Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Xiao Yu remembered Pei Yanli mentioning that Lu Ming had gone to Nanyue Kingdom first to familiarize with the terrain and plan for the autumn campaign. He hadn't expected Nanyue to strike first, his expression growing serious, "How are Lu Ming and his men?"

Pei Yanli replied, "Da Jing had already supplied them with medicine, so they're safe for now. But I fear further poison gas attacks, so I plan to send them more antidotes."

Xiao Yu responded, "Then we should send it right away!"

Pei Yanli asked, "How will we send it?"

"How was it sent last time?" Xiao Yu's focus had been on Yu Tongtong when Lu Ming departed for the south, so he hadn't seen Lu Ming off and was unaware of how he had left.

Pei Yanli explained, "The two antidotes are different. Last time it was just herbs that could be directly brewed; this time, it's specially made pills that can be quickly consumed to neutralize the poison without delaying the attack. They can even be taken in advance."

Noting the many advantages, Xiao Yu asked, "What's the drawback?"

Picking up a black pill, Pei Yanli replied, "The downside is they're sensitive to moisture and water, and it's challenging to transport large quantities through the humid, rainy south."

Xiao Yu examined the small pill and after a moment, asked softly, "Does it react with sugar?"

Confused, Pei Yanli queried, "What do you mean?"

Looking at Pei Yanli, Xiao Yu clarified, "I mean sugar coating."

"Sugar coating?" Pei Yanli was unfamiliar with this concept.

"Yes." Seeing Pei Yanli's confusion, Xiao Yu said, "Come outside."

Pei Yanli leaped out of the window directly.

Holding his hand, Xiao Yu asked, "Where's the kitchen?"

"Follow me," Pei Yanli, gripping Xiao Yu's hand, led the way.

The two arrived at the kitchen.

Xiao Yu simmered a bowl of thin sugar syrup on a small stove, let it cool slightly, then dropped the pills into it. He quickly scooped them out onto roasted flour, giving them a quick roll. The pills were seamlessly coated in the flour.

Pei Yanli watched and smiled softly.

Xiao Yu asked, "Will this work?"

Pei Yanli looked at Xiao Yu tenderly, "You're always the clever one."

"It's not that I'm clever, you just tend to overthink. When we cook, we often use salt, sugar, oil, and so on to season, but sometimes they also help preserve freshness," Xiao Yu explained.

"Yes, you're right," Pei Yanli agreed.

"So, this method is feasible?" Xiao Yu inquired.

"It is," Pei Yanli affirmed, looking at the sugar-coated pill, "This greatly extends its shelf life, solving our urgent need."

"Then let's get to work quickly," urged Xiao Yu.

Pei Yanli said, "I need to report this to His Majesty first."

"That's fine," Xiao Yu suddenly remembered something, "But remember, they can't be exposed to direct sunlight, or they'll melt."

"Sure, that's easy to manage. Just keep them in a cool, dry place," Pei Yanli noted, confident that moisture was the only major concern.

"That's good. Plus, sugar can provide energy and lift spirits. The soldiers will be happy to have it," Xiao Yu added.

Pei Yanli nodded, then grasped Xiao Yu's hand, "Let's go."

"Where to?"

"To the palace, to see His Majesty."

Emperor Yongxi, upon receiving the pills, examined them closely and highly praised Xiao Yu for his ingenuity.

Xiao Yu suggested making the sugar coating slightly thicker, "Since the antidote can be taken in advance as an energy boost, a bit of melting in the heat won't affect its effectiveness."

"Your Majesty, I believe this proposal is excellent," Pei Yanli concurred.

"Then I'll leave this task to you and Xiao Ziqing," declared Emperor Yongxi.

"Understood."

Exiting the Qianxin Hall, Xiao Yu suggested, "Shall we do it in the Eastern Palace?"

Pei Yanli nodded, "I'll bring the antidote there."

Xiao Yu said, "Then I'll handle the flour roasting and sugar syrup preparation."

"Alright."

The pair met in the kitchen courtyard of the Eastern Palace, arranging for the palace staff to prepare various tools. Finding the kitchen too cramped, Xiao Yu set up several assembly lines in the courtyard and enlisted the help of the Eastern Palace staff.

Minghe and Danzi rushed over after school.

Xiao Yuanping followed, calling out, "I want to help too!"

Pei Yanli quickly reached out and grabbed Xiao Yuanping by the collar.

Turning around, Xiao Yuanping asked, "Uncle Yan, what are you doing?"

Pei Yanli cautioned, "The sugar syrup is very hot; stay back."

Xiao Yuanping, pointing at Danzi and Minghe, protested, "How come they can be near it?"

Pei Yanli explained, "They know their limits." Although Danzi and Minghe were still young and showed their childish innocence around Xiao Yu, they had become much steadier in their actions.

Unconvinced, Xiao Yuanping insisted, "I know my limits too." He felt he was particularly reliable.

But in Pei Yanli's eyes, the current Xiao Yuanping and 'knowing one's limits' were entirely unrelated, so he said, "We don't need your help here."

"Then I'm going to sulk!" Xiao Yuanping pouted.

Pei Yanli's expression darkened.

Xiao Yuanping, who dared to make a fuss with Emperor Yongxi, the Empress Dowager, Xiao Yu, and Danzi, dared not act out in front of Pei Yanli, quickly changing his tone, "Then, then I won't sulk," without struggling.

Xiao Yu, watching from a distance, chuckled and approached with a box, "Danzi, Minghe, Second Prince, come over here."

Danzi and Minghe hurried over.

Xiao Yuanping turned to Pei Yanli, "Uncle Yan, can you let go of me now?"

