Baby Food Quality

The moment the system's words appeared before her eyes,

The flower room fell into utter silence, not even the sound of breathing could be heard, as if the figure reclining on the soft couch was nothing more than a serene jade sculpture.

For only she could see the line that read:

[Punishment Condition: Have the winner personally inspect the quality of the baby's future food.]

A flicker of confusion passed through Ying Bing's eyes.

Baby?

First of all, setting aside the question of where the baby came from...

She had long given up hope in her culinary skills. Even Li Mo's robust constitution couldn't handle it, let alone an infant.

Having the winner inspect the baby's future food quality—wasn't that just forcing her to cook for Li Mo?

Just who was being punished here?

[Host, it seems you really don’t get it.]

[Take a look at this!]

What should a baby eat?

This was basic common knowledge, but the ice block (Ying Bing) had been a complete blank slate in her past life. She had no grasp of emotions, let alone such matters—only a vague, faint awareness, and not much of that.

The system projected an image.

Ying Bing's gaze suddenly froze. Her curled fingers unconsciously clutched at the hem of her skirt, her cold and sacred visage now blank, gradually tinged with a faint flush.

She glanced down but couldn’t see her toes.

This... was inspection really necessary?

The system was rushing things—how could it skip ahead so drastically...

---

The next day, the first rays of sunlight bathed the earth.

"Spring, spring quietly passes, leaving behind little secrets..." Ahem. The stirrings of spring had ended, and summer now painted the gardens of Wanchun Court in full bloom, standing alongside Fengyue Pavilion within the inner city as two breathtaking sights.

A beam of sunlight happened to fall on the bed, right onto Li Mo's face.

"What is blinding me?"

Li Mo stirred awake to find a slender, graceful figure lying beside him—Ying Bing, her back turned, seemingly still asleep.

Huh?

Young Li vaguely remembered her sleeping like this the entire night, without changing position.

In the past, it had been understandable—she used to curl up in a corner, hugging her knees. But lately, her sleeping posture had grown more relaxed.

Occasionally, he’d even get to experience...

As everyone knows, waking up in the morning leaves one’s skin in less-than-ideal condition, so using a facial cleanser was only reasonable.

Seeing her still asleep, Li Mo decided to get up first.

"What’s this...?"

Upon descending the stairs, Li Mo found Minister Song sprawled across the central table like a dead dog, snoring thunderously.

In truth, last night’s rehearsal hadn’t even ended before Minister Song had already lost consciousness.

But who would’ve thought...

"Where are Minister Song’s guards?"

"Reporting, boss... seems they forgot about him and went to Fengyue Pavilion for a foot wash."

"??"

Li Mo fell silent for a moment before concluding that this made a strange kind of sense.

Last night’s rehearsal, though not as grand as the actual performance, still had the Hundred Flowers in full regalia. The guards had all been utterly spellbound.

Forgetting their lord wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

"Fine, go brew some hangover soup. Make extra."

With that, Li Mo went to the entrance to wait for the others.

The carriages were already lined up outside, two long rows of them, with his sworn brothers handling the driving—not because Li Mo was exploiting them, but because they had eagerly volunteered.

Rumor had it they nearly came to blows over the privilege.

So much for being prodigies of the Hidden Dragon generation. Is this really worth fighting over?

The virtuous young Li, who was preparing to go with Ying Bing, shook his head in disappointment.

"Ha..."

Shang Wu appeared at some point, descending the stairs and kicking the unconscious Minister Song out of her way with a thud.

"Master, why are you up so early?"

Li Mo eyed her warily. Since when did his master wake up at this hour?

"Hmph, if I don’t go, who’ll watch your back in the imperial capital?" Shang Wu sniffed.

Seeing her confident expression, Li Mo felt a complicated mix of emotions.

On one hand, he couldn’t deny being touched—his master truly had his back in a place like the imperial capital, where powerhouses gathered.

On the other hand... she was the trouble.

After some thought, Li Mo said seriously,

"I’d be happy to take you along, but can we agree on three rules?"

"What three rules?" Shang Wu dug at her ear, displeased.

"First, no using the 'King of Fists Ultimate Technique: First Form'—especially not on His Majesty."

"Tch... fine." She reluctantly agreed.

"..." So you were planning to use it?!

Li Mo’s lips twitched.

"Second, no randomly hitting people."

"I know, I’m not stupid."

"And third—the most important one—don’t get drunk in the imperial palace."

Shang Wu, who had been fine until now, immediately puffed up like an angry bird. "Hmph! I finally get to mooch a meal at the palace, and you won’t even let me drink? After all I’ve done for you!"

"Master, if we skip the third rule, can you guarantee the first two will hold?"

Li Mo sighed.

Shang Wu instantly looked up at the sky, whistling innocently.

No choice.

In the end, the young Li had to promise that, as the supplier for the Hundred Flowers Festival, he’d set aside a portion of every wine variety for her. Only then did Shang Wu brighten up.

"That’s more like it. Where’s Little Ice?" She patted his shoulder.

"Still sleeping."

"Then you go ahead. I’ll head up to see her—it’s been ages!"

Master and disciple shared certain hobbies.

For instance, both adored admiring peerless beauties. Shang Wu had once wanted to take Ying Bing as her disciple purely because of her stunning looks.

Too bad she couldn’t beat Shangguan Wencang back then.

Once she left, Li Mo quietly busied himself with other matters, suddenly nostalgic for simpler days.

In terms of capability, he could—with Sun Gui’s assistance—manage affairs with remarkable efficiency, organizing the Hundred Flowers Festival preparations without a hitch.

He wasn’t lacking in skill, but he never sought the spotlight, nor did he crave recognition from Great Yu, or a lofty position in the imperial capital. The idea of commanding respect held no appeal.

He disliked scheming, preferring his quiet little life.

If not for Ying Bing, he wouldn’t have taken on this venture even with funding.

"I’m just an unambitious little boy, I guess."

Young Li critiqued his own flaws.

But he had no intention of changing.

"Ugh..." Minister Song groaned, rubbing the back of his head as he sat up, bleary-eyed.

"Do you even remember who you are?"

Li Mo waved a hand in front of his face.

"I do, but why does my head hurt so much...?"

"That’s what happens when you drink too much. Deep breaths—headaches and dizziness are normal."

Li Mo handed him the hangover soup, pretending not to see the lump on his head.

"Thanks, Brother Li."

"Ah, Minister, you’re going back on your word."

"Oh? How so?"

"Tell you what—from now on, you call me 'uncle,' and I’ll call you 'brother.'"

"???"

"Oh, you’re back! Quick, help your minister drink his soup."

Minister Song wanted to curse, but the soup was already being poured down his throat.

Finally remembering their lord's guards, they hurriedly returned from the Pleasure Pavilion.

But no sooner had they stepped inside than they nearly forgot about their lord again.

After all, they were about to depart for the grand gathering.

A hundred flowers, each breathtakingly beautiful, had already bloomed in full splendor at the Spring Court.

.....

Meanwhile.

Ying Bing sat before her dressing table, her silhouette outlined by the morning light, her raven-black hair flowing like dark clouds as the comb glided through, releasing a faint, cool fragrance.

Despite her icy demeanor, the Frost Fairy's mind was entirely preoccupied with baby food quality—her hair grew silkier, yet her thoughts only tangled further into chaos.

Just then, she caught sight of Shang Wu sneaking in through the mirror.

She knew Shang Wu was likely trying to startle her. After so long apart, she decided to play along...

Splat—

"Ouch... Little Bing, what have you been eating lately? You're catching up to me in development!"