Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Xiao Yu didn't notice.

The Grand Princess, however, glanced briefly and said indifferently, "Let's go."

Minister Pei nodded.

The three of them took their seats in the pavilion.

Xiao Zhongzi and a few other servants arrived with tea and refreshments.

Minister Pei asked in surprise, "What is this—"

"These are tea snacks I made this morning. Now is the perfect time to enjoy them. Please, Minister Pei and Grand Princess, give them a try." After entering the palace, Xiao Yu was determined to reside there long-term. While Minghe and Danzi were learning various subjects with Master Xun, he too learned various etiquettes and skills. He skillfully took the teapot, cups, and food box, attentively washing the teacups and pouring tea for Minister Pei and the Grand Princess.

Minister Pei repeatedly expressed his thanks.

The Grand Princess couldn't help but look up at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu completed these tasks gracefully.

Minister Pei commented, "This tea has a unique flavor."

"This is Maidong Lili Xueli Tea, made from maidong, lily, dried pear, and figs. It's sweet and soothing for the throat, suitable for both adults and children," Xiao Yu explained to Minister Pei.

"No wonder it feels so soothing to the throat," Minister Pei realized.

The Grand Princess picked up a piece of pastry and asked, "What's this?"

"Thousand-layer Water Chestnut Cake, also known as Thousand-layer Caltrop Cake." Water chestnut is another term for caltrop.

Minister Pei smiled and said, "Excellent, Your Highness loves water chestnuts."

Xiao Yu, aware that Pei Yiyang had already mentioned this at Cihe Palace, explained to avoid any misunderstanding of flattery, "Winter is the best time to consume water chestnuts. They aid digestion, reduce phlegm, and cool down the body. That's why I've been using them frequently in dishes lately." This implied that the Thousand-layer Water Chestnut Cake wasn't made specifically for the Grand Princess.

Minister Pei, unaware of the earlier conversation at Cihe Palace, tried a piece. The cake was a delightful blend of soft, smooth, crunchy, and chewy textures that melted easily in the mouth, sweet and delicious, prompting him to praise it repeatedly.

The Grand Princess, however, discerned the subtext in Xiao Yu's words, realizing she might have been too intimidating. Xiao Yu's hasty explanation suggested he was still nervous, so she tried a piece and straightforwardly complimented, "It tastes good."

"Grand Princess, you might want to have another piece," Xiao Yu suggested.

The Grand Princess smiled lightly and nodded.

"What are you eating?" Pei Yiyang ran over and asked.

Xiao Yuanping followed, exclaiming, "Wow, so much food!"

Danzi and Minghe also hurried over, puffing and panting.

Just as Xiao Yu was about to remind them of proper etiquette, the Grand Princess spoke up, "Wash your hands first, then help yourselves to whatever you like." She was noticeably more relaxed than in the morning.

"Okay!" The four children responded in unison.

Xiao Zhongzi and the other servants stood by to assist.

After washing their hands, the children gathered around the stone table.

"First, have some Maidong Lili Xueli Tea," the Grand Princess instructed.

The children eagerly held up their cups to drink.

"Wow, it's so sweet!" Pei Yiyang exclaimed in delight, "I've never had this before."

Danzi proudly declared, "My uncle made it."

"How do you know it was your uncle who made it?" Pei Yiyang inquired.

"No one but my uncle can make it this delicious!" Minghe stated firmly.

Xiao Yuanping puffed out his round belly, confidently adding, "Right!" His appearance was adorably earnest.

The Grand Princess couldn't help but laugh.

Minister Pei joined in the laughter.

Children are keenly aware of adults' emotions. Sensing that the Grand Princess and Minister Pei had relaxed, they too eased up, allowing their childlike natures to shine through.

Xiao Yuanping's chatterbox opened, "This pastry is really tasty."

Danzi glanced over and said, "This is chestnut cake."

"Made from chestnuts!" Minghe added.

"Right, and this one is snowflake crisp!" Danzi said.

"Made with sheep's milk, glutinous rice flour, hawthorn, and raisins," Minghe listed like an expert.

"It's sweet and sour, really delicious!" Xiao Yuanping exclaimed.

