On his way back after receiving his reward, Xu Ziming ran into Xu Ruyun and her group.

Xu Ruyun ran happily to Xu Ziming: "Brother, you're alright, that's so good!"

Chirp: "Uncle—"

Xu Ziming happily patted Qiuqiu's head and said, "It's alright, not only is it alright, I'm perfectly fine. The Emperor just appointed me as General of the Cavalry."

Xu Ruyun: Really? That's wonderful!

Grand Tutor Chen: "Congratulations, General Xu!"

Xu Ziming patted Chen Taifu on the shoulder happily and said, "You used to come to our house to play a lot when we were little. We should get even closer in the future!"

Grand Tutor Chen: "That's for sure."

[That's wonderful! My uncle's fate has changed. The villains around him have been replaced by good people. Grand Tutor Chen is pursuing my mother, and after they get married, my uncle and Grand Tutor Chen will be family.]

Xu Ziming heard Qiuqiu's last sentence clearly.

He watched his sister and Grand Tutor Chen with a smile, looking like he was watching a melon seed.

Feeling embarrassed by his gaze, Grand Tutor Chen said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!"

After saying that, Grand Tutor Chen fled as if he were escaping.

Xu Ziming looked at his sister and asked, "What's going on between you two?"

Xu Ruyun lowered her head shyly and said, "No, brother is joking."

[I'm not joking. Grand Tutor Chen has a deep and abiding affection for his mother.]

Xu Ziming said to Xu Ruyun meaningfully, "Sister, there are some things that should be cherished, and we should cherish them!"

Xu Ruyun thought for a moment and nodded.

Xu Ziming picked up Qiuqiu and said, "Uncle will take you to eat something delicious! Whatever you want to eat, Uncle will buy it for you, okay?"

Chirp nodded happily: "Mmm, mmm."

Xu Ziming's escape from death this time was all thanks to Qiuqiu.

If it weren't for Chiu Chiu's warning, his fate would have been far more tragic. Now, the fate of the common people has also changed.

Xu Ziming was carrying Qiuqiu and preparing to leave the palace when he heard a eunuch calling from behind, "Please wait! Please wait!"

Everyone turned around and saw a eunuch running over, panting heavily.

Xu Ruyun: "Is Father-in-law calling us?"

Eunuch: "That's right. Madam, the Empress Dowager heard that Qiuqiu has entered the palace and wants you to come over. The Empress Dowager misses Qiuqiu very much."

Xu Ruyun: "Okay, I'll take Qiuqiu to visit the Empress Dowager right away."

Xu Ziming put Qiuqiu down and said, "Qiuqiu, I'll treat you to dinner another day. Go see the Empress Dowager now!"

Chiu Chiu obediently nodded and followed her mother and the eunuch to visit the Empress Dowager.

Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress Dowager had already prepared a table of delicious food.

Upon seeing Qiuqiu arrive, the Empress Dowager immediately embraced her.

"My little darling, why haven't you come for so long? I've prepared all sorts of delicious food for you. Come on, eat more!"

Xu Ruyun: "Thank you, Your Majesty! You've gone to so much trouble!"

Empress Dowager: "I am willing to go to great lengths for my precious Qiuqiu."

The Empress Dowager is so good to me! I must eat more, grow up quickly, and repay her kindness in the future!

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled knowingly and personally served food to Qiuqiu.

Chiu Chiu ate the delicious food with gusto, feeling as if her whole body was being infused with spiritual energy.

Over time, Qiuqiu has figured out that the more delicious food she eats, the more spiritual energy she recovers.

The Empress Dowager looked at Qiuqiu earnestly and said, "After you've eaten your fill, could you do me a favor?"

Chirp: "Okay!"

[I'd be willing to help the Empress Dowager with ten or eight favors, let alone just one.]

Xu Ruyun: "I wonder what the Empress Dowager wants Qiuqiu to do? I'm afraid Qiuqiu will disappoint the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "No. It's simple. Just let our little bird go visit the Empress."

Xu Ruyun: "Empress?"

Empress Dowager: "The Empress has not eaten or drunk anything for the past few days, and all the imperial physicians are at a loss. I'm afraid..."

Xu Ruyun: "But what can Qiuqiu do?"

Empress Dowager: "Chiu Chiu only needs to accompany me on the visit. With Chiu Chiu around, I feel at ease."

Xu Ruyun: "Yes, Empress Dowager!"

Chiu Chiu just kept eating heartily.

Only when she is well-fed and has abundant spiritual energy can she help the Empress.

After eating and drinking her fill, Qiuqiu followed the Empress Dowager to the Empress's palace.

The entire palace was deathly still, and the air was filled with the aura of death.

The empress lay on the bed with her eyes closed, so thin that she was nothing but skin and bones.

When the palace maids saw the Empress Dowager, they all bowed.

The Empress Dowager walked up to the Empress and sat on her bed. She took the Empress's hand and said, "Empress, you must get well soon. The Third Prince and the Crown Prince are waiting for you."

I cannot live without you, the harem cannot live without you.

If you leave, I will never find another person as virtuous and kind as you to manage the harem.

The empress kept her eyes closed and did not react.

The Empress Dowager asked a palace maid, "What did the imperial physician say?"

The palace maid began to sob: "The imperial physician said Her Majesty the Empress only has two days left. Waaah..."

Chiu Chiu looked around, sighed, and said, "Indeed!"

Xu Ruyun quickly covered Qiuqiu's mouth and scolded her, "Qiuqiu, watch your words! Her Majesty the Empress will live to be a hundred!"

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling Xu Ruyun to let go of Qiuqiu.

"It's alright, children say the darndest things."

Chirp: "But I have a way!"

The Empress Dowager excitedly hugged Qiuqiu and said, "You have a way?! Good child, quick, quick!"

Chiu Chiu glanced at the palace maids.

The Empress Dowager looked at the palace maids and said, "You may all leave!"

The palace maids: "Yes!"