The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Miss Qing returned to her room, changed into a dark-colored outfit, and instructed her maid, "I'm going out for a bit. If anyone comes looking for me, just say I'm resting."

The maid dared not ask any further questions and bowed her head in response.

This girl, Qing, has an unpredictable temper, and she dares not provoke her.

Miss Qing wasn't worried about her betraying her; she had bought the maid herself, and the indenture was still in her hands.

Miss Qing stepped out of the courtyard and softly called out to the void, "Black Wind."

A figure landed silently in front of her and bowed, saying, "Miss."

"Take me to see my master."

"Yes," Black Wind said in a low voice, "Miss, please forgive me."

He wrapped one arm around Miss Qing's waist, leaped up, and in a few bounds left the Prince Yu's mansion, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.

……

At Prince Yu's residence, Fu Ping's firewalls were still under construction, but the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) in that room was already warm.

A faint earthy smell filled the air. Yun Jin had told him before she left that the smell would disappear once the kang (heated brick bed) was completely dry.

More than an hour later, the fire wall was completed.

The fire was lit, and the whole wall heated up, gradually raising the temperature inside the room.

Fu Ping hadn't been in the room long before beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He was so excited that he didn't even put on his coat before pushing open the door to Xiao Jingyan's study and rushing inside.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! It's done!" His voice trembled, his eyes shining brightly. "You must go and see!"

Xiao Jingyan put down the book in his hand, put on his cloak, and strode into the next room.

As soon as you enter, a warm current rushes in, a stark contrast to the cold outside.

He walked to the heated wall, reached out and touched it. It was slightly hot to the touch. He sat on the heated kang for a while, and the heat from beneath him slowly seeped up through his clothes, warming him up completely.

"Good." Xiao Jingyan stood up, a rare hint of excitement in his eyes. "Great! We have a solution for the severe cold in the north."

He paused, then said in a deep voice, "Guards, I need to enter the palace immediately."

After thinking for a moment, he looked at Fu Ping again: "You'll come to the palace with me."

Fu Ping was taken aback, then overjoyed. He quickly straightened his clothes and followed behind Xiao Jingyan.

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

The emperor was reviewing memorials in his study when he heard that Prince Yu was requesting an audience. Somewhat surprised, he put down his vermilion brush and said, "Let him in."

Xiao Jingyan went in, bowed, and got straight to the point: "Uncle, I have important matters to report."

Seeing his solemn expression, the emperor sat up straight: "What is it?"

Xiao Jingyan beckoned to Fu Ping, who stepped forward, spread the sketch in his hand on the imperial desk, and then carefully explained the principles and construction methods of the heated kang and heated walls.

His explanations were clear and logical, and with the help of pictures and physical objects, the emperor's eyes lit up more and more as he listened.

"Is this thing really effective?" The emperor stood up, walked to the large map hanging on the wall, and looked at the northern prefectures and counties with a worried expression.

Xiao Jingyan said, "If you don't believe me, Uncle, I've already built one in the mansion. You can send someone to take a look."

The emperor paced back and forth in front of his desk a few times, then suddenly stopped and looked at Xiao Jingyan: "Who came up with this?"

Xiao Jingyan paused for a moment, then said, "It is Yun Jin, the newly adopted daughter of the Yun family."

The emperor was taken aback: "That maid who played the drum at the palace banquet?"

"That's right," Xiao Jingyan said. "She saw similar folk remedies in the countryside when she was young, found them useful, and wrote them down. Today, when her nephew talked to her about the snow disaster in the north, she brought it up."

The emperor nodded, remarking with admiration, "A young lady from a secluded family, yet she possesses such a heart." He looked at Fu Ping, "What's your name?"

Fu Ping immediately knelt down: "This humble subject, Fu Ping, is doing some construction work at Prince Yu's residence."

After listening, the emperor remained silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and said, "Let's go to your residence."

Xiao Jingyan was taken aback: "Now?"

"Now," the emperor said, already walking out, "you've made it sound so eloquent, how can I be at ease without seeing it for myself?"

When the imperial entourage arrived at Prince Yu's residence, the emperor entered the room and was greeted by a warm feeling.

He reached out and touched the heated wall, then sat on the heated kang for a while, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Excellent!" The emperor stood up, a rare look of joy on his face. "This is wonderful! If every household could have one of these, how many fewer people would die this winter!"

Xiao Jingyan said, "Uncle, I suggest that we first set up special resettlement centers in the capital to take in homeless people. The rooms in the resettlement centers should all be equipped with heated brick beds and walls so that people can experience the benefits of these things."

The emperor nodded: "That's a good idea. Anything else?"

Xiao Jingyan continued, "Once the resettlement homes are built, we will send craftsmen to the homes of ordinary people to teach them how to build firewalls. The imperial court will subsidize part of the materials, and the people will contribute the rest themselves. This way, the project can be promoted more quickly."

The Emperor nodded approvingly: "Hmm, that's a good idea. Have the Ministry of Works come up with a plan tomorrow."

He then looked at Fu Ping, "Your name is Fu Ping? You also contributed to this matter. I'm promoting you to the Construction Department of the Ministry of Works, starting as a deputy commissioner. Do a good job."

Fu Ping trembled with excitement, repeatedly kowtowing, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

The emperor waved his hand and looked at Xiao Jingyan again: "That girl from the Yun family has done a great service this time, she deserves a reward!"

Xiao Jingyan quickly shook his head: "Uncle, I don't think it's the right time to reward him."

The emperor looked at him: "Why?"

Xiao Jingyan said, "She's a young lady from a respectable family. If word gets out that she did these things, it might cause unnecessary trouble. It's not too late to reward her when the time is right."

The emperor glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "You're feeling sorry for him?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Ping quickly shrank back. Was this something he should be listening to?

Xiao Jingyan paused for a moment, then said frankly, "I suppose so."

The emperor was taken aback, then burst into laughter, pointing at Xiao Jingyan and saying, "Interesting, very interesting. This is the first time I've ever seen you like this."

He finished laughing, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Xiao Jingyan: "You've taken a fancy to her? I'll issue an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon you, and she'll be made your concubine, how about that?"

Xiao Jingyan shook his head: "Uncle, if she is willing, I am willing to grant her the position of principal wife. However, she has not yet agreed, and I do not want to force her. Once she nods, I will come to ask you for a marriage decree."

The emperor stared at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed: "It seems you are truly moved."

Xiao Jingyan was silent for a moment before speaking, "Uncle, she is different."

The emperor shook his head helplessly: "Fine, since you like it, then do your best. I'll wait for you to ask for a decree to grant us marriage."

Xiao Jingyan bowed: "Thank you, Imperial Uncle."

The emperor said no more and got up to return to the palace.

Xiao Jingyan saw the emperor off at the gate of the mansion, watching the imperial carriage depart into the distance. The night wind blew his cloak, making it flutter loudly.

Fu Ping followed behind, his face flushed with excitement: "Your Highness, His Majesty has allowed me to join the Ministry of Works! Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness!"