A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Inside the palace of Prince Yinan of Dasheng, sunlight shines through the lush branches and leaves onto the floor of the front hall, creating patches of mottled light and shadow.

Lin Mutang and He Su sat leisurely aside, looking at Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Yi's son, Xiao Xingjian, with gentle eyes. They saw that the little guy was sitting on the couch in the front hall with Zheng Linfeng's eldest son Zheng Xushen, pretending to play chess seriously.

Lin Qingyi walked in gracefully, carrying a fruit bowl filled with fresh fruit. When she saw the two small figures on the couch, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Jian'er can actually play chess?"

However, before she finished her words, she saw Zheng Xushen turning around and looking at her with a resentful look on his face, and the chessboard in front of them was a mess. The chessboard was so complicated and messy that even a top chess player would be confused and at a loss as to where to start.

Zheng Xushen complained helplessly to Lin Mutang who was smiling.

"Fourth Aunt, look at Jian'er. He plays chess without any rules at all! Every move is made at will, wherever he wants."

Hearing this, Lin Qingyi couldn't help but walk forward and take a closer look at the chessboard. Then she shook her head slightly and said with a smile.

"This child really takes after his mother. Back then, Huan'er played chess in the same unsystematic way."

As she spoke, she reached out and took Xiao Xingjian's hand, led him to where He Su was sitting, and comforted him gently.

"Alright, alright, let's not get off yet. Jane is still young, so naturally she doesn't understand the rules. She just wants to play with her brother. Come on, everyone, come and try some of the freshly picked fruit."

He Su gently stroked the head of Xiao Xingjian, who had been pulled into her arms, and turned her gaze to Zheng Xushen, who was still sitting upright on the couch, and asked Lin Qingyi.

"Where have those two little guys, Xiaobai and Luo'er, gone? They haven't been seen all morning."

Lin Mutang, who was standing by, heard this and looked towards the front yard, but he didn't hear the laughter of children playing, so he looked at his daughter Lin Qingyi curiously.

At this time, Lin Qingyi, who had been silent all the time, replied unhappily.

"They followed the eldest princess to comfort the soldiers. They really just joined in the fun!"

After saying this, she curled her lips slightly to express her dissatisfaction with the two children's behavior.

After hearing this, He Su couldn't help but smile slightly, rolled her eyes at her own daughter Lin Qingyi with a hint of sarcasm, and said.

"Look at our Xiaobai's personality. He doesn't resemble his father at all. Instead, he's just like you when you were little, always mischievous and naughty."

Lin Qingyi didn't care. She handed the freshly peeled fruit to Lin Muchang and responded to He Sudao with a smile.

"Oh, mother, please don't say that. Xiaobai is a boy after all, so it's normal for him to be lively and active."

"Look at Shen'er and Jian'er. They've never been like that brat, always trying to stir up trouble by climbing up the roof and causing trouble."

He Su looked at Zheng Xushen, who was quietly enjoying fruit under his seat and had a book in his hand, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Mother, it's not just Bai'er who's tearing up the roof tiles. She's making trouble along with Luo'er."

While Lin Qingyi was muttering softly, she did not forget to cast a slightly aggrieved look at her mother.

He Su frowned slightly and spoke softly.

"How can Luo'er be compared to Bai'er? The reason he's like this is because he's been following Lin Feng in the military camp for many years. He can't be considered crazy in the true sense. Having a general in our family is enough. Bai'er, from now on, it's best for you to study hard and be honest."

At this point, He Su couldn't help but sigh softly.

After a brief pause, He Su continued with emotion.

"Our Lin family has been in the military for generations, and we've produced many generals. Now, the older generation is trapped in Yinan, while An Cai is entrenched in Tianmen. I wonder how he's getting by alone in Tianmen, managing military affairs while taking care of Mian'er, playing both father and mother.

His words revealed deep concern and worry for his relatives far away.

Hearing her mother's words, Lin Qingyi hurriedly comforted her:

"Mother, you just like to think too much. Nan'er is just temporarily going to Dayan to seek medical help. Besides, there are so many maids and servants in Ancai's house, why does a grown man like him need to be both father and mother? Besides, does he know how to be a good mother to that brat?"

After saying that, Lin Qingyi smiled and winked at her mother mischievously.

"Grandma, I'm going to Tianmen to look for my uncle. He promised me personally that he would teach Jian'er martial arts! Once I learn powerful kung fu, I want to become a majestic general like my uncle!"

When Xiao Xingjian heard Lin Ancai's name, he happily scratched He Su's cheek with his little hands and said impatiently.

When He Su heard this, her expression changed slightly. She quickly reached out and covered her grandson's chattering mouth in her arms, scolding him softly.

