Chapter 26: Midnight Dream Returns to the Classics

  "Qing'er, do you know what longitude and latitude are?" The man in the long shirt had a neatly combed queue, his usual stern expression slightly relaxed, with a hint of comfort, and less of his usual intimidating aura, making him look more lively.

  The doll next to him crawled onto the man's body with its hands and feet, found a comfortable position, snuggled in, and stopped moving. "The great way of heaven and earth is nothing more than this."

  It's eerie to hear such sweet and tender words spoken in a tone that is utterly inconsistent with his age.

  The man, however, chuckled and laughed out loud, remaining silent for a long time. His gaze passed through the floating clouds, as if looking at a distant place, yet seeming to see nothing, quietly immersing himself in his own world.

  Xu Qing stole a glance at him, feeling a bit uneasy. This was what the young lady in the courtyard told herself, wondering if she had revealed too much... But this kind of father he liked very much, without distance, without terrifying repression and coldness. That authenticity was within reach, as long as she stretched out her hand...

  "Qing'er, you must remember that you are a man of the Xun family. You have the duty and obligation to protect everything in the Xun family and under heaven. The fabric of heaven's ethics is for the righteous path, one's fate cannot be violated, nor can it be avoided..." Xun San Ye muttered to himself, not caring whether Xiao Xun Qing truly understood or not, he was still preparing to pour everything into him all at once, his time was really running out...

  He really couldn't understand what Xiaofeng said, but it sounded cool, so he must show off to his sister later. He raised his tender little face and starry eyes, "Like Dad? Then I also want to be a great man standing tall!!"

  Sanlang looked at his chubby little face, feeling a bit relieved. The calm and peaceful eyes finally showed a warm intention, which made the young Sanqing stunned immediately.

  Third Master Xun took the small fist of his youngest son, tightly clenched around a deep blue jade plaque. A red silk thread was wrapped tightly around his slender wrist, feeling itchy and slightly painful.

  Xiao Xuan's big, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as he sized up the "big guy" that was going to be his new home. His right hand couldn't stop tracing the patterns on the jade pendant. ---- Daddy gave him a gift today, so happy!!

  Third Master Xun hastily stopped Little Xun Qing's nonsense, pulled out a needle case from his pocket, and selected the smallest one. However, the sharp tip still frightened Little Xun Qing.

  He looked at his old man with tears in his eyes, not quite understanding. Had he made his father unhappy again? This thing looks painful, don't want it ahhhhh!!!!!

  "Hey, isn't Little Qing wanting to be a big hero like Daddy? Xun San Ye patiently coaxed him, but still inexplicably felt a deep sense of guilt. "How can a big hero cry? Okay, just for a little while, it won't hurt, and later Daddy will get you sugar to eat."

  Xiao Xuan Qing got an inch and swung out with her small paws, "I want Liu Yi's maltose from the east of the city." After a pause, she continued to add, "Two portions."

  "...Uncle San has a black thread on his head, trying to coax himself to sleep. He's still a child, can't be bothered, amen..."

  All sense of guilt was immediately thrown away, he's just a lone wolf, and he didn't care about his own pain at all!!

  Xiao Xuan Qing's eyes sparkled with a smile, and he obediently stretched out his hand, indicating that he was very cooperative. However, Xun San Ye's hand holding the needle trembled inexplicably, and he gritted his teeth before pricking Xiao Xuan Qing's left thumb.

  The needle tip lightly pierced the skin, and dark red blood beads seeped out, dripping onto the jade pendant. The convex round bead was suddenly drawn in by something, and it actually penetrated the jade pendant. After a moment, a thread of blood appeared inside the jade pendant, as if it were alive, flowing slowly.

  Xiao Xun Qing didn't feel much discomfort, only that his fingertips felt like they had been bitten by a mosquito, and were slightly itchy. However, the warm flow that surged into his body afterwards was very comfortable, and he fell asleep like this. By his ear, Xun San Ye was still whispering.

  "Qing'er, this jade pendant is a family heirloom and must not be given away lightly. Moreover, it must not be shown to anyone."

  ……

  The aftermath of a hangover was a headache, Xun Qing covered his forehead with his hands, and his fingers habitually touched the cool jade ornament on his waist, calming down his restless heart.

  On the fifteenth day of the first month, he had wanted to spend it with Ling'er, but he didn't see her shadow all night and couldn't help feeling disappointed. The fine wine from the family banquet flowed endlessly into his stomach, and he fell asleep in a daze, even dreaming of his past, truly getting more and more muddled as he lived on.

  He silently let out a bitter laugh, his hand still icy cold, but suddenly an absurd thought popped into his mind, he now urgently wanted to see that person, wanting...

  Her swaying body struggled to stand up, and after a dizzy spell, she fell into familiar arms the next second.

  "Xun Qing!! What the hell are you doing!!" Consciousness drifted away again, and that haunting voice was like a heavenly music right next to my ear, but unfortunately it didn't sound as gentle as usual, it's really violent...

  Ling'er...