After Zhang Shuhao stopped, Qingyun clearly saw that Zhang Shuhao's eyes were as red as blood. Before Qingyun could react, Zhang Shuhao bent down and picked up Lu Hua.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Hua'er, it's all because of me..."

I'll take you home.

As he spoke, Zhang Shuhao carried Lu Hua towards the door, and Qingyun, watching from behind, noticed that some gray hairs were beginning to appear mixed in with Zhang Shuhao's black hair.

Or rather, by the time Zhang Shubo learned that Lu Hua had completely stopped breathing, he already had a few strands of white hair.

——————

Inside Yunfeng Pavilion, Wei Linglong, still leisurely petting her cat, was unaware that a storm was brewing beneath her.

Just as Wei Linglong was drinking water, Zou Heng kicked open her door, startling her so much that she spilled the water from her cup on herself.

Wei Linglong, who was about to yell at someone, held back after seeing who it was and looked at Zou Heng with a faint smile.

"I wonder what business Commander Zou has with me at Yunfeng Pavilion?"

"Guards, seize him!"

Zou Heng glanced at Wei Linglong, then raised his hand and gave instructions to the people behind him.

Before Wei Linglong could react, she was grabbed by the men Zou Heng brought, and the white cat fell to the ground.

Bai Cai, who was trying to hide, was also arrested.

After capturing everyone, Zou Heng led his men away from Yunfeng Pavilion, leaving without taking a single leaf or speck of dust.

It was as if I had never been to Yunfeng Pavilion.

——————

"Daddy, I'm home!"

Little Xi skipped back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Before even entering her room, she called out to Qin Jue.

Qin Jue didn't answer Xiao Xi'er's question; Xiao Xi'er continued calling out.

"Daddy~, don't hide, I can see you~"

"Hahaha, Daddy, I've caught you!"

Little Xi'er grabbed Qin Jue's leg and laughed as she spoke.

Qin Jue bent down slightly, picked up Xiao Xi'er, and let her sit on his arms.

"I thought you'd forgotten you even had a father like me, and that you didn't know you were back."

"Alas, I am still not a good enough father. I can't let Xiao Xi'er accompany her father. Alas, Consort Li is good. Why don't you go find Consort Li?"

If my little Xi'er is happy, then I, her father, can be happy too.

Hearing Qin Jue's slightly sad expression, Xiao Xi'er quickly hugged Qin Jue's neck.

"How could that be? Father is the best!"

"Being with Daddy is the happiest thing!"

Qin Jue reached out and patted Xiao Xi'er's head, "Have you had dinner yet?"

"No, I came back specifically to eat with Daddy."

"Little Xi'er is so sweet. Come on, let's go eat with Daddy."

Little Xi'er nodded, blinked, and looked at Qin Jue, asking, "Daddy, put me down, I can walk by myself..."

"What, you're starting to dislike your father?"

"Then Father will put Xiaoxi down and leave."

Hearing this, Xiao Xi'er hugged Qin Jue's neck tightly, "No, no, no!"

"Daddy, I was worried you'd get tired carrying me... I've gained so much weight!"

"Father, look!"

Xiao Xi'er reached out and pinched her cheek, letting Qin Jue see.

Upon hearing Xiao Xi'er's words, Qin Jue reached out and pinched Xiao Xi'er's cheek.

"Hmm, it is quite soft."

"You've all gained weight!"

"Not fat at all, you look your best right now."

Xiao Xi'er was overjoyed, her mouth agape in a wide smile, and she even managed to give Qin Jue a quick kiss on the cheek.

After dinner, Xiao Xi'er pulled Qin Jue to sit down next to the brazier, and Qin Jue did indeed frown.

After seeing this, Xiao Xi'er pulled Qin Jue to sit down, then stood up and reached out to touch Qin Jue's brow.

"Father, don't frown."

"They don't look good anymore, they look like...like an old man."

As she spoke, Xiao Xi'er even demonstrated for Qin Jue, bending over, hands behind her back, head bowed, brows furrowed, eyes squinted, one hand on her chin, coughing occasionally.

"Cough cough... cough cough..."

After walking back and forth for a while, Xiao Xi walked up to Qin Jue's side.

"Father, do you think I'm learning well enough?"

"Ha, it's so true. Daddy's little daughter has grown into a little old man who looks older than him!"

Xiao Xi pouted unhappily.

"Hmph"

“Father, if you frown again, you’ll look like I did just now, which isn’t pretty at all.”

And that's how my ugly daddy became~

After Xiaoxi finished speaking, she made a face at Qin Jue.

"You little brat, do you want a beating?"

"Daddy would never have the heart to hit me!"

Xiao Xi'er sat down next to Qin Jue without any worries and spoke without hesitation.

You're so sure your father won't have the heart to hit you.

Qin Jue reached out and tapped Xiao Xi'er's head with his index finger. Xiao Xi'er, who had been tapped on the head, tilted her head slightly and looked at Qin Jue, then smiled.

Then she took Qin Jue's hand and placed it by the brazier to warm it, saying, "Father, look how cold your hands are. Warm them up quickly."

"It's getting cold now, so you need to wear thicker clothes, and remember to keep warm!"

Little Xi'er spoke to Qin Jue like a little adult. After she finished speaking, Little Xi'er stood up and ran out.

A little while later, Xiao Xi'er ran back. She went to Qin Jue and gestured for him to take out the things she was carrying in her clothes.

"Daddy, let me tell you, these are really delicious when roasted."

"I roasted some sweet potatoes with Fang Zixu and Sister Keke Yan'er a few days ago. The roasted sweet potatoes were sweet and soft, and so were the chestnuts."

Qin Jue was unhappy.

"Xi'er, this kind of brazier is dangerous. Look, if you're not careful, your clothes might get burned. Or this brazier is easy to tip over, and if it does, the embers inside will fall to the ground and burn your clothes."

"It's alright, Father, don't worry. I'll be careful."

Seeing Xiao Xi'er like this, Qin Jue didn't know what to say and simply called out to Zou Heng.

"Zou Heng, go and have someone make one of these braziers. You can use it to roast things, and the embers won't fall out."

"Yes, Master."

After agreeing with Qin Jue, Zou Heng left.

"Daddy, you're so good to me~"

"Let's grill something and eat!"

Qin Jue slightly raised the corners of his mouth and nodded. He picked up an iron plate and placed it over the brazier, covering half of it.

Then, together with Xiaoxi, they picked up the sweet potatoes and chestnuts from the ground and placed them on the iron plate.

The food on the iron plate was being heated by the charcoal fire in the brazier.

While roasting sweet potatoes and chestnuts, Qin Jue and Xiao Xi'er stretched out their hands to warm them. They chatted, but Xiao Xi'er talked the most.

"Father, my third brother is leaving for the south tomorrow."

"Hmm, you're reluctant to part with it?"

Xiao Xi sniffed and nodded, "I can't bear to part with it."

"Should we stop Father from letting him go?"

When Qin Jue said this, he glanced at Xiao Xi'er, as if he were testing her.

"No, my third brother loves the military, loves being a general, loves protecting our country, and loves protecting our family. I want to support him."