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He Yu and Xiao Yao reached an agreement, and He Yu began preparing for the renovation of the backyard of Xuanping Prince's Mansion. He Yu planned to completely transform the East Back Courtyard into a space for the children to live and study, while the Western Courtyard would serve as a training ground, connected to Lin Mountain House, allowing Wu Yun and Liu Jin to come over and play from time to time.
Of course, to avoid scaring the delicate teachers, Wu Yun and Liu Jin were strictly prohibited from entering the East Courtyard.
With the expansion of their living and learning space, the children were naturally thrilled. From then on, they could roam freely in the backyard of Xuanping Prince's Mansion without worrying about anyone else, although they had never really cared about others before.
He Yu's Kanyu Map was quickly completed, and he excitedly took it to discuss with Xiao Yao. After looking it over, Xiao Yao added some drawings of rings and parallel bars based on her modern memories. He Yu had seen these things in Xiao Yao's area before, but most of what he saw were elderly people using them. He didn't understand why Xiao Yao wanted to include them here; was she planning to use them when she got older?
Wasn't it a bit too early to prepare for that? He Yu's puzzled gaze met Xiao Yao's, and he unconsciously voiced these questions.
Xiao Yao was both amused and exasperated. "What are you thinking? These things aren't just for elderly people. Look at this ring; it can train arm strength and enhance support. And this sit-up support can strengthen abdominal muscles..."
After rambling on for half an hour, Xiao Yao's throat became dry, and she quickly took a sip of water.
Meanwhile, He Yu had fallen into deep thought. After a long pause, he said, "Actually, these are good pieces of equipment. So why do I often see old men and old ladies using them?"
"Because old men and old ladies value their lives. They have the time," Xiao Yao replied casually.
"Don't young people value their lives?"
"Of course they do, but young people have families to support. With children and all those studies to handle, they hardly have time for exercise. People in their twenties or thirties are busy making a living and don't have time for this; it's only when they get older, without homework or life pressures, that they start exercising. It's about maintaining health."
"…"
Not hearing He Yu's response, Xiao Yao looked up and saw He Yu with a sympathetic expression on his face. She was puzzled and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Thank goodness you came back in time; otherwise, life would be so hard in that society," He Yu said seriously with sympathy for Xiao Yao.
Xiao Yao was both amused and exasperated as he patted He Yu. "You're overthinking it. It's a bit tough, but most people don't exercise simply because they're lazy. Modern people don't rely on their legs like we do; have you seen those moving square boxes running all over the streets?"
"Oh, you mean those moving boxes?"
"Exactly," Xiao Yao nodded. "Those things are basically just for transportation. They can cover two to three hundred kilometers in an hour, and some can go even faster. There are also ones that can fly; in two to three hours, you could reach another country. It's very convenient to go anywhere. Plus, with work being so busy, people get lazy about exercising."
As Xiao Yao spoke, He Yu's mouth dropped wider in disbelief. "…I’ve been right next to you and never really looked at those boxes. I had no idea they were so useful!"
"Yeah," Xiao Yao reminisced, clicking his tongue twice. "You see, it takes us at least half a month to travel from Nanping to the capital, but back then, with those things, we could fly around Asia, Africa, and Latin America—travel the world."
"Fly? Like birds?" He Yu couldn't believe it.
"Of course," Xiao Yao nodded, unable to hide his pride. "They built a big machine that flies like a bird, and then they just take off."
"That's incredible." He Yu was entranced by Xiao Yao's description and suddenly felt a desire to live in that modern world.
Hearing He Yu's thoughts, Xiao Yao chuckled. "Alright then, in your next life, you can be reborn into my world, and we'll be a couple again. How about that?"
"Sure," He Yu nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds like a good idea. I won't drink Meng Po Soup then; I'll just come find you."
"What about me? I won't drink Meng Po Soup either," Xiao Yao said as he set down his book and hugged He Yu, leaning against him.
"You can do whatever you want; if you want to drink it, go ahead. Anyway, I will definitely find you," He Yu declared confidently.
