jdhmnovel Chapter 142 The Children's Happy Times
Chapter 142 The Children's Happy Times
In the early morning, golden sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating the ancient and magnificent brick and stone floors of the Empress Dowager's Palace.
Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao, two children only two years old, skipped and hopped into the mysterious and majestic palace, accompanied by their wet nurse.
They were like two happy little deer, full of curiosity about everything in front of them.
Xiao Nanyi was wearing a brocade jacket embroidered with tiger patterns, and his tiger-like appearance was very cute.
Xiao Yao was wearing a pink silk dress with delicate flowers embroidered on the hem, which swayed gently as she walked.
As soon as they entered the palace, they were captivated by its spacious halls and exquisite decorations.
In the very center of the hall stood a huge carved sandalwood table, laden with various fresh fruits and exquisite pastries.
The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, a kind smile on her face, looking at the two little ones. "Come, come to me."
She spoke softly, her voice full of affection. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao ran quickly to the Empress Dowager's side. Xiao Nanyi said in his childish voice, "Great-Grandma, we've come to see you!" Xiao Yao nodded as well, her eyes smiling into crescent moons.
The Empress Dowager held their little hands and gently stroked them, saying, "My good children, have fun in the palace today."
Then, the palace maids served various delicious snacks. Little Nan Yi immediately spotted a cute little snack and reached out to take it. Little Yao wasn't going to be outdone and wanted the same one. The two little ones' hands touched the snack at the same time, neither willing to give way.
"I saw it first," Xiao Nanyi said, pouting.
"I want one too." Xiao Yao's eyes were red, and she looked like she was about to cry.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Don't fight, don't fight. The palace maid will go and get another one. You can each have one."
A little while later, a palace maid brought over another piece of the same pastry, and the two children stopped crying and started eating happily.
After finishing their snacks, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao played in the palace courtyard.
The courtyard is filled with all kinds of flowers, plants and trees. It is springtime, and the flowers are in full bloom, creating a colorful scene.
Xiao Yao was attracted by a blooming Phalaenopsis orchid. She squatted down, wanting to reach out and pick it. Xiao Nanyi quickly ran over to stop her: "You can't pick it, the flower will feel pain." Xiao Yao blinked and withdrew her hand.
They chased each other around the courtyard, playing hide-and-seek. Xiao Nanyi hid behind a big tree, thinking Xiao Yao couldn't find him, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Xiao Yao followed the sound and found him immediately. "Haha, I found you!" Xiao Nanyi was not discouraged and pulled Xiao Yao to start a new round of hiding.
When they got tired of playing, they returned to the palace, where the Empress Dowager had some small toys prepared.
There were rattles, wooden horses, and all sorts of exquisite dolls. Xiao Nanyi picked up a rattle and shook it vigorously, making a "dong dong dong" sound.
Xiao Yao then rode on the little wooden horse, happily shouting "Giddy up!" as if she were really galloping across the grassland.
At lunchtime, the table was laden with a sumptuous feast. There was sweet and sour pork ribs, Xiao Nanyi's favorite, and steamed shrimp and egg, which Xiao Yao loved.
The two children ate with great relish, sharing the food in their bowls as they ate. "Xiao Yao, try this rib, it's delicious!" Xiao Nanyi picked up a rib and put it in Xiao Yao's bowl.
Xiao Yao also picked up a spoonful of steamed egg and fed it to Xiao Nanyi: "You eat this too, it's so tender." Seeing their loving interaction, the Empress Dowager and the palace maids and eunuchs present couldn't help but laugh.
After lunch, it's nap time.
Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao soon drifted off to sleep in their warm bed.
Their little faces still wore satisfied smiles, as if they were continuing to play happily even in their dreams.
When they woke up, the sun was already setting in the west.
The Empress Dowager led them for a walk in the palace garden, where a clear stream flowed gently.
Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao squatted by the stream, watching the little fish swimming around in the water, and clapped their hands excitedly.
Xiao Nanyi picked up a small pebble, wanting to throw it into the water to see if it could make a splash.
Xiao Yao also picked up pebbles and threw them with him. In an instant, water splashed everywhere on the stream, and the little fish were frightened and scattered in all directions.
Before we knew it, the sky was gradually darkening.
The two children reluctantly said goodbye to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Great-Grandma, we'll come back to play again next time."
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded: "Alright, come again next time, and I will prepare more delicious food and fun things for you."
Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao, like two cheerful little birds, chirped and chattered back to Gu Liuli's side.
Little Nan Yi's face flushed red with excitement, his eyes sparkling brightly. Waving his little hands, he exclaimed impatiently, "Mommy, we had so much fun at Great-Grandma's Palace today! There were lots of delicious snacks, pretty flowers, and fun toys..."
Xiao Yao wasn't going to be outdone, and chimed in, "And another thing, Great-Grandma is so kind! She prepared so many things for us. We even played hide-and-seek in the courtyard, and I found Brother Nan Yi right away!" Her eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled, her face beaming with happiness.
Gu Liuli smiled and listened patiently to the two children's story. She gently stroked Xiao Nanyi's head and pinched Xiao Yao's cheek, saying softly, "My darlings had so much fun today, the Empress Dowager must be very happy too."
Xiao Nanyi continued, "Mommy, I saw a really beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid. Xiaoyao wanted to pick it, but I told her that the flower would hurt, so she didn't pick it." Gu Liuli nodded approvingly, "Nanyi is so sensible. Flowers are for admiring, not for picking."
Just then, a series of steady footsteps sounded. Xiao Jingchuan, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe, strode into the room. His eyes were filled with majesty, but they immediately softened when he saw Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao.
"Father!" Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao exclaimed excitedly, breaking free from Gu Liuli's hands and running towards Xiao Jingchuan.
Xiao Jingchuan knelt down, opened his arms, and hugged the two children tightly. "My darlings, how was your time at Great-Grandma's Palace today?" he asked with a smile.
Xiao Nanyi answered first: "Father, it was so much fun! Great-Grandma gave us lots of delicious food and let us play with lots of toys. We even saw little fish in the garden, and Xiao Yao and I threw pebbles, splashing up huge sprays of water!"
Xiao Jingchuan listened, a pleased smile spreading across his face. He patted Xiao Nanyi's head and said, "Looks like you had a great day. Were you well-behaved in the Empress Dowager's palace?"