Chapter 46 Baby
The tense atmosphere in the palace caused by Consort Duan's death was quickly broken by the granting of titles to the three princes.
Not long after the Emperor recovered from his illness, he issued an edict to promote the three princes to the rank of Beile. The fourth prince was particularly special and was given an additional title of "Bao".
[Woof-baby, hahaha baby, le hahaha...]
In Hongli's courtyard, the two small systems received the news much faster than others. Shuangju couldn't help but burst into laughter on the spot. To outsiders, it looked like the Shiba Inu suddenly became excited and rolled around on the ground, barking incessantly.
"What's wrong with Frosty Orange? It sounds like it's laughing to me?"
Gao Xiyue was puzzled and looked at Li Yu curiously.
As the person who had always taken care of the prince's beloved pet, Li Yu was also puzzled and could only guess: "Perhaps, Shuangju is happy because she just came back."
That's right, Shuangju, the little comfort toy sent to the Fifth Prince Hongzhou, has finally been returned. It was Consort Yu who couldn't stand it anymore and sent it back. If it hadn't been returned, she was worried that Hongzhou would have shaved the Fourth Prince's puppy bald.
Soon, the news reached the courtyard, and everyone was even happier to learn that their master had been bestowed the title of "Bao Bei Le," and was the only one of the three princes to receive such an honor.
The people in the courtyard were happy, and the cats were happy too, but the little dog Frosty Orange pretended to be serious, not daring to reveal that he had just mocked Hongli.
"This servant greets my darling."
As soon as Hongli entered the courtyard, everyone knelt down respectfully and bowed loudly.
"Get up, everyone. What's all this fuss about?"
Hongli smiled and called for him to rise. Gao Xiyue, the boldest of them all, stood up and chattered excitedly, "Of course, it's something to be happy about that Master has been granted the title of Beile!"
“That makes sense. Let’s ask the kitchen to add a couple more dishes so that Xiyue can have a taste.”
"master--"
Hongli teased Gao Xiyue, while the other servants in the courtyard watched the commotion with smiles, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
"Enough joking around," Hongli instructed, "There is good news today. Everyone in the courtyard will receive their March allowance."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Hongli walked into the room with a smile, scooped the Shiba Inu into his arms, and stroked its back, seemingly unaware of its stiffness.
"Why is Shuangju back?"
"Your Majesty, it was Consort Yu who sent it back. She said..." Li Yu suppressed a laugh, "that she was thanking Your Majesty for your kindness, but was worried that the Fifth Prince's men might not be careful and pluck all the tangerines."
"Your Highness is too kind," Hongli said with a smile, looking at the Shiba Inu. "Look at how shiny and smooth Frosty Orange looks. It won't be plucked bald. Fifth Brother knows his limits. He has always liked Frosty Orange."
A bad feeling rose in Shuangju's heart, and then she heard Hongli say gently, "Li Yu, send Shuangju to Fifth Brother's place. We can't let Fifth Brother and Consort Yu have a falling out. Besides, our little Shuangju likes Fifth Brother very much, right—"
[Woof - No, Master! Hongzhou is so clingy! I don't want to go!]
"Seeing how happily Shuangju barks, it's clear she agrees. It seems she's developed a bond with Fifth Brother." Hongli smiled and handed the Shiba Inu puppy to Li Yu.
Holding Shuangju, Li Yu couldn't help but sigh, "Master is so kind-hearted and dotes on his younger brother; he's even willing to give up his beloved dog."
[Woof - I was wrong, don't send me away - Shuanghua, 555, please plead for me, Xiao Hongzhou is too scary, if I weren't the system, I would really be skinned bald!]
"Meow--"
The little white cat leaped lightly from the corner and landed on the table, looking at the frost-orange cat with a human-like pity.
[Meow-little brother, it's not that I, as your older brother, don't want to help you, but when you laughed at the host just now, how could you forget that the host could hear you? You've only materialized; your core is still in the host's sea of consciousness. What's the difference between that and crickets talking to someone in front of you? Sigh, you wild systems, are you really that lacking in common sense?]
The white cat lay sprawled on the table, leisurely grooming itself, its tone dripping with schadenfreude. "Haha, Frosty Orange's gone, now the host's all to myself!"
"Woof—"
Frosty Orange, heartbroken and despondent, ceased its struggles and allowed Li Yu to carry it back to Hongzhou's "devil's lair." At that moment, all it wanted was to escape; compared to its master, Hongzhou was a mere child compared to a monster. To avoid the wrath of the demons, it decided to "feed itself to the demon."
After seeing off Shuangju, who had mocked him, Hongli petted the kitten again, still feeling somewhat annoyed. That fat orange cat, of all things to bestow titles upon, had to be made a precious treasure, not even a princely title—how stingy!
Hongli was displeased and wanted to cause trouble. Thinking about Zhang Mi's diagnosis, Hongli sighed. If they couldn't even have offspring, what was the point of having sex?
His "precious son," being such a filial child, should lend a hand and help his father solve this problem. Since he's so diligent in his duties, he shouldn't be distracted by other things.
Hongli nodded; he was truly a thoughtful son.
...
In Shou Kang Palace, Uya and Yixiu faced off in silence.
Finally, Yixiu grew impatient and asked, "Why did Your Majesty summon me here? The Fourth Prince has bestowed a precious gift upon you; are you still not pleased?"
Yixiu deliberately provoked her by mentioning Hongli, and Wuya Shi indeed became wary.
"It's a good thing that His Majesty values Hongli. Yixiu, you've always prioritized His Majesty's wishes, so I don't think you'll object, will you?"
Uya selectively forgot about Yixiu's attack on the fourth prince.
Hearing her question, Yixiu deliberately sneered: "Hongshi is stupid and Hongzhou is uneducated. The Emperor only has these three sons, so I naturally know how to choose."
Uya was still worried and continued, "Qingying is getting older and will be looking for a husband in a couple of years. It's not good for her to stay in Jiangnan for long. I plan to summon her back. After all, she is your niece. In the future, when you have nothing to do, you can invite her to the palace more often. What do you think?"
Yixiu sneered, "The Empress Dowager has already made the arrangements, how could I refuse? Since she is my niece, I will naturally summon her often."
"Does Your Majesty have anything else to say? If not, I will take my leave."
Uya gave her a deep look, having achieved her goal, and did not keep her any longer.
"Your Majesty," Jianqiu, standing beside Yixiu upon returning to Jingren Palace, couldn't help but ask, "Why did Your Majesty have to act like this..."
"Why should you act like Hongli was forced into the position by the Empress Dowager?"
Yixiu asked in return, and Jianqiu nodded, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Heh—" Yixiu chuckled, "My good aunt, although she doesn't show it obviously, is actually just as suspicious as the Emperor. If I had shown that I was different from Hongli from the beginning, she would have inevitably overthought things and caused some unnecessary disputes."
In fact, ever since she noticed the Empress Dowager's unusual attention to Hongli in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yixiu, though unsure why, began to harbor thoughts of taking advantage of it.
"The more I appear to be driven by self-interest, the more the Empress Dowager will invest in the Fourth Prince. The more she invests, the harder it will be for her to extricate herself."
Yixiu laughed heartily. No matter what happened afterward, or whether the Empress Dowager's attitude would change, it would be difficult for her to get off Hongli's ship.
"I used to be a gambler like that, now it's their turn..."
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