“Our Emperor’s hit the age to bring a girl home—your eye’s sharp as a hawk.”

We had barely sat down, the tea still steaming like morning mist, when Dad lobbed that line like a stray firecracker.

“So we’re not far from holding a grandchild in our arms?”

Heat flooded my face first, like a kettle hissing. Mom, you too? Why say that mess right in front of Lixue?

“Ah-ha-ha… Lixue, don’t mind their wild talk.” My laugh came out brittle, like dry leaves.

She smiled, her stunning face blooming with a dawn-pink flush. A girl’s heart is a spring pond; ripples show even when she holds calm.

“It’s fine. Aunt is just talking about something that’s bound to happen sooner or later.” Her voice was a quiet lake, unruffled.

“Huh?!”

Lixue, that’s way too direct! My mind stumbled like a deer on ice. And Serenemoon, Lingxiao, and Lingsaki looked ready to join the fun; their eyes sparkled like stars itching to fall. If not for my parents, they’d be a fireworks show already.

“Boss, what’s a grandchild? What’s it got to do with Lixue?” Hill twisted on my lap, those innocent eyes clear as mountain springs.

“For Dad and Mom, if your brother has a child, that child’s their grandchild. Got it, Hill?” Littlesky answered from my other knee, her voice light as wind-bells.

Yes, both my legs cradled two little girls like warm kittens. My thighs tingled, but that soft weight felt like clouds after rain.

“Oh! So Aunt Caiyin means Lixue will have Boss’s baby?!”

“Pfft!”

Her blunt words hit like a pebble to the tea surface; I almost sprayed it across the table. Saying that with this many people here—really okay?

“Mmf!”

Those gazes speared me like arrows through silk—Serenemoon, Lingxiao, Lingsaki. Weariness pooled like heavy rain; this family’s a storm in every direction.

“Emperor, you’ll get used to it.” Qianji Sister drew me in, and my head sank into the soft, high curve of her chest like a pillow of clouds.

Comfort came first like warm sun, then chaos. Her hug pulled the pin; Serenemoon, Lingxiao, and Lingsaki burst forward like lit fireworks.

“Qianji Sister, that’s too sly! How can you hug our dear big brother when he’s defenseless? I want in!”

“Same. You can’t monopolize big brother.”

“I want a hug too, Emperor~”

They piled on in a tangle of silk and warmth, and I couldn’t move. Arms wrapped me tight as ivy to stone.

“Serenemoon, all of you, settle down. We’re in front of our parents!”

“You started it, Qianji.”

“Uu…”

Scents flooded my nose like a garden after rain—sweet, fresh, dizzying. Qianji Sister felt them surge and hugged tighter, breath catching in a pleasant suffocation, like sinking into a feather bed.

“Qianji Sister, let go of brother!”

“Eheh~ It’s fun when everyone’s snuggling like this!”

The two little ones on my knees suffered with me, but their smiles shone like moonlight on ripples. They might be enjoying it.

“Lixue, sorry for the spectacle. When these kids gather, it turns noisy like a festival.” Mom said so with a smile bright as lanterns.

“Caiyin’s right. I’ll talk to them later,” Dad added, joy warm as a hearth showing under his calm.

Our house was usually a cold hall, wind whispering through quiet rooms. Now, all the children clustered like swallows under one roof. Anyone would feel their heart thaw.

“It’s fine. I love the lively feel around Emperor,” Lixue said, her smile soft as petals.

“Yeah, this warmth is wonderful. It’s been ages since all of Emperor’s sisters and siblings gathered. It’s oddly moving.” Mom’s eyes shone like dew.

“If only our home could stay this lively.” Dad’s voice held a gentle wish, a lantern lit against night.

The Mizumi Clan may be the world’s largest, a mountain of power, yet from outside no one would dream its halls often feel like winter.

After almost half an hour, I finally wriggled free of Qianji Sister and the others. Joy hummed like a festival drum; fatigue hung like smoke.

“Emperor, what’s your plan from here?” Dad asked, his tone steady as stone.

“Mm. We’ll follow our original plan and walk the world step by step, like tracing rivers to the sea. Next stop is the Soulless Sanctuary.”

I nibbled a few pastries and sipped tea. A sigh rolled out like a breeze—pure bliss. My tiredness lifted like fog under sunlight.

“The Soulless Sanctuary in the Endless Sea? I heard it’s dangerous. Nearly a hundred thousand died there. Will you be okay?” Mom’s worry was a thin rain.

“No need to worry, Mom, Dad. I’m going with them,” Qianji Sister said, voice bright as a bell.

“Huh? Qianji Sister, you’re coming too?”

“Of course. A place drenched in mystery calls for adventure like moon calls the tide. And I won’t leave my adorable little siblings unattended.”

That was exactly her nature—a spark chasing the night.

“Uu~ I’m not strong enough, so I won’t join the fuss. Emperor, be careful.” Serenemoon pressed against me like a cat in sunlight. Pretty sure she did it on purpose.

“With Qianji there, I’m relieved,” Dad said, setting down his empty teacup with a soft clink. “Holy Voice, Crimson Dragon Heart, and Celia Maya will go as well.”

“Aunt Saintvoice too? I remember she secluded herself years ago to break into the Law Realm. Did she succeed?” Curiosity stirred like wind at the shutters.

“That’s right~ And you’ve all grown up, Emperor. Last time you were so tiny.” A melodious voice poured in from behind, sweet as a guqin chord, and the wooden door went creak-squeak.

Arms wrapped me from the back, breasts as soft as spring clouds pressing my spine, and a floral perfume unfurled like a garden at dusk.

“Emperor turned into a fine man. Soft looks like silk, but your body’s sturdy as oak.” Her tease glinted like sunlight on water.

That voice and scent were unmistakable. Aunt Saintvoice.

“Congrats on breaking into the Law Realm, Aunt Saintvoice. And welcome home.”

We showered her with congratulations like confetti, introduced Lixue, and the room filled with chatter, warm as a hearth. It had truly been a long time. Qianji Sister and Littlesky had already bumped into her in the Elven Realm ahead of us.

Happy hours slip like a stream; night fell in a blink.

Half an hour after dinner, I thought a quick bath might dodge the crowd. I slid the bath door open—and found everyone there, except my parents. Fate grinned.

They’d predicted my timing, arriving minutes earlier like foxes at a chicken coop; clothes rustled, fabric whispering like rain as they undressed.

“Wow! Boss really came! Littlesky’s amazing.”

“Hehe~ I called it. Brother always bathes half an hour after dinner—wait! Hill, don’t run out naked to hug Brother!”

“Emperor, come in~ The water’s perfect.”

“…”

I’d slipped, like a foot on wet tile. If I can’t avoid a group bath, I’ll just enjoy the soak. It only takes a few extra hours. Probably.