Chapter 196: Raise Me Up High

Father! Mother! Big brother! I'm back—!

The carriage had just stopped, and Tuan Tuan leapt down, sprinting into Ning Prince's Mansion.

The crisp, joyful cries rang through the mansion.

Tuan Tuan raced across the familiar courtyard and plunged into Cheng Ru'an's already‑outstretched arms.

"Tuan Tuan! My Tuan Tuan! You finally came back!" Cheng Ru'an held her daughter tightly, weeping with joy, continuously kissing the crown of her hair.

Xiao Yuanhang, hearing the voice, hurried over, extending his large hand to gently stroke his daughter's little head: "It's enough that you returned safely."

Xiao Ningyuan rushed in, scooping her up: "Let me feel her—has little Tuan Tuan gotten thin from this long trip?"

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun walked in: "She hasn't lost any weight! She hasn't missed a bite!"

Tuan Tuan glared at them, reaching out with her small hand to pull Cheng Ru'an: "Mother! Don't listen to them. I've been away so long; without your home‑cooked food, of course I'd get thin!"

Cheng Ru'an brushed the tears from her face: "Mother will cook for you herself right now, making a few dishes you love!"

Tuan Tuan smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Mother! You're the best!"

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun exchanged a smile; after all, the little sister knows best how to cheer mother up.

That evening, the whole family shared a reunion meal; even Old Madam Xia came. During the banquet, everyone listened to Tuan Tuan's chattering recount of her experiences in Da Xia, savoring every detail.

Xiao Yuanhang sighed: "I hadn't expected this journey to be so perilous, but thanks to your united effort, you've overcome so many obstacles."

Cheng Ru'an's heart raced as she listened: "Tuan Tuan, heed your mother's words—no longer travel so far or stay away for so long. Mother worries about you every day and can't sleep."

Tuan Tuan hurried over, hugging her and comforting: "Mother, don't be afraid; villains are villains, they won't win!"

Xiao Ningxun interjected: "Tuan Tuan is right! Since ancient times, evil never overwhelms righteousness; the virtuous will ultimately defeat the wicked."

Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously: "Exactly! Exactly!"

Several days later, Xiao Yuanhang returned from court to the mansion, his expression solemn.

Cheng Ru'an, seeing it, knew something serious had happened and hurriedly asked: "Prince, what's going on?"

Xiao Yuanhang looked at his wife: "At Da Xia's Chenbing border, they demanded the National Jade Seal, but His Majesty forbade it. Today, an urgent report from the frontier eight hundred li away says Cangyan Pass has fallen."

He paused: "His Majesty ordered me and Cheng Er to lead two hundred thousand troops to rush to the frontier."

Cheng Ru'an's complexion turned white instantly upon hearing it.

She forced down her worry and reluctance, turned, and said: "I will go prepare the expedition gear for the Prince!"

The entire Ning Prince's Mansion instantly became bustling.

Tuan Tuan ran back and forth behind her mother, helping her pack the items that father and brothers were to take.

Xiao Yuanhang, clad in battle armor, first went to Listening Rain Pavilion, where before Old Madam Xia he lifted his robe, knelt, and kowtowed deeply: "Mother, I have been ordered to campaign and can no longer fulfill my filial duties at your side. Please take care of your health and do not worry."

Old Madam Xia's eyes reddened as she helped her son up: "You must return safely."

Outside the mansion gates, carriages and horses were ready.

Xiao Yuanhang held Tuan Tuan tightly in his arms, and Tuan Tuan clung to her father's neck: "Father, you and Second Brother must finish dealing with the villains quickly and come home sooner."

"Alright, Father promises you." Xiao Yuanhang kissed his daughter's little cheek and handed her to his wife.

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ningxun performed the salute together: "May Father and Second Brother achieve swift victory and return triumphantly soon!"

Xiao Ningchen nodded heavily and, together with his father, swung onto the horse.

