Rush first

  Lige smiled and arrived at the door, only to see his fourth brother rushing out, "Big brother, why did you just come back? Where did you go play without bringing me?" His voice was filled with a hint of spoiled complaint.

  Now he is following the old general who also promoted Murong Jin's promotion, the old marquis has retired, but his heroic spirit remains unchanged. His connections and reputation are not comparable to those of these younger generations. Most importantly, he knows how to be a good person, knowing when to yield and when to seize opportunities. The emperor still trusts him as before, known as the old fox.

  Murong Jin discovered that Qi Ge had a talent for martial arts at the age of seven, and he was quick-witted, brave, and meticulous. Compared to Li Ge, who was steady and down-to-earth, the younger son was more like a little fox. When Qi Ge was still young, Murong Jin played a game of "catching thieves" with several children, and Qi Ge liked to play the thief because he could be unrestrained and always managed to surprise Murong Jin.

  Also because of this, Murong Jin moved to cultivate Qi Ge as a military general. In order to let him have a more rigorous and excellent teacher, Murong Jin personally went to Nan An Hou's place to ask him to teach his son.

  These years, Qi Ge often traveled back and forth between the two mansions. Sometimes he stayed at the Nan An Hou Mansion, which was a common occurrence. He was small in stature but had a sweet mouth, flattering everyone so much that the Nan An Hou treated him like their own grandson, pampering him to the extreme. He blended in seamlessly, getting along extremely well with the several brothers of the Nan An Hou's heir.

  Lige looked at his younger brother and smiled, scolding with a bad temper: "Where are you going to play? We're going to visit the Marquis of Dingguo. Do you think the old marquis will know when you come back?"

  "Brother Qi nodded, 'Little sister's birthday is coming up, I came back early to prepare a gift for her.'"

  "The Fourth Prince is also here, how do you have time to come today? Why don't we have a few rounds together?" Qi Ge saw Rui Cheng and smiled as he went up to greet him.

  Rui Cheng's face stiffened for a moment, his eyes warm and gentle, his attitude also more tolerant, "You're doing it on purpose, aren't you? You know I'm no match for you, yet every time you come to me to show off your skills. Not today, though - going back with a bruised nose and face won't look good."

  Rui Cheng is very indulgent to Qi Ge, and also admires Qi Ge's bravery and wisdom. He is also aware of the Mu Rong family's plans to cultivate Qi Ge, so he has a certain expectation in his heart. Indeed, Qi Ge is a young man who is easy to have a good impression of, although sometimes he can be a bit spoiled, but he has a good sense of judgment.

  Qige's mouth was flat, and he had to give up the idea of taking advantage of the situation to beat him up. He looked quite regretful, which made Lige glare at him with annoyance.

  Murong Jin accompanied Li Shi into the courtyard, Wan Yu and several sisters followed behind Li Shi, "Come in, have you seen the old lady?" This was a question for Qi Ge.

  "Brother Qi smiled and said: 'I've already paid my respects, and I even brought some small pastries for grandma.' He looked up with a pleased expression."

  Murong Jin glanced at him and said nothing, turning to the children behind him: "You're late, you haven't seen this before. This is the Fourth Prince of Jing Fei Niang Niang, pay your respects."

  Wan Yu smiled and took a step forward, but Yun Shu was even quicker, rushing to stand beside her and bowing first with a smile. "Yun Shu pays respects to the Fourth Prince." She glanced up to sneak a peek at Rui Cheng, only to find him gazing back at her, his eyes deep and bright. Her heart skipped a beat as she blushed and lowered her head.

  Ruichen slightly furrowed his brow, gave a cold glance, and turned to look at Wanyu with a gentle gaze and a faint smile.

  Yun Shu's words made Li's eyebrows slightly furrow, and she subconsciously glanced at Murong Jin. He had a cold expression on his face, with a dark and gloomy complexion, but suddenly he didn't feel angry anymore, instead, he had a somewhat amused attitude, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, looking quite pleased.

  Wanyi was extremely dissatisfied with Yunshu's actions. A concubine-born daughter dared to rush ahead of her sister, it was simply unheard of, and truly detestable. Such frivolity would make the Fourth Prince think that the girls of the Murong family were all climbing onto dragons and phoenixes.

  Wan Yu's expression remained unchanged, and she exchanged pleasantries with her sisters. "Rui Cheng brother, how come you have time to visit today? Mother mentioned you yesterday, and she made a pair of thick-soled boots for you, saying they would be useful for martial arts training and horseback riding." She spoke lightly about family matters.

  Rui Cheng's mouth slightly curved, and he glanced at Li Shi with a hint of gratitude and respect in his eyes. His expression also became warmer and more gentle, and the lines on his face softened a bit, losing some of their cold hardness. "I went out today and bought a few books, and I happened to see a few rare trinkets, so I brought them back to amuse you."

