More than two months later, after the beginning of winter, the capital was covered with frost and snow, and the cold winter officially arrived.
Two or three sparrows were chirping on the branches, and they were clinging to the latticed window, pecking their feathers to keep warm. The air outside was freezing, but the floor fire inside was burning hot. The copper stove that was burning with warm incense had just had the ashes swept away, and it was emitting long, thin smoke, giving off a warm feeling.
Yan Jin was wearing a pink jacket with a rusty red plum pattern and a circle of rabbit fur around her neck. Against her baby's chubby round face, she looked like a plum juice dessert covered in rice flour.
There were two newly-stretched quilts on the bunk bed, which had been specially fumigated twice with warm incense. They were at their softest. Yan Jin was crawling around on the bed barefoot, looking extremely happy.
She is now five months old. Babies grow fastest when they are in swaddling clothes. Looking at her now, she is already two times bigger than before.
Unlike before when she could only babble, she has now learned to crawl. At least she is much freer in her movements. Not only that, she can also eat things. Xie Xueqing made a lot of rice porridge and juice for her, and she ate them all. She no longer had to just dip her finger in them and taste them.
"Jin'er!"
As soon as she heard the sound outside the door, Yan Jin rolled over on the quilt with her short legs, facing the door and stretching her long neck to look out.
As soon as Xie Xueqing came back from outside, she saw her daughter rolling around on the bed, and looked at her cute little appearance eagerly. Seeing her coming, Yan Jin subconsciously opened her hands and called out twice, staring at Xie Xueqing with her eyes like water beads without blinking, just like those chubby little birds outside the window.
Xie Xueqing's heart was about to melt. Without even taking off her cloak, she immediately hugged her in her arms and kissed her warm little face.
"Mother's baby! Have you been good today?"
"Very well behaved..."
Yan Jin had been in the room the whole time, and was suddenly chilled by Xie Xueqing's lips, which were still cold from outside. She pouted and shouted incoherently.
Although her speech is unclear, she has now begun to try to learn to speak. It is too difficult for her to speak more than just a few words at her age when even gestures are difficult for her.
"He's such a good girl."
After kissing her daughter's face again, Xie Xueqing remembered that she hadn't even taken off her cloak. "I'm so stupid. What if I pass the cold air on to Jin'er?"
She quickly and carefully put Yan Jin down, asked someone to take off her cloak, and walked to the fireplace to warm her hands to get rid of the coldness on her body. Looking at Yan Jin crawling around on the bedding with his short legs twisting, Xie Xueqing couldn't help laughing.
"My dear Jin'er, tomorrow I will take you to the palace to attend the banquet, okay?"
Yan Jin, who was trying to crawl to the pillow, repeated Xie Xueqing's words in a daze: "The, the Imperial Palace?"
"Yes." Xie Xueqing made sure she was no longer cold before walking over to Yan Jin. She straightened Yan Jin's crooked jacket and said, "We're going to the Imperial Palace. The Empress specially invited us there."
Yan Jin's eyes lit up at first, but then she thought of Meng Qinian, and her excitement was overwhelmed by resentment. Her eyes dimmed instantly and she couldn't help pouting.
[I really want to see the Empress, but I don't want to see Meng Qinian at all. What should I do?]
[Oh my! Oh my! Couldn't he have been more self-aware and stayed in the palace that day?!]
Xie Xueqing looked at her daughter's wrinkled face and suddenly found it funny. She picked up Xie Xueqing, who was depressed like a pink ball, with both hands and pinched her still pouty little mouth.
"Don't worry, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince won't do anything to you."
Seeing Yan Jin didn't say anything, Xie Xueqing pondered for a moment and said, "I went to the palace banquet. There were delicious food and fun things to do there."
Yan Jin blinked her eyes. The food in the palace was naturally quite luxurious. Even though she was still a child, she could definitely eat more delicious food than at home.
Seeing Yan Jin relax, Xie Xueqing continued to hold her daughter and rock her, saying, "Let me think about it. Oh, and there are so many beautiful brothers and sisters in the palace. Our Jin'er can see many beautiful people!"
After being comforted by her mother, Yan Jin's frown finally relaxed a little. She had both delicious food and beautiful women, and it would be a pity to give them up just for Meng Qinian.
"Okay, since my mother has said so, it seems awkward not to go."
Three days later.
Thousands of candles were lit early in the banquet hall, and the lights were bright everywhere. Palace servants came in and out like a stream, busy carrying things back and forth to serve.
After Yan Jin was brought in by her mother, she immediately began to look around. The overwhelming luxury and solemnity really made her dazzled. After she was completely seated, she looked left and right, and her eyes lit up instantly.
Good job!
【This is an uncle with mature charm! 】
[This one is also good. Although he is young, he is very handsome.]
[It must be said that the emperor is good at selecting people! ]
[No wonder there were always jokes about the princess falling in love with the top scholar. If it were her, she would fall in love too. Her face would probably break with laughter.]
Xie Xueqing's face flushed when she heard her daughter's true feelings.
Whatever is going on in this daughter's mind every day is a complete mess.
Fortunately, I can’t speak now, and only I can hear my thoughts.
"Jin'er is here, come and give me a hug."
The Queen saw Xie Xueqing holding Yan Jin at a glance, and her voice immediately became much gentler.
【It’s the beautiful queen! 】
[Wow, this cold and ruthless look becomes gentle for me. There is really an indescribable attraction.]
When the queen held her in her arms, Yan Jin's mouth corners lifted uncontrollably, and she felt only happiness.
【Hey, Queen, please help me! 】
[I really like the Queen and my mother! Just looking at such beauties is a real pleasure.]
Just when Yan Jin was feeling extremely happy, a childish voice broke the peace she was enjoying.
"Mother, I also want to hug my sister Jin'er."
Yan Jin opened her eyes and saw that it was Meng Qinian. She immediately frowned her pretty little brows.
I don’t want to hug!
"reject!"
Yan Jin made an indistinct little baby sound, her cheeks puffed up.
[Although this little prince is getting more and more handsome, I am also a person with principles.]
Meng Qinian heard her inner thoughts, and a faint smile appeared in his cold eyes.
Pretending not to understand anything, he picked up Yan Jin and said softly, "Be good and don't make trouble. I'll take you to eat something delicious later."
Delicious!
Yan Jin's beautiful black eyes lit up instantly. She likes delicious food!
You wouldn't have guessed it, but Meng Qinian is quite smart. He guessed her preferences right away.
Humph, since you are so understanding, I'll just do it reluctantly.
Yan Jin's frown instantly smoothed out, and she gave Meng Qinian a sweet smile.
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