A Yuan helped the limp Xi Lingche to his feet, made him sit down, and handed him a cup of hot tea. Her voice was soothing: "Che'er, don't be afraid. Your elder sister believes you. You are indeed an innocent victim in this matter." Looking at her brother's terrified face, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Lianxing…it seems she feels she can't rely on Father anymore and wants to climb another tree. And you are her new target!"

Xi Lingche held the hot tea in both hands, his hands still trembling. Hearing this, he shuddered even more: "Royal sister! I... I have absolutely no improper thoughts about her! I only want to paint! I don't want to get involved in these things!"

"You have no choice now, Second Brother." Xiao Chengkang walked up to him, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Since she has her eye on you, if she doesn't succeed this time, she will definitely try again! You can't hide forever. This matter is no longer a simple love triangle; it concerns your life and the honor of the royal family!"

A-Yuan grasped Xi Lingche's cold, trembling hand, her voice steady and firm: "Che'er, listen to your elder sister. From today onwards, you will move to a side hall of Qiwu Palace temporarily. Tell everyone that you are here to seek instruction in painting from your elder sister. Your meals and daily life will be taken care of by trusted confidants of Qiwu Palace. No one is allowed to approach you without my permission! As for that Lianxing..." A sharp killing intent flashed in her eyes, "It's time to make her and her master pay the price!"

The snow in the northern frontier has stopped. Sunlight pierces through the clouds, shining on the snow-covered general's mansion and reflecting a dazzling light.

Inside the warm pavilion, the charcoal fire burned brightly. Shen Zhao held Xi'er, who was wrapped up tightly, and pointed to the crystal-clear icicles under the eaves outside the window: "Xi'er, look, they're shiny and look like candied hawthorns."

Lu Qi sat cross-legged on the carpet, teasing the crawling Xuan Ge'er with a newly sharpened wooden sword (the edges of which he had carefully rounded off). The little guy chased after the wooden sword, babbling and crawling very fast.

"Son! Well done! You climbed even faster than your father did back then!" Lu Qi said proudly.

An'an lifted the curtain and came in, bringing with her a blast of cool air and the aroma of food. She was carrying a steaming bowl of milk custard: "Come on, Xi'er and Xuan'er, try the custard your aunt made, it's so delicious."

Shen Zhao smiled and took the spoon, scooped up a little with a small silver spoon, blew on it to cool it, and fed it to her daughter in her arms. Xi'er smacked her lips and ate with relish. Xuan Ge'er smelled the aroma, gave up chasing the sword, and crawled to his mother's side on all fours, looking up at her with his little face and making "ah ah" sounds for her.

Taking the opportunity, Lu Qi put down the wooden sword, picked up his son, and sat him on his lap. He then took another bowl of steamed eggs from An'an and clumsily fed him. The little guy ate with his mouth full of food, but Lu Qi didn't mind. He wiped his mouth haphazardly with his sleeve, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Did Big Brother go on patrol today?" Shen Zhao asked An'an.

"Yes, they said the roads are slippery after the snow, and they're worried some soldiers might fall and get hurt. Let's go check." An'an smiled, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at the heartwarming scene before her. She picked up the small wooden sword that Lu Qi had placed aside and examined it carefully. "Brother Qi's skills have improved quite a bit."

Lu Qi chuckled and fed his son a big mouthful of egg custard: "That's right! Look who your son is! He'll definitely be a great general, skilled in both literature and martial arts!"

Outside the window, the sun shines brightly after the snowfall. The icicles on the eaves melt, dripping softly like the passing of time. Inside, the laughter of children, the conversations of adults, and the aroma of food intertwine to create a peaceful and happy atmosphere.

However, this tranquility in the northern frontier could not conceal the turbulent undercurrents and impending storm brewing within the deep palace of Xiling, thousands of miles away. Lianxing's treacherous scheme had driven Xiling Che to the brink of despair, and had also pushed Ayuan and Xiao Chengkang to the forefront of a counterattack.