It was warm and comforting, very thoughtful. Helian Nie looked at Helian Si's bright, expectant face, eagerly awaiting a few words of praise.

She felt increasingly regretful that she hadn't taught Helian Si some palace etiquette and manners. Listen to all the twisted logic these days; the princess doesn't act like a princess at all.

With the sounds of drums and horns heralding the imminent departure for war, Helian Nie managed to suppress the urge to blurt out his father's loving words of advice.

He gently ruffled Helian Si's hair, his handsome face pressed into a straight line, and spoke with rare concern.

"While I am away, take good care of yourself and listen to your brothers. I have already decreed that Nanrong Jinghua will remain in the palace until I return, and he will protect you."

Helian Si looked back at his father Helian Nie's stern face, and his nose inexplicably stung with tears.

Her father always considered her affairs in the most thorough way. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Helian Nie's waist.

Although the armor was a bit cold and uncomfortable, Helian Si still didn't let go. He sniffed, his eyes reddening.

"I understand, Father. You must come back safely. I will wait for your triumphant return and then drink plum wine with you."

Changying had been standing a few steps away, waiting for the emperor, and overheard the conversation between the father and daughter. It was clear that he was a cold-blooded leader.

At that moment, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat, turned her face away and looked up at the flock of geese flying in unison, afraid that she might not be able to hold back her tears.

Helian Nie patted Helian Si's slender back soothingly. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his narrow, peach-blossom eyes.

"You think you can drink so little that you're out of the water?"

Helian Nie couldn't help but chuckle, still remembering how stupid this ugly thing looked when he first made a fool of himself by drinking.

Helian also thought of it; the past was too painful to recall, and the chubby baby's embarrassing moments were even more unbearable to watch. She pouted in protest, utterly dissatisfied.

"That was when I was a kid. Now I'm much better. I can drink a lot without getting drunk, unless it's a handsome man. If it's a handsome man, I get drunk without even drinking."

Helian Si muttered the last two sentences, thinking he was speaking very quietly. As the saying goes, you have to get yourself drunk to have a chance.

Helian Nie restrained himself from hitting Helian Si on the head, just as the bugle call for the assembly sounded. Helian Nie patted Helian Si on the head.

"Be good, don't worry me."

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the high platform where he would issue commands. Changying followed closely behind, and Helian Si jogged a few steps. The two of them stopped in surprise.

Then Helian Si silently took out two more amulets from his pocket and handed them to Changying.

Under Chang Ying's astonished gaze, Helian Si tilted his head slightly and winked playfully.

"Big brother, come back safely too."

Long Eagle: "!!!!"

Nobody stop me, you all better cry!

Waaaaah, the little princess can still think of him! The little princess has grown up, waaaah, and she even calls him "big brother"!

Chang Ying's face flushed slightly, on the verge of tears, which startled Helian Si. She blinked, looking at Helian Nie with a blank expression.

All I did was give my older brother two amulets for good luck, why does he look like he's crying? Please...

She was used to seeing older brothers draw their knives and kill without batting an eye, so this sudden emotional outburst was rather frightening.

Seeing that the soldiers and horses had all assembled on the field, and looking at Changying's effeminate and hesitant manner,

Helian Nie's brow twitched, and his narrow, peach-blossom eyes gave Helian Si a deep look, like a father's meaningful glance. He then sharply ordered Changying to follow.

"Father, please come back safe and sound!"

Looking at Helian Nie's tall and imposing figure in armor, Helian Si's eyes stung, and he called out again.