At five o'clock in the morning, a faint glow of light shone upon the earth, enveloping the whole world in a misty haze. Iris, with her fair feet, extended them from the bed as a strand of her dark hair fell onto her pure white shoulder. Iris opened her groggy eyes and lazily stretched.

She neatly folded the bedding and then retrieved a set of white practice clothes from the wardrobe, leisurely changing into them. The white practice clothes accentuated Iris's graceful curves, her beautiful eyes sparkled, and her cherry-like lips were slightly pursed.

Next, Iris tied her hair back into a ponytail and casually draped a white towel around her neck, then began her training for the day.

At that moment, Baixi kneeled on a stone stool, copying the family rules. She saw her mother emerge from the palace and softly called out, "Mother~" Her voice was sweet and tender, like a gentle spring breeze brushing against one's heart.

"Stop trying to be cute with me. Get back to copying the family rules properly, otherwise, I won't hesitate to whip you while hanging you up! After I finish my morning exercises, I'll come and inspect your ten-thousand-word self-reflection." Iris coldly snorted as she walked away with her hands behind her back, elegantly taking measured steps.

"Ah~" Baixi propped her chin on her hand, helplessly watching her mother's figure disappear. It seemed like she couldn't deceive her mother by acting cute anymore; her mother was determined not to let her off the hook.

She continued to bow her head and copy the family rules, but her thoughts were in disarray, resulting in crooked and messy handwriting. Only the self-reflection was meticulously written, every stroke neat and tidy. After all, her mother would definitely scrutinize it, and if it was sloppy, she would have to rewrite it, possibly even adding another five thousand words if her mother was being stern.

Once Iris finished her warm-up exercises, she began practicing her spear technique. She wielded the Silver Wing Spear, visualizing the Yin Kong Spear Art in her mind. Every move she made was elegant but also carried dominance and strength.

Chaos was right: she had to perfect her spear technique in order to withstand any opponent. If her sword and spear skills were half-hearted, she would only end up being captured by formidable opponents.

After three hours of spear practice, Iris's breathing became increasingly rapid. Her clothes were soaked in sweat, sticking to her skin. She took off the white towel around her neck, wiping the sweat off her cheeks, and then stored the Silver Wing Spear in her storage space, sitting on the stone stool to rest.

At that moment, a petite figure came running from a distance. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked towards the direction of Iris's palace.

"Mother hasn't returned yet?" Baiying couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, but the feeling didn't last long because she knew her mother was busy and their time together was limited. She couldn't be willful; her whims might lead to the deaths of countless people.

Just as Baiying was about to lift her head and continue exercising, she saw her mother sitting on the stone stool, drinking water.

"Mother~" Baiying called out, rushing over and gasping for breath. "Mother, when did you come back?"

Iris looked up and, seeing Baiying drenched in sweat, quickly stood up, taking out a towel to wipe her forehead. Softly, she asked, "Just came back last night. Were you missing me?"

"Mhmm." Baiying nodded vigorously. Although she always appeared cold on the surface, deep down, what she longed for the most was a mother's love, to be cherished by her mother.

Iris held Baiying in her arms, gently patting her back, and spoke softly, "My dear, your mother always thinks of you. But as the Empress, she has to protect not only you, but also the millions of people in the Shuowang Empire."

"I understand!" Baiying nodded, showing her maturity. "But, mother, when will you go on your next expedition?"

"I'm not sure," Iris shook her head. "But at least I will be in the Shuowang Empire for a long time. Don't worry, mother will find time to play with you."

"Mm-hmm~"

After a warm exchange between the mother and daughter, Iris carried Baiying to the bathroom. "Mother will give you a bath, and then we'll have breakfast together."

"No need! Baiying is grown up now and can take a bath by herself. Don't bother, mother." Baiying firmly refused, because this way, her mother could save some time and spend a few more minutes with her.

"Such a sensible child." Iris ruffled Baiying's head.

Soon, the two finished bathing and went to the dining room together.

On the way to the dining room, Baiying saw her sister Baixi kneeling on a stone stool, diligently writing something.

She looked at Iris and asked, "Mother, what is sister doing?"

Iris glanced in the direction of Baixi and answered, "Your sister is copying the family rules. Kneeling is to help her remember better."

"Oh." Hearing this, Baiying obediently responded, but couldn't help asking, "What mistake did sister make?"

"You can ask Baixi yourself and see if she is willing to tell you." Iris still left some face for Baixi. It would be embarrassing for Baixi if her younger sister Baiying found out that she was reading unhealthy comics.

Hearing this, Baiying stopped asking and guessed that the mistake her sister made would cause her embarrassment, but she couldn't figure out what it was.

Iris held Baiying's hand and headed towards the dining room.

The mother and daughter had breakfast, chatting happily, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Although the breakfast was not as delicious as the ones made by Baixi, it was more than enough to fill their stomachs. Iris would not let Baixi off easily just because she cooked well. She had to make her understand the seriousness of crossing the line.

"Mother, daughter still has training plans to complete. Excuse me for leaving first." After eating and drinking enough, Baiying couldn't wait and ran out of the dining room.

Iris just smiled faintly, "The little one's pockets are full, it seems like she's bringing food for little Baixi."

Iris approved of Baiying's actions. She only made Baixi stand up until she finished copying the family rules, but she didn't prevent her from eating.

At the same time, Baiying arrived at the stone stool where her sister was kneeling and bent down to poke Baixi, who was fervently writing.

"Sister, these foods are for you." Baiying handed the food box hidden in her pocket to Baixi.

"Baiying..."

Baixi stopped writing, raised her head, and opened the food box. Inside were all her favorite dishes. She felt a slight tingling in her nose, held back her tears, and managed to force a smile. "Thank you, little sister."

Baiying grinned and then asked, "Sister, what mistake did you make that made mother punish you with copying the family rules?"

Baixi's lips curled with bitterness. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. All I can say is that you must follow the rules and not cross our mother's bottom line."

Baiying nodded, seemingly understanding. "Since sis doesn't want to say, little sis won't ask anymore."

With that, Baiying turned and left, starting today's training plan.

Shortly after, Iris approached Baixi. "Did you finish writing the ten-thousand-word reflection?"

Baixi immediately handed over the nearby papers. "I finished writing it."

Iris didn't even look at it, instead storing it away and leaving.