Cheng Ru'an could not hold back any longer; tears slid down her cheeks, her voice choked: "Yuanhang, Cheng Er, be careful in everything."

Xiao Yuanhang gave his wife a deep look, turned, and shouted: "Depart!"

In the days that followed, Tuan Tuan ran to the mansion gate each day to glance briefly, hoping to see Father and Second Brother's returning figures.

The battle reports ahead flew back to Jingcheng like snowflakes.

"Our forces achieved a minor victory, recapturing lost ground!"

"The enemy counter‑attacked; our army was defeated!"

The news tugged at the hearts of everyone in Ning Prince's Mansion.

Cheng Ru'an visibly thinned, and even Old Madam Xia's appetite decreased considerably.

That day, a swift rider brought news that sent everyone's souls scattering: Prince Ning Xiao Yuanhang personally led an elite raid behind enemy lines, fell into an ambush, was surrounded, and though he broke through at great risk, he sustained severe injuries, fell into a coma, and his life hung in the balance!

Cheng Ru'an's vision went black, and she nearly fainted.

"I want to find Father!" Tuan Tuan grabbed Xiao Ningxun's hand. "Third Brother, we'll go with Second Uncle! We'll go together to rescue Father!"

"Nonsense!" Cheng Ru'an cried, tears streaming. "With thousands of troops, what can a little child do!"

"Mother!" Tuan Tuan threw herself into her mother's arms. "Let me go! Father is injured! I must find him!"

Xiao Ningxun looked at his sister, then at the grief‑stricken mother: "Mother, we both know Tuan Tuan's abilities."

"Xiao Er and I will take her, spur the horse, head straight for Main Camp; nothing will go wrong. Father's condition is critical; if Tuan Tuan can go, perhaps she can truly help."

Cheng Ru'an trembled, clutching her daughter tightly, her voice breaking: "Fine, Mother lets you go. You must bring Father back safely."

"Mm! Mother, don't worry!" Tuan Tuan nodded forcefully.

Without delay, Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Er took Tuan Tuan, selected a few elite from the Prince's Mansion, traveling light, swapping horses but not riders, racing like lightning toward the frontier pass.

The days of relentless travel left them dust‑covered and weary.

When the party finally reached the Central Army Main Camp, Tuan Tuan was already exhausted.

They were led straight to the Commander's Main Tent.

The tent was thick with the smell of blood and herbs.

Xiao Ningchen's eyes were sunken as he sat silently before the couch.

Seeing them enter, he sprang up, his voice immediately choked: "Third Brother! Tuan Tuan! You…"

"Second Brother! How is Father?" Tuan Tuan rushed straight to the bedside.

There, Xiao Yuanhang lay still, his complexion ashen, lips colorless, a thick bandage—soaked with blood and darkened—wrapped around his chest, his breath feeble.

"Father." Tuan Tuan gently extended her small hand, touching her father's face; her eyes instantly reddened.

Xiao Ningxun knelt before her father's bedside, tears sliding down: "Father!"

He looked at Xiao Ningchen: "What did the medic say?"

Xiao Ningchen shook his head: "The enemy forces were vicious, having prepared the trap in advance; Father was struck in the chest by two arrows, the wound already extremely deep, and the arrows were coated with a strange poison. The medic examined it, but could not identify what poison it was, unable to detoxify."

Tuan Tuan felt heartbroken, Dad's injury is so serious! What should we do!

Try the method that cured Second Brother last time? It should work.

But, when treating Second Brother's leg last time, Mother said she herself fell into a deep sleep for a full two days.

This time, I don't know how long I'll have to sleep.

If I sleep too long, I won't be able to see the brothers again.

She thought for a moment, walked up to Xiao Ningchen, spread her little arms: "Second Brother, lift me up high!"

Xiao Ningchen stared, then immediately put on a stern face: "No, Tuan Tuan, it's too dangerous."