Chapter 137

Chapter 137

"Good that you know!" Ya Ya raised her chubby little fists, threatening in a childishly fierce tone, "Next time you dare to pull my hand, I'll make you cry, not just 'waaa' but 'oww'!"

"Ya Ya!" Yue Niang scolded.

Ya Ya looked up, saw her mother's anger, and quickly hid her fists behind her back.

Yue Niang said, "He is the esteemed Second Imperial Prince."

Ya Ya, not convinced, asked, "So being a Second Imperial Prince means he can pull my hand?"

"No, he can't," Danzi quickly interjected before Yue Niang could speak, looking at Ya Ya, "You must give your consent before anyone can hold your hand."

Ya Ya looked at Danzi with her bright, grape-like eyes and nodded in agreement, "Big brother, you're right."

"Ya Ya, he is the Crown Prince," Yue Niang clarified.

Ya Ya readily agreed, "Crown Prince big brother, you're right!"

Yue Niang started to say, "No, Ya Ya, you should call him—"

"Yue Sister-in-law," Xiao Yu interrupted Yue Niang, "His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are lenient people. Considering it's Ya Ya's first visit to the palace, they won't mind these formalities, so don't be too harsh."

"But she hit the Second Prince," Yue Niang expressed her concern.

"It's just children playing, and Danzi and Minghe can handle it well," Xiao Yu reassured.

Yue Niang followed Xiao Yu's gaze to Danzi, Minghe, and Xiao Yuanping.

Xiao Yuanping had stopped crying with Danzi's comforting.

Minghe said, "I've told you before, don't call everyone 'sister' or 'brother,' and you even pulled her hand. A scolding is the least you deserve."

"Then what should I call them?" Xiao Yuanping asked, wiping away his tears.

"That's not the point!" Minghe exclaimed.

"What's the point then?" Xiao Yuanping inquired.

"The point is the other person's consent!" Ya Ya interjected.

Seeing Yue Niang and Song Sanwu about to intervene, Xiao Yu quickly whispered, "Let them sort it out themselves; it will save us the trouble."

"I'm worried Ya Ya might offend them," Yue Niang, having interacted with nobility over the years, knew their strict adherence to rules and status, and that they could easily take offense and seek retribution.

"We are friends meeting now; there's no need for formalities. We should interact as we used to," Xiao Yu suggested.

Yue Niang and Song Sanwu looked at Xiao Yu together, surprised to find that he was still the same Xiao Yu they knew - sincere, kind, and gentle, without any airs of an official. They felt a sense of warmth and reassurance.

"Let them sort it out themselves," Xiao Yu suggested.

Yue Niang and Song Sanwu no longer insisted.

"Then let's go inside," Xiao Yu proposed.

Yue Niang and Song Sanwu nodded in agreement.

The three adults walked into the main hall.

Minghe, Danzi, Xiao Yuanping, and Ya Ya were still engaged in a heated discussion.

Ya Ya, though the youngest, had seen a lot and confidently stated, "You can only hold my hand if I say you can, understand?"

Xiao Yuanping nodded.

"That's how it should be!" Ya Ya mimicked the adults' tone.

Danzi said to Xiao Yuanping, "See how sensible Ya Ya is."

"You should learn from her," Minghe added.

Xiao Yuanping looked at Ya Ya and declared, "I am older than you!"

"How old are you?" Ya Ya asked.

"How old are you?" Xiao Yuanping countered.

Ya Ya replied, "I'm a little over three years old."

Xiao Yuanping boasted proudly, "I'm much more than three years old!"

"Then, then you're older," Ya Ya conceded.

Suddenly feeling victorious, Xiao Yuanping was extremely pleased, quickly forgetting the recent upset, and asked, "So Ya Ya, can we be friends?"

"Yes, we can," Ya Ya agreed.

Xiao Yuanping joyfully said, "Great, from now on we're good friends!"

"Mhm!" Ya Ya turned to Danzi, "Crown Prince big brother, can we be good friends too?"

"Yes," Danzi smiled.

Minghe asked, "Ya Ya, do you remember us?" Although he and Danzi, like Song Sanwu and Yue Niang, had little recollection, Uncle often spoke of Ya Ya, and Danzi frequently mentioned her. So, he still remembered some moments, like when he and Danzi leaned over the bed to poke Ya Ya's chubby cheeks.