Pei Yanli looked to Xiao Yu for guidance.

Xiao Yu nodded.

Before Pei Yanli could release his grip, Xiao Yuanping added, "Uncle Yan, don't make me beg you."

Xiao Yu couldn't help but grin.

Pei Yanli's mouth twitched slightly, then he let go.

Xiao Yuanping scampered over to Xiao Yu.

Pointing to the cubed sugar prepared by the chefs, Xiao Yu instructed, "You three need to pack these sugar cubes into the box, layering wax paper in between. Understand?"

All three children nodded in unison.

Xiao Yu told Xiao Zhongzi, "Keep an eye on their work."

Xiao Zhongzi promptly responded, "Yes."

Xiao Yu said to Pei Yanli, "This task is simple; we should be done by tomorrow morning."

Pei Yanli, observing the palace staff busy at work, nodded, "You've worked hard."

Xiao Yu replied, "Compared to the hardships of our soldiers at the front, this is nothing. I just hope Lu Ming and his men can return soon."

Pei Yanli, holding Xiao Yu's hand, affirmed, "They will."

"Then let's go help too."

Pei Yanli nodded.

The group worked until evening, producing many sugar cube antidotes.

Pei Yanli, Xiao Yuanping, and others, after a day of hard work, gradually left.

After dinner, Xiao Yu and his companions resumed packing the sugar cube antidotes.

Xiao Yu said, "Minghe, you can continue packing tomorrow."

"I'll be done soon," Minghe replied.

"Alright then." Xiao Yu went inside to prepare for a bath.

Danzi came running in.

Surprised, Xiao Yu asked, "Danzi, what brings you here?" Usually, he and Minghe did everything together, but now he had come alone.

"Uncle, brother's hair has turned whiter," Danzi said happily.

Sitting down, Xiao Yu pulled Danzi closer and asked, "Are you talking about the gray aura around Minghe’s head?"

"It's not gray anymore," Danzi replied.

"It turned white?"

"Yes, it's a faint white, not as bright as yours and Uncle Yan's."

Xiao Yu remembered when he first met Danzi, who had mentioned Minghe's head being clouded in gray. After so many experiences together, the gray aura around Minghe's head never darkened, but instead, it had grown lighter.

This meant that Minghe was gradually escaping the fate of a major antagonist. Xiao Yu felt joy in his heart and said, "That also means brother is growing fonder of you."

"Mhm." Danzi nodded happily.

"When brother's aura becomes as bright as Uncle’s and Uncle Yan’s, shining white, let me know," Xiao Yu instructed.

"Okay," Danzi agreed.

"Our Danzi is so lovable," Xiao Yu said, caressing Danzi's cheek.

Danzi smiled joyfully.

"Brother! You didn't come to help me!" Minghe entered, looking annoyed.

"I was talking to Uncle!" Danzi responded.

"Talking about what?"

"Talking about... talking about..." Danzi looked at Xiao Yu for help.

"Talking about how brother is getting better," Xiao Yu interjected.

"I was always fine," Minghe said as he approached Xiao Yu and leaned into his embrace.

Seeing this, Danzi also leaned into Xiao Yu's embrace.

As they snuggled, the two children began to jostle each other.

Xiao Yu laughed, "Stop it, you two."

This only made the children more playful.

With a "thump", all three tumbled off the chair, looking at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Get up, it's time for a bath and then bed," Xiao Yu said, still laughing.

Minghe and Danzi chorused, "Uncle, we want to sleep with you!"

"No, it's too hot!"

After their baths, the children still climbed into Xiao Yu's bed, clinging tightly to him.

"Well, they're still under six, still kids. It's okay to cuddle and sleep together occasionally," Xiao Yu reasoned, as he used to, telling the children stories before they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, they resumed making the sugar cube antidotes.

By noon, they had finished making and packing everything. That afternoon, the antidotes were sent towards the Nanyue Kingdom border, and Xiao Yu and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Half a month later, news of an initial victory from the south arrived.

Emperor Yongxi and others were overjoyed.

Business at Xiao Yu's 'Little River No. 2' restaurant flourished, and he once again considered farming and pig rearing. Soon, he began implementing his plans - renting land, building pigsties, hiring staff. He was busy for over a month, setting up pigsties, chicken coops, and fields.

The weather had turned cool.

News from the south arrived that Lu Ming had suffered a defeat, causing shock in the court, and Pei Yanli became immediately busy.

Danzi and Minghe had already been involved in handling state affairs with Emperor Yongxi and Pei Yanli, so the two youngsters also got busy. Fortunately, they didn’t work as tirelessly as the adults and returned home every night.

Xiao Yu eagerly inquired about Lu Ming's situation.

Minghe, frowning, said, "Uncle Lu was unlucky. He had just won against Nanyue Kingdom, only to encounter the Yue people."

Danzi added, "As a result, Uncle Lu was encircled by both forces."

Shocked, Xiao Yu exclaimed, "How are they doing now?"

"By the time we received the message, they had been surrounded for three days," Minghe informed.

"What’s the plan now?" Xiao Yu asked.

"His Majesty has already deployed nearby troops for support," Minghe replied.

"With two countries attacking Da Jing, it's infuriating. Father Emperor wants me to go and boost the morale," Danzi said.

Alarmed, Xiao Yu asked, "You're going? You're going to fight?"

"No," Danzi said seriously, "But as the Crown Prince, my presence represents Father Emperor. Boosting morale is enough."

Minghe added, "Uncle, I will also be accompanying him."

Looking at the two youngsters, Xiao Yu declared, "Then I will go too."

Minghe and Danzi looked at Xiao Yu together.

"Is that not okay?" Xiao Yu inquired.