In her previous life, Jiang Ning had no control over her fate, bing nothing more than a de meant for killing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now as a mother, she had no demands for Liu Jinxing, only wanting her to grow up safely and happily, to live as a privilegeddy free from worries throughout her life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Until one day, when Zhou Yi went fishing again with Liu Ming''an and Zhang Shun, Jiang Ning took Liu Jinxing to the Zhou family residence, where she discovered Nangong Muyan training her two daughters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two sisters were only six years old at the time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Jiang Ning arrived, Nangong Muyan was leading her daughters in warm-up exercises. Upon seeing Jiang Ning, she stopped and walked over, while the two little girls conscientiously began runningps around the courtyard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Wow! What are they ying? I want to join too!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing eagerly followed behind the two older girls, but after just twops, she was already out of breath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning estimated the courtyard''s size - onep should be about 200 meters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two sisterspleted tenps, then helped each other cool down before following their maid back to their quarters to bathe. Liu Jinxing followed them with a bright smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nangong Muyan sat leisurely in the pavilion, pouring tea for herself and Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You''re not nning to..." Jiang Ning''s expression darkened considerably.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When she first came under N''s control at age five, she was too young to handle intense training. Back then, this person before her had taught her various knowledge while focusing on physical conditioning - one kilometer, two kilometers, three kilometers, five kilometers... By the time she could sessfully run twenty kilometers, her formal assassin training began.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now watching Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue running around the courtyard with well-controlled breathing and steady rhythm, it was clear that Nangong Muyan had been training them for some time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What are you thinking?" Nangong Muyan nced at her, knowing exactly what was on her mind. She patted the bench, gesturing for her to sit down and stay calm.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nangong Muyan pushed a teacup toward Jiang Ning: "These are my own daughters. I cherish them more than anything - how could I make them walk the same path we did?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning rxed slightly, then heard Nangong Muyan continue leisurely while sipping her tea: "I''m just helping them build up their physical fitness, andter I''ll teach them some fighting and self-defense. I don''t want my daughters to be delicate, fragile nobledies - at the very least, they should be able to protect themselves when encountering bad people."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Besides, in this era, the average life expectancy is only around sixty years. I want my children to be healthy and long-lived."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning''s heart stirred strongly, remembering how Liu Jinxing had gotten tired after just a few steps. She made up her mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as she had drunk half her tea, someone snatched her cup, eagerly refilled it, and handed it back. When Nangong Muyan turned to look, she saw Jiang Ning wearing an unusually docile smile, looking quite strange with such an innocent expression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Why are you smiling so suspiciously?" Nangong Muyan didn''t even dare drink her tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning looked at her expectantly: "Since you''re already teaching two, teaching three wouldn''t make much difference. Why not teach Liu Jinxing as well?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Oh? Won''t you teach her yourself?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I only have experience learning, not teaching. I''m afraid I might be too harsh and hurt the child. It''s better if you do it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning was being honest. While she would have been happy to handle basic physical training for Liu Jinxing herself, learning fighting and self-defense required professional guidance. Otherwise, it would be easy to identally harm a child. Bruises and sprains would be considered minor injuries - serious mistakes could lead to lifelong disabilities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nangong Muyan considered this and nodded in agreement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"However, it''s too early to discuss this now. I n to start teaching them when they''re thirteen or fourteen, when their bodies are more developed and physically capable. If you still want Liu Jinxing to learn these skills in a few years, just send her to me then."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning smiled and said "Alright."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Six-year-old Liu Jinxing waspletely unaware of her mother''s good intentions. All she knew was that after visiting the Zhou family that day, her mother told her she would need to runps around the princess''s mansion just like the Zhou sisters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing initially thought it was just y and didn''t take it seriously. But the next morning, her mother dressed her infortable clothes and made her runps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, Jiang Ning understood the importance of gradual progress. She nned to start Liu Jinxing with 800 meters at a slow pace. However, the little girl proved disappointing - she was exhausted halfway through and refused to take another step.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mother, I... I can''t breathe, my legs hurt... please let me stop..." Liu Jinxing pleaded pitifully, gasping for air.