"Do I know you?" Ya Ya asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes, you do," Danzi said. "When you were little, I held you."

"My mother said I was really chubby as a baby. Could you hold me?" Ya Ya inquired.

Xiao Yuanping joined in the conversation, "Ya Ya, you're getting chubby now!"

Ya Ya looked down at her round belly and then at Xiao Yuanping's, "You're chubby too."

"Right, we're getting chubby together," said Xiao Yuanping.

Danzi replied to Ya Ya, "I'm a couple of years older than you, so I can carry you."

"Then we've known each other for a long time!" exclaimed Ya Ya.

Danzi nodded in agreement.

Minghe added, "And me too."

Suddenly feeling closer, the children stood chatting endlessly, forgetting about the adults, the place, and even the time.

Xiaozhong reminded them, "Your Highnesses, Young Master Ming, we've been standing here for quite some time. Shall we go inside and have some water?"

Danzi and the others were suddenly brought back to reality.

Ya Ya looked around and asked, "Where are my mom and dad?"

"Over there," Xiaozhong pointed in a direction.

"I want to go find my mom and dad," said Ya Ya.

Danzi said, "We'll go with you."

"Okay!" Ya Ya said happily, taking Danzi's hand, "Let’s go."

"Ya Ya, you're holding my imperial brother's hand!" Xiao Yuanping immediately said, "You said you need permission to hold hands."

Ya Ya replied, "But I and the Crown Prince big brother are good friends now, so it's okay even without permission."

"Then I want to hold your hand too," Xiao Yuanping declared.

"Okay," Ya Ya readily took Xiao Yuanping's hand, "Let's go."

Danzi reached out to take Minghe's hand, "Brother, let's go together."

The four children walked hand in hand into the hall.

Xiao Yu smiled at Song Sanwu and Yue Niang, "See, they are playing together again."

"Dad, Mom, I'm thirsty. Where's the water?" Ya Ya asked as she walked in.

"Right here," Xiao Yuanping ran ahead to the table, "I'll pour it for you."

"I can pour it myself!" The tables in the side hall were made lower, suitable for Danzi and Minghe's height. Ya Ya easily reached the teapot on her tiptoes, poured water for herself, and then for Xiao Yuanping and the others, showing her independence.

"Ya Ya is growing up so well," Xiao Yu inwardly admired the girl's uniqueness.

Yue Niang explained, "Our family has been traveling as escorts, sometimes in good conditions, sometimes in harsh ones. Ya Ya has not only adapted well but is more generous and proper than most children."

Song Sanwu nodded repeatedly, extremely proud.

"Now that she's growing up, we also want to settle down and let her learn the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It's beneficial for her future," Yue Niang, who hadn't planned on being an escort forever.

In the book 'Emperor's Dream,' the female protagonist's family also traveled for a while before settling into a peaceful life. Now was a good time for that, Xiao Yu said, "Song Sanwu is now an officer and has a residence in the capital. You can settle down here."

Yue Niang nodded, "That's our plan."

Song Sanwu stated, "I may not know much else, but I am familiar with the geography and customs of the border areas." He felt he was capable of holding the position of a military officer.

"This is exactly what Daijing needs," Xiao Yu said.

They chatted for a while longer and had lunch together.

Xiao Yu arranged for Song Sanwu and his family to rest in the East Palace at noon.

In the evening, they all attended a welcoming banquet.

Emperor Yongxi was in a good mood, rewarding meritorious deeds and granting Song Sanwu a residence.

That night, Xiao Yu hosted Song Sanwu and his family at the East Palace for rest.

The next day, Xiao Yu left the palace with them, arriving at the Song residence. He then frequently left the palace to help the Song family settle into their new home, taking them around the capital to sightsee, and eventually brought them to the Hezi No.2 Restaurant to meet Chef Yu, Grandma Yu, Yu Tongtong, and Cong Ge'er.

The old acquaintances were excited, happy, and deeply moved upon meeting.

They gathered for a hearty meal, and upon learning that Song Sanwu was now a military officer, everyone praised his capabilities.

Song Sanwu said, "It's nothing, I still need to work hard."

"Dad, strive to become a general!" Ya Ya urged.

"Alright, dad will try his best!" Song Sanwu, as always, doted on his daughter.

