jdhmnovel Chapter 25 Dining with the Empress Dowager
Chapter 25 Dining with the Empress Dowager
Judging from Xiaosen's anxious appearance and the sweat on his brow, he must have been terrified after searching for so long.
Xiaosen asked with concern, "Ninth Prince, are you alright? Don't scare me like that next time."
Xiao Sen was truly terrified. The little prince was missing, and he was the primary person responsible. If the prince was just bumped or bruised, it would be a minor matter, and Eton would scold or beat him. But if something serious happened, his life would be in danger.
Xiao Yi put his hands on his hips and said, "Hmph, I'm not a little kid anymore, I can't fall down so easily."
Looking at his mischievous appearance, Xiao Han shook his head indulgently: "Brother is going to Cixi Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Do you want to come along?"
Xiao Yi jumped up happily: "Great!" He thought to himself that going to his grandmother's place would allow him to avoid his mother's questioning.
Xiao Han said to Xiao Sen, "Go and tell Consort Rong that Xiao Jiu is going with me to Cixi Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
Xiao Sen knew that the Ninth Prince was with Xiao Han, so he put down his clothes and bowed respectfully: "Yes, Your Highness."
"Your hands and mouth need to be washed properly," Xiao Han said with a look of disgust.
"Hee hee hee……"
"His Highness Prince Qin has arrived! His Ninth Prince has arrived!"... The summons rang out outside Cixi Palace.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed: "Here it comes! Quickly, summon him."
Xiao Han and Xiao Yi stepped forward to pay their respects, saying, "Grandchildren greet the Empress Dowager and pay their respects to her."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Alright, alright, get up quickly."
Shen Anning, who was standing to the side, curtsied and said, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qin, greetings, Ninth Prince."
Xiao Han glanced at it: "No need for formalities."
The Empress Dowager smiled and invited, "Please come and sit down."
Xiao Han instructed Aunt Ning Meng, who was standing beside him, "Please take the Ninth Prince to wash his hands and face."
Ning Meng looked at Xiao Yi's messy face and said with a smile, "Alright, Ninth Prince, please follow me."
Xiao Yi pouted, "I just arrived and haven't even had a chance to speak with my grandmother yet!"
Xiao Han said helplessly, "I'm just afraid you'll rub against the Empress Dowager and be impolite."
"Alright, Grandmother, Yi'er will come and chat with you later."
"Alright, go ahead, go ahead." The Empress Dowager looked on kindly, "This child has stolen some food again, hasn't he?"
“Yes, we met in the garden.” He sat down beside him.
Xiao Han asked with concern, "How is Grandmother's health?"
"Okay, it's been a few days since I've seen you."
"I have been away from the capital for the past few days, so I have been unable to enter the palace to pay my respects to my grandmother."
"You go about your business. Your brothers often come over too. Today, An Ning also came to the palace to keep me company and relieve my boredom," the Empress Dowager said, pulling Shen An Ning's hand and patting the back of her hand.
Shen Anning glanced at Xiao Han, then lowered her head shyly, not daring to look him in the eye.
"Now that you and Yi'er have arrived, my place has become lively."
Aunt Ningmeng soon returned with Xiao Yi.
"Grandmother, look, Yi'er has washed them clean," Xiao Yi showed the Empress Dowager his clean hands.
The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Yi with affection, "Hmm, let me see, it is clean. Would you like to have lunch with your seventh brother at noon?"
"Okay, how is Seventh Brother?" Xiao Yi turned his head and asked Xiao Han happily.
"Well, it really has been a long time since I've dined with my grandmother."
The Empress Dowager turned and instructed Ning Meng to prepare lunch, "Prepare more of their favorite dishes."
Aunt Ningmeng acknowledged and withdrew to instruct her subordinates to make preparations.
The Empress Dowager then smiled at Shen Anning beside her and said, "You join us too."
Shen Anning nodded gently.
They sat together and chatted about everyday things, and soon lunch was served.
"Wow...so many of my favorite foods," Xiao Yi swallowed hard.
“Even if it’s delicious, you can’t eat too much. Just try a little of everything,” Xiao Han poured cold water on his enthusiasm.
The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Yi with a mixture of helplessness and amusement: "Listen to your seventh brother, don't eat too much, or your mother will blame me later."