"Yes, both the hawthorn and raisins are sweet and sour," Minghe agreed.

Xiao Yuanping curiously asked, "Are hawthorn and raisins gifts from the mountain gods?"

"You're talking nonsense!" Minghe rolled his eyes at Xiao Yuanping.

Danzi explained, "Hawthorn and raisins are grown by common people."

"Common people are amazing!" Xiao Yuanping exclaimed.

Minghe said, "Common people can become gods!"

Xiao Yuanping's eyes widened, "How can they become gods?"

Danzi said, "Doing good deeds can turn you into a deity!"

Minghe, looking at Xiao Yuanping, asked, "Do you know who the Door Gods are?"

"Who?" Pei Yiyang, much older than the three children and typically bold enough to pluck hair from a mouse, genuinely didn't know and leaned over the stone table with interest.

"Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong!" Danzi exclaimed.

Minghe explained, "They protected the Emperor and the people, and then became Door Gods."

Pei Yiyang turned to ask, "Mother, Father, is that true?"

The Grand Princess and Minister Pei, surprised that Danzi and Minghe knew about this at their young age, nodded in agreement.

"And Guan Yu!" Minghe added.

Danzi said, "And Zhong Kui!"

Xiao Yuanping looked up in admiration, "Wow, Huangxiang and Minghe know so much."

Pei Yiyang also curiously asked, "Little chubby guys, you—"

"Don't call us little chubby!" The three children roared in unison, nearly shaking the pavilion roof.

Pei Yiyang, the Grand Princess, Minister Pei, and Xiao Yu were all startled.

A dead silence followed.

The three children also paused, startled by their outburst.

Xiao Yuanping awkwardly said, "That was loud."

Danzi and Minghe, usually quick to blame each other, caught sight of Xiao Yuanping, the perfect target to pin the blame on, and both pointed at him, saying in unison, "Your voice was too loud."

"I, I..." Xiao Yuanping opened his mouth to retort, but his voice had indeed been loud, so he turned to Pei Yiyang and gently patted his hand, saying, "Big brother, don't call me little chubby. I won't be loud anymore."

"Yuanping," the Grand Princess said, holding her forehead.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yuanping responded.

"He's not your big brother, he's your cousin," the Grand Princess corrected, pointing to Pei Yiyang.

Xiao Yuanping blinked twice, "But he looks so young." In his mind, young ones were brothers, older ones were uncles, and the elderly were grandfathers.

The Grand Princess and Minister Pei laughed again.

Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel amused.

Xiao Yuanping turned to Pei Yiyang and declared, "You're a young uncle."

Pei Yiyang nodded, "Hmm."

"Then you shouldn't spank me anymore," Xiao Yuanping negotiated with Pei Yiyang.

"It depends on the situation," Pei Yiyang didn't give a definite answer.

"I'm not playing with you anymore." Xiao Yuanping, ignoring Pei Yiyang, squeezed in between Minghe and Danzi to continue enjoying the snacks and tea.

Minister Pei, curious, asked, "Your Highness, Master Ming, are you studying with Master Xun?"

Both children nodded.

"No wonder you know about Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong," Minister Pei remarked.

The Grand Princess said, "Master Xun is extremely knowledgeable."

"It wasn't the teacher who told us, it was our uncle!" Danzi interjected.

Minghe added, "Uncle said, if we study hard and think of the common people, and work for them, we could become deities in the future!"

Minister Pei and his wife turned to Xiao Yu, "Xiao Ziqing?"

Xiao Yu bowed slightly, "I was once an ordinary commoner, just like everyone else, hoping for a good official, enough food, and warm clothing. Now, I am fortunate to be a minor official, yet I lack the ability to help the common people. But His Highness and Minghe might become pillars of society in the future, benefiting the people and making Da Jing a better place. So, I shared the anecdotes I've read as stories with them."

Minister Pei and the Grand Princess, who have been committed to the welfare of the people since birth, and despite neglecting Pei Yanli and Pei Yiyang, felt no regret. Hearing Xiao Yu's aspirations and his teachings to the children moved them.