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"We''re going so slowly already, just hold on a bit longer! Be good, and after you finish, your grandmother will make you something delicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning knew all beginnings were difficult. She used abination of coaxing and encouragement to get Liu Jinxing toplete onep. By thest 200 meters, the little girl was on the verge of tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mother, did... did I do something wrong? Why are you punishing me like this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning remained stone-hearted and unmoved, directly grabbing her arm and forcing her to finish the run.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright, alright, we''re done for today. Go take a bath."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Once Liu Jinxing caught her breath, Jiang Ning returned to her gentle motherly demeanor and took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, but the little girl angrily pushed it away: "Mother, you''re so mean! I''m never talking to you again!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing ran crying toward Lanxu Court without looking back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning put away the handkerchief, watching her figure disappear from sight, and muttered to herself: "Look at that - she still has enough energy to run so fast?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While Jiang Ning was considering whether 800 meters might be too little, Liu Jinxing had thrown herself into Lan Xu''s arms, crying so hard she could barely breathe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Grand... grandmother... Mother... Mother is bullying me... waaah..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lan Xu had never seen Liu Jinxing cry like this before. Her heart ached immediately, and she wiped the girl''s tears while gentlyforting her: "Jinxing, Jinxing, don''t cry. Tell grandmother what happened."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing stuttered through an exnation of how her mother forced her to runps, making Lan Xu furrow her brows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lan Xu didn''t understand why Jiang Ning would put the child through this, but she knew Jiang Ning wouldn''t do something like this without reason.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While she was still pondering this, Liu Jinxing tugged at her sleeve pitifully and pleaded: "Grandmother, Mother said she''s going to bully me like this every day from now on. Please go scold her! Tell her to stop doing this to me, and I''ll forgive her just this once."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright, alright! Stop crying, I''ll go talk to her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lan Xu calmed her down and had a maid take Liu Jinxing to bathe and change clothes while she went to ask Jiang Ning about the situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing, thinking she had found an ally, finally stopped crying and went with the maid.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Half an hourter, she came back with her hair still wet to have Lan Xu help herb it. As soon as she entered, she eagerly asked: "Grandmother, did you already scold Mother?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lan Xu simply said: "Come, let''s sit down andb your hair first."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing obediently sat on the stool, when suddenly Lan Xu asked her: "Jinxing, do you know why your mother is Princess Hening?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Isn''t a princess just a princess?" Liu Jinxing had never thought about this question before. As far as she could remember, her mother had always been Princess Hening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lan Xu smiled gently and exined in the simplest terms: "She wasn''t born a princess. She became one because she protected the Emperor, and in gratitude, he gave her this noble title."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Really? Is that how it happened?" Liu Jinxing''s eyes grew round with surprise.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Your mother is different from me and most other women. She isn''t weak - she can protect herself and others."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Wow! Mother is amazing!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By now her hair wasbed, and Lan Xu held Liu Jinxing''s hand, speaking earnestly: "Jinxing, I just spoke with your mother. She''s not trying to torment you. You''re the child she carried for ten months - she would never harm you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing nodded uncertainly, still confused: "Then why is she forcing me to do things I don''t want to do?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Because she can''t protect you forever. She wants you to be healthy, to live a long life, and to have the ability to protect yourself."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Protect yourself..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing still didn''t fully understand, but she firmly etched the word "protect" in her heart. She also believed what Lan Xu said - that Jiang Ning wouldn''t harm her, and everything was for her own good.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From that day forward, Liu Jinxing no longer resisted the training Jiang Ning arranged for her. She dutifully circled the princess''s mansion every day and performed what they called "stretching exercises."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t until she was eight years old that Liu Jinxing truly understood the meaning of "protect."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At eight, Liu Jinxing gained a brother named Liu Jingwei.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Jiang Ning told her that she was carrying her future brother or sister in her belly, Liu Jinxing''s first reaction was: "That''s wonderful! Finally, there will be someone younger than me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing could barely sleep that night from excitement. In the months that followed, she would spend time each day staring at Jiang Ning''s belly, eagerly anticipating the little one to grow and enter this world, so they could call her "sister."