Chapter 368

Not only were the Empress Dowager’s and Xie Pan’Er’s words stuck in their throats, but their facial expressions also instantly froze.

Because at that moment, they were watching the nine-linked puzzle in Xiaosuisui’s hands as it twisted and turned, and then...

"Ah... I... I broke it..."

Xiaosuisui, holding the nine-linked puzzle which was now just a collection of rods and rings, burst out crying with a WAAH!

The Empress Dowager and Xie Pan’Er simultaneously pressed their hands to their foreheads.

"Don’t cry! The nine-linked puzzle isn’t broken."

The Empress Dowager and Xie Pan’Er spoke in unison again.

Xiaosuisui pouted, trying hard to hold back her tears.

"It... it’s not broken? But they’re not in one piece anymore!"

Xiaosuisui looked in confusion at the Empress Dowager, then at Xie Pan’Er.

Xie Pan’Er glanced at the Empress Dowager helplessly.

The Empress Dowager turned her face away with a sigh.

"You explain it to her!"

Xie Pan’Er acknowledged with a "Yes," then turned to Xiaosuisui.

"Princess, this is what the nine-linked puzzle looks like when it’s solved!"

"Ah..." Xiaosuisui looked bewildered. "But isn’t it said that it takes even the smartest person a month to solve it?"

Xie Pan’Er opened her mouth but said nothing.

The Empress Dowager looked around; Nanny Xiao, who was best at smoothing things over, wasn’t there.

"This just proves that my little darling is the smartest person in the world."

Xiaosuisui blinked, looking excitedly at Empress Dowager Xiao.

"Really? Grandma, you’re not teasing me?"

Empress Dowager Xiao chuckled, gently tapped her little nose, and said, "It’s true. Grandma isn’t teasing you!"

"WOW! I’m the smartest person in the world! I’m the most clever..."

Overjoyed by the praise, Xiaosuisui twirled around the room.

Seeing her so happy, the Empress Dowager’s mood inexplicably lightened.

Xie Pan’Er shook her head.

Children are like that; they can’t hide their likes and dislikes at all.

"Princess, you mustn’t act like that!"

Zhao Pan’Er reminded her softly, "Nanny Zhang taught that as a princess of the Royal Family, one must not let happiness, anger, sorrow, or joy show on one’s face!"

Hearing Zhao Pan’Er’s words, Xiaosuisui immediately stopped, her little face fell, and she pouted.

The Empress Dowager burst out laughing.

"HAHAHA! Xiaosuisui pouting like this is so adorable! I wish you would always pout like this."

Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, Xie Pan’Er added,

"Empress Dowager, the Princess looks this way while wearing a mask. If Her Highness were to make such an adorable expression with her true face, you would surely want to watch her being cute all the time!"

Thinking of Xiaosuisui’s true appearance, Xie Pan’Er’s face filled with admiration.

"Truly?"

Xie Pan’Er nodded. "How could I dare deceive you, Your Majesty!"

"Speaking of which, I have never seen Xiaosuisui’s true face. Last time, you mentioned that to see her face, one must look very carefully. Why is that?"

The Empress Dowager’s question referred to an incident at the Double Ninth Festival banquet. When the civil and military officials commented on Suisui’s appearance, the Empress Dowager had furiously demanded to know who had ruined her face.

Then, Xie Pan’Er had approached the Empress Dowager and quietly told her the truth.

"The Princess’s features are too beautiful and lovely, so she needs to wear a mask. Those were the Second Mistress’s exact words.

Your Majesty! There’s no one else in the room now. Would you like to see the Princess’s true face?"

The Empress Dowager naturally wanted to and said eagerly,

"Yes, I do. I’ve been wanting to see Xiaosuisui’s real face for a long time!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Pan’Er beckoned to Xiaosuisui. "Princess, come here. I will help you remove your mask so the Empress Dowager can see your true features."

Xiaosuisui happily said, "Okay!" and then began to remove the mask herself.

Suddenly, the voice of a young Eunuch reporting from outside interrupted, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, the National Master requests an audience!"