The next day, He Yuanhao, the Marquis of Wuqing of the Great Qi Dynasty and a second-rank general, rode home after the morning court session.

He Yunxiao was waiting at the door early, standing upright.

As soon as He Yuanhao dismounted, he immediately ran to his father's side with a big smile on his face.

"Father, are you going to court tomorrow?"

He Yuanhao dusted himself off and strode towards the He residence with the long strides typical of a martial artist.

"superior."

He Yunxiao immediately jogged to catch up.

"After court, is there a recess?"

"Down."

"After court, are you going home for dinner?"

He Yuanhao stopped and turned to look at He Yunxiao, who had a big smile on his face.

"You little rascal, what mischief are you up to now, rambling on and on?"

"Father, what are you saying? When have I, He Yunxiao, ever done anything wrong?"

He Yuanhao was so angry he laughed.

“When have you ever done anything wrong? Just staying at home and not going anywhere is doing a good deed for the people of Yinjing.”

He Yunxiao patted his chest and assured them, "Yesterday, I didn't do anything wrong."

The father and son walked into the inner room while talking. He Yuanhao opened his arms, and his aunt Zhang Jingxian skillfully helped him change his clothes.

“Not a single bad thing? Today, Old Huang from the Ministry of Justice even impeached me, saying that ‘He Yuanhao failed to educate his son properly and allowed him to beat and scold the sons of good officials.’”

He Yunxiao said, "That bastard Huang Buren deserves a beating! Besides, is it a bad thing for me to beat him? It's called eliminating a scourge for the people!"

He Yuanhao said, "If you really have the heart to rid the people of evil, that would be good! What kind of 'riding the people of evil' is it to fight with him for a woman? It's just acting on impulse. Also, your aunt has already told me about the hundred taels you spent on weaving flowers in Jiangnan. You're willing to spend money on women, but I've never seen you so generous to your brother Chen Ziming! If the family doesn't pay for it, we'll deduct it from your monthly allowance next month."

One hundred taels? Isn't it one thousand taels?

He Yunxiao glanced at his aunt. His aunt glared back at him fiercely.

He Yunxiao was deeply moved.

Thank you so much, Auntie, for saving my life!

After going around in circles, He Yunxiao simply couldn't continue.

There's too much of a dark past; if I keep talking about it, I'm sure I'll get beaten up.

He Yunxiao simply said, "Father, please invite an imperial physician for me."

He Yuanhao said indifferently, "Are you going to die?"

He Yunxiao thought to himself: As expected of his father, there is indeed a telepathic connection between father and son!

"Indeed. I don't have long to live."

"Oh." Hearing He Yunxiao's words, He Yuanhao was not surprised at all. "Which piece of land have you taken a fancy to? Dad will buy it for you."

He Yunxiao: ? This is my biological father?

He said, no joke, "I'm really not lying to you! I'm about to die! Have you heard of the Soul-Devouring Pill? It says you won't live more than a year after eating it! I ate it anyway!"

He Yuanhao asked, "What does it taste like?"

He Yunxiao: "Not very sweet, a bit bitter."

He Yuanhao: "Okay, a royal chef, right? I'll hire one for you."

He Yunxiao said speechlessly, "Dad, I'm really not joking."

He Yuanhao changed his clothes, straightened himself, and said, "Hold out your hand. Let me take your pulse."

He Yunxiao reached out his hand.

He Yuanhao placed two fingers on He Yunxiao's pulse, carefully sensing it, and was overjoyed.

His pulse is strong and powerful, indicating extremely tenacious vitality and considerable internal strength.

When did this kid break through to the eighth rank? And not just recently, it must have taken him some time. He's keeping his eighth-rank advancement a secret? Not bad, he's actually learned to conceal his abilities.

He Yuanhao was a man who had weathered many storms, and he didn't reveal any of his thoughts on the surface.

"Nonsense! She's perfectly healthy! Why would we need an imperial physician?"

He Yunxiao's mind was racing.

Thank you, Soul-Eating Pill! I'm so healthy now! So healthy I only have a year left to live!

"Xiao'er," Auntie Hao promptly came to He Yunxiao's rescue. "Could you go to the kitchen and see if lunch is ready?"

"good."

Having failed to see the imperial physician, He Yunxiao displayed an exaggerated sense of dejection in front of his father.

It's practically the embodiment of a zombie.

As He Yuanhao raised his foot to kick someone, the dejected He Yunxiao instantly regained his energy and immediately ran to the He family kitchen.

"Master, Xiao'er has been behaving quite well lately. At least he's willing to talk to us now."

He Yuanhao snorted.

"That's how it should be."

Then, he went back into the room and found an iron box. When he opened it, he found it contained the finest tea leaves.

"Jingxian, are you coming to the palace today?"

Zhang Jingxian noticed the tea leaves and smiled, "Hmm. I've arranged to visit the Empress Dowager with a few of my sisters. We'll also discuss the marriage between Xiao'er and Nanzhu."

“That’s perfect. I was wounded in battle and was fortunate to receive help from Physician Wei. I happened to come across this tea the other day, and it’s of excellent quality. Since you’re going to the palace today, why don’t you give this tea to Physician Wei?”

Zhang Jingxian accepted the tea leaves, a smile playing on her lips. Knowing that He Yuanhao was too embarrassed to bring He Yunxiao into the palace, she said considerately, "Master, Xiao'er hasn't been to the palace in a long time. I think the Empress Dowager would also like to meet this young master of the Marquis's mansion."

He Yuanhao waved his hand and said, "Whatever."

Then he picked up a spear and went to the backyard to practice his skills.

After lunch, He Yunxiao accompanied his aunt to the palace to visit the Empress Dowager.

Of course, before visiting the Empress Dowager, one had to pass through a perilous ordeal.

The concubine's friends were all ladies from various families, and they weren't like pampered young ladies waiting to blossom. They didn't care about the mischievousness of a junior like He Yunxiao, or the strange titles he came up with. What they cared about more were practical matters like whether he was handsome, useful, and whether he was the legitimate son.

He Yunxiao is a real heartthrob when it comes to older women; he can exceed expectations in every way, and there are very few beautiful women who don't like him.

It was around 2 PM.

He Yunxiao and Zhang Jingxian boarded the Marquis's carriage and swayed towards the palace.

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