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Hearing this, Xiao Yao's heart skipped a beat. However, she still maintained her calm demeanor, saying, "Yes, by then our daughter might even be able to run and jump!"
"Mm," He Yu also smiled, not wanting this rare light atmosphere to become heavy again.
Then, our overly curious Xuanping Wang gently pinched their daughter's nose, saying, "Hmm, by that time, our beautiful Princess must come out to greet her father!"
"Princess?" Xiao Yao was surprised. "Our daughter doesn't have a title yet, does she?"
"The daughter of a foreign prince should be a county princess. However, I specifically asked the Emperor for the title of Princess for our daughter a few days ago. The decree should come down in a couple of days," He Yu said casually. "The Emperor has been cautious all these years but couldn't prevent me from going to battle. What he owes us is still outstanding. I'm just asking him for a title of Princess for our daughter; in fact, we are the ones at a loss."
"..." Xiao Yao was at a loss for words regarding this man in front of her; he was bargaining over such matters.
He Yu seemed to understand Xiao Yao's thoughts and continued, "Politics is just like this; it's like a market where you bargain. If someone catches you shortchanging them, then the one who has the leverage becomes the winner."
The political intrigue in the court was turned into market bargaining by this nonsensical prince, and Xiao Yao truly admired him.
However, just as He Yu said, the Emperor's decree came down the next day, granting their daughter the title of Yuhui Princess.
Xiao Yao and He Yu knelt to receive the decree and gave some silver to the Eunuch who delivered it. Turning around, they casually handed the decree to Yun Zhu, saying, "Put it away."
"Yes," Yun Zhu took the decree and left. He Yu then picked up Xiao Yao and carried her to bed, somewhat dissatisfied as he said, "You're still in confinement; why did you come out for the decree? Don't you know that women in confinement shouldn't be exposed to cold air?" Xiao Yao couldn't help but laugh and quickly comforted him. "It's fine. It's warm today. The decree was announced around noon; it wasn't early in the morning when it was chilly. It should be okay; nothing will go wrong today. Don't be upset." While saying this, she gave He Yu a sweet kiss.
Receiving a kiss from his Daughter-in-law as a reward made He Yu relax his expression and not complain anymore.
Before Xiao Yao could finish her confinement period, He Yu was already preparing to leave.
Before departing, He Yu held Xiao Yao close. "I'll be gone for at least a year and a half. You need to take good care of yourself, okay?"
"I know; I'll take good care of the house. You don't need to worry," Xiao Yao replied with a smile, her expression calm as she feigned ease. "It's fine; didn't you ask the Crown Prince for help? With him stationed outside, I can still manage things inside the residence."
"Mm," He Yu nodded, "I'm not worried about you, but don't overexert yourself. If there's anything, you can talk to the Crown Prince or Ziyuan. After all, we are family."
"Yes, you need to be careful outside and make sure to come back safely," Xiao Yao said, waving to the children, "Come over here."
The children all walked over, but He Ziyao was naturally not among them. He Ziyao stood behind He Yu, dressed in a short riding outfit that was suitable for horseback riding, looking handsome and spirited.
When he first put on this outfit, it made He Ziyi envious and jealous, circling around He Ziyao several times. "Brother Ziyao, this outfit looks amazing!"
He Ziyao felt proud inside but maintained a gentle demeanor towards his younger brother. "This set was made by Mother for me. Once she finishes her confinement, she will make one for each of you."
Upon hearing this, the children's spirits lifted. After all, they were all boys; even if they weren't particularly skilled in martial arts or swordplay, being able to ride handsomely was probably every boy's dream. So when they heard Xiao Yao say she would make each of them an outfit, they naturally cheered.
The children gathered around, and He Yu said to them, "As I have taught you before, you are all young men now. You must take good care of your mother and sister in the household. Brothers should work together and not let your mother handle everything alone. Do you understand?"
He Yu's expression was serious, and the children followed suit, becoming solemn as well. After a moment, Zi Xi softly said, "Father, don't worry. We will help our mother manage the household and also take care of our sister." He Ziyi and Zi An echoed in agreement. Only then did He Yu show a satisfied smile and kiss Xiao Yao on the lips before getting up to head out with He Ziyao.
Outside, the sun was just right; the summer sun became quite glaring by noon and very hot. They needed to leave early while it was still a bit cooler.
He Yu set off for battle; General Xuanping was returning to the capital!
Originally anxious and restless, the capital regained its confidence at the mention of General Xuanping's name.
