Chapter Forty-Six: Perhaps She Actually Prefers Meat a Little More?

Xuan Xuan crawled out from under the covers, casting all sorts of unfriendly looks at Moke Lianhao. Moke Lianhao, however, remained completely unaffected; he spent most of his days asleep, and even now, having arrived in the Imperial Capital, he was still sleeping soundly. She pouted slightly—after all, they were almost at the capital, and she was busy writing out Moke Lianjun’s cultivation techniques. These blocky characters were truly difficult, far more so than she had expected.

Moke Lianhao deftly dressed Xuan Xuan, combed her hair, tidied her up, and gave her a large glass of water to drink. Only then did he carry her to join Moke Lianjun and the others.

Seeing Moke Lianhao head straight outside, she wondered if they had arrived. Was it just because they were in the rear group that all the would-be attackers had been dealt with by Moke Lianjun and Zhan Yu, or perhaps no one else dared to come? In any case, for the next few days, Xuan Xuan noticed nothing amiss.

Yet, it was impossible that no one would come at all. Most likely, the main reason was that Moke Lianjun and Zhan Yu, walking ahead, had already taken care of things.

Moke Lianhao moved quickly, heading straight for the command ship’s exit, with Yi Qiong following close behind. Were they finally leaving? After staying in the command ship for so long, even though the starnet allowed them to visit any place virtually, Xuan Xuan was still curious about what the real world was actually like.

She climbed onto Moke Lianhao’s shoulder and peered outside, only to be met with complete darkness. Disappointed, she burrowed back into Moke Lianhao’s arms.

He wrapped her tightly in his coat, trying to shield her from the wind. They had chosen the early hours before dawn for their departure. The wind at this hour was still quite chilly.

“Morning,” someone greeted.

“Third Young Master,” came a familiar, slightly deep voice. From within Moke Lianhao’s embrace, Xuan Xuan peeked out and saw it was Zhan Yu.

They saw each other every day in the starnet, but in reality, it had been a long time since their last meeting. He stood tall, dressed in a camel-colored coat. Even at such an early hour, he was striking in appearance. Though not outrageously handsome, his presence was commanding; standing next to Moke Lianhao, it was impossible to overlook him.

Nearby stood her first and second uncles.

“Big Brother, Second Brother,” Moke Lianhao called out.

Xuan Xuan retreated into the safety of Moke Lianhao’s coat, finding no meaning in the surrounding darkness.

“Little chubby girl still not awake?” It was obviously Moke Lianchen’s voice.

Climbing out of Moke Lianhao’s embrace, he hastily wrapped her up again in his coat.

“You’re the chubby one!” she retorted crisply, glaring at Moke Lianchen, her voice clear and ringing in the early morning darkness.

Moke Lianjun shot Moke Lianchen a warning glance. Why provoke Xuan Xuan so early in the cold?

Moke Lianchen scratched his nose and pretended not to have heard.

Zhan Yu glanced at Xuan Xuan. The little girl did seem to have grown even rounder—her cheeks plump and rosy, utterly adorable, but perhaps growing a little too quickly? Still, her chubby face made one want to pinch her.

With a huff, Xuan Xuan retreated into her hiding place, nestled in Moke Lianhao’s arms.

He held her tighter to shield her from the wind, then smiled at the three men, “Xuan Xuan is a bit grumpy right after waking. Let’s go.”

Zhan Yu and Moke Lianjun nodded in unison, while Moke Lianchen merely pursed his lips. That little girl—without her father to back her up, he’d make her weigh herself to see if she was truly a chubby girl.

Their return to the Moke family estate was by federation hovercar. When Xuan Xuan boarded, she peeked out curiously.

The hovercar sped along, and in less than half an hour they arrived at the Moke family’s main house.

The family estate, originally built on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, occupied a vast tract of land. With its lush gardens and sprawling courtyards, it was the epitome of ancient Huaxia style. The main house had been constructed in the early years of the Federation, and over time, the estate had expanded further.

