoil that has occurred over the past few days.

Mu Yunling secretly praised: As expected of Sister Yunshu, her experience is truly amazing!

Her eyes darted around, and she looked at everyone, bluntly asking, "So now... Sister Yunshu hasn't decided who to choose yet?"

Liu Yunshu was taken aback by the question, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her skirt.

His gaze involuntarily drifted to Xiao Hanxing's gentle eyes and then met Xiao Luochen's deep gaze.

Seeing her standing there in a daze, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness, Mu Yunling's heart softened.

Since she transmigrated here, the Liu Yunshu she has known has always been gentle, generous, calm and resilient.

I have never seen her so conflicted, with a look of confusion in her eyes.

It's all these men's fault!

Mu Yunling snorted inwardly, then turned around and looked at Xiao Luochen and Xiao Hanxing with an imposing air.

"So, what are your plans, you two?"

Xiao Hanxing stepped forward, the hem of her blue robe fluttering gently. Her eyes, though still gentle, held an unwavering determination.

"I only wish to stay by Yunshu's side, protect her, and watch Niannian grow up..."

"I'll say it again."

Xiao Luochen interrupted him, her voice low but clear, "I can disregard titles and honors, but I will never leave them, mother and daughter."

Mu Yunling and Shen Run exchanged a surprised glance, clearly not expecting that His Majesty would be willing to lower himself so much.

Mu Yunling's expression softened slightly, thinking that these two were at least sensible.

He blurted out, "Since you're all so reluctant to part with them, why don't the three of you just stay together?"

These words resounded like a thunderclap in the courtyard.

Liu Yunshu suddenly looked up, her eyes still red, and stared at Mu Yunling in disbelief: "Yunling! You... what nonsense are you talking about!"

—Yunling! You're truly my best sister! Forever!

Xiao Hanxing stiffened slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he was momentarily at a loss for whether to refute or remain silent.

Xiao Luochen, who had been leaning against a pillar, suddenly straightened up, his hands clenched tightly under his black robe, and a glint of barely suppressed light flashed in his eyes.

Princess Lingyue is truly a wonderful person! We must maintain close ties with the Western Regions in the future!

Shen Run coughed lightly, reached out and pressed Mu Yunling's shoulder, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Yunling, don't talk nonsense."

His gaze swept over the three people with their varying expressions, his voice steady.

"This matter concerns Yun Shu's reputation and her own wishes; how can it be decided so lightly?"

"Where did I treat this as childish?"

Mu Yunling broke free of his hand and retorted with her hands on her hips.

"There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to relationships. If it's mutual and it makes Sister Yunshu and Niannian's lives better, isn't it good to have more people to love and care for them?"

She turned to Liu Yunshu, her tone softening.

"Sister, don't let those rigid rules bind you. Your happiness and the fact that Niannian is well cared for are the most important things."

Liu Yunshu's cheeks flushed bright red instantly, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt so tightly they almost tore the fabric.

"Yun Ling, this...this is against all moral principles..."

"Ethical principles?"

Xiao Luochen suddenly spoke, his voice deep yet extremely penetrating.

"If family ethics cause you suffering and make you feel like you're missing out on fatherly love, then you might as well not have them at all."

He walked slowly toward Liu Yunshu, his dark robes brushing the ground.

"Yun Shu, I know this sounds absurd. But I can't let go, and neither can my brother... Perhaps, this is the only way to keep us all by your side."

Xiao Hanxing closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, the struggle in her eyes had been replaced by tenderness.

"Yun Shu, I never wanted to share you with anyone else, but if this is the only way I can stay by your side..."

He paused, his voice as soft as a sigh, "I admit it."

"You guys are insane!"

Liu Yunshu took a half step back, tears welling up again.

"You are kings, leaders of the martial arts world, how could you do this for me? If word gets out, what will become of your reputation?"

"Then let's not tell anyone."

