Chapter 73

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

(Wishing everyone a Happy New Year~)

(The novel can be read later; remember to spend more time with your family~ The author will also keep you company~)

(In the new year, eat well, rest well, and take good care of yourself~)

(The side story is not the main text; the main text takes precedence~)

Inside the sleeping palace of the Shen Wu Xian Zhou Shen Wei General's Mansion, warmth permeated the air, a stark contrast to the biting immortal winds outside.

Large red lanterns hung inside the hall, gilded 'Fu' characters adorned the corridors below, and a festive New Year atmosphere permeated every corner.

Xuan Ge wore a red-gold dark-patterned long robe; the fabric was luxurious yet understated, his cuffs bound with silk sashes of the same color scheme, accentuating his increasingly upright figure.

His black long hair fell loosely behind him, the ends slightly curled; his usually sharp brows and eyes, like cold blades, had softened considerably at this moment.

A helpless yet doting smile hung on his face; he had shed the majesty of the Shen Wei General, looking quite like a gentle husband as he quietly watched the children frolicking in the hall.

Not far away, two little girls with pink hair and golden eyes were chasing and playing in the hall, each holding a small red lantern.

Their skirts swept across the smooth golden brick floor, making faint rustling sounds; their laughter was clear and pleasant.

Xuan Ge shook his head helplessly, stepped forward, and gently rubbed the soft crowns of the two little ones' heads, his tone gentle with a hint of admonition:

"Xuan Yue, Xuan Ye, don't run around recklessly; be careful not to fall."

He paused, then added: "Go find your Uncle Dan Heng and Sister Xing to play; they're waiting for you in the pavilion in the front courtyard."

The two little girls stopped, tilted their exquisitely carved little faces upward, blinked their golden eyes, chorused "Okay~", and then ran out hopping and skipping with their lanterns.

Watching the two little girls leave, Xuan Ge turned his gaze to the side, only to see the white-haired, golden-eyed little boy Xuan Yao being held steadily in Jing Yuan's arms.

Jing Yuan's fingertips were still gently poking Xuan Yao's soft cheeks, his eyes full of doting, a smile he couldn't hide curving his lips.

Xuan Ge instantly pressed his forehead in helplessness, walked up, and said with feigned anger:

"Jing Yuan, I didn't say anything about you keeping Yu Fei and Fu Xuan, but you dare poach my son now, luring him away to play?"

His tone was full of teasing, without a shred of real anger.

Jing Yuan didn't care in the slightest about Xuan Ge's "accusation"; he even deliberately waved his hand at him, looking quite pleased with himself.

He lowered his head and continued teasing the Xuan Yao in his arms, saying softly: "Ah~ not listening, not listening, a turtle chanting sutras; Xuan Ge, you mind your own business."

As he spoke, he gently swayed the Xuan Yao in his arms, his tone growing even gentler:

"Come on, Xuan Yao, Master will take you out for a stroll, buy you the most famous osmanthus sugar cake on the Xian Zhou, and the candied fruit you love most, how about that?"

Xuan Yao's voice carried a childish soft glutinousness, his tone very formal: "Master~, but I... I still have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters~~"

Not far away, Yan Qing, already grown into a young man, stood in the corridor, dressed in tight-fitting attire that accentuated his upright bearing, his brows and eyes still holding a trace of youthful spirit.

He had one hand on his hip, looked at Xuan Yao, and said with a smile: "Junior Brother, no worries; your Senior Brother here will watch over the younger brothers and sisters; you just go have fun with Master~"

No sooner had his voice fallen than a small figure ran over, black hair draping over her shoulders, purple-gold eyes shining brightly, a fluffy little demon tail dragging behind her, swaying with each step as she ran.

She tilted her little face up, tugged at Xuan Yao's hem, her voice soft and glutinous yet faintly revealing a hint of little coquettishness:

"Brother~ Brother~ buy me tasty food~ and buy sweet sugar figurines~"

Xuan Yao looked at his clingy little sister, patted his chest and promised: "Rest assured, Meng Er will be good at home; Older Brother won't forget."

At this moment, Yao Guang walked over slowly, dressed in simple elegant robes, her brows and eyes gentle, a gentle smile on her lips.

She gently pinched Xuan Yao's soft cheeks, admonishing softly: "No eating too much outside; save room in your stomach, you still have to eat the New Year's Eve dinner tonight~"

"Hehe~ Okay, Mother~" Xuan Yao replied softly in his glutinous voice.

