5 Chen Weihao

After being bathed with scented oils, Yuxi was dressed in a light blue hanfu. In the meantime if her path, Chunan had already set the dishes for her. She readily and hungrily ate her lunch and was then taken to the tea room where Commander Moyao always addressed family, closest friends, or honorable guests.

The room was extremely lavish. Decorated with Zitan wooden furniture that had intricate details of gold embedded within the wood and freshly polished wood, this was Moyao's favorite room.

When Yuxi stepped into the room, she recognized the familiar smell of her mother's favorite chrysanthemum tea. There was also a faint scent of freshly watered flowers which came in from the open window near Commander Moyao. The window had the perfect view of the Manor's largest garden.

Stepping into the room with a cleaned face and fresh set of clothes, Yuxi's youthful beauty was further enhanced. Her unreadable eyes, resembling an innocent fawn, scanned the room. Her face was unreadable, but when her eyes finally landed on her grandpa, a soft smile graced her lips. The sight of the girl whose face resembled a porcelain doll immediately caught the attention of a boy, presumably 12 or 13.

Standing by the commander with a bored and nonchalant expression, he was the second thing that caught Yuxi's attention. Likewise, the boy's face lit up with curiosity. He didn't expect tiny Yuxi to stroll into the room with the elegance of a woman.

"Greetings to honorable-" Yuxi cleared her throat when the Commander gave her a look.

Remembering his words, she quickly corrected herself. "Greetings to grandpa and..." Yuxi trailed off, unsure how to address the stranger.

At the familiar title, the Commander beckoned Yuxi forward. His face had softened at the sight of Yuxi whose smile resembled Chen Xiyue. The boy besides him immediately saw the similarity.

"Come forward, child." Yuxi immediately obliged. Trying her best to not embarrass herself in front of strangers, Yuxi took dainty steps.

"Yuxi, this is your eldest cousin from the Chen family. His name is Chen Weihao. I hope you two develop a close relationship." Moyao hoped his favorite grandchildren could be good friends whose bond will be stronger than blood. Yuxi was too sheltered by Zhao Yulong and his men. The Commander knew she needed strong allies to keep her safe, when the Commander cannot be there for her. The first step in this plan would be the introduction of Weihao.

Yuxi immediately recognized the name. In her previous life, before the miracle happened, Chen Weihao had been the name of a great Commander whose name will go down in history. Though he's currently just a boy, he will eventually become the Head of the Chen Manor.

Turning to the boy, she was about to do a bow before Commander Moyao cleared his throat to remind her. Instead of tucking her hands in front of her, she grabbed the side of her hanfu and did a tiny curtsy.

Though his expression was carefree, it was very hard to read Weihao's mind. Stepping forward with grand smile, he surprised Yuxi. In her previous life, his reputation was that of a fearsome Commander. She had forgotten the rumors that used to surround Chen Weihao who only cared for his family and nothing else.

"I prefer you to call me Wei-ge and in exchange, I'll call you Mei-mei." His smile eventually blossomed into a wide grin at the sight of Yuxi's soft and shy expression. There was no displeasure or malicious in her sharp and clear eyes, something Weihao wasn't used to seeing in girls.

He was excited to finally have a younger sister. His mother who already birthed three males and was tired of childbirth, would never be able to provide Weihao with a sister.

The Commander never claimed any of his granddaughters, so Weihao never bothered to be in acquaintance with the rest of them. If the Commander didn't care for them, Weihao wouldn't care for them.

"It's nice to meet you." Everyone was immediately taken back when a smile graced Yuxi's lips. Though it was a small smile, it immediately had a hand on Weihao's heart.

Yuxi didn't see the beauty in herself and what her smile could do to a man. One glance at her evident beauty, Weihao knew she would one day cause many problems for the Chen Manor whose front entrance will be filled with lines of potential suitors. If she was beautiful as a child, her beauty as a grown woman would be no match to any woman in Leijing.

Weihao glanced at the Commander whose expression was neutral. Deep down, the Commander also shared the same opinion. He was already making plans to ensure Yuxi's grown face will never been seen by public's eye. He wanted to hide the treasure from the greedy mans of undeserving men.

"Mei-mei is even cuter when she smiles." Weihao smoothly commented.

Never once had anyone complimented Yuxi in her previous life. The people would always call her ugly or bone-woman because of her small stature and extremely ghostly appearance. This tiny compliment was a welcome surprise that immediately send Yuxi's cheek ablaze. At the sight of her fluffy cheeks whose color resembled a tomato, the men chuckled.

"Please don't tease Yuxi. I'm a bit too shy when it comes to compliments." She nervously whispered while twirling with the materials of her hanfu. This tiny and unintentional action was enough to solidify their affection towards her. Without realizing it, Yuxi was beginning to build a small hut in their hearts.

"Master Chen, and Young Master, there is a guest outside that awaits the presence of Commander Moyao." An Eunuch spoke from outside of the heavy door.

"Very well, let them in." The Commander said, just as he turned towards his adoring grandchildren.

"Weihao, take Yuxi for a tour of the Manor. I have business to attend to." With a happy nod, at the command, he immediately took Yuxi's small hand in his. Slow and steady, he softly lead her to the door in fear of pulling her too hard. He was afraid of hurting her and her porcelain face.

As she was pulled out of the door and down the hallway, Yuxi's eyes connected with a boy whose age was similar to Weihao. Judging by his taller frame, he was perhaps one or two years older than Weihao. He was standing besides his father, an extremely stern and fierce faced man.

Paying no mind to the stranger, Yuxi hurriedly walked to match Weihao's bubbly pace. Yuxi didn't realize she had just crossed paths with the boy who would eventually become this country's strongest Commander.