Chapter 42 The New Darling of the Royal Palace
Ever since the Empress Dowager was removed from the Yunzhu Pagoda by the Emperor two months ago, she has been having recurring dreams every night.
In her dream, a solitary tower suddenly collapsed, followed by widespread mourning throughout the court. Connecting this to previous events, the Empress Dowager immediately connected it to supernatural tales.
Soon after, her dream changed.
A golden koi carp leaped out from the collapsed Yunzhu Pagoda, entered the water, and transformed into a dragon.
The golden dragon spat out a dragon pearl, which landed and transformed into a little girl with a red cloud between her eyebrows.
The Empress Dowager felt that Qiuqiu resembled the little girl in her dream by a third, except that Qiuqiu was a smaller version, while the little girl in her dream was about three or four years old.
The red dot between Qiuqiu's eyebrows was wiped away by her, and it looked almost exactly like the bright red dot in the Empress Dowager's dream.
Empress Dowager: "Liu Debao, quickly bring this child to me so I can have a good look at him!"
"Sigh!" Liu Debao carefully handed Qiuqiu to the Empress Dowager. He had promised Prince Su that the little girl would not be harmed in the slightest, so he had to be careful.
This baby is so chubby!
"Your Majesty, be careful."
Not only were they afraid the child would fall, but they were also afraid the Empress Dowager would hurt her back.
The Empress Dowager held the heavy little chick in her arms and, with her well-maintained appearance, placed her hand on the chick's forehead: "So alike, so very alike!"
Chirp: 【！！！】
What happened?!
I don't do stunt work!
None of my family members understand; I came out and became someone else's substitute.
Chiu Chiu was very close to the Empress Dowager, and the little guy actually reached out and pressed his hand to the Empress Dowager's mouth.
Is she the white moonlight?
She loves reading novels about a substitute love interest who suffers both physically and emotionally!
Little did she know that her little action had startled Emperor Jingming.
"Mother, this...this child!"
Emperor Jingming never expected that a child would dare to stick his hand into the Empress Dowager's mouth. What was most puzzling was that the Empress Dowager was not angry at all, but instead hugged the child affectionately and doted on him.
Emperor Jingming: "Does the Empress Dowager really like this child?"
[Grandpa Uncle, what you're saying isn't right!]
【I'm so cute, what's wrong with liking me!】
How can you judge the quality of longan by its appearance?
Empress Dowager: "This child is destined for me, and I am delighted. Someone, please reward him!"
[A reward? What kind of reward?]
Chiu Chiu was terrified. She hadn't brought her own flower bag; what if it wasn't big enough to hold everything?
The Queen sat there calmly, still unable to comprehend how this chubby little brat had managed to win over her entire family.
Look, the first one to be captured has arrived!
Fu Ning was greatly disappointed today; the little sister she had adored yesterday was gone. What if the Nian monster, a powerful beast, snatched her away during the New Year?
It's such a shame that she can't protect her little sister right now!
“Princess, wake up! Miss Chiu Chiu, whom you are so worried about, is in the palace.”
Chirp?
Little sister!
Fu Ning pointed with her little hand and said, "Take me there!"
The two little ones looked at each other across the crowd. Fu Ning waved reservedly, while Qiu Qiu grinned, showing her gums.
Chuchu: [What an amazing girl!]
Fu Ning: The little sister who wasn't eaten by the giant monster!
Although neither of them could speak, everyone present could feel their joy.
Emperor Jingming was overjoyed: "This is the first time I've seen such a rich expression on Fu Ning's face."
This little one was even more serious than her second brother, who was fighting on the frontier. Emperor Jingming thought he was about to have another stern-faced daughter.
So she can laugh after all!
The Queen ordered a thick blanket to be placed on the ground so that the two little ones, who missed each other, could be put together.
Chiu Chiu can already roll over, and since we don't have anything else to do during the Lunar New Year, let me show you a lucky koi fish roll over!
The chubby little girl flipped over with a single effort and lay face down on the ground, flailing her limbs.
