After giving birth to twins, the princess became pregnant again, and the royal uncle took care of he

Chu Huaizhong decided to temporarily ignore Jun Jiuxiao's presence, even though the other party was sitting right next to him with a faint smile on his face, gazing tenderly at Chu Xingyao.

Chu Huaizhong continued:

“My dear child, although the imperial decree for our marriage has been issued, we don’t need to rush into marriage.”

“Look, your eldest and second eldest brothers are still unmarried, while you, my youngest darling, should stay at home and spend more time with me for a few more years.”

His voice carried a hint of coquetry, hoping his daughter could understand his reluctance and longing.

Hearing her father's words, Chu Xingyao felt both moved and conflicted. She knew her father was reluctant, but the marriage was arranged, and she had to face reality.

A sweet smile appeared on her lips as she obediently nodded and replied, "Yes, Father, Yao'er will follow your arrangements."

In her bright, sparkling eyes, there was both her attachment to her father and her longing for the future.

Jun Jiuxiao sat upright at the table, originally sitting formally, with a lazy smile on his face, his chopsticks moving skillfully among the delicacies.

However, when Chu Huaizhong's voice rang out, the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

His mind felt as if it had been slashed by a sharp blade, and he instantly lost his appetite.

The surrounding air seemed to be permeated with a layer of coldness, and the temperature quietly dropped, making people shiver involuntarily.

He thought to himself that someone was deliberately provoking him.

If it were anyone else, he would have already stormed off without showing any mercy.

But the man in front of her was Chu Xingyao's biological father and future father-in-law.

This relationship put him in a dilemma, leaving him caught between a rock and a hard place.

Recalling that day in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, when Chu Huaizhong stepped forward to stop Jun Xuanche from marrying Chu Xingyao, he secretly admired him.

They believe he is a truly loving and responsible father.

However, now the same problem is facing me, and only I know the bitterness and helplessness I feel.

Just as he was feeling down, he suddenly felt a soft little hand gently scratching his palm under the table.

The tingling, numb sensation was like a warm electric current, quickly spreading throughout his body and turning his mood from gloomy to sunny.

Looking down, he saw Chu Xingyao gazing at him with a smile, her eyes as clear as autumn water, full of concern and expectation.

Chu Xingyao gently raised her jade-like hand, picked up a piece of golden-yellow, fragrant sweet and sour fish, and placed it softly in Jun Jiuxiao's bowl, saying in a gentle voice:

"Brother Yaochen, stop daydreaming! Try these dishes, especially the sweet and sour fish, it tastes amazing."

Her voice was as beautiful as heavenly music, sweeping away the gloom in Jun Jiuxiao's heart.

He nodded with a smile, picked up the sweet and sour fish, and took a small bite.

The fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, truly living up to its name.

He was about to offer some praise when he saw Chu Huaizhong's expression suddenly darken. He put down his chopsticks, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Highness, please enjoy your meal. I have other important matters to attend to and must take my leave now."

When Chu Xingyao saw her father, Chu Huaizhong, suddenly get up, her heart tightened, and she quickly stood up as well.

She stretched out her slender, jade-like hand, trying to grasp the corner of her father's clothes, hoping to hold back his hurried departure.

However, despite her eager movements, she still failed to reach the departing figure.

She could only stand there quietly, watching Chu Huaizhong's tall figure gradually blur until it disappeared from sight.

From that silhouette, Chu Xingyao could sense her father's deep-seated dissatisfaction and sorrow, like a thick gloom hanging over his heart.

In Chu Xingyao's childhood memories, her father, Chu Huaizhong, was always associated with war and armor. His figure was brave and fearless on the battlefield, but he also seemed unattainable to her.

Her feelings for him were complex, a mixture of awe and longing.

Chu Huaizhong's face was always so serious, as if the severity of war was forever etched between his brows, making it difficult for people to see the warmth in his heart.

However, whenever the war drums ceased, Chu Huaizhong would remove his armor and return with the glory of victory.

He would then put aside all glory and social obligations, transforming into a gentle father who would devote all his time to his daughter.

His figure no longer belonged to the battlefield, but to the outside of Chu Xingyao's school, waiting undeterred by wind or rain, just for that moment of reunion.

Chu Huaizhong's love was a well-known story in Kyoto, and he was hailed as "Kyoto's number one daughter slave." He was not ashamed of this at all, but rather proud of it.

In Chu Xingyao's eyes, this dignified general always showed endless doting affection in front of her.

She remembered riding on his shoulders and even dancing the dance she had just learned at his dinner table, and he always looked at her with that doting gaze.

Chu Huaizhong's large hands, though accustomed to wielding a sword, could still gently comb his daughter's hair into a beautiful double bun, every movement revealing his deep love for her.

He took Chu Xingyao through the streets and alleys of Kyoto, and those little trinkets always made her cheer with joy.

He always patiently stayed by her side, sharing her every little discovery.

Together they climbed the mountain to greet the first rays of sunrise;

Let's stroll along the lake and bask in the glow of the sunset.

The laughter of the father and daughter echoed through nature, and their figures left countless warm memories amidst the mountains and rivers.

Chu Huaizhong, the General Who Guards the South, was even willing to climb a tall tree and carefully take the baby bird out of the nest for his daughter, just to see the surprise in her eyes.

When they went down to the river to catch fish, they rolled up their trousers and groped in the water. Every catch made them cheer like children.

However, this extremely loving father suffered the tragic fate of having his entire family executed in his previous life because of him.

Whenever she thought of this, Chu Xingyao's heart was filled with endless regret and pain.

At this moment, her beautiful eyes were already brimming with tears, like crystal-clear pearls, trembling as if about to fall, yet not a single drop fell.

Such a pitiful appearance would make anyone feel sorry for her.

Just then, Chu's mother, Chu Xingchi, Chu Xingyi, and Chu Huaiyi from the second branch of the family were all shocked to see Chu Huaizhong leave with a flick of his sleeve.

They hurriedly got up and apologized to Jun Jiuxiao with utmost respect and fear.

It should be noted that even the current emperor in Dongjing Kingdom has never shown such disrespect to Jun Jiuxiao.

Upon seeing this, Jun Jiuxiao quickly reached out and gently wiped away the tears from Yao'er's eyes.

His movements were extremely gentle, and his eyes were full of tenderness.

Then, in a calm and firm voice, he said:

"It's alright. My father-in-law cherishes Yao'er like a precious treasure, so naturally he won't like me, the one who took away his treasure."

"This is only human nature, and I can fully understand it."