Born of a mother, raised without a father.

Dongfang Qingyu, claiming that my paintings were truly exceptional, shamelessly insisted on taking the ones I had just finished. He swore he would have them properly framed and mounted to showcase their breathtaking quality. I looked at the pile of miscellaneous sketches gathering dust in the corner, my face drooping, and remarked, "Since you like them so much, Qingyu, take these as well. I've been hoarding them for five years; there are quite a few..."

Before I could finish, a breeze swept through, leaving me and the corner full of paintings in silent confrontation.

Sighing, I went to Afu and brought Mu Feng back. At five years old, the little one was quite heavy; I grew tired if I held him for too long. In the first few years after Mu Feng’s birth, my influence was still very unstable, so I had to let Afu look after him by my side. Over time, Mu Feng grew very attached to her. It was hard on Afu, but I decided that, at night, I would be the one to accompany my son. In a few years, he would no longer be able to sleep in the same room as me.

My own body, however, was a mystery; I did not know how much longer it would hold up. I certainly would not be able to accompany my son until he grew old. During my flight while pregnant with him, my body—which was not suited for pregnancy—had stubbornly held on. When Mu Feng was five months along in my womb, the doctor said the pregnancy was precarious and that even if I carried him to term, a massive hemorrhage during labor would be inevitable. His eventual premature birth was only saved by Guteng, who used a Ningxiang Pill to pull him back from the brink. Only Guteng, Dongfang Qingyu, and I knew that the Ningxiang Pill was a treasure of the Ancient Clan, the only one in existence. The so-called "Fragrant Condensation" did indeed leave my body with a faint scent, but as the fragrance faded, so did my life.

Unable to practice martial arts and prone to deep, lethargic sleep, I had to plan for the future of my younger brother and Mu Feng early on. I couldn’t trust Mu Feng to anyone else; all I could do was provide him with the safest environment possible. The others taught him, but I let him tumble and learn to stand on his own. I did not indulge him too much; he would have to face the world alone eventually. I could not stand behind him forever, nor could I provide him protection for a lifetime.

Looking at the small figure on the bed, I couldn't help but poke his little cheek with my finger. He resembled that person more, though he lacked none of my own features. His eyes were large, and his long lashes made even me envious. Perhaps it was because when he was a baby, I had taken the chance to trim his lashes while he slept. Afu had once failed to understand why, but later, when Mu Feng’s lashes grew longer and longer, she finally realized that this was the way to make them grow. His fair skin was just like mine. I planted a kiss on his cheek—good boy, worthy of being my son.

Holding him in my arms, I dozed off for a while. I felt particularly at peace when Mu Feng was near.

But plans never keep pace with change. I had not expected the day of our departure from the island to come so soon, even though my Mu Feng had not yet grown up.

Li Yexuan had been assassinated and lay in a coma with severe injuries, plunging the entire Yuehua Kingdom into a state of panic.

After Ling Yi brought the news, I waved my hand, and Afu carried Mu Feng away. I summoned everyone, including Guteng, who had rushed back from outside the island. This time, I did not hide anything from my brother; he was old enough now to be involved.

"Zijun, do you intend to leave the island?" Dongfang Qingyu asked first.

"The war hasn't even begun, and the opponent is already dead—is that not interesting?" I toyed with my homemade goblet and drained the wine I had brewed myself.

I signaled to the maid standing by. She was one of Afu’s young subordinates—I only had Afu by my side, and she couldn't handle everything alone. Over the past five years, the girl, named Aling, had proven clever.

Aling poured wine for the Twelve Killers, Dongfang Qingyu, Guteng, and my brother.

"I intend to go out and see the world beyond."

The Twelve Killers drank their wine and knelt down. "We await your command, Master."

"From this day forward, you shall move from the shadows into the light."

"We are willing."

"From now on, the Three Pavilions shall be known as the Fantian Pavilion. I grant them to the three of you. Without my orders, you are not to do anything; simply act as honest businessmen. Twelve Killers, you may withdraw."

"Yes." The twelve of them walked out.

"I have decided that Guteng will manage the Lingtian Pavilion, Qingyu will manage the Yuntian Pavilion, and as for the Zitian Pavilion, I will leave it to my brother. You lack experience, so you will need the two of them to guide you. But fortunately, it only deals with cosmetics and powders, so there shouldn't be any major issues."

After I finished, I noticed Dongfang Qingyu and Guteng covering their mouths to hide their smiles. Everyone knew the Zitian Pavilion catered to women.

"Sister, can I not manage the Zitian Pavilion?"

"What do you think?"

My brother accepted it silently, grumbling as he took on the task.

"As for the other forces, it is better not to move them yet." I casually picked up two blueprints from my vanity and tossed them to Dongfang Qingyu. "Your and Guteng's appearances are fine. Follow these designs and have two masks made. It is better for my brother to remain incognito."

