Chapter 815: There

Xiao Jieyun smiled: "I know what you want to say, but I have sat on this dragon throne for so long, having endured countless natural disasters and wars; now I just want to relax and unwind."

He ran his hand over the throne's armrest, his fingertips lightly tracing the polished, gleaming coiled‑dragon patterns: "Moreover, this realm will sooner or later be passed to the next generation."

"Having the princes train earlier is also a good thing."

Xiao Yuanhang fell silent for a moment, then looked up at the emperor: "Your Majesty has truly decided?"

"Decided." Xiao Jieyun withdrew his hand. "I have kept you today in order to hear your opinion before issuing the decree."

He paused, then said, "Xiao Yuanhang, which of my princes do you think is capable of bearing great responsibility?"

Xiao Yuanhang remained silent.

Xiao Jieyun said to himself, "Among my princes, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince unfortunately died young; the fourth is frail, having been a sickly child."

"The fifth, though healthy, has mediocre talent and cannot shoulder this burden."

"Eleven and twelve are still too young, needing caretakers themselves."

"Now only the seventh and ninth remain."

When Xiao Ran is mentioned, a slight smile lifts Xiao Jieyun's lips: "But the ninth's temperament…"

He shook his head: "If I were to pass the throne to him, he would probably pack up and flee the capital that very night."

Xiao Yuanhang couldn't help but laugh, nodding slightly: "The Ninth Prince is free‑spirited and unrestrained; if Your Majesty issues such an edict, he might actually be able to do it."

Xiao Jieyun said seriously: "Only the seventh is proficient in both civil and military affairs, wise and steady."

"When I personally led a campaign, I appointed him as regent; he handled all court matters flawlessly."

"I favor him."

Xiao Yuanhang clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty's wisdom is evident; the Seventh Prince is indeed the heir apparent."

Xiao Jieyun nodded: "If the seventh ascends the throne someday, his close friendship with Tuan Tuan, plus your presence, puts me at ease."

Xiao Yuanhang rose, straightened his attire, and performed a proper bow: "I will obey the decree."

Xiao Jieyun waved his hand: "Go. Your expedition just returned, and the family hasn't properly reunited yet; return soon to spend time with them. Remember to have Tuan Tuan visit the palace often to see me."

"Yes." Xiao Yuanhang replied, turned, and left.

The hall doors gently closed behind him, and Xiao Jieyun sat alone for a moment: "Cheng Jinyan, summon Lord Song into the palace."

Eunuch Cheng bowed and replied, "Yes."

Xiao Yuanhang returned to the Ning Prince's Mansion; just as he reached the rear courtyard gate, a clear laugh from his daughter echoed from inside.

He smiled faintly and followed the sound.

He saw Tuan Tuan riding on Little White, the little white horse, which trotted gently with dainty steps.

Xiao Ningyuan held the reins ahead and said, "When riding, the most important thing is to grip the legs and keep the back straight."

Tuan Tuan giggled and leaned back, almost lying on the horse's back.

Xiao Ningyuan turned and said, "Hey, hey, hey! Tuan Tuan, don't be naughty, listen."

Xiao Feifei and Xiao Jinjin were playing merrily among the flowers.

Xiao Feifei pawed at it, and Xiao Jinjin curled into a circle, playing dead.

When Xiao Feifei turned, Xiao Jinjin darted far away; Xiao Feifei chased after, paw outstretched, but Xiao Jinjin kept playing dead, making Xiao Feifei whine in frustration.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi stood side by side, chatting intermittently, yet their eyes never left Tuan Tuan's vicinity.

"Father! You're back!" Tuan Tuan, sharp‑eyed, was the first to spot Xiao Yuanhang and waved her little hand vigorously at him.

Xiao Yuanhang walked over, patted Little White's neck, and looked up at his eldest son: "Why are you at home at a time like this?"

Xiao Ningyuan chuckled: "I took leave. Tuan Tuan finally returned, and the Ministry of Revenue's ledgers won't run away, so I want to spend a few more days with her."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, reached out and stroked Little White's mane: "The horse is indeed obedient."

"Of course," Xiao Ningyuan said proudly, "My martial skill is lacking, but my riding is not inferior to my second and third brothers; teaching Tuan Tuan to ride is more than enough."

"Father!" Tuan Tuan stretched out her little arms, and Xiao Yuanhang lifted her from the horse's back.

She clung to her father's neck, excitedly saying, "Big brother almost tripped over Little White just now! Ask Uncle Two and Uncle Seven if you don't believe me."

Xiao Ningyuan rolled his eyes: "Tuan Tuan, didn't you promise big brother not to tell anyone else?"

Tuan Tuan retorted confidently: "But father isn't someone else!"

Xiao Er and Lu Qi laughed upon hearing it.

Xiao Yuanhang burst out laughing, planting a kiss on his daughter's cheek: "Tuan Tuan is still the best; she tells everything to father, far better than those three naughty boys."

That evening, the family gathered together, sitting around the Flower Hall for dinner.

Cheng Ru'an and Consort Yun personally cooked a spread of dishes; Lady Xia sat at the head, smiling as she watched the full house of grandchildren, while Grandma Liu arranged the vegetables beside her.

Gongsun Yue sat beside Tuan Tuan, occasionally adding some of her favorite dishes to her bowl: "Tuan Tuan, you've become thin; eat more."

"Mm, Xiao Yueyue, you eat first; I still have to feed them."

Tuan Tuan slipped off the stool and walked to a specially made low table beside the dining table.

Xiao Feifei and Xiao Jinjin each had their own small round chairs; Xiao Jinjin's was taller, almost level with the tabletop.

Xiao Feifei's chair was much lower; when she crouched in it, her little head just peeked above the table.

The low table was inlaid with two delicate wooden plates, exquisitely fitting into the table's groove.

Tuan Tuan placed a dish of thinly sliced, boneless tender lamb on Xiao Feifei's plate: "Xiao Feifei, this is your favorite lamb leg meat."

Xiao Feifei's front paws immediately grasped the table edge, she opened her mouth and snapped up a piece.

Tuan Tuan then cracked two boiled eggs into small pieces and placed them on Xiao Jinjin's plate: "Xiao Jinjin, these are your favorite eggs."

Xiao Jinjin sat upright, climbed to the edge of the plate, and leisurely swallowed a small piece.

Xiao Ningxun looked at the low table and said, "It really puts Feng Zhou in a tough spot; he actually managed to make something like this. His craftsmanship is truly beyond praise."

Cheng Ru'an laughed, shaking his head: "Lord Feng is the same; with such great skill, he spends it making furniture for foxes and snakes."

Xiao Ningchen shoved a piece of braised pork into his mouth and said, "Feng Zhou himself said that making furniture for Tuan Tuan's beloved pet is far more important than the Ministry of Works' menial tasks."

The family burst into laughter.

Halfway through the meal, Lu Qi put down his chopsticks, poured a cup of wine, and raised it.

He surveyed the crowd: "Prince, Princess Consort, everyone is here today; I have something to say."

Xiao Er felt a stir in his heart, vaguely guessed what it might be, and looked anxiously toward his own lady.

The dining table fell quiet.