Chapter 1005

In the Imperial Garden, Xiao Ming was checking Xiao Yi’s schoolwork.

As his eldest son, Xiao Yi was now nine years old, a proper third-grader in modern times. In an era where one could marry at thirteen, his age was no longer considered young by anyone.

Therefore, both Fei Yuer and he paid increasing attention to Xiao Yi’s education. They diligently taught him mathematics, physics, chemistry, literature, and history. Especially with the subtle help of the technology crystals, Xiao Yi had mastered much more than other children his age.

“Australia is located in the South Pacific, consisting of a single continent. It is rich in mineral resources, with bauxite reserves being the largest in the world. Secondly, metals such as lead, tantalum, gold, iron ore, anthracite, lithium, manganese ore, nickel, silver, uranium, and zinc are also extremely abundant. It can be said to be a continent sitting on a mine. Australia is nominally British now, and was once a place of exile for Britain, but since the first free settlers migrated here, Britain established its first colony here, named Wales…”

Facing Xiao Ming, Xiao Yi meticulously recited the situation of Australia. Then he proceeded to recite the geographical situations of several other countries.

“Hmm, you’ve mastered it well, but don’t get arrogant.” Xiao Ming smiled after Xiao Yi skillfully recited the geographical overviews of sixteen countries.

After Wang Xuan left, he returned to the inner palace and encountered Xiao Yi, who had just come out of Fei Yuer’s quarters. Thinking that he had not supervised his schoolwork for a long time, he called Xiao Yi over for a review.

“Thank you, Imperial Father, for the praise. Your son dares not be negligent.” Xiao Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief. In fact, every time he saw Xiao Ming, he felt a little apprehensive, because to him, Xiao Ming always presented a serious face, far less comforting than Fei Yuer’s gentle smile.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. He could see Xiao Yi’s awe towards him as a father. As the ancient saying goes, ‘a kind mother and a strict father.’ One of them playing the good cop and the other playing the bad cop ensures that a child is not overly spoiled.

Moreover, Xiao Yi was his son. If there were any deviations in his education, it would bring disaster to the people of the Great Yu Empire.

Satisfied with the inspection, Xiao Ming was about to let Xiao Yi go back, when he suddenly noticed that Xiao Yi had been holding his hands behind his back. He immediately frowned and said, “Put your hands in front.”

Xiao Yi’s face suddenly turned pale, and his movements were hesitant, but under Xiao Ming’s stern gaze, he still put his hands in front and opened them. “Imperial Father, this sparrow was injured, and your son picked it up. Your son just wanted to take it back to bandage it and release it after its wound healed.”

Xiao Ming was stunned for a moment. He looked at the sparrow in Xiao Yi’s hand, then at the nervous Xiao Yi. He finally said, “You may go back, but don’t be too playful. Always remember your lessons.”

Xiao Yi felt as if he had received a great pardon. He bowed and then darted away, fearing that Xiao Ming might call him back.

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Ming walked through the Imperial Garden to Fei Yuer’s empress’s palace. At this time, Fei Yuer was reviewing some documents submitted by the Girls’ Academy.

Seeing Xiao Ming, Fei Yuer looked up and smiled, “Did Your Majesty see Yi’er just now?”

“Yes, I did,” Xiao Ming replied faintly.

Fei Yuer felt that Xiao Ming’s tone was a little off. She put down what she was doing and asked, “What’s wrong? Your Majesty, did Yi’er upset you?”

“No, Yi’er is not only studious but also gentle, a rare good child,” Xiao Ming said, hesitating for a moment, then continued, “It’s just that he grew up in the palace from a young age, living in a pampered environment, he will always have some feminine softness. I was thinking of having him take charge of the Eastern Palace.”

“Eastern Palace? Your Majesty wants to establish Yi’er as the Crown Prince?” Fei Yuer asked in surprise.

Looking at Fei Yuer’s expression, Xiao Ming felt a little bitter. No matter how much Fei Yuer knew, no matter how virtuous she was, she still had selfish motives when it came to her son becoming the Crown Prince.

He said, “The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation. If anything unexpected happens to me, at least he can stabilize the empire and prevent the empire I have painstakingly built from falling apart.”

“Your Majesty, what inauspicious words are you speaking? Everyone in this world wishes you long life, long live, long long live!” Fei Yuer gently held Xiao Ming’s hand.

Sighing, Xiao Ming said, “Ancient empires all chanted ‘Long live,’ but who could live for a hundred years? This year I am already over thirty. How many more thirty years can I have left? Now I am truly worried about the future of the Empire, whether Yi’er can support this vast Empire if I pass away in the future.”

During this period, the internal problems of the Empire became prominent, and various factions were slowly growing in their embryonic state. He did not know what it would be like when Xiao Yi could inherit the throne.

Once he lost his suppression, he was very worried that his own offspring would not even be able to preserve their lives.

It was precisely for this reason that he now wanted Xiao Yi to understand the dangers of politics from a young age, so that he could survive the drastic changes that might occur in the empire in the future.

Fei Yuer gripped Xiao Ming’s hand even tighter. She said, “Your Majesty, our Yi’er will surely have a peaceful life.”

Nodding gently, Xiao Ming smiled. Since he had made up his mind to have Xiao Yi take charge of the Eastern Palace, he would focus on cultivating him in state affairs.

Whether he could control this empire in the future would depend on his own destiny.

As for his own future, it was still full of uncertainties. In fact, he had been thinking about the issue of technology crystals for many years. One thing was certain: the technology crystals were closely related to his transmigration. In his opinion, the technology crystal, this energy body, was where his soul resided.

As long as the technology crystal was there, his soul would be there. If this problem was verified, perhaps there would be miracles in the future, but these were all possibilities. No one could predict what the future would hold.

Having decided on the establishment of the Crown Prince, the next day at court, he formally presented the matter to his ministers. As he had expected, no one in the court objected.

After all, Xiao Yi’s talent was now known throughout the land. Coupled with being the legitimate eldest son, and his age not being young anymore, there was no reason to object.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been established. The foundation of the nation is set. From now on, the Empire will be as stable as Mount Tai,” Fei Ji said emotionally, tears streaming down his face.

He had mentioned the matter of establishing the Crown Prince several times, but Xiao Ming had always brushed it aside, which made him very worried. Now that this matter was settled, he was completely at ease, because it meant that if Xiao Ming suddenly encountered an accident, the Empire would at least not fall into warlord chaos due to having no Crown Prince.

Pang Yukun had actually always wanted Xiao Ming to establish a Crown Prince as well, but every time Fei Ji brought it up, Xiao Ming ignored it, so he simply did not bring it up and followed Xiao Ming’s wishes, because he knew that he could not influence Xiao Ming’s thoughts.

Now that Xiao Ming had voluntarily brought it up, he was happy about it.