Xiaoyu is old enough to understand things. As soon as Su Nianniang entered the princess's residence, she knew that she had mistaken her mother for someone else. Therefore, when she saw Cen Xi again, she was somewhat timid and hesitant.
"I've said before that when you consider me your mother, I will be your mother. Little Fish, are you still willing to be our mother?"
Cen Xi squatted down, hugged Xiaoyu in her arms, and asked her with a smile. This child is so wonderful; I wish she were really her daughter.
"Really? That's wonderful! Mother is still my mother. Brother, Mother, the Princess said she's still Xiaoyu's mother. I'm so happy."
After Xiaoyu saw that Cen Xi still recognized her, she turned to Liu Jiuyi and Su Nianniang and smiled, and excitedly kissed Cen Xi on the cheek.
"Princess, this... our family's status..."
Seeing Xiaoyu's outrageous behavior, Su Nianniang felt somewhat embarrassed, but secretly delighted.
Actually, she was just as worried as Xiaoyu that the princess wouldn't acknowledge their relationship, but she didn't expect Xiaoyu to be so resilient.
"Good boy, go out and play with your brother first, and then come to Mommy's for lunch later."
Cen Xi did not answer Su Nianniang's question first, but planned to send Xiaoyu and the others away so that she could have a proper talk with Su Nianniang.
But at this moment, Liu Jiuyi did not do as she wished. He immediately knelt down, kowtowed three times to Cen Xi, and then looked up to apologize to her.
“Princess… Jiuyi was ignorant when she was young and did many foolish things. Please don’t blame me.”
"It's good that you know you're wrong. Take your sister out to play first. I, the princess, only think of you as a little kid and have never taken you seriously. Lunch will be served here. Don't forget the time when you're playing."
Cen Xi helped him up, placed Xiaoyu's little hand in his slightly larger hand, smiled and said she didn't mind, and let him take Xiaoyu away.
Liu Jiuyi understood immediately that the adults had something to say, so she didn't do anything in the way and took Xiaoyu out to play.
After the children left, Cen Xi invited the few she had brought back from Lijia Village into the house.
After everyone had taken their seats, Cen Xi first asked Su Nianniang:
"What are your plans after this? Will you take Jiuyi and Xiaoyu back to Lijia Village, or will you keep them in the capital?"
“I… Your Highness, I have a favor to ask.”
Su Nianniang glanced at Cen Xi and suddenly knelt down.
"Just say what's on your mind. Xiaoyu is a really nice and cute girl. I'll give you some face because of her."
Cen Xi realized that this woman didn't want to leave the capital. Well, that was fine too, she didn't want Xiaoyu to go back to Lijia Village.
Giving them a future wouldn't be bad.
Sure enough, Su Nianniang's next words confirmed her guess:
"Nianniang, Nianniang wishes to stay in the capital and make a future there. I beg Your Highness to grant my request."
"That's a good idea. What are your plans next? How can I help you?"
Su Nianniang really wanted to stay, and for the sake of the two children, she would do her best.
"I want to be a lady-in-waiting in the princess's palace, to serve the princess wholeheartedly. I can embroider, do laundry, cook, serve tea and water. The princess only needs to give me a job."
Su Nianniang thought for a moment. As a country woman, all she knew was how to serve others, so she could only start from that point.
“My adopted son and daughter will have an extremely noble status in the future. How can you, as their biological mother, do such lowly work? You are not considering your children’s future.”
Cen Xi never expected that Su Nianniang was only at this level, and couldn't help but want to reprimand her.
"Well... this... Your Highness, Nian Niang, Nian Niang only knows this much."
Su Nianniang glanced uncomfortably at Cen Xi at the head of the table, a look of embarrassment and envy flashing across her face.
How could her face and her fate be so different?
"Since you want to stay in the capital, there's no rush. You can stay at the Princess's residence and learn how to manage the household affairs first. Later, I will assign two nannies to teach you properly. You're not that old, so it won't be difficult for you to remarry."
Looking at the face below her that resembled her by about 80%, Cen Xi thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to find her a good marriage.
Since Xiaoyu and Jiuyi are no longer her daughter and son, they still need to have a home.
And letting their mother remarry is the best option.
With her as a princess backing them up, even if the other party was unwilling, they wouldn't dare to openly challenge the imperial authority.
Furthermore, with Su Nianniang's stunning beauty, she refused to believe that she couldn't win over her husband's heart.
"Princess, are you trying to get me married?"
Something flashed in Su Nianniang's eyes, then she asked with a bright smile.
"Hmm! Xiaoyu and Jiuyi both need a real home. If you become a lady-in-waiting in my household, even if they are my adopted son and daughter, their status will be that of servants. How can servants possibly be expected to marry into a noble family or a high-ranking household? So your decision is very important. Think it over carefully. I'll give you a year. Let me know when you've made up your mind, and I, the princess, will make all the necessary arrangements."
Seeing that Su Nianniang had finally shown her true feelings, Cen Xi wondered whether Su Nianniang would accept her kindness.
"I will think it over carefully. Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."
Su Nianniang knelt down and kowtowed to express her gratitude. Marriage was indeed her only choice. However, she had no idea who she wanted to marry. This arrangement was fine as it was.
With the matter concerning Su Nianniang's family temporarily settled, Cen Xi wanted to ask Eunuch Qin about his plans. However, before she could speak, the plump Aunt Gu Chunhua spoke first, looking at her with expectant and joyful eyes:
"Your Highness, what about me? What am I supposed to do? Get married too?"
She's been in the capital for over two months now. The capital is so bustling and dazzling that she can hardly think about Li Dazhu anymore.
She just wanted to stay in the capital, enjoying wealth and luxury. She wanted to eat and drink the finest food and never have to worry about a few coins or stealing a few pieces of meat again.
"You stay in the princess's residence for now and lose weight. Look at you, it's only been a month or two since I stopped taking care of you, and you've already gained weight again, haven't you? Are you eating even more than before, and have you gained dozens of pounds more?"
Cen Xi felt a pang of heartache seeing the enormous, plump woman standing in her room. She really had been too impulsive back then.
How did they manage to save such a worthless person?
"I...I...! There are so many delicious foods in the capital, I couldn't resist."
Seeing Cen Xi looking at her with a disappointed expression, the plump aunt Gu Chunhua stammered a little.
"Ha! A woman who can't even control her own weight dares to dream of remarrying? No way! Just stay in the princess's residence. When you've lost weight to my satisfaction, I might find you a man."
Cen Xi glared at her and poured cold water on her without any politeness. After she finished, she couldn't help but give her a sweet date.
"All right!"
Hearing this answer, the plump woman gave up all hope and stood aside dejectedly without saying a word.
"Eunuch Qin, what are your plans?"
Seeing that the fat woman had finally calmed down, Cen Xi asked the old eunuch standing to the side.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
