Xiao Yuling genuinely liked girls such as Mu Wan’er, who had a sweet way with words and knew how to coax people; she quickly had Xiao Yuling feeling quite happy.

“Ah! If only your cousin knew how to cheer me up like you do,” Xiao Yuling sighed.

Xiao Yuxian and her daughter exchanged a glance, and Mu Wan’er whispered, “But isn’t there still our cousin-in-law, the Empress?”

This was a probing question from Mu Wan’er. They had been here for quite some time but had not seen the Empress visit the Empress Dowager to pay her respects. They found it rather strange and thought they might as well find out from Xiao Yuling what was going on.

When Gu Qingli was mentioned, Xiao Yuling’s mood soured. She said, “Your cousin-in-law, the Empress, is looking after three children all by herself and isn’t feeling well. She’s currently resting in her palace, so how could she come and cheer me up?”

Besides, she wouldn’t come to cheer me up anyway. It’s already good enough that she doesn’t come to cause me more trouble.

Originally, she had thought that after her son became the Emperor, he would take a few more concubines to give her more grandchildren. Now, with the imperial line dwindling, having more children would strengthen the imperial family in the future. But her son hadn’t taken a single concubine, all for Gu Qingli’s sake. Wasn’t that like twisting a knife in my heart?

“Oh? Then is your cousin-in-law, the Empress, not seriously ill? Your cousin, the Emperor, has to manage state affairs daily and also look after the three little princes. Isn’t that very exhausting for him?” Mu Wan’er’s voice was gentle and full of concern.

Xiao Yuling turned her head, not wanting to mention Gu Qingli at all. She only said, “Isn’t that just so? Your cousin, the Emperor, doesn’t trust anyone else to care for them; he looks after them himself.”

Mu Wan’er’s eyes lit up as an idea struck her. She said, “Cousin Emperor truly works hard. Aunt, how about letting Wan’er help take care of the little princes? Wan’er is good with children. I often help look after Big Brother’s children, don’t I, Mother?”

As Mu Wan’er spoke, she looked at Xiao Yuxian and winked.

Xiao Yuxian hesitated for a moment; she hadn’t expected Wan’er to have such an idea. Taking care of children? Wan’er was raised by me without ever having to lift a finger. She hardly ever even saw her little nephew, let alone cared for him.

But if Wan’er went, she could get close to Xiao Yunjing. Perhaps…

At this thought, Xiao Yuxian couldn’t stop herself from agreeing. If Wan’er really went to help, she wouldn’t be like a servant changing diapers and emptying chamber pots; at most, she’d just be keeping an eye on them. So, she nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, Sister Yuling, what Wan’er said is true. Wan’er adores children and is very good at taking care of them. This way, Wan’er can keep you company in the palace and also help look after the little princes. The Emperor won’t be so busy, and since she’s one of us, you can rest assured.”

Xiao Yuling’s heart lifted at these words, feeling that Xiao Yuxian’s reasoning made sense. Her son was busy with both state affairs and his grandchildren. Having someone as considerate as Wan’er to help look after her grandsons really could work.

Perhaps my son and Wan’er might develop feelings for each other after spending time together. That would be killing three birds with one stone! She smiled and said, “Very well, we’ll go over after we finish our meal.”

Xiao Yuxian and her daughter were even more overjoyed. They quickly picked up their chopsticks and began serving Xiao Yuling, attending to her as she ate.

Xiao Yuling also remembered that she hadn’t seen her three precious grandsons the day before and was missing them. Seeing Xiao Yuxian and her daughter serve her food made her quite happy, and she quickened her pace of eating.

After lunch, Xiao Yuling, who had a habit of napping in the afternoon, took a short rest before bringing Xiao Yuxian and her daughter to Taiqing Palace.

Wuyou and the other attendants were puzzled when they saw the Empress Dowager arrive with two unfamiliar women. Where had the Empress Dowager summoned these two women from, and why bring them to Taiqing Palace? Didn’t Her Majesty know the Emperor forbade strangers from approaching the three little princes?

Wuyou frowned slightly and immediately stepped forward, saying, “This servant pays her respects to Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”

Xiao Yuling glanced at Wuyou and said coolly, “Rise. I’ve brought Madam Xian and Miss Wan’er to see the little ones. Are they still sleeping?”

Wuyou hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “The little princes are playing, Your Majesty. Please proceed.”

Xiao Yuling nodded and stepped into the three little ones’ room. Just as Xiao Yuxian and Mu Wan’er were about to follow, Wuyou suddenly blocked their path.

“Miss, why won’t you let us in?” Mu Wan’er asked, feigning surprise and grievance.

Wuyou could tell what kind of person Mu Wan’er was with a single glance—a “white lotus.” She wasn’t a man, so she had no inclination to be tender and protective towards a pretty face. She said coldly, “The Emperor has ordered that no outsiders, aside from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, are allowed into the little princes’ room.”

Xiao Yuling, who had already entered the room, heard the commotion behind her. She immediately turned and glared at Wuyou. “You audacious wench! How dare you stop people I’ve brought? Let them pass for me!”

Wuyou merely glanced at her. “If Your Majesty wishes to bring people in, it’s best to get the Emperor’s approval first. If anything were to happen to the little princes, could Your Majesty and us servants bear the responsibility?”

“You—”

Xiao Yuling was furious. Bringing my own cousin to see my grandsons requires permission? Where did such a rule come from? For origınal chapters go to nοvelfire.net

Xiao Yuxian and her daughter watched Wuyou disregard the Empress Dowager, and their perception of Xiao Yuling shifted.

They had thought this cousin of theirs, the Empress Dowager of a nation, held power and influence in this palace, but now it seemed that wasn’t entirely the case. Today alone, they had witnessed two such scenes.

Wuyou paid no heed to Xiao Yuling’s anger, blocking Xiao Yuxian and her daughter like a door guardian statue.

“Fine, fine… Very good! My words carry no weight anymore! I’ll go find the Emperor right now!”

Xiao Yuling shot Wuyou a venomous glare and, without even looking at the little ones, stormed out of the room, leading Xiao Yuxian and her daughter straight towards the Imperial Study.

She was furious enough to die! A mere servant girl dared to embarrass her in front of her cousin and niece. Where could she, the Empress Dowager, ever show her face again? Being an Empress Dowager like this was truly too pathetic! And her cousin, her niece—how were they outsiders? If she didn’t regain her dignity today, she might as well not live! A mere servant girl dared to push her around!

「In the Imperial Study.」

Xiao Yunjing was reviewing memorials when he heard Liu Desheng announce that his mother had arrived.

He wondered why his mother was coming to the Imperial Study.

He immediately had Liu Desheng show her in.

“Mother, why have you all come?” Xiao Yunjing asked, noticing that Xiao Yuling was not alone.

Xiao Yuling glared fiercely at Xiao Yunjing and said indignantly, “What? Can I not come here?”

After helping Xiao Yuling to a seat, Xiao Yunjing said, “When did your son ever say you couldn’t come, Mother? Why are you so angry? What is the matter?”

It seemed he hadn’t offended her. Why did she look like she was here to call him to account? Could it be because of Xiao Yuxian and her daughter?

As Xiao Yunjing spoke, he didn’t spare Xiao Yuxian and her daughter even a glance. The mother and daughter stood with their heads bowed inside the room, not daring to breathe loudly.

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