"Eldest brother."
Suddenly, her cloak was gently tugged by a slender hand, and behind her, Helian Siqingquan's soft, girlish voice rang out.
Helian Yi snapped out of his daze, turned around, and looked at Helian Si. The slightly cold lines on his face softened a little. "What's wrong? Are you cold?"
"No, I just wanted to shout." Helian Si, oblivious to Helian Yi's odd behavior, wrinkled his nose playfully and answered with a smile.
Helian Yi chuckled gently, his gaze falling on Helian Si's slightly disheveled hair. He subtly raised his hand and tidied it up.
Helian Si was so moved he wanted to cry. Look, look, look! No matter how time changes, your gentle eldest brother is still gentle and considerate.
"Thump—thump—thump!"
The deafening drumbeats of war resounded and echoed, drawing all eyes to them.
The emperor, clad in armor, leaped onto his warhorse. His narrow, almond-shaped eyes swept over the soldiers, and his thin, crimson lips parted slightly, uttering a sharp, authoritative command: "Let's go to war!"
The black banners symbolizing the Northern Yin dynasty were raised, fluttering in the autumn wind; the clatter of horses' hooves echoed as the vast army marched forward with the emperor.
Led by Helian Yi, the assembled officials and ministers who came to see the emperor off all bowed their heads in respect and loudly proclaimed their farewell.
"We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty. We will certainly fulfill our duties and await Your Majesty's triumphant return. Long live the Emperor!"
The deafening sounds of farewell echoed as Helian Si stood among his elder brothers, bowing in respect while secretly glancing up.
All that could be seen was Helian Nie riding a tall warhorse, his imposing figure in a black cloak gradually disappearing into the distance.
Unable to hold back any longer, tears streamed down her face. She tightened her grip on the hand warmer, sniffed, and said, "Father, you must be safe and sound."
After the ceremony concluded, Helian Yi stood up, his dark eyes catching the tears still lingering on Helian Si's face.
The tall, slender figure paused, realizing that his younger sister... had a close relationship with Helian Nie. If it were him... his younger sister would probably resent him.
Thinking of all this, Helian Yi's hand, which had been hanging at his side, tightened subtly. A bitter smile appeared on his gentle face. He didn't make a move.
How could he live up to the promise he made to his mother? If he took action, he feared that in the end, he would only end up alone and desolate.
"Alright, stop crying. Look at you, so pathetic."
Over here, Helian Ci frowned as he rubbed Helian Si's head, saying things he disliked, but the heartache and concern on his face were impossible to hide.
Helian You pulled out a piece of candy from somewhere, unwrapped it, and stuffed it into Helian Si's mouth. He then pulled out a handful of candies and stuffed them into Helian Si's arms.
Helian Si's eyes were red, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He was eating candy, clutching a hand warmer and more candy in his arms.
She sniffled, hiccuped a few times, her eyes red and pitiful, glancing at Helian Ci and then at Helian You.
Finally, she chewed up the candy in her mouth, swallowed it, pouted, and complained to Helian You.
"Third brother, look at second brother. I, hiccup, I'm already so pitiful, and second brother is still, hiccup, being mean to me, waah."
Helian Youjunyi had a look on his face that was both funny and exasperated, but in order not to hurt Helian Si's feelings, he glared at Helian Ci and said, "Let's ignore him."
Helian Ci: "..."
I'm so damn wronged... Dou'er is innocent!
Helian Yi stood a few steps away, looking at the three of them. His gentle face was gloomy, and his fingers twitched slightly under his dark white brocade robe. He turned around.
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