"Your Majesty, the princess is kind and warm-hearted by nature. Although she may not be considered well-educated and courteous, she is honest and pure, though sometimes she can be impulsive..."
Shen Nian listened to Ziwei's words and nodded silently.
It must be said that in the new version of Princess Pearl, Ziwei truly has sisterly feelings for Xiaoyanzi. Even though she is scared herself, she still musters up her courage to help her sister out of a predicament.
Ziwei's words were quite shrewd; as soon as she spoke, they softened the Empress Dowager's expression, and even the Emperor smiled, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
...
"Little Swallow! Why do you always look at Ziwei when I ask you a question?"
Seeing Xiao Yanzi turn around and look at Ziwei again, the Empress Dowager's tone became angry again.
When Ziwei was once again met with Xiaoyanzi's gaze, she didn't know what to say. She silently shook her head, standing uneasy behind Xiaoyanzi, her eyes filled with worry.
"I, because, because I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing."
"Your Majesty, you are so dignified, and I caused such a big disaster yesterday. I was terrified. Ziwei is better than me. I asked her to remind me. I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong about what happened yesterday. I'm really sorry."
Little Swallow finished speaking, trembling, and then, with a hint of disappointment, kowtowed. Her sincerity was undeniable; she had truly meant well yesterday.
No one expected Xiao Yanzi to kneel down again.
…………
Listening to Xiao Yanzi's sincere words and seeing the Empress Dowager's face soften, Chen Nian felt relieved of his worries.
She's passed Little Swallow's test.
Sometimes, sincere words are more likely to touch people's hearts, and there's a reason for that.
Having lived in the palace for many years, the Empress Dowager had seen all sorts of conspiracies and intrigues, while Xiao Yanzi's straightforwardness and honesty were precisely what this palace lacked.
If it weren't for the trouble Xiao Yanzi caused later, which was so unacceptable, she thought Xiao Yanzi would have been able to win the Empress Dowager's favor.
Everything unfolded just like in the original drama. Consort Ling and the Emperor chimed in, Qing'er smoothed things over, Chen Nian cracked jokes, and Xiao Yanzi passed the test smoothly. The horse was also rescued by Xiao Yanzi.
Chen Nian thought it was the end, but...
"Chen Nianqing'er, thank you all for today. Can I come and play with you again in the future?"
With the crisis resolved, Little Swallow regained her lively nature.
Xiao Yanzi's words immediately drew everyone's attention to Chen Nian, who was eating snacks, and Qing'er, who was sitting upright.
Chen Nian: ...Do you have to mess with her like this? She just wanted to be a bystander.
If you're going to follow the plot, then follow the plot. Why do you have to drag me out here for a spin? (?`^′?)? It's really ruining my image.
Compared to the dignified Qing'er, she was just a slacker. While others were having serious conversations and discussing important matters, she would just hang around eating, drinking, and watching the show. By the second day after returning to the palace, her image was already beginning to crumble.
Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on him, Chen Nian silently put down the pastry in his hand.
"Sure, sure, let's play together!"
Chen Nian didn't know what to say, so he could only nod awkwardly.
She never expected that even at the very end, she would still have a role to play, and that they would drag her out for a spin.
His simple and honest appearance made everyone in the hall laugh.
"Alright, you may all leave."
The Emperor waved his hand, signaling Xiao Yanzi and the other woman to leave.
After Xiao Yanzi and the other girl went downstairs.
"Qing'er, take Niannian down for breakfast. You know this palace well. After breakfast, take Niannian out for a stroll. Only you can take this lazybones out."
The Empress Dowager patted the hands of the two girls beside her together, her eyes full of smiles.
"Your Majesty~"
"Okay, okay, I won't say you're lazy, I won't say you're lazy. Our Niannian is a diligent little darling."
Listening to Shen Nian's accusing tone, even though Shen Nian didn't say what followed, the Empress Dowager knew exactly what to say and skillfully changed her words.
This is clearly not the first or second time this has happened.
The Emperor and Empress watched as Chen Nian fawned over the Empress Dowager, a hint of envy in their eyes.
Consort Ling was also smiling gently on the side.
Seeing the people leaving, the Empress gave a wink to Rong Momo beside her, and Rong Momo also left.
...
“Princess Shen, wait a moment, this is a small token of my lady’s appreciation.”
Rong Momo quickly walked up to Chen Nian with a sandalwood box in her hand.
"For me?"
Looking at the box in Rong Momo's hand, which was clearly a valuable item, Chen Nian pointed to himself with a surprised tone.
She had no connection with the Empress, so why would the Empress send her something that was clearly not ordinary?
"Yes, Princess was frightened yesterday. This is a small token of our Empress's appreciation. It should have been given to Princess yesterday, but she was resting and we didn't want to disturb her."
Looking at the miniature figure up close, Rong Momo's eyes were filled with affection.
The little girl has grown into a beautiful young woman, which puts her mother at ease.
Looking at the ginseng in front of her, Shen Nian didn't know whether she should accept it or not. She had no relationship with the Empress at all, so it would be inappropriate to accept such a valuable gift from her.
He looked at Qing'er with a troubled expression.
"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Seeing Qing'er nod, Chen Nian accepted the ginseng and thanked her.
Since Qing'er nodded, there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. She can give a return gift later.
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Then this old servant will take his leave."
Seeing that Chen Nian accepted it, Rong Momo's smile widened, and she left with lighter steps, her whole body radiating joy.
Looking at Rong Momo like this, Shen Nian suddenly found her kind of cute.
"Nian Nian..."
On the way to the Imperial Garden, Qing'er took Chen Nian's hand and slowly explained these social customs and etiquette to him.
"Um."
Listening to Qing'er's explanation, Chen Nian realized that there were so many things to pay attention to, and he secretly memorized them.
A good friendship is probably one where you are earnestly teaching me, and I am earnestly learning in return.
It's not that I'm putting in serious effort, but you're ignoring it and pretending you didn't see it.
...
~~
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