Chapter 489 Su Bao, help!
The empress was taken aback, but seeing the little girl's tightly furrowed brows, she slowly pulled open her clothes.
Xiao Su Bao pursed her lips, her brows furrowing even more.
"Grandma, that's enough!" the little girl said, then sat down to the side and took the little prince's pulse.
Seemingly sensing someone beside him, the young prince opened his eyes with difficulty.
"conscience……"
That soft, babyish voice was surprisingly similar to that of Little Su Bao back then.
The little girl was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked at the little guy's face.
For some reason, Xiao Su Bao always felt that this uncle looked a bit like her...
“Mother is here. This is your niece, Su Bao, little Wu…”
The Empress, who once roamed the battlefield, now feels only the worry and anxiety of a mother when facing her son.
“A comb…purple-green…” The Fifth Prince blinked and looked at Little Su Bao with curiosity.
"Uncle..." Little Su Bao called out obediently. Knowing her seniority, the little girl called him without any problem.
"Sweetie...candy...here..." He reached out, wanting to take a piece of candy from the side for Xiao Su Bao, but he couldn't.
The queen saw through her son's intention and quickly took a piece of candy from the side and handed it to the little guy.
"Next..." The Fifth Prince was precocious; he could get up and walk at eight months and speak at ten months.
Now at one and a half years old, he can express his preferences in words.
Little Su Bao took the candy with a sweet smile on her face.
"Thank you!" Little Su Bao said obediently.
The young prince smiled too, his lips curving upwards. Despite being very thin, he still gave off a very pleasant feeling.
"Your body is fine!" Little Su Bao said clearly, even while eating candy.
The little prince was stunned. He looked at Xiao Su Bao and felt that his niece Su Bao looked exactly like the fairy in his dream!
They're all so gentle!
"Mmm..." After saying this, he unconsciously closed his eyes again and drifted off to sleep.
The Empress tucked the little one's tiny hand under the covers, her nose stinging with tears.
Compared to the three princes, the youngest prince had always been by the emperor and empress's side, making him the child to whom they devoted the most effort.
Now that the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince are in the court, they don't need to worry about them.
The emperor and empress spent most of their time taking care of the fifth prince.
"Grandma, don't worry, Uncle will be alright!"
After Xiao Su Bao finished speaking, she seemed to remember something and then said, "Grandma, Uncle's health is because your karmic obstacles haven't been cleared up, and someone has cast a spell on you!"
Little Su Bao thought about it and decided that she should still talk to her Grandma.
The Empress was slightly taken aback upon hearing this!
She thought of what happened back then...
Little Su Bao was silent for a moment before saying, "Grandma, do you know who your family members are now, especially your parents or siblings?"
The Empress frowned slightly, and after a long while, she suddenly thought of someone.
She thought she had forgotten about this person.
The Empress paused for a moment, then said, "I have a younger brother. If he were alive, he would be thirty years old this year!"
The Lan family was once royalty!
When my little brother went missing, he was probably about the same age as Xiao Su Bao!
Thinking of this, the Empress frowned slightly.
She has been searching for him all these years. If her younger brother were alive, he would surely know that she has been searching for him!
"Grandmother..." The little girl couldn't help but call out when she saw that the Empress was somewhat lost in thought.
The Queen recovered and then said, "I have a missing younger brother!"
As long as she didn't see his remains, she felt he was still alive, after all, he was the future hope of the Lan family!
"Grandmother, don't be sad..."
Little Su Bao reached out and grabbed the Empress's hand.
At that very moment, the little dumpling paused slightly.
Suddenly, her face turned deathly pale.
Just now, she saw a series of tragic scenes.
A person wearing a ghost mask suddenly looked at her, and Xiao Su Bao felt as if that person's eyes were about to devour her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"who!"
The man suddenly shouted, and before Xiao Su Bao could react, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The little dumpling looked up, her eyes filled with panic.
It was just a scene, but I felt as if I were actually there.
