When the two-wheeled wooden chair was finally finished, Huo Ya An sat on it and tested it. "Hmm, not bad. He Shen, push me around the courtyard." He Shen stood behind Ya An, pushing the backrest. As expected, the wheels rolled forward, allowing him to be pushed along.
"En, I feel much better mentally these past few days. You can let the princess consort come now." Ya An felt his wrist had recovered greatly, and Xiǎo Mèng also said his wrist bones had almost grown back. He no longer needed to suspend his arm and tie it to his chest with a sling, merely resting it on the armrest of the wooden chair so his wrist wouldn't be too strained.
His leg bones indeed needed time to heal. When sitting, he tried to avoid letting them hang down for too long. Therefore, the two-wheeled wooden chair was currently just a means of transportation. Most of the time, he was either in bed or on the reclining chair, and his legs still needed to be kept as horizontal as possible.
"My Lord, the princess consort is here. Please sit here, or perhaps on the recliner to stretch your legs first." The male servant felt that the princess consort would need to seek the Emperor's permission to enter the palace and go through some procedures. The princess consort wouldn't arrive immediately upon hearing the news; she would need time to dress and adorn herself, pack some essential small items and changes of clothes from the manor for his lord, and bring the young prince. At the soonest, it would take half a day.
Ya An could only sigh and let He Shen carry him to the reclining chair. During the boring waiting time, he would draw mechanical puppets and occasionally do some delicate work that didn't require much effort, such as coloring some puppet parts or carving patterns.
When He Shen had nothing else to do, he would bring a stool and sit nearby, holding those parts in his hands. Ya An treated He Shen as a stand, meticulously carving. At first, Ya An would chat with him intentionally or unintentionally, but he discovered that He Shen was also a man of few words, so he stopped trying.
"Sir, why do I feel like you're so eager for the princess consort's arrival?" Xiǎo Mèng asked, puzzled.
"Of course! He's my family in this life, after all~ And there's a child~" Ya An thought about it and felt it was quite good. An experience he'd never had before...
"Sir, you're not actually planning to settle down with the princess consort, are you?" Xiǎo Mèng suddenly realized his lord’s stirring, rippling thoughts.
"Why? Is that not allowed?" Ya An asked, confused. "Shouldn't I follow the trajectory of this world? If I don't settle down with the princess consort, wouldn't that be strange? Especially since we already have a child."
"Did you forget the mission objective, ah..." Xiǎo Mèng sighed. "You haven't asked about the Young Emperor's condition for several days."
Ya An finally remembered. "Oh, right, right. How is he? But isn't his inner demon related to imperial power? Can he still control whether I settle down?"
Xiǎo Mèng hesitated before speaking. "Sir, actually... I've recently felt that the Young Emperor's feelings for you are no longer purely innocent..."
"Ah?" Ya An's hand trembled.
"My Lord?" He Shen was startled, seeing Ya An's hand holding the carving knife suddenly tremble. "Are you tired? Let's take a rest." Ya An took the opportunity to hand the carving knife to He Shen. "I'll recuperate..." Then he closed his eyes, focusing on discussing the Young Emperor's issue with Xiǎo Mèng.
He Shen took the carving knife and parts in his hands and stood up, glancing at Ya An, who was leaning back in the reclining chair with his eyes closed, recuperating. The former Huo Ya An, a young general, had been so majestic on horseback with a sword in hand, his gaze sharp, striking fear into opponents on the battlefield and making his soldiers immensely proud.
He Shen and the others always took pride in being subordinates and followers of Huo Ya An. Their lord was not a useless fop; the honor he earned was through his own true capabilities.
Yet, such a spirited young man, ever since entering the palace, had been gradually smoothed down, his proud edges worn away, gradually becoming the placid person he was now... no longer possessing his former heroic bearing...
"Tell me, what's going on with the Young Emperor?" Ya An asked Xiǎo Mèng in the sea of consciousness.
Xiǎo Mèng probed He Shen's expression... Tsk tsk... Is his lord really that popular? Why does he always claim to have no romantic experience?
"Mm..." For now, it's better to discuss the Young Emperor's matters. Xiǎo Mèng put He Shen aside for later. "When Sir was just injured, the Young Emperor's emotions fluctuated, but not significantly. Now, it's detected that the Young Emperor's inner demon has somewhat eased, and he feels guilt towards you."
Ya An said, "This is within my expectations. Otherwise, why would I have told you not to help me heal? It was precisely to make him feel guilty first, so he could gradually let go of his hatred and focus his thoughts on state affairs. By taking this opportunity to return political power to him, he would have no reason for hatred, and naturally, no inner demon."
Xiǎo Mèng pondered, "Sir, what you said makes a lot of sense... but I feel this Young Emperor's feelings for you are not just simple hatred for power... Those eyes somewhat resemble Mò Yǔ from the previous world..."
