As soon as the words fell, he flew into action, jumped into the Martial Arts Field before anyone could react, and took out his dagger from his sleeve. He launched an attack on Mu Houchu with a flurry of movements, and by the time people realized what was happening, Ji Xinhe had already engaged in combat with Mu Houchu.
Seeing the fight, the servants in the Martial Arts Field seemed energized, and they all came out from their hiding places to watch the spectacular battle.
Mu Houchu wielded a longsword, while Ji Xinhe used a dagger. Both weapons had their advantages, making the collision between them something people were looking forward to.
Ah Guai’s eyes were sparkling, and he cheered from the sideline, "Mother! Mother is amazing! Dad is amazing too!"
"Whose side are you on?" Xiao Bei suddenly appeared, scaring Ah Guai.
Turning to look, it turned out that Xiao Bei and Xiao Chaihuo had come to watch the fight at some point.
Ah Guai smiled and said, "Cheering for both dad and mom!"
"So, who do you think will win, your dad or your mom?" Xiao Bei asked.
Ah Guai tilted his head and thought about this difficult question. "Can’t dad and mom win together?"
"Of course not! You must choose one. If your dad wins, your mom will be sad. If your mom wins, your dad will be sad. Ah Guai, you have to think carefully about whether it’s better for dad to win or for mom to win." Xiao Bei teased him on purpose.
Confused, Ah Guai’s once shining eyes looked lost, and his little face wrinkled, "But... but I don’t want to make dad sad or mom sad..."
"Well, there’s no way around it. Someone has to lose." Xiao Bei also appeared to be struggling.
Ah Guai’s little face became more and more wrinkled, almost squeezing out water, feeling wronged, "Really...?"
Just then, a "ding" sound could be heard. Xin He’s dagger brushed against Mu Houchu’s sword and landed on his neck.
Ah Guai dumbfoundedly said, "Mom won... what should we do if dad is sad?"
Mu Houchu smiled at Xin He and said, "I lost."
Xin He was not in a good mood and put her dagger away, "You always purposely let me win. Do you think I can’t tell? It’s no fun; I won’t fight anymore."
Mu Houchu curled his lips and casually threw the sword to Ling Feng. Then he put his arm around Xin He’s slender waist and walked out with her, "Are you angry?"
Xin He snorted lightly, not bothering to pay him any attention. As soon as she walked out, she saw Ah Guai with a wronged face.
"What’s the matter? Why isn’t Ah Guai happy?" Xin He laughed.
Ah Guai, with his little face wrinkled, said, "My little uncle said that if mom loses, mom will be sad, and if dad loses, dad will also be sad. Ah Guai is afraid that dad and mom will be sad, so dad and mom shouldn’t fight anymore."
Xin He shot her chilly dagger-like gaze at Xiao Bei, who shuddered and laughed, "Ah haha, I was just kidding..."
Mu Houchu said, "Xiao Bei, come in. I want to see how much progress you’ve made in your kungfu."
Xiao Bei turned and ran, "I just remembered I haven’t finished my homework. I have to go study!"
Seeing Xiao Bei running away quickly, Xin He couldn’t help but laugh, "This kid sure runs fast."
Normally, Mu Houchu wouldn’t personally check Xiao Bei’s kungfu progress. Xiao Bei didn’t want to be at Mu Houchu’s mercy and be beaten up badly.
However, under the situation when Xiao Bei made a mistake, Mu Houchu would usually say, "Come here, I want to check your kungfu."
By now, Xiao Bei was conditioned to be sensitive to these words. The first thing he did upon hearing them was to run as fast as he could!
Mu Houchu picked up Ah Guai, "Don’t worry, Guai, dad isn’t sad even if he lost."
Ah Guai tilted his head and asked, "Why not sad?"
"Because I lost to your mom. Even if dad loses a hundred times, I won’t be sad." Mu Houchu smiled.
Ah Guai seemed to understand and nodded, "Oh!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Xin He smiled and said, "Alright, you’ve worked up a sweat. Go clean up first, and then we’ll have breakfast."
Mu Houchu glanced at Xiao Chaihuo, seemingly in a great mood, and walked away with a turn.
Xiao Chaihuo retreated to the side, his emotions fully restored to calm, no longer showing the loss of control from the other day. He was flawless and impeccable.
Today was Chinese New Year, and Xin He didn’t feel like arguing with him anymore. She had always been quick to temper and also quick to let it go, so she said with a smile, "Alright, don’t just stand here. It’s New Year’s Day; go and have fun."
Xiao Chaihuo had already grown used to her habit of talking to him as if he were a child, so he didn’t say anything. He just nodded in agreement, "Okay."
The peaceful New Year’s Eve had passed, and Ah Guai had his wish fulfilled, seeing the big firecrackers, then later eating the reunion dinner. He even wanted everyone to stay awake together, but in the end, he was the first to fall asleep. Xin He had spent countless nights together with Mu Houchu and did not find anything special about that night. It was peaceful, and ever since everything had settled down, she felt particularly at ease and satisfied.
However, only a day after the peaceful New Year’s Eve, the Royal Mansion became bustling again, as nearly all the prominent families from Man Yu State eagerly awaited to pay their visits. After all, Yuwang Residence now served as everyone’s backbone, a presence akin to the Emperor.
Xin He found it troublesome to meet all the guests one by one, so she decided to host a banquet for the nobles of Yu State on the fifth day of the New Year.
With guests flooding the house, Ah Guai seized the opportunity to play the role of a little host and showed several noble children of his age around the mansion’s garden. Xin He had Xiaoyu to look after him, so she wasn’t worried and focused on entertaining the noble wives at Pingque Terrace.
Madam Zhang said, "Today, I saw how the princess has grown more and more beautiful. The Prince and Princess are both fascinating people, and I am sure their daughter will be extraordinary in the future. I am genuinely envious."
Xin He smiled and did not bother to discern if it was true or false envy, "Madam Zhang is too kind. The child is neither big nor small, and there’s no telling what will happen in the future."
As the room full of people was chatting, Xiao Bei strode in and saluted everyone, "I pay my respects to my sister and all the ladies here."
"This must be the Prince’s brother-in-law, Young Master Ji, right? He looks very handsome. Being a scholar at the age of sixteen is truly remarkable." The room was filled with compliments.
Xin He smiled, "What brings you here?"
"Young Master Liu and the others are discussing whether to go out to Lake Biluo to see the snow scenery. I came to ask for permission from my sister." Xiao Bei smiled.
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