the next day.
"Princess Qing, Princess—"
Hearing the commotion coming from inside, Shuang'er and the other two outside the door lifted the curtain and came in carrying toiletries.
"Okay, keep it down and don't disturb Niannian. We'll call Niannian later and let her sleep a little longer."
Qing'er nodded, whispered some instructions, and stopped Xuan'er and Ying'er from waking up Chen Nian. She got up and went to the side to wash up.
"Don't worry, the Empress Dowager agrees."
Seeing the troubled expressions on Xuan'er and Ying'er's faces, Qing'er uttered the words of the Old Buddha.
Hearing Qing'er's words, the troubled look on Xuan'er and Ying'er's faces disappeared. They didn't want to wake their princess up either. These days of traveling had made Shen Nian visibly thinner, and it pained them to see her like that.
But now that we're in the palace, things are different from outside; we have to be more careful about everything.
Now that they have Qinggege's name, they're not in a hurry to call for help anymore.
After washing up, Qing'er went to the Empress Dowager's bedroom to help her get up.
...
The Imperial Garden.
Ertai: "Little Swallow, you must not be rash once you enter the Cining Palace."
Yongqi: "Little Swallow, remember, never speak loudly, and never speak carelessly when you shouldn't."
Erkang: "Little Swallow, when the Empress Dowager summons you, pay close attention to Ziwei's expression and put away your cleverness."
"Alright, alright, this is good. Ziwei, today, I'm counting on you. If I do anything wrong, you must remind me. It's a pity that the four of you can't go in and help me."
Little Swallow was not given any preparation early in the morning. Just as Fifth Prince Yongqi had predicted last night, Little Swallow would definitely be summoned by the Empress Dowager.
Unexpectedly, before they even had time to remind Xiao Yanzi again, they had already rushed to Shufangzhai at top speed.
Unfortunately, it wasn't as fast as the Empress Dowager's message; the Emperor went to Cining Palace as soon as court was over.
The group could only take advantage of the journey to Cining Palace to ramble on and give Xiao Yanzi as many instructions as possible.
“Little Swallow, I’m very nervous too. I’m still a palace maid. How can you do that if you’re watching everything I do? It’s absolutely inappropriate for a princess to be watching how a palace maid behaves.”
Hearing Xiao Yanzi's words, Ziwei also became very nervous, and the handkerchief in her hand was already crumpled beyond recognition.
When no one else is around, Ziwei's intelligence is still online.
"Oh no, what should I do? There are so many rules, which one should I follow?"
Xiao Yanzi, who had initially relaxed a little because of Er Kang's words, became anxious again after learning that she couldn't see Ziwei.
If she can't see Ziwei, what will she do? There are so many rules, she can't possibly remember them all.
"Whatever, just remember whichever one you can."
"Little Swallow, Little Swallow, once you enter the Cining Palace, you must behave with proper decorum and remember not to be rash."
With the gates of Cining Palace almost in sight, Yongqi quickly gave instructions.
I've given up struggling; all I can do is pray that Little Swallow will remember more of what I've learned.
"I understand, I understand. I'll do my best. And I will definitely save Fei'er."
Xiao Yanzi waved casually and followed Ziwei into the Cining Palace.
Hearing Xiao Yanzi's words, the group felt helpless. They were worried about her, while she was still worried about the horse.
"Yongqi, don't be so nervous. With the Emperor here, nothing will happen to Xiaoyanzi."
Seeing his good brother's worried face, Benjamin comforted him. Although he was also worried, the Emperor had already forgiven Xiao Yanzi last night and would definitely help her.
...
Inside the Cining Palace.
"Niannian, come here, how are you? Are you feeling any better today? Are you still in pain? Have you been taking your medicine as usual?"
Seeing Chen Nian emerge, the Empress Dowager waved her hand.
Upon entering the room, I was immediately met with the gazes of the four powerful figures in the palace. I felt immense pressure. I should have gotten up earlier.
She lost her manners on her very first day back at the palace; no one else could do that.
Chen Nian glanced at Qing'er and, finding nothing amiss in her eyes, realized that Qing'er's expression was normal.
"May the Empress Dowager be blessed, may the Emperor be blessed, may the Empress be blessed, and may Consort Ling be blessed."
Chen Nian gave a sweet smile and obediently greeted him.
If something were to happen, Qing'er definitely wouldn't be so calm; she would definitely remind herself.
"Um."
The five people looked at the well-behaved person with smiles in their eyes.
"Niannian, come here."
The Empress Dowager, seeing her anxious and hesitant expression, beckoned to her.
Seeing no displeasure on anyone else's face, Chen Nian felt a little relieved and slowly walked to the Empress Dowager's side.
Have you had breakfast yet?
The old lady patted the pensive man on the shoulder and asked him questions.
There was no reply to Chen Nian, nor was there a chance for the Emperor, Empress, and Consort Ling to inquire about Chen Nian's condition.
"Princess Pearl has arrived—"
The eunuch's announcement had already reached everyone's ears.
He swallowed back the words he had just prepared.
The Empress had finally managed to gather her thoughts on how to express her concern and longing, but she was interrupted. She took two deep breaths and could only swallow her words.
"Give Niannian and Qing'er a chair, and give Niannian some snacks to tide her over."
Thinking of Chen Nian's injuries and noticing Qing'er standing beside her, the Empress Dowager spoke up, patting Chen Nian's hand as if to comfort him.
"We'll go down for breakfast later. Let's have some snacks to tide us over first."
It's like comforting a child who's worried about throwing a tantrum because they didn't get their favorite toy.
No one else had any objections to the Empress Dowager's arrangements.
"Okay, sure."
Chen Nian nodded obediently, her voice soft and gentle, as if it had a little hook.
Her soft, gentle tone melted the hearts of everyone in the room.
The Empress, in particular, looked at Chen Nian with incredibly tender eyes.
Hearing her beloved's sweet and soft voice, the Empress Dowager's heart melted completely.
As Chen Nian listened to the Empress Dowager's arrangements, she thought about how Qing'er seemed to be standing beside the Empress Dowager in the play, but now the plot had changed.
She thought she would have to stand to the side too, but she didn't expect to be able to sit on a chair.
(Sob sob, I love the Empress Dowager even more now.)
However, this is also a good thing. Thinking about how Qing'er always stands next to the Empress Dowager whenever she appears in the drama, she feels a slight pain in her heart. Even though she is also a princess, she is always standing.
The Empress Dowager truly loved Qing'er, but there were also some oversights.
Qing'er received Shen Nian's distressed gaze, glanced at the chair in front of her, and quickly realized why. She shook her head at Shen Nian.
She didn't feel wronged at all. Being favored by the Empress Dowager was already her good fortune. Without the Empress Dowager, she might not even know how to live. It was the Empress Dowager who gave her direction.
Once the two were seated, the others returned to their state of high alert, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
And so, Little Swallow slowly entered, under the gaze of everyone.
...
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