"Su Bao, what happened to you!" The Empress didn't even care that her clothes were covered in blood.
She quickly picked up the little baby.
Little Su Bao covered her chest and silently recited Taoist scriptures.
After a short while, the little girl opened her eyes again.
However, Xiao Su Bao's face was still a little pale!
"Grandmother, you...you shouldn't go out recently, no, from now on, you shouldn't leave the palace at all, okay?"
After saying that, Xiao Su Bao frowned and felt a surge of emotion in her chest!
As Master was right, I am still too weak!
If I were strong enough, I might not get hurt.
"You..." The Empress looked at Xiao Su Bao with a furrowed brow.
The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, how could I possibly stay home!
Moreover, the Tang family had been kind to her, and since Tang Si was getting married, she wanted to go out and see the world!
"You can hide for a while, but you can't hide forever. Some things you just have to face!"
After a moment, the Queen took a deep breath, stroked Little Su Bao's head, and spoke.
Little Su Bao was silent for a moment, still remembering how her grandmother protected her back then.
Xiao Su Bao took a deep breath, and then handed the Queen a talisman that her master had given her.
"Take this amulet!"
Little Su Bao took out another amulet and placed it on the little prince.
The young prince, who had been frowning, relaxed his brow the moment the amulet landed on him.
This was the first time in a long time that the Empress had seen her youngest son so relaxed!
Xiao Su Bao took a deep breath, a hint of worry in her eyes.
She thought for a moment, then picked up the pen and ink on the table and wrote down a prescription.
Despite her young age, she writes excellent clerical script.
It already has a hint of integrity.
Xiao Su Bao is usually best at writing in the small regular script, but because she wasn't feeling well at the moment, the little girl used the clerical script instead.
"Grandma, boil these medicines down to one bowl with three bowls of water. Take them three times a day, and after each dose, make sure your uncle meditates for fifteen minutes!"
A hint of relief appeared in the Empress's eyes.
"Su Bao really likes studying medicine!"
The Empress looked at Xiao Su Bao and could smell a faint medicinal fragrance on her.
Little Su Bao paused, then shook her head: "I want to be the prime minister!"
Hearing the little girl's words, the Empress couldn't help but smile even more.
This child hasn't changed much since then!
"Alright, then you must work hard!" the Empress said solemnly to Little Su Bao.
The little girl nodded, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.
The empress said nothing more.
The little girl came out and opened the door.
The emperor, who was eavesdropping, almost fell over.
Fortunately, Steward Xu from behind helped him regain his balance.
"How is he?" The emperor rushed in and saw his son still unconscious, and his heart tightened.
"Grandpa, don't worry, Uncle is just a little weak, it's nothing serious!"
The little girl spoke obediently to the emperor, and then took out a pill and handed it to him.
She could tell that the emperor was getting on in years, and some of his old health problems were starting to resurface; this couldn't go on.
"Grandpa, you must take care of your health!"
The little girl handed the pills to the emperor.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine!"
As the emperor spoke, he skillfully popped the pill into his mouth.
The concubines behind him wanted to say something, but it was too late.
The emperor took the pill and felt his condition improve instantly.
Looking at Xiao Su Bao, he couldn't help but say, "It's good that you're studying medicine!"
The emperor heard the last few words spoken by the empress and the little girl, which were not spoken in hushed tones.
Considering the young girl's grand ambitions, the emperor still felt it wasn't quite right.
A female prime minister!
There has never been one before!
After all, female generals are common, but female prime ministers are not.
"But Su Bao loves reading and wants to be a prime minister!"
Little Su Bao thought for a moment and then spoke very seriously.
The emperor looked at the little girl with a helpless expression, but mostly with a smile.
"Then you'll have to try it yourself!"
The emperor didn't say anything more, but there was a faint smile in his eyes.
Little Su Bao nodded. Seeing Tang Bugui standing at the door waiting for her, the little girl had already learned to suppress her emotions and walked out.
Her little hand grasped Tang Bugui's hand.