Mu Yunling blinked her almond-shaped eyes and spoke with a confident and righteous tone.

"Come on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in rotation, and get together during holidays. It's better than fighting tooth and nail, isn't it?"

She turned to look at the stunned Mr. and Mrs. Liu, "Father, Mother, don't you agree?"

The Liu family, the owner of the manor, and their spouse were speechless for a moment.

This question is really beyond the scope of the curriculum.

Master Liu's hand, which was stroking his beard, froze in mid-air. His cloudy eyes were filled with shock. After a long while, he managed to stammer, "This... uh..."

However, Madam Liu's heartache ultimately outweighed her worldly concerns.

She let out a long sigh, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of unease:

"Yunling is a bit blunt, but... as parents, we only hope our children are safe and happy."

She looked at Liu Yunshu, her eyes filled with tenderness:

"Silly daughter, I've seen you raising Niannian all by yourself this past year, and it pains me to see it all."

"I understand Hanxing and His Majesty's feelings; they truly care for you and love you dearly..."

Madam Liu paused for a moment, as if she had made a great decision.

"As for how to choose, I won't force you. But... if this is truly the path that will make things less difficult for you and allow Nian Nian to show you more love, then perhaps... it's worth considering."

"Madam..." Master Liu coughed abruptly, interrupting his wife, his face flushed red: "This, this is outrageous..."

"Discretion?" Madam Liu looked at Master Liu with red eyes.

"Will maintaining proper decorum stop Yunshu from secretly crying in Niannian's arms at night? Will it allow Niannian to have a father who loves her like other children?"

Madam Liu wiped her eyes, and her voice suddenly rose a few decibels.

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible! As long as the children treat each other sincerely and can protect Yunshu and Niannian's lifelong peace, what's wrong with abandoning those empty formalities?"

The manor lord was rendered speechless by his wife's words. His hand, which was stroking his beard, trembled slightly. In the end, he could only sigh heavily and turn his face away.

He understood perfectly well that this might be the best outcome for his daughter at the moment.

However, decades of traditional etiquette made it difficult for him to accept it readily.

"Your Majesty, Hanxing,"

Madam Liu took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the two men standing side by side in the corridor, her tone solemn.

"I've never asked anyone for anything in my life, but today, I want to ask you two things."

Xiao Luochen straightened up, his black robe losing all its casualness, his eyes now solemn: "Please speak, Madam. I will not refuse as long as it is within my power."

Xiao Hanxing also stepped forward, his blue robe fluttering, and said earnestly, "Please give your instructions, Aunt."

"First," Madam Liu said, wiping her eyes, her voice slightly choked.

"If you really want to get along like this, then no matter what happens in the future, you must not wrong Yunshu because of your disputes with each other, and you must not let Niannian suffer the slightest neglect."

"She's a girl, and she's very thoughtful. You need to ensure she has enough to eat and wear, but more importantly, you need to make her feel comfortable and without any resentment."

The two exchanged a glance and replied simultaneously, "That's certainly the case."

Madam Liu nodded, her gaze returning to Liu Yunshu, filled with endless affection and expectation.

"Secondly, this matter is ultimately shocking and unconventional. From now on, we must act with discretion and caution, and avoid making a fuss."

"Although Liu Family Manor cannot compare to the grandeur of the imperial palace or the prestige of the Alliance Leader's Mansion, it will always be able to shelter you from the wind and rain."

"If one day in the future you grow tired of this kind of life, or are burdened by rumors and feel suffocated... remember, this will always be Yun Shu and Niannian's home."

Liu Yunshu could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face as she threw herself into her mother's arms, crying, "Mother..."

"Silly child, why are you crying?"

Madam Liu gently patted her back, her voice tender yet firm.

"I don't want you to make a decision right away. I just want to tell you that no matter which path you choose, your parents will always be on your side."

"The most important thing in life is to be free and comfortable. Don't let those rules and regulations bind you."