Tck-tck-tck... On the broad official road, three swift horses galloped by. The lead枣-colored horse was particularly spirited. On its back stood a man in his thirties, wearing a white sleeveless tunic beneath a blue wide robe. A blue jade belt with embedded sapphires adorned his waist, his long hair neatly coiled in a high jade crown, with strands of hair gently swaying in the wind. With sharp, arched brows, bright eyes, and a slightly downturned mouth, he remained composed, expressionally cold and aloof. Behind the blue-robed man were two others: one dressed in a white long robe, with jet-black hair and a serene, refined demeanor; the other in a green robe, with three thousand threads of hair neatly braided high, his features sharp and distinct, his dark eyes like deep pools, calm and still. Two hours later, the three horses stopped before the northern gate of the general's mansion and turned to dismount. "General, good to see you. General, here is Master Ruan and Vice-General Lin." The guards outside the mansion quickly approached, leading the horses to their stables. The blue-robed man walked silently into the mansion, followed by Muyu Zhao Yun and her daughter Ling Yue'er were both deeply moved upon meeting Ling Pei Yuan, yet they dared not be bold or show their usual flair in the face of his reserved demeanor. The two, completely subdued, stood quietly, without their usual haughtiness. "May I have the honor to greet the Lady and Miss?" "May I have the honor to greet the Lady and Miss?" The white-robed man, Master Strategist Ruan Yiyin, and the green-robed man, Deputy General Lin Chengqi, bowed formally to Muyu Zhao Yun and Ling Yue'er. Though they harbored little favor for the proud and domineering two, they upheld the proper etiquette. "Hmm," Muyu Zhao Yun replied with a composed, dignified nod. In her eyes, though these two held high offices as strategist and deputy general, they still remained servants. "General, you've been traveling so far and far. I shall send someone to prepare the necessary items for your bath and grooming." Turning, she smiled warmly at Ling Pei Yuan. After half a year, he still stirred her heart in the same way as before. "No need," Ling Pei Yuan replied coldly. " He had originally thought the woman was playing some trick, but Ruan Yiyin suggested they go back to the manor to see. Her deep, frosty gaze fixed on Mu Zhaoyun, as if she intended to penetrate her completely. "Father, it's true," Cold Yueer said of her father, both admiring and reverent. "That young girl from the Northern Wing must have cast some mysterious spell—she suddenly appeared, surrounding my daughter and the servants with flames, and even scorched Mother’s forehead." Her large eyes brimmed with anger and fear. Ruan Yiyin bit her lip, secretly smiling. He truly admired anyone who could make both mother and daughter so embarrassed. He glanced toward Lin Chengqi, noticing the usually impassive man now lifting his brow slightly. "Is that what happened?" Cold Peiyuan stared at Mu Zhaoyun. This woman never stayed content. The fact that no concubine in the household had given birth was entirely her doing. He wasn’t unaware of that—nor could he be certain this time wouldn’t also be her doing. "The servants can all testify," Cold Peiyuan’s skepticism wounded Mu Zhaoyun, who looked at him with a pensive Why does he keep hurting himself over and over again? Is there anything wrong with loving him? "The girl from the Northern Wing?" Cold Pei Yuan thought for a moment but couldn't recall who she was. It made sense—women in his heart fell into only two categories: useful or useless. "It's Cold Wanwan," Cold Yue'er interjected promptly. Huh, even her father can't remember her—she truly must be a redundant, lowly girl. "Cold Wanwan?" Cold Pei Yuan seemed to remember a concubine from three years ago who had given birth to a daughter for him—was it her? But that child wasn't just three years old, was it? Could she be the one they call the fairy girl? "Bring the lady from the Northern Wing," he said. He had only seen her at birth, and now he had no idea what she looked like. Yet, hearing about her had sparked a quiet interest. "Yes, Sir," the servant outside bowed and turned to leave. So another lady from the Cold family. Ruan Yiyin smiled slightly, feeling a subtle sense of excitement. His intuition told him this Cold lady was different. He looked forward to her arrival. The Northern Wing Leng Wanwan propped her legs up, half lying on the roof, holding a book and reading intently. The night before, she had found several legendary tales in the cabinet—very much like modern novels. "Miss! Miss! Something's wrong!" came the nurse's anxious voice. "Miss, what is it?" Leng Wanwan put down the book and peeked out from the roof. "Oh my! How did you end up up here on the roof?" the nurse looked