IDWBE -Chapter 587 Hero

According to Chen Xilian’s assessment, if nothing unexpected happened, the gold incense he brought back from Jizhou—including Guan Xiaoqi—would likely result in pregnancies at almost the same time. Most probably, they were all carrying sons.

Now, the court ministers no longer had to worry about Lin Yi’s issue of heirs.

Moreover, many in the court and among the populace knew Du Yinniang’s identity—she was the daughter of Nie Youdao!

Although Lin Yi, the Regent Prince, controlled the government, Emperor Delong still reigned.

As long as Emperor Delong didn’t exonerate Nie Youdao, Nie Youdao remained a rebel, branded as a wanted criminal.

Du Yinniang’s son was, therefore, both a royal descendant and the grandson of a fugitive—a child with “rebellious bones.”

Chen Desheng and Xie Zan both pretended ignorance. The Du residence was quiet, completely lacking the lively atmosphere from when Mingyue gave birth.

Who cared what the child’s surname or name was? Even being surnamed “Du” was something they had wished for.

“Thank you, Prince!”

At first, Du Yinniang was thrilled by Lin Yi’s straightforward response.

But soon, a subtle feeling of disappointment crept in.

Looking at the wrinkled little face in her arms, this child was everything to her. One day, he would be the most handsome, destined for greatness.

Now he bore the surname Du, severing any formal connection to the dynasty.

She felt a bit resentful.

Her son was so exceptional—why couldn’t he be emperor?

Despite her frustration, she accepted her father’s words: “The imperial family is the most heartless.”

Her son would be personally trained by her father, destined to command respect across the seas. Even if he remained in a smaller domain, he would be formidable—capable of both attack and defense. Everyone would have to measure him carefully.

From a mother’s perspective, the child’s safety was what mattered most.

“All right,” Lin Yi turned to Chen Xilian and Yan Hong. “The child snores a little; his nasal passages aren’t fully developed and still narrow. You two will have to work hard and stay here these days.”

When it came to childcare, he considered himself the most professional of the era.

“Yes.”

Both answered in unison.

Then Yan Hong spoke cautiously, “Prince, there’s something I’m not sure if I should mention.”

“Say it directly—there’s nothing that can’t be said.”

Lin Yi was polite toward professionals like Yan Hong.

She approached the bed, bowed slightly to Du Yinniang, and whispered, pointing at the child’s eyes, “Prince, is this the pigmentation you mentioned? I was worried…”

Hearing this, Lin Yi stepped closer, squinting at the child’s partially opened eyes. A faint grayish-white mark appeared at the corner.

“Pigmentation,” Lin Yi confirmed firmly. “It’s like a birthmark. As he grows, it will gradually fade or disappear. Of course, he’ll need plenty of sunlight.”

He wasn’t a medical professional.

But by experience, most cases were like this.

Only in extremely unlucky situations would it be caused by a pathological change.

Life wouldn’t be ruined—compared to cerebral palsy or polio, a slight retinal crease or wall defect was nothing.

When the weather cleared, the trumpeting of elephants from Sanhe echoed through Ankang City, earlier than in previous years.

Previously, the Qian people would drive the elephants south during winter and return them after the northern ice melted.

They tolerated it for a year or two.

After settling in Ankang City, they refused.

They built warm shelters for the elephants.

In their hometowns, elephants still had tender bamboo, palm leaves, wild bananas, even bananas during winter.

In the northern winter, they suffered, eating only roots and bark.

Nearby trees were nearly stripped bare. Even then, the owners couldn’t fully supply them—an elephant ate hundreds of pounds a day, and many kept more than one.

The surrounding forests were privately contracted. Taking bark without permission would be deliberate trouble.

Local contractors refused, causing friction.

The Sanhe people had exiles, Qian people, Li people, and Lian people, never truly united—until they came to Ankang City.

There, they finally became a cohesive community.

Sanhe families rejected northern prejudice.

Northerners always called them barbarians.

They refused to accept it—but they were also fiercely competitive.

“No submission to the king!”

“I have money!”

“A land of pestilence!”

“I have money!”

“Barbarians!”

“I have money!”

No matter how the Ankang locals mocked them, the Sanhe people proudly replied: “We have money.”

The locals were furious—what else did the Sanhe have besides money?

The Sanhe responded: “The army is full of Sanhe people!”

Thanks to early adoption of modern education, government positions were now dominated by Sanhe people!

They had power.

The people of Ankang City could only be silent.

They were helpless against the Sanhe.

Better to heed the Prince’s principle: “Equality for all.”

The hottest time in Ankang City was June.

The first “Heroes of Daliang” award ceremony was held at the National Academy.

The first to receive recognition was a private tutor who, over thirty years, had taught tens of thousands of literate students in northern Ji, without charging a penny. Among them were three provincial candidates and over a dozen scholars.

Most importantly, after Ji’s first modern public school opened, he enrolled first—being the oldest student—and received the very first elementary graduation certificate of Jizhou, later becoming principal of Phoenix City Second Elementary School.

Now he was Director of Jizhou Education.

He devoted himself to modern education in Jizhou, making an indelible contribution to the spread of scientific knowledge in Daliang.

“Education is the foundation of Daliang’s revitalization and social progress. It improves the quality of the people and fosters comprehensive development. It carries the hopes of millions of families for a better life. Prioritizing education is essential for ensuring everyone is fed, clothed, and able to thrive.”

At the opening ceremony, Lin Yi gave the speech and received a pure-gold otter-shaped trophy—at least two pounds—from Minister of Education Wang Qingbang, handing it to the awardee, Meng Xian.

The old man trembled as he raised the trophy, instinctively kneeling, but Lin Yi stopped him. Tears of excitement welled in his eyes.

Wang Qingbang then delivered his speech.

Below the National Academy podium, people cheered three times: “Long live the Regent Prince!”

Lin Yi was extremely satisfied.

No matter the sincerity of the educators, the ceremony was properly honored.

After Meng Xian stepped down, a stooped elderly lady, her gray hair neatly combed, walked up, bowed to Lin Yi, and wept freely as she looked at the crowd.

She held the first Women’s Achievement Medal of Daliang.