Chapter 35: The Queen Mother‘s Birthday

“Little sister, I’ve made up my mind. For the Queen Mother’s birthday, I’m going to give her a big gift, no matter what.”

He realized he had never given the Queen Mother a gift before.

[Brother, that’s right! The most important thing when wishing Grandma a happy birthday is the sincerity of the gift. The person and the gift both matter.]

[But brother, what are you planning to give the Queen Mother?]

Ah Bao was thrilled by the colorful streets and felt like her eyes weren’t enough to take in everything.

Everything she saw was delightful.

But whether the Queen Mother would like it was another matter.

After all, she still had the heart of a child.

Until Di Zian stopped at a small stall and bought a kicking ball.

The round kicking ball was even bigger than Ah Bao’s head.

Ah Bao looked surprised.

[Brother, why did you buy a kicking ball?]

Di Zian chuckled, “Sister, you may not know, but the Queen Mother fell in love with the Emperor because of a kicking ball. As people get older, they often reminisce about the past. So I thought this gift would be perfect. How about it, sister? Am I clever or what?”

Ah Bao seemed to see through Di Zian’s clever scheme and puffed up her little cheeks, laughing.

[Brother, are you sure you didn’t choose the kicking ball because you couldn’t afford anything else?]

Di Zian felt awkward. “Sister, you’re so smart.”

Ah Bao leaned on Di Zian’s shoulder and noticed two sneaky figures not far away.

They looked like the two scar-faced men who had fought with his brother at the inn.

[Hmm, brother, it looks like someone is following us.]

Di Zian was taken aback and looked back. The bustling street was full of people, but he didn’t see anyone suspicious.

However, if his sister said so, she must have seen something.

He wasn’t afraid of being targeted, but he was concerned about his sister being involved.

Di Zian patted Ah Bao and, holding the kicking ball, said, “Don’t be afraid, sister. It’s getting late. Let’s go back to the palace.”

He couldn’t let his bad luck affect his precious sister.

After the big brother and little sister left, two figures emerged from the corner. They were the same scar-faced men from the inn.

With them was a man dressed in black.

“Boss, that kid got away! Should we chase him?” The scar-faced man asked anxiously.

The man in black coldly snorted, “Did you see the girl with him?”

Both men nodded, “Yes, and I must say, that little girl is really pretty and adorable.”

The man in black raised an eyebrow, “Keep a close watch. If you see that kid again, make sure to deal with him! But don’t hurt the child he’s carrying.”

—

Di Zian returned to the Yihe Palace with Ah Bao and a lot of toys, making a lot of noise with the clattering toys.

Ah Bao slept soundly until nearly noon.

“How dare you! Steal your sister out of the palace! Have you gotten too bold?”

Di Zian was sound asleep at the table when the Concubine De grabbed his ear.

By this time, it was already morning.

Di Zian, still half-asleep and sporting panda eyes, complained, “Mother, please be gentle, it hurts!”

“It won’t hurt if you learn your lesson!” The Concubine De was genuinely angry, “Your father sent you to eliminate bandits, but instead, you steal your sister away.”

Di Zian pouted, “Eliminating bandits isn’t a one-day job. Yesterday was the Lantern Festival in the southern part of the city. I just wanted to take my sister out to see it. Mother, I know I was wrong. I promise I won’t sneak out again.”

He meant to do it during the day.

“What did you say?”

“Mother…” Di Zian’s handsome face fell. He quickly approached and tried to please the Concubine De by massaging her shoulders and legs, “Mother, don’t be angry. I really know I was wrong. Look, my sister had so much fun last night.”

“Oh, dear, I’m just worried about both of you siblings. You’re used to being outside the palace, but your sister is still so young. The situation outside has been unstable these days, so I can’t help but worry.”

Di Zian chuckled, “I know, Mother. You care the most about us. It’s my fault for making you worry this time.”

“Did you encounter any danger outside the palace?”

Di Zian’s heart skipped a beat.

He thought about the scar-faced men at the inn and coughed.

He definitely didn’t dare to mention it to his mother. It wasn’t just about getting scolded; it would surely scare her.

A good son always brings home good news and not troubles.

“Of course not, Mother. Don’t worry.”

The Concubine De gave Di Zian a sidelong glance. Hearing Ah Bao stirring in the inner room, she went in to nurse her.

After Ah Bao had eaten and drunk her fill, she held the little bunny toy that Di Zian had bought for her.

The Concubine De changed Ah Bao into clean clothes and then took Ah Bao and Di Zian to Cining Palace.

Today was the Queen Mother’s birthday.

Along the way, the Concubine De saw Di Zian carrying a beautifully wrapped box but didn’t ask further, knowing it must be Di Zian’s gift for the Queen Mother.

Di Zian walked very quickly, leaving the Concubine De and Ah Bao behind.

“Ah, isn’t that Concubine De?” From a distance, the Concubine De saw Concubine Rou coming towards them.

Ah Bao, holding her bunny toy, peeked out and looked at Concubine Rou.

She remembered Concubine Rou was the mother of the Fifth Prince.

However, the Fifth Prince had been exiled due to his father’s favoritism towards courtesans.

Also walking with Concubine Rou was Concubine Hui.

It was said that they had entered the palace together. Concubine Rou’s family background and her ability to dance helped her rise to the rank of concubine faster than Concubine Hui, thanks to the support of her maternal family.

But they were longtime good friends.

“Greetings, Concubine De,” Concubine Hui greeted with a bow.

Concubine De smiled slightly, “Please, rise.”

“Concubine De, the Tenth Princess is so beautiful,” Concubine Rou said enviously. She had been in the palace for many years, and her only child was the Fifth Prince.

Now, her son was useless and had been exiled by the Emperor, which troubled her greatly.

She had always liked children, and seeing the Tenth Princess made her very happy.

“Concubine De, may I hold the Tenth Princess?”

“Of course.” Concubine De handed Ah Bao to Concubine Rou.

This was the first time Ah Bao was so close to Concubine Rou.

She was not shy.

She waved her little arms and looked at Concubine Rou with her big, sparkling eyes.

Concubine Rou looked down at Ah Bao with gentle eyes and said, “The Tenth Princess’s big eyes must be like Concubine De’s. Seeing her so small reminds me of my son.”

A hint of coldness flashed in Concubine Rou’s eyes.

At that banquet, it was the Emperor who had taken the princess to the Fifth Prince’s residence, right when her son’s incident occurred.

“The Emperor has so many children, but I haven’t seen him care about any heir as much as he does about the Tenth Princess. After the Fifth Prince was born, the Emperor only held him once.

But I hear the Emperor goes to Yihe Palace every day to see the Tenth Princess.

He really dotes on her.”