Hua Xiao was already shockingly thin, and now, kneeling on the ground, she looked even thinner.
The Empress Dowager sighed repeatedly upon seeing this, and her originally stern and angry voice softened slightly. "Get up. I heard you can read? It's quite remarkable that you know so many characters at such a young age."
The Empress Dowager had reservations about this.
Hua Xiao stood up in a trembling voice.
Although the little girl was timid, she was not foolish. She understood the Empress Dowager's meaning, lowered her head, trembled, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I am not little anymore, I am already nine years old..."
"What?!"
The Empress Dowager was startled, and even swayed, barely managing to steady herself by grabbing onto a low table beside her.
The little girl's soft, weak voice shocked and bewildered everyone present, who looked at the little girl in the middle of the room in disbelief.
He Wan was truly stunned, but Zhuang You, who already knew about this, was not surprised and quickly helped the Empress Dowager up.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand gently, and when her gaze fell on the little girl again, she was so startled that she dared not look at her any longer.
"You...you're nine years old?" the Empress Dowager asked softly, and a slight tremor could be heard in her voice.
The little girl lowered her head and responded softly.
The Empress Dowager's face was extremely ugly. She looked at the little girl's thin appearance and her eyes were filled with anger.
The little boy clung to the Empress Dowager's hand and pleaded in his childish voice, "Grandma Empress Dowager, Sister Hua Xiao doesn't want to go home. Can she live with Niannian from now on?"
“Alright,” the Empress Dowager readily agreed. She glanced at Zhuangyou and instructed, “Then you can take this child back with you. In the end, it is our Huo family’s daughter who owes her. All the provisions for this child in the future will be provided for her as a county princess, and the expenses will be paid from the palace.”
Zhuangyou smiled and replied, "Yes, this servant will definitely take good care of this child."
The Empress Dowager nodded, looking at Hua Xiao, her anger rising uncontrollably.
She glanced at the little baby in her arms who was starting to get sleepy again, put her down on the ground, and instructed Zhuangyou, "Have someone take this child back to wash and change her clothes. Also, take Niannian out to play. When it's time for dinner, I'll send someone to call you."
Zhuangyou glanced at the time and knew that the Empress Dowager was worried that the little baby would want to sleep, and even more worried that she would lose her temper and scare the little baby.
She smiled and agreed, picked up the little baby, and called to Hua Xiao before heading out.
Once outside, Zhuangyou called Xia Yi over and instructed her to take the little girl back to Qinghua Tower.
"The Empress Dowager has instructed that this young lady will enjoy the treatment of a county princess from now on. Although she will not have an official title, please remember that the palace servants have given you clear instructions and you must not neglect her duties." Zhuangyou looked at the frail Hua Xiao and, still worried, called Xia Yi back to give her further instructions.
Xia Yi was still unaware of what had happened. Upon hearing Zhuang You's words, she was genuinely stunned. Her arms, which were holding Hua Xiao, suddenly stiffened, as if she were holding a golden nugget.
Looking at Xia Yi's appearance, Zhuang You smiled helplessly, and then said, "By the way, don't ask about this girl's identity. Go back and tell Granny Jiang to keep quiet in our courtyard."
"Yes!" Xia Yi immediately knew there must be something going on here, and quickly agreed.
After dismissing the timid but clever Xia Yi, Zhuang You led the little baby towards the small garden behind Shouci Palace.
The little one loves flowers the most, and he flapped his short legs and ran off on his own.
A moment later, she came running back, jumped onto her older sister Zhuangyou's lap, blinked her bright eyes, and looked up at her, saying, "Sister Zhuangyou! Let's go find our godmother!"
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