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Listening to Xiao Yao's words, He Yu remained calm, his face expressionless and silent.
Xiao Yao blinked and tugged at He Yu's sleeve, "Look, isn't your wife beautiful? It's such a pity not to show her off. If I could understand a bit more, I might be able to help you out someday, right?"
He Yu finally chuckled at Xiao Yao's remark, reaching out to pat her head, "I've never seen someone who can brag like this."
"Hehe," Xiao Yao supported her head with her hand and flashed a silly smile at He Yu, "I only do this in front of you. Besides, don't you need to help the Crown Prince? You know, the social connections of women can actually be quite beneficial."
"Really? How so?" He Yu was intrigued by Xiao Yao's theory.
Xiao Yao rolled her eyes and organized her thoughts, directly bringing over the modern concept of socializing among ladies. "You see, after we get married, I'll be the legitimate Xuanping Wang Princess, right?"
"You are already the legitimate Xuanping Wang Princess."
"Don't interrupt! I'm being serious!" Xiao Yao said with a serious expression that made He Yu want to laugh. However, seeing her earnest demeanor made him hold back. Xiao Yao continued, "Once I become a princess, I’ll have to attend all those flower-viewing parties, tea-tasting events, poetry and painting gatherings organized by the ladies in the palace. And when those princes leave the palace to establish their own households, these princesses will also need to deal with them. Not to mention those noble families and the princesses..."
"If you explain these interests and relationships clearly to me, at least I can navigate them wisely—knowing which areas to avoid and which ones to get closer to. If we happen to share interests with those ladies, then they might whisper sweet nothings into their husbands' ears... right?" Xiao Yao smiled brightly while holding up her teacup and winked at He Yu. The implication was clear without needing further elaboration.
He Yu seemed thoughtful but still struggled slightly with the idea; after all...
"You know I don't want you involved in these matters," He Yu said after a moment of silence. "Any struggle for power and profit, especially within the palace, is a life-and-death gamble. Yao Yao... I..." He Yu shook his head with a bitter smile. How could he bear for her to go through this for him?
Xiao Yao was unfazed. She looked into He Yu's eyes and said, "If we truly marry, then we are one as husband and wife. If one day you lose, do you think your opponents will let me go?"
"They won't come to that," He Yu shook his head and paused before adding, "If it really comes to that point, I will naturally make thorough arrangements."
Xiao Yao smiled slightly and shook her head again. She placed her cup on the table with a crisp sound. "When one flourishes, all flourish; when one suffers, all suffer. If it really comes to that point, your opponents would dig three feet into the ground just to find me. And my family—who knows if by then we might even have children..."
At this point in her speech, He Yu's pupils suddenly contracted as a flash of pain crossed his eyes. However, Xiao Yao was looking out the window and didn't notice. She continued talking to herself, "At that time, do you think no matter how well-prepared you are, you could prevent me or our children or family from disappearing from this world?"
After asking this question, both fell into silence; neither spoke. The bustling street outside only highlighted the quietness of their corner.
After a long while, He Yu wiped his face and said with a bitter smile, "Xiao Yao, you're very clever."
"I am not foolish," Xiao Yao said with a beaming smile, "I have just seen a bit of the world!"
After finishing this sentence, Xiao Yao playfully stuck out her tongue. He Yu was also amused by Xiao Yao's words and kissed her cheek. "Alright, then it's settled. In the next couple of days, I will find a Nurturing Aunt for you in the palace to teach you some etiquette and the ways of the court. As for matters between families, it would be better for your husband to teach you personally."
"Tsk, you're out of breath and still acting like a teacher. May I ask how you plan to teach?" Xiao Yao was also excitedly teased by He Yu's unserious demeanor.
"However you want to teach, that's how we'll do it!" He Yu scooped up Xiao Yao and carried her out.
Xiao Yao was startled by He Yu's sudden embrace and let out a scream. He Yu laughed heartily, attracting the attention of other diners in the restaurant, who all looked up at the two causing a scene in the street.
Once they got into the carriage, discussions began to arise in the restaurant.
"Hey, isn't that the prince? Who is that girl he's holding?"
"Don't you know? That's the Consort Xuanping that the prince brought back from Jiangnan!"
"Really? It's her?!"
"Yes."
"I thought she would be an ethereal beauty, stunning enough to topple kingdoms. Turns out she's just average; I really don't understand what the prince sees in her."
"Who knows! The prince has always done as he pleases; maybe this girl has some extraordinary qualities?"
"Extraordinary qualities? What kind of extraordinary qualities?"
"For example... um? You know what I mean... haha."
"Oh, that's not accurate at all. She's not made of water, right? Those Jiangnan girls are so delicate; their waists are so soft they could make anyone weak in the knees..."
"Haha, yes! Maybe that's exactly what the prince likes about her? Isn't that right?"
"That's true."
Laughter echoed from the restaurant, but no matter how unrestrained it was, it only came after Xuanping Wang had left.
In the end, it was just a case of hindsight.
He Yu and Xiao Yao left the restaurant, and Xiao Yao asked, "Where are we going?"
"Didn't you always want to see the market? Today we'll check out the market in the south of the city. If you want to go out again in the future, I'll take you to the market in the north," He Yu said lazily, leaning against the side of the carriage with a smile.
Xiao Yao cheered and rolled around in the carriage, only to be caught by He Yu. "Careful! This isn't your home; watch out for bumps."
"It's fine," Xiao Yao replied nonchalantly. "This carriage is slow and very stable. It's not that easy to tip over. Even if I wanted to, I don't have that ability."
He Yu chuckled and picked up Xiao Yao. "Alright, sharp-tongued one. I won't argue with you; I admit defeat. You just can't be serious for a moment. When will you finally take a tumble and learn your lesson?"
"That won't happen; you won't let me fall," Xiao Yao said with a bright smile, her words full of certainty.
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