The Empress Dowager confidently let Princess Lianchun take Xiaosui away, while she herself sat in the Great Hall waiting for the wife of the Duke and Xiao NingâEr to come and pay respects.
The Emperor, on the other hand, was worried about Xie PanâEr, so he went to Wanhua Palace to see her.
"What exactly happened? How did Xiaosuiâs mouth manage to say your eyes were irritated by the wind and sand?"
The Emperor sat next to Xie PanâEr right after entering.
Xie PanâEr was having someone fetch a basin of clean water to wash her eyes, and the Emperor nonchalantly took over the maidâs work, personally helping Xie PanâEr cleanse her eyes.
The palace maidens of Wanhua Palace were terrified by his actions, but before they could panic, the Emperor glared at them, signaling them to leave.
Xie PanâEr heard the Emperorâs voice and was startled, quickly standing up to pay her respects, but the Emperor grabbed her arm, forcing her back into her seat.
"Ever since I was injured, it has always been you taking care of me. Without your meticulous care, I wouldnât have healed so quickly. The Imperial Physician even said, itâs all thanks to your merit!"
When the Emperor spoke these words, his voice was gentle, his warm breath nearly brushing against Xie PanâErâs face.
She was a bit nervous, and also a bit uneasy. Letting go of Ji Youzhi was something she couldnât do; that young manâs smile was so bright, and he was always sincere with people. When investigating cases, he was always precise and thoughtful.
His family was all kind-hearted, and missing out on such a good family, was her future truly going to be spent in the cold and complex Imperial Palace?
Xie PanâErâs mind wandered with many thoughts, and unconsciously, the Emperor leaned closer, puckering his lips gently to blow air into her eyes, the warm breath stirring everything Xie PanâEr had deliberately suppressed!
"Alright, blink your eyes and see if the tears will continue to flow."
As he set down the handkerchief, the Emperor softly said to Xie PanâEr.
Xie PanâEr blinked, her eyes meeting the Emperorâs tense and expectant face!
"Are the tears no longer flowing?"
"Does it still hurt?"
Xie PanâEr shook her head, her cheeks suddenly blushing.
The Emperor felt moved, his heart pounding, unconsciously reaching out his hand, swallowing hard, unable to control his emotions any longer, he lowered his head and leaned towards Xie PanâEr...
Xie PanâEr was completely stunned, her eyes widened, her body stiff and unsure what to do!
The Emperor was equally dazed. For his first interaction so intimately with a woman, especially in such an unexpected situation, he had no experience whatsoever.
Coming to his senses, he suddenly released Xie PanâEr, awkwardly blurting out, "I... I apologize! I... I crossed the line with you, miss..."
Xie PanâEr was bewildered, not daring to cast another glance at the Emperor, and without a word, she covered her face and ran away...
Emperor: "..." Seems like... seems like Iâve acted like a rogue!
The feelings between the Emperor and Xie PanâEr quietly developed, leading to mutual disturbances.
At this moment, Xiaosui was cheering in the Warehouse.
"Such a beautiful luminous pearl! Suisui really wants one. If there was one in my room at night, I wouldnât have to call Yunxiang and Yun Duo for the lamp when I wake up to pee."
Xiaosui gazed innocently at the large pearl on the shelf, drooling!
Nanny Xiaoâs heart tightened; could this mean Chang Rongshun and the Princess have taken a liking to this pearl?
Heavens, please donât let it be as she feared!
Miss NingâEr from the Dukeâs Mansion has wanted this luminous pearl for many years. Every year on Miss Xiaoâs birthday, she would enter the palace, subtly mentioning this luminous pearl, hoping to take it.
Yet every time, the Empress Dowager would tactfully refuse.
Nanny Xiao prayed that Chang Rongshun and the Princess Shunhe had not really set their sights on this pearl!
However, her prayers were ignored, as she heard the voice of Princess Lianchun.
"Take down that luminous pearl for Suisui to play with!"
"Ah..."
Nanny Xiao was stunned, her body trembling as if she hadnât heard, claiming the wind was too strong. Yet with a mere glance from Princess Lianchun, she felt she should kneel and beg for mercy.
For the sake of preserving herself, Nanny Xiao hurriedly took down the luminous pearl and handed it to Xiaosui!
Xiaosui held the luminous pearl in his hands, delighted!