Chapter 603: The Promise from Years Ago

Then she suddenly knelt on the prayer mat before her.

At this moment, Xiaosuisui and the little beggars she had just befriended in the Great Hall were unaware that, because of her kneeling, the world outside had changed dramatically.

The sky was overcast and thunder roared; everyone outside glanced fearfully at the sky above.

"Why is it thundering again? What’s happening today?"

Huo Xing’Er was anxiously searching for Xiaosuisui but couldn’t see her anywhere.

"Where’s Suisui? Has anyone seen Suisui?"

"We just noticed she was missing. Xiuxiu has already gone to look for her," Wang Dongxue quickly replied to Huo Xing’Er.

Huo Xing’Er put away the Divine Punishment-Reducing Brush. With her hands clasped behind her back, she floated in mid-air, no longer concealing her power, and began to search for Xiaosuisui.

Xiaosuisui didn’t know yet that the kowtow she had just performed caused her great uncle and Liao Kong to end their battle prematurely.

The memory of being struck by lightning disturbed Liao Kong while he was still trapped in Ji Youran’s consciousness domain. He couldn’t break free, spat out a mouthful of blood, and suffered internal injuries as a result.

Ji Youyuan also suffered. His consciousness domain was disrupted by the Celestial Thunder, causing a momentary metallic sweetness in his throat that he fought to suppress.

On the surface, he had defeated Liao Kong, but only he knew the extent of his internal injuries from this invisible battle.

"Husband! How are you?"

"My son! Are you alright?"

Old Madam Ji and Wang Dongxue rushed to Ji Youyuan’s side, supporting him from either side as they inquired.

"I’m fine, don’t worry." Ji Youyuan smiled at his mother and wife. He scanned the surroundings but didn’t see the culprit responsible for his suffering, so he asked through gritted teeth, "Where’s Suisui?"

"She was here just a moment ago, then she vanished. Xing’Er and Xiuxiu have already gone looking for her."

Leaning on Wang Dongxue for support, Ji Youyuan finally caught his breath after a long moment.

"Go find her quickly. That little rascal probably found out she isn’t supposed to kowtow or kneel, and that’s why she ran off to play somewhere."

Hearing this, Wang Dongxue and the others felt their heads buzz. "So, just now...?"

"That’s right, it was her. Where did the Celestial Thunder strike just now?"

Wang Dongxue pointed towards the Great Hall. "It seemed to be over there!"

Ji Youyuan immediately led the way, running towards the Great Hall.

Wang Dongxue, with her large belly, followed behind him. Old Madam Ji quickly reminded her, "Slow down! Be careful of the child in your belly!"

However, Wang Dongxue was worried about Xiaosuisui and anxious to find her, so she replied casually, "I’m fine, and the babies are fine. Suisui said they would be born healthy and strong."

Ever since Xiaosuisui arrived at the Ji family, Wang Dongxue had an inexplicable faith in her words.

Whatever Suisui says is definitely true.

Old Madam Ji also understood Xiaosuisui’s special nature. If she said something was good, it would undoubtedly not be bad.

"Since Suisui said so, it must be true," Old Madam Ji said with a chuckle, reminding Wang Dongxue to be careful. "Walk slowly, watch your step."

"I am, Mother! You be careful too. Oh, right, Mother, this morning on our way here, Suisui was in the carriage with us. She said I’m definitely expecting twins, and they’re both doing very well!"

As Wang Dongxue spoke, her face was filled with a shy joy. Hearing this, Old Madam Ji was overcome with excitement.

"Really! Did Suisui truly say you’re having twins?"

"Yes, and she said they’re both very well."

"Did she say if they are boys or girls? Could it be a boy and a girl, dragon and phoenix twins?"

Wang Dongxue smiled and shook her head. "She didn’t say. As long as they are my husband’s and my children, whether they are boys or girls, we will love them dearly!"

"Of course, that’s..."

Old Madam Ji and Wang Dongxue suddenly looked up as another Celestial Thunder bolt, as thick as a bucket, crashed down from the sky.

BOOM! The Celestial Thunder struck directly.

"Watch out!" Old Madam Ji quickly warned Wang Dongxue.

Wang Dongxue stood her ground and shook her head, chuckling softly. "It’s alright. It seems the thunder struck the Great Hall."

Old Madam Ji was puzzled. "Why did it strike the Great Hall? That’s where the Buddha is enshrined."

"Exactly! No matter how you look at it, the Celestial Thunder shouldn’t strike a place where the Buddha is enshrined!" Wang Dongxue, too, grew puzzled. Then, both she and Old Madam Ji widened their eyes in realization.

"Sui... Suisui! This must be related to Suisui!"

Wherever Suisui was, Celestial Thunder seemed to strike unpredictably. Old Madam Ji was no longer anxious. She grabbed Wang Dongxue’s arm, stopping her from going further.

"Don’t go. Where Suisui is, Celestial Thunder can strike at any moment, as if it were free. We’ll just wait here. Let Youyuan and the others handle the rest!"

Worried that the barrage of Celestial Thunder wasn’t over and fearing it might scare the babies in Wang Dongxue’s womb, Old Madam Ji told her to stop and wait with her.

Looking at the corner of the Great Hall damaged by the Celestial Thunder, Wang Dongxue also felt a surge of fear and had no choice but to stay put with Old Madam Ji.

Behind them, Xie Pan’Er supported Empress Dowager Xiao as they approached slowly, followed by Nanny Xiao and numerous guards and palace maids. By the time they reached Old Madam Ji and the others, they were all panting heavily.

"Oh my! Old Madam Ji, I remember you’re about the same age as me, so how is your stamina so much better than mine? I jogged all the way here and still couldn’t keep up with you!" exclaimed the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, you are noble and exalted, living a life of luxury. As the Empress Dowager of the nation, how can you compare with me? I have lived in the countryside for many years; it’s only natural that I walk a bit faster!"

The Empress Dowager, hands on her hips and panting heavily, said, "Listening to you, you’re just short of outright saying I’m gluttonous and lazy!"

"That’s not what I meant, Your Majesty..."

"Alright, alright, I’m just teasing you. Is this your eldest daughter-in-law? By the look of her belly, the child is due very soon, isn’t it?"

"Yes. Her name is Wang Dongxue, my eldest daughter-in-law. She’s from the countryside and hasn’t seen much of the world, so please forgive any impoliteness on her part, Your Majesty." Old Madam Ji then turned to Wang Dongxue and urged, "Eldest daughter-in-law, quickly greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

The unsophisticated Wang Dongxue immediately performed a perfect curtsy to the Empress Dowager.

"This humble commoner, Madam Wang of the Ji family, greets Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and perfect health!"

"You may rise! You’re heavily pregnant; don’t tire yourself."

Empress Dowager Xiao carefully examined Wang Dongxue’s belly.

"It looks like you’re about to deliver. Old Madam Ji, how about we revive that agreement we made many years ago?"

An agreement made many years ago?

Old Madam Ji frowned, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I do not recall any agreement made with you many years ago!"