Xiao Yao was skeptical. "Is that your confidence?"
"Of course, I have been guarding you for hundreds of years, so naturally, I know." He Yu smiled confidently.
For the repairs of this residence, He Yu unceremoniously drew personnel from the Internal Affairs Office and the Ministry of Works.
The Crown Prince and Qidi both observed silently, not saying a word. In fact, Qidi even waved his hand and issued an edict, instructing the Internal Affairs Office to fully cooperate with Xuanping Wang on this renovation of the royal residence.
He Yu understood this and respectfully expressed gratitude for the emperor's grace, but inwardly he sneered. The emperor intended to use these favors to silence him, preventing any dissatisfaction over the lack of rewards this time. He Yu accepted Qidi's favor without hesitation, but whether he felt grateful or not was another matter.
Due to Qidi's edict, both the Internal Affairs Office and the Ministry of Works took this matter very seriously, resulting in much faster progress.
In less than three months, all the repair work was nearing completion.
The people from the Internal Affairs Office saw through it all; on the surface, the emperor indeed did not grant Xuanping Wang any rewards as the outside world claimed. However, internally, he had given Xuanping Wang special treatment. For this housing renovation, the Internal Affairs Office was more proactive than when dealing with several princes. Why? Wasn't it under the emperor's instructions?
As for Xuanping Wang, he was also an honest and unpretentious person. Since the emperor had spoken, he genuinely made use of it without showing any signs of fear or politeness. It was unclear whether he was truly spoiled by the emperor or if he was just suppressing his dissatisfaction.
However, such matters were only pondered privately among individuals; everyone understood each other well enough and no one really had time to dwell on it. After all, if the Emperor did not speak up, why would anyone chatter aimlessly?
This palace was not theirs to command; it was better to stay quiet to avoid an early demise.
While the residence was under renovation, He Yu also began attending court normally. In court, He Yu still maintained an air of indifference, bowing his head like a wallflower. It seemed as if the affairs of the court had nothing to do with him.
The Crown Prince found it quite amusing.
Although he had spent years with He Yu, he could never quite grasp what He Yu was truly thinking. Every time they strategized together and analyzed situations, He Yu was quite proactive. Moreover, he wasn't someone who outright rejected fame and fortune; he maintained good relations with those who needed to be befriended.
It truly is hard to see through... The Crown Prince shook his head, but at least he knew that this person had no thoughts about that position, so he felt relieved to let him go.
He thought to himself that it was best not to make an enemy of such a person; otherwise, just the effort to suppress him would require a lot of energy.
Of course, the most frustrated in the court was not the Crown Prince, but rather Qidi sitting on the Dragon Throne.
Originally, because of He Yu returning without a title, Qidi had come up with various ways to appease him. He had planned for He Yu to be dissatisfied and rebel, but unexpectedly, the long-accumulated punch was thrown out only to hit cotton, losing its force lightly.
In fact, when you think about it, He Yu being so obedient and not causing any trouble or rebellion should be something for the Emperor to be thankful for.
However, the Emperor is also human.
Preparing multiple plans to deal with a certain situation only for it to be seen as nothing by others and brushed off with a casual remark is infuriating. What’s worse is that he has to swallow his anger and can’t express it, only able to vent in other ways.
But is He Yu really soft? It doesn’t seem so. Just look at how he dealt with the renovations; the people from the Ministry of Works and Internal Affairs Office were called upon effortlessly and without any politeness. Isn’t it just because they recognized that Qidi couldn’t get angry at him?
You risked your life in battle and returned victorious for him; if you don’t reward him with titles, that’s one thing, but feeling uncomfortable over using a few craftsmen from your family? How worthless must my life be?
Thus, Qidi could only continue to feel stifled, and soon everyone around him was getting irritable too.
Perhaps due to this pent-up frustration, after a few days, he actually fell ill. That night, the Crown Prince went to attend to Qidi at his bedside, while Consort Chen kept vigil day and night without leaving.
