"Yanan, come here quickly, let me take a good look at you." The Empress Dowager patted Gu Yanan's hands and looked her over. "Look how tired this girl is. You can leave the marriage to the prince. You don't need to do it yourself."
"Did you hear that?" The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor again, her eyes widening slightly. "We can't let Ya Nan get tired anymore. If she gets too tired, when will I be able to hold my eldest grandson?"
"Your Majesty's words are wise; I will remember them."
"Your Majesty, have you been bitten by mosquitoes again?" When Rong Mama saw the Empress Dowager scratching her hand again, she thought that she must have been bitten by mosquitoes again.
"Yes, it's getting hot, and there are more mosquitoes."
It has to be said that mosquitoes are really annoying. Some people never get bitten, while others are constantly bitten, and the itching keeps them up day and night.
"Aunt, I have something good here that can keep you from being bitten by mosquitoes." Yan An took out a black, ring-shaped object wrapped in a handkerchief from her sleeve.
Gu Yanan immediately recognized it as mosquito coil, the natural enemy of mosquitoes. "Yes, mosquito coil! I've been wanting to try it for so long."
"I'll give it to you in a bit, let me light this first." Yan An lit the mosquito coil, and after a moment, the mosquitoes stopped flying around.
"Fourth sister-in-law, this mosquito coil is really that effective."
"I'll bring you some more later." Yan An took out a small bottle of medicated oil from his sleeve and applied it to the Empress Dowager's arm. "Aunt, this will stop the itching."
"It seems the itch has really subsided. An'an really has all sorts of good things. Everyone is here today, having a meal with me. Rong Mama, go to Hua Yi Palace and call Xi'er over. It's been so long, she should come out for some fresh air."
"This servant will go right away."
"An'an, I've been drinking the medicine prescribed by Jingzhan every day for the past few days. The imperial physician said I'm all better now. An'an, could you make me a bowl of cold noodles?"
The Empress Dowager was so cautious, like an old child begging for a snack.
Yan An looked at her mother. For the sake of the Empress Dowager's health, her mother would not lie. Seeing Jiang Luo nod in agreement, Yan An said, "Okay, An An will make it for Auntie. Make a big bowl."
Yan An went to the imperial kitchen and made a lot of cold noodles, after all, he had promised Su Jingzhan that Yuexi should also try them.
"Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law..." She had a pair of bright eyes under her crescent-shaped eyebrows, a pair of very attractive cherry lips, fair skin with a rosy glow, long black and shiny hair, and a lovely girl with a captivating figure.
"Yuexi? Why are you here? Didn't Granny Rong go to Huayi Palace to ask you to go to Shou Kang Palace?"
"Fourth sister-in-law, I...I dare not see my brother, I'm afraid...he will blame me." Yuexi stammered, her words incoherent. She lowered her head and stared at her empty palms.
"Since you're here, come and see what I've made." Yan An pulled Yue Xi to look at the bowl of cold noodles that had been prepared.
"Fourth Princess, what is this?" This was a delicacy she had never seen before, and for a moment she forgot her troubles.
"This is the cold noodles that my senior asked me to bring you. Would you like to try some?" Yan An picked up a celadon carved porcelain soup bowl, about to serve Yue Xi a bowl.
"No...no...Mother and my brother haven't eaten yet, I..."
"Here you go." Before Yuexi could finish speaking, a bowl of cold noodles was placed in front of her. "Whether you eat it or not, they won't know. Besides, your mother is the current Empress Dowager, and your brothers are the Emperor and the Regent, respectively. What's wrong with eating a bowl of noodles?"
"An'an is right, are you going to eat it or not? If not, I'll eat it!" Gu Yanan said deliberately to scare him.
"I'll eat, I'll eat." Yuexi took the bowl, took a bite, and exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister-in-law, this is so delicious!"
“Your aunt and uncle have never blamed you. Otherwise, why would they have visited you at Huayi Palace so many times? Besides, this matter is not your fault. Why punish yourself for other people’s mistakes? You can’t choose your birth. Taking control of your future is the right thing to do.”
“An’an is right. Yue Zhixiao is a beast who tries to pretend to be a virtuous gentleman. He’s utterly shameless. If you’re upset day and night because of such a scoundrel, aren’t you just falling into his trap?”
Seeing that Yuexi was somewhat relenting, Yan An pressed her advantage, "Let's go back after we finish eating, otherwise the noodles won't taste good."
Yan An and Gu Yanan carried Yue Xi to Shou Kang Palace.
"Your subject greets the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Fourth Imperial Brother, and Aunt Luo."
"Xi'er is here. Come and sit down here with me. Come and try the cold noodles that An'an made. Haven't you always wanted to try them?"
The Empress Dowager placed the cold noodles that the eunuch had served her in front of Yuexi, saying, "Xi'er, try it quickly."
Yuexi looked around and then her gaze fell on the Emperor. "Eat quickly, it's delicious. If you delay any longer, it won't taste good." The Emperor knew what Yuexi was feeling guilty about. It wasn't her fault at all, and he didn't blame her.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty..." Yuexi's eyes gradually became misty with tears, unable to hide her grief.
"This is none of your business, eat quickly." The Emperor picked up a piece of meat that Yuexi liked best and put it in her bowl. "Try it."
"Thank you, Brother Huang." Yuexi put a piece of meat in her mouth, took a bite of cold noodles, and exclaimed, "Delicious, mmm..."
"Haha, it's delicious, but you can't be greedy, right, Aunt?" The Empress Dowager had almost finished one bowl, and if she wasn't stopped, she would finish the whole pot.
“An’an is right. Sister Ran’s stomach is just recovering, so she can’t eat too much. Granny Rong, please take Sister Ran’s bowl away.”
The group finished their lunch amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.
Yue Xiyuan escorted Yan An and Gu Yanan to the Yan residence, whereupon Gu Yanan chased them away.
"This servant greets General Gu. Miss, you are unaware of the great events that have occurred at the Minister's residence while you were away." Bai Lan placed the washed fruit on the table, eager to share the important events at the Minister's residence with her young mistress.
Yan An looked at Bai Lan's impatient expression and smiled indulgently, "What major event has occurred?"
"Liu Ruyan's mother, Zhang, was deposed by Liu Youlin, and now Zhang and Liu Ruyan have been abandoned by Liu Youlin in the most remote corner. Liu Youlin also plans to make Liu Xuening's biological mother his legal wife."
"What? That's exciting? Yan An, do you have any snacks? I want to eat while I listen. You have no idea how bored I've been these past two days."
"No snacks, would you like some red wine?"
"Okay, okay, it's been a long time since I've had a drink."
Well, once this guy gets into a drinking spree, he's not going to finish it anytime soon.
"Bai Lan, go prepare some food, and call the three of them over. They should all try it; it's very delicious."
Bai Lan looked at the things she had never seen before. It was so nice to be with her young mistress; she always got to eat different things. "Thank you, Miss."
Yan An turned around and took out two bottles of red wine, a jar of fruit wine, and six glasses from the cabinet. "We won't leave until we're drunk tonight."
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