The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

The palace was filled with joy, and the celebratory banquet was in full swing. The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments, like graceful fairies, floated through the palace walls and into the territory of the Imperial Medical Academy.

At that moment, Yuwen Mo was sitting casually in a corner of the Imperial Hospital, legs crossed, clutching a plump chicken leg tightly in his hand, eating with great relish, oil dripping from the corner of his mouth. Just then, the young apprentice carrying an imperial edict hurriedly walked in.

Yuwen Mo was engrossed in his munching when he suddenly noticed the medicine boy. In his excitement, his greasy hand casually rubbed against the bright yellow silk imperial edict in the boy's hand, muttering, "The Imperial Preceptor? That old man, he hates being restricted by his official robes. He'll definitely be crying to my junior sister later, acting like a little kid."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gongsun Ruotang lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold. She was wearing a gorgeous phoenix-patterned dress, and as she walked, the hem of her skirt swept lightly, causing the pestle on the table to roll to the ground with a "thud".

Gongsun Ruotang raised her eyebrows slightly and pretended to scold, "Senior brother is talking about Master again. Aren't you afraid that Master will find out and punish you by making you practice your skills?" Behind her were two apprentices from the Imperial Medical Bureau, who respectfully held Zhuang Yichen's usual gold needle box, which gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

One of the apprentices couldn't contain his excitement and quickly said, "Master Zhuang is currently receiving the imperial decree in the Imperial Garden. I heard that the Imperial Preceptor's residence bestowed by His Majesty is even larger than Qingyu Manor. When Master Zhuang heard this news, he was so shocked that he almost pulled out his beard."

In the elegant pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Zhuang Yichen stood upright in front of a stone table, his gaze fixed on the black iron token lying quietly on the table. His brows were furrowed into a deep frown, and his face was full of conflict.

Si Yunchen leisurely strolled over, carrying a wine jug. The smooth surface of the black iron token clearly reflected his mocking smile. A smirk played on Si Yunchen's lips as he teased, "I heard that Mr. Zhuang altered the official robes specially sent by the Ministry of Rites yesterday into more practical, arrow-sleeved designs? What's the meaning of that?"

Zhuang Yichen raised his eyes, and with a slight flick of his fingertips, a golden needle instantly appeared. With practiced skill, the golden needle danced rapidly across the token, and in the blink of an eye, the two characters "National Preceptor" originally engraved on the token had been changed to "Jianghu".

Zhuang Yichen looked calm and said loudly, "Your Majesty is wise and will surely understand my intentions. I have wandered the martial world for half my life and have long been accustomed to a life of freedom. I still prefer to travel the martial world."

Just then, Cheng Huan, like a lively little rabbit, suddenly darted out from the flower bushes. Zhuang Yichen's jade crown was perched crookedly on her little head, making her look incredibly cute. The little girl's palms were still dirty with bits of fish food she'd fed.

She excitedly ran to the stone table, slapped her little hand on the token, instantly leaving a clear mud handprint on it, and shouted joyfully, "Grandpa Zhuang has become a high-ranking official!"

Yuwen Mo, dressed in a black outfit, walked with a free and unrestrained air. He slowly swirled an exquisite wine cup in his hand and strolled towards the emperor with seemingly casual yet somewhat carefree steps.

His eyes held a cynical air as he walked, attracting the attention of many palace maids, who dared not linger. The Minister of Rites, his face filled with anxiety, hurried after him, carrying a beautifully decorated brocade box. The box was embroidered with intricate gold patterns, clearly indicating the extraordinary value of its contents.

He was panting heavily, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, making him look particularly disheveled in the breezy night. "Young Master Yuwen, Young Master Yuwen, please wait!" he called out, quickening his pace.

Upon hearing the sound, Yuwen Mo merely tilted his head slightly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

The Minister of Rites caught up and was about to speak when Yuwen Mo calmly picked up a cleanly gnawed chicken bone from the table, and with a flick of his wrist, deftly used the bone to open the lid of the brocade box.

Inside the box lay a brand-new set of official robes, made of superior fabric and exquisitely embroidered, shimmering with a noble luster under the light.

Yuwen Mo glanced at it, then chuckled dismissively, "What's the difference between being an official and the freedom of the martial world? Being trapped in this court every day, scheming and plotting, is nothing compared to the carefree life I have in the martial world, where I can vent my anger and seek revenge." He then turned to Gongsun Ruotang beside him, winked at her, and a sly look appeared on his face, "But that three-hundred-year-old ginseng in your private stash, Junior Sister..."

"So you're going to make you some wine?" Gongsun Ruotang raised her eyebrows and snatched the wine pot from Yuwen Mo's hand.

"After ruining the Tian Shan snow lotus last month, you've set your sights on my medicinal herb storehouse again? You're really greedy! I have a great use for that ginseng, how could I let you take it to make that lousy wine so easily!" Gongsun Ruotang scolded as she hid the wine pot behind her back.

