Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

In that instant, Li Xiang gained a new understanding of Sun Ren, who usually subdued his peers with his fists.

It turned out that Sun Ren also possessed some of the gentle and virtuous qualities of a mother.

Moreover, Sun Ren, a few years older than Li Xiang, already possessed the charm of a young woman. Dressed in a red padded jacket, she resembled a peach blossom slowly blooming in winter.

"Sun Ren…"

Sun Ren's face flushed, and she unconsciously bit her lip, but her words were inevitably bold and straightforward.

"Brother Xiang, you don't have to be so formal. You can just call me A'Ren."

"Uh, okay, A'Ren…"

Just as Li Xiang was responding in a somewhat dazed manner, Li Xi's voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"Daddy, what are Big Brother and Big Sister Head doing?"

Li Xiang's eyes widened suddenly, his whole body stiffened, and he turned his head to look to the side. He was shocked to find that Li Ji, who was holding Li Xi, had returned at some point and was standing there, looking at himself and Sun Ren with a meaningful expression.

At that moment, Li Xiang's head buzzed with inexplicable panic, and he blurted out an explanation.

"No, no, Father, A'Ren and I are not like that…"

"Did I ask you anything?" Li Ji retorted, making Li Xiang's whole person as red as a boiled shrimp.

This made the playfulness in Li Ji's eyes even more meaningful.

It was rare for the precocious Li Xiang to be so out of sorts, so he must have really been flustered just now?

Was he experiencing a budding of spring in his heart?

Even though Li Ji understood that precociousness was inevitable due to the times, it was still happening a little faster than Li Ji's mental preparation.

Immediately, Li Ji's gaze turned to Sun Ren.

Although Sun Ren was also feeling shy and embarrassed, the boldness in her bones could not be concealed. Enduring her shyness, she bowed gracefully to Li Ji and said.

"Sun Ren pays respects to the Marquis."

Li Ji knew that his mansion had long become a gathering place for the second generation, and Li Ji had even secretly ordered a piece of land to be set aside in the mansion for the second generation to use for their daily gatherings.

However, Li Ji usually didn't interfere much.

Therefore, apart from Sun Ce bringing Sun Ren to visit during the New Year, this was the first time Li Ji had observed Sun Ren from such a close distance, and he suddenly felt a bit of emotion, saying.

"I remember when I first arrived in Wu County, you were still wobbly when you walked. This Marquis even held you back then. I didn't expect time to fly by so quickly, and now you are already a graceful young woman."

Sun Ren was slightly stunned, then decisively ignored most of the emotions that she couldn't understand, and then said.

"Thank you for the Marquis's praise."

Was that praise?

Li Ji's expression was strange, but he couldn't haggle with such a junior.

Immediately, Li Ji waved his hand and said.

"The cold wind outside the city is very strong. Let's all enter the city first."

"Yes, Father."

Li Xiang felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He immediately jumped off the carriage and rushed into the city as if fleeing.

Sun Ren looked at the departing Li Xiang expectantly. Even if she wanted to follow, she didn't dare to be so presumptuous in front of Li Ji.

At least, Sun Ren at this moment showed some of the reserved and ladylike demeanor that a noble lady should have.

Afterwards, under Li Ji's orders, the accompanying soldiers were also arranged to rest in the barracks that had been marked out in the city in advance.

Hot soup and wine had also been prepared for the soldiers in advance.

When Li Ji initially settled the soldiers outside and then returned to the county office, A'Dou, Li Xiang, and Li Xi had already finished a hearty meal and looked satisfied.

Although they were not starving or freezing outside, they basically huddled in the carriage to keep warm during the blizzard, and even the diet was inevitably relatively simple.

"Daddy ~"

When she saw Li Ji appear, Li Xi almost immediately threw herself into Li Ji's arms, and then stretched out her small hand to brush away the fine snow left on Li Ji's shoulders and beard.

"Little Xi'er, don't freeze your hands?"

"Not freezing, not freezing. I'm afraid that if I don't brush away this snow, Daddy will freeze." Li Xi said seriously.

"Don't worry, Xi'er, it's just a little wind and frost."

Li Ji said with a smile while enjoying the care of his little cotton-padded jacket.

Immediately, Li Ji took a cup of hot tea and asked Li Xi to help hold it to warm her hands. At the same time, he sat down next to A'Dou and Li Xiang.

During this period, Li Ji had already asked the doctor to examine A'Dou, Li Xiang, and Li Xi to make sure that these little guys hadn't suffered any sequelae from the blizzard, and his whole person had completely relaxed.

After caring for A'Dou and Li Xiang separately, Li Ji then asked about the process of being trapped by the blizzard this time.

As Li Xiang narrated in detail and A'Dou occasionally added a sentence, Li Ji initially listened absentmindedly while teasing Li Xi.

But when he heard "Zuo Ci," Li Ji's movements paused slightly.

However, this was only for an instant. Li Ji didn't interrupt or ask anything, but continued to listen patiently.

Until he heard that under the guidance of Zuo Ci, they found a mountain depression to escape the blizzard, and the group stayed there for a few days until they were found by the people sent by Li Ji in the mountain depression.

Li Ji then nodded and said.

"The young master's performance this time is commendable, very good."

"Ah? Me?"

A'Dou was both surprised and confused by the praise.

Li Ji smiled and affirmed. "That's right, the young master remained calm in the face of danger and entrusted his life to capable people. He already has the demeanor of a wise ruler."

Suddenly, A'Dou couldn't help but start grinning foolishly at being praised so much by his respected adoptive father.

However, what Li Ji said was the truth.

Sometimes, it's not that the person in power doesn't understand, but that the person in power gives blind commands.

When facing a crisis, A'Dou was able to always trust the judgment of Sun Ce and Li Xiang, and stay quietly in the mountain depression for several days. This was commendable.

Immediately, Li Ji looked at Li Xiang, who was sitting upright, and unconsciously put on the appearance of a strict father, and then realized something, his expression gradually softened, and said.

"Xiang'er, you did very well this time too."

Li Xiang was slightly stunned, and an excitement of being recognized by his father unconsciously surged in his heart.

Li Ji's gaze softened and he continued.

"However, if possible, Father hopes that Xiang'er will act with…"

At this moment, Xu Chu's voice came from outside the house, interrupting Li Ji's words.

"Marquis Wu Cheng, Sun Ce, requests an audience with his general, Taishi Ci."

After Li Ji pondered slightly, he let Li Xi, who was originally in his arms, get up and sit next to Li Xiang, and also tidied up his clothes.

If he was only seeing Sun Ce, that would be like seeing half of his own family, and there would be no need to care about worldly etiquette.

But since Taishi Ci was also requesting an audience, then in order to show respect, Li Ji naturally couldn't act impolitely, so as not to slight others.

(End of chapter)