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墨書 Inktalez
He Yu asked Zhao Hezhong to bring the Kanyu Map from the study and carefully unfold it for Xiao Yao. The Kanyu Map also had another piece of paper.
"What is this?" Xiao Yao pulled out the paper and compared it with the Kanyu Map. It was clearly a map of the East Back Courtyard, which He Yu had simply enlarged. He Yu took the map and pointed to a house on it, saying, "Look, this is where the children’s room will be; it’s a three-entry layout..."
He meticulously considered where the main house, servant quarters, and kitchen would be. Xiao Yao studied the map, matching it with the places He Yu had mentioned, imagining what the East Courtyard would look like once completed. Just thinking about it made her feel incredibly excited.
After He Yu finished explaining, he took a sip of water and continued, "This is all I can think of; you see if you want to add anything."
"Um, dear," Xiao Yao pondered for a moment before turning to He Yu. He Yu looked back at her, "Hmm? What is it?"
"When do you think it would be best for the child to move to the East Courtyard?" After all, the child would have to live with their parents for some time; they couldn't just be sent to the East Courtyard right after birth. This was what Xiao Yao was contemplating. He Yu thought for a moment and said, "When I was in the palace, I started going to the study at six years old and entered the Prince's Residence at five. I think five years old should be about right."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Xiao Yao frowning slightly. He Yu quickly leaned closer, "What’s wrong?"
"Five or six years... isn’t that a bit early?" Xiao Yao hesitated. At that age, they would have to sleep in their own room. Although in modern times children did start school around that age, it was still hard for her to let go of her own child.
Seeing the evident pain on Xiao Yao's face, He Yu understood. He comforted her by rubbing her back and said, "It’s about right. When we were five or six years old, we had already started training; in the morning we studied and wrote, and in the afternoon we practiced riding and martial arts. I remember when I was six years old; I had to hold a horse stance for half an hour to an hour."
"Ah, that sounds tough." Xiao Yao was surprised. She had occasionally practiced holding a horse stance for fun in modern times but couldn’t last even three minutes, let alone an hour; that was torture.
"Yes," He Yu smiled at Xiao Yao's astonished expression and said, "At that time, I didn’t feel it was too hard since everyone else was doing it too. Besides, being from a royal family meant it was somewhat easier for us. If my father and grandfather were still around, I think training would have been even stricter."
When he mentioned his father, although He Yu's expression remained calm, Xiao Yao could see the pain in his eyes. She hugged him tightly and said, "I’ll be with you from now on."
He Yu felt his heart melt at Xiao Yao's embrace and gently returned the hug, wrapping his beloved in his arms. "Yes, you will always be with me."
These words seemed directed at Xiao Yao but felt more like a reassurance to himself.
After a brief moment of warmth, they returned to discussing children as an ongoing issue. Xiao Yao thought for a moment that since it had always been a family tradition, it would be better not to break it. So she decided to take a step back and said, "If it's boys, I can agree; but if it's girls, I still don’t want her to suffer like this..."
"Of course," He Yu smiled; he understood that daughters should be raised well. He added with a grin, "Actually, I never planned for our daughter to go to the East Back Courtyard anyway. I plan to expand our Central Courtyard so she can live here with us instead of being mixed up with those rascals in the East Back Courtyard."
"Great!" Hearing this made Xiao Yao's eyes light up as she hugged He Yu's neck. "Dear, does this mean you don’t mind whether I give birth to boys or girls?"
"Silly girl, how could I care about such things?" He Yu smiled as he cupped Xiao Yao's face and kissed her gently. "Whether it's boys or girls, they are all our children; I don’t want any difference in treatment."
"But what if they are all girls?" Xiao Yao playfully posed a hypothetical question.
"I will raise them all to be young ladies, and then find the best husbands for them, ensuring that within my capabilities, they will live the happiest lives," He Yu said with a smile.
Hearing this, it was impossible not to feel moved. Xiao Yao covered her mouth and leaned against He Yu's embrace. "That's wonderful. I feel so lucky right now," she said, thinking about marrying a man like him.
He Yu gently brushed a strand of hair from Xiao Yao's temple, a smile appearing on his lips that seemed both happy and bittersweet. He opened his mouth and softly said, "No, I should be the lucky one. I’m fortunate to have found you."
Xiao Yao took this as just ordinary sweet talk and giggled happily, reaching for the Kanyu Map. "Since it's a boy, let's build something like a training ground. Boys always love to play."
"No need; my training ground will suffice," He Yu shook his head.
"Well then, how about we create a sandpit?" Xiao Yao suggested after thinking for a moment.
"A sandpit?"
