Chapter 13: Beautiful Daughter vs. Heirless Emperor 13
Ji Yunhuan lowered her head, looking shy, "Your Highness, thank you for your praise. I am ashamed to accept it."
Nanny Yan brought an embroidered stool and asked Ji Yunhuan to sit down, but Ji Yunhuan refused repeatedly, "No, no, I will just stand and serve the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother laughed even more happily. She had been worried that Ji Yunhuan would become arrogant due to her favor, but now it seemed that she had been worrying too much.
After all, she was a girl from a small family, so she was a little timid, but she was very well-behaved.
"Don't be so reserved. Sit down. I don't need you to serve me. If you can give me a grandson, it will be the greatest filial piety to me."
"Let Nanny Yan help you pack. The palace has everything you need, so you don't need to bring too many things."
Ji Yunhuan carefully sat on only one-third of the embroidery stool, fiddling with her fingers nervously, as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare to open her mouth.
"Don't be afraid, dear child. Just ask for anything you want, and I will satisfy you."
Ji Yunhuan knelt down in front of the empress dowager with a plop, and Nanny Yan beside her tried to stop him but failed.
"I am deeply grateful for the care of the Queen Mother. Since I learned about the identity of the young master yesterday, I have been in a state of panic. What virtue and ability have I had to receive the favor of Your Majesty?"
"I know that I am of humble status and do not seek any position. I only hope to be with you for the rest of my life. However, I am not well-informed and timid. There are many rules and nobles in the palace. I am really scared when I think about entering the palace now. I am afraid that I will not do well and bring shame to you and your majesty."
The empress dowager's expression became solemn, and she signaled to Nanny Yan beside her to help the man up.
As soon as she heard the news that Ji Yunhuan was pregnant, she thought of bringing her back to the palace immediately to witness the birth of the emperor's first child with her own eyes, but she ignored the undercurrents in the harem.
The selection is approaching, and the concubines in the palace are restless. In addition, the emperor has not set foot in the harem for a long time. Bringing a woman back to the palace at this critical juncture will make him the target of public criticism.
Especially Concubine Liu, who always makes a scene for no reason. If the news that Ji Yunhuan is pregnant leaks out, there will definitely be another bloody storm in the palace.
However, she couldn't say these words in front of Ji Yunhuan, so as not to scare the child. She asked Ji Yunhuan to sit beside her and said gently,
"Don't be afraid, dear child. If you don't want to go to the palace, then don't go. It's quiet here and very suitable for nurturing the baby. I'll leave Nanny Yan here. I'll feel more at ease with her taking care of you."
"It's better to keep Huan'er's pregnancy a secret for now. The first three months of pregnancy are the most dangerous, and nothing can go wrong!"
The emperor laughed and said, "I know the severity of the situation and have punished them long ago."
Ji Yunhuan was about to kneel down to thank the Queen Mother again, but was stopped by the Queen Mother. "You are too polite, child. From now on, you can skip these empty formalities. If you kneel again, I will be angry."
Ji Yunhuan then gave up and sat down peacefully.
She knew that she had passed the empress dowager's test. The empress dowager's thoughts were actually easy to guess. She just liked girls who were respectful and polite. This was too easy for her.
Nanny Yan was a quick and efficient person, and she quickly took over Ji Yunhuan's food, clothing, and daily life. She also took charge of the kitchen of Shuiyue Temple. From then on, Ji Yunhuan's meals were all the responsibility of her and the palace ladies, and no outsiders were allowed to interfere.
However, it was Taohong who was still the one serving Ji Yunhuan personally. Taohong was also taught a lesson by Nanny Yan and became more cautious.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both stayed at Shuiyue Temple for their meal.
In front of the empress dowager, the emperor couldn't do anything, but his clinging eyes were always on Ji Yunhuan, making Ji Yunhuan blush and look extremely charming.
Ji Yunhuan would naturally not flirt with the emperor in front of the empress dowager. She did not even look at the emperor, but said to the empress dowager:
"I have an unwelcome request. Since I came to Shuiyue Temple to pray for my grandmother, I have not been home yet. I really miss my family. I want to go home to see them. I hope the Queen Mother will grant me permission."
The emperor frowned upon hearing this, "No! You are pregnant now, you can't go back!"
Ji Yunhuan tried hard to hold back the tears in her eyes. "Since it is against the rules, I will not go back. Your Majesty, please do not be angry. I will never dare to do it again."
The emperor was not angry with Ji Yunhuan. He had already investigated the Ji family and knew that the Ji family did not treat Ji Yunhuan well. But Huan'er was soft-hearted and still cared about the family ties, so he didn't want to point it out.
The empress dowager was so heartbroken when she saw Ji Yunhuan crying so pitifully that she became even more dissatisfied with the emperor.
She glared at the emperor and said angrily, "You scared Huan'er! Women are emotionally unstable during pregnancy, and it is natural for them to miss their families. It's fine if you don't comfort her, but you dare to be mean to her!"
"Whatever Huan'er says is the truth. If you want to go home, go home. If a pregnant woman is in a bad mood, it will also affect the fetus. You are a grown man who knows nothing. Don't get involved!"
The emperor touched his nose awkwardly. In the eyes of the empress dowager, Ji Yunhuan was much more valuable than his own son.
The Queen Mother wiped Ji Yunhuan's tears with a handkerchief and soothed her softly, "Okay, stop crying. Let's ignore him. I'll make the decision for you. You can go home anytime you want, but you must bring Nanny Yan with you."
"Also, don't put yourself in a difficult position. Although you haven't entered the palace yet, you are the emperor's concubine. No one can bully you. Be brave and don't be afraid. Even if you poke a hole in the sky, I will support you!"
Ji Yunhuan felt a warm feeling in her heart. Although she knew that the Queen Mother was doing this for the sake of her offspring, her kindness to her was real.
"Huan'er will follow the Queen Mother's instructions. Thank you for your help!"
The emperor couldn't get a word in at the side, so he could only hastily arrange a team of guards for Ji Yunhuan and two secret guards for her, only then did he feel relieved.
No matter where Ji Yunhuan wants to go, these people are enough to protect her.
After seeing off the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, Ji Yunhuan was very tired.
Nanny Yan was a discerning person. She left after taking care of everything and would not come to disturb Ji Yunhuan unless there was something important.
Ji Yunhuan was very respectful to Nanny Yan, but Nanny Yan listened to her opinions on everything and taught her some palace rules, serving her as if she were a proper empress.
Taohong stayed in the room to massage Ji Yunhuan's legs. The technique was also taught to her by Nanny Yan, who said it could prevent swelling of the legs and feet during pregnancy.
Taohong pressed very seriously and did not stop until her hands became sore.
"Miss, can we really go back home? You were sent to Shuiyue Temple by order of the master. Aunt Zhang went to great lengths to drive you out. How could she let you go back so easily?"
Ji Yunhuan sneered, and a hint of murderous intent finally appeared in those gentle and affectionate eyes.
"She has no choice! I have been planning for a long time just to avenge my mother! Aunt Zhang's good days are over, I will not let her go!"
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