Chapter 29 Even the Emperor Grandfather Came to Compete for Favor
Xie Zhiwei was clearly stumped by the question.
He paused for a moment, looking at Mu Yu's big eyes that were filled with "wanting to eat," and actually thought about it seriously.
"This ointment... has mild medicinal properties, so it won't cause any harm if accidentally ingested," he replied gently. "It's just that the taste might... not be very sweet."
"It's not sweet..." Mu Yu's face immediately fell, full of disappointment.
She thought it was a mint-flavored candy.
Qin Zheng chuckled beside her: "Little Yu'er, you're such a little foodie, you want to try everything."
Xie Zhiwei looked at Mu Yu's adorable puffed-out cheeks and a smile appeared in her eyes.
As if by magic, he took out a small white jade box from his sleeve.
"Perhaps the princess will like this."
Upon opening the box, a sweet fruity aroma mixed with the scent of medicine instantly filled the air.
Inside, there were a dozen or so crystal-clear candy balls, each a different color, like a rainbow after the rain.
"Wow!" Mu Yu, Jia Ning, and Qin Zheng's eyes lit up at the same time.
"This is 'Seven Treasures Throat Lozenges' made from seven lung-moistening and cough-relieving herbs, including snow pear, loquat, and licorice, along with honey and fresh fruit juice," Xie Zhiwei explained.
His tone was flat.
"Doesn't it taste bitter?" Mu Yu asked warily.
She has a psychological aversion to medicine.
“No.” Xie Zhiwei’s smile grew even gentler. “I’ve modified it; it’s only sweet.”
Mu Yu was relieved and carefully picked up a pink one and put it in her mouth.
It melts in your mouth, and the sweet aroma of strawberries explodes on your taste buds, with a hint of coolness that quickly soothes the summer heat.
"Delicious!" Mu Yu squinted her eyes happily.
Without any hesitation, she hugged the white jade box to her chest and then generously gave one to each of Jia Ning and Qin Zheng.
"Thank you, Brother Zhiwei!" the little girl said sweetly.
Seeing the three girls enjoying their meal, Xie Zhiwei's handsome face broke into a genuine smile.
He came here on his grandfather's orders to take the young princess's pulse.
Secondly, it was also out of my own curiosity.
He had heard his grandfather and Yan Ziche mention more than once that this young princess was exceptionally gifted and could discern good and bad fortune.
Seeing it today, it is indeed... quite special.
Especially the scene where she blew on the injured butterfly.
It wasn't just childlike fun; he clearly sensed a faint but pure aura full of vitality.
What an interesting little guy.
"Brother Zhiwei, can you come and play with me often in the future?" Mu Yu asked sincerely, holding the candy box.
"Of course," Xie Zhiwei readily agreed.
With an older brother who can provide all sorts of delicious "medicinal candies," Mu Yu felt her happiness level had increased even further.
Although her father was gone, she was not lonely at all.
...
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, in the Imperial Study.
Emperor Chu Yuan put down his vermilion brush and rubbed his temples.
Battle reports from the southwest arrived three times a day. Although Mu Fang's advance was unstoppable, the resistance from the barbarians was exceptionally tenacious, especially from that so-called high priest, whose methods were bizarre and difficult to guard against.
He couldn't help but think of that iron-willed general who fought valiantly on the battlefield.
I also remembered the little baby in the general's arms, trying to protect his father.
"Li Fu," Chu Yuan said.
“Your servant is here.” Steward Li appeared behind him.
"Little Yu'er... Princess Anguo, what are you doing today?" the emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, the Princess must have had a very enjoyable day." Chief Steward Li said with a smile. "Just now, Physician Xie from the Xie family also came and brought the Princess some of his newly made throat lozenges, which she liked very much."
"Xie Zhiwei?" Chu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "That child is quite thoughtful."
He pictured Mu Yu's exquisitely beautiful face and her clear, penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through people.
When he was with that little girl, he wasn't the emperor, but just an ordinary "grandpa emperor" whose beard would be pulled by a child.
That feeling was relaxed and pleasant.
He hadn't felt this way in a long time since he took this position.
"Prepare the carriage." Chu Yuan suddenly stood up. "To the residence of Princess Anguo."
"Huh?" Chief Steward Li was taken aback. "Your Majesty, this... it's getting late, and it's also against the rules..."
