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Chapter 372: Imperial Gifts
Chapter 372: Imperial Gifts
The Empress Dowager's health was indeed delicate. After speaking for a while, she began to break out in a cold sweat.
Aunt Xu, feeling concerned, quietly urged Her Majesty several times to rest and take her medication. With a sigh, the Empress Dowager reluctantly agreed and asked Suisui and the others to pay their respects to the Emperor while she retired to rest.
Prince Qi remained behind, wanting to ensure his mother's well-being. He inquired about her health and waited until he heard her lie down and rest before finally leaving with a sense of relief.
After exiting, he asked Aunt Xu for more details.
Aunt Xu briefly summarized the key points, explaining that the Empress Dowager's health had taken a turn for the worse since the remains of Princess Jiaoyang were discovered. Her old illness had flared up, and she had also caught a cold, a double blow that had left her in a frail state.
Upon hearing this, Prince Qi couldn't help but feel worried. He thought that perhaps the discovery of his royal sister's remains had lifted a weight from his mother's heart, and she no longer felt the need to persist in her frail state.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Prince Qi's heart ached, and his eyes stung with unshed tears. Not wanting to reveal his emotions, he swallowed and nodded at Aunt Xu, concealing his true feelings.
Soon after, Prince Qi, along with his wife and Suisui, went to pay their respects to the Emperor.
The Emperor was in high spirits as one of his concubines, Moon, was pregnant, and it had just reached two months. Though it was not yet the third month, he felt reluctant to share the joy with his brother, Prince Qi.
The Emperor's youngest princess was already over three years old, and since Princess Chenyang's birth, there had been no new additions to the imperial family for three years.
There had been pregnancies during this period, but none had come to term.
While some of these could be attributed to the schemes of the harem, most were simply unfortunate accidents.
On the surface, the Emperor seemed unconcerned, but in truth, he did mind.
After all, who wouldn't want the blessing of many children? While he had a substantial number of princes and princesses, who could ever complain about having more? With so many concubines in his harem, the number of princesses barely reached double digits.
The Emperor, too, felt a sense of worry.
Now that Concubine Moon was with child, he was naturally delighted. However, amidst his joy, a seed of anxiety sprouted.
Concubine Moon had struggled to carry her previous pregnancies to term, and this time, the outcome was uncertain.
As the daughter of Doctor Liu, Concubine Moon had her pulse carefully examined by her father, who attributed her difficulties to her physical constitution.
The Emperor favored Concubine Moon for her gentle nature. However, with so many concubines in his harem, the times he thought of her were few and far between.
He hadn't expected that two months ago, Concubine Moon would once again become pregnant.
Whether she could carry this pregnancy to term was truly unknown, and these thoughts brought a shadow of gloom to the Emperor's heart.
However, he didn't let any of these emotions show on his face. Instead, he smiled as he held Suisui, entertaining his young niece.
The Emperor was generous with his gifts, especially towards Suisui. Within a short time, he had bestowed upon her a jade scepter, a pen washer, an inkstone, and a wolf-hair writing brush...
Everything on his desk had been given to Suisui.
Not only that, but when Prince Qi's family stayed for lunch, the Emperor didn't attempt to feed Suisui himself, aware of his lack of skill in that area and Prince Qi's previous rebuke.
However, this didn't diminish the Emperor's affection for his niece. Who wouldn't adore a little lucky star like her?
Especially after the discovery of his royal sister's remains, the Emperor was convinced that Suisui was a precious gift from the heavens! He had to keep her close, win her over, and ensure the heavens' favor.
Thus, when new fabrics were offered as tribute, he selected the most vibrant and colorful ones suitable for a child and bestowed them upon Suisui as a gift.
When pearls were presented to him, he gave them to Suisui to entertain and delight the young child.
...
The Emperor bestowed numerous gifts with open hands.
Even Emperor Qi's brother, Prince Qi, received a private word in his ear, asking if he would like Sui Sui to become a princess.
Prince Qi: ??
Prince Qi immediately narrowed his eyes in displeasure. "Your Majesty, you already have several princesses. I only have this one precious child!"
Seeing his younger brother's reaction, the Emperor smiled awkwardly. "Haha, hahaha, I understand, I understand."
If he was unwilling, it was fine.
As her uncle, he could see her anytime he wanted.
Moreover, if he treated his niece well, surely the heavens would take note? The Emperor didn't ask for much.
All he wished for was peace and prosperity for his people and a long life for himself.
In his heart, the Emperor also secretly wished for longevity.
However, he didn't want to appear greedy before the heavens, so he ultimately suppressed the deep desire within his heart.
Sui Sui didn't understand the intricacies of adults.
All she knew was that the food in the palace was delicious!
The grilled ribs were juicy and tender, with a rich aroma.
The lotus chicken skewers were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, leaving a lingering taste.
Considering Sui Sui's young palate, the imperial chefs specially reduced the amount of peppercorn powder, making the dish less spicy.
However, a child's taste buds are very sensitive. So, after the first bite, when she found it a little spicy, Sui Sui drank a few mouthfuls of water and then stopped eating it.
There was also the fragrant stir-fried mutton with scallions and the savory and tasty lamb tongue skewers...
There were too many delicious dishes, and Sui Sui felt she didn't need to insist on eating something that wasn't friendly to her mouth or her taste buds.
Although...
It was indeed very tasty.
But it wasn't necessary.
There were too many delicious options.
Especially the snacks from the palace—they were so good!
If it weren't for her small stomach being unable to hold so much, Sui Sui would have loved to try more.
Unfortunately, her little stomach could only take so much before she felt uncomfortable.
Sui Sui didn't want to get a fever from overeating again.
Her brother had warned her that if she ate too much, it wouldn't just be a simple fever; she might also experience vomiting and diarrhea, which would be extremely uncomfortable! So, even though Sui Sui was a little greedy, she controlled herself.
The Emperor occasionally chatted with Prince Qi and paid attention to Princess Qi as well.
However, his peripheral vision often landed on Sui Sui.
When he noticed the little girl was full, holding her small stomach and still eyeing the snacks, he couldn't help but nod slightly towards Prince Qi, as if to say: Look, my niece is so adorable.
Prince Qi also loved to see his little obedient one looking so cute as she wanted to eat but couldn't. It made him want to feed her.
However, not for now.
If little obedient one ate too much, she would feel uncomfortable.
Before Prince Qi could say anything, the Emperor had already signaled the grand steward by his side.
He didn't need to speak; a glance and a nod were enough for the grand steward to understand his meaning.
If one lacked insight while serving by the Emperor's side, their entire clan would have been sent to the underworld long ago.
So, without asking, the grand steward understood His Majesty's intention and quietly withdrew to make arrangements.
After Sui Sui had eaten her fill, and Prince Qi had finished his conversation with the Emperor, they prepared to leave the palace.
The Empress Dowager's gifts, the Emperor's gifts, and the specially prepared snacks from the imperial kitchen all left the palace with the Qi King's Manor's carriage.
Because there were too many things, His Majesty even arranged for an additional carriage to escort the gifts.
(End of Chapter)
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