"Princess Fu'an, have you seen how our little prince is doing? I have some hundred-year-old ginseng, I'll go get it!"
"I also have a thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum..."
"concubine……"
The concubines excitedly surrounded Xiao Su Bao, and the little girl's cheeks turned a little red from being squeezed.
Just then, a palace attendant's voice came from outside: "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Just then, the girls scattered and stood obediently on both sides of the road.
The Empress Dowager wore a crimson long gown with a front opening and a phoenix hairpin on her head, with two eunuchs supporting her.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
One by one, the concubines hurriedly bowed to the Empress Dowager.
Tang Bugui and Xiao Subao also bowed along with the others.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Tang Bugui, but finally fixed her gaze on Xiao Su Bao.
In just over two years, I never expected this little girl to grow up to be so adorable.
This pleased Empress Dowager Cao even more.
Now that Zhou is dead, there is no one else in the Cao family who can oppose Xiao Su Bao!
This girl is quite pretty; she's a good match for Xuan'er!
The Empress Dowager said to Xiao Su Bao, "Girl, come here and let me take a look at you!"
Little Su Bao doesn't really like the Empress Dowager; that kind of feeling is unacceptable.
But she's not the little girl she used to be.
The little girl slowly walked up to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager reached out and took Xiao Su Bao's hand.
The little girl's hands looked much softer than before.
"Not bad. Although she grew up in the countryside, she seems well-behaved. How about she stays in the palace to keep me company?"
Children raised by their parents are unlikely to be too bad!
Tang Bugui raised an eyebrow!
Does the Empress Dowager consider her own father to be dead?
"Where she grew up is none of the Empress Dowager's concern. As for whether she's obedient or not, my daughter, Tang Bugui, doesn't need to be obedient. She just needs to live freely!"
Tang Bugui spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, her displeasure clearly evident in her eyes.
The surrounding concubines didn't dare to breathe loudly at this moment.
After all, the two people in front of them looked a bit too terrifying.
Little Su Bao stood obediently to the side, and upon hearing her father's words, the corners of her lips curved slightly.
"How dare you!" The Empress Dowager's expression changed drastically, her eyes filled with hostility!
She had wanted to deal with Tang Bugui for a long time, but the emperor was unwilling!
The Empress Dowager seemed to remember something, and her expression turned kind again.
"General Tang, I know you love your daughter dearly, but women will eventually get married. Even if you don't think of yourself, you should think of Tang Su!"
The Empress Dowager always felt that women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children; it was improper for them to step forward and show their faces in public.
"So what!"
Tang Bugui, however, showed no fear whatsoever. He walked to the Empress Dowager's side, his eyes filled with determination.
"At worst, I'll just find a husband for my daughter to marry into. She can ride a horse if she wants, and gallop if she wants. I can't stop her, and nobody can stop her!"
When the emperor heard that the Empress Dowager had arrived, he also came out. At this moment, Tang Bugui's words reached his ears, and the emperor had a smile on his face.
"Hmph, what do you know? Even if a woman finds a husband who marries into her family, she still has to have children and live a life. Even a princess is no exception!"
The Empress Dowager's voice was already tinged with anger. She disliked Tang Bugui's tendency to embarrass her so easily.
If it weren't for Tang Bugui's status in front of the emperor, the Empress Dowager would probably have already had this ignorant brat dealt with!
It's just a pity...
"Alright, what is the Empress Dowager saying to this brat? This boy is just a silly kid, he doesn't understand anything!"
When the emperor came out, his words only made the empress dowager angrier.
I've never seen such a shameless and protective person!
"Emperor, do you know what you're doing?!" The Empress Dowager was furious.
But the emperor seemed not to have heard anything.
"What I do is none of the Empress Dowager's concern!" The Emperor's tone carried a hint of impatience.
The Empress Dowager's fingers trembled with anger, but the Emperor seemed oblivious, simply saying, "If the Empress Dowager is feeling unwell, she should stay and rest in Cining Palace!"