Ya An instantly bristled. "Aiya! Child, have you been led astray?! This Young Emperor and I are uncle and nephew! Putting aside whether the imperial family can accept relationships between men, the relationship itself makes it impossible, right?!"
Xiǎo Mèng tilted his head. "Is that so?"
Ya An began to explain to Xiǎo Mèng. "Humans are different from us. They have their own ethical codes."
Xiǎo Mèng searched his memory. "But Sir, I've read about the backgrounds of these princes. The second prince's mother was the Emperor's niece at the time..."
Uh... It can be like that? Wasn't it said that humans highly value ethics and morals? And they discriminate against the demon race for inbreeding?!
Xiǎo Mèng continued, "It seems that among the royal family and nobility, there's also talk of marrying within the family to maintain noble bloodlines, and not marrying outsiders... However, there have been male consorts in previous dynasties, though never a male emperor."
"Hmm?" Ya An's tone lifted. "Did you misunderstand something? Why would there be a male emperor? Do you think I have to be with the Young Emperor again for the mission?"
Xiǎo Mèng shrugged in the sea of consciousness. "The Young Emperor seems to have that intention."
Ya An strongly refused. "Isn't my mission to purify soul fragments and prevent him from demonization? Is the only way to prevent him from demonizing if he is dominated?! I'm not a vessel this time! Besides, Huo Ya An has a wife and child... As an emperor, he certainly needs to produce heirs. It absolutely couldn't be what you're saying!"
Xiǎo Mèng sighed. "Alright, if that's what you say, then perhaps it is..."
Ya An nodded firmly. "That's exactly it!"
After lunch, someone came to report that the princess consort had entered the palace. Ya An quickly had someone change him into a moon-white robe, sat on the two-wheeled wooden chair, and tidied his loose hair.
The maidservants and male servants beside him covered their mouths and giggled. The Regent's slightly nervous demeanor truly gave the feeling of a reunion after a long separation.
A voice announced, "The princess consort is here." Ya An saw a woman in a blue robe appear at the doorway, carrying a young boy dressed in a green long gown. The woman had a clear and elegant face, with light makeup and somewhat heroic hair accessories – fitting for the daughter of General Dingyuan, who likely possessed martial skills.
Observing her posture and commanding aura, she did not seem like a delicate woman.
"My Lord," came a slightly choked voice, her eyes also slightly red, "how did you get so badly injured..."
The princess consort stopped in place, looking Ya An up and down, hesitating to approach. However, the child ran over, going straight to Ya An's lap. Ya An hissed "hiss!", startling the princess consort, who quickly ran back and picked up the child. "Yǔ'er, don't be naughty. Father's leg is injured, you mustn't be so rash."
Ya An frowned. That moment did sting, but fearing he might frighten the child, he forced a smile and lifted the thin blanket covering his leg. "It's just this leg that's injured. You being here won't cause any trouble." Then he reached out. "Let Father hug you and see if Yǔ'er has gained weight."
The princess consort placed Huò Qīngyǔ on the ground, warning, "Be careful."
Huò Qīngyǔ leaned on Ya An's right side. "Mother said Father fell from his horse. How could you be so careless?"
Ya An smiled. "Yes, so Yǔ'er, you must be careful when riding a horse in the future." He then stroked Huò Qīngyǔ's head. "When Father is not home, Yǔ'er must take good care of Mother."
Huò Qīngyǔ looked up and smiled in agreement. "Mm, Yǔ'er understands. Yǔ'er will also practice martial arts and grow up to protect Father and Mother."
Ya An smiled and nodded, then looked at the princess consort, Zhào Lánzhī. "You've worked hard, Lánzhī."
Zhào Lánzhī shook her head, her eyes still red. "My Lord, why are you being so polite? I'm not some delicate lady who always needs to be taken care of. When My Lord is not in the manor, I can manage the affairs inside and outside the residence. My Lord need not worry." She then looked at Huo Ya An's right hand, which hadn't moved from its resting place on the armrest. "Your right hand is also injured, My Lord?"
"Mm, it's just my wrist that's injured. It's nothing," he said, raising his right hand to show Zhào Lánzhī. "This leg is only a minor leg injury. It's just inconvenient to move. I'll recuperate in the palace for now... When I'm better, I'll request permission from His Majesty to return to the manor to recover."
"Mm..." Zhào Lánzhī nodded. She knew that people with fractured leg bones should not move too much, as it would hinder bone recovery. "The palace staff reported that you were injured, and then they wouldn't let me see you, so I guessed it must be quite serious... considering your situation... But My Lord, please rest assured, Lánzhī is not an ordinary woman. Whatever My Lord wishes to do, Lánzhī will support him. The General Dingyuan's manor stands behind My Lord, and we will never let My Lord suffer unjustly." She then wiped the tears from her face.