Minister Pei said, "Well spoken."

The Grand Princess, no longer hiding her feelings, smiled at Xiao Yu and genuinely complimented, "Xiao Yu, you are a good man."

Xiao Yu, puzzled by the Grand Princess's changing demeanor, respectfully responded, "Serving the ruler's grace, sharing the ruler's concerns. It is my duty."

Minister Pei and the Grand Princess nodded.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, and they noticed the sky changing.

"Ah, it's going to rain," Xiao Yuanping said.

Minister Pei and the Grand Princess stood up, preparing to return to their residence.

Pei Yiyang, having discovered the joys of the palace, was reluctant to leave.

The Grand Princess said, "You have lessons tomorrow."

"I'm not going," Pei Yiyang stated stubbornly.

Minister Pei tried to persuade him.

But Pei Yiyang wouldn't listen.

At this point, Xiao Yu spoke up, "I heard that General Pei, at the age of seven or eight, studied diligently, excelling in rituals, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics at the academy."

Pei Yiyang's spirits lifted, and he took the Grand Princess's hand, saying, "Mother, let's return home."

Minister Pei and the Grand Princess looked at Xiao Yu with a mix of surprise and admiration.

Xiao Yu bowed, "I bid farewell to the Grand Princess."

The three children followed suit with their own bows.

The Grand Princess and her family left the pavilion with smiles.

Suddenly, Pei Yiyang turned back, "Xiao Ziqing, I'll come to play with you on my day off."

Xiao Yu smiled, "I await the honor of the Second Young Master's visit."

Finally, the Grand Princess and her family departed.

Xiao Yu instructed the servants to quickly take Xiao Yuanping back to avoid the rain. He then took Minghe and Danzi by their hands back to the prince's residence, before lying down on the large bed in the east wing room.

"Uncle, are you tired?" Minghe asked.

"Tired indeed." Meeting the Grand Princess felt like shedding a layer of skin. The most perplexing part was that he couldn't figure out her current attitude towards him. Indeed, the mind of a woman, no, specifically the Grand Princess, was as unfathomable as the depths of the sea.

"Uncle, where are you tired? Let me help you with a massage." Danzi's little hands began to press on Xiao Yu's legs.

Minghe joined in with the massage.

Xiao Yu felt a profound warmth in his heart. He pulled the two children onto the bed, played with them for a while, and then they all took an afternoon nap together.

When he woke up, he found that the Grand Princess had sent him a jade ruyi, as long as a forearm, of excellent quality and beautiful design, adorned with auspicious clouds, clearly very valuable.

"What does sending this jade ruyi mean?" Xiao Yu wondered.

Hearing his mumble, Danzi said, "It means she wishes you well!"

Xiao Yu asked, "Is that what it means?"

"What else could it mean?" the two children retorted.

Xiao Yu remained skeptical.

Unexpectedly, the next day the Grand Princess sent more gifts – "Myths and Legends through the Ages" and "Agricultural Affairs of Da Jing," meant for Xiao Yu's reading. On the third and fourth days, and then every few days, she sent very practical and timely items like cooling cotton wadding, and a large cloak for windy days…

Xiao Yu couldn't help but say, "It seems she really does wish me well."

"Right!" both children agreed.

Smiling, Xiao Yu stroked the children's chubby cheeks, "You don't even know what I'm talking about, and yet you agree."

"Right!" the children repeated.

Xiao Yu playfully tickled the two children.

Danzi, while laughing, said, "Uncle is always right!"

"Yes! Uncle is the best, he makes everyone happy," Minghe added.

It was undeniable that the Grand Princess's concern and the words of Minghe and Danzi were heartwarming. Xiao Yu suddenly realized that the Grand Princess's earlier challenges might have been a test of his character, and now her care indicated her satisfaction with him.

Thinking this way, everything seemed to make sense. He felt happy and wanted to share this with Pei Yanli, but unfortunately, he was currently unaware of Pei Yanli's situation and couldn't write to him.

"Xiao Ziqing! I'm here!" Xiao Yuanping's voice suddenly came from outside.

Xiao Yu and his two nephews stepped outside to see Xiao Yuanping running in happily.

