Gu Mingyan pulled Xiao Jinheng's hand and walked to the desk to sit down, examining him closely.
"Heng'er has gained quite a bit of weight recently, and his complexion has improved!" Gu Mingyan said with a smile.
He had two things to do during his visit to Dashui Village.
First, to inspect the agarwood forest on Tuofeng Mountain...
Second, to specifically visit Xiao Jinheng.
His nephew had a rather difficult fate, having to flee to Dashui Village at such a young age to escape court disputes...
However, this was for the best. During his years in Dashui Village, Xiao Jinheng had not only grown fair and tender with abundant energy but also his asthma had somewhat eased.
"Uncle, Heng'er has no worries about food and clothing, how could he not gain weight!" Xiao Jinheng poured Gu Mingyan a cup of tea.
He had no relatives in Dashui Village, so he was always exceptionally happy to see his uncle.
Gu Mingyan reached out and pinched his little cheek, his eyes overflowing with doting affection and concern, "Has your asthma improved much?"
It was said that ever since the little treasure next door appeared, Heng'er had found a miraculous remedy that worked wonders...
Moreover, that little prodigy had designed a waterwheel single-handedly, which, upon its application in the Daliang Kingdom, had benefited countless people.
He was planning to find time to visit her.
Xiao Jinheng smiled faintly, "It's much better now!"
The water spray given by the little village child was simply invincible...
Every time he had an attack, just two sprays would stop his wheezing completely.
Looking at all the imperial physicians, they only made him drink medicine or use needles, with no effect at all.
"Uncle, are Father Emperor and Mother Empress well?" Xiao Jinheng asked in a low voice.
Although he longed to see his parents, he was reluctant to leave Dashui Village...
Even if he had to leave, he would have to take the little village child with him.
Otherwise, what was the point of returning to the deep palace alone?
Gu Mingyan nodded gently, "Everything is well, but you cannot return to the capital yet. Your uncle is accelerating his plans to eliminate those treacherous officials and sycophants, preparing for your return to the capital in the future..."
Xiao Jinheng let out an "Oh" and lowered his head silently.
Gu Mingyan stood up, surveyed the room's furnishings, and asked, "I heard the house where Heng'er used to live was dangerous. Has the new house been built?"
How could a dignified prince live in such a cramped thatched hut?
Xiao Jinheng nodded, "It's almost finished!"
His own house was being built, and now he was helping the Yun family build their house...
"Is there enough money?"
"It's enough, I don't lack money here!"
The agarwood sold would be enough for him to spend for a very, very long time.
Moreover, every time Kong Xingzhuo returned to the capital, he brought a lot of silver notes and precious items...
Gu Mingyan paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.
Seeing his nephew's eyes drooping with sleep, he pursed his lips and smiled.
This little sleepyhead.
Never mind, he still had to go into the mountains tonight. After inspecting the agarwood forest, he had to rush back to the capital...
After chatting with Xiao Jinheng for a few more words, Gu Mingyan walked out of Du Lao San's door. A group of his subordinates were waiting outside.
"Wait for me a little longer!" Gu Mingyan glanced towards Fu Daqiang's house.
He wanted to see that rare little prodigy.
Little Xi Tian had already fallen asleep.
She dreamt of eating spicy and fragrant hot pot, feeling warm all over, with sweat beading on her forehead...
"Hot!" She kicked off the quilt and scratched her little belly.
The kang was too hot at night, and she was covered with a thick quilt, so it was no wonder she was sweating.
Gu Shi casually tucked the quilt back in and covered it with a blanket, afraid her daughter would catch a chill.
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Mother, if you keep smothering me like this, I'll die of heat!
So, Little Xi Tian kicked off the quilt again and moved towards the head of the kang.
On her left slept Gu Shi and Sister Guihua, and on her right slept Liu Cuirong, Jin Huaihua, and Hu Xier...
Yun Xiaobao had been carried to his father's room.
A dog barked from outside, and the door was knocked.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
A moment later, Fu Daqiang opened the door holding a lantern, his face full of sleepiness, "Oh dear, who is not sleeping in the middle of the night?"
The moment the door opened, he saw soldiers in armor standing outside.
Fu Daqiang knew these people were looking for Master Xiao next door.
Why had they suddenly come to their house?
He had only stolen a water缸 from Zhang the Cripple's house six years ago, and apart from that, he hadn't committed any major offense...
Gu Mingyan cupped his hands in a salute, "Apologies for the disturbance! Here!"
He directly handed Fu Daqiang a silver ingot and asked with a smile, "I would like to meet Yun Xi Tian. Please inform her!"
Fu Daqiang froze for three seconds and quickly returned the silver to Gu Mingyan, "Oh, what's with the informing? Why are you giving me silver? Wait here, I'll go to the backyard and call her for you..."
That silver ingot weighed five or six taels; he dared not accept it.
Gu Mingyan's visit had stirred up the Yun family.
Gu Shi, holding Little Xi Tian, hurried into the front yard, followed by Da Man, Er Man, and Jin Huaihua.
Gu Mingyan looked at the sleeping sweet baby, a smile curving his lips.
Then he looked at Gu Shi, "I am Gu Mingyan, Heng'er's uncle. Thanks to everyone's care, Heng'er has not suffered too much in the village. Gu thanks you all here..."
"Hoo, hoo!~" Little Xi Tian snored softly.
Her cute and soft appearance melted Gu Mingyan's steely heart.
Gu Shi smiled and said, "Master Xiao has also helped us a lot. If we are to express our gratitude, it should be us visiting you!"
Over the years, their family had eaten a lot of snacks and roast chicken from Xiao Jinheng...
Moreover, Master Xiao had helped build the large house at the east end of the village.
"Hoo, hoo!~" Little Xi Tian squirmed in her mother's arms, her chubby little face flushed.
Gu Mingyan couldn't help but reach out to pinch her little cheek.
Da Man and Er Man immediately stepped forward, blocking their mother and sister, "What are you doing?"
Gu Mingyan's hand hung in the air, paused for a moment, and then he slowly lowered it.
"I have disturbed you greatly today. Gu will take his leave..."
With that, he mounted his horse and led his subordinates towards Tuofeng Mountain.
What a shame, he didn't get to pinch her.
Time was too rushed, he hadn't even brought any gifts.
Next time, he must give Sweet Baby a good hug.
It was said that she was full of good fortune, and just holding her would bring good luck...
"That person seemed to want to touch Sister just now!" Yun Da Man said.
"That won't do. Don't let him touch Sister's good fortune away," Yun Er Man said indignantly.
Gu Shi couldn't help but chuckle and carried her daughter back to rest.
In the latter half of the night, the sky rumbled with thunder, and a light rain fell.
Just as the villagers of Dashui Village were falling asleep, Yun Wangcai's house was brightly lit...
Yun Wangcai, along with Yun Goudan and Lu Jinping, drove a donkey cart out of the house.
Taking advantage of the light rain for cover, they quietly approached the ruins.
This donkey was stolen by Yun Goudan from another village. It was as thin as a skeleton, and they had no concentrated feed to give it.
"Hoo, so many old bricks!" Yun Goudan's eyes gleamed like light bulbs.
Yun Wangcai looked around and kicked him, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and load the cart!"
So, the family of three began to load bricks onto the cart in the light rain...