Iris stretched out and enjoyed the cool breeze gently blowing in the autumn air.

Everyone who deserved punishment has been punished, and the damned have been killed. Everything has finally settled, leaving behind the task of nurturing talents.

As for who will do the nurturing, it naturally falls to her experienced aunt.

In a few days, she will set off for the White Stork Empire to find Singri. They haven't seen each other for a long time. She wonders how Singri is doing now.

In the distance, a petite figure stood behind a tree, secretly peeping at Iris, her eyes fixed on her without blinking.

Her petite figure combined with a black lace-trimmed dress gave her a somewhat gothic Lolita style.

A pair of white stockings with gold thread depicting rose patterns wrapped around her delicate legs. She wore a pair of silver high-heeled shoes, exuding a cute and youthful charm.

Her silver hair was tied up high with a black bow, showcasing its graceful curve.

Her delicately carved face, fair and translucent skin, and slightly pursed lips made people want to take a bite.

Her light blue eyes glittered like the stars in the sky, and her curvy eyelashes blinked intermittently like a fan.

She is Iris' mother, Lilia, and also the former queen of the blood clan.

Lilia looked at Iris in the distance, revealing a sweet and happy smile. She couldn't help but take a step towards the direction where Iris was, then she retreated behind the tree again.

"Iris dislikes me, I better not get too close to her. Just watching from afar is fine... In case Iris kicks me out of the palace, then I won't be able to see her anymore..." Lilia murmured softly, then moved to the other side of the tree, secretly observing Iris.

After a moment, a blue and white-haired woman wearing a black mask silently appeared in front of Iris. "Greetings, Your Majesty!" Lanzu knelt and bowed.

"No need for formalities, please have a seat!" Iris waved her hand, motioning for Lanzu to sit down, and continued, "How is your recovery?"

"Report to Your Majesty, I am fully recovered." Lanzu replied, then pleaded, "How is Lady Lilia's physical and mental condition? Can I see her?"

"You mean Lilia? She has no major health issues, and her mental state is also fine. Her language function and memory are under treatment. Even if you see her, she won't recognize you." Iris replied, her tone still indifferent and without any fluctuations.

"Please, Your Majesty, let me see Lady Lilia, even if it's just a distant glimpse!" Lanzu pleaded.

"Lilia is hiding behind a tree, two hundred meters away from my back, and she is peeping at us." Iris answered. Her voice remained calm, as if she had known all along that Lilia was secretly watching her.

Lanzu looked up and saw a silver-haired woman wearing a white veil crouching there, peeping at them. The two locked eyes, and Lilia couldn't help but shrink her head in guilt before quickly leaving.

If Iri knew that she was spying on her here, she would be very angry. Lilia's memories were already severely damaged. She only recognized Iri and had a certain dependence on her, which is why she would occasionally spy from a distance.

Of course, Iris was always aware of each time Lilia spied on her, but she never exposed it.

Iris has cut off ties with Lilia, and apart from their blood relationship, there is no longer any connection between them. Iris will not interfere with Lilia's actions as long as she doesn't cause trouble in the palace, and she will let her live out her old age peacefully. However, if Lilia dares to cross her bottom line, Iris will kick her out of the palace.

As for her sister Ling, Iris will fulfill her duty as an older sister and raise her, filling the void of maternal love.

Because Iris has been through the rain, she understands the importance of holding an umbrella. She's the living example of it, having grown up in harsh conditions, struggling to survive. She had to steal, rob, rummage through trash bins, and even kill to stay alive. As a result, she became more ruthless and cold-hearted than anyone else when she was young.

She can sacrifice anyone for her own benefit.

But later, through Lilia's guidance, she changed. She became capable of considering others, although she still carried darkness within her. But compared to before, she was much better. She knew when to stop, what things she could do, and what things she couldn't.

When she fell into the abyss, she encountered the four most important people in her life: Meng Zhang, Jian Bing, Zhi Ming, and Ling Guang.

Aunt Meng Zhang made Iris understand the meaning of life and taught her that people can change themselves. She taught her not to dwell on the past but to move towards the future.

Uncle Jian Bing drank and chatted with Iris, sharing funny stories about the other three, giving her many insights and helping her grow into a true person.

