Inside Tranquil Heart Hall at Prince Huai's Residence, a group of skilled craftsmen were carefully dismantling the hall under cover of night.
Around them, quite a few eunuchs and palace maids were also working through the night, supervising on-site to prevent anyone with sticky fingers from stealing valuables from the hall.
It was summer, and the evening breeze was muggy.
Drenched in sweat, Ren Ye sat outside the hall, giving instructions to an elderly eunuch. "Don't bully these craftsmen or work them like donkeys. When their agreed hours are up, let them take turns resting. Make sure they stay safe working at night. Have the Kitchen send over something to eat around midnight."
"Yes, Your Highness." The elderly eunuch understood at once.
"Good." Ren Ye nodded.
Not far away, the observant Lian'er waited until the elderly eunuch left before hurrying over with some cool tea. "Your Highness, these past few days have been terribly muggy. Please have some cool-!"
She approached briskly, but before she could finish, she suddenly saw a little girl run over. With her chubby little hands, the girl struggled to lift the teapot off the tray.
Lian'er froze, then watched the little girl carry the teapot over to His Highness on her short, pudgy legs and say, as though presenting a treasure, "Brother Human, it's so hot and muggy. Have some cool tea to beat the heat."
Isn't that my line? Standing nearby, Lian'er looked dazed.
"Heh, thank you, Susu." Ren Ye came back to himself, took the teapot, and poured three cups on the small table. "Have some too."
"You drink first, Brother Human. Susu will drink after you've had enough." She wiped the beads of sweat off her fair forehead with a little hand, sticking out her little belly adorably. "You're a grown-up. You