"Does Mother know about my brother's poisoning?" Such a thing could not be kept secret.
"Your Highness, we haven't informed Shou Kang Palace yet." Eunuch Wang didn't know how to report to the Empress Dowager.
"This matter cannot be kept secret. I'm going to see the Empress Dowager. Can An'an come with me?" A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, so Yue Xiyuan still needs to consult the Empress Dowager's opinion.
"Alright." She wondered how the Empress Dowager would react to this news; it was best for her to go along, lest something else happen.
Inside the Prince Xiao's residence, "Your Highness, please forgive me. The palace's information blockade is too tight; I haven't been able to find any useful information."
This morning, Yue Zhixiao sent Zebin to the palace to gather information, and he is the one reporting to the emperor now.
"Get up! No news means there is news. Let's wait for tomorrow's morning court. Hahaha, Yue Yufeng, you've finally met your match! Hahaha!" Yue Zhixiao's loud laughter clearly revealed his overwhelming joy and excitement.
"Your Highness, are you saying you're going to the morning court tomorrow? But you..."
"It's alright, it's faded a lot. Just find some rouge and powder to cover it up. I will definitely go and see Yue Yufeng's fate in person." He had been waiting for this moment for many years. Just thinking about those two made Yue Zhixiao want to devour them alive. Gradually, his expression became somewhat distorted.
"What's the progress on what happened that day?" Yue Zhixiao still felt that he had been set up that day.
"Your Highness, I have checked the food, drinks, clothing and people you came into contact with that day and found nothing unusual."
Could it really not be an accident...? Yue Zhixiao still couldn't quite believe it.
"This old servant greets the Regent and the Regent's Consort." Rong Mama was just about to prepare lunch for the Empress Dowager when she saw Yue Xiyuan and Yan An coming together. Seeing that the two were getting along better and better, it was a relief for the Empress Dowager.
"Rise. Is the Empress Dowager present?"
"The Empress Dowager has just woken up from her afternoon nap and said she's hungry. She asked this old servant to prepare lunch. Would the Regent and the Princess wish to join us?"
“Alright, go ahead.” Yue Xiyuan and Yan An entered Shou Kang Palace.
"Mother." "Aunt."
"Oh, haha, An'an is here. Come, come, An'an, quickly sit down next to me. I've asked Granny Rong to prepare lunch. An'an will dine with me here in Shou Kang Palace today."
Who is the real biological child here...? Yue Xiyuan consciously sat down to the side.
"Okay, An'an will listen to Auntie." An'an called out sweetly and snuggled closer to the Empress Dowager.
"Since you came back, your mother hasn't been visiting my palace as often. It seems that I'm just a pastime for Sister Luo in her spare time." The Empress Dowager patted Yan An's hand lightly and teased her, without a trace of blame in her words.
"After An'an goes back, she should relay her aunt's words to Mother verbatim, and ask Mother to come to Shou Kang Palace to keep you company every day."
"No, no, that won't do. If you tell your mother this, she'll start nagging me endlessly tomorrow."
Although the Empress Dowager was a few years older than Jiang Luo, Jiang Luo was more mature and would often give the Empress Dowager some advice.
"Haha, so Auntie is also terrified of Mother."
"Look at how your father is being lectured by your mother every day. I'm not afraid, I'm just... I'm just afraid that Sister Luo will worry about me."
The Empress Dowager felt a little guilty. Of course she was afraid of Jiang Luo. She had been restrained by Jiang Luo since she was a child, so how could she not be afraid? But she enjoyed it more. In this deep palace, only Jiang Luo cared about her.
"Auntie is absolutely right! Hahaha..." Shou Kang Palace was filled with laughter and joy.
"Granny Rong, since everyone is here today, go to the Imperial Study and summon the Emperor to dine with me and my fourth son."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Granny Rong curtsied and turned to leave.
"Oh... No need, Aunt Rong. We went to see the Emperor before we came to see you. He has already had lunch and is dealing with state affairs. He said he would come to see you as soon as he finished. Aunt, look how hungry An'an is." Yan An touched her stomach, looking quite hungry.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had not yet eaten lunch, Yan An thought that he would tell her about the Emperor's poisoning after she had eaten. If Rong Mama left, how could the Empress Dowager possibly eat?
"Okay, since An'an is hungry, let's eat first and not wait for him."
The Empress Dowager was in a good mood because Yue Xiyuan and Yan An came to dine with her, and she ate a lot more than usual.
Yan An looked at the Empress Dowager, who was yawning again. It wouldn't be good for her health to go to bed right after eating.
"Aunt, people often say that taking a walk after a meal can help you live to ninety-nine. How about Yue Xiyuan and I accompany you for a walk?"
"Alright, I'll do as An'an says."
Yan An helped the Empress Dowager walk for a while, but the Empress Dowager was too tired, so the three of them returned to Shou Kang Palace.
Yan An sensed something was amiss. "When did Auntie start being so sleepy?"
"Sleepiness? It seems she's been feeling drowsy lately. But when did it start..." The Empress Dowager thought for a moment.
"Oh, I remember now, it must be my birthday. After Xi'er gave me this jade pendant, my sleep quality improved a lot. Before, maybe it was because I was getting old, I always had to get up at night. Now, I not only sleep very well at night, but I also sometimes feel sleepy during the day."
The Empress Dowager took the jade pendant off her waist and handed it to Yan An, saying, "This jade pendant was blessed by Xi'er at Jinhua Temple. This child has really grown up."
Yan An held the jade pendant and smelled it carefully for a long time. It must have been soaked in sleeping-inducing herbs for a long time. It did have a calming effect, but it shouldn't have made the Empress Dowager so sleepy.
“Aunt, An’an has never seen a jade pendant that can calm people’s minds. May I take it back and study it? I can make one for Mother later.”
"This..." The Empress Dowager was also at a loss. Yuexi was like her own daughter to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager was afraid that Yuexi would be heartbroken if she asked about the jade pendant.
"Don't worry, Aunt, An'an will bring it to you tomorrow. She will definitely not make the princess angry with you."
It seems that the Empress Dowager truly regards Yuexi as her own daughter, which is a good thing. Such a kind girl would be too innocent if she were implicated because of the wrongdoings of Consort Chen and Yue Zhixiao.
"Alright, then take An'an with you. I'm afraid I've hurt Xi'er's feelings. That child is so pitiful; she's never been loved by her mother since she was little."
In fact, no one in the palace understood that Yuexi looked exactly like the late emperor from birth. She was extremely cute, never cried or made a fuss, and was very lovable. However, Consort Chen only glanced at her before handing Yuexi over to Granny Qiu and never looked at her again. The Empress Dowager took pity on her and discussed the matter with Consort Chen, so she raised her by her side. Unexpectedly, Consort Chen did not object, and Yuexi grew up by the Empress Dowager's side from a young age.
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