The Prime Minister’s Darling

The news of the Chief Minister's family having dragon-phoenix twins quickly spread throughout the Capital City. The people were saying that the rosy clouds on that day were an auspicious omen of the two little dragon-phoenix twins. They were destined to grow up to be elegant young gentlemen and graceful young ladies.

—Certainly not little troublemakers!

Gu Jiao didn't have much milk, and whether it was due to genetics or some other reason, the two little ones refused to drink the nanny's milk. So, the little first-aid kit had to take on the role of a wet nurse—not only producing baby bottles but also the formula used in a neonatal care unit.

After the two little guys finished drinking, they fell asleep sweetly beside Gu Jiao.

Xiao Hen brought a bowl of non-hot soup into the room just as Gu Jiao was staring wide-eyed at the two little ones.

With a look of disbelief on her face, it seemed to say, "Did I really give birth to them?"

Xiao Hen chuckled and walked over, sitting down by the bed, "Mother asked the cook to make you some chicken soup."

"Did you put salt in it?" Gu Jiao asked.

Xiao Hen laughed out loud at this, "We did. You don't have to feed milk now; you can eat and drink like a normal person."

"Oh." Gu Jiao took the bowl and gulped down the steaming chicken soup.

After drinking, she sighed as she handed the bowl back to Xiao Hen.

When you care about someone, you notice every little detail.

Xiao Hen asked, "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

"Hmm... not really," Gu Jiao shook her head.

It's been so many days, the shock has passed, and she's mostly processed it.

But sometimes, when she recalls it, she still feels a bit emotional.

She actually traveled through time three times, once physically as the Shadow Lord, and twice spiritually as Jing Yinyin and in this life.

But she has almost no memory of the first two times, probably because her memory was lost during the dimensional travel due to the magnetic field of space-time.

The little first-aid kit can carry a body through time travel or a soul through spiritual travel. If the body is lost, only the soul can travel.

When she first arrived here, she left a coordinate in the National Master Hall, which was that operating room.

Because of the coordinates, when her plane crashed, the little first-aid kit could bring her brainwaves to this time and space.

But without the purple herb poison, her brainwaves couldn't merge with someone else's body. The Godfather knew this, so he planted purple herbs on Dark Night Island.

As for why the Godfather knew she had left a coordinate in this time-space, it might forever remain a mystery.

Xiao Hen looked at her, frowning, "Are you... thinking about that Godfather again?"

He's been quite jealous of the Godfather lately, especially knowing how much that guy sacrificed for Gu Jiao. He deeply feels the other is stealing his role.

Gu Jiao tilted her head towards him, "Ahen, are you jealous again?"

"Miss! The Duke of Anguo has arrived!" Yu Yaya reported from outside the door.

Xiao Hen cleared his throat, "I'm not!"

With that, he went out and ushered the Duke of Anguo inside.

The Duke of Anguo came to see Gu Jiao and the dragon-phoenix twins. His heart ached for Gu Jiao's childbirth pain, but he was also gratified that she gave birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins.

The two little guys are just too adorable.

Although their features haven't developed yet, they already strongly resemble their parents. So how could they be any less cute?

Among the items that the National Master had Ye Qing pass on to Gu Jiao were a few handwritten letters. One of the letters mentioned that the National Master had once informed the Duke of Anguo about Gu Jiao being Jing Yinyin.

"Father," Gu Jiao called out.

The Duke of Anguo's arms stiffened while holding the babies, and he looked at Gu Jiao in amazement.

Gu Jiao gave a small smile, "The National Master told me."

She didn't say what exactly he told her, but as clever as the Duke of Anguo was, how could he not guess?

The Duke of Anguo had never imagined he could hear the word "father" from her. He thought none of them would break this invisible wall—

Actually, it wouldn't matter if they didn't break it either; being able to be by her side like now, he was already content.

On the bed, one of the little ones suddenly made a discontented sound, as if complaining that their grandfather had held the brother for so long and hadn't held her.