The Empress Dowager was the first to chime in: "Great!"
Fu Ning looked at Qiu Qiu, put her little hands on the ground, and rolled away on the spot, just like her... and then... she rolled far away...
Chirp: [? ? ?]
The correctness of the action has nothing to do with the result.
What are you standing there for? Go pick up the baby!
I don't know where Fu Ning is putting her strength, but as she rolls, she's going to roll far away.
Chiu Chiu: [Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, please don't worry about Sister Fu Ning. She's setting sail today!]
Seeing that Fu Ning was rolling faster and faster, Liu Debao was so anxious that he was about to rush over to save his master, but Fu Ning kicked with his little foot and bounced back with force.
They're back again!
Fu Ning glanced in the direction of Qiu Qiu, then proudly raised her head and gave a thumbs-up with her little hand.
Wow, that's amazing!
At this time, Princess Funing, who was still an infant, also felt a great sense of satisfaction.
Tsk, she loves playing with this little dumpling who's always showering her with compliments.
The other people in the palace are boring, too serious!
Liu Debao didn't understand why Princess Funing was as hard to catch as a slippery loach today.
Seeing Princess Fu Ning give a thumbs-up, not knowing what it meant, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and flattered the emperor: "Your Majesty, the princess is praising you for unifying the world for thousands of generations and being unparalleled in the world!"
Emperor Jingming: "..." Actually, there's no need to praise him so much.
Princess Funing was stunned, and even her rolling speed decreased. Just then, Liu Debao seized the opportunity to grab her and hand her over to the little palace maid behind him.
Princess Fu Ning pointed her little finger at Liu Debao: You didn't say you were such a good flatterer!
Liu Debao: "..."
Looking at the little guy craning his neck to stare at him, I felt like I was being looked down upon by two babies.
Seeing that Qiuqiu was very happy, Fu Ning unconsciously tapped her little feet to the rhythm. She even reached out and touched Qiuqiu's face.
like!
Even during the New Year in the palace, one cannot revolve around two young children. After sensing that Fu Ning's mood had improved, Emperor Jingming left.
He was just there for a bit of fun, and he also had some official business to attend to, so he left first.
They also took a string of princes who were watching the commotion from behind.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, let's test your knowledge!
After Emperor Jingming left, the Empress Dowager returned home, instructed the palace servants to deliver the gifts she had bestowed upon her to the Marquis of Wenyang's residence, and then departed.
After they left, the people in the hall became lively again.
The empress was not strict and got along well with the concubines in the palace. When no one else was around, they were much more relaxed.
Consort Jing was the first to squat down in front of Qiuqiu and poked her cheek with her finger, leaving a dent immediately.
"So soft!"
Chiu Chiu puffed out her cheeks: "Why did you pinch me?"
Fu Ning lay to the side, his eyes sharp: Stare!
Consort Jing calmly withdrew her hand: "I have examined her. The little granddaughter of the Marquis of Wenyang is healthy and lively and can keep Princess Funing company."
She wasn't fond of any cute little cubs; she was simply helping the Queen by checking on the cubs' health.
The concubines suddenly realized, "So that's how it can be done!"
"I want to get checked too!"
"I will also share the burden with Her Majesty the Empress!"
"Hmm, I guess Princess Fu Ning is the same way, right?"
The Queen: “…”
By evening, when Qiuqiu was sent back to the Wenyang Marquis's residence, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.
But her trip was definitely worthwhile!
Yun Jinglan stared in disbelief at the large box in front of her: "You mean all of this was a gift from the palace?"
Su Junyao nodded: "Yes, they said it was New Year's money given to Qiuqiu by the ladies."
The black wooden box carried by four people—if you knew it, you'd be going to the palace to receive a reward; if you didn't, you'd think they were going to confiscate your property!
Before the couple could even catch their breath, the commotion outside started again.
Qiuyue: "Young Master, Madam, quickly take Miss out to receive the imperial decree; the Empress Dowager's reward has arrived!"
(End of this chapter)
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