Chapter 242: Time Reveals a Person's True Character
Queen Wang smiled and said, "Open it and take a look."
Queen Wang had given many gifts before, but this one, which was given out separately, was really special.
Chunzhi handed Xiaoxing back to the Thirteenth Princess beside her, reached out to take the album and opened it. The moment she saw the portrait, she couldn't take her eyes off it.
The first painting shows Xiao Xinghui standing and hugging a jade vase. The jade vase is almost as tall as him. Xiao Xinghui looks like he has just learned to stand and only managed to steady himself by holding the jade vase. The portrait is vivid and adorable. In the lower right corner are two lines of small words:
On October 19, in the winter of the 28th year of Qing'an, Zi'an stood holding a bottle.
Chunzhi flipped back and saw the second painting. It showed Lady Gao holding Xiao Xinghui, standing under the plum tree in front of the courtyard. Xiao Xinghui had her mouth open, as if she were talking...
She looked at the small words written on the side: On the eighth day of the eleventh month, Zi'an called "Empress" for the first time.
Each of the following paintings depicts Xiao Xinghui in various situations. Chunzhi looks at these lifelike portraits and can almost imagine what Xiao Xinghui looked like when he was surrounded by people.
Fortunately, she never missed these important moments.
For Chunzhi, the picture album given by Queen Wang is more precious and rare than any reward.
Chunzhi stood up, nodded towards Queen Wang, and thanked her sincerely, "Thank you so much, mother. I really don't know how to thank you enough..."
"I didn't paint these to earn your gratitude," Queen Wang said with a smile. "It's just that Zi'an is so endearing that I, after years of not painting, felt the urge to try my hand at painting these scenes. Besides... my painting skills have indeed declined significantly compared to before, so you'll have to make do with what you have."
When Queen Wang was young, she was a famous talented woman in the capital. She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was especially good at painting. However, after entering the palace, she had to manage the harem and was entangled in mundane affairs, and gradually lost such elegant interests. Unexpectedly, when she was old, she picked up the paintbrush again for her little grandson.
"Were these all painted by my mother herself?" Chunzhi had no idea that this album was from Queen Wang's hand. She said with surprise, "I thought it was from a famous painter. The paintings are so good, so lifelike, they look almost real."
She praised it sincerely.
"It's not as good as you say. I think it's just okay."
Queen Wang was very pleased to hear this, and the corners of her lips curled up, but she still spoke modestly.
"Your Majesty, you are too modest," Chunzhi said seriously, "I think your paintings are more exquisite than those of many famous painters."
Chunzhi was the kind of person who was sincere in everything she said and did. Queen Wang was looked at by her bright eyes and knew that she was not deliberately flattering her, which made her feel even more pleased.
Apart from anything else, Huo Zheng has really good taste.
The princess she chose was quite to her liking.
Queen Wang thought so, and her face could no longer hide her affection for Chunzhi. "If you really like it, I will paint a picture for you tomorrow when I have time."
Chunzhi smiled and asked, "Really?"
Queen Wang said, "Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"
Chunzhi smiled and said, "Then I would like to thank my mother first."
"What are you thanking me for? Stop standing and sit down."
Queen Wang thought to herself, what was there to be so happy about? Chunzhi was so easily satisfied.
Chunzhi held the picture album in her hands and couldn't let it go. It was only when Xiaoxinghui beside her waved her little hands and asked her mother to hold her that she carefully handed the picture album to Cui'er behind her and asked her to keep it well that she reached out and hugged Xiaoxinghui.
She said to Queen Wang, "After I take this album back home, I must frame each page and look at it from time to time, so as not to disappoint my mother's kindness."
Queen Wang was very happy to hear this, but she said casually, "You are the only one who regards these paintings as treasures."
In fact, what Queen Wang was thinking was that she and Chunzhi were empathetic.
When the news that Huo Zheng was still alive came back from Xizhou, Queen Wang cried with joy. What was presented to the emperor was a serious battle report. The emperor allowed her to take a look at it, which was a great favor. Naturally, he would not let her take it back to Qiwu Palace to look at it repeatedly.
At that moment, Queen Wang received a letter from Chunzhi, which detailed what Huo Zheng had been doing these days, where he had been injured, and how he had recovered after treatment...
Chunzhi probably didn't write much on weekdays, so every stroke was written very neatly, like a child handing in homework to a teacher.
Queen Wang read the letter over and over again. Even when Huo Zheng wrote to her, he had never written such a thoughtful letter.
Haruji is a person who becomes more likable the longer you get to know her.
Even though Queen Wang did not like this daughter-in-law at first, and even felt that Chunzhi was not worthy of Huo Zheng at all, as time went by, Queen Wang understood more and more why Huo Zheng insisted on marrying her.
This album is her response as a mother-in-law to Chunzhi to get along with her in a better way from now on.
Chunzhi naturally understood everything in her heart. She carried Xiaoxing back and talked with Queen Wang for a long time, and even stayed in Qiwu Palace to have lunch with Queen Wang.
It was only after Xiao Xing had lunch that he felt sleepy and began to doze off. Queen Wang finally spoke and said, "You've been traveling for so many days, you must be tired. Go home and rest early."
Chunzhi readily said, "Thank you for your consideration, mother. I will take Xiaoxing back to the palace and home."
"Go ahead."
Queen Wang was actually reluctant to let Xiaoxing go back. Ever since the little guy came to Qiwu Palace, the palace was bustling every day, which made her heart feel several years younger.
Now the little guy was going home with his mother. No matter how reluctant Queen Wang was, she couldn't stop Chunzhi from taking the child away. She only said, "When you have time, bring Zi'an to Qiwu Palace often."
Chunzhi held Xiaoxing in her arms and stood up, saying, "As long as Mother doesn't mind me bothering you, I'll definitely bring him here often."
Queen Wang said very modestly, "No."
The Thirteenth Princess then stood up and said, "Mother, I will leave the palace with my sister-in-law and go to the Chang'an Palace."
"Go ahead," Queen Wang said. "Stay a few days and then come back to the palace. Don't play around outside anymore."
Huo Yanran smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. I will always remember your instructions and will never go wild."
Queen Wang said nothing more and watched them leave with Xiaoxing.
On the way out of the palace, Huo Yanran walked beside Chunzhi and asked her, "What is Xizhou like? I've never left the capital in my life."
The Thirteenth Princess never left the capital, and even left the palace only a few times.
A few months ago, news came from Xizhou that her seventh brother had died in battle. Huo Yanran was shocked that her seemingly weak sister-in-law would travel thousands of miles to find her husband.
Fortunately, the death news was false. My seventh brother is still alive and my sister-in-law has returned safely.
"Xizhou." Chunzhi thought of the place that had suffered so much from war and changed her arms to hold Xiaoxing back. "The people are simple and honest, and everyone is united. It will soon be a place that is more prosperous than before."
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