Bibi Dong arrived at her chamber just as the last vestiges of twilight faded, merging seamlessly with her clone. She found the twins in their study, their heads bent over their journals, sketching the plants they had discovered. Their dedication filled her with a profound sense of purpose.
"You're home, Mother!" Renxue exclaimed, dropping her quill to run into her arms.
"Welcome back," Yoriichi said, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a bright smile.
That night, after a wholesome dinner and a quiet hour of reading, Bibi Dong tucked them into bed, her heart light with the day's successes. "Sleep well, my sun and my angel," she whispered, her dreams filled with visions of their radiant futures.
The next morning, the twins' routine began as it usually did. After a healthy breakfast, they made their way to the Martial Soul Temple to visit their grandfather, Qian Daoliu. Their visits had become a frequent occurrence over the past few months.
They had grown to enjoy the quiet grandeur of the temple and the stern but kind presence of its grandpas—Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others who watched over the temple's sacred heart. They would listen to their grandfather's tales of ancient wars and great heroes, their curiosity fueling their desire to grow stronger.
After their visit, they began their daily training in the courtyard. Yoriichi, now six, held his wooden sword with the ease of a born warrior. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his age, his movements a blend of his past life's swordsmanship and his new body's natural agility. He would clash his sword against Renxue's, gently guiding her movements, his marron eyes watching for her mistakes.
Bibi Dong watched from the sidelines, her maternal pride swelling. She observed how Renxue, naturally more competitive and energetic, benefited from Yoriichi's calm guidance. It helped her focus her efforts, turning clumsy enthusiasm into refined technique.
It is so beneficial for her to train with him, Bibi Dong thought. His patience and precision will mold her into a formidable warrior. And if he awakens a sword-type martial soul, it will be all the better. The martial soul awakening was now a mere two months away, and her anticipation was a quiet, constant flame.
After a vigorous training session, Bibi Dong called them over, her voice filled with a hint of excitement. "My loves, I want to introduce you to someone. He is an uncle who knows more about plants and herbs than anyone else in Spirit Hall. I think you'll like him very much."
The twins' eyes lit up, a shared spark of curiosity igniting in their gazes. Their passion for botany had blossomed, their daily games of naming plants no longer just an innocent pastime but a genuine hobby.
Bibi Dong took them by the hand, a twin on each side, and walked toward the elders' residential area. She made her way to the elegant mansion of Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo. She knew the elders took their rest in the afternoons, and this was the perfect time for a casual visit.
She reached the door and gave a single, light knock. Within seconds, the door swung open, and the elegant figure of Yue Guan appeared. His expression, usually aloof and refined, was replaced by a warm, welcoming smile.
"Saintess! Welcome to my humble abode," he greeted, his voice as melodious as his name. He glanced at the children, his smile broadening. "And you have brought the little ones as well. Please, come in."
He greeted the twins with the same genuine warmth, and they, in turn, greeted him back with the polite excitement of well-mannered children. Observing their flawless interaction, Bibi Dong's own smile grew, a genuine, private expression of her happiness.
In my future life, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were my most trusted confidants, she thought, her mind drifting to her past memories. They were so loyal that they perished protecting me, their lives a sacrifice for my ambition. I will not let that happen this time. I will change their destiny. I swear it.
The moment they stepped inside, a faint but distinct scent of rare plants and exotic herbs filled the air. Renxue's eyes darted around, recognizing a few from their own garden.
"Oh, a Silvergrass Willow!" she exclaimed, pointing to a pot in the corner. "And a Starpetal Blossom!"
Yoriichi, ever the quiet observer, calmly added, "And a Moonleaf Moss."
Yue Guan, who had been listening with a half-amused, half-expectant expression, was genuinely surprised. "You know these?" he asked, his voice filled with a hint of awe. "Where did you learn their names?"
Bibi Dong smiled, her eyes filled with a mother's pride. "They have a passion for plants, Elder Yue. We've been studying them together."
Yue Guan, his interest now fully piqued, led them to a sunlit sitting area. He served them delicate pastries and fragrant tea, and for the next hour, he engaged the twins in a lively conversation about botany. He asked them questions about the plants they knew, their properties, and their names. The twins, filled with a newfound purpose, answered mostly correctly, their passion for the subject shining through. Yue Guan found himself growing more and more impressed, seeing not just memorization but a genuine curiosity in their eyes.
After some time, Bibi Dong turned to Yue Guan with a gentle, serious expression. "Elder Yue," she began, "I have come to ask you for a great favor. My children have shown a remarkable aptitude for plants, and I fear my own knowledge is too limited to nurture their talents fully. I was hoping that you, as the foremost authority on herbs in all of Spirit Hall, might consider taking them on as your pupils."
Yue Guan was initially skeptical. Taking on the Pope's children as his disciples was a massive responsibility, one that came with political weight. But as he looked at the children and recalled their genuine excitement and surprisingly deep knowledge, all doubt vanished. A radiant smile, a genuine one this time, spread across his face.
"It would be my honor to teach the Pope's children" he said, his voice filled with a happiness he hadn't felt in a long time. "I have waited years to find someone who shares my passion for plants and herbs. I will pour all my heart into teaching them everything I know."
Bibi Dong let out a small, silent snort in her mind. 'The Pope's children,' he thinks. They are my children, and mine alone. But on her face, the smile remained pure and thankful. "Thank you, Elder Yue. If there is ever anything you need, do not hesitate to ask. You have my favor."
Yue Guan's eyes widened, a rare glint of excitement flashing in them. A favor from the Saintess was more than an honor; it was a powerful asset. He bowed deeply, "Your generosity is boundless, Saintess. I am forever in your debt."
Bibi Dong stood to leave, her hands reaching out to her children. "Now, my loves, listen carefully to Uncle Guan. Do not cause him any trouble, and learn all that you can."
The twins, their faces a perfect blend of seriousness and cuteness, nodded enthusiastically. "We will!" they promised.
"I will take good care of them, Saintess. You have my word," Yue Guan said reassuringly.
As she made her way out, Bibi Dong couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. She had successfully established a strong, positive connection between the twins and Yue Guan. She knew that he and Gui Mei were vital for her plan to ascend to the Pope's throne, and now she had a way to secure his loyalty without force, building a bond based on mutual affection and a shared passion. It was a victory more satisfying than any battle.
The twins spent the rest of the afternoon with Yue Guan, their tired but happy voices filling his mansion. They learned about the medicinal properties of common herbs, the subtle differences between various spirit grasses, and the secrets of nurturing a perfect garden. By the time Bibi Dong returned to pick them up, the sun had already set.
"Did you have a good time?" she asked, her voice soft with affection.
The twins, their eyes sparkling with new knowledge, nodded. Renxue bounced with excitement. "Uncle Guan is amazing! He knows so much!"
"I learned that the Luminous Bloom is used to treat poison," Yoriichi added, his voice filled with a quiet sense of accomplishment.
Bibi Dong smiled, taking both of their hands. "I'm so glad. It's important to learn from those who are masters in their field."
On the walk back, they were tired from the day's events. "Can we rest before dinner, Mother?" Renxue asked, her voice a little sleepy.
"Of course," Bibi Dong replied, her heart filled with a profound sense of peace. "We can rest as long as you need."
She looked at her children, their small hands in hers, their faces filled with contentment. The day had been good for everyone. She had secured a powerful ally, established a crucial connection, and had a chance to rest her own weary mind and body.
The day ended with them all in her chamber, the children drifting off to sleep with smiles on their faces, their dreams filled with exotic flowers and the promise of a future filled with wonder.
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Author's Note:
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