Consort Xue smiled and echoed, "Indeed, I heard long ago that the little princess of the Prince's family is lively and delightful, and a blessed person. It's true what they say, the little princess made our Empress Dowager smile with joy as soon as she appeared today."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager recalled the adorable little boy's appearance and smiled even more broadly, "Niannian truly deserves the title 'Fuying' (福盈, meaning 'abundant blessings'). The Emperor has chosen a good title for her."
Zhuangyou smiled faintly and thanked the little boy on his behalf. As she stood up, she gave the little boy, who was grinning foolishly, a reproachful look.
However, the little boy insisted on staying in the Empress Dowager's arms. Seeing that the Empress Dowager did not show any impatience, Zhuangyou quietly stepped aside, revealing the Princess Changyin who had been hiding behind her.
When the Empress Dowager saw Changyin, the smile on her face faded—seeing this little cat-like Changyin, she couldn't help but feel heartache.
She beckoned to Changyin, her voice exceptionally kind and gentle, with a hint of probing, "Changyin, come, shall we come to your grandmother's?"
Princess Xinglin was married off to Binling, and it wasn't until her tragic death a month ago that Changyin was brought to the capital for the first time.
In the unfamiliar environment, and as a child who had just been frightened, even though the Empress Dowager was kind, Changyin was still somewhat afraid of this maternal grandmother she had never met before.
Changyin instinctively wanted to find Hubao, but after looking around, she realized that Hubao was being kept outside. She nervously tugged at her clothes and hesitantly took a step forward.
Even so, when the Empress Dowager saw Changyin walking towards her, tears welled up in her eyes with relief.
She gently took Changyin's dirty little hand, pulled her into her arms, and gently tidied her hair. "Good child, good child, don't be afraid. From now on, Grandma will protect you."
Changyin's dusty little face twitched slightly, and her timid eyes stared blankly at the Empress Dowager, still filled with unease and helplessness.
Seeing Changyin's timid look, the little dumpling puffed out his cheeks and grabbed Changyin's other hand, his smile sweet and bright, "Don't be afraid, Changyin, Niannian will protect you!"
The little boy's sudden movement really startled the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was always very careful around Changyin, afraid of startling her again.
However, when Changyin was grabbed by the little boy, she was not frightened at all. Instead, her taciturn little face suddenly became expressive and lively. When she looked at the little boy, she even smiled slightly.
“Okay, I believe in Sister Niannian,” Changyin said softly.
The Empress Dowager was truly shocked by this scene and was momentarily stunned. Not only the Empress Dowager, but everyone present knew about Changyin's situation. Seeing that the little boy had easily made Changyin lower his guard, they were all stunned and held their breath.
However, Zhuangyou was standing next to her, and she was really annoyed by her little darling calling her "long-tongued little sister" and coaxing the county princess to call her "Nian Nian sister".
Unfortunately, given the occasion, Zhuangyou couldn't say anything, and could only give her little darling a few warning glares.
But the little girl's skin had long been thickened by her father. She nestled her little head into the Empress Dowager's arms, wiggled her short legs lazily, pretending not to see anything, and then turned around and sweetly coaxed the county princess, Changyin, to call her sister.
"Changyin, do you live here too? Niannian will come to visit you and Hubao to play in the future!" the little dumpling said happily, pulling Changyin along.
When Changyin heard that Chanian was also living in the palace, her eyes lit up and she nodded, "Great! Hu Bao and I are waiting for Sister Chanian!"
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