"Little kid, don't talk nonsense! Our Lin family's child, from now on you should be a good civil servant like your father. That's fine too."

Lin Mutang, who was sitting next to him, shook his head and retorted when he heard his wife's words.

"You, that's purely a woman's opinion! What's wrong with being a general? Galloping across the battlefield, bravely killing the enemy—what a glorious and glorious experience!"

When he said this, a hint of pride unconsciously appeared on his face.

However, before Lin Mutang could finish, He Su glared at him fiercely and interrupted him unhappily.

"What's good about it? Look at all these scars on your body. No sooner have old wounds healed than new ones appear. There's hardly a single day when you're completely unscathed. You're wounded every day. How can anyone not feel bad when they see you?"

"If you keep going on like this and get hurt again, I won't have time to take care of you, an old man. I have a bunch of children and grandchildren at home who need my care!"

Although she spoke ruthlessly, her eyes were full of concern and worry for her husband.

"Grandpa is amazing! Second Empress said that you are an absolute hero! Jian'er also wants to be as brave and fearless as Grandpa and become someone praised by everyone!"

Little Xiao Xingjian blinked his big, lively eyes and spoke in a baby voice.

Then, he struggled hard and slipped out of He Su's warm embrace. He stepped forward and ran straight into Lin Mutang's arms like a happy little deer.

Seeing this, Lin Mutang, the veteran general who had fought on many battles, immediately smiled kindly and dotingly.

He carefully picked up the little grandson who had lost his mother's love and gently placed him firmly on his strong and powerful thighs.

Then, he took the fruit that Lin Qingyi had carefully peeled and gently handed it to Xiao Xingjian's chubby little hand.

"Haha, our Jian'er is still the most well-behaved and sensible! You are right, as a great general, grandpa is naturally invincible!"

Lin Mutang laughed heartily, and while laughing he glanced triumphantly at He Su who was standing next to him.

He Su frowned slightly and said with her red lips slightly opened.

"This time, the princess finally spoke some honest words. Originally, I didn't want to bother with her at all. However, since she's quite sensible and understands the kindness of bringing our lovely Jane here, I won't argue with her too much and just let her be."

At this point, He Su couldn't help but sigh softly, as if he was still a little dissatisfied in his heart.

After a brief pause, He Su seemed to suddenly remember something, looked down at Xiao Xingjian who was sitting on Lin Mudang's lap and eating fruit happily, and asked softly.

"Jian'er, who taught you to call her 'Second Lady'?"

Xiao Xingjian raised his head, holding a piece of sweet fruit in his mouth, and answered vaguely.

"It was Aunt Yunxiang who told Jian'er. She said these were all instructions given by our mother before she passed away."

Jian'er thought for a while and said, speaking of his mother, if there wasn't a portrait in his father and mother's room, he would never be able to remember the person's voice, appearance and smile in his limited memory. After all, when his mother left, he had just started to babble.

"Look at our Huan'er, he is very tolerant. Even though he has a normal life, he still remembers to teach his children how to be sensible. Look at you, stop being so wild and teach Bai'er well. He will become an official in the future."

He Su looked at Xiao Xingjian's twin eyes that were the same as his own, and his eyes became slightly moist as if he saw that child. Then his expression changed and he looked at Lin Qingyi who was chewing an apple and said.

"Yes, Mother."

Lin Qingyi hurriedly bowed and said, fearing that He Su would continue chattering.

"Wen'er has been taking care of Yi'er these days and is exhausted. She also has to take time off to learn from Fairy Tao. It's really hard for her. You have always been free, so go and help her out."

"Mother, ever since the princess came, there's no need for Wen'er to take charge. She was kicked out long ago."

"Tao Baiwan brought a bunch of doctors, all of them are very mysterious. I haven't seen my brother-in-law for two days. I don't know if he is unconscious or awake. No one wants to go to that yard and be looked down upon."

Lin Qingyi put down the fruit core and said.

"What did Fairy Tao say?"

He Su asked with a frown.

"Let them do whatever they want. They won't be able to do anything anyway. We still have to wait for Second Sister to invite the poison doctor or something. After all, this poison can only be cured by poison doctors from the foreign land of Shenzhou."

"Wen'er naturally won't say much. She just needs to have someone watch over her taking the medicine every day. After all, they are husband and wife, so a word from us wouldn't be too much."

"Jian'er, have you finished eating? Fourth Aunt is taking you out to fly kites. Uncle Ding should have finished making those kites. Those two boys should be back by now."

Lin Qingyi stood up and the maid beside her brought her water for washing hands. She washed her hands, dried them, and waved to Xiao Xingjian. She asked the maid to wipe the child's hands and face clean, then knelt down to greet Lin Mutang and his wife and left the front hall.