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After a night of rest, everyone had adjusted their mental state quite well.
He Yu was indeed in good health. Although everyone in the capital saw Xuanping Wang as a good-for-nothing playboy, only Xiao Yao knew that this guy had never stopped practicing archery and martial arts at home. He would practice for more than two hours every day at the training ground, and on rest days, he would play with his son from early morning until the sun was directly overhead.
Occasionally, Xiao Yao would mildly complain about him, not fearing that the child might suffer from heatstroke.
He Yu, however, was unconcerned. "As long as you're sweating, how could you get heatstroke? Besides, my son is in great health! It's not that easy to get heatstroke." After exchanging glances with his son, the two of them proudly looked at Xiao Yao, as if to say, "You really underestimate us!"
Xiao Yao felt helpless and decided not to worry too much about him and the eldest son fooling around at the training ground. After all, there were many attendants around, and as He Yu said, it wasn't that easy to get heatstroke.
After just one night, He Yu recovered quickly. The family of four gathered together for breakfast. Just as they started eating, they saw Wuyun and Liujin come in. The two sons excitedly shouted and laughed while hugging Wuyun and Liujin, clearly having a great time.
He Yu and Xiao Yao exchanged smiles; although this situation was dangerous, it turned out to be the right decision.
However, Xiao Yao still seriously warned the brothers, "Wuyun and Liujin were secretly brought in by your father. You must be careful to hide them well and not bring anyone into our courtyard easily. If they are discovered, Wuyun and Liujin might die! Do you understand?"
Upon hearing that Wuyun and Liujin might die if discovered, both children nodded solemnly in agreement.
After all, these two Clouded Leopards had basically grown up with them over the years. They were true family, and the emotions and attachments involved were something others could not comprehend.
After breakfast, the Brothers followed Cloudy Golden Flow into the bamboo forest to play. Xiao Yao instructed someone to keep an eye on them. He Yu said, "These two have grown up; it seems it's time to find a few capable people to serve them."
Xiao Yao did not comment on that but smiled and said, "I don't know about this; just listen to what you say."
He Yu chuckled and said, "Once we return to the capital, I need to go see the Crown Prince. Do you want to come along?"
"Sure." Xiao Yao was quite happy; now that they were in the garden, he didn't have to attend court. If the Emperor had any matters to discuss, he would directly summon the relevant ministers or ministers could report matters directly to the Emperor.
For someone like He Yu, who generally had nothing urgent to attend to, it felt like complete liberation.
After rinsing his mouth and changing into a fresh set of clothes, he followed He Yu to the Crown Prince's courtyard.
In the evening, they arrived directly at the courtyard gate by carriage, and Xiao Yao didn't feel much about it. It was indeed a bit remote, and the courtyard was named "Qing Shu Pavilion."
He Yu pointed to a road beside the courtyard and said, "From here, you can reach the side gate of the Palace. Yesterday, Wu Yun and Liu Jin came from that way."
Oh. She thought to herself, no wonder it was so smooth; they were right by the gate.
After walking for about half an hour, they finally reached the Crown Prince's garden, where the plaque at the entrance read "Wenjin Pavilion." Along the way, He Yu mentioned that the Crown Prince's residence was not far from the Emperor's "Nine Provinces Tranquility," almost adjacent to it.
Hearing the words "Nine Provinces Tranquility," Xiao Yao felt a moment of disorientation, as if she were in a courtyard that had turned into ruins in modern times. However, she quickly regained her composure and continued walking with He Yu.
Upon reaching the entrance of Wenjin Pavilion, the guarding eunuch naturally recognized Xuanping Wang and respectfully allowed him to enter.
Xiao Yao looked around in awe; compared to her own garden, this place was indeed much larger. He Yu smiled and said, "If it weren't for the two children, our courtyard would be similar to this one."
"It's fine; the size of the courtyard doesn't matter. What's important is that we are together as a family," Xiao Yao said with a smile while hugging He Yu's arm.
He Yu smiled back; although he responded, his eyes reflected satisfaction that spoke volumes.
When they reached the main hall's entrance, Zhou Zhiquan had not yet entered to announce their arrival when the Crown Prince came out to greet them with a smile. "I heard your voices while having breakfast; it seems you're both recovering well today." Following him were Consort Su Hong and Princess Yang Ning.
Although Yang Ning was the Crown Prince's daughter and a royal grandchild, she had not been formally conferred as a princess, so she could not be addressed as such.
The girl was charmingly beautiful and showed no signs of shyness upon seeing He Yu and his wife. She bounced over and wanted He Yu to lift her high up.
He Yu did not refuse; happily picking up Yang Ning, he lifted her high, making her giggle with delight. Yang Yunqing and Su Hong stood nearby, feeling a bit embarrassed. "This girl gets so excited every time she sees Hong Ming; it's really something."
