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

This morning at court, the Emperor excitedly addressed his ministers: "Yesterday, Prince Yu told me about a heating system called a heated kang (heated brick bed) and heated wall. I had the Imperial Construction Bureau build a few trial rooms in the palace yesterday, and they were indeed very warm. Today, I will have another heated wall built in the main hall of the council chamber, so that all the ministers will no longer be cold during morning court sessions. If this system were promoted in the north, far fewer people would freeze to death in winter. I have decided to promote it in the capital first, and the court will subsidize part of the cost."

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately became lively.

Several senior officials whispered among themselves. The Minister of Revenue stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to ask, do these heated walls and heated kang beds... really have such good effects?"

The Emperor laughed and said, "Prince Yu built one in his own residence first, and I went to see it myself. As soon as I entered the room, I was greeted by warmth, which was many times better than a charcoal brazier. I sat there for a while, and my back was sweating."

Upon hearing this, the ministers immediately became interested.

Prince Yu is always cold and aloof, never flattering or fawning. If he says something is good, it must truly be good. Besides, even the Emperor himself has seen it; how could it be false?

The Vice Minister of War was the first to step forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to provide the materials myself and conduct a trial construction in my residence. If it is successfully completed, it will also help the court share the responsibility of promoting its widespread adoption."

As soon as he finished speaking, several ministers echoed his sentiments.

"I am willing too!"

"Your Majesty, I am also willing!"

For a moment, the hall was filled with noise and commotion, like a market rushing to buy New Year's goods.

The emperor sat at the head of the table, frowning. This wasn't a trial construction; it was clearly an attempt to take advantage of him.

Seeing that his expression was not right, Grand Tutor Zheng thought for a moment and understood. He stepped forward first, bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I am taking advantage of my age and seniority to ask for a favor."

The emperor raised his hand: "Teacher, please speak."

Grand Tutor Zheng stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Could my residence be the first to build it? I can provide the materials and labor myself, and I will not cause Your Majesty any trouble. The Construction Bureau only needs to send one person to provide guidance. Once my residence is built, I can also send a few skilled craftsmen to help the Construction Bureau promote it. Your Majesty will not have to spend a single penny."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

The officials exchanged bewildered glances, inwardly cursing the old fox. Not only did he refuse government subsidies, he was even willing to provide manpower to help with promotion; how could they possibly compete?

The Minister of Revenue coughed lightly and shrank back. The Vice Minister of War opened his mouth but didn't dare to speak. The other ministers also wisely kept quiet.

The Emperor laughed heartily and pointed at Grand Tutor Zheng, saying, "Teacher, I can't argue with your words. Fine, it will be as you say. Construction Bureau, send people to the Grand Tutor's residence first."

Grand Tutor Zheng bowed in gratitude and returned to his seat with a smug look on his face.

Yunheting stood in the queue, feeling both proud and worried.

He was pleased that his own residence had been fitted with heated walls and a heated kang bed the day before, even earlier than the Grand Tutor's residence. His worry was that if word got out, he wouldn't be able to explain his connection to Prince Yu.

After the court session ended, the officials left in twos and threes.

Yunhe Pavilion was sandwiched in the crowd when suddenly, a voice came from behind him.

"Lord Yun."

Yun Heting turned around and saw that the Fifth Prince had walked up behind him at some point, with a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were full of meaning.

"Your Highness," Yun Heting quickly bowed.

The Fifth Prince walked out alongside him, lowering his voice to ask, "I heard that Lord Yun's residence has a heated wall and a heated kang bed?"

Yun Heting's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to explain, the Fifth Prince, with a hint of slyness in his smile, said, "Lord Yun, you don't need to hide it from me. His Highness Prince Yu's men have been busy at your residence all day."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yun Heting's face. "I didn't expect Lord Yun to have such a good relationship with His Highness Prince Yu. Very good, very good."

After saying that, he patted Yun Heting on the shoulder and strode away.

Yun Heting stood there, his face turning pale and then flushed.

What did the Fifth Prince mean by those words? Was he angry? Or was he testing him?

He wanted to chase after them to explain, but his colleagues were all around him, so he didn't dare to speak.

He could only suppress his unease and think about going back to the Fifth Prince's residence to explain.

Before I had taken more than a few steps, another voice came from behind me.

"Lord Yun."

Yun Heting turned around and saw the Third Prince beside him, looking at him coldly.

"Your Highness, Third Prince." Yun Heting quickly bowed in greeting.

The Third Prince looked at him and said in a calm tone, "I heard that Prince Yu built a heated wall and a heated kang bed in your residence?"

Yun Heting inwardly groaned, then quickly waved his hand, "Your Highness misunderstands. It was my wife who asked. She's frail and sensitive to the cold, so she asked my father-in-law to find His Highness Prince Yu..."

After all, it's normal for Prince Yu and Chu Duanshan to have some relationship since they were both military generals.

To everyone's surprise, the Third Prince didn't believe him. Instead, his eyes held a hint of amusement: "Lord Yun, perhaps Prince Yu has taken a fancy to one of your young ladies?"

Yun Heting's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Your Highness is joking, there's nothing wrong with that."

The Third Prince gave him a meaningful look and said calmly, "It's a good thing to associate with His Highness Prince Yu! A good thing!" After saying that, he turned and left.

Yunheting stood under the corridor, watching the Third Prince's back, his heart filled with unease.

What does the Third Prince mean? Does he want him to associate with Prince Yu, or does he not want him to associate with Prince Yu?

Yunheting left the palace gate, got into the carriage, leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and became angrier the more he thought about it.

It was all Chu Wanqing's fault that he was causing all this trouble. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. When he arrived at the gate of the mansion, he got out of the carriage and strode towards Qingshui Garden.

Bitao was instructing the maids on tasks in the corridor when she saw Yunheting approaching with a livid face. She quickly went to greet him, bowed, and said loudly, "Master has arrived."

Chu Wanqing was leaning against the couch looking at the account book when she heard the noise. She put down the book in her hand and looked up at the door.

Yun Heting lifted the curtain and came in, his face ashen. He plopped down in a chair, picked up his teacup, took a swig, and slammed it down.

"It's all your fault!" He glared at Chu Wanqing. "You insisted on building those fire walls and heated brick beds, and now look what's happened! Everyone's asking me what my relationship is with Prince Yu. How am I supposed to explain this?"

Chu Wanqing looked at him, calmly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said lightly, "Who questioned you?"

Yun Heting choked on his words: "Fifth Prince, Third Prince..."

Chu Wanqing put down her teacup and said calmly, "Prince Yu is not the emperor's son, nor will he compete for the throne. What impact would it have on having a good relationship with him?"

Yun Heting was taken aback. Yes, Prince Yu is not a prince and will not compete for the throne. What impact would it have to be on his relationship with him?

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince asked him if they wanted him to befriend Prince Yu and gain his support. But what could he offer to establish a relationship with Prince Yu? Was he supposed to give Yun Jin to him as a concubine? Would Chu Wanqing agree to that?

Chu Wanqing had no idea that he had thought of so much in that instant. She glanced at him and continued, "If Master feels that this matter is causing you trouble, then we will not build a heated wall and kang bed for him."