The Next Day.
"Zephyr~" – Xichen exhaled slowly, calming the battle spirit and killing intent that still smoldered within his being, for he had spent the last few hours in the Ashura Dream Arena, greatly enhancing his control over his new power.
He rose from the lotus position and changed out of his casual clothes into more formal attire: a pure white robe interspersed with luxurious black patterns. He tied his long hair into a ponytail, topped with a simple silver crown that added to his dignity.
"... " – Xichen looked at the mirror before him, his golden eyes, radiating nobility and loftiness, wandering over the details of his body, before nodding with faint satisfaction and leaving his room, heading towards the palace courtyard.
But what greeted him was not the usual snowy scene that had accompanied him for the past three months, but a completely different sight: three mature women sitting quietly and elegantly, conversing gracefully and tactfully. Beside them sat little Xue'er, quietly watching with childish curiosity while eagerly eating pastries.
She was the first to notice his arrival, and when she saw him, she jumped from her seat and rushed towards him quickly, then threw herself into his embrace.
"Big Brother!!" – Xue'er exclaimed with overwhelming joy as she clung to him, clearly fond of being pampered, and Xichen was not one to be stingy with it.
Xichen laughed lightly, carrying her with one hand as if she weighed nothing, while wrapping his other arm around her to protect her from falling.
"Weren't we together just yesterday?" – he said in a playful tone as he walked towards the table around which the three women sat.
"But that was yesterday!" – Xue'er retorted with childish stubbornness, burying her face in his neck as if trying to erase the distance that had separated them for just one night.
When he arrived, Xichen cast a quick glance at the three women before him, each carrying a different kind of dignity in her own way.
Zhuqing was sipping tea calmly and steadily, Zhuyun was smiling with a gentle lightness born of warm confidence, while Yuechan tilted her head slightly, watching him with deep, scrutinizing eyes.
Xichen carried Xue'er while walking towards the table where the three women sat.
"Good morning, everyone," – Xichen smiled as he sat on the seat between Zhuqing and Zhuyun, where Xue'er had been sitting moments before, and placed her on his lap.
"Have you finished the preparations for the trip?" – Xichen asked. The journey would take approximately two weeks to a month. Although they could reach Asgard in an instant if Xichen used the power of the Spatial Ancestral Symbol, it was a family trip for relaxation and a change from the gloomy atmosphere of the palace, so there was no need to rush.
"Everything is ready, the carriage is equipped, and the supplies have been loaded since yesterday," – Zhuqing answered with a gentle smile, her purple eyes staring at Xichen as if her world revolved only around him.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Zhuqing this excited," – Zhuyun smiled, teasing her younger sister, happy to see her happy.
"This is the first time I'm going out on a trip with my dear son, so I'm a little excited," – Zhuqing said in a low voice, a slight blush appearing on her face, the corners of her lips rising in a faint but clearly happy smile.
"It's okay, Mother, I'm excited too," – Xichen smiled lightly at how Zhuqing was a little shy about the topic and returned his gaze to Yuechan – "But it seems you're not excited, even though you will be returning to your sect soon."
"Somewhat," – Yuechan said quietly. After living among people for a long time and getting used to the warmth and love, it was difficult for her to imagine returning to her previous monotonous, emotionless life.
Especially when thinking about how she would have to live without any comforts in Asgard, she couldn't bear to imagine herself returning to sleep on a hard, cold bed made of ice instead of a wooden bed with a blanket of celestial silk and a pillow of soft-boned hawk feathers.
She had to admit that living with Xichen had spoiled her greatly, but there was no unwillingness or dissatisfaction. She knew this was the way of living as a true human, not the inhumane way of living in Asgard.
"Don't worry, I won't tell your disciples, sisters, and teachers that you're actually just a lazy girl who loves to eat and refuses to get out of bed before noon," – Xichen smiled teasingly at the blue-eyed beauty before him, whose eyes no longer held any trace of that icy coldness, and thought, 'It seems her accompanying Xue'er has melted her icy heart.'
With this thought, Xichen couldn't help but pat the unsuspecting Xue'er's head, for she did not know how much she had influenced Yuechan, which made it easier for Xichen to get closer to her over the past three months.
Yuechan whispered in a calm yet warm tone, rare for her:
"Maybe I'm not lazy, but... sometimes comfort is not something to be underestimated, especially after a long period of ice and cold."
Xichen smiled a deeper smile and nodded gently:
"That's what makes us different from Asgard, right?"
Yuechan relaxed a little, as if accepting the idea of life here, amidst the warmth of family and the embrace of humans, where even one can enjoy simple things like food and peaceful sleep.
...
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