The Dowager Empress saw that the Emperor Xianfeng was somewhat troubled. Knowing a mother understands her son best, she said, "My dear, you can stay in the palace tonight. It's been some time since you've come to see your grandmother. Come, let's have a good chat."

Fu Jiujiu glanced at Tang Xian. The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "The Seventh Prince should stay as well. It's time for you two to find each other. You should entertain each other. If others entertained you, it would be too abrupt."

The Emperor of Chengde smiled and nodded, "I've already decided to join my mother. Chiu Chiu, you two stay here. If it weren't for the Seventh Brother's unwillingness to reside in the palace, I would have long since arranged for his return."

With everyone saying that, how can Fu Zhuzhu refuse?

She didn't refuse, so Tang Xian wouldn't refuse either.

Fu Si Jin also understood, "Sister, you can rest assured to live here, there's no need to worry about home."

Fu Jiujiu really wants to say, was she sold out by the Fourth Brother?

Karl and his group also stayed in the palace, but they had food and drink, and the maids could only rely on guessing their intentions to take care of them.

After all, Fujuju wouldn't possibly go bother them late at night.

The Empress dowager took Fu Jiujiu's hand, her eyes filled with love and tenderness. Fu Jiujiu also sensed that the old woman had something to say.

"Grandma, is there anything you want to tell me?"

The Empress Dowager pointed at her nose, "You, you're a real little sly fox, nothing escapes your notice."

"Grandmother, then you tell me. Jiji is listening."

The Empress smiled, "Were you angry about the Emperor's affairs a while back?"

Fu Jiujiu was startled and quickly shook her head, "No, Jiujiu believes the Emperor loves me and wouldn't hurt me."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Your Majesty, it's because you've been Emperor for too long. I've already scolded him on your behalf."

Fu Jiujiu opened her mouth in surprise, "Grandmother, you...don't have to."

The Empress dowager held the little dumpling’s hand and said, “Don’t be afraid, he is the Emperor, but I am his mother. He is my son, isn’t it normal for a mother to scold her son? He wouldn’t dare to get angry.”

Fu Jiujiu suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, "Imperial Grandmother, I'm really not angry."

"It's best if you don't get angry, then this matter will just be over." The Empress Dowager said.

Fu JiuJiu smiled wryly, "Isn't it already over?"

"Chirp chirp, you're a good girl. So when are you planning to get married to Seventh Brother?"

Fu Jiujiu's face flushed red, "Grand Empress Dowager, I...I am still young."

She's not a big girl, your parents definitely wouldn't be willing to let such a lovely and lovable little girl get married. But grandma is getting older, she wants to see you two get married sooner, I'm afraid...

"Grandma, how are you doing? I wish you a long and healthy life."

The Empress smiled twice, “Longevity and good health are all lies, I don’t yearn for that.”

Birth, aging, illness, and death are inescapable realities for everyone. Even with the ability to manipulate space-time as Fu JiuJiu does, she can only slightly extend a person's lifespan. To achieve immortality is simply impossible.

"Grandmother, how are you doing?" Fu Jiujiu pondered for a moment before uttering those words.

The Empress Dowager smiled, but then let out a long sigh.

Fujujiao knows, the old person has thoughts.

What comes to mind is naturally my elder sister Tang Yin, who married far away in the northern deserts.

Fu Jiujiu secretly made a note, deciding to still tell Tang Xian about this and let him try to get Tang Yin back for a visit.

The elderly are fairly healthy now, but people of advanced age can be unpredictable. They may appear strong and robust, but a careless fall could lead to their demise.

This evening, the old man told Fu Jiujiu many things. In fact, nothing particularly important was said, nor were there any major events.

It was just like casual conversation between ordinary grandparents and grandchildren, but Fu Jiujiu knew that the old man was truly good to her. That's why he said these things to her.

The next morning, the Empress woke up and didn't see Fu Jiujiu. So she asked Minghui.

Minghui Grandma smiled but didn't speak. Soon, she saw Fu Jiujiu carrying a food box and come in.

"Empress Dowager, the County Princess came early this morning to make food for you. She heard that you haven't had much appetite these days and insisted on making it herself."

The Empress Dowager smiled, "Good child, you are the most filial among all. With your arrival, this old woman's appetite has improved considerably. There's no need to do anything else, don't tire yourself out. The Seventh Prince would be heartbroken."

"Grandmother!" Fu Jiujiu's face flushed red as she opened the lunchbox. Inside were shrimp dumplings, century egg and lean pork porridge, steamed pork buns filled with molten custard, phoenix claws, and her own cold salad.

"This thing is pretty, it looks so unique and intriguing." The Empress pointed at the little pig-shaped sand bun. Not to mention its lovely color, it was also quite amusing. It's clear that the young girl put a lot of thought into this.

Just as I had barely started eating, Tang Xian arrived.

"Oh, I forgot about him." The Empress glanced at her grandson. The food was delicious, and she had a big appetite. She'd almost finished it all.

Tang Xian smiled, “Grandmother Empress, just enjoy eating. You ate, so your grandson is not hungry.”

"Well, he's been saying all along," the Empress dowager chuckled, "that it’s always Chi-Chi making his meals, isn't it?"

Tang Xian smiled faintly. He had indeed eaten it a few times, but he wouldn't mind having it again.

Just taking Fu Jiujiu's chopsticks, she threw the shrimp dumplings he had just picked up into her mouth, "Delicious."

Fu Jiaojiao glared at him, "And?"

The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow and looked at Minghui, the imperial nurse beside her, implying that it was impossible for a married couple to forget.

"I'll have someone get it." Minghui Granny said.

"Thank you, grandma. Then I'll enjoy the delicious food with our imperial grandmother and the two beauties."

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily, “Even though my grandmother and I are old women, we are still considered beauties, aren't we?”

"Come on, eat up. Didn't you say you were going to take that big-nosed man out to show him the world?"

“Big nose?” Fu Jiujiu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Tang Xian also felt that calling Karl this way was very appropriate, "No rush, accompanying the imperial grandmother is important."

"Go, go! Your grandmother is right here, I can always be with you. Those people are different; court affairs are important matters. Your father trusts you enough to send you on errands, so do your best."

"Understood, grandmother. I'll take them away now and bring them back to you in the evening."

Fujujiao was astonished, "Are you coming back tonight?"

"I love hearing that. Let's stay for two more days and then return her parents' things. We shouldn't keep occupying their home."

The two of them decided on Fujuju's stay or departure so happily.

"What else can Fujujiao say? She can only agree."

On the way to see Karl, Fu Jiujiu also told Tang Xian, asking him to try his best to help Bei Mo Wang and Tang Yin return.

"How is Grandma?" Tang Xian asked nervously.

It's not surprising that he reacted this way. Fu Jiu Jiu quickly explained, "No, I checked on the Empress Dowager yesterday, and she's fine for now. But as she gets older, the Empress Dowager misses the eldest princess. Should we wait until the day she's really unwell before seeing her?"

First published on the繁體小说网

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