Xie PanâEr blinked, sharing a tacit understanding.
The Empress Dowager tidied herself up and voluntarily went to Wanhua Palace where Princess Lianchun resided.
"I heard you returned, so I sent Nanny Xiao to pick you up. I didnât tell the Emperor because I wanted to surprise him. I didnât expect that youâd be more eager to see the Emperor than me, visiting him as soon as you returned!"
Within those words, there was a trace of jealousy.
Princess Lianchun chuckled softly, "Who said that? Iâve been away from the Imperial Palace too long. I thought you still lived in Kunning Palace. I ran all the way into the palace, went to Kunning Palace first, then remembered you are now the Empress Dowager and have moved to Cining Palace, so I went to see Zhanzhan on the way!"
Upon hearing Princess Lianchun call the Emperor by name, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
"Youâve suffered outside the palace all these years. Now that youâre back, just stay proudly. If thereâs anything you need or want, ask the Palace Bureau or the Inner Court to send it to you!"
"Alright!"
The Empress Dowager and Princess Lianchun sat together for half the day, discussing all matters, but finally couldnât help asking her about these yearsâ happenings. Princess Lianchun naturally was unwilling to speak of them.
Being turned into a puppet by Xun Heng was her disgrace. If it werenât for the fact that Xun Heng could not come out, and she could not go in, she would have shattered Xun Heng to pieces.
"Empress Dowager, the past is the past. When I was outside, I lost part of my memory. After meeting Sect Leader Ji and them, fortunately, they and Suisui wanted to save me, and thatâs how I could come back.
From now on, I want nothing but to live well!"
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager, no matter how dim, understood it and knew it wasnât appropriate to ask further.
With an awkward expression, she then said, "When you returned, you stayed at the Ji Mansion. You must have met that Ji Familyâs Madam.
Sheâs unsteady in her pregnancy, and I want to visit her. What do you say..."
"Your Majesty! You are noble. The moment you enter the Ji Mansionâs Main Gate, everyone would rush to kneel. At that time, even if Madam wishes to nurture her pregnancy calmly, sheâll be startled out to greet you. This would be counterproductive."
The Empress Dowager was choked by Princess Lianchun, left completely stunned. Offering gifts seemed excessive!
Not offering anything, but personally visiting, itâs said sheâd cause a commotion and disturb someoneâs pregnancy nurture. What should she do?
As the Empress Dowager sat in helplessness, Nanny Xiao came running in to report, "Your Majesty! Princess, Chang Rongshun and Princess Shunhe have come to the palace to greet!"
"Ah! Suisui is here!"
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed.
Princess Lianchun inquired, "Who came with her?"
"Itâs Miss Xie! Theyâre now talking with the Great Phoenix!"
"Great Phoenix?" Princess Lianchun felt the name familiar, like a phoenix she remembered that flew to the Great Han Imperial Palace half a year ago and never left.
"Yes!"
As Nanny Xiao responded, the crowdâs ears caught a majestic cry. The sky outside turned dim as the Great Phoenixâs wings blocked the light in front of Wanhua Palace!
"Look quickly, the Princess and Miss Xie are riding the Great Phoenix flying in the sky again."
The workers familiar with this scene in the palace happily ran out, standing in the open area gazing up at the sky.
Princess Lianchun and the Empress Dowager hurried out, looking up and calling out in unison, "Suisui."
Xiaosuisui, hearing the call, joyfully shouted from the phoenixâs back, "Grandma, Aunt."
Then gestured for the Great Phoenix to stop. She clambered down from the phoenixâs back and rushed into the Empress Dowagerâs embrace with her little legs.
"Grandma! Suisui missed you so much!"
Hearing her words, the Empress Dowagerâs heart instantly softened considerably, quickly lifting her up.
"If you miss Grandma, stay in the palace for some time. Grandma misses you too."
Xiaosuisui, upon hearing the Empress Dowager, turned towards Xie PanâEr.
She was here to see what she could get; how should she respond to this?
Xie PanâEr saw her glance over, her heart racing. Little lovely, show that seeing the Empress Dowager is your main purpose, and benefit seeking is secondary!
This way, you wonât gain the dragon pearl.
"What? You donât want to stay in the palace?"
Seeing the little girl looking at Xie PanâEr instead of answering, the Empress Dowager asked suspiciously.
The little girl quickly shook her head, saying, "No, no! Suisui misses Grandma, but the pretty auntie said we came to the palace to pay respects to Grandma. I want to tell Grandma, Suisui likes the big dragon pearl that Grandmaâs sister-in-law brought!"
Empress Dowager: "..." A few meanings?
As you age, your mind turns a bit sluggish!
Xie PanâEr directly covered her face: Ancestors! The dragon pearl canât be sought in such a way!