Ya An sighed. "What are you saying... Come closer." Zhào Lánzhī moved closer, and Ya An reached out his left hand to stroke her cheek. "There are many eyes and ears in the palace, and not everyone in the manor can be trusted. You must be careful with your words and actions, don't give anyone an opportunity to grasp at straws and cause unnecessary trouble."
Ya An had just received a hint from Xiǎo Mèng that Huò Qīngzhōu was on his way, and he quickly reminded Zhào Lánzhī. Zhào Lánzhī took Huo Ya An's hand, removed it from her face, and held it between her own hands, her eyes full of determination. "I have noted My Lord's words, Lánzhī. My Lord, please rest assured."
Huò Qīngyǔ, at this moment, was looking curiously at the wheels of Ya An's wooden chair, touching them up and down. "Why does Father's chair have wheels?"
Ya An chuckled. "This way, I can walk even without using my legs~" He then looked at Huò Qīngyǔ. "Try pushing it."
Huò Qīngyǔ walked behind the chair and pushed hard. The wheels rolled forward, and indeed, they moved Huo Ya An. "It's like pushing a cart."
"Yes," Ya An replied. "Yǔ'er is amazing, you can even push it."
The child, praised, became more energetic, pushing with all his might. However, he was only a five-year-old child, and his height only reached the back of the chair. Ya An was tall, so Huò Qīngyǔ couldn't see the road ahead. As he kept pushing forward, the ground in the courtyard was not flat, and workers had been there a few days prior. He must have run over something, and the wheel suddenly stopped. But Huò Qīngyǔ was still applying force. For a moment, Huò Qīngyǔ, pushing against the backrest, caused Ya An, who was sitting on it, to tilt forward. They were about to fall to the ground together.
"My Lord!"
"Be careful!"
"Not good!"
The maidservants, male servants, and Zhào Lánzhī all shouted. But fortunately, no one was hurt. He Shen rushed over, scooped up Huò Qīngyǔ with one arm, and grabbed the backrest with the other. The chair finally didn't tip over.
However, Ya An was still pushed forward by the force. Although the chair was stabilized and he had grabbed the armrest with his left hand, he could only exert force with his left hand. His body still fell forward. He Shen was too late. Just as he was about to fall to his knees, and his right lower leg was about to take another impact, someone rushed past in front of him, forcefully supporting Ya An under his armpits with both hands, causing him to collide into their embrace without touching the ground, finally preventing him from falling.
Several people quickly rushed over from behind and helped Ya An up, readjusting him back onto the wooden chair.
"Is My Lord alright?"
"Is His Majesty alright?"
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
In an instant, the scene changed from chaos to a widespread kneeling in reverence, and then quieted down. Ya An lowered his head. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Thank you for your timely rescue."
Huò Qīngzhōu was still lightly panting. As soon as he entered, he saw Huo Ya An about to fall. Without time to think, he rushed forward. Fortunately, he caught him before he hit the ground...
"How do you people do your jobs?!" Huò Qīngzhōu berated everyone. "So many people can't even take care of the Regent properly?! What do I keep you people for?!"
The kneeling crowd buried their heads on the ground, not daring to make a sound. In the ensuing needle-dropping silence, Huò Qīngyǔ suddenly burst into tears.
Ya An quickly reached out. "Come." He Shen carried Huò Qīngyǔ to Ya An. Huò Qīngyǔ sat on Ya An's lap, hugging his father's neck and crying even louder. "It's okay, Yǔ'er, Father is fine." "Wuwu... it's all Yǔ'er's fault... wuwuwu... it's all Yǔ'er's fault..." Huò Qīngyǔ hadn't really understood at first, but being yelled at by Huò Qīngzhōu made him realize, and he cried, hiccuping.
Huo Qingzhou saw this scene, his brow furrowed, showing impatience. Ya An saw this and knew he was probably annoyed by the child's crying. Fearing he might take it out on Huò Qīngyǔ, he quickly and gently coaxed him. "Yǔ'er, look, Father has a little wooden person here." As he spoke, he took out a string puppet from his embrace. "Look, you can move it by pulling the strings."
Huò Qīngyǔ looked down when he heard this and saw that the little person's limbs were indeed connected by strings. With each pull, its hands and feet seemed to move as if real.
Attracted by the attention, Huò Qīngyǔ indeed stopped crying. Ya An then said to Huò Qīngyǔ, "Yǔ'er, why don't you go play over there?" He then called out to He Shen, who picked up Huò Qīngyǔ, placed him on the ground, and immediately a Maidservant from the manor led Huò Qīngyǔ aside to play.