Han Luoxue felt even more ashamed, but considering that she was going to Le'an Town soon and would not be staying for a day, she decided to go and tell the Empress Dowager.
She ate a few bites of food hastily, though she wasn't actually hungry. Han Luoxue then took the two maids to the Empress Dowager's place.
Unsurprisingly, the retired emperor was also there.
She should be addressed as the Retired Emperor, but Han Luoxue prefers to call her the Old Emperor.
"Grandmother, Father..." Upon seeing the two, Han Luoxue greeted them first. Mengmeng and Zhuangzhuang were already learning to roll over. The two little ones were incredibly strong. Although they were only drinking a little breast milk, they also had formula to supplement their diet, so they had no shortage of any nutrients. Their little hands and feet were full of energy.
Hearing her voice, the two little ones turned around and greeted Han Luoxue by making "ooh ooh ooh" sounds.
"You two ungrateful little devils, why aren't you so excited to see your great-grandmother?"
The Empress Dowager patted the adorable little bottom, and the little girl's lips twitched, revealing her red little teeth. It was clear that she was very happy.
Han Luoxue stepped forward and hugged her. The little one stared at her with wide eyes, as if trying to recognize her.
"Those two are really not naughty at all; you hardly ever hear them cry!"
After waking up, they started playing and kept muttering to themselves, but unfortunately, no one could understand what they were saying.
The Empress Dowager's favorite thing to do was to tease the two children. She would put her hand in front of their eyes, and the children would reach out and grab it. When they succeeded, they would giggle with joy. Their smiles melted the Empress Dowager's heart.
"Because you see her more often! Grandmother, they are closer to you than to me."
Han Luoxue pouted, and the Empress Dowager laughed heartily: "Of course, she's my precious darling! Xue'er, go ahead and do what you need to do, don't worry too much about this old man, and don't fret about the two of them. I'm in great health now, taking care of them is no problem at all!"
You have no idea how many people envy me!
The Empress Dowager smiled smugly, but she was actually even happier than the old general's wife. Ever since the two little ones started visiting her, the old general's wife had been coming over to play every few days.
However, she couldn't come every day, and her visits weren't very long either. Her envious gaze made the Empress Dowager feel extremely comfortable.
Hmph, this is her child, no matter how envious the old general's wife is, it's useless!
"I..." Han Luoxue felt a little embarrassed. She was probably the most unique empress in history!
"By the way, Xue girl, I heard that there was a gambling den set up outside the national treasury a while ago. It's a pity I didn't know at the time. If I had known, I would definitely have bet on you to win!"
Han Luoxue chuckled inwardly. The Empress Dowager had changed a lot; sometimes she didn't even need to call herself "I" when talking to her!
Would this be considered a case of a mother gaining status through her son?
If it weren't for the fact that the Empress Dowager liked the two little ones, would she even bother with me?
"Little Xue, they grow up so fast, they look different every day."
The old emperor also exclaimed in admiration, "When I was emperor, I never had such a leisurely life."
He wasn't used to stopping at first, but now he feels that spending time with his two children is quite nice.
Han Luoxue smiled and said, "Yes!"
She didn't quite like the old emperor.
Especially when thinking about what happened in Xiyao Kingdom.
If the emperor hadn't been merciful and released Ouyang Fu, the crown prince of Xiyao Kingdom wouldn't have been able to escape, and none of what followed would have happened.
The old emperor also sensed Han Luoxue's lukewarm attitude. He frowned, wondering how he had offended this little girl again.
As he spent more time with Han Luoxue, he came to understand that Han Luoxue was not the kind of person who simply distinguished between right and wrong.
If you treat her well, she will treat you even better; but if you offend her, she will hold a grudge.
He hasn't done anything in the last few days, so he shouldn't have offended anyone.
"Snow Girl, are you alright?"
The old emperor still asked cautiously, and the empress dowager looked over as well, still smiling: "Xue'er, has something bothering you? Don't take those rumors outside to heart. They're just sour grapes. They're all scrambling to get into the palace, but there's no such thing as a free lunch!"
Hearing this analogy, Han Luoxue chuckled: "Grandmother, I'm not angry about those things!"
She sighed softly, her gaze falling on the old emperor: "The matter in Xishu has not been resolved yet. Xi Wujue keeps provoking us there, and Your Majesty is very worried about it!"
The old emperor shrank back and muttered a weak excuse, "Why did I think of that rebellious son..."
As the ruler of a country, how could he not feel distressed?
Ouyang Zhen has captured Xi Wujue. Even if he can't kill him, he should at least torture him to the point of wishing he were dead, and then ask Xi Yao Kingdom for some benefits.
He wouldn't accept anything less than what he was asked for. That was his plan at the time, but little did he expect that his rebellious son would not only run away but also take Xi Wujue with him.
At that time, he wanted to kill that rebellious son.
"I sensed from the Emperor's intention to personally lead the expedition! I feel a little uneasy about it!"
Han Luoxue did not mention the disappearance of her younger siblings. When the Empress Dowager heard this, the smile on her face froze. She hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Well, Xue'er, I think it's better if His Majesty doesn't go in person. Actually, our court has capable people; we can send another general instead!"
Han Luoxue's feelings were complicated, a bittersweet mix. She knew that if her younger siblings hadn't gone missing, they might have been captured and taken to the western border, and Ouyang Zhen might not have personally led the expedition.
But since his younger siblings were involved, Ouyang Zhen wouldn't feel at ease if he didn't go himself, just like he would feel at ease if he didn't go.
"His Majesty must have his reasons! But if he goes, I'd like to accompany him!"
The Empress Dowager immediately retorted, "Xue'er, don't be impulsive! You can't go there! There's a war going on there. You're just a young girl, and you don't know any martial arts. It's too dangerous for you to go there."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager was genuinely worried about her, Han Luoxue felt a bit conflicted.
At first, the Empress Dowager's attitude towards me wasn't very good, but relationships are built through interaction, look at me now?
"Yes, Xue'er, if the Emperor wants to go, let him go. You shouldn't go. Don't forget that Mengmeng and Zhuangzhuang are still young, and they need you too!"
"Ooh ooh!" the two little ones started buzzing. The Empress Dowager hurriedly said, "Look, neither of them agrees!"
"Mengmeng, Zhuangzhuang, don't you want your mother to go out either?"
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