Xiaobao, upon hearing about the big tabby cat, immediately smiled excitedly and began to splash the water ceaselessly. The bathtub was so large that it easily fit three people. As he plunged in, Xiaobao became even more excited, suddenly flinging himself into Yeguo’s arms and splashing water around to play with him, all the while continuously shouting, “Daddy daddy… Mommy mommy…”
Nan Feng felt somewhat moved inside. This must be the beginning of a child practicing speech.
Xiaobao was about to start learning to talk.
…
Lying in bed that night, Nan Feng had just soothed Xiaobao to sleep and was about to fall asleep herself when Yeguo’s large hand embraced her. He held her in his arms and kissed her, “Fengfeng, why do I always feel like you’re somewhat distant from me?”
“Really?” Nan Feng asked.
“Sometimes when I talk to you, I always feel that you’re upset. As your husband… it hurts me inside, I want to go back to the times we had before.”
Nan Feng didn’t know what to say. Should she say she disliked life in the palace? That she wanted to return to the freedom of rural life? But how could she utter these words?
Yeguo had only just found his parents, finally enjoying a time being cared for by family. To simply take him away, wouldn’t she bee an unfilial daughter-in-law?
Nan Feng remained silent.
Yeguo had already guessed much of her thoughts. In the darkness, he kissed Nan Feng, murmuring as he kissed her, “Give me some more time. Once I’ve dealt with things here, we’ll leave the palace, okay?”
Nan Feng felt touched.
She thought Yeguo was still quite good. He had not forgotten this matter, knowing she wanted to leave the palace. He remembered the promise they had made together. She wasn’t angry for the moment and just responded to Yeguo’s kisses, “Okay!”
Yeguo’s kisses grew more intense, to the point that Nan Feng could hardly breathe.
Then, the sound of clothes sliding off followed.
Back in the palace for so long, he finally made love to Nan Feng pletely.
…
But early the next morning, Nan Feng heard someone outside summoning Yeguo.
Ever since Yeguo had acpanied the Emperor on a journey, the Emperor had been summoning him from time to time to discuss national affairs. However, the Emperor no longer favored Yeguo exclusively, but called together the Crown Prince, the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Princes—those of more considerable age, and sometimes some important ministers were also involved.
That day, they were discussing matters concerning Dashun.
The Emperor appeared to be in a good mood today as he pointed at the map, “Last time, I followed the Crown Prince’s suggestion, letting Dajin choose first. In fairness, they split the borderland in two. Now, the land we have received is this. Look…”
Emperor of Dajin continued, “Although this land is now ours, most of the people there are still barbarians. We can’t possibly drive them all out or kill them; that would be too inhumane. So, administration is a big problem. How can we make these barbarians willingly obey us without deploying too much military force?”
After the Emperor finished his question, several princes and ministers present began to look at each other.
The Crown Prince was the first to speak, “Although slaughter is bad, my son believes that it is necessary to kill some of their leaders. As the saying goes, ’kill one to warn a hundred.’ Without these people surrendering, they won’t listen to our next mands. After that, we need to spread some of the Great Zhou Dynasty’s culture and script to them, letting them gradually assimilate into the Great Zhou.”
The Emperor then looked at Yeguo, “What suggestions does the Crown Prince have?”
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