This time, Xiangxiang and Dani did not accompany Huo Xiaolong to Miao territory. They had fallen too far behind in their studies, and besides, the trip was close to the New Year. If they were delayed on the way, they might not make it in time for New Year's Eve.

Lan Tingche and his sister boarded the carriage together. The gentle and refined young master asked his grandfather if he would be going to Miao territory with him. Meanwhile, the Prince of Zhennan, dressed simply, was wielding a hoe with the head steward of the Prince's mansion.

"Grandpa, I'm going to Miao territory with Aunt and Long'er. Are you coming?"

"I'm not going. That place is too dangerous. Do you really have to go?"

Doctor Gu said that Prince Zhennan is completely recovered. Now he spends his days farming and digging for wild vegetables, living a carefree life. It's not like he came to the brothel. Cen Ang and Hua Luan were both senior maids by their daughter's side. Now they don't care about their grandson anymore and let these two aunts take care of him.

"Yes, I want to go out and have a look."

"Then go ahead and bring me back some Chinese sausages, the really spicy kind."

"good."

Huo Shuwen and He Yi sat in a carriage, and Huo asked with an unhappy expression.

"Does Long'er have to share a carriage with him?"

“Our daughter is only eight years old,” He Yi said.

"Eight years old is not an option either. Look at that kid, he looks like a vixen, he..."

“Tingche has a pitiful background and a gloomy personality, so it’s normal for him to like hanging out with Long’er. Besides, there are no children to accompany Long’er this time. If she’s with the two of us, we won’t be so carefree.”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuwen said nothing more.

Huo Xiaolong is indeed a pain in the neck, so it's good to have that little brat help look after the child.

The only person in the entire brothel who didn't find Huo Xiaolong crazy was Lan Tingche. The young man held the book, reading and responding to every sentence.

This response was different from that of his older sister and elders, who always went along with his wishes and agreed to everything he said. Lan Tingche was different; he would seriously analyze the pros and cons and right and wrong of the matter with him.

Sometimes he would talk to himself about people's livelihood and the hardships he had witnessed along the way.

Huo Xiaolong loves listening to this.

Bathed in the gentle sunlight, the little dumpling gradually closed its eyes and lay down on the blanket in the carriage, sleeping soundly.

The boy covered her with a thin blanket and lit incense.

I still remember how Aunt Cen took care of me back in the Crown Prince's residence.

His sister deserves the best of everything.

Lan Tingche didn't actually want to come out and see the world; it was just that the house had been too quiet while she was at Biluo Manor.

The silence made him feel as if he were the only one left in the world.

"master."

Lan Yi said from outside the carriage.

"Shhh."

Lan Tingche lifted the curtain and sat down outside with him.

"Keep your voice down, your little sister is asleep."

Lan Yi obediently lowered her voice and said in a whisper.

"A message has come from the Prince's residence: your aunt has passed away..."

"Dead?"

"yes."

"What was the cause of death?" the boy asked expressionlessly upon hearing the news.

"The people in the manor say that he can't sleep at night and is overthinking; it's a mental illness."

"It's no wonder she couldn't sleep after doing something wrong."

The boy sighed, then continued...

"It's just a pity for my uncle and cousin."

Lan Yizhen didn't really want to say this, but after spending so much time at the brothel, he couldn't help himself.

"It seems your uncle and aunt don't have much of a relationship."

"..."

"But your cousin will definitely be heartbroken, after all, she is his own mother."

Lan Tingche glared at the driver beside him; this subordinate really talked too much.

But the boy didn't criticize him. It was a good thing that he was alive and well; at least it was better than his previous lifelessness.

"Brother Tingche, who's gone?"

Huo Xiaolong is very sensitive to gossip, and even though he's still a bit dazed, he would peek out and ask questions as soon as he heard about it.

"Nobody's sleeping with you."

Lan Tingche reached out and pressed the little dumpling back down, then drifted off to sleep as the carriage swayed gently.

The moment Huo Shuwen lifted the carriage curtain, even the eagle felt a little embarrassed. It had originally intended to give the young man a hard time, but...

His daughter was sleeping barefoot on the carriage blanket, while Lan Tingche was reclining properly, taking a nap. His posture looked tired. Not only was the little dumpling sleeping, but she also stretched one foot onto Lan Tingche's face.

"Uncle Huo?"

The boy had just woken up; his voice was a little hoarse, making him sound more like a duck.

"Get up and eat."

"good."

During his years at Fengyue Tower, Lan Tingche still longed to get close to Huo Shuwen, but Xiong Ying really didn't want another good son, Huo Xiaocheng had driven him half to death.

But the boy listened to him.

He also practiced his internal martial arts with Huo Shuwen, using a secret manual given to him by the leader of the martial arts alliance.

Cen Ang shouldn't be trained; he might become a eunuch.

"Give it to me directly, Long'er."

Huo Shuwen knew that his daughter loved to stay in bed and couldn't be woken up no matter how long he called her. It seemed that Lan Tingche had seen too much of Cen's mother spoiling her. This child would never go against Huo Xiaolong's wishes. As long as she wanted to do something, he would help her.

The little dumpling, who was sleeping soundly, felt dizzy and was greeted by a familiar scent, mixed with the fragrance of her mother.

Huo Xiaolong called out in a sweet, coquettish voice.

"Dad, you're carrying me again."

"Wake up! The food is ready, including your favorite crispy rice crust, which I specially saved for you."

Huo Shuwen hoisted the child onto his shoulder, her soft belly resting on his shoulder, the little bundle of joy clinging to him like a salted fish.

"Do you have pickled cucumbers and green beans? I'd like some pickled vegetables today."

"Yes, Aunt Zhang brought some for you. Dad will pick some out for you in a bit."

Lan Tingche frowned as he watched from behind. Wasn't it a bit unsettling that his little sister, Long'er, was hanging on Uncle Huo's shoulder like half a piece of pork?

It wasn't until he saw Huo Shuwen leave Huo Xiaolong on the ground that the boy was about to go and catch him when the little dumpling landed steadily and looked for his mother to hug him. He Yi glared at him a few times, which only made the man look puzzled.

“It’s all thanks to Long’er’s kung fu skills. What father throws his child around like that?” He Yi said to her husband.

“She climbs trees every day and jumps down from them.”

Huo Shuwen meant that the child jumps down from the tree every day and you don't say anything to her, but now you're saying something to me, and I feel a little wronged.

The mother was a little worried, and placed her delicate hand in his, saying...

"Alright, alright, don't feel wronged anymore. I'll talk to her about it from now on."

"Um!"

The eagle's "hmm" was filled with excitement. Huo Xiaolong, chewing on a rice cracker, glanced at him and said, "If you make my mother scold me, neither of us will have an easy time!"

Then I'll tell my mother about the big toad, and we'll fight to the death.