When He Yu heard this news, he was playing with his daughter. Upon hearing Zhao Hezhong rush in with this news, He Yu paused for a moment and calmly said, “I understand. Go to the Storage Room and send a few medicinal herbs to the palace; it’s my filial piety.”
“Understood.” Zhao Hezhong replied and hurriedly left to arrange things.
Xiao Yao sat beside her and casually asked, "Aren't you planning to go to the palace to take a look?"
"What's there to see?" He Yu calmly finished the last stroke of the cat drawing for her daughter and replied, "The Emperor is seriously ill, and it's either the Crown Prince or the princes attending to him. Besides, I think the Emperor probably doesn't want to see me at this time." After saying this, He Yu revealed a sarcastic smile. "He is at his most vulnerable right now. If I go to the palace now, he will surely overthink things. If it worsens his condition, that would really be my fault. I won't get myself into trouble."
"That's true."
After hearing He Yu's analysis, Xiao Yao also found it reasonable and nodded, deciding not to ask further.
After all, as He Yu said, the one lying sick on the dragon bed is the Emperor, not her father. It wasn't her place to attend to him; sending some medicinal herbs to the palace as a token of goodwill was enough.
The two discussed the matter and then accompanied their daughter in drawing and playing.
He Yu had already chosen a name for the Yuhui Princess a few days ago: He Zixuan.
According to tradition, girls are usually married off and typically do not follow their family's naming conventions. However, He Yu disregarded this rule. "She's our child; of course, she should share a generation with us. Why should there be any distinction? Who knows? My daughter might end up bringing home a son-in-law!"
Hearing this made Xiao Yao laugh so hard her stomach hurt, but she still agreed with He Yu's idea, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes! I also think there shouldn't be any distinction between genders. I absolutely agree wholeheartedly."
Seeing Xiao Yao's strong support made He Yu very pleased.
Although they had chosen a name, everyone had gotten used to calling the Yuhui Princess by her title over the years. It would take time to change that habit. Anyway, since she had a formal name now, it didn't really matter what she was called at home; no one was overly concerned about it. After all, in the entire Xuanping Prince's Mansion, there was only this one Princess—how could anyone possibly get it wrong?
While teasing their daughter, He Yu said, "I see that our family loves animals quite a bit. Should we get our daughter a pet?"
"Forget it," Xiao Yao thought for a moment and shook her head. "Having Wuyun and Liujin is enough; there's no need to have cats and dogs running around the house making it feel like a zoo."
He Yu propped his head up and smiled for a while, then nodded, "That's true. Over the past two years, I've seen Cloud and Golden Flow grow up quite a bit; they've become much more stable and don't seem to mess around with that bunch of troublemakers anymore."
"Yeah, pretty much," Xiao Yao nodded. "Considering the lifespan of the Clouded Leopard, Cloudy Golden Flow are practically at the uncle level among these kids now, so they naturally need to be more composed."
Xiao Yao recalled that cats typically live around seventeen or eighteen years, with some reaching twenty, which is considered long-lived.
The Clouded Leopard also belongs to the feline family, so it’s likely similar. By this calculation, both Cloud and Golden Flow are about seven or eight years old now, which is not quite uncle status. He Yu agreed and thought for a moment before saying, "Both of them are males. I’ll see if I can find a female to breed with; having a litter would be nice."
"Well..." Xiao Yao squinted and pondered for a moment before replying, "That depends on fate; you can't force it. After all, this capital city isn't where the Clouded Leopard lives."
"Mm." Upon hearing this, He Yu nodded and didn't say anything further.
Due to the emperor's serious illness, there had been no court meetings these past few days. He Yu decided not to enter the palace since he didn't have any official duties anyway; it made no difference whether he went or not.
Moreover, what if he went and added to the emperor's distress, worsening his condition even more?
After staying quietly in the room for a few days and feeling that the time was about right, he finally said to Xiao Yao, "I'm going to visit the Crown Prince in the palace; I need to ask about the current situation."
With that, he slowly stood up and went to change clothes in the inner room, preparing to head to the palace. (To be continued)
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