"Xiao Ziqing, my mother sent me to bring you flowers," Xiao Yuanping said.

"Consort Zheng sent another gift." Following the autumn dream incident, Xiao Yu didn't know what Zheng Weilu and Consort Zheng had said, but Consort Zheng had been depressed for a while and hadn't interacted with the Zheng family. It was only after Lady Jiang brought news of Zheng Weirong waking up that Consort Zheng perked up. Lately, like the Grand Princess, she had been showing great concern for him and the two children.

"Mother said, having flowers in winter brightens the mood," Xiao Yuanping explained.

"Then you must thank Consort Zheng on my behalf," Xiao Yu smiled.

"Sure," Xiao Yuanping agreed.

As they were talking, Steward Qian arrived, saying, "General Pei has sent a letter, and the Emperor summons you to read it."

Xiao Yu was overjoyed, "A letter just arrived?"

"Yes, the Emperor is so pleased. He put Zheng Cifu and Zheng Shilang aside, asking you to come and read the letter immediately," Steward Qian said with a smile.

Zheng Shilang, the Right Vice Minister of Works Zheng Weilu, often stayed close to Emperor Yongxi due to water conservation projects. Xiao Yu was curious about Zheng Cifu's visit, "Zheng Cifu?"

"Yes, he woke up a while ago and today was able to walk, so he hurried over to pay respects to the Emperor," Steward Qian urged.

"I see," Xiao Yu responded.

"We want to go too!" all three children exclaimed together.

Worrying that Steward Qian and Uncle might disagree, Danzi said, "I’ll pay my respects to Father Emperor!"

"Me too," Xiao Yuanping added.

Who could stop a prince from paying respects to the Emperor?

Neither Steward Qian nor Xiao Yu could.

Minghe also wanted to go and quickly said, "I’ll pay respects to my brother’s Father Emperor."

Xiao Yu smiled and patted Minghe's head, "Let's go."

Together, they headed towards Qianxin Palace.

In the book "Emperor's Dream," Zheng Weirong was the most aggressive towards Danzi, aside from Minghe, using any tactic necessary. Xiao Yu was somewhat nervous, knowing he would eventually have to face him. Taking a deep breath, he anticipated Zheng Weirong would be seated to the left of Emperor Yongxi. He deliberately switched Danzi and Minghe's positions so he could block Zheng Weirong's view with his body if needed.

"Have they arrived?" Emperor Yongxi asked anxiously.

Xiao Yu and the others quickly entered the hall and bowed.

"Rise," said Emperor Yongxi.

Xiao Yu and the others stood up straight.

Seeing Xiao Yuanping, Emperor Yongxi said, "Yuanping, your great uncle has awakened."

Xiao Yuanping had heard about his great uncles and second uncles from his mother, but as men were not allowed in the inner palace, he didn’t know what they looked like. Knowing his great uncle, who had been in a coma, had finally awakened, he eagerly asked, "Where is he?"

"Your Highness, I have seen the Great Prince," Zheng Weirong stood up.

Xiao Yu and the others turned to look. Zheng Weirong resembled Consort Zheng but was not as delicate, with slightly higher cheekbones and a thin figure.

"Great Uncle," Xiao Yuanping greeted politely, then straightened up.

Zheng Weirong also stood up straight. Having learned about Xiao Yu from Zheng Weilu, and knowing that Xiao Yu had done much for the Crown Prince, he first looked towards Xiao Yu, indeed finding him quite handsome.

But what did that matter?

He was just a commoner, easy to deal with.

Disdainfully shifting his gaze to Xiao Yuanping, he caught a glimpse of a child's face. Looking intently, his pupils suddenly constricted, and he panickedly retreated several steps, hitting a chair and a table. Unable to steady himself, his wide sleeve knocked over the tea set on the table. Amid the crashing sounds, he fell to the ground and fainted.

"Big brother!"

"Zheng Cifu!"

Both Zheng Weilu and Emperor Yongxi shouted.

Xiao Yu and his nephews were stunned.

Xiao Yuanping asked blankly, "Is Great Uncle going to be in a coma again?"