The Empress Dowager naturally knew that the Emperor was a scoundrel.
But there are so many concubines and imperial physicians here, yet the emperor doesn't give him any face at all.
The Empress Dowager was furious and tightened her grip on Xiao Su Bao's hand.
Little Su Bao frowned slightly, and the emperor, seeing the little girl's expression, immediately looked at the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty, you have a strong grip, please don't hurt the little girl!"
As he spoke, the emperor came over and pulled Xiao Su Bao's hand away from the Empress Dowager's.
The Empress Dowager's face grew increasingly grim with anger, yet she was powerless to do anything about the Emperor!
"Guards, the Empress Dowager is unwell. Send her back to her quarters!"
The emperor spoke calmly, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word.
The Empress Dowager was sent away, but the Cao family suffered another misfortune!
A few years ago, they were inexplicably impeached, and several officials from the Cao family were reprimanded and demoted by the emperor.
The emperor has come to cause them trouble again today!
"Your Excellency, have you offended someone again?" The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, looking at her husband with a hint of disdain.
Since that Zhou woman died, the emperor's brother-in-law was so angry that he was sick for half a year, and he has only just recovered!
"I haven't gone out lately, so how could I have offended anyone? It's your sons, though, who might have offended someone!"
The emperor's brother-in-law looked at his wife with disdain, a hint of sadness deep in his eyes.
The Empress Dowager's wife was so angry at him that she almost laughed.
If it weren't for worrying about his son and grandson, he would have divorced the emperor's brother-in-law long ago!
"Xuan'er passed the imperial examination this year and became a Xiucai. He is still young, and he will surely bring glory to the family in the future!"
The Empress Dowager thought of her eldest grandson, a smile playing on her lips.
The Empress Dowager had previously sent word that she wanted to bestow a marriage upon Princess Fu'an and Xuan'er.
Originally, the Empress Dowager was not very happy about it, after all, there was already a Lady Zhou in the family!
Moreover, although Princess Fu'an had the title of princess, she actually grew up in a village.
But seeing that Princess Fu'an had been invited to the palace by the emperor as soon as she arrived, she couldn't help but waver.
Well, she'll just have someone sound her out another day.
Little Su Bao and the others had no idea about this.
They have already left the palace!
Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Su Bao didn't seem to be in a good mood.
Tang Bugui looked at his daughter and reached out to stroke her hair.
"What's wrong?"
Little Su Bao looked at her father, and then thought of the scene of the Empress's tragic death, and felt even more distressed!
Having studied with her master for several years, she had come to realize that the Empress's fate was fraught with hardship.
There is only one tribulation in one's destiny. If one can overcome that tribulation, one will be safe and sound and have a smooth life.
Logically speaking, the calamity that year was the Empress's miscarriage!
Can……
Xiao Su Bao frowned, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Father, if... if..."
Little Su Bao wanted to say something, but when the words reached her lips, she didn't know how to say them.
The Empress concluded by saying that she did not want the Emperor and Tang Bugui to know about her affairs.
Even if you're really going to die, you can't count down the days!
"It's alright, Father, let's go home. I want to light some incense for Mother!"
Tang Bugui paused, then suddenly realized that he hadn't thought about Shuyu in a long time!
He clenched his fist slightly, a strange light in his eyes.
Even in my memory, Lan Shuyu's appearance has faded a bit!
They walked along the road, both preoccupied with their own thoughts, and remained silent.
On the other side, Ms. Qian was too tired and went to rest before they could stay.
Right now, Wang Xiuer and Sun Cuihua are strolling around the General's Mansion!
Tang Si was accompanied by his three elder brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as his nephews.
Princess Chang'an also came back with them this time, but because Princess Chang'an returned to her residence first, Tang Erbao now seemed a little lonely.
Fu Lin was also transferred to the capital this year and became a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue.
So Fu Manduo also went to Beijing with them, a little later than Fu Lin.
