Glancing at Xi Yin, who sat beside him engrossed in chewing on his fingers, Hu Dun swallowed his complaints. To his delight, his mother, having heard of the scolding, called him over and comforted him with a hearty laugh.

Contentment filled Hu Dun, leaving Zong Jun feeling envious. He now deeply regretted having these two brats. Not only did they constantly compete for Yao Yao's attention, but Yao Yao also frequently reprimanded him because of them.

Although the Man people, like the Han, valued having many children as a sign of good fortune, Zong Jun firmly decided that raising these two rascals was his limit. He absolutely couldn't let Yao Yao get pregnant again.

When Yao Ji was pregnant with Xi Yin, the couple had originally wanted a girl, but to their surprise, it was another son. After Yao Ji's postpartum confinement, when they could resume their marital relations, Zong Jun began taking contraceptive medicine. This medicine was prepared by the tribe's shaman, a solution Zong Jun sought to spare his wife further hardship from childbirth.

A while ago, preoccupied with political affairs, he had forgotten to take the medicine. After being intimate with Yao Ji that one time, she became pregnant again.

Zong Jun didn't know whether to be happy or worried. If it was another troublesome son, he couldn't exactly send it back. Hu Dun and Xi Yin, however, were overjoyed. Xi Yin, having heard from Hu Dun that he was going to have a little sister, constantly hovered around Yao Ji, staring unblinkingly at her belly. "Mom, when will my little sister come out?"

Yao Ji chuckled softly. "Xi Yin wants a little sister? It could also be a little brother."

Xi Yin shook his head vehemently. "No, no! No little brother! Brother says little brothers are smelly, and Father says little brothers will steal my meat!"

The servants, upon hearing such childish prattle, burst into laughter. Yao Ji, while amused, also playfully scolded the two who had filled her youngest son's head with such nonsense. Hu Dun was one thing, still young, but Zong Jun, a grown man, constantly vying with his sons for her attention, did he think she didn't notice?

Her heart filled with warmth, she shared an intimate evening with Zong Jun. Due to her condition, she pleasured him orally. While slightly different from the usual intimacy, it held its own unique charm. Zong Jun climaxed two or three times, his seed swallowed by Yao Ji, before finally feeling satisfied.

After more than nine months, perhaps due to Xi Yin's constant pleas, a baby girl was born. Overjoyed, Zong Jun looked at his precious daughter, her features delicate as a jade carving, and named her Bao Yin.

Bao Yin, the only princess of the You Jin Tribe, was showered with love from birth. Inheriting the best features of both parents, by the time she reached ten, though still retaining a childish innocence, it was already evident what a breathtaking beauty she would become. 

Zong Jun, fiercely protective of his beloved daughter, worried about any unworthy boy daring to pursue her. Hu Dun, now seventeen, had grown into a skilled warrior and scholar under the tutelage of Zong Jun and Yao Ji. Zong Jun declared that anyone who wished to court his daughter would have to best Hu Dun first.

These were the boastful words of a young man, yet someone actually came to challenge him. Surprisingly, Hu Dun excelled in everything from horsemanship and archery to the Han arts of music, calligraphy, and painting. 

He had even learned needlework from Yao Ji, a result of his parents' youthful pastime. Coupled with his tall and handsome appearance, he attracted even more admirers than Bao Yin.

Upon hearing this, Yao Ji teased Zong Jun, "I told you, you worry too much. Bao Yin is still young. Now it's Hu Dun who's being pursued. Aren't you worried?"

Zong Jun scoffed. "I'd be delighted! I hope someone whisks him away, so he stops being an eyesore."

The jesting words of the couple unexpectedly came true.

At Hu Dun's age, he was considered an adult on the grasslands. Zong Jun had long entrusted him with some of the You Jin Tribe's affairs, and Hu Dun often led troops to quell minor disturbances.

Recently, unrest had been brewing on the border between the You Jin Tribe and the Western Regions. Zong Jun sent several trusted generals with Hu Dun, ordering him to address the situation. 

Although the area was far from home, this was an opportunity for Hu Dun to gain experience. Zong Jun had confidence in his son's abilities, and while Yao Ji was slightly concerned, she wasn't overly worried.

Six months later, a message arrived from Hu Dun stating that the situation had been resolved, but he had eloped with a girl.

Stunned, the couple inquired further and learned that the unrest in the west was due to the rise of a new tribe in the Western Regions. This tribe was none other than the Tika people, who had refused to submit to Zong Jun and fled west. 

They had thrived in the Western Regions, growing stronger, and after Morohe returned from the Great Yan Dynasty, he led them to conquer vast territories.

However, Morohe had no intention of antagonizing the You Jin Tribe. The recent unrest was caused by a small Tika hunting party who had a misunderstanding with the You Jin people living in the border region.

The leader of the Tika hunting party happened to be a girl. Unaware of this at first, Hu Dun clashed with her several times. The girl, stubborn and refusing to admit defeat, fought him again and again despite her losses. Unknowing of her identity, Hu Dun showed no mercy, and in their last encounter, he drove the girl to tears.

Hu Dun finally realized his mistake, feeling both embarrassed and guilty. Somehow, he developed feelings for the girl. When she mentioned receiving a letter urging her return home, Hu Dun, persistent in his pursuit, followed her.

After hearing this story, Zong Jun and Yao Ji were both exasperated and amused. Mu He, who had watched Hu Dun grow up, chuckled. 

"The girl seems quite remarkable. We, Man people aren't particular about interactions between men and women. Since the Prince likes her, why should the Great King and Great Queen worry? However," he paused, "I noticed the girl's features bear a resemblance to Morohe."

Yao Ji froze. "Could it be…" Had her son fallen for his daughter?

Zong Jun pondered for a moment. "Whether she resembles him or not is irrelevant. As Mu He said, since Hu Dun likes her, as parents, we can only accept it." This was directed at Yao Ji.

Yao Ji agreed. The matters of adults shouldn't concern the children. Realizing that Hu Dun was now old enough to marry and have children, she felt a pang of melancholy. "Time flies… I still remember when Hu Dun was just born, so small, barely bigger than your hand."

Zong Jun also felt sentimental. He took her hand, and seeing her turn to him, smiled tenderly. "No matter how much time passes, I will always be by your side."

Yao Ji returned his smile. A thousand words passed between them, unspoken yet understood.