As the Federation grew, so did the capital, and now the Moke family’s home lay within the city itself.

Their hovercar didn’t stop at the main gate but drove for another half a minute before reaching the inner courtyard. Zhan Yu disembarked with the others.

He hadn’t visited often, but this was always said to be the oldest part of the capital.

Moke Lianhao carried Xuan Xuan for several more minutes before reaching the main hall.

Even before they entered, a booming voice rang out—it was Moke Yi. “Xuan Xuan’s back?”

Xuan Xuan poked her head out. Was that her grandfather?

“What are you shouting for? She might still be asleep.” This voice was softer, not shrill, but gentle and melodious in its own unique way.

Moke Yi immediately fell silent.

Zhan Yu was stunned. It was said the old master of the Moke family had once been the Federation’s most notorious tough guy, feared by all. Yet, just as famous as his iron will was his reputation for being utterly henpecked. Now, Zhan Yu was seeing it with his own eyes.

Xuan Xuan giggled to herself—what an interesting family.

Inside, the warmth was a relief. Only then did Moke Lianhao release Xuan Xuan from his coat.

She rubbed her still-sleepy head, clearly not fully awake.

“Oh, my little darling!”

“Mother,” Moke Lianhao’s voice was thick with longing. He was, after all, only just an adult. Having left home for six years, how could he not yearn for his mother?

“Good boy,” came the reply. This was Moke Lianhao’s mother, Tong Wan. Xuan Xuan studied her carefully. Though not a woman of legendary beauty, she must have had her own charms to give birth to such outstanding sons.

If she had to describe her, Xuan Xuan would say she was like the finest jade, mellowed and refined by time, gentle and captivating.

“Let me have a look at Xuan Xuan.”

Moke Lianhao said to Xuan Xuan, “This is Grandma.”

Xuan Xuan nodded, her impression favorable, and called out sweetly, “Grandma.”

“Yes,” Tong Wan replied with a gentle smile. Xuan Xuan thought she had never seen such a beautiful smile. Perhaps her features were not stunning, but her smile certainly was.

“Such a good girl.”

Xuan Xuan nodded. Of course she was. She remembered Grandma made the best dried meat, and it was said Moke Lianhao learned his cooking from her.

She stretched out her little arms.

Tong Wan was pleasantly surprised—was she asking to be held? Hadn’t they said she was a bit withdrawn before?

She quickly reached out and took her in her arms.

Moke Lianhao’s features softened. What he hoped for most was that Xuan Xuan would come to love all the members of the Moke family, and that they would love her in return.

Moke Yi came over, and Xuan Xuan squinted her eyes and called, “Grandpa.”

“Ha ha!” Moke Yi laughed heartily, nodding in delight. “My granddaughter!”

Moke Lianchen looked on jealously. Every time he returned home, he never got such a grand welcome. The elders had even risen at dawn to greet them, and they were so overjoyed.

He sidled over. “Mother.”

Tong Wan patted his head. “Still not grown up, are you?”

He pulled back, feeling the sting of such obvious favoritism.

Xuan Xuan, delighted by Moke Lianchen’s discomfiture, was even happier—her second uncle was always teasing her.

Tong Wan, holding Xuan Xuan, turned to the guest. “Zhan, how’s your grandfather these days?”

“Thank you for asking, Madam Moke. My grandfather is in excellent health,” Zhan Yu replied respectfully.

“I know that old fellow’s as fit as ever,” Moke Yi said. “Thank you for fetching our third child this time.”

“You are too kind, Master Moke,” Zhan Yu replied.

“What should I have you call me?” Moke Yi paused. He truly didn’t know what Zhan Yu should call him. Zhan Yu was a leading figure of the next generation, on a par with Moke Lianhao and the others. Yet, if he called him uncle, wouldn’t that make him a generation younger than Zhan Shaohua?

Zhan Yu suddenly remembered the name Xuan Xuan had used that day—Yao.

Unlike Xuan Xuan’s voice in the starnet, which was charming, her real-life tone was childish and crisp, yet still pleasant. Were it not for the noticeable differences, Zhan Yu might have suspected a connection between the two. As it was, he considered it mere coincidence.

