As spring gave way to autumn, the years passed quietly, and little Xue’er had already turned eight years old.
Today, she wasn’t wearing one of the dresses her mother had made for her. Instead, she had changed into a neat martial outfit. The little girl had rosy lips, pearly white teeth, and chubby cheeks that still carried traces of baby fat, making her look as adorable as a celestial child. Yet at this moment, her small face was filled with solemn determination.
Holding a wooden sword, she practiced with utmost seriousness. Her tiny arms and legs made the sight somewhat amusing, but every movement was precise and well-executed.
After finishing an entire set of sword techniques, Gong Xue casually wiped the sweat from her forehead and raised an eyebrow provocatively at the man standing nearby.
“Father, what do you think? How did I do?”
A smile appeared in Gong Yue’s eyes as he applauded lightly.
“Very impressive.”
Immediately puffing up with pride, Gong Xue pushed her luck.
“Then will I become even stronger than Father in the future?”
She still remembered that night when her father had taken her out to kill. His movements had been swift as the wind, his sword techniques unfathomable. Those people had been so terrified of him that they had abandoned any thought of resistance and only wanted to flee.
In her previous life, she had clung to power because she craved strength. If she could become as powerful as Father, then she would never need to rely on others again.
The corners of Gong Yue’s lips curled upward slightly.
“Impossible.”
Back then, revenge had been his sole obsession. He had honed himself through countless life-and-death battles. For his daughter to think she could surpass him with merely a few words of instruction from him was rather naïve.
Still, surpassing most people in the martial world was certainly possible.
Martial arts were grueling. He had never intended for his daughter to suffer through such hardships. As for the Gong family’s swordsmanship, if it were lost, then so be it. But his daughter had shown an unusual passion for martial arts. Whenever her mother wasn’t around, she would cling to him and beg him to teach her swordsmanship.
He had discovered early on that she possessed exceptional talent and was naturally gifted. Thus, he had begun instructing her carefully.
What puzzled him, however, was that his daughter seemed unwilling to let her mother know she was learning martial arts, so she only practiced whenever she had the chance.
Gong Xue puffed up her cheeks and protested loudly.
“I don’t believe you! One day, I’ll become someone even stronger than Father!”
At that moment, a gentle voice filled with amusement drifted over.
“Our little Xue’er certainly has lofty ambitions.”
A woman carrying a flower basket slowly entered through the gate. Her eyes were as clear as water, and though she wore only simple clothes and an ordinary hairpin, they couldn’t conceal her breathtaking beauty.
Time had left no trace upon her. Instead, it had settled into her like a quiet grace, giving her an air of gentle elegance that made people feel as though life itself was peaceful and beautiful.
“M-Mother…”
Gong Xue instantly wilted.
Seeing that her secret martial arts training had been discovered, she became flustered. Like a child caught doing something wrong, she lowered her head, unwilling to let her mother see her reddened eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
An Jin walked over and asked softly,
“What did little Xue’er do wrong? Why are you apologizing to Mother?”
With tears welling in her eyes, Gong Xue was afraid her mother would dislike her.
“I shouldn’t have hidden it from Mother and practiced martial arts in secret.”
“Did Mother ever say you weren’t allowed to practice martial arts?”
The little girl’s head shot up.
Her mother’s gaze was as warm and gentle as ever. There wasn’t the slightest hint of reproach in her eyes.
Could it be that Mother had known all along?
Mother often made dresses for her and styled her hair into beautiful hairstyles. She had assumed Mother wanted her to become a refined noble lady just like herself.
“I thought Mother wouldn’t want a daughter who spends all day waving swords and practicing martial arts.”
Surprised, An Jin smiled.
In truth, she had known about the father and daughter’s secret training for a long time. She had merely found it strange that they were hiding it from her. So that was the reason.
She gently stroked her daughter’s head. Her voice was soft, yet carried unwavering strength.
“No. Little Xue’er can do whatever she wants and become whoever she wishes to be. You are Mother’s daughter. No matter what, Mother will always love you.”
Gong Xue was deeply moved.
“Mother…”
No one had ever said such words to her before.
