"No." Zhuo Wen said coldly and decisively, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Huo Chengche gave a bitter smile and said calmly, "I have already entered the cycle of reincarnation, and you are all trapped outside the human realm, unable to protect Nian Nian. Since you are all trying to protect Nian Nian, why not let me protect her for this lifetime in the human world? After that, Nian Nian will surely have her own decision."
Zhuo Wen coldly stared at the young man, the sharp edge of his sword pressed against his throat, refusing to let go.
"Heh, don't push your luck. If it weren't for how much you care for Niannian, I would have already destroyed you just for daring to have designs on my little sister."
Huo Chengche understood the meaning behind Zhuo Wen's words, and he curled his thin lips, "As you command."
Zhuo Wen then sheathed his sword, coldly snorted, and said, "My son and I can allow you to stay by Niannian's side, but there are three conditions:"
First, do not cross the boundary;
Second, no interference is allowed with the Empress's training.
Third, after Nian Nian turns fifteen, she will travel the world with her master for sixty years. You are not allowed to see her during this time. She will plot against you on your throne.
If you abide by these three rules, and after your cycle of reincarnation ends, if you still wish to see them, we may allow you to meet them. If you disobey, my son and I will destroy you.
Huo Chengche thought about those long sixty years, and he pursed his thin lips slightly, but at least, after all that, there's still a long way to go.
"Okay, I will wait for her to grow up." Huo Chengche agreed calmly, keeping his promise for life.
Zhuo Wen sheathed his sword. "Remember your promise."
After saying that, the person had already disappeared.
The following day, the army clashed at Yuxia Pass, encircling and suppressing the rebels from both sides. The two princes of Hengchang led their troops, along with the royal army led by Crown Prince Huo Chengche, to attack from both sides and wipe out the rebels.
On New Year's Eve that year, Prince Hengchang brought his sons to the capital and spent a reunion year with his beloved daughter, Xiaochan.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Consort Yuan gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, the seventh prince and the ninth princess.
On the day of the twins' first birthday celebration, Emperor Chongjin defied public opinion and officially conferred the title of Empress upon Consort Chen Zhixian, placing her in the central palace.
Days passed by, and everyone thought the Crown Prince would marry the daughter of the Prince of Hengchang as his Crown Princess. However, after Princess Fuying came of age and traveled with the National Preceptor of Yeji, she disappeared without a trace for the next sixty years.
Crown Prince Huo Chengche never married.
On his deathbed, Emperor Huo Chengche of Fengyang appointed his seventh younger brother as Crown Prince and enthroned him.
*
Yuanji Mountain is shrouded in ethereal mist and clouds.
A crimson figure slowly materialized within the cloud-top magic array, tall and imposing.
The man's narrow, cold eyes opened slightly, and his body instantly radiated a divine aura. The entire immortal mountain was enveloped in divine light, waterfalls cascaded down, and a thousand cranes cried out.
Suddenly, the man noticed a pink dragon tail flash by at the corner of the cloud formation, looking playful and cute.
The man's thin, cool lips curved slightly, and he spoke in a deep, husky voice, "Niannian, do you miss your Crown Prince brother?"
"Crown Prince~ I want a hug!"
A sweet, soft voice leaped lightly among the clouds, and a delicate, petite figure "whooshed" out from the clouds and rushed into the man's arms, which smelled faintly of bamboo. The familiar, warm scent of bamboo filled her nostrils, evoking a sense of longing.
"Crown Prince, I miss you so much! Can I still call you Crown Prince?"
Chaos looked down at the rosy-cheeked, delicate little girl in his arms, and could still vaguely make out her childhood appearance from his memory. He chuckled softly, his eyes filled with doting affection.
"Of course, I will always be Niannian's Crown Prince brother, and Niannian will always be the Crown Prince brother's little princess."
The little girl, Cha Nian, had shallow dimples, as sweet and adorable as she had been in her childhood. Her pink dragon tail swayed back and forth, and she playfully swung her short legs in the man's arms, tilting her head back in a coquettish voice.
"My master and father are planning to send me to the Demon Realm for training. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I'm a little scared. Can you come with me, Prince Brother? Just like in the human world, hehe, you can secretly accompany me. With you there, I won't be afraid!"
The man smiled and said, "Okay!"
...
And so, the primordial beast Chaos accompanied the little dragon cub Cha Nian through countless days and nights of trials, enduring countless threats of god-slaying from her father and brothers.
Finally, on the day that Cha Nian ascended to the throne as Empress, he won over the little one he had protected for ten thousand years.
On her wedding day, the little girl, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, danced gracefully among the clouds. She turned and saw the man waiting for her on the celestial tree, a man smiling indulgently. With a sweet, soft smile, she reached out her tiny hand—
"Brother Crown Prince, I want a hug~"
The man stepped forward, pulled the soft, fragrant woman into his arms, and was completely captivated by her sweet, coquettish voice...
End of main text.
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