"But no one dares to blame the Empress Dowager, so I'll eat less!"
After the meal, Xiao Han was about to leave the palace.
"Grandmother, I won't disturb your afternoon rest any longer. I'll come to see you another day."
"Go ahead, An Ning is also leaving the palace, you should see her off! I won't have anyone escort her."
Upon hearing this, Shen Anning's face flushed red. Heaven knows how nervous she was during the meal. She had only come to the palace to see the Empress Dowager, but she hadn't expected to run into two princes.
She had only caught a glimpse of the King of Qin from afar before, but now that she saw him up close, she was struck by his handsome appearance. This stirred up her girlish feelings, and her heart pounded wildly. She was even more nervous sitting at the same table with him, and dared not eat much.
She lowered her head and said softly, "I dare not trouble Your Highness. I can go out on my own."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.
"Grandson, take your leave."
"This humble woman takes her leave."
Xiao Han and Xiao Yi walked in front, while Shen Anning followed behind them, keeping her head down and occasionally glancing up at them secretly.
When you reach the fork in the road, one path leads to Consort Rong's Palace, while the other leads out of the palace.
Xiao Han stopped and turned to Shen Anning, saying, "Miss Shen, I need to escort my ninth brother back to Zhaohua Palace. Do you know the way out? If not, I will have a palace servant escort you."
Shen Anning was suddenly called by name, and nodded nervously, "I know," before turning and leaving in a fluster.
Xiao Yi looked strangely in the direction Shen Anning had left: "Seventh Brother, that sister seemed to be very afraid of you."
Xiao Han took Xiao Yi's hand, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "Let's go."
At 1:00 PM, Xiao Han returned to the mansion. In the study, Qing Song reported, "The maid is on the verge of death and still insists that there is no way to cure the curse."
Xiao Han, his face weary, propped his forehead up with his hand: "Treat her injuries, and we'll proceed with the interrogation once she's healed. Any progress with Doctor Yuan? Has he returned?"
"Doctor Yuan hasn't returned yet." Qingsong looked at Xiao Han's exhausted appearance, his face full of worry.
"Well, back off."
Qing Tong, standing to the side, worriedly advised, "Your Highness has been traveling for two days, please rest first."
Xiao Han dragged his weary steps back to his room.
Long Chuqing's side
Zi Guang ran up to Long Chuqing, who was grinding herbs, and said, "Miss, Miss, the Prince and Lord Qing Tong have returned."
Long Chuqing lowered her head to grind the medicine and casually replied, "Yeah, so you're back."
Zi Guang asked in confusion, "Should we still give the list to the Prince?"
While grinding the herbs, Long Chuqing said, "No need to give them to me," and then handed the ground herbs to Ziguang, "Help me put them in the pot to steam."
Zi Guang took the medicine, his face full of confusion, and walked away in a daze.
Long Chuqing thought there was no need to rush; she could give it to him when she delivered the medicine.
Now, Long Chuqing's internal injuries and shoulder injuries have almost healed. She still has difficulty walking due to her leg injury, but in a few more days, she should be able to walk naturally. Her injuries will heal much faster than others.
She's made a lot of medicine these past few days, and looking at the bottles and jars is like looking at money.
After finishing with the medicine, she lay down on the bamboo rattan recliner to rest. She had asked Granny Lin to find the bamboo chair for her.
The weather is lovely today, sunny and bright with blue skies and white clouds. I moved the bamboo chair to a shady spot, covered my eyes, and took a nice nap.
In the evening, Dr. Yuan returned home dejectedly, his steps heavy. He had spent the afternoon with some friends, discussing the matter together, but they hadn't found a good solution.
Xiao Han slept until 7 PM before waking up, past mealtime. Qing Tong didn't wake him during that time, wanting him to rest well.
Xiao Han woke up and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples. Qing Tong handed him a towel, which he used to wash himself, feeling a bit more refreshed.
"What time is it now?"
It's the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
Xiao Han handed the towel in his hand to Qing Tong, "Is Doctor Yuan back?"
"He's back, but it seems he hasn't found a good solution either," Qing Tong reported truthfully. "Doctor Yuan is currently in Wenxin Courtyard."
Qing Tong put down the towel, brought Xiao Han some clothes, and he put them on.