"Yes," Xiao Yao nodded. "Boys definitely love rolling around in dirt. Instead of letting them play in mud, it would be better to let them play in sand."
He Yu thought carefully about Xiao Yao's suggestion and after a while nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. I can also teach them military formations in the sandpit; it would be convenient!"
"Haha, before we even start, the prince is already swearing to train the children as military generals," Xiao Yao teased with a smile. He Yu replied earnestly, "This is necessary; my He Family is a Military Aristocracy."
While they discussed, there was still plenty of time to plan the actual construction.
Currently, the Ministry of Works and the Internal Affairs Office were busy with the Third Prince and Fourth Prince's residences and the Crown Prince's wedding, so He Yu naturally couldn't spare any manpower.
Just wait; when it comes down to it, we will see who is truly family and who is not.
However, Xiao Yao felt indifferent. From pregnancy to childbirth and then to the age of five or six, it would take several years! There was no need to rush; she should focus on taking care of herself and nurturing the baby well.
The day after the morning court session, news spread throughout the capital that Xuanping Wang's wife had encountered the Eldest Prince galloping through the bustling market on her way home, startling her carriage and causing her some internal injuries. She was also frightened mentally and could not leave Xuanping Wang's side even for a moment, which made it impossible for Xuanping Wang to attend court. Reluctantly, he had to apologize to the Emperor and request leave.
This incident was confirmed by the princess’s attending physician Zhang Taiyi, Grand Scholar Su Qiao’s daughter Su Hong, and Lin Shangshu’s wife. To avoid punishment from the Emperor, He Yu asked the Crown Prince to request leave on his behalf to gain the Emperor's approval. This action garnered sympathy from all the noble ladies in the capital; on one hand, they sympathized with Consort Xuanping for having married Xuanping Wang only to suffer such a fright; on the other hand, they envied Consort Xuanping for having such a considerate husband—truly a rare find!
Qidi was furious about this matter in court, pointing at Eldest Prince’s nose and scolding him for damaging royal dignity and tarnishing royal reputation. He ordered Eldest Prince to receive thirty strokes of punishment and henceforth confine him within his residence for reflection while copying military regulations twenty times! Eldest Prince never expected that the carriage he startled that day belonged to He Yu’s family. As for whether or not the princess was injured—did that really matter?
As long as it was He Yu's carriage, this matter would undoubtedly be used by He Yu as leverage. With He Yu's flamboyant personality, creating a stir throughout the city was definitely in character.
After court adjourned, Eldest Prince walked out of his palace looking dejected. The Crown Prince stood behind him watching Eldest Prince’s lost demeanor and slightly turned his head to Zhou Zhiquan saying, "Go inform the prince that Father Emperor has granted leave without a deadline; let him handle it himself."
"Yes." Zhou Zhiquan bowed and agreed, quickly going to make arrangements. The Crown Prince straightened his clothes, stood tall, and headed to the Imperial Study.
Upon hearing Zhou Zhiquan's words, He Yu revealed an ambiguous smile at the corner of his mouth. He nodded lightly, "Thank you, Eunuch. This prince understands."
"Yes, then this Servant will take his leave. The Crown Prince is still waiting for my reply." Zhou Zhiquan always referred to himself as a Servant in front of He Yu. After all, outsiders did not know, but he Zhou Zhiquan was aware that the seemingly frivolous and ostentatious Xuanping Wang before him was so close to his own Crown Prince that they might as well be wearing the same pants. Naturally, he had to serve him well.
"Eunuch, take care." He Yu smiled and called Zhao Hezhong to see Zhou Zhiquan off properly.
After Zhou Zhiquan left, Xiao Yao had just peeled an orange and fed a segment to He Yu. He Yu lay back on Xiao Yao's lap with his hands behind his head and said, "Darling, your emperor has no deadline for my vacation. How long should I rest?"
"Well..." Xiao Yao rolled her eyes and showed a mischievous smile. "That's not good; after all, this mental issue can be serious or trivial, and it can last long or short. I really don't know!"
"Haha." He Yu laughed out loud, reached out to touch Xiao Yao's cheek, then took a bite of the apple she had just fed him. Looking into Xiao Yao's eyes very seriously, he said, "Daughter-in-law, you've learned badly."
"That's because I learned from you!" Xiao Yao shook her head and continued to poke the apple with a bamboo skewer to feed herself. Puffing her cheeks, she insisted, "I used to be very well-behaved at home. Ever since I married you, I've found that I've become more cunning. Did you teach me that?"
Clearly a baseless accusation, He Yu didn't know why he felt so happy about it. He turned around, kissed Xiao Yao's lips, and conveniently took a bite of the apple she had just brought to her mouth, laughing as he said, "Yes, it's all learned from me!"
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