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her brother was born in a season when osmanthus flowers filled the air with their fragrance. During Jiang Ning''sbor, Liu Jinxing wanted to enter the delivery room but was stopped by Lan Xu: "Children shouldn''t see these things. Just wait patiently."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing wanted to protest that she wasn''t a child anymore - she was about to be a sister - but seeing the grave expressions on the adults'' faces, she didn''t dare make a fuss. Instead, she anxiously paced outside the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fortunately, the wait wasn''t long. After less than an hour, Liu Jinxing''s wish came true - she became a sister.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an now had both a daughter and a son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the second year after Liu Jingwei''s birth, the Imperial City experienced its heaviest snowfall in a century. The entire pce, inside and out, was nketed in snow, creating a vast white expanse as far as the eye could see.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The snow continued to umte until February before slowly melting. During this time of heavy snow, Liu Jinxing''s favorite activity was building snowmen with her brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By then, Liu Jingwei was over a year old and could call out "Sister, sister."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Having studied for several years, Liu Jinxing had learned the phrase "the eldest sister is like a mother." Every time Liu Jingwei called her, she felt like a grown-up, responsible for taking care of this person who called her sister.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
One day, Liu Jinxing carried Liu Jingwei to y by the lotus pond in the mansion as usual.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The lotus pond had frozen over, with the sleeping lotuses and golden-red koi fish trapped beneath the ice and covered by snow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Ming''an had been distressed about it: "Poor fish, I fed them every day. They had grown so big and looked so festive, and now they''re all gone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning consoled him rather unromantically: "It''s alright. When the ice thaws, you can retrieve them for burial. They''ll rest in peace, and that will conclude your karmic connection."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The lotus pondy below a corridor, surrounded by carved stone pirs and tablets, with only one opening where more than ten stone steps descended, designed for cleaning the pond.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing carried Liu Jingwei down these frozen steps, yfully entertaining the baby,pletely unaware of her footing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While fresh snow is soft and fluffy, repeated stepping canpress it into slick ice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing stepped onto such an icy patch, her foot twisted sideways, and her body suddenly lurched toward the stone steps. It happened so quickly that the maid behind her had no time to react.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No one knew how frantically her heart was beating in that moment, or how terrified she was. In that split second, all she could do was hold Liu Jingwei tightly to her chest, protect his head with her hands, and tumble down the steps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sharp pain shot through her head, face, hands, feet, and other parts of her body. She heard the boy''s crying and the maid''s screams, smelled the metallic scent of blood. Ignoring her own injuries, as soon as she stopped rolling, she immediately tried to check on Liu Jingwei, only to find that one of her arms was in excruciating pain andpletely useless.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Young Miss! Young Master!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The maid rushed over crying, first picking up Liu Jingwei, then trying to help Liu Jinxing, whose face was covered in blood.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0Aliali: 67486d4f3f33ac47890df
Liu Jinxing pushed herself up with her good arm and, seeing Liu Jingwei crying uncontrobly, anxiously shouted to the maid, "Quick, check if my brother is hurt!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Themotion attracted passing guards, and momentster, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an hurried over, their hearts clenching at the sight of Liu Jinxing''s bloodied face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Ming''an ran down the steps, scooped up Liu Jinxing, and rushed toward the courtyard. Jiang Ning took Liu Jingwei from the maid and followed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Jinxing hadn''t cried when the pain made her vision go dark, but now, seeing her parents, she finally couldn''t hold back her tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Father, it''s all my fault! I dropped my brother, it''s all my fault!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Ming''an''s heart ached at the sight of blood on his daughter''s face and exposed hands: "Be good, Jinxing, don''t talk about that now. Mother and Father are here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When they reached the room, Jiang Ning wanted to examine Liu Jinxing''s injuries, but heard her plea: "Mother, please check on my brother first. He''s still crying - please see if he''s hurt!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"He''s fine, just scared. You protected him very well," Jiang Ning replied, having already thoroughly examined Liu Jingwei on the way and pieced together what had happened from the scene.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hearing this, Liu Jinxing smiled through her tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From that day forward, Liu Jinxing truly understood the meaning of "protect."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0