"Is there still a box of 'luminous glass chess pieces' left over from the previous dynasty in my private treasury?" Chu Yuan ignored him and asked to himself.
"Yes...yes."
"And that 'Snow-Treading Black Steed' foal, which was recently presented as tribute from the Western Regions, is it also being kept in the Imperial Stables?"
"yes……"
"Yes, take them all. Then go to the Imperial Kitchen and have them pack up my portion of chilled plum juice and freshly roasted pigeon as well."
Steward Li: "..."
Your Majesty, are you going to visit my daughter or to feed her?
When the emperor's grand procession stopped in front of the Princess Anguo's residence, Xiao Beichen and Yan Ziche were both stunned.
Why is the Emperor here?
Mu Yu was quite pleased.
"Grandpa Emperor!" She rushed over like a cannonball and hugged Chu Yuan's leg.
"Oh my, my little darling." Chu Yuan chuckled and bent down to pick her up.
The little girl is a soft and cuddly little bundle, with a milky and faint floral scent that inexplicably lifts one's spirits.
"Grandpa Emperor, what brings you here? Did you come to play with me?" Mu Yu asked curiously, hugging his neck.
"Yes, Grandpa missed our little Yu'er." Chu Yuan gently pinched her nose. "He also brought you some little trinkets."
With a wave of his hand, Steward Li immediately had the luminous glass chess set, the little pony, and the food box brought up.
"Wow! It's so sparkly!" Mu Yu's eyes were immediately drawn to the dazzling glass chess set.
She has an innate love for shiny things, a trait common to dragons.
"And a little horse!" Xiao Beichen's eyes lit up. The little horse was all black except for its four white hooves. It was exceptionally fine and a fine steed.
The emperor made no attempt to conceal his affection for the young princess.
"Grandpa Emperor is the best!" Mu Yu hugged Chu Yuan's neck and gave him a loud kiss.
Chu Yuan was delighted and couldn't stop smiling.
He held Mu Yu in his arms, sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, and personally opened the food box, handing her the chilled plum juice.
"Come on, you must be tired from playing. Have some drinks to cool off."
Mu Yu gulped down a few mouthfuls, then turned her gaze to the roasted pigeon, which was golden and crispy.
Chu Yuan personally tore off a pigeon leg, blew on it, and then held it to her lips.
"Want to try some?"
Mu Yu opened her mouth and took a bite, her mouth covered in oil.
Watching her eat so unceremoniously, Chu Yuan didn't find it rude at all; instead, he found it endearing and amusing.
This is how children should be.
Unlike the princes and princesses in the palace, who, despite their young age, acted like little adults, rigidly adhering to rules and filled with scheming in their eyes.
"Grandpa Emperor, you eat too!" Mu Yu handed the pigeon leg she had half-eaten back to Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan was taken aback.
Steward Li's heart was in his throat.
It should be understood that the emperor's food had to undergo multiple inspections before it was even put into his mouth; there was no reason for him to eat someone else's "saliva."
However, to everyone's surprise,
Chu Yuan smiled and actually took a bite out of Mu Yu's small hand.
"Mmm, delicious." He nodded in approval.
Steward Li, standing to the side, nearly had his eyes pop out of his head.
He had served His Majesty his entire life, and had never seen His Majesty so "down-to-earth."
"Oh, right," Chu Yuan said, as if remembering something, "In a few days, the autumn air will be crisp and clear, and the wild animals in the royal hunting grounds will be plump. Little Yu'er, would you like to go hunting with Grandpa?"
"Hunting?" Mu Yu's eyes lit up. "Do you have roasted whole lamb?"
Chu Yuan laughed heartily: "Yes! As long as our little Yu'er wants to eat, we can have roasted whole lamb, or even roasted whole cow!"
"Yay!" Mu Yu clapped her hands happily.
Chu Chongjin, who was standing not far away, happened to see the whole scene.
He looked at the unprecedented, genuine smile on his father's face, and his eyes flickered slightly.
Perhaps, for the Emperor, the appearance of Xiao Yu'er was also a kind of salvation.
As he was thinking, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a furtive eunuch out of the corner of his eye. After witnessing the emperor and Mu Yu's harmonious scene, the eunuch quietly slipped out and hurried towards the direction of Consort De's palace.
Chu Chongjin's eyes turned cold.
It seems some people are still unwilling to give up.
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