The gilded sandalwood box in the Wolong Palace emitted wisps of incense. Helian Nie stood with his hands behind his back in front of the window, his fingers stroking the black jade thumb ring on his thumb.

"Your Majesty, the Princess and Young Master Jinghua have already..."

Before Changying could finish speaking, a beautiful figure rushed in like a whirlwind, followed by Qingquan's melodious and clear voice.

"Father, what brings you here, my little darling?"

Helian Si came up behind Helian Nie, grabbed Helian Nie's broad shoulders, and said playfully, "Chang Ying, knowing better, stepped aside."

"Get down, you're a grown man."

Although it was a reprimand, the tone couldn't hide the doting affection. There were outsiders present; what kind of reputation would this be if word got out? It was all those brats' fault for spoiling this ugly thing.

"Okay, okay."

Helian Si pouted and obediently got off Helian Nie's back, but unlike before, he didn't linger by Helian Nie's side.

Instead, she walked back to Nan Rong Jinghua's side, tiptoed, and gently removed the veil from Nan Rong Jinghua's head.

Although Helian Nie was displeased, he didn't say anything. He sat down in the golden nanmu chair and looked down at Nan Rong Jinghua's silver eyes and hair.

Her narrow, peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, a ruthless glint of bloodlust flashing in them. If it weren't for Nan Rong Jinghua, would she be considered an ugly thing in her current state?

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Nan Rong Jinghua bowed slightly to Helian Nie, her silver-white robe flowing down, spotless.

"Let it be." Helian Nie's thin, crimson lips parted slightly, his handsome face displaying an inscrutable expression, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

"Father, shall I have a seat?" Helian Si looked at Helian Nie, his peach blossom eyes, so similar to Helian Nie's, blinking rapidly.

Seeing her handsome teacher so weak and pale, she felt a pang of heartache. But wait, she felt like she had forgotten something.

When that handsome teacher was molesting me just now, it seemed...it seemed like he was really energetic...

Helian Nie raised an eyebrow, looking at their clasped hands, and suddenly felt a pang of unease. When that ugly thing was still a chubby baby…

As long as I'm around, they always love to cling to me the most. Now that they're grown up, they don't need me, their father, anymore.

"Father?"

"Come here." Helian Nie raised his hand and gestured to Helian Si. Helian Si glanced at Nan Rong Jinghua beside him and instinctively wanted to refuse.

"But Jinghua..."

"Let's go." Nan Rong Jinghua gently squeezed Helian Si's small hand, her voice soft and gentle. Helian Nie had treated Asheng very well over the years.

"Alright, then make sure you stand firmly," Helian Si said worriedly, and Nan Rong Jinghua chuckled and agreed.

Helian Nie's handsome face darkened slightly, his fingers tapping on the table, a hint of impatience in his eyes. He'd grown up, his wings had hardened, he'd become successful.

As a coward who had been timid since childhood, Helian Si couldn't be more perceptive of his father's emotional changes.

She stepped forward, a fawning smile spreading across her delicate oval face, and sat down next to Helian Nie, linking her arm around his.

"Father, you are still wise and mighty today... Awoo."

Caught off guard, Helian Si was hit on the head. His eyes welled up with tears, and he pitifully clutched his aching head, saying, "Father, I'm already thirteen this year."

Why has my father, that big jerk, always been so disrespectful to me since I was a child? He's gone too far.

"pain?"

Helian Nie frowned slightly, rubbed Helian Si's head, and a hint of regret crossed his face. How come he's getting more and more fragile as he gets older?