6 I Have a Dream

Although Chu Xuan held a token that allowed him to come and go from the palace without hindrance, someone had already informed the emperor and empress.

Princess Mingyue Zhao Wan personally came out to greet them. How else could she coincidentally appear there in such a vast palace and happen to enjoy such a spectacle?

Having not seen Chu Xuan for half a year, Zhao Wan seemed extremely excited. She chattered non-stop along the way, like a joyful lark, leaving the several palace maids trailing behind them astonished. They had no idea who Chu Xuan was and didn't dare to inquire further.

On the other hand, Xiao Yu remained remarkably calm, with a faint smile on her face throughout. She occasionally replied but showed no signs of fear or apprehension towards Princess Mingyue, instead exuding a sisterly vibe.

Continuing through various pavilions and towers, they soon reached the Imperial Garden.

Anyone summoned to the Imperial Garden could be considered an absolute high-ranking official, deeply trusted by His Majesty the Emperor. Chu Xuan, as a nephew, combined with the extraordinary relationship between the Zhao and Chu families, was unparalleled among others.

As usual, upon hearing of Chu Xuan's arrival, the entire Imperial Garden, except for Emperor Zhao Qingtian and Empress Feng Xiu, was devoid of any other individuals.

Any palace maids and guards had long been dismissed to wait outside the Imperial Garden.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, Zhao Wan didn't forget to have her attending palace maids wait at the entrance.

"Father, Mother, Xuan Brother is here!"

Approaching a small lake in the Imperial Garden and seeing Emperor Zhao Qingtian and Empress Feng Xiu waiting on the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Zhao Wan grabbed Chu Xuan's hand and ran over.

"Xuan, Uncle, Aunt, please allow me to introduce Miss Xiao Yu."

Chu Xuan bowed slightly and said, "It's been half a year, and Uncle and Aunt seem to be getting younger by the day. It's truly a joyous occasion!"

"Where did you learn all these polite words, you little rascal? Hurry up and introduce this lady to me!" Zhao Qingtian joked, knocking Chu Xuan on the head with a playful smile.

"I am Xiao Yu, paying my respects to Your Majesty and the Empress," Xiao Yu curtsied gracefully.

"You must be Xiao Yu! My younger brother mentioned you. You're Xuan's wise helper, aren't you?" Zhao Qingtian smiled, motioning for them to sit down.

"A wise helper..."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu couldn't help blushing slightly, unsure how to respond.

"Hehe... that's her!"

Chu Xuan grinned and gently took Xiao Yu's hand. "Uncle, as the ruler of a nation and my guardian, you must have been well off! I neglected to bring a gift for Xiao Yu upon our first meeting. What about preparing something for her?"

"You cheeky brat!"

Zhao Qingtian jokingly knocked Chu Xuan's head again. "If you keep this up, I'll become a miser! For Xiao Yu's sake, how about you two pick something from the treasury later?"

"Hehe... sounds good!"

Chu Xuan grinned, and Xiao Yu smiled gratefully, showing no sign of discomfort.

The family sat around a round table, with various pastries already laid out.

At this moment, Xiao Yu, following Chu Xuan's signal, took out the Cloud Sea Jade Leaves she had prepared in advance.

"These are specially prepared for you, each weighing three jin, just like Father's!"

Chu Xuan smiled. "These are Cloud Sea Jade Leaves I just planted this year. Drinking a little every day will benefit your health!"

"We won't be polite then!"

Zhao Qingtian laughed heartily, and Empress Feng Xiu also smiled gently. Although she was the empress, when dealing with Chu Xuan, she displayed the demeanor of a kind mother.

"Xuan Brother, where's my gift?"

Zhao Wan grabbed Chu Xuan's hand and pouted coquettishly. "You promised me last time that you'd find me a pet similar to Little White!"

As she spoke, Zhao Wan glanced resentfully at Little White, who seemed to be asleep in Chu Xuan's arms.

This little guy was indeed cute, but she couldn't even touch him, let alone play with him.

"Sure, don't worry. I'm looking for one for you. You'll get it by the time of my coming-of-age ceremony. How about that?"

"Hehe... that's great! But I'll go get it myself!" Zhao Wan grinned happily and whispered in Chu Xuan's ear, "Brother Xuan, I've also prepared a gift for your coming-of-age ceremony!"

"Oh?"

Chu Xuan chuckled. "What is it?"

"Hehe... I won't tell you! You'll find out then!" Zhao Wan said mysteriously.

"..."

Knowing his mischievous sister's character, Chu Xuan just smiled and didn't continue to ask.

"Hmph! Annoying brother!"

Zhao Wan pouted. "Just like Father, so annoying!"

Such behavior from the little daughter made everyone present burst into laughter, even Xiao Yu couldn't help but smile.

Watching Chu Xuan and Zhao Wan interact intimately, Zhao Qingtian and Empress Feng Xiu couldn't help but exchange a glance, both wearing a somewhat wry smile.

