Nonsense! How could my adopted son be a villain?

Perhaps because he wasn't fully awake, Xu Lingguang's courage, like a balloon, continued to swell.

He licked his lips, stared at Lan Jian's pale lips, quietly moved closer, and quickly kissed them.

But because he was so nervous, he not only kissed her crookedly, but also bumped his nose hard. Xu Lingguang groaned and covered his nose, and Lan Jian across the way was also awakened by the noise.

When Lan Jian opened her eyes and saw Xu Lingguang covering his nose with tears in his eyes, she was stunned for a moment and nervously leaned closer to check: "What's wrong?"

Xu Lingguang waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that he was fine.

You can't exactly say you broke your nose while trying to steal a kiss, that would be too embarrassing!

Xu Lingguang rubbed his sore nose hard, jumped out of bed as if fleeing, and said in a muffled voice, "I'm going to wash up!"

In the past, Lan Jian would definitely not have said anything and would have waited in the room for him to finish washing up and come out.

But Lan Jian felt that their relationship was different now, so she followed Xu Lingguang in one after the other, her eyes looking at him with concern. Although she didn't say anything, her eyes were full of doubt and worry.

It's clear that he still cares a lot about Xu Lingguang's nose that was hit.

Xu Lingguang's cheeks flushed red under his gaze. She couldn't help but glare at him before shoving the salt-soaked willow branch into his mouth: "Brush your teeth!"

Lan Jian took the willow branch and stood next to him brushing her teeth.

But those eyes would still glance at him from time to time, their presence extremely strong.

Xu Lingguang quickly brushed his teeth with his eyes down, then washed his face with water. The eager gazes beside him were still following him like a shadow, as if they wanted to stick to his face.

Xu Lingguang: !!!

He couldn't stand it anymore.

Xu Lingguang dried his face, turned his head and caught Lan Jian's gaze, then suddenly leaned over and quickly kissed him on the lips.

Lan Jian's action of scooping water suddenly stopped, as if her whole body had been paused.

Xu Lingguang was finally pleased. He snorted and left Lan Jian in the washroom before slipping away.

Lan Jian, who was left behind, touched her lips in a daze, thinking: They are indeed so soft and sweet.

Xu Lingguang chickened out after kissing someone, changed his clothes, and went to find the little ones.

The little ones drank a lot of peach-flavored rice wine yesterday and are still half asleep; they haven't woken up yet at this hour.

The only one who got up early was Youyu. When Xu Lingguang arrived, he was trying to wake up the little ones who were still in bed.

Xu Lingguang knocked on the door and went in, calling out along with him.

Half asleep, Yu Rong hugged Xu Lingguang's hand, buried her face in his palm, and hummed, "Sleep a little longer."

Xu Lingguang had no choice but to pull his ear.

The little Qilin, which had been woken up, followed suit and bit Yu Rong's tail with a roar, then pulled him backward.

Yu Rong let out a startled cry and jumped up, her eyes wide: "Who bit me?!"

The little Qilin, which was biting his tail, was swung around and rolled onto the soft cushion by the bed. It grunted unhappily and jumped up.

Yu Rong's suspicious gaze swept back and forth between Mu Yun and Sui Chun, completely unaware of the little Qilin huffing and puffing by the bedside.

Xu Lingguang, who had watched the whole thing: "..."

He poked Yu Rong's furry bottom with one finger: "Go rinse your mouth and wash your face when you wake up, then we'll have lunch later."

Yu Rong, poked, scooted forward, tucked her tail between her legs, and flopped onto the bed, asking with great interest, "What are we having for dinner today? Are there any more cakes?"

Xu Lingguang said coldly, "That's all."

Just as things were getting chaotic, Lan Jian also came over.

Xu Lingguang felt guilty as soon as he saw him. Although he didn't know exactly what he was guilty about, he just felt very guilty.

He didn't look at Lan Jian, and made conversation: "Yu Rong asked what we're having for dinner later."

Previously, this question was usually decided by Xu Lingguang, but now it was suddenly thrown to Lan Jian. Lan Jian frowned and thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with an answer. She tentatively suggested, "How about we eat out?"

Eating out is a good idea. He made a very lavish dinner last night, so he doesn't really feel like cooking today. Eating out is perfect.

So he picked up the chick that came closer, tossed it into the air, and made the final decision: "Then let's go out to eat."

With the carriage ready, the whole family set off in a grand procession.

The restaurant was chosen by the kids. Xu Lingguang asked for a private room on the second floor facing the street. He peeked down with some doubt. He had felt something was strange on the way here: "Are there fewer Golden Scale Guards on the street today?"

Lan Jian nodded: "It's at least half less than yesterday."

Xu Lingguang became increasingly puzzled: "Could it be that they've finally given up because they haven't been able to find anyone?"

But King Xixiang had just personally come to test the waters not long ago, so there's no reason for him to give up so quickly.

Just as he was wondering, another group of Golden Scale Guards hurried past the window, heading towards the direction of the Green Prince's Mansion.

Xu Lingguang had a guess in his mind, so he casually asked while the waitresses were serving the dishes, "What's going on outside? The Golden Scale Guards are always in such a hurry. Have they caught the demons who were trying to assassinate you?"

The maid clearly knew the news. Seeing Xu Lingguang's puzzled look, she shook her head and explained in a low voice, "I heard that something happened at the Qing Prince's mansion this morning."

As she spoke, her voice grew even softer: "I heard that he died, and his death was quite undignified. The servants at the Prince of Qing's residence were terrified when they found out, and many took the opportunity to loot the mansion and flee. The commotion was so great that it was discovered by the patrolling Golden Scale Guards, which alerted the Prince of the West..."

As expected, it was Baili Qingyun.

Xu Lingguang was not surprised that Baili Qingyun's death was discovered so quickly. After all, Baili Qingyun had a certain status and position, and her mansion housed so many cultivators and servants. It was certainly not peaceful for her to die so quietly in her own mansion.

However, he did not expect that the Prince of Xixiang was so free. He had not yet resolved the matter of his daughter's residence, yet he still had the mind to care about the affairs of the Prince of Qing's residence.

Xu Lingguang and Lan Jian exchanged a glance, gave the maid a tip, and then sent her away.

"Will the Western Prime Minister find out?"

Lan Jian said, "Even if he knew the cause of Baili Qingyun's death, he wouldn't be able to find any evidence."

Xu Lingguang felt relieved after hearing this. As long as there was no evidence, they couldn't be found to be involved.

After lunch, we headed back home.

Upon returning to Qianjin Tower, an unexpected person was waiting for them—Fu Jiyu's eldest apprentice.

"My master said that the date for refining the elixir has been set, and he instructed me to send the date to you two for your consideration, so that you can choose a date that is convenient for both of you."

Xu Lingguang then remembered that Lan Jian had promised to protect Fu Jiyu.

The thought of witnessing the refining of a level nine elixir firsthand filled Xu Lingguang with excitement. He took the invitation and read it with Lan Jian.

Fu Jiyu chose three auspicious days.

One is tomorrow, one is in five days, and one is in half a month.

Xu Lingguang turned his head and asked, "Which day do you think is good?"

Lan Jian said, "This matter should be handled sooner rather than later."

Xu Lingguang shared the same idea, so he returned the invitation, saying, "Let's do it tomorrow then."