Everyone understood what An Miaolan meant: that the aunt and the little girl she was holding had also perished in the dog's jaws.
The Empress Dowager listened to her words and sighed deeply.
However, after the initial solemnity, the Empress Dowager looked at An Miaolan with a hint of kindness, and said in a gentle voice, "Alright, stop crying. You are a good child. Your first thought was not to run away yourself, but to save people. That's very good."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch who had gone to check rushed into the hall, bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this servant went to check the place Miss An mentioned, but found no bloodstains or corpses. There was only Miss An's maid lying unconscious on the road, and there were no bloodstains or wounds on her body, which does not seem to be the work of Hu Bao."
"Wh-what?!" An Miaolan, who was sobbing with her face covered, suddenly looked up, her face full of shock and disbelief. However, unease gradually appeared on her face, and her eyes became shifty and guilty.
The Empress Dowager took it all in without showing any emotion. Her exquisitely made-up face darkened, her red lips pressed tightly together, and her eyes revealed displeasure.
"Splash—"
Suddenly, the teacup on the table made a sound.
This sound immediately drew the Empress Dowager's attention, and she saw a chubby little hand trying to pull back from the candy nest.
The Empress Dowager followed the trail and immediately met a pair of bright, clear eyes that blinked and sparkled, clearly belonging to a mischievous and clever person.
The little girl was caught red-handed stealing food. When she met the Empress Dowager's gaze, she timidly withdrew her little hand, propped herself up on her arms, and moved up a little, revealing her whole face.
Then, the little baby gave his grandmother a big smile, with a pair of dimples on his lips and his bright, sparkling eyes, making him look adorable and clever.
"Hello, beautiful Empress Dowager!" The little dumpling, caught red-handed, was incredibly sweet-talking.
It looked like a little puppy, hanging on the low table, smiling sweetly and adorably, its soft, sweet little voice especially endearing.
This adorable little dumpling, which older person could resist it?
When the Empress Dowager saw this clever and mischievous little baby, she immediately became extremely fond of him. She completely forgot about the sweet buns and even the gloom that had been on her face just moments before was swept away.
"Look at this little darling, whose sweet words are these!"
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly and gently, quickly removed her nail guards, and reached out to touch the little girl's soft, chubby, pink face. "Come on, little darling, come on up quickly, be careful not to fall."
However, while some were happy, others were sad. The Empress Dowager looked at the suddenly appearing little baby with delight, but An Miaolan was indeed shocked as she looked at the little person who had suddenly appeared, and her face gradually became flustered.
The little girl didn't see An Miaolan in the crowd; she was too busy sneaking a bite to eat and didn't hear what An Miaolan was saying.
As they were talking, He Wan, the head palace maid beside the Empress Dowager, had already circled around to the back.
The little girl responded with a sweet, childish "Okay," and then obediently let He Wan pick her up and place her in the Empress Dowager's arms.
While nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, Cha Nian smelled a faint fragrance, delicate and refreshing, which the little girl loved. It was a scent she had never experienced before.
The little baby couldn't resist nuzzling his head into the Empress Dowager's arms, sniffing her again and again, before finally pulling his head up. His dimples deepened, and his bright eyes looked up at the Empress Dowager, his smile sweet and radiant.
"Grandma Dowager smells so good, she really is a great beauty!"
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