Chapter 307: Sending Two Gifts

As soon as the Yuan siblings stepped into Jianzhang Palace, the once quiet palace immediately became lively.

Xiao Quanzi had probably just returned from listening to gossip somewhere. When he bumped into the two of them, he immediately greeted them with a beaming smile, waving his whisk: "Oh, I've seen you, young lady and young man. It's been a few days since I last saw you. You look even more energetic than before."

Yuan Siyin really wanted to say something like, "Nonsense."

With such heavy jewelry weighing on her head, she looked listless.

"Is Aunt awake?" Yuan Fuqing held Yuan Siyin's hand tightly, raised his chin slightly, and tried to open his eyes wide to ask him.

"They'll definitely wake up around this time, just waiting for their meal."

Jade happened to be carrying breakfast from the small kitchen and was walking ahead when she heard the sound. She immediately turned back and led the people into the inner palace without any hindrance. "Miss and young master have arrived. The jujube paste cakes are fresh out of the steamer and still warm."

The Empress Dowager sat at the table, having just rinsed her mouth with Hongyu's help. When she looked up and saw the two siblings, her previously unpleasant mood immediately eased: "They've come. Please sit down and have breakfast with me."

Hongyu curtsied to the two men and then carried the porcelain cup away, leaving only Feicui to serve in the hall.

Yuan Siyin gave Yuan Fuqing a wink, and the two sat down next to the Empress Dowager on either side. Just as they were about to launch their attack, the Empress Dowager had already seen through their little exchange. The next second, she picked up her chopsticks and said, "You two naughty monkeys who don't follow the rules, you shouldn't talk while eating or sleeping."

Yuan Fuqing shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

Ultimately, whether or not he could go depended on his aunt's final decision. Although his aunt doted on him, it was precisely because of this doting that she was more likely to refuse to let him go.

Yuan Siyin was a seasoned veteran; without a word, she climbed onto the Empress Dowager's arm and leaned affectionately against her: "Aunt—"

The Empress Dowager looked disgusted: "Take your hands off me! You never do this, it never brings anything good. I won't listen!"

Emerald stood to the side, unable to suppress a smile, and said, "With the arrival of the young lady, there's bound to be another old child."

The Empress Dowager gave her a disapproving look: "You've gone too far! I should kick you both out and leave only Qing'er to keep me company. Qing'er is the one who listens to me the most."

Yuan Fuqing was biting into a jujube cake when he heard this and immediately looked up excitedly: "Aqing, do you think Auntie will listen?"

The Empress Dowager refused without hesitation: "You are not allowed to speak."

"I want to send Aqing to the Northern Border," Yuan Siyin said, seizing the opportunity to speak in a level voice.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager, who had been looking at Yuan Fuqing with her head turned to the side, did not sit up straight for a moment.

Jade also stopped smiling and lowered her head slightly.

After a long pause, the Empress Dowager sighed helplessly, "How are the preparations going?"

“All the luggage has been packed, Aunt, you don’t need to worry. Today is His Majesty’s birthday, and I don’t know what to give to please him, so I’ve prepared two gifts to make sure everything goes well.”

"The second thing is to send Qingge'er to the border?"

“My aunt is discerning and perceptive; naturally, nothing can be hidden from her.”

The Empress Dowager put down her chopsticks, leaned back in her padded chair, and frowned slightly as if deep in thought: "Don't try that with me. It's a good idea, but there's one problem: the journey out of the capital might not be peaceful."

"I understand what my aunt means, so I need to send two gifts to His Majesty in order to win his favor."

Yuan Siyin sat upright, her smile faint yet dazzlingly bright, like freshly brewed tea, so warm it was almost scorching.