Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

Announcement: Update coming soon, please stay tuned!

As dusk fell, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the walls of Kyoto a somber, dark red.

An unassuming blue cloth carriage, escorted by several skilled men in plain clothes, silently passed through the bustling streets and finally stopped in front of the inconspicuous side gate of the Second Prince's residence.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a pretty maid jumped down first, then carefully helped a thin young man down.

The boy was about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing an ill-fitting coarse linen garment with badly worn cuffs.

His face was as pale as paper, and his eyes revealed a cowardice and vigilance stemming from a long period of fear, like a frightened little animal that kept looking around, its body shivering slightly in the evening breeze.

"Young master, please come with me." The maid's voice was very soft, with a hint of reassurance.

The boy pursed his lips tightly, said nothing, but nodded. He followed the maid with unsteady steps, passing through the winding corridor and heading straight for the study.

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered.

Today, Li Chengze did not wear the purple court robe that symbolized nobility, but instead changed into a loose moon-white long robe, walking barefoot on the soft carpet.

He was sitting behind his desk, holding a yellowed ancient book in his hand, reading it with great interest.

When the study door was gently pushed open and a soft footstep sound came from behind, Li Chengze did not look up, still staring at the pages of his book, and simply uttered two words: "You've arrived?"

The maid bowed respectfully, then stepped aside, revealing the young man behind her.

The boy stood in the doorway, looking at the young man sitting behind the desk. Although the man wore a gentle smile, the imposing aura of someone accustomed to a superior position still made him feel a suffocating tension. He subconsciously gripped the hem of his clothes, his body stiffening.

Li Chengze slowly closed the book in his hand and casually tossed it aside. He raised his head, his gaze falling on the boy, a scrutinizing glint in his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes.

Indeed, they do share some similarities in their eyes and brows.

"Come here," Li Chengze said slowly.

The boy swallowed hard, his legs trembling slightly, but he remembered what his sister had once said: no matter what happened, he had to obey. He tried to control his trembling body and slowly moved to the desk.

Looking at the child trembling like a quail, Li Chengze showed no disgust in his eyes, but rather a rare gentleness.

He reached out, and his long, strong hand gently landed on the boy's head, softly rubbing his messy hair.

"Don't be afraid," Li Chengze said softly. "From today onwards, this is your home. No one can bully you anymore."

The boy's body stiffened abruptly, and then his eyes reddened.

The gloomy confinement in the Northern Qi palace, the hardships of the journey, and the ever-present shadow of death seemed to be dispelled by the warmth emanating from above at this moment.

Li Chengze withdrew his hand, turned to the maid beside him, and instructed, "Take him away. Serve him well, give him a bath and change his clothes, and make him some hot porridge to warm his stomach. Don't frighten him."

"Yes," the maid replied, stepping forward to support the young man. "Young master, please come with me."

The young man gave Li Chengze a deep look, feeling a mixture of fear and instinctive gratitude. He bowed politely and followed the maid out.

Silence returned to the study.

Li Chengze picked up the ancient book again, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

……

As night fell, the Second Prince's residence was brightly lit.

Si Lili was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror in her room.

"Did Your Highness return to the manor today?" Si Lili asked casually, looking at the maid behind her who was tidying the bed through the bronze mirror.

"Reporting to Miss, His Highness returned around 3 PM and is currently in his study," the maid replied in a low voice.

Si Lili's hand paused slightly, the comb in her hand hovering in mid-air. Just as she was about to ask another question, a maid's voice came from outside the door announcing:

"Miss, His Highness requests your presence in his study."

Si Lili's heart skipped a beat. Why was she summoned to the study so late? Was there something important? Or... had something happened in Kyoto?

She dared not delay, so she quickly put down the comb, stood up and straightened her clothes, and walked briskly towards the study with a hint of trepidation and doubt.

The study door was ajar, letting in a warm yellow candlelight.

Si Lili took a deep breath and pushed open the door to enter.

"Your Highness, you wanted to see me..."

Before she could finish speaking, her voice abruptly stopped, and she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

On the soft couch in the study sat a young man dressed in fine clothes.

The boy was enjoying a plate of snacks when he heard the noise. He suddenly looked up, his delicate face covered with crumbs of snacks, and his eyes filled with confusion.

The moment their eyes met in mid-air, time seemed to stand still.

Si Lili's pupils contracted sharply, and her breathing became rapid. She stared intently at that familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar face, the face she had longed for day and night, the face that had haunted her countless nightmares.

"Sister...Sister?"

The boy seemed unable to believe his eyes. He put down the snack in his hand and tentatively called out, his voice trembling slightly.

"younger brother……"

Si Lili felt as if something was blocking her throat, her eyes instantly turned red, and tears welled up without warning.

"younger brother!"

She could no longer control herself and rushed over like a madwoman.

Upon seeing this, the boy jumped off the soft couch, shouted "Sister!" and rushed over without hesitation.

The two embraced tightly in the center of the study. Si Lili held her younger brother, whom she had lost and found again, and cried her heart out, as if she wanted to release all the fear, grievances and longing that had accumulated over the years.

The boy also clung tightly to his sister's sleeve, buried his head in her arms, and burst into tears.

Li Chengze remained seated behind his desk, toying with the black chess piece in his hand, quietly observing the scene. He didn't utter a sound to disturb them, but a light of "control" gleamed in his deep eyes.

After a long while, the siblings' emotions finally calmed down a bit.

Si Lili took her younger brother's hand, wiped away the tears on his face, and carefully examined his body. Only after confirming that he was not injured did she breathe a long sigh of relief.

She turned around and looked at Li Chengze, who had remained silent.

Si Lili released her brother's hand, walked up to Li Chengze, knelt down on both knees, and kowtowed heavily.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Her voice choked with emotion, yet carried an unprecedented firmness.