The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Shangguan Hanque gave an awkward smile and said, "Who knew Father would do this? When I was little, Father beat me quite a lot. I don't know why, but he's so good to Wutong. It makes me jealous."

Hua Xiangrong laughed and said, "Haven't you heard of the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren? It's because you're the son and he's the grandson."

Shangguan Hanque said, "But I've never seen my grandfather treat me this well! Was I adopted?"

The group burst into laughter. The twins, who had been spying from behind, exchanged glances for a moment before Jian Yue said, "After listening for so long, it's time to come out."

The two were startled. After exchanging glances again, they silently walked out. Hua Xiangrong raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh, you two little ones have grown up. You know how to peep now. But to be fair, tell me your own thoughts."

Jian Yue stepped forward and looked at the silent twins, asking, "Is there anything you want to say?"

Shangguan Rufeng stepped forward and said, "Why does Mother want us to leave? We are only three years old, still babbling children."

Jian Yue said, "I don't want you to leave. I'm just considering this matter. Also, I want you to know about your grandfather. But the choice is yours."

Ru Yu asked, "Is Grandpa the same Grandpa that Mom has always refused to see?"

Jian Yue nodded: "Yes."

"Why didn't Mother and Aunt want us to see Grandpa when he came looking for us?"

"Because he did something bad, which made your grandmother very sad and upset, and she never got to see your aunt in the end. So, we don't want to see him."

Ruyu asked again, "Then why does Mother want to send us to his side now? We don't like the person who harmed Grandma."

Jian Yue squatted down and picked up Ru Yu, who was still a little toddler, saying, "Because your mother hopes that you can grow up and become people that even your mother can only dream of in adversity."

Ru Feng then said, "If that's the case, why does Mother insist that we go to that so-called northern desert? Ru Yu and I will try our best to beg Mother not to let us leave."

Jian Yue was in a dilemma. She was also very reluctant to let her child leave, but when she thought of Mobei and the Yue Kingdom which was on the verge of collapse, she hesitated and looked at Bai Jianan. Bai Jianan also felt sorry for his children and picked up Ru Feng from the ground, saying, "What if Father wants Ru Feng to go and make Mobei yours?"

Ru Feng thought for a moment and said, "I don't know what Mobei is, but I understand what you are saying. They say that the people of Mobei are extremely fierce, covet the Yue Kingdom, and often harm innocent people."

"Since that's the case, let's just wipe them out. Suppress their arrogance, weaken their forces, and in the end, only a rabble will remain, which won't be a threat. Besides, I've heard from you, Mother, that the current emperor of Yue, while not incompetent, is mediocre and has accomplished nothing. So why help them? Helping them won't necessarily earn their gratitude. It's better to let such a country perish and establish a new one. If Father worries about the people, he can declare himself emperor. Then the people will live in peace and prosperity. Isn't that better?"

Ru Feng's words astonished everyone, and Bai Jianan was overjoyed. He looked at Jian Yue with excitement no less than Jian Yue's own heart pounding. However, Jian Yue remained calm and said, "But you also know that your parents prefer a carefree life and dislike being restrained. Doing this would mean your father would lose his freedom and be shackled. How will you resolve that?"

Ru Feng said solemnly, "Of course, you will wait until I grow up and then hand over this country to me. I promise my parents that you will do a good job."

Bai Jianan laughed heartily and said, "My son, your ambitions are boundless, but you should not become emperor. If you become emperor, you will have to give up many pretty little stones, you will not be able to play with your sister, and you will not be able to learn the things you like. Can you give that up?"

Ru Feng lowered his head in distress, but after raising his eyes, he still said firmly, "But if it means separating me from my sister now, I am unwilling. If becoming emperor means being with my family, then I am willing."

Although the child was young, the determination in his eyes was unwavering, and his will to protect his family burned like a raging fire, making all the adults present feel inferior. Qiu Lingyu said indifferently, "It seems that the Bai family has a successor."

Hua Xiangrong shook her head and said speechlessly, "Tsk tsk, not simple, such a little kid. Alright, your aunt will take care of this for you. We won't go to that damned Northern Desert. Let your father just send the Qilin Pavilion to wipe them out."

Jian Yue picked up Ru Yu and stood up, a smirk playing on her lips. "Why should the Qilin Pavilion have to do anything? The Northwest still owes me a favor."

Because of a child's suggestion, Yue Kingdom and Mobei were plunged into a long-awaited war. With the intervention of the Qilin Pavilion, although Mobei was gradually encroaching on Yue Kingdom's territory, it was unable to harm many people.

After arriving in the capital and capturing Emperor Murong Fang, they thought victory was assured, only to find the entire palace surrounded by iron cavalry. A rain of 100,000 arrows fell, and none of the northern desert people survived.

