After being carried outside, Little Jiu Nian pouted, looking quite unhappy.

Although he was young, due to growing up in a single-parent household, he was not only wise beyond his years but also mature early. Just by observing the adults’ expressions, he knew something significant must have happened.

"You, put me down. This young master is already a grown-up and doesn’t need to be held by a woman."

Having just stepped out of the courtyard, Little Jiu Nian grumbled discontentedly.

The maid looked at his small arms and legs, paired with his little adult-like demeanor, covered her mouth as she chuckled lightly, and put him down.

After a few more steps, Little Jiu Nian exclaimed suddenly.

"Oh no, the little rascal escaped, quick, catch it."

The Little Red Tiger in his arms suddenly arched its back and leaped into the grass nearby.

The maid was flustered at once because it was a small tiger, and carelessness could lead to injuries.

She hurriedly instructed Little Jiu Nian to wait aside while she went to find guards to catch the small tiger.

The maid had barely left when Little Jiu Nian whistled toward the grass, and the Little Red Tiger came running out. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Little Jiu Nian picked up the Little Red Tiger, and the little guy amicably licked Little Jiu Nian’s cheek.

"Little guy, well done, you really are my good buddy. With your fiery red fur, from now on I’m going to call you Chi Chi."

Though a person and a beast had only met not long ago, they got along very well. The Little White Tiger adhered completely to Little Jiu Nian’s words.

Upon hearing Little Jiu Nian refer to it as a good buddy, the Little Red Tiger’s watery eyes showed a hint of shyness.

Holding Chi Chi, Little Jiu Nian snuck back stealthily to Lan Cai’er’s courtyard.

Lan Cai’er liked peace and quiet, and with the maid dispatched, Little Jiu Nian easily slipped in.

He crouched and squeezed under the windowsill, with his little ear pressed against the bottom of the wall, eavesdropping on the conversation of the three inside.

As for one aspect, Dao Ge and Lan Yingwu hadn’t expected that Little Jiu Nian possessed innate talent in martial arts. Not to mention other things, just his Five Senses and Six Consciousness were far superior to his peers, perhaps even comparable to some well-trained Martial Artists.

Those inside the room hadn’t anticipated someone outside eavesdropping, but Little Jiu Nian heard the voices inside loud and clear.

"Ling Yue wants you to go to the Ancient Nine Provinces, Cai’er, you absolutely cannot go. Yan Jiu, that brat, left you and Jiu Nian for three years, and still has you two out of his heart."

Lan Yingwu had also read that letter.

Having read it, he frowned, full of dissatisfaction.

Not because of Ye Lingyue’s letter, but because of that damned Yan Jiu. The infamous Yan Jiu had sent word yet didn’t come to visit his wife and child, and now wanted Cai’er to find him?

"Cai’er, you need to think carefully. The Ancient Nine Provinces is a perilous place, and Jiu Nian is still young. If you leave, who will take care of him? If you leave the Lan Residence this time, I will disown you as my daughter."

Lan Yingwu said in a fit of pique.

Actually, Dao Ge was somewhat aware of this matter.

Bo Qing had gone to the Ancient Nine Provinces Continent to cultivate, a place with survival conditions reportedly ten times harder than Qing Province Continent.

In recent years, Lan Cai’er relied on her own talent and diligent cultivation, coupled with the Elixir Pills Ye Lingyue occasionally sent, and she had already become a Martial Artist of the Reincarnation Three Paths.

Such cultivation was enough to make a stand in Qing Province Continent, but if she went to the Ancient Nine Provinces, she might become quite insignificant.

Lan Cai’er too was indecisive, and having news of Yan Jiu made her very happy.

But her father’s and Dao Ge’s words were not without consideration.

In her letter, Ye Lingyue simply invited her to the Ancient Nine Provinces, likely taking into account that Little Jiu Nian was too young.

But leaving Jiu Nian alone in Daxia was something Lan Cai’er couldn’t do.

After weighing everything, she made a decision.

"Father, this time, I’ll listen to you. I’ll write back to Ling Yue that I can’t go for now. If Yan Jiu has any heart, he should come and find us."

Lan Cai’er’s words immediately made Lan Yingwu breathe a sigh of relief.

"Oh daughter, you finally figured it out. I’ve been telling you all along, there are few three-legged frogs in this world, but two-legged men can’t be short in supply."

"Father, I’ve promised not to go find Yan Jiu. But from now on, you cannot interfere with my marriage. I’m going to wait for him to return, be it one three-year term, two, or even three... I’ll wait indefinitely."

Lan Cai’er’s words left Lan Yingwu and Dao Ge silent.

They both thought Lan Cai’er had come around, but little did they know she still intended to wait for Yan Jiu.

"You! You’re infuriating me, don’t regret this in the future."

Lan Yingwu spat out a remark and stomped out in anger.

Dao Ge remained in the room.

He looked deeply at Lan Cai’er.

"Dao Ge, don’t try to persuade me anymore. Thank you for taking care of us all these years. I... I owe you."

Lan Cai’er spoke softly.

If in the past Dao Ge’s betrayal caused her years of pain.

Then what Dao Ge had done now was enough to compensate for his past mistakes.

She comprehended Dao Ge’s protection, and her heart was not unfeeling.

But her heart was narrow, having Yan Jiu in it left no room for anyone else.

"Cai’er, no need to apologize. No one can stop you from waiting for Yan Jiu, nor can anyone stop me from waiting for you."

Dao Ge simply smiled, a touch of arrogance visible between his brows.

Lan Cai’er froze, and Dao Ge strode out.

After a long time, Lan Cai’er sighed, feeling a bit uneasy about her son Jiu Nian, went looking for him.

The room quickly became empty, the window opened, and Little Jiu Nian with Chi Chi jumped in.

"Chi Chi, keep watch."

Little Jiu Nian hesitated for a moment and walked to the table.

The adults’ conversation was somewhat understood by him.

But the names Ling Yue and Yan Jiu were known to him.

Ling Yue was his godmother and aunt, a formidable woman. When he was very young, she once carried him. Later, due to his uncle’s involvement, his aunt joined the largest Super Sect in Qing Province Continent, Lonely Moon Sea.

However, from time to time, she would exchange letters with his mother, bringing some delicious and fun things, even some expensive Elixirs.

As for Yan Jiu... oh, Little Jiu Nian looked mournfully at the letter.

Yan Jiu was his father, who lacked conscience.

Even though no one at the Lan Residence mentioned him, Little Jiu Nian had heard his mother talk about how he wasn’t initially called Lan Jiu Nian but Yan Jiu Nian, meaning to miss Yan Jiu.

But his maternal grandfather and grandmother didn’t like his father very much, because when his mother was pregnant, his father irresponsibly left them both behind.

As for the specific reason, Little Jiu Nian didn’t know, but he guessed his irresponsible father left them for someone else.