  The eunuch Xiaozhi beside him hastily handed over the large and small packages in his hand to the young servant beside Qige, and whispered some precautions.

  Wanyi Yun quietly followed Wanyu, not speaking a word, her eyes cast downward, and she didn't let her gaze wander randomly, which made Rui Cheng secretly nod in approval.

  "Alright, let's go. Go in and pay your respects to the old lady, I'll have someone bring you some things. I also made a cloak for you, it's still a bit chilly in this season, so be sure to dress warmly and don't catch a cold, it's not something to take lightly."

  Rui Cheng nodded slightly, took a step back and supported Li's arm, with a gentle and soft attitude. "Yes, Auntie, don't worry, I will take care of my body. You see, I've hardly been sick in recent years, and I haven't fallen behind in either literature or martial arts. Please don't worry." He was exceptionally gentle and obedient towards his warm and loving aunt.

  Li smiled, "That's good, it's not easy for you in the palace, think more when things happen, what should be endured must still be endured. Not everything is just a matter of morning and evening, wait until you're older and you'll understand. If there's something you don't understand, ask your uncle or find someone to send a message to ask Li Ge, it's the same." This sentence implies asking about Murong Jin, but can't be said directly, only through Li Ge's mouth, after all, Murong Jin is a person with military power, and interactions should still be careful.

  Rui Cheng raised his head and looked at him with a questioning expression, then turned to look at Mu Rong Jin, who nodded and smiled. He felt more at ease in his heart, "I know, I won't compete with him, after all he doesn't dare to be too excessive either, it's just some small actions that can't be put on the stage, I understand."

  Murong Jin nodded slightly and walked forward slowly with a measured pace, but his ears perked up to listen to what Rui Cheng had to say.

  "A few days ago, because of a small dispute, he kicked our 14th brother's leg and broke it. At that time, Father didn't say anything, but I saw his face was very unpleasant. For such a small dispute, to break one's brother's leg, this kind of brother is really too severe. I don't know what will happen to us in the future?" Rui Cheng said half-jokingly and half-seriously.

  Murong Jin just muttered to himself, "The palm and back of the hand are all flesh, as a father, one hopes that their children will be filial, considerate, harmonious, and understand etiquette. Unless absolutely necessary, they won't give up on their own child, this is the heart of being a parent." He seemed to be sighing about something.

  Rui Cheng's eyes lit up slightly, and he seemed to understand something in his heart. He immediately nodded and echoed: "Yes, the Empress Dowager often teaches me to be filial to the Emperor, respect my elder brother, and ignore everything else."

  Murong Jin didn't say anything else, he just slightly nodded and went into the main courtyard to pay his respects to the old lady.

  Rui Cheng followed Li's family into the house, "Old Madam, Rui Cheng has come to see you and pay his respects." Rui Cheng performed a junior's courtesy, without putting on the airs of an imperial son.

  The old lady smiled with surprise, saying repeatedly: "Hurry up and get up, good child, it's all right, the old woman can't give you a big gift. How have you been these days? If there's anything lacking or short, come home and let your aunt make you a delicious meal to supplement it. I see that you're thinner than when you came last time, but your height has grown taller." She carefully examined Rui Cheng, muttering to herself.

  Rui Cheng smiled slightly, "Isn't the junior just here to get a free meal? It's been a long time since I've had Auntie's cooking, I'm craving it."

  "Alright, we have plenty at home." The old lady nodded happily with a smile.

  After exchanging a few pleasantries, Rui Cheng went to the front yard with Li Ge and Qi Ge, and before leaving, Mrs. Li told them to add dishes for Rui Cheng, and they would eat there in the afternoon before leaving.

  Yun Shu kept watching Rui Cheng leave, her eyes unable to look away. She was thinking that tonight they would probably be seated together, and wondered if she could exchange a few words with the prince.

  The old lady frowned and glanced at Yun Shu, thought for a moment and said: "At night they men will drink together, it's not suitable for us to be on the scene, how about this, you and I, the old lady, eat together tonight, we won't go to join in the fun." One sentence settled the matter.

  Yun Shu was immediately stunned, and Wan Yi couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw her expression. She was glared at by the old lady before she stopped.

  Yun Shu's face suddenly turned red, and she didn't dare speak for a long time, standing aside with her head lowered, not daring to say another word.

  Wanyu took a step forward and leaned in close to the old lady, "Grandma, I had a delicious dish today, it tasted so good! I asked for the recipe, and I'll make it for you tomorrow."

  The old lady smiled and said: "Oh, you can cook? Don't use us as your test dishes, okay?"

  "Hehehe!" Yanni covered her mouth and giggled.

  "Grandma, how can you say that someone's craftsmanship is so bad?" Yuwen stomped her foot in dissatisfaction, her cheeks flushing red.

  Everyone burst out laughing, and the old lady was overjoyed.

  I have an errand to run today, so I'll post early, please collect and click on recommendations!