In Tong Wan’s arms, Xuan Xuan yawned delicately, but perked up at the mention of what Zhan Yu should call Moke Yi. He couldn’t call him uncle, or her disciple would outrank her.

She stretched out her paw and called, “Yao.”

Zhan Yu instantly felt five pairs of eyes glaring at him, especially Moke Lianhao, whose gaze was the sharpest of all. If looks could kill, his eyes would have been two piercing swords.

Zhan Yu stiffened, shooting a glance at the instigator.

Xuan Xuan, meanwhile, was holding out her arms in a pleading gesture.

Tong Wan smiled even more warmly. She thought highly of Zhan Yu; though the childhood engagement hadn’t been finalized, it wasn’t too late to make a match now. Xuan Xuan was still just a child, so why not? If one had to list those in the capital who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her son, Zhan Yu was among her favorites. Better to reserve him now, before someone else claimed Xuan Xuan when she grew up. The more Tong Wan thought about it, the more pleased she became; her gaze toward Zhan Yu grew ever more gentle, pure mother-in-law looking at her future son-in-law. Even if he succeeded, he’d only be a grandson-in-law, right? He looked more and more pleasing to the eye as she handed Xuan Xuan over.

Moke Yi and Moke Lianhao both glared, even Moke Lianjun felt a twinge of jealousy. Why did Xuan Xuan seem to like Zhan Yu so much?

Zhan Yu simply stared at her in confusion. Of all people, he was the one Xuan Xuan was most familiar with after her father. He was sitting opposite Tong Wan, so Xuan Xuan crawled across the tea table into his lap.

Of course, her father was the one she knew best, but Zhan Yu was second. Though Zhan Yu, like Moke Lianhao, was rather hard and not the most comfortable perch, it was still acceptable.

She settled in contentedly.

Moke Lianhao silently fumed—this kid must be a “child-lover”! Hadn’t Xuan Xuan promised to keep her distance from him? But in the Moke family, everyone in the Federation knew the true authority was the matriarch, Tong Wan.

He glanced at his own father, who dared not object, and fell silent as well.

Tong Wan’s smile grew even more radiant. “Our little treasure seems to like you very much.”

Zhan Yu held Xuan Xuan awkwardly, glancing anxiously at her clothes—hopefully, he wouldn’t accidentally tear them again.

He nodded slightly to Tong Wan, but in his heart, he was unconvinced. This chubby little darling probably just liked anyone with more meat on their bones.

“Why aren’t the other two boys up yet?” Tong Wan tapped Xuan Xuan, who was nestled in Zhan Yu’s arms. “I’ll go call them.”

As soon as Tong Wan left, Moke Lianhao snatched Xuan Xuan back, his expression wary as he thoroughly checked her over, only relaxing once he was sure she was fine.

Where she had just been, the lingering warmth and faint milky scent lingered. But as Moke Lianhao took her back, the warmth faded, and the scent slowly dissipated.

Zhan Yu glanced at Moke Lianhao awkwardly. It wasn’t as if he’d deliberately torn the child’s clothes; it had been an accident.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Uncle Moke, now that Third Young Master has arrived, I’ll take my leave.”

Having been married to his wife for nearly two hundred years, Moke Yi could read her every mood. At the twitch of her lips, he knew exactly what she meant—he was not about to let his granddaughter be spirited away. He nodded hastily, not caring about titles or generational gaps. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Zhan Yu looked at Xuan Xuan in Moke Lianhao’s arms, and said, “Well then, Uncle Moke, Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, Third Young Master, goodbye.”

Xuan Xuan shifted, continuing to snuggle in Moke Lianhao’s embrace.

Seeing that Zhan Yu was about to leave, Moke Lianhao nodded as well. “Thank you for today. I’ll be sure to visit and thank you in person.”

Zhan Yu nodded politely.

ps: Recommend Yaoyue’s book, “Splendid Immortal Glory.”