Uncle Zhi Ming didn't have many interactions with Iris, but whenever he came, he would bring precious herbs and delicious snacks.

Mother Ling Guang filled the void of affection in her childhood and gave her infinite warmth, allowing her to experience the most heartwarming time in her life.

Iris wouldn't let Ling live a solitary life in darkness, like she did, without anyone to care for or love her.

This was also a way to repay Lilia for all the effort she had put into her. Although Lilia's mistakes were unforgivable, she had still brought some light into Iris's life.

Gratitude will be repaid, and enmity will be avenged. That is Iris's current mindset.

"Your Majesty, is the girl wearing a white veil your older sister?" Lili Lanzu asked, relieved.

"Yes, it is her. Lilia's mental state matches her appearance at twelve. Treatment is ongoing for her language function, which will take time to recover. There has been no progress in her memory, only time will tell for that," Iris answered casually, sipping her tea. "The cost of Lilia's treatment is extremely high, and you will have to serve as a maid under Solitary Hand for two hundred years to repay this debt. Whether she agrees to leave here or not is a different matter."

"Two hundred years or even a thousand years, as long as my older sister fully recovers, I am willing," Lili Lanzu immediately said, with great determination.

"Well done, I will give you a raise," Iris praised with a smile, without any trace of impatience in her tone.

Upon hearing this, Lili Lanzu immediately knelt down on one knee. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You may leave now, you have no further business here," Iris waved her sleeve dismissively.

"Yes!" Lili Lanzu responded respectfully, and left the room.

Afterwards, Iris picked up the ceramic tea pot on the table and poured a cup of clear tea into the cup opposite, apparently knowing that someone would be coming soon.

After a moment, the sound of footsteps came, followed by a familiar figure appearing in Iris's sight.

Iris put down the tea cup in her hand and looked up at the newcomer. She saw a person with silver hair, wearing a black dress embroidered with gold thread and a waistband of the same color, highlighting her full and proud softness in front of her chest.

"Cousin, why are you here? Oh, why is your tofu block so big? It shouldn't be like this!" Iris asked, her tone full of doubt and surprise.

Merice's face turned red and she looked at Iris with embarrassment and anger. "Can't I use physical methods to make the tofu block bigger?"

Iris covered her mouth and laughed lightly. "If cousin really wants it, I can make it even bigger for you. What size do you want? Just let me know."

"This tofu block is already big enough. Suddenly adding an extra 800 grams of weight on my chest, it's a bit uncomfortable," Merice said, looking down at the soft masses in front of her chest, responding coyly.

"Oh~~~~~~" Iris pretended to be surprised, her tone full of teasing.

"I came here to talk about something important, who cares about whether the tofu block is big or not?" Merice realized that she had been played by Iris and said angrily.

"Since you have something to say, cousin, please have a seat," Iris pointed to the chair opposite and said.

"Okay." Merice agreed. She sat across from Iris and said, "Dujing told me that you took Aunt away. I want to know if you tortured Aunt."

"Hehe~" Iris laughed lightly and responded, "Don't you think that statement of yours is unnecessary?"

Merice did not answer. She knew very well what Aunt had done to Iris. Obviously, Iris had already used torture on Aunt.

Seeing this, Merice stood up, then knelt in front of Iris with her legs bent, pleading, "Your Majesty, I know Aunt has hurt you before, but please spare her life. I am willing to take the remaining punishment on behalf of Aunt and let Your Majesty take out your anger. Aunt has suffered enough. She has almost completely lost her memories. Now she is like a blank piece of paper."

"Lilia is doing fine, with no injuries. You don't need to plead for her," Iris responded coldly. "I'm tired. Let's end it here today."

After saying that, Iris turned and left the pavilion, heading towards the palace, no longer intending to continue discussing this matter.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Merice called out as she watched Iris's fading figure.

"I have no relationship with her," Iris responded without looking back, her tone calm without any emotional fluctuations.

For Iris, Lilia was just a tool for Martial Angel to willingly give her life. Martial Angel, ranked third in the angel hierarchy, was a powerful existence that could easily defeat Qizhou and Shizhi.

Even if she wasn't Martial Angel, she was still a battle-hardened general of the vampire clan. With her talents, training a new batch of talents was not a problem.