Xiao Yao shook her head with a smile. "You're being too modest; Wang Ye truly likes Princess." Watching He Yu lift Yang Ning with a gentle and indulgent smile in his eyes, Xiao Yao suddenly understood that He Yu genuinely wanted a daughter.
Of course, this did not mean he didn't like sons; just look at those two little rascals at home.
After a while of commotion, He Yu put the girl down. Yang Ning was still reluctant to part, and Su Hong pulled her daughter over, saying, "Your father and Uncle Wang have important matters to discuss. Don't cause any trouble; come back with me."
Seeing this, Xiao Yao chuckled lightly. Su Hong looked somewhat astonished, "This child has been spoiled by the Crown Prince, she's quite willful."
"Well, children should be lively and cheerful," Xiao Yao shook her head. "Childhood is short as it is; why restrict them?"
"That's true." Xiao Yao's words naturally aligned with Su Hong's thoughts. Su Hong smiled and asked, "What about your two sons?"
"They're playing by themselves in the courtyard," Xiao Yao replied with a smile. "The boys are mischievous but also independent; they don't cling to me or the prince."
"That's right. However, it's rare to visit the Palace; since everyone is here, it would be nice for them to play together," Su Hong pointed at Yang Ning.
Looking at Yang Ning, Xiao Yao hesitated a bit. After all, this girl was a Princess and would be the future Grand Princess. "My two boys are quite rambunctious; if they bump into…"
"Don't worry; they're just kids. How much trouble can they really get into?" Su Hong was unconcerned. "Besides, I can hear your two children moving around; there are so many people watching; nothing will happen."
Hearing Su Hong's words eased some of Xiao Yao's worries. She smiled and said, "Since you don't mind, then I have no reason to be concerned either. I'll let them come over to play with the Princess this afternoon." As she spoke, she squatted down to meet Yang Ning's gaze and gently smiled, "Shall I let your two brothers come play with you this afternoon?"
Upon hearing that her brothers would come to play with her, Yang Ning immediately brightened up and nodded vigorously, "Yes! Yes! Let my brothers come play with me!"
Having spent so much time in the palace, Yang Ning actually had no friends around her; those surrounding her were either her parents or servants. Even her grandfather could only be seen a few times a year. Children instinctively seek benefits and avoid harm; although the Emperor tried hard to appear kind and gentle when he saw Yang Ning.
However, Yang Ning still felt scared. Unless it was a major festival or holiday, she usually avoided appearing before the Grandfather Emperor, let alone the other concubines in the harem.
Growing up all alone until she was three years old, she had hardly seen any peers. Now that she heard about her brothers coming over, she was naturally overjoyed. Looking at the girl's happy face, Xiao Yao jokingly said, "This good girl should be kept for me as my daughter-in-law!"
Su Hong laughed and replied, "Sure! It all depends on which of your sons can win her heart."
"That must be Second Brother! The eldest has already decided to become the heir. If Second Brother marries the future princess, at least he'll have the title of a prince consort, right? Then I can rest easy," Xiao Yao joked half-seriously.
Su Hong was taken aback and said, "Have you all confirmed that the eldest will be made the heir?"
"Yes," facing Su Hong, Xiao Yao had nothing to hide. "From every aspect, the eldest is both the firstborn and the legitimate son, so this way, it won't invite gossip from others."
"I thought you would consider it a bit longer."
"There’s nothing to consider," Xiao Yao shrugged casually. "No matter how many times we think about it, it will be the same."
"Then, do both children know?"
"They know." Xiao Yao then shared the amusing interactions between her two sons at home with Su Hong. Su Hong listened with a mix of envy and amusement, pausing before saying, "It's also because you guided the children well; otherwise, they would have been at each other's throats by now. Just look at those two legitimate sons from the Yun Family; they're still fighting over the position of heir!"
Xiao Yao smiled, "I just hope they can support each other as brothers and move forward together. The eldest has a straightforward personality and no ulterior motives. When he serves the court in the future, he won't have any bad intentions, which will make the court feel at ease. The Second Brother is more meticulous; for him, if something comes too easily, he won't cherish it as much. So, I plan to let him participate in the imperial examination on his own and work his way up through his efforts. He'll understand how hard it is to achieve success and will value it more. Compared to the eldest, I'm more worried about the Second Brother."
Su Hong listened in a daze for a moment before slowly saying, "You truly are a thoughtful mother. I've never seen a mother who considers her children so thoroughly."
"Actually, it's just a mother's instinct," Xiao Yao replied without modesty, looking at Su Hong with a smile. "I believe you care for Princess and your son just as much as I do; it's just that you haven't realized it yet." (To be continued)
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