Xiao Yu watched them, smiling. But as he smiled, he suddenly felt dizzy and staggered.

"Xiao Yu, what's wrong?" Yue Niang noticed and asked.

"It's nothing." Xiao Yu recovered quickly, but he was concerned as the dizziness had been occurring frequently. Therefore, after returning to the East Palace, he went to see Doctor Shi to explain his condition in detail.

Doctor Shi thoroughly examined him with inquiry and palpation.

Xiao Yu asked, "What's the diagnosis?"

After pondering for a while, Physician Shi replied, "It seems to be due to exhaustion."

Xiao Yu reflected on his recent activities. Besides taking care of the two children, he had been hosting Song Sanwu's family and frequently visiting Little River No. 2 Restaurant. Indeed, he had been quite exhausted.

"You need to rest properly," advised Physician Shi.

Xiao Yu nodded in agreement.

"I'll prescribe some calming and energy-boosting medicine for you."

"No need, I'll just rest. I'd rather not drink that bitter medicine and prefer to recuperate with nourishing food," Xiao Yu, who disliked the taste of medicinal herbs, thought.

However, Physician Shi insisted, "It's better to take some. Otherwise, the General and His Highness will worry."

Reluctantly, Xiao Yu agreed, took the medicine home, brewed a bowl, held his nose, and drank it down. After a good night's sleep, he felt much more energetic the next day and didn't experience any dizziness for the following few days.

It seemed that it was indeed caused by exhaustion.

After resting for several more days, Xiao Yu changed into casual clothes and prepared to leave the palace.

Lu Ming and Pei Yanli arrived.

"Where are you headed, Madame Pei?" Lu Ming jokingly called out.

Xiao Yu swiftly kicked at Lu Ming, "What nonsense are you shouting?"

Lu Ming quickly dodged behind Pei Yanli, "Who's shouting nonsense? His Majesty and the Grand Princess are discussing your and Yanli's auspicious wedding date."

Xiao Yu looked at Pei Yanli, "Is he telling the truth?"

"Yes, they're considering dates before and after the New Year," Pei Yanli confirmed.

"See, congratulations to you both," Lu Ming said.

"Thank you," Xiao Yu graciously accepted, then turned to Pei Yanli and asked, "Are you busy today?"

"Not busy, I'll accompany you out of the palace," Pei Yanli replied.

"I'll join too," Lu Ming chimed in.

Just then, Xiao Yuanping appeared, "I'm going out of the palace too."

Minghe and Danzi also arrived, "We're going out of the palace too."

"Don't you have classes?" Xiao Yu purposely chose to leave the palace when the children were in class.

Minghe said, "Uncle, I saw you preparing casual clothes last night."

"Whenever you get ready with casual clothes, it means you're going out of the palace. So today, my brother and I asked Father Emperor for permission, and we can leave the palace," Danzi explained.

Children being too smart wasn’t always a good thing. Xiao Yu relented, "You've been leaving the palace too frequently. Maybe not today."

Xiao Yuanping protested, "We haven't been out for months."

"Really?" Xiao Yu questioned.

"Yes, and I'm going out today no matter what," Xiao Yuanping pouted, crossing his arms in a defiant stance.

Since Emperor Yongxi had agreed and they were protected by covert guards, Xiao Yu consented.

The group, dressed in casual clothes, arrived at the Yu family's small courtyard.

On the threshold, two chubby children were sitting, eating peanuts.

"Ya Ya!" Xiao Yuanping called out.

Ya Ya looked up, her eyes lighting up with joy, "Yuanheng brother!"

"Ya Ya!" Xiao Yuanping ran towards her.

Agilely, Ya Ya dodged him and ran straight to Danzi, "Yuanheng brother!"

Danzi, with a smile, asked, "You're here too?"

"Yes, I have peanuts for you," Ya Ya said, opening her palm.

"Thank you," Danzi reached out to take one.

Xiao Yuanping stood aside, his little mouth pouting again.

Minghe went to check on Cong'er.

Xiao Yu, Pei Yanli, and Lu Ming, trying to suppress their laughter, entered the Yu family's courtyard.

Yue Niang was talking with Chef Yu and Old Lady Yu.

Chef Yu exclaimed angrily, "They are such cowards!"

Xiao Yu, smiling, asked, "Chef Yu, who are you calling cowards?"