However, everyone still maintained a skeptical attitude; like father like son, no one knew if Xuanping Wang had inherited his father's bravery in battle. The capital's most charming prince had now transformed into General Xuanping, leading some to harbor doubts. Nevertheless, regardless of skepticism, many people came out on the day of departure; after all, this was their last hope. They only hoped that Xuanping Wang could repel the invading barbarians from the northwest so they could continue living their peaceful and beautiful lives.
He Yu looked around as his personal guards ran over to inform him that the army was ready. He Yu nodded slightly and raised his arm high to shout, "Let's go!"
His voice was powerful and resonated far away as all the soldiers raised their arms in unison and shouted back, "Let's go!"
The onlookers collectively cheered loudly, shouting slogans like “Dafeng will win!” and “Our dynasty will prevail!” as they sent off the departing soldiers.
Still in her confinement, Xiao Yao could not witness this scene; she silently gazed at the suddenly quiet Xuanping Prince's Mansion.
She felt as if the entire house had become desolate. On days when He Yu went to court or was out on errands, Xiao Yao was also alone in the mansion.
However, during those times, she had the certainty that her lord would return soon, which made her feel at ease. But now, with He Yu gone for an extended period—perhaps a year and a half without seeing him—just thinking about it made Xiao Yao feel unbearable sadness.
Yet she was the princess; she could not be willful. For the sake of the country and family, she had to let He Yu go fight this battle.
For now, the only thing Xiao Yao could do was pray daily before the Buddha, hoping for her husband and son to return safely, asking for nothing else.
After He Yu left, Xiao Yao ordered the gates of Xuanping Prince's Mansion to be tightly shut. Except for the Crown Prince, Third Prince, and Xiao Mo Yi, no one else was allowed to visit during the lord's absence.
Fortunately, Xiao Yao's position in Xuanping Prince's Mansion was already unshakeable. With Yun Zhu and Zhao Hezhong now firmly supporting her, it was impossible for anyone to harbor other intentions.
Life went on quite peacefully. Moreover, Xiao Yao had to take care of the newborn girl, keeping her busy and fulfilled; life wasn’t too difficult.
Yun Zhu and others suggested that Xiao Yao name the princess. After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yao shook her head and said, “Didn’t the emperor bestow a title of Yuhui upon the princess? Let’s use that for now; we can wait for my lord to return before naming her.”
Everyone fell silent and then retreated in unison, all knowing that the princess missed her lord dearly.
It had only been a few days since he left—less than five—and there were still hundreds of days and nights ahead. How would the princess endure this?
In truth, for Xiao Yao, it wasn't as if she missed He Yu to the extent that the attendants in the mansion thought. It was just that all of her children’s names were given by He Yu, and she figured it would only be a year or two before they could let him name them upon his return. After all, He Yu's knowledge surpassed hers; with her limited cultural knowledge from modern times, naming a child was quite a challenge for her. It would be better to leave it to her lord when he came back.
As she pondered over the naming issue for the children, Yun Zhu walked in and said, “My lady, Consort Crown Prince has arrived.”
"Please come in." Xiao Yao immediately said.
Yun Zhu went out for a while and then brought Consort in. Su Hong saw Xiao Yao about to get out of bed and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Alright, we are sisters, so there’s no need to be so formal. You are still in your confinement period; take care of your health. If you don't recover well, it could lead to long-term issues."
"Then I will respectfully follow your advice!" Xiao Yao readily sat back down.
Su Hong smiled and didn’t take it to heart. She sat down on her own, and Yun Zhu brought in tea, placing it on the table beside Su Hong before quietly retreating.
"When Xuanping Wang left, he asked me to remind the Crown Prince to take good care of the Wangfu. Even if the Wangye doesn't say anything, the Crown Prince and I will definitely do it. After all, we have been friends for many years; it's only right," Su Hong said with a smile.
Xiao Yao also smiled and jokingly asked, "Why didn't you bring the Princess? Zi An must miss his Princess Yang Ning."
Hearing this, Su Hong laughed as well. "Why didn't I bring her? Just as we were passing through the garden, we ran into a few of your family members. Not only does your Zi An miss Yang Ning, but Yang Ning was also asking on the way here if her brother Zi An had gone out with Xuanping Wang. She kept saying how much she wanted to see her brother Zi An."
As mothers, they naturally cared for their children. After hearing Su Hong's words, Xiao Yao chuckled for a moment and then thought carefully, saying, "In this way, growing up together without any misunderstandings is really nice. Regardless of whether they end up together or not, it will surely be a wonderful memory."
"Who isn't?" Su Hong sighed lightly. (To be continued)
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