Lin Qiqi, who was engaged to Tang Sanbao, also came along. Besides her, her father was also part of the Lin family.
Lin Laowu had lived in Beijing when he was a child, but when he came here again, he felt a little unfamiliar.
Although it was getting cold, everyone still had a great time strolling around the general's mansion.
Wang Xiuer walked along with her son, smiling broadly.
Who knew that halfway there, the son refused to go any further.
"Mommy, hug me!" The little guy was dressed in a tiger-head outfit and looked very cute.
Wang Xiuer took a step back, looking at her with an expression that said, "Don't touch me."
"Find your father. Your mother is too weak to carry you!" Wang Xiuer said, then walked even faster.
Tang Qi's eyes darted around, and his gaze fell on his eldest son.
"Sanbao..."
"Don't come any closer!"
Tang Sanbao ran away almost immediately.
What a joke! Holding your younger brother, his heavy weight will stunt your growth!
No hugging! Absolutely no hugging!
After saying that, Tang Sanbao turned and ran.
"Daddy~" Tang Sibao looked at his father pitifully.
Tang Qi looked at the little guy and resignedly picked him up.
"You've gotten just as fat as your uncle Qian lately. If you keep this up, even Dad won't be able to carry you anymore!"
Tang Qi kept talking about his son.
Tang Shan looked at his older brother with a bit of helplessness, but he was still quite happy when he held his son.
It's small and soft.
Although she can be a bit mischievous at times, she's still quite cute.
When Su Bao returned, they were all in the front yard. Hearing the little girl's voice, they all rushed over.
"Su Bao, how is it?" Tang Qi rushed over instantly, his bright eyes looking at the little girl.
"How is it going?"
The little girl looked completely bewildered, not understanding what her second brother was asking.
"It's the palace, right? What's it like inside? Is it filled with gold and silver everywhere?"
That's how it's sung in those plays!
Little Su Bao was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by her second brother's question.
"No!" The little girl shook her head, looking at her older brother with a helpless expression in her big eyes.
Wang Xiuer picked up the little girl directly, a look of affection on her face.
"Have you eaten? Are you hungry?" Wang Xiuer frowned slightly as she smelled the girl's scent.
Why does it smell like blood?
After Wang Xiuer finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Su Bao nervously: "But you're injured!"
Little Su Bao was taken aback and quickly shook her head: "No, no!"
Seeing the little girl say that, Wang Xiuer finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Bugui paused, his brows furrowing slightly as he recalled hearing the Empress's exclamation earlier.
He glanced at his daughter but didn't ask her anything immediately.
"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. Let's go back and eat!"
Wang Xiuer, holding Xiao Su Bao, turned around and went to the kitchen.
Tang Sibao looked at his mother holding his aunt, and then at his father holding him. For some reason, he felt like he was being disliked!
"Mother..." The little guy puffed out his cheeks and looked at Wang Xiuer with a pitiful expression!
Xiao Su Bao also saw her nephew and quickly struggled out of Wang Xiu'er's arms.
"What's wrong with Sibao?" Xiaosubao walked over and asked, touching Sibao's tiger-head shoes.
When Xiao Sibao saw Aunt Su Bao coming over, she pitifully said to Xiao Su Bao, "Dou Dou, hug me!"
Little Su Bao skillfully picked up the little guy.
"Sister, hug me..."
Qian Xiaobao also ran over and awkwardly reached out his hand to Xiao Su Bao.
Without hesitation, the little girl picked up the two chubby little boys, one in each hand, and held them in her arms!
"Cluck cluck cluck..." The two children burst into laughter like little chicks.
"Su Bao, don't spoil those two!" Ma Erniang was taking care of the children today. When she saw Tang Bugui, her gaze paused slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
Apart from Tang Bugui and Ma Shi, no one else noticed anything unusual.
Ma sighed inwardly, but the next moment she stood in front of her sister and Tang Bugui.
