Ruyi wasn’t very interested in martial arts, and Xie Jue, seeing that he was still young, indulged him somewhat, not forcing him to do anything. But in another year, things would be different—the carefree days of childhood would end, and it would be time to receive the education of clan children. Even if he didn’t want to learn martial arts, he would have to. The soul of the commander that ran in the blood of Xie Family’s men could not be broken in their generation. In the future, Ruyi would also be the left arm and right arm of Xingxing, guarding the land for him.

In the training ground, Fang Chuning was teaching Mingzhu the Xie Family’s swordsmanship. The Xie Family had a self-created swordsmanship style that all three Xie brothers knew, but each had a different style when performing it.

Although Fang Chuning had only learned the basics, it was more than enough to teach Mingzhu. He himself was a martial arts prodigy, having long since mastered it from watching Xie Jue practice and often sparring with Xie Xun. Mingzhu found this swordsmanship to be elegant and lively, and liked it very much. Despite Fang Chuning’s reluctance, she followed his teaching. Fang Chuning’s teaching was noticeably different from Master Wu’s; Master Wu would teach her an entire set and then gradually correct her mistakes, while Fang Chuning taught her one move at a time, then taught her to chain the moves. The moves of the Xie Family swordsmanship were quite simple, but chaining them together was elegant and lively, not just a show—it was a swordsmanship that could be deadly in one strike. After teaching her the first half of the chain, Fang Chuning would spar with Mingzhu, teaching her how to dismantle and adapt flexibly. This swordsmanship focused on adaptability.

Ruyi watched Mingzhu’s graceful movements and clapped his hands, "Sister is amazing, sister is so impressive."

When Mingzhu saw Xie Jue, she initially intended to greet him, but Xie Jue raised his hand, signaling her to continue practicing and not to bother with him. Xie Jue sat with Ruyi on a wooden chair nearby, watching the spar between the elder and younger ones.

Ruyi was envious, and Xie Jue intentionally cultivated his interest, "Look how cool your sister is. If you learn, you’ll be as cool as your sister."

"Really?"

"Of course! When has Daddy ever lied to you?"

Ruyi exposed him, "Daddy lies to me all the time. You always say you’ll spend time with me, but you’re never home. Sister says Daddy is too busy with work, but other people’s daddies are busy too, and they still find time to teach them to read."

Xie Jue felt guilty, "Is Ruyi that aggrieved?"

"Yes!" Ruyi pouted, "Very aggrieved."

"If Daddy spends time with you, it won’t be to play, but to study and practice martial arts with you. Would you like that?"

Ruyi rested his head on his hands, pondering seriously—as if it were a matter that required deep thought for him, "Can we just study, without practicing martial arts?"

"No!"

"...Oh, alright." Ruyi felt a pang in his heart, conflicted. He didn’t want to practice martial arts but wanted Daddy’s company.

"Uncle said the world is at peace, with no wars. So why practice martial arts?" Ruyi was puzzled.

Ruyi was too young; Xie Jue didn’t want to explain principles that he naturally would understand when he grew older. There’s no need to teach him too early.

"Practicing martial arts can strengthen your body and make you taller. Your sister likes archery and horseback riding. See how tall and pretty she is, but Ruyi isn’t growing taller."

Ruyi was anxious, not so easily fooled, "That’s because Ruyi is still little!"

"When Daddy was your age, he was already this tall." Xie Jue pretended to measure over his head. Ruyi, having never seen Xie Jue as a child, believed him, "Alright then, Daddy teach me martial arts. If I don’t grow taller, then Daddy must be lying again."

Xie Jue couldn’t help but laugh. After finishing a set of swordsmanship, Fang Chuning had Mingzhu practice basics and was doing horse stance training. He walked over to Xie Family’s father and son, and Xie Jue patted Ruyi’s shoulder, "Since you want to learn martial arts, start with the basics. Practice horse stance with your sister and see who can hold it longer."