"Uncle Jing~ I want to go too~"

Hearing the clear call, Jing Yuan immediately turned his head and saw a little girl with black long hair running toward him, her red eyes like two sparkling rubies, her hair flying in the wind as she ran.

The smile on Jing Yuan's face deepened; he hurriedly bent down, steadily scooped the little girl up, and gently brushed away the stray strands of hair at her temples with his fingertips.

Jing Yuan was even happier now, and promptly asked gently: "Little Xuan Jing, finished practicing swordsmanship?"

"Um... no... not..." Xuan Jing replied in a small, glutinous voice.

Jing Yuan didn't mind the evasion in her tone at all, didn't press further; he only wanted the little one to be happy.

He smiled and rubbed Xuan Jing's head, saying with feigned seriousness: "Finished is good; then Uncle Jing will give you a few days off, no sword practice, just play well for a few days!"

Jing Yuan felt the two nephews in his arms, the corners of his mouth rising wildly, unable to be suppressed.

"For real~ Uncle Jing is the best~" Xuan Jing happily rubbed her little face against Jing Yuan's cheek.

"That's right, that's right~!" Jing Yuan laughed loudly, his laughter hearty and resonant, echoing through the entire courtyard.

He carefully held the two little ones in his arms, stepped out of the General's Mansion with light, quick steps, planning to take them for a stroll at the Xian Zhou's New Year market.

Jing Liu and Yao Guang stood quietly by the window, their gazes following the figures of Jing Yuan and the two children, watching their backs gradually recede into the distance.

The two exchanged a glance, sighed helplessly yet dotingly, their eyes full of tenderness.

"Let's go~ can't keep letting Kafka, Ling Sha, Dalhua, and Xing Xiao stay busy in the kitchen~" Yao Guang looked at Jing Liu and said softly.

Jing Liu nodded, then walked into the side hall kitchen with Yao Guang.

The two women had just entered the kitchen when they smelled the rich aroma of food; looking up, they surprisingly discovered Xuan Ge was also busy in the kitchen, skillfully picking vegetables, his movements deft.

Yao Guang and Jing Liu exchanged a glance, gentle smiles appearing on their faces, and hurriedly stepped forward, rolled up their sleeves, and lent a hand; the kitchen instantly became lively.

In the living room on the other side, the atmosphere was also very lively.

Huan Long sat on the soft sofa, a gray-haired, golden-eyed little boy sitting on her — precisely Xuan Xing; he was obediently leaning against Huan Long's side.

On the sofa opposite them sat Liu Ying, Ren, and Yin Lang; a purple-haired little girl also sat beside Yin Lang.

Her eyes were a purple-gold gradient; she was precisely Xuan Fu Er, tightly clutching a game console in her hand.

Xuan Xing stared at the word 【Failure】 on the game console screen in his hands, his little face puffing up slightly in an instant, his cheeks bulging like a plump little steamed bun.

He looked at Huan Long with a wronged expression, whining in a spoiled tone: "Sister~ you cheated~"

Saying this, he turned to Huan Long again, tugged at her sleeve, and said aggrievedly:

"Aunt~ Xuan Fu Er cheated~ you hurry up and discipline her~ she clearly secretly switched Skills!"

The purple-haired little girl Xuan Fu Er let out a soft hmph, then said: "Hmph~ inferior skill~ Xuan Xing, if you're bad then practice more~"

Yin Lang on the side was blowing a bubble gum, arms crossed, seeing Xuan Fu Er win, she turned sideways and gave her a thumbs up, her eyes full of pride, secretly thinking in her heart:

This gaming skill, truly worthy of being taught by me, indeed has Gift.

Ren saw this, helplessly slapped away Yin Lang's hand, gave her a sidelong glance, lowered his voice and warned:

"Don't teach the child these things, be careful Kafka finds out, she'll punish you with three days and three nights of work, not even any time to rest."

Huan Long rubbed Xuan Xing's head, smiling as she comforted: "It's okay ah Xuan Xing~ Aunt is here, don't be wronged.

Wait for Aunt to ruthlessly teach Xuan Ge a lesson tonight, vent anger for you, how about that?"

Xuan Xing heard Huan Long's words, instantly froze, his pair of golden pupils full of confusion, looking at Aunt with a bewildered expression.

Little eyebrows slightly furrowed, he muttered in a low voice: "This isn't Xuan Fu Er's matter? Why teach Father a lesson?"

Huan Long looked at Xuan Xing's bewildered appearance, exceptionally Cute.