Ji Yunhuan lowered her head, a shy expression on her face. "Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed of your compliments. I do not deserve them."
Nanny Yan brought an embroidered stool and asked Ji Yunhuan to sit down. Ji Yunhuan refused repeatedly, "No, no, I will just stand and serve the Empress Dowager."
The Queen Mother laughed even more heartily. She had been worried that Ji Yunhuan would become arrogant due to her favor, but now it seemed that she had been worrying too much.
After all, she was a girl from a small family, so she was a little timid, but she was very well-behaved.
"Don't be so reserved. Sit down. I don't need your service. If you can give me a grandson, that would be the greatest filial piety you can show me."
"Let Nanny Yan help you pack. The palace has everything you need, so you don't need to bring too much."
Ji Yunhuan carefully sat on only one-third of the embroidery stool, fidgeting with her fingers nervously, as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare to open her mouth.
"Don't be afraid, dear child. Just ask for anything you want, and I will satisfy you."
Ji Yunhuan knelt down in front of the empress dowager with a plop, and Nanny Yan beside him tried to stop him but failed.
"I am deeply grateful for the care and love of the Empress Dowager. Ever since I learned of the young master's identity yesterday, I have been in a state of panic. What merits and abilities have I possessed to deserve your Majesty's grace and favor?"
"I know my status is humble, and I don't seek any position. I only hope to be with you forever. However, I am not well-informed and timid. The palace has many rules and nobles. I am really scared when I think about entering the palace now. I am afraid that I will not do well and bring shame to you and Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager's expression grew serious, and she signaled Nanny Yan beside her to help the man up.
As soon as she heard the news that Ji Yunhuan was pregnant, she wanted to bring her back to the palace immediately and witness the birth of the emperor's first child with her own eyes, but she ignored the undercurrents in the harem.
The selection is approaching, and the concubines in the palace are restless. In addition, the emperor has not set foot in the harem for a long time. Bringing a woman back to the palace at this critical juncture will make him the target of public criticism.
Especially Concubine Liu, who always makes a scene for no reason. If the news of Ji Yunhuan's pregnancy leaks out, there will definitely be another bloody storm in the palace.
However, she couldn't say these words in front of Ji Yunhuan, so as not to scare the child. She asked Ji Yunhuan to sit beside her and comforted him gently, "Don't be afraid, my dear. If you don't want to go to the palace, then don't go. It's quiet here, very suitable for taking care of the baby. I'll let Nanny Yan stay here. I'll feel more at ease with her taking care of you."
"It's best to keep Huan'er's pregnancy a secret for now. The first three months of pregnancy are the most dangerous, and we absolutely cannot allow anything to go wrong!"
The emperor laughed and said, "I know the severity of the situation and have punished them long ago."
Ji Yunhuan was about to kneel down to thank the Queen Mother again, but was stopped by the Queen Mother. "You are too polite, child. From now on, you can skip these empty formalities. If you kneel again, I will be very angry."
Ji Yunhuan then gave up and sat down peacefully.
She knew that she had passed the empress dowager's test. The empress dowager's thoughts were actually easy to guess. She just liked girls who were respectful and polite. This was too simple for her.
Nanny Yan was a quick and efficient person, and she quickly took over Ji Yunhuan's food, clothing, and daily life. She also took charge of the kitchen of Shuiyue Temple. From then on, Ji Yunhuan's meals were all the responsibility of her and the palace ladies-in-waiting, and no outsiders were allowed to interfere.
However, it was still Taohong who served Ji Yunhuan personally. Taohong was also taught by Nanny Yan and became more cautious.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both stayed at Shuiyue Temple for dinner.
In front of the empress dowager, the emperor couldn't do anything, but his clinging eyes were always on Ji Yunhuan, making Ji Yunhuan blush and look extremely charming.
Ji Yunhuan naturally wouldn't flirt with the Emperor in front of the Queen Mother. She didn't even look at the Emperor, but said to the Queen Mother:
"I have a humble request. Since I came to Shuiyue Temple to pray for my grandmother, I haven't been home yet. I really miss my family. I want to go home and see them. I beg the Empress Dowager for permission."
The emperor frowned upon hearing this, "No! You're pregnant now, you can't go back!"
Ji Yunhuan fought back the tears in her eyes, "Since it's against the rules, then I won't go back. Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I won't dare to do it again."
The emperor was not angry with Ji Yunhuan. He had already investigated the Ji family and knew that the Ji family did not treat Ji Yunhuan well. But Huan'er was soft-hearted and still cared about the family ties, so he didn't want to point it out.
The empress dowager saw Ji Yunhuan crying pitifully and felt so soft-hearted that she became even more dissatisfied with the emperor.
She glared at the emperor and angrily said, "You scared Huan'er! Women are naturally emotionally unstable during pregnancy, and it's natural for them to miss their families. Not only did you not try to comfort her, but you also dared to be so mean to her!"
"Whatever Huan'er says is true. If she wants to go home, then go home. If a pregnant woman is in a bad mood, it will also affect the fetus. You are a grown man who knows nothing. Don't get involved!"
The emperor touched his nose awkwardly. In the eyes of the empress dowager, Ji Yunhuan was much more valuable than his own son.
The Queen Mother wiped Ji Yunhuan's tears with a handkerchief and soothed her softly, "Alright, stop crying. Let's ignore him. I'll make the decision for you. You can go home anytime you want, but you must bring Nanny Yan with you."
"Also, don't be wronged. Although you haven't entered the palace yet, you are the emperor's concubine. No one can bully you. Be brave and don't be afraid. Even if you poke a hole in the sky, I will support you!"
A warm feeling surged in Ji Yunhuan's heart. Although she knew that the Queen Mother was thinking about her offspring, her kindness to her was real.
"Huan'er will follow the Queen Mother's instructions. Thank you for your help!"
The emperor couldn't get a word in at all, so he could only hastily arrange a team of guards for Ji Yunhuan and two secret guards for her, only then did he feel relieved.
No matter where Ji Yunhuan wants to go, these people are enough to protect her.
After seeing off the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, Ji Yunhuan was very tired.
Nanny Yan was a discerning person. She left after taking care of everything and would not come to disturb Ji Yunhuan unless there was something important.
Ji Yunhuan was very respectful to Nanny Yan, but Nanny Yan listened to her opinions on everything and taught her some palace rules, treating her as if she were a proper empress.
Taohong stayed in the room to massage Ji Yunhuan's legs. The technique was also taught to her by Nanny Yan, who said it could prevent swelling of the legs and feet during pregnancy.
Taohong pressed the massage button very seriously and didn't stop until her hands were so sore.
"Miss, can we really go back home? You were sent to Shuiyue Temple by order of the master. Aunt Zhang went to great lengths to drive you out. How could she let you go back so easily?"
Ji Yunhuan sneered, and a hint of murderous intent finally appeared in his gentle and affectionate eyes.
"She has no choice! I've been planning this for a long time, just to avenge my mother! Aunt Zhang's good days are over, I won't let her go!"
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