The Duke of Anguo looked at the two little ones and then at Gu Jiao, his heart surging with endless emotion.

"Can... you call me once more?" he asked hesitantly and expectantly.

Gu Jiao didn't hesitate, "Father!"

The Duke of Anguo smiled with tears in his eyes.

...

The dragon-phoenix twins seemed to change daily, from tiny kittens when first born to plump little babies by the end of the month.

Princess Xinyang and Shangguan Yun, who was far away in the Yan Country, respectively named the two little ones Xiao Yan (for the girl) and Xiao Cong (for the boy).

Xiao Cong couldn't compete with his sister in the womb, nor could he after birth. Xiao Yan was a better eater and plumper than him. Whenever their wraps were loosened, Xiao Yan could push him to the edge of the cradle with one small foot.

Xiao Yan grew so fast that it eventually caught Gu Jiao's attention.

When Xiao Hen returned from court, Gu Jiao was stroking her chin, thoughtfully looking at the two little ones.

"Why are you looking at them like that?" Xiao Hen asked with a smile.

Gu Jiao asked in confusion, "I've been feeding them the same, so why is Xiao Yan growing so fast?"

Xiao Hen thought for a moment, "Maybe... good absorption?"

Gu Jiao stroked her chin, "Is that it?"

Of course not.

Xiao Yan was growing fast because someone came every night to sneak an extra meal for her.

On a dark and windy night, a phantom-like figure holding a small milk bottle slipped into the room.

Xiao Hen and Gu Jiao were sound asleep.

The two little ones lay in their respective cradles, also deep in slumber.

The figure unconcernedly approached Xiao Yan's cradle and pushed the nipple into her mouth.

Xiao Yan tasted the milky fragrance and began eating heartily.

Gu Jiao suddenly pulled back the bed curtains and sternly looked at the figure by the cradle, "Long Yi!"

Long Yi stiffened and solemnly denied, "It wasn't me!"

Gu Jiao: "..."

Caught in the act, Gu Jiao confiscated Long Yi's small milk bottle and took him outside, sternly instructing, "You can't do this anymore. Starting tomorrow night, no more sneaking to feed her."

What Long Yi heard was: Blah blah blah, starting tomorrow night, sneak to feed her.

A few days later, Gu Jiao found Xiao Yan to be even healthier.

It was originally planned to visit her grand-aunt in the palace and return to Bishui Alley to visit the Yao Family after the end of the month. However, it rained for several days straight, and it wasn't until late March that it finally cleared up.

Gu Jiao took the dragon-phoenix twins and first went to Guozijian to pick up Little Jingkong from school.

Little Jingkong had just finished a horse archery class and was sweating profusely.

He was eight years old this year. Previously, he always looked younger than his actual age, but since the beginning of this spring, he's started to shoot up.

His strength had also increased. The teacher said he was the only one in the elementary class who could pull open an adult bow.

His eyes had lost a bit of childish softness, gaining a bit more determination and tenacity.

"Hello, Jiaojiao, hello, Xiao Yan, hello, Xiao Cong!"

He got into the carriage and politely greeted the three, even though Xiao Yan and Xiao Cong couldn't respond yet.

Gu Jiao took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat while asking, "Why are you sweating so much?"

It's not even April yet; the weather is pretty cool.

Little Jingkong enjoyed having Gu Jiao wipe his sweat as he seriously replied, "Today we had horse archery class. Jiaojiao, I got first place again!"

Gu Jiao praised, "Little Jingkong, you're amazing."

Little Jingkong shook his little head.

Even though he was a big boss at Guozijian, in front of Jiaojiao, he was still just a little cutie!

After she finished wiping his sweat, he asked, "Jiaojiao, can I ride a horse by myself?"

Today's class used a little pony, which just wasn't satisfying enough.

Gu Jiao nodded, "Okay."

She had indeed brought him a horse.

Little Jingkong stepped onto a wooden stool and climbed onto the horse's back.

He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes resolute, already showing signs of a young god of war's presence: "Little Shiyi, onward!"