After returning, Li Ji took a bath and changed into a specially made, new ink-black formal robe. His hair was meticulously combed and secured with a Jade Crown.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror and felt it was a bit too deliberate.
'This is my own home, after all,' he thought. 'There's no need to be so formal. What if I scare her away?'
So, Li Ji changed again into a looser, azure long-robed shirt. He also removed the crown, replacing it with a simple yet elegant jade hairpin.
This ensemble toned down the intimidating, unapproachable aura he usually carried.
It made him look more casual and amiable than usual.
By the time he was ready, it was almost dark outside.
Li Ji figured it was about time and went to open the door.
But standing outside was a little pipsqueak.
Li Xun was now five years old, a bit taller than other children his age, with a small face that was a spitting image of his father's.
