Xiao Jin Yu had never tried to completely let go of official duties before. Only when he truly released control did he discover that everyone under Prince An Manor was like camels—the busier they were, the more capable they became. After a period of intense work, it became habitual. Even Jing Yi could handle three to five cases simultaneously. Although the public trial process was often disastrous, the basic case facts could still be clarified clearly.
After Xiao Jin Yu stopped overseeing affairs for several days, these people remained busy yet orderly. This allowed Xiao Jin Yu to peacefully accompany his son, personally feeding him medicine, bathing him, and coaxing him to sleep together with Chu Chu.
When the little one reached his first full month, the Emperor had already bestowed upon him the title of Prince Cheng. As the child belonged to the Qing generation, Xiao Jin Yu gave him the name "Ping," hoping not for great achievements but for a lifetime of peace and safety.
Just before Qing Ping’s first birthday, he was running a fever. Xiao Jin Yu had no mood for elaborate banquets, but Steward Zhao insisted, "We skipped the full-month celebration, the hundred-day celebration, and if we skip the first birthday too, the child will miss out on all auspicious energy, making him more susceptible to negative influences."
Xiao Jin Yu didn’t believe in such superstitions, but Chu Chu did, so he agreed. He instructed Steward Zhao to simply invite a few relatives and friends, leaving the rest casual. Wu Jiang was in charge of the guest list, which Xiao Jin Yu didn’t even glance at. Thus, when a servant reported the arrival of Xiao Jue and Leng Yan on the eve of Qing Ping’s birthday, Xiao Jin Yu choked on the tea he had just sipped and was speechless for a long moment.
Xiao Jue and Leng Yan’s purpose was clear: to attend the banquet and deliver a practical gift.
Xiao Jue smiled respectfully and lightly, "Seventh Uncle’s household lacks nothing, so Yan’er and I were unsure what to give... We heard Ping’er hasn’t been well, and thought it was time to return Mr. Gu to Seventh Uncle."
Only then did Xiao Jin Yu notice Gu He Nian standing behind Leng Yan, dressed in a bright red robe with a stylized longevity character embroidered in gold thread on the chest. His white beard was braided into a plait tied with a red ribbon, fastened into a cute bow at the end. Standing there, he resembled a festive gift wrapped in red paper—utterly jubilant.
It was clearly the kind of idea only a woman from the Leng family could conceive and execute.
Having spent considerable time with Xiao Jue and Leng Yan, Gu He Nian had often been teased by the mischievous Leng Yan. Initially, he tolerated it out of respect for her background as a descendant of a military family and a prince’s wife. But as the bullying became frequent and Xiao Jue turned a blind eye, Gu He Nian stopped holding back. He glared relentlessly at the back of Leng Yan’s head and muttered under his breath near her ear, "You ungrateful wretch, killing the donkey after it’s done the grinding..."
Leng Yan turned her head with a radiant smile, "Why the hurry? I’m not killing you—just switching your mill. Back to work." She cheerfully tugged the white braid hanging from Gu He Nian’s chin, adding, "Do your best."
Xiao Jin Yu had to admit, this gift truly struck a chord with him. He had previously considered seeking another expert, but finding a physician more skilled than Ye Qian Qiu was genuinely difficult.
Xiao Jin Yu bowed respectfully to Gu He Nian, who was fuming but could only glare at Leng Yan, and said, "My son is entrusted to your care, Mr. Gu."
Gu He Nian hurriedly stepped forward to return the courtesy, "Wang Ye, you are too kind... It is all due to my apprentice’s inadequate skills. This old man bears full responsibility..."Leng Yan followed Gu He Nian to the bedroom to see the child, while Xiao Jin Yu sat in the hall. Observing Xiao Jue, whose complexion had clearly improved a great deal, he couldn't help but ask, "You're feeling much better, aren't you?"
Xiao Jue smiled somewhat bitterly. "Mr. Gu has already done his utmost, but I can only manage to fall ill less frequently. As for the rest..."His gaze lowered helplessly as he looked at his body, still limp in the wheelchair." "I've grown accustomed to it, but it's been hard on Yan'er..."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly. He understood Xiao Jue's feelings better than anyone, yet all he could say was, "Take good care of yourself."
Xiao Jue nodded, his smile fading as he frowned lightly. "Seventh Uncle, I came for another matter as well."
Xiao Jin Yu was slightly taken aback. "Hmm?"
With his somewhat clumsy hands, Xiao Jue carefully retrieved an envelope from his chest and handed it to Xiao Jin Yu. Xiao Jin Yu opened the envelope and unfolded the letter. Before even reading the content, merely catching sight of the familiar handwriting, he frowned and stuffed the letter back into the envelope.
Seeing Xiao Jin Yu's impatient expression, Xiao Jue asked cautiously, "Seventh Uncle... Sixth Uncle came to me last month and asked me to pass this to you. He said if you continue to ignore him, he'll come to your residence directly... Has something happened?"
"It's nothing..." Xiao Jin Yu replied calmly as he put away the envelope. "Your visit to the capital isn't solely for Ping'er's birthday, is it?"
Xiao Jue smiled wryly. "To be honest with you, Seventh Uncle, I received the invitation on my way to the capital... I came this time for an official assignment from the emperor."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly but didn't press further, saying only, "The capital isn't like Jiangnan. You and Yan'er should stay at my residence to avoid any trouble."
"Thank you, Seventh Uncle."
Xiao Jin Yu smiled gently. "I should be the one thanking you for your generous gift."
When Xiao Jin Yu returned to his room, he found that the little one was thoroughly enjoying the gift from Xiao Jue and Leng Yan. Lying in Gu He Nian's arms, the child was delightedly tugging at Gu He Nian's white beard and even trying to stuff it into his mouth.
Seeing Xiao Jin Yu enter, Leng Yan knew Xiao Jue was waiting outside alone, so she bowed and took her leave.
"Wang Ye..." Gu He Nian once again carefully rescued his poor beard from the little one's mouth. "The little prince's other ailments are manageable, but he was born with a heart condition. He will need careful conditioning for the rest of his life."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded gently. He and Chu Chu had heard this when Ye Qian Qiu first examined the child. Hearing Gu He Nian say that the other ailments weren't serious actually put them somewhat at ease.
Chu Chu took their son from Gu He Nian's arms, smiling tenderly at the little one who was still staring longingly at Gu He Nian's beard. "He's much more well-behaved than Wang Ye, so he'll surely recover with proper care."
Xiao Jin Yu looked somewhat embarrassed.
When it came to their child's illness, Chu Chu was far more optimistic than Xiao Jin Yu. When they first learned the little one was born with a heart condition—likely requiring lifelong medication and constantly facing life-threatening risks—Xiao Jin Yu was so shocked he nearly had an episode. After her initial surprise, Chu Chu remarked, "No matter how poor his health, it's still better than his father's, right? He only has heart problems, while his father doesn't have a single healthy organ in his body. If I could nurse his father back to health, I can certainly raise him well too."
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