Xiao Ruofeng had long since grown used to it, but this was Situ Xue's first time seeing that the man at the pinnacle of power in Northern Li utterly doted on his daughters.
"Yun'er, tell your father, have you all been behaving lately?"
Xiao Yun pouted. "Father, I'm already ten. Of course I've been good. I'm not like my little sisters, crying over every little thing."
"Haha, is that so? Good, good. Make sure you study hard. When you grow up and make something of yourselves, I'll appoint you as officials, so you can protect our home, your mothers, your father, your royal uncle, and everyone else."
"Don't worry, Father! Yun'er/Yue'er/Qing'er/Lan'er will study hard and become important officials!"
"I believe in you!"
He then turned to the princes: the eldest, Xiao Yong, and the second, Xiao Chong. Unlike his brother, Xiao Chong wore a white cloth over his eyes. In the end, he had fallen victim to the struggles within the imperial harem.
When he had learned of the incident, he had punished the consort severely, stripping her of her rank as noble consort and sending her to the cold palace to reflect on her wrongdoing.
"Yong'er, Chong'er, you're the eldest brothers. You must set a good example and guide your younger brothers."
"Yes, Father!"
"Good. I look forward to seeing how you do. You brothers are my only sons. After I am gone, one of you will have to rule Northern Li.
"But let me make this clear now. Since ancient times, struggles within the imperial family have been cruel, with fathers and sons killing each other, and brothers killing brothers.
"Even my generation was no exception.
"I will give all of you the same upbringing. For the sake of Northern Li's countless people, the incapable among you must