When her grandmother was still alive in her previous life, she had constantly told her to be obedient and well-behaved so that the people in the residence would accept her.
Later, after entering the palace, the servants had taught her to be gentle and submissive so she could please the old emperor.
But now, Mother was telling her that no matter what she became, Mother would always love her.
The gloom in her heart instantly vanished, replaced by dazzling light.
“I understand, Mother.”
From then on, Gong Xue no longer hid her training. She openly followed her father and learned swordsmanship.
Soon, it was Gong Xue’s birthday.
An Jin dressed her daughter in a new outfit she had sewn herself and tied her hair into two adorable little buns, decorating them with fluffy ornaments.
The girl was already beautiful to begin with, and now she looked even more lovable.
Looking at her daughter, An Jin felt the satisfaction of watching her child grow up.
Smiling brightly, she asked,
“Today is little Xue’er’s birthday. What present does little Xue’er want?”
Gong Xue wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist.
“Xue’er doesn’t lack anything. I only want Father and Mother to stay with me.”
She already possessed her parents’ wholehearted love. Both materially and emotionally, she had everything she needed. There really wasn’t anything else she wanted.
An Jin pinched her daughter’s nose affectionately.
“I knew you’d say that. But your father has already prepared something for you.”
This immediately piqued Gong Xue’s curiosity.
Every year, her parents carefully prepared gifts for her, but this was the first time they had made such a mystery out of it.
After nightfall, the family of three finished dinner and headed toward a small hill outside the village.
The winter wind was rather biting, and Gong Xue was bundled up like a tiny dumpling. Walking between her parents, she held one hand of each.
At that moment, she felt like the happiest child in the world.
But when they reached the top of the hill and she saw magnificent fireworks exploding across the night sky, she realized she was even happier than before.
Afraid that the fireworks wouldn’t look as impressive from her daughter’s height, An Jin bent down and lifted her into her arms.
Watching the dazzling display, she smiled nostalgically.
“Your father and I once watched fireworks together too. Back then, little Xue’er hadn’t been born yet. Your father specially found someone to recreate those fireworks from years ago to celebrate your birthday. Shouldn’t little Xue’er thank Father?”
Long ago, Gong Xue had already stopped believing that the father who loved her and Mother so dearly would abandon her.
She knew that the father from her previous life must have had reasons he couldn’t speak of.
She had accepted this father a long, long time ago.
Her face glowed with happiness as she called out sweetly,
“Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother. I want to celebrate every birthday with you.”
Tender affection filled the man’s eyes.
Taking his daughter from his wife’s arms, Gong Yue answered softly,
“Mm.”
In another house, someone pushed open the window and stared at the fireworks in surprise.
“Where are those fireworks coming from? It’s not even New Year’s.”
“Who else? It’s that little girl from the western part of the village celebrating her birthday,” Old Madam Wang said sourly.
She had been paying attention to that family for quite some time.
None of them farmed. The man didn’t even go hunting. Yet their food and clothing were among the best in the village, and they spoiled that worthless daughter of theirs endlessly.
Her own granddaughter had thrown a tantrum after seeing the pearl flower hairpin on the girl’s head and demanded one too. When Old Madam Wang asked the price, she nearly fainted.
One tael of silver!
Who spent a whole tael just to wear something on their head? Such wastefulness!
Normally, the women in the village washed clothes by the river. But in that household, it was the man who did it.
She had even heard that he cooked as well, pampering his wife like the daughter of a noble family who never had to lift a finger.
After so many years of marriage, they should have had several children by now.
Yet they only had one daughter.
Out of curiosity, Old Madam Wang had inquired years ago and learned that the woman had damaged her health and could no longer bear children.
Back then, she hadn’t thought much of it.
But now, her eyes rolled thoughtfully.
Her youngest daughter had recently become a widow.
If her daughter could bear that man a son, wouldn’t all that money eventually belong to them?
Why waste so much on a mere girl?
The more she thought about it, the more feasible the idea seemed.
As she watched the fireworks lighting up the sky, her heart ached as though the money being burned belonged to her.