Si Yunchen stood aside, watching the lively scene, and couldn't help but smile slightly. He was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wore a crown. His face was handsome and gentle, and every gesture he made exuded the majesty and demeanor of an emperor.

At this moment, he smiled and unfastened the exquisitely carved dragon-patterned jade pendant from his waist. The jade pendant was warm and smooth to the touch, and the dragon pattern was so lifelike that it seemed as if it might take flight at any moment. "Take this and exchange it. Is that enough for ten jars of fine wine, Brother Yuwen?" Si Yunchen said, and was about to hand the jade pendant to Yuwen Mo.

Before the jade pendant could be handed over, a small figure rushed over like a nimble little monkey.

It turned out to be Princess Chenghuan. She was wearing a bright red jacket and had her hair styled in two cute buns, looking extremely adorable. She immediately clung to Si Yunchen's arm, swinging back and forth like a swing, muttering, "Father is biased! Huan'er wants to trade her jade pendant for a sugar figurine!"

Her eyes sparkled, full of childlike innocence and liveliness. Si Yunchen was both amused and exasperated by her sudden action. He had no choice but to put the jade pendant back and gently tap Chenghuan's nose: "You little glutton, all you know is sugar figurines."

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before long it was the third watch of the night. The tranquility of the palace was broken by the sound of the clapper at the third watch, the sound echoing in the vast night sky, sounding particularly long.

Zhuang Yichen, dressed in a moon-white robe, with a slender figure, was squatting on the roof of the Liuli Palace. The moonlight, like water, shone on him, outlining his slightly lonely silhouette.

He held an ancient-style xun in his hand, playing a plaintive melody. The xun's sound was melodious and deep, as if telling endless stories. Yuwen Mo appeared again, carrying two jars of wine. He moved like a swallow, leaping lightly onto the roof. But this leap made quite a commotion, causing the roof tiles to rattle loudly as he stepped on them.

“Master, being the Imperial Advisor is not as good as coming back to the manor with me.” Yuwen Mo sat down next to Zhuang Yichen with a carefree attitude, handed him a jar of wine, and still had that cynical smile on his face.

His voice sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet night, breaking the tranquil atmosphere created by the sound of the xun.

"Keep your voice down!" Gongsun Ruotang hurried out from under the eaves, carrying a lantern. The lantern's dim light swayed in the night breeze. "Huan'er was just woken up by you all. She insisted on watching Master's leaps and bounds." As she spoke, she turned slightly to reveal the little girl in her arms.

Chenghuan rubbed her sleepy eyes, her little face flushed like a ripe apple. She groggily raised her head, then suddenly her eyes widened, and she pointed at the moon in the sky, shouting in her childish voice, "Grandpa Zhuang has turned into a big bird!" Her voice was clear and melodious, echoing in the night sky like silver bells.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yichen blushed and stopped in his tracks, which were about to demonstrate his lightness skill. He smiled helplessly and deliberately stumbled a couple of steps when he landed, making a disheveled appearance.

Seeing this, Chenghuan giggled, her laughter as bright as flowers blooming in spring. She suddenly broke free from Gongsun Ruotang's arms and pounced into Zhuang Yichen's arms like a joyful little deer, tightly gripping Zhuang Yichen's white beard with her two little hands, shouting, "Giddy up! Grandpa Zhuang, take Huan'er flying!" Zhuang Yichen had no choice but to lovingly hold Chenghuan in his arms and slowly stroll around the courtyard, pretending to fly, making Chenghuan laugh continuously, and the whole courtyard was filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere.

At dawn, before daybreak, all was quiet except for the occasional crowing of a rooster in the distance. Yuwen Mo, dressed in black, nimbly slipped out of a side gate of the palace. He carried a precious, century-old ginseng root in his pocket, carefully avoiding the patrolling guards.

The guard stood at the palace gate, rubbed his eyes, and looked in the direction Yuwen Mo had left, muttering to himself, "These martial arts people are really strange. What use is this nobody when they have so much bounty to offer?"

Yuwen Mo walked further and further away in the morning mist, his figure appearing and disappearing. Suddenly, a melodious humming sound drifted over: "A hundred-year-old ginseng soaked in wine, its fragrance will infuriate those in the Imperial Medical Bureau..." The sound stopped abruptly, followed by a loud shout, "Little Huanhuan! Don't pull your mother's hair!"

It turned out that Yuwen Mo's voice had caused a commotion on the palace wall. Cheng Huan's little head popped out from the top of the wall, her tiny hand tugging at Gongsun Ruotang's hair, while Gongsun Ruotang looked at her reproachfully. Si Yunchen stood to the side, a low chuckle on his face.

As the sun gradually emerged from the clouds, golden sunlight shone on the rooftops and walls of the palace.