up, nearly startled to the point of illness. The girl seemed to be increasingly fond of high places—how dangerous that must be! She patted her chest, feeling her life span might be shortened by several years. "Haha, no worries, Nurse. What's the matter?" After months of getting used to the nurse's sudden outbursts, Leng Wanwan had grown accustomed to her nervousness. "The general has returned to the estate. He wishes to see you," the nurse frowned again, deeply concerned. The general had only appeared at the moment of the lady's birth, after which he had simply left her here, unattended, clearly having no affection for her. Now, why does he suddenly want to see her upon his return? "Father has returned," said Ling Wanwan, with a smile that was neither warm nor genuine. "That's wonderful—I'd like to meet him as well." Yet her expression betrayed no eagerness, instead carrying an inexplicable strangeness. "Miss—" the nanny worriedly watched her, wondering if the lady had once again caused trouble. "Don't worry," said Ling Wanwan, smiling. "Where is the messenger?" "Outside the courtyard." "Then let's go." With a light, swift movement, the small figure seemed to drift down like a flying swallow. "...Oh!" The lady could actually fly? The nanny stood stunned, unsure of how to react. Ling Wanwan smiled, knowing exactly how the nanny would respond. While most modern people might be skilled in taekwondo or judo, the Cold family possessed a martial arts mastery—flying through rooftops, never touching the lake water—that could only be found in wuxia novels. This is also one of the reasons the Cold family has been able to maintain its position as the leading force in the underworld. A soft, delicate hand pulls the dazed nannies along, guiding them outward. "Report to the General, Miss Wanyuan has arrived." "Enter, please." A resonant, cool, and handsome voice echoes from within the room. Cold Wanyuan raises an eyebrow—quite a pleasant voice, indeed. With her small hands holding the nannies, she steps out and immediately spots the man seated at the head of the main hall. He appears nearly as old as her modern father, with sharp features, a commanding brow, and bright eyes, dressed in a deep blue robe, exuding calm and aloof grace. Ruan Yiyin and Lin Chengqi both raise their brows instantly upon Cold Wanyuan's entrance—so this is the so-called "fairy maiden"? Petite and slender, barely reaching their calves. Her face is refined and delicate, with dark, gem-like eyes. Holding the nannies with her small hands, she seems no more than a young, unworldly, gawky child. Cold Peiyan gazes at the small figure, feeling something unusual. This delicate child The woman in her memory who gave birth to her child had a delicate, refined face, while the young girl before her, though still small, already showed the promise of becoming a beauty of extraordinary grace. Her demeanor resembled her own—her dark, gem-like eyes held no trace of hesitation. Nodding to herself, she felt a genuine appreciation for this daughter. "May I have the honor of addressing Lord and Lady, and Miss?" the nanny quickly bowed, then softly guided Cold Wanwan to greet them. Cold Wanwan gave a slight smile, her gaze fixed steadily on Cold Pei Yuan. "Are you my father?" "Unbelievable!" "Indeed, most ungracious!" Muzhao Yun and her daughter both exclaimed at once, both annoyed by Cold Wanwan's attitude and secretly delighted, hoping the general would take charge of this spirited young girl. Ruan Yiyin's eyes brightened, and Lin Chengqi raised an eyebrow—both of them eagerly anticipating a lively scene. "Miss," the nanny quickly pulled at Cold Wanwan's sleeve, her heart full of concern. "General, she is still young and inexperienced. Please don't let her make you angry." "Kneel down and bravely plead on behalf of Ling Wanwan." "Mother, please rise," Ling Wanwan firmly refused to have her nurse kneel, her dark eyes fixed firmly on Ling Pei Yuan. "I've never met this person before. I need to ask—what if he isn't actually my father?" Well, she admitted it was intentional. She deliberately wanted to ruffle this lofty general father's feathers, to give the old Ling Wanwan a much-needed vent of frustration. Each question from Ling Wanan left the listeners gasping, especially the nannies, who had already gone weak-kneed. Didn't the lady promise not to cause any trouble? Wasn't this simply creating complications for herself? She truly has a strong personality. Ruanyi Ying and Lin Chengqi couldn't help but silently admire her—how could such a lady be considered suitable for the general's children? Cold Pei watched Ling Wanan quietly, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips. Was she seeking an explanation from him? "If you're blaming me for not showing enough care—" he paused, gazing at her with deep significance. "Yes, I am."