"It’ll definitely be sister." Ruyi jumped off the wooden chair and skipped over to practice the horse stance with Mingzhu, stopping midway to politely greet Fang Chuning.

Fang Chuning walked over to Xie Jue’s side, smiling and saying, "The little girl has good aptitude; she’s a natural for martial arts and has a straightforward and neat personality. Lan Ningzhen raised her well."

Xie Jue also thought Mingzhu had a great personality. He gave her the title of Princess and power at the Prince Manor, and although it wasn’t entirely fair compared to Ruyi, he fulfilled his duties as a father, considering it compensation for the cold shoulder Mingzhu endured for years in Beiman.

"Was she ever disrespectful to you?"

"No!" Fang Chuning chuckled, "What if your daughter really disrespects me?"

"Then it’s your own fault for not winning her over."

"It’s so hard, winning your favor and your children’s favor as well," Fang Chuning pretended to be frustrated, and Xie Jue smirked at him, "So what should you do?"

"Why aren’t they coming to win my favor?"

"How old are you?"

"You’re biased."

"Look at Ruyi, now look at yourself. Anyone would be biased toward Ruyi." Xie Jue laughed, then saw Ruyi, while practicing the horse stance, fall over with his limbs sprawled out. Mingzhu hurried to help him up, and Ruyi stomped his feet, complaining about something, then started practicing horse stance again, determined.

"So cute!" Fang Chuning laughed heartily, "Looks so much like the Emperor, not at all like you."

"Not being like me is what makes him cute?"

"Being like you would make him even cuter."

Xie Jue scoffed lightly, and the two of them accompanied the sibling duo in their horse stance practice. Xie Jue planned to take a nap after lunch; the children had endless energy, and Fang Chuning took them to play by the lake. Ruyi stripped down to just a pair of shorts and jumped into the lake to swim. The nursemaids at the shore were shocked, sending someone to inform the Prince. Even though Ruyi had always been sturdy, the weather was getting a bit chilly now, and catching a cold wouldn’t be good. Xie Jue wasn’t too particular about it, trusting that Fang Chuning had a sense of propriety and didn’t interfere in the matter. Ruyi swam joyfully like a little fish, while Mingzhu, wanting to swim with him, could only regretfully sit in a small boat and row, enticing Ruyi to chase her.

After playing in the lake for an hour, they then went to play polo, pitchpot and such. Ruyi and Mingzhu spent the whole afternoon playing wildly, sweating all over. The nursemaids wanted to advise against it, but didn’t dare to say anything. Who raised children like this anyway? It was utterly unconventional, yet the children were very happy. Even Mingzhu, infected by the joy, was all smiles.

Xie Jue didn’t concern himself with them until he saw Ruyi climbing a tree to pick plums. Xie Jue said, "Ruyi, no climbing trees, come down!"

"Oh..."

Fang Chuning spread his hands, "Oops, your dad’s here, your fun’s over."

Ruyi had already changed into three outfits in three hours, and the nursemaids were worried he’d catch a chill from sweating. They almost went to tell on him to Xie Jue. The Prince finally woke up. If the little Commandery Prince kept on, he’d tear the roof off.

With the children’s playful nature, if Fang Chuning got him addicted to wild play without supervision, he might secretly climb trees and hurt himself.

"Your dad climbed trees with me as a kid, broke his leg once. Once bitten by a snake, ten years fearful of ropes; that’s why he doesn’t want you climbing trees." Fang Chuning couldn’t resist revealing Xie Jue’s embarrassing past.

Ruyi exclaimed and looked at Xie Jue’s leg, "Daddy, did it hurt a lot?"

Xie Jue, "No, it didn’t hurt."

This child, raised in a honey jar, was so considerate. Even after all these years, he’d worry if it still hurt. Fang Chuning found it heartwarming.

No wonder, if he were Xie Jue, he would pamper his children too!