After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

Xiao Ran turned around and saw that Xiao Mu was wearing a dark green official robe, probably having just returned from court and not yet having had time to change.

"Daddy."

Chuntao and Xiahe were very perceptive and immediately withdrew.

Xiao Mu came up behind Xiao Ran and gently pushed the swing. Perhaps because he was older and more composed, he didn't push it as high as Chun Tao.

"Is there anything else you're not used to?" Xiao Mu asked in a deep voice.

Xiao Ran put her feet on the ground and gradually brought the swing to a stop.

"No, everything is as usual."

Seeing that his daughter had lost interest in swinging, Xiao Mu put his hand down and walked to sit on a small stool.

"Young Master Duan, are you settling in alright?"

"I don't know about my daughter. She has been studying at home these past few days and hasn't left the mansion yet."

Xiao Mu narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, feeling surprised. His daughter usually disliked studying, and besides, it was impossible for her to leave the manor.

But Xiao Mu comforted himself by thinking that perhaps experiencing life and death had changed his personality.

"Yes. I will send someone to look after Young Master Duan, so there's no need to worry."

Seeing that his daughter didn't seem to care much, he cleared his throat twice. "I've come today to discuss something with you."

"Ran'er missed her coming-of-age ceremony because of the matter at the Summer Palace... The fifteenth of August is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a festival of reunion. Your Aunt He and I discussed it and decided to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for you on the Mid-Autumn Festival. It also symbolizes reunion and is a good omen, letting the world know that my daughter has returned home."

To put it euphemistically, going home—isn't that just like being brought back to life?

After saying this, Xiao Mu observed his daughter's expression.

He still remembered when his daughter first returned to Beijing a few years ago. There were banquets of all sizes, and Xiao Ran always looked listless, as if she disliked them.

But this time, Xiao Ran only thought for a moment before answering:

"The daughter will do as her father says."

……

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, the night is still and deep.

Duanli spread out the bed, preparing to get into bed.

The sudden outstretched hand startled him.

"Hey—Officer Duan, look at this, what bad luck today, the officer on duty tonight has taken leave at the last minute. We're really short-handed right now!"

Duan Li looked at him coldly.

The man glanced at him and said, "There's no use staring at me like that. You're skilled and young, so you should go on this patrol!"

Suddenly, a person climbed up from an inconspicuous corner bed, and a faint voice came from it.

"Governor Shen, how about I go instead..."

Governor Shen frowned, glanced at him sideways, his eyes full of disdain, "What the hell are you going to do! Don't you even see that you've been doing the patrols for the past few days? What, you can't even take a break?"

Upon hearing this, the young man's lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to refute, but after opening his mouth, he ultimately lowered his head silently and remained silent.

Duanli silently put on his armor, picked up his sword, and walked out without saying a word to them.

After he walked away, the man behind Magistrate Shen stepped forward and asked in a humble voice, "Magistrate Shen, isn't this inappropriate? He was introduced by General Xiao, after all. We don't dare to treat him any differently..."

Governor Shen stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. "So what if he's General Xiao? Does he think he can interfere here? Is this my responsibility or his?"

The man behind him immediately flattered, "Of course it's the magistrate in charge. Who are you? You're the backbone here. With your abilities and prestige, who in the entire garrison doesn't admire you?" He then nodded and bowed repeatedly, his eyes full of flattery.

Governor Shen snorted and walked away smugly.