Originally, although the Zhao and Chu families were not arranged to marry, both Zhao Qingtian and Chu Xiaotian hoped that the next generation could take it further. If they could be married, it would be even better.

However, to their surprise, as Chu Xuan and Zhao Wan grew up, although their relationship was very close, there was no intention of taking it further.

Zhao Qingtian asked Zhao Wan, and Chu Xiaotian asked Chu Xuan, but they both treated each other as siblings, with no other meaning.

As a result, it made the elders on both sides helpless, and they could only accept their thoughts.

Next, the group sat in the pavilion by the lake, chatting casually about family matters without involving any state affairs, and the atmosphere was extremely warm.

Most importantly, although Zhao Qingtian and Empress Feng Xiu were meeting Xiao Yu for the first time, they already had a strong liking for her. They even had the idea of adopting her as their goddaughter, but unfortunately, Xiao Yu refused because she wanted to remain as Chu Xuan's maid alone!

Seeing this, Zhao Qingtian could only reluctantly accept it.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Qingtian suddenly asked, "Xuan, you're not planning to leave soon after coming back this time, are you?"

"Yes!"

Chu Xuan nodded lightly.

"That's great! Xuan Brother, you have to accompany me to have fun! Hehe... let's go shopping later, shall we? Hmph! My annoying brother is busy all day long. I think he's busier than Father!" Zhao Wan exclaimed excitedly.

That's right, Zhao Qingtian and Empress Feng Xiu had a son and a daughter.

Zhao Wan's brother, named Zhao Ran, was seven years older than Chu Xuan and was now twenty-five years old. He had received very strict education since childhood and had achieved success in both culture and martial arts. He had long been trained by Zhao Qingtian as the heir.

However, precisely because of this, Zhao Ran was very busy and almost had no time to accompany Zhao Wan to play. It could even be said that even if Chu Xuan and Zhao Wan didn't meet a few times a year, their relationship might be closer than that between Zhao Ran and Zhao Wan.

"Okay, let's go later!" Chu Xuan indulgently smiled.

"Father, with Xuan Brother and Sister Xiao Yu here, I don't want any attendants this time when I leave the palace, okay?" Zhao Wan pleaded pitifully to Zhao Qingtian.

Every time she left the palace, there would be a large entourage, which spoiled her fun. This made Zhao Wan very frustrated.

"Alright!"

Zhao Qingtian readily agreed, making Zhao Wan even happier. She stepped forward and hugged Zhao Qingtian, kissing him on the cheek.

"By the way, Tian, you said when you went to Bilian Mountain that you would tell us what you want to do when you come of age. Can you tell us now?" Zhao Qingtian continued to ask.

Xiao Tian was taken aback for a moment, then a playful look flashed in his eyes. He smiled and asked, "Uncle, do you really want to know?"

"What do you think?"

Zhao Qingtian glared at him, and Zhao Wan immediately urged, "Brother Xuan, just tell us! Mother and I also want to know!"

Forget about them, even Xiao Yu was eager to listen carefully.

"Actually, I've always had a dream, a dream that has lasted for a long, long time..."

Chu Xuan gently stroked Little White's soft fur, his eyes showing a depth that didn't match his age, making everyone present feel a complicated emotion, even Zhao Wan didn't urge him.

After a long while, Chu Xuan came back to his senses, smiled apologetically at everyone, and then emitted a very natural aura. He chuckled and said, "I have a dream, that is to enjoy the pleasures of nature and live life with a leisurely attitude!"

"Uh..."

Hearing this, except for Xiao Yu who had anticipated it, the Zhao family of three were all stunned.

In this world where strength was paramount, how could there be such a life without pursuit?

Isn't it just a delusion?

"What do you think? Isn't it aimless?" Chu Xuan chuckled.

Zhao Qingtian was speechless.

What's wrong with his nephew?

His father, King Chu, was known as the Bloodthirsty War God, who terrified his enemies in his youth and even created the Bloodthirsty Army with his own hands, becoming a banner of the Qingyun Empire.

But his son had such a serene mindset. Were they really father and son?

"Xuan, do you really think so?" Zhao Qingtian frowned.

He didn't want the Chu family line to end with Chu Xuan in this generation.

Although the three major empires seemed harmonious now, there were still constant frictions in secret. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before another major war broke out.

By then, Zhao Qingtian still wanted Chu Xuan to personally go to battle and make achievements.

"Of course!"

Chu Xuan nodded lightly.

"Do your father know?"

"Maybe yes, maybe no!"

Chu Xuan shrugged and looked up at the sun, which was at its zenith, then joked, "Uncle, I came here with great difficulty. Are you not going to take care of me even for lunch? Xiao Yu is a girl, she can't go hungry!"

"Eat! Eat! You only know how to eat!"

Zhao Qingtian jokingly glared at him. This kid had learned to change the subject.

Of course, they could still have lunch, even in the pavilion by the lake, and there were no special requests.

After lunch, Chu Xuan bid farewell and left, taking Xiao Yu and Zhao Wan with him to leave the palace, beginning their arduous shopping trip.