Meanwhile, in the distant northern desert, Qiu Zhennan, who was sitting on the dragon throne and happily watching the news of victory, watched helplessly as Chu Tianyi walked into his tent, carrying the head of his city's garrison general.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that Mobei was gone.

He sat on the dragon throne for a long time, then suddenly smiled slightly, coughed up blood, and died.

Chu Tianyi's army withdrew to the outside of the city that same day, without harming any civilians in the northern desert. After camping outside the city for half a month, they returned to the Great Northwest.

From then on, a new king was appointed in the Northern Desert, and he never dared to leave the territory of the Northern Desert again.

Meanwhile, in the Yue Kingdom, Emperor Murong Fang abdicated due to illness. Suddenly, Bai Jianan's true identity was revealed in the court. Immediately, led by the new prime minister, the court officials went to Bai Jianan's residence to invite the prince back to the palace to reorganize the situation.

When they arrived, the entire village was deserted, except for a painted mask with a few words engraved on the inside.

The throne was bestowed upon Chu Tianyi in the Northwest.

“I’m not stupid. Why would I let my son become that damn emperor? It’s a thankless job, and I’d have to rack my brains to manage a whole bunch of chores. It’s better to live a carefree life like this.”

Jian Yue smiled, watching Ru Feng and Ru Yu playing and chasing each other in the woods. She glanced at Hua Xiangrong beside them, who was teaching them how to use their own abilities, and said, "Yes, being as free as the wind is what we hope for. As for fame, fortune, and the future, that is something they have to find for themselves."

Bai Jianan gently lowered his head and hugged Jian Yue, saying, "Yes, whether we get wind and rain or not, it's not something we should care about."

In the woods and bushes, Shangguan Ruxing and Shangguan Wutong lay together, cautiously looking outside. Ruxing whispered, "Do you think these two little ones can really find us? I don't think it's possible. They're only three years old, how could they have so many thoughts?"

Shangguan Wutong nodded in agreement: "I also think that although Rufeng and Ruyu are clever, they are still too young."

Ru Xing said, "So I think there's no need to hide it too well. Why is Nian Zhe taking it so seriously?"

As she spoke, she glanced disdainfully at a large tree not far away, where a motionless boy lay on the thickest part of the trunk.

While Shangguan Ruxing was speaking, Lu Nianzhe gestured to the two of them, indicating that someone had arrived. The two immediately and carefully lay down on the ground, not daring to move at all.

However, this only lasted for about fifteen minutes before she and Shangguan Wutong were easily found by the two little children.

"How can this be?"

Shangguan Ruxing couldn't believe it was true. Wutong lay on the ground, stunned and unable to get up. Rufeng and Ruyu laughed and abandoned their search for Lu Nianzhe. After the two children easily found Ruxing and the others, Lu Nianzhe became more cautious and lay on the tree, not daring to move at all.

Shangguan Ruxing stood up dejectedly and leaned against the tree trunk, saying sadly, "Why? How could they have found it?"

Shangguan Wutong also got up and stood beside her, comforting her, "It must be a coincidence. How could such a young child do that?"

The two men were unable to calm down for a long time, and this unease intensified half an hour later.

Lu Nianzhe was also found, and he climbed down from the tree with a livid face.

Hua Xiangrong walked up to them and smiled, "Feeling frustrated? Sad? Can't believe it?"

Shangguan Ruxing said, "How is this possible? My aunt and uncle's tracking skills are not easy to learn. How could the two children have found me? I don't believe it. It must have been my aunt who guided me. Otherwise, I would never have been found."

Hua Xiangrong crossed her arms and said, "Since you think I betrayed you, then you can do it again. This time, let Nian Zhe stay by my side and see if Ru Feng and Ru Yu can find you. Wu Tong should also hide, but don't hide in one place."

Shangguan Ruxing bit her lip and ran away: "This time I'm serious, let's see how you find me."

The two quickly left and found their hiding places. After Hua Xiangrong said "start," they moved like the wind and rain. This time, Shangguan Wutong was found after only a quarter of an hour, while Shangguan Ruxing persisted in getting things done, but was also found by the two children.

Seeing Shangguan Ruxing looking dejected, Hua Xiangrong smiled and said, "Don't be discouraged. This is their advantage. In terms of martial arts, they are still not as good as you. However, you should not be arrogant because of this. You should quickly learn these hiding and tracking techniques to the best of your ability."

Don't think you can live a carefree life under your parents' protection. Once they're gone, you'll face a bloody and brutal world. Learn a skill now, so that even if you have to flee, you'll survive.

The five children began to transform under harsh conditions, especially Lu Nianzhe, who was the most serious and persistent. In the end, he became a rising star of the new generation and gained a certain status in the martial arts world.