"It's good to see you all back. Our Qian family also has a house in the capital, so we won't be staying here today!" Madam Ma glanced at the others, but her expression didn't change much.
Ma Erniang, who was standing to the side, wanted to speak, but suddenly thought of something and ended up not saying a word.
Ma Erniang clenched her fists slightly, then took her nephew from Xiao Subao's arms.
"This little chubby boy is getting heavier and heavier!"
Ma Erniang carried the chubby little boy back to her older sister's side.
The little guy reached out his hands, wanting Xiaosubao to hug him.
A slightly aggrieved expression appeared on her little face.
Wang Xiuer grabbed her son by the back of his collar, tossed him to Tang Qi, and then picked up Xiao Su Bao herself.
"Wife, be careful!" Tang Qi was startled. Luckily, he reacted quickly, otherwise his son would have fallen to the ground.
The little girl was startled when she saw her second sister-in-law's appearance.
"What does Su Bao want to eat today? Second Sister-in-law will make it for you..." Wang Xiuer was interrupted before she could finish speaking.
"What are you doing? Don't ruin your uncle's kitchen!" Madam Qian walked over from behind, looking as if she had just woken up.
"Mother, what are you saying? Do you think I'm that kind of person?!"
Wang Xiuer felt that she could give it a try now. After all, she had secretly tried it herself in the mountains several times. Although she almost burned the mountain down, she managed to make it work in the end!
Seeing that there were many people in the family today, and that it was their first day in the capital, Madam Qian was too lazy to argue with the maid.
She walked up to Su Bao and Tang Bugui and said, "It's freezing outside. Only these guys aren't afraid of the cold. Su Bao, come on, come on, let's go inside and warm up!"
The others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a sense of helplessness.
She still went with the Qian family.
Tang Bugui still had some things to take care of, so he went ahead to attend to them.
The whole family gathered in the small courtyard that Tang Bugui had prepared for the Qian family.
The courtyard isn't very big, but it's fully equipped.
"Eldest son, it wouldn't be appropriate for our fourth son to use your uncle's general's mansion for his wedding. Why don't you go and see if there are any suitable courtyards outside, smaller ones?"
The Qian family had a much broader vision than these children.
Tang Bugui can be nice to them, but they can't be like bloodsuckers, constantly draining their blood.
Tang Cheng was taken aback for a moment, but then immediately said, "Okay!"
Corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and some seeds from the Western Regions—these things have made their village better off now. When Tang Cheng came this time, he took all the money from his home.
"Brother, I still have some money here, you can have it all!" Tang Qi immediately shouted.
Wang Xiuer nodded in agreement and immediately went to get the silver.
"Big brother, I have some too..." Tang Shan called out, even though he didn't have much silver.
"And me!" Tang Si breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing that his mother was doing all this for him.
I felt grateful but didn't know how to express it.
Seeing how obedient and well-behaved her children were, Mrs. Qian felt a warmth in her heart.
"Grandma, I have money too. Let Daddy take it all to buy a yard!"
Tang Dabao also came over; he saved all his New Year's money for his parents and himself!
“Mom, Su Bao has money too!” Little Su Bao immediately chimed in.
As Qian looked at them, the smile in her eyes grew even wider.
"Alright, I understand. You're all wealthy people. Let the eldest go and take a look first. If we don't have enough money, I'll ask you for more. I won't be polite!" Madam Qian said with a smile, her tone relaxed.
The butler, who had been outside the whole time, was slightly startled when he heard the sounds coming from inside.
Having stayed in the capital for a long time, he had seen many of the intricacies and complexities of other prefectures.
The butler, however, sensed a hint of surprise towards the Tang family.
After a moment of silence, the butler's lips curled into a smile, feeling that it was worthwhile for their family's general.
Before long, Xiao Su Bao came out and saw the butler outside. The little girl said to the butler, "Grandpa Butler, did my daddy go to my mommy's?"
The butler nodded, and was about to speak when he heard a hurried voice.
"Su Bao, help me!"
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