"Since you designed them, I will have them made," Dongfang Qingyu said, putting them away.

"Is everything ready?"

Guteng nodded, but I yawned at an inopportune moment.

"I think we should rest first."

"Very well. We leave the island in two days."

Guteng and my brother left one after another, but Dongfang Qingyu stayed behind. I poured him a glass of wine.

"You should drink less." He took the wine I had just brought to my lips, and I just smiled, saying nothing.

"Do you truly intend to take revenge?"

"The debt of the Lingyun Kingdom must be settled. As for anything else, I haven't decided yet." Honestly, that was the truth.

"I will support you in whatever you do, but there is one condition you must promise me."

"What is it?"

"Live."

"You may rest assured; I won't die so easily and let others benefit."

"That is good. Is there nothing you wish to ask me?" Dongfang Qingyu stared at me.

"I already know." Long ago, I had discovered Dongfang Qingyu’s true identity. I had not expected his background to be so significant.

"It is just an identity, but since it can be used, it shouldn't be wasted."

"Old fox." I laughed and reached for the wine again, only for it to be snatched away. I felt a bit pouty.

The door was pushed open, and Mu Feng, who had been asleep and carried away, came running in.

"Mother..."

"What is the matter, my treasure?"

I took Mu Feng into my arms. He rarely acted like this. Afu entered behind him, followed by a man, a woman, and a child whose face was bruised and swollen. The man was the former Island Master, one of my subordinates, and the child was his second son, not much older than Mu Feng.

"My treasure, what happened? Tell Mother." I asked Mu Feng, but he buried his head in my chest. When he looked up at me, he was holding back tears.

"Island Master Yuan, you are also my subordinate. Speak your mind." I rarely used the royal "Ben Gong," but I was the master, and it was time to remind them of that.

"My son was reckless and offended the young master."

"Mu Feng, Mother told you to be kind to others. Did you cause the bruises on Yuan Hao's face?"

Mu Feng nodded.

"Then why did Mu Feng hit him?"

I asked him, but he remained silent, biting his little lip.

"Mother asks you why." Mu Feng slowly backed out of my arms, and Dongfang Qingyu reached out to pull him into his embrace.

"It's just a spat between children, nothing serious, right?"

"That is not it at all." Afu stepped forward. "Princess, Island Master, forgive my meddling, but the young master was sleeping peacefully when the Yuan family's young master came to play. While they were playing, the Yuan boy..."

"What?" Seeing the child's state, I knew I could not let this pass.

"He said the young master had a mother to give birth to him, but no father to raise him..." Afu’s voice grew faint, and she lowered her head.

I picked up the goblet from the table and hurled it at the Island Master’s feet.

"Princess, please calm your anger!" The couple and their young son knelt down.

"Have I been too kind to you lately? Are you spreading gossip about my son?"

"She is just a princess of a fallen kingdom, what is so great about her..." The mistress of the Yuan family muttered, and though her husband tried to pull her back, every word reached my ears.

At that moment, Guteng and my brother arrived at the door and heard the remark.

"What did you say about my sister?" My brother’s expression was one I had never seen before; he lunged at the woman and kicked her.

"Listen here, the Yuan family, don't get it wrong. If it weren't for my sister, you would still be beggars wandering in the Lingyun Kingdom. She feeds you, and yet you dare to insult her? What kind of logic is that?" My brother’s voice was loud, and many of the islanders gathered at the door.

"Wah!" Mu Feng, who had been holding back his tears, burst into loud wails upon seeing my brother lose his temper.

"Brother, you've frightened Mu Feng."

I quickly took Mu Feng and held him myself. "Uncle was wrong, Uncle is sorry, he didn't mean to scare you, my treasure..."

My brother, did you have to change so quickly? A demon turning into an angel in an instant. Everyone was sweating.

"Insulting one's master—this cannot be left as it is." Guteng paced around the couple.

"Island Master Yuan, everything is better when it is original; a replacement is never the same. As for whether this second son is truly your own blood, I think you should consider that carefully. If you cannot even manage your own household, perhaps you should relinquish your position. Everyone, disperse. I am tired." I waved my hand, and the crowd scattered like birds and beasts.

"Have you decided on a successor?"

"I had my eye on one long ago. How can I entrust Lingyun Island to such people? What about Han Jin?"

"He is a capable man. You have planned this for a long time, haven't you?"

"Naturally. But I did not expect Mu Feng to suffer such indignity."

Dongfang Qingyu’s eyes were fixed on me, but my attention was entirely on Mu Feng. Guteng led Afu and my brother out.

"Zijun, I want to be Mu Feng’s father."

My hands trembled as I held Mu Feng, and I lowered my head. Mu Feng was already asleep in my arms.

"I know. Don't say it." Dongfang Qingyu turned and left. Was he afraid I would say no? You know I would refuse, so why ask...