Cining Palace.
Upon returning to the palace, Qing'er accompanied Chen Nian to his bedchamber to rest, while the Empress took care of the Empress Dowager.
"Qing'er, I'm entrusting Niannian to you. If anything happens to Niannian, be sure to let me know."
The Empress Dowager held Qing'er's hand and gave her some instructions.
She knew that Shen Nian needed some space and someone to be with her right now, and that her presence might make Shen Nian feel uncomfortable. So even though she was worried, she chose not to disturb her.
In addition, she also realized that the Empress had something to say to her.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty."
Qing'er always felt that the Empress Dowager was worried about something.
The Empress Dowager nodded and led the Empress to the inner chamber. Everyone else withdrew, and the two had a private conversation.
"Niannian, how are you? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Qing'er took Chen Nian's hand, and the two sat on the soft couch. Their eyes were filled with worry. Since returning, Nian Nian hadn't said much.
"I'm fine, don't worry, Qing'er. I'm just a little sleepy and want to go to sleep."
Chen Nian turned his head and hugged Qing'er, resting his head on Qing'er's shoulder. After drinking the calming soup, she became sleepy and her speech became slurred.
"Okay, let's go to sleep."
Seeing that Chen Nian didn't want to talk, Qing'er stopped asking and whispered as she pulled Chen Nian to the bed. With the help of Xuan'er and Shuang'er, she removed the hair ornaments from her head and took off her qipao, leaving her only in her undergarments.
"Go to sleep, I'll stay here with you."
Qing'er looked at the person who was dozing off with his head on her hand, touched Chen Nian's head, and then patted Chen Nian's back intermittently, like coaxing a child.
"Hmm~"
Chen Nian nodded groggily, tightened his grip on Qing'er's waist, and fell asleep.
Qing'er looked down at Chen Nian in her arms, her gaze lingering for a long time until her eyes became dry. Only then did she look up at the top of the curtain, blinking lightly to ease the discomfort in her eyes.
Seeing Chen Nian's absent-minded state today, she panicked. At that moment, she felt uneasy, as if Chen Nian might leave her at any moment.
After an unknown amount of time, Qing'er closed her beautiful eyes and fell asleep alongside Chen Nian.
After his private conversation with the Empress, the Empress Dowager, who wanted to check on the two of them, stopped and looked at the scene inside, her eyes softening.
I don't know how long I watched, but I finally left after being reminded by Granny Gui.
...
The two slept until almost noon.
"Your Highnesses, it's time to get up and have lunch."
Seeing the Empress Dowager already waiting in the inner hall, Shuang'er came in to remind the person who was still asleep.
"Um."
Qing'er was someone who would wake up at the slightest noise, and upon hearing Shuang'er's shout, she quickly regained consciousness.
"Niannian, shall we get up, have lunch, and then go back to sleep?"
Nian Nian has a sensitive stomach and needs to eat on time.
Qing'er called softly to the person who was still sleeping, and pinched Chen Nian's soft, rosy cheeks.
"Um."
Upon hearing the sound, Chen Nian subconsciously nodded, responded softly, raised her hand to grab the hand that was messing with her face, and continued to sleep.
She was in a daze, her head was still a little sore, and she was half-awake.
Qing'er was amused by Chen Nian's little actions, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She pulled Chen Nian's hand out from under her pillow; it was a little numb. After a moment, she lifted the covers and got up. Shuang'er helped her get dressed and put on her headdress.
Then, skillfully, she pulled back the blanket covering Chen Nian, and helped the still drowsy Chen Nian to sit up against her, so that Ying'er could comb Chen Nian's hair and put on her hair ornaments.
"Qing'er, you're naughty~"
Feeling the commotion, Chen Nian muttered to himself.
"Okay, okay, I'm bad. So, my darling Niannian, please forgive bad Qing'er, okay? Qing'er is going to take my darling Niannian to lunch."
Qing'er listened to Chen Nian's words and obediently responded, gently coaxing Chen Nian.
"Um."
She responded softly and gently.
After all that commotion, Chen Nian's hazy thoughts cleared up. He got dressed and was led to the inner hall by Qing'er.
"Your Majesty~"
After a good night's sleep, her worries had mostly subsided, and she returned to her lively self. Whether she was truly affected or not, only she knew.
"Hey, little sleepyhead, you're awake! Come on, there's your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs and sweet and sour pork tenderloin."
Seeing the people who had regained their vitality, the old lady's worries were relieved. A smile appeared in her eyes as she waved to the two of them and patted the seat next to her.
"Mmm~"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Chen Nian's eyes lit up, and she quickly pulled Qing'er to sit down next to the Empress Dowager.
Seeing the craving in people's eyes as soon as they heard about delicious food, Qing'er smiled faintly and let Chen Nian pull her along quickly.
...
"Niannian, why don't you go to the Imperial Study tomorrow too?"
The Empress Dowager carefully inquired about Chen Nian's opinion.
"ah?"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's astonishing words, Chen Nian looked up in a daze, her eyes wide with disbelief for a moment. The sweet and sour pork ribs she had just picked up and was about to put into her mouth fell back into the bowl.
How did she end up in the Qing Dynasty and have to go to school?
Qing'er was also confused. Why would the Empress Dowager send her good friend to the Imperial Study?
"Go to the Imperial Study for class."
Seeing the bewildered people, the Empress Dowager repeated herself.
There are many children in the Imperial Study. Also, and most importantly, she heard that Xiao Yanzi was having a lot of fun in class. After thinking about it, she decided to let Chen Nian go as well. Today, Chen Nian's absent-minded appearance really frightened her.
She longed for happiness and joy.
She also thought that she might change Niannian's mind. The people in the Imperial Study were all nice people. If she got to know them better, maybe she would change her mind.
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