No matter how Lan Yingwu tried to reason with emotion and logic, Little Jiu Nian insisted on staying in the training arena, kicking up a fuss, determined to learn martial arts.

In the end, the little guy simply resorted to his trump card, wailing while squeezing out a few golden tears to enhance his intimidation.

He was already three years old, and during his classes at the Imperial College, he had heard the Imperial Tutors mentioning that the borders had been unstable in recent years, with the neighboring Beiqing Nation always eyeing Daxia greedily.

His grandfather was Daxia’s first Marquis, his godfather was a renowned fierce general on the battlefield, and then there was Granny Ye who visited their home regularly; each one excelled in martial arts.

Yet Little Jiu Nian, from birth, had been ordered by Marquis Lan that upon growing up, he could only study literature, not martial arts. No matter how Lady Lan and Lan Cai’er pleaded, the Old Marquis remained unmoved.

Lan Yingwu, who could endure bleeding and sweating without flinching, really found a nemesis this time.

He coaxed and persuaded, even lowered his stance, promising the little ancestor to let him ride a big horse, but the little fellow stubbornly refused to relent.

Just as Marquis Lan furrowed his brow in distress, a hearty laughter echoed.

"Jiu Nian, don’t trouble your grandfather anymore. Look, your godfather has brought you something good."

A robust, dark-red-faced man walked in.

Dressed in light armor, with deep-set features and imposing without being angry, he was none other than Dao Ge, the newly titled foreign-named king in Daxia, who had emerged rapidly over the past two years.

Years ago, when Lan Cai’er was pregnant and returned alone to Lan Residence, sent back by Yan Jiu.

Unwed and pregnant, she drew much scrutiny in Xia Capital.

In the midst of people’s criticism, Dao Ge stood up, acknowledging the newborn Jiu Nian as his godson.

He even declared that he would treat Jiu Nian as his own son.

Since then, Dao Ge frequently visited the Lan Residence, and the Lan couple’s prejudice diminished while Little Jiu Nian grew fond of this godfather. However, Lan Cai’er always remained lukewarm towards Dao Ge, and the two maintained a friendship.

Dao Ge did not mind these things; on the contrary, he became even more fond of Jiu Nian.

Upon hearing his godfather’s voice, Little Jiu Nian peeked through and saw something in Dao Ge’s hand—a little creature.

It was a small beast about the size of a kitten, with fiery red fur, a "king" character on its forehead, and a dragon-shaped pattern on its spine; a high-grade spiritual beast, the Dragon Spine Tiger.

"A beast pet?!"

As soon as Little Jiu Nian saw the adorably tiny tiger, he immediately forgot his tears and rushed forward, hugging the little tiger tightly.

"Dao Ge, fortunately you came; otherwise, this little guy would have tortured me to death."

Lan Yingwu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Little Jiu Nian resembled Yan Jiu in appearance and was like his mother Lan Cai’er in temperament. He seemed easygoing, but once determined, he was quite stubborn.

"Old Marquis, why do you forbid Jiu Nian from learning martial arts? He has pestered me more than once to learn,"

Dao Ge let Little Jiu Nian go play with the little beast, while he walked to the side with the Old Marquis to chat leisurely.

"You know that Daxia and Beiqing, due to border and tax issues, have deepening grudges, and a war will surely erupt in the future. Jiu Nian is the only bloodline of my Lan Residence, and I don’t want him on the battlefield. After all, Cai’er only has him left to rely on."

Upon mentioning his daughter Lan Cai’er, Lan Yingwu’s eyes became moist like a tiger’s.

Over the years, Lan Cai’er said nothing, but as a father, he understood the anguish in his daughter’s heart.

That cursed Yan Jiu has been gone for almost three years without a single letter. In his view, Dao Ge is a hundred, a thousand times better than Yan Jiu, but his silly daughter keeps waiting for that heartbreaker Yan Jiu.

So many unmarried girls in Xia Capital are eager to marry Dao Ge, yet Dao Ge shows up at Lan Residence constantly; anyone can see what the situation is.

Upon mentioning Lan Cai’er, Dao Ge’s eyes darkened slightly.

He and Lan Cai’er had just missed each other.

He knew that now, Lan Cai’er’s heart held only Yan Jiu.

But Dao Ge didn’t mind. He merely wanted to see Lan Cai’er and Little Jiu Nian happy; even if it’s just like this forever, he was willing.

"Marquis Lan, actually, appropriate martial arts training helps strengthen the body. I see that Little Jiu Nian has good aptitude; why not teach him some Basic Martial Arts? Once he’s older and can decide for himself, he can choose whether to pursue martial arts or literature; wouldn’t that be better?"

Dao Ge glanced at Little Jiu Nian and persuaded.

"Ah, well, let’s talk about it later. Martial arts learning is not about timing; diligence and talent are key. Remember Ye Lingyue, who started learning martial arts at thirteen, yet achieved a remarkable level beyond ordinary people. Speaking of which, I wonder how Miss Yue is doing now; maybe I should visit Ye Residence and ask Old Master Ye about her."

Lan Yingwu said excitedly.

"I think Old Marquis is craving wine, wanting to find Elder Ye to drink with,"

Dao Ge teased.

Before leaving Qing Province Continent, Ye Lingyue entrusted the business of Drunk Immortal Inn to Lan Cai’er. Relying on the brewing techniques Ye Lingyue left behind and Lan Cai’er’s sales methods, Drunk Immortal Inn’s wine is now famous across Qing Province.

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard the maid’s exclamation.

"Oh no, Master, Little Master, Miss Miss she..."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yingwu and Dao Ge changed their expressions, and Little Jiu Nian, upon hearing something about his mother, hurriedly carried his little beast and dashed towards Lan Cai’er’s room.

Inside the room, Lan Cai’er looked pale.

Her hands trembled slightly as she held a sheet of paper.

It was a thin piece of letter paper, penned by Ye Lingyue.

Having rushed for time, Ye Lingyue only wrote a few words, saying she had found news about Yan Jiu and that someone would meet her at an appointed location to go to the Ancient Nine Provinces Continent.

"Mother~"

"Cai’er, what’s wrong?"

The two adults and one child rushed in anxiously.

Seeing Lan Cai’er’s appearance, all three were startled.

"I’m... I’m fine."

Lan Cai’er restrained the upheaval within her heart.

The news, finally there was news of him.

Yan Jiu, you let me wait for three years, a full three years, and finally, there’s news of you.

Lan Yingwu caught a glimpse of the letter on the table next to them, signed by Ye Lingyue, and exchanged glances with Dao Ge, both knowing that the cause of Lan Cai’er’s distress must be news of Yan Jiu.

"Someone, take the Little Master out, hand him to Lady Lan,"

Lan Yingwu deliberated, directing the maid to take Little Jiu Nian away.

People at Lan Residence seldom mentioned Yan Jiu in front of Jiu Nian.

Even Little Jiu Nian’s surname was changed to Lan Jiu Nian by Lan Yingwu’s strong insistence.

Little Jiu Nian, though unwilling, could not defy the adults and was coaxed out.

~It’s end of the month, competition is fierce, if anyone still has monthly votes, cast one. There’ll be an extra update today for monthly votes, and also thanks Little Man for the big red envelope~