Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 515

Gu Ye asked his mother and learned that there was such a thing. He suggested, “Today’s cake indeed received a good response. Mother might want to try introducing it at ‘Food of Heaven’. It will definitely receive positive reviews.”

‘Food of Heaven’ had not introduced new things since the months when Gu Yin was pregnant, but they consistently introduced something new every month afterward.

As for the white buttercream cake, Gu Yin had known how to make it all along but found it too labor-intensive, so she hadn’t mass-produced or sold it.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “The ingredients for this thing are already expensive, and it requires a lot of effort. If we really want to sell it, the price for a small piece might have to start from two taels of silver.”

Even with a pricing of two taels of silver, it wouldn’t be considered cheap among the food items sold at ‘Food of Heaven’.

Not to mention that a palm-sized piece would only be enough for a child with a sweet tooth.

Gu Ye nodded and logically analyzed, “Today’s guests are either wealthy or noble. When our restaurant opens tomorrow, with them taking the lead, the common people will surely come to try it. Mother might as well start with a small batch, selling a few dozen each day. If the response is good, expand production. If not, we can say it’s a limited edition before and after Yudi’s birthday, maintaining the reputation of ‘Food of Heaven’.”

He wore a royal blue robe with a pattern of lotus flowers, resembling Emperor Zhengyuan. His face and way of speaking were also somewhat different from before, exuding an aura of a modest and gentle young gentleman.

Such a significant change; who would have thought that a few years ago, he was still a wild child unable to speak?

Gu Yin’s heart softened, and although she knew that what he said about the restaurant business on such an occasion was an excuse, and he was truly considering satisfying his sister’s cravings, she still nodded and agreed, “Let’s do it as you suggested.”

Gu Ye smiled, and Xiao Yudi, in her innocent confusion, just watched them both smile and grinned along.

The evening banquet soon began, and the little girl was carried out again. She behaved properly throughout the day, offering sweet smiles to everyone, whether they were familiar or not.

Many of Wu Qingyi’s old subordinates were rough individuals with loud voices. She wasn’t shy and boldly reached out to touch others’ beards. She didn’t pull them but lightly tapped them, then exclaimed with bright eyes, as if she had discovered something incredible.

The guests who attended the banquet that day couldn’t help but praise her.

After a while, the little girl had already fallen asleep in her father’s arms without having her night milk.

Gu Ye carried her back to the backyard.

Gu Yin instructed the wet nurse to take the little girl first, but Gu Ye was still worried. He gently handed Xiao Yudi to the wet nurse, then reminded her, “She had a small piece of cake in the afternoon and skipped her night milk. Please pay extra attention tonight. If she wakes up with an upset stomach or hunger, call for assistance immediately.”

The wet nurse agreed repeatedly and then took Xiao Yudi to bed.

Seeing her son still watching the little one, unwilling to part from her until he was sure she wouldn’t be uncomfortable, Gu Yin helplessly said, “You shouldn’t be like this. Xiao Yudi has her father’s physique, and she’s very healthy. She has never experienced any headaches or fevers until now. Moreover, Duke Ying’s Mansion has a doctor who is always researching various tonics to strengthen her. If you’re so concerned, you’ll end up pampering her too much.”

Gu Ye still insisted, “My sister is someone I’ve been waiting for. It’s only right for me to treat her well. It’s fine for a little girl to be spoiled. I can always protect her.”

Having a good relationship between siblings is naturally a good thing, and Gu Ye, although he treated his sister well, did not interfere in her education. So Gu Yin didn’t say much, dismissed the servant who came to change the tea, and then spoke up, “Before the Empress left, she mentioned something to me.”

Gu Ye picked up the teacup on the table and said, “I should already know about that. Did Mother mention the matter of the Crown Prince selection?”

Gu Yin nodded, “She said you declined it. What are your thoughts?”

Gu Ye smiled and blinked, “Does Mother want to hear a more idealistic answer or a realistic one?”

Gu Yin raised her hand, smiling, “People say you’re becoming more stable and mature, but they haven’t seen your playful side in private.”

Gu Ye made an exaggerated gesture of evading her, then said seriously, “Alright, I won’t tease Mother more. My ambition, Mother knows, but that was when I didn’t understand things well. There’s a saying that the ignorant are fearless. At that time, I probably thought of becoming the Crown Prince without understanding the concept. Now that I’m older and know more, I understand what being the Crown Prince implies, so I need to handle it with caution.”

He paused, took a sip of hot tea, and continued, “This is one aspect. The second aspect is what the royal family fears the most: the transfer of great power. Throughout history, how many young crown princes, before ascending to the throne, were filial sons, but after growing up, they were dealt with by their own fathers? Father-son conflicts are just a passing phase, but for the court, it’s not a favorable situation. The new dynasty is still young, so I want to wait a bit, wait until Father has held power for a few more years to ensure that the Crown Prince won’t have any impact on his authority. Then, I can smoothly and legitimately assume the position of Crown Prince.”

“That makes sense,” Gu Yin said, “I understand your point.”

“There’s also a third aspect,” Gu Ye said with some embarrassment, trying to scratch his head but then putting his hand down, “Being the Crown Prince means living in the Eastern Hall, not freely going out like the normal princes. Mother, Uncle, Grandparents, and even you can visit me in the palace, but what about my sister? When we meet again after ten days or half a month, it takes her a while to recognize me. She’s so young; what if she catches a cold from going outside? During a child’s growth period, if this happens once, even if I can frequently meet her later, the missed moments from her childhood can’t be recovered.”

Gu Yin directly supported her forehead. How could a nine-year-old brat understand these parenting insights better than her, a mother?!

“Of course, Father’s intentions are paramount. I will turn ten next March, and my sister will be almost two years old by then. She should be able to go outside,” Gu Ye concluded.