The Empress had previously spoken to everyone in a mild tone, but when Yuanbao arrived, her demeanor immediately brightened, and she seemed to see only Yuanbao. “Today we’ll have our meal with grandmother here. I’ve prepared many of your favorite dishes, Yuanbao.”

“What about Father?” Yuanbao asked.

The Empress smiled, “Let him take care of himself; we don’t need to worry about him.”

The grandmother and grandson chatted as if there were no one else in the room, and everyone else listened respectfully.

When the Empress finished explaining the day’s schedule and asked Yuanbao if he was thirsty, she then turned to call Anru to serve everyone Snow Lotus and Lily Soup.

The Empress served a bowl of soup, not eating it herself, but using a spoon to feed Yuanbao.

She said, “This Snow Lotus was just dug out from the snow-capped mountains and rushed into the capital. I kept it all for myself; even the Emperor didn’t get any!”

Everyone echoed with laughter, saying how fortunate they were.

Today, Lady Zhai of Jingning Marquis’ residence also brought her daughter-in-law Wang Yilan and her daughter Xie Yuanrui into the palace.

After tasting the Snow Lotus and Lily Soup, Lady Zhai set down her bowl and said, “This freshly picked Snow Lotus is indeed different from the dried Snow Lotus usually used. Just the fragrance alone is refreshing and invigorating.”

The Empress raised an eyebrow and looked at Xie Yuanrui beside her, “Yuanrui, do you like it?”

Xie Yuanrui found it delicious but couldn’t articulate as well as Lady Zhai.

Suddenly questioned by the Empress, she blushed and replied with a simple “Yes.”

“Since it’s so delicious, I’ll pack some for you to take home.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall glanced sideways.

Fresh Snow Lotus was so rare that even the concubines didn’t have it.

The Empress granting it immediately to Xie Yuanrui showed there was a deeper meaning.

Combined with the Empress’s recent move to summon eligible young women into the palace and the rumors about the Crown Prince choosing a consort, it was not hard to guess the Empress’s intentions.

Though Xie Yuanrui was not particularly bright, she quickly realized the significance of the Empress’s favor.

Her face turned even redder as she hurriedly bowed, “Thank you for your grace, Empress.”

Compared to Xie Yuanrui’s excitement, Lady Zhai’s reaction was much more composed.

“Quickly, get up. It’s just a chat, no need to keep bowing,” the Empress said, and Anru promptly stepped forward to help Xie Yuanrui up.

With Yuanbao’s arrival, the Empress lost interest in chatting with the ladies and quickly sent them on their way.

She then carried Yuanbao to the tea room.

Despite Yuanbao being only four years old and a bit chubby, the Empress was tired after carrying him to the tea room.

Seeing this, Yuanbao quickly moved behind the Empress and offered, “Grandmother, let me rub your back.”

His small, soft fists applied just the right amount of pressure, making the Empress feel very comfortable.

“Yuanbao is truly a good grandson. Your father and Fifth Uncle have never rubbed grandmother’s back!”

“Father and Fifth Uncle are too busy with official duties to come and pay respects to Grandmother,” Yuanbao said proudly after receiving praise, “I’ll come and give Grandmother a back rub every time we come to the palace from now on.”

“There’s no need for that,” the Empress said, turning around and pulling Yuanbao into her embrace.

She gave his chubby face a hearty kiss. “The palace has so many people. I wouldn’t want my dear grandson to be overworked. It’s enough to know you have such filial piety.”

Anru led a palace maid in with tea and snacks, just in time to see the warm scene between the grandmother and grandson.

Today’s snacks were all made by the top chefs from the Imperial Kitchen.

In addition to the usual pea cakes, auspicious rolls, and walnut pudding, there were some rarer treats like crystal plum blossom buns, milk and buckwheat cakes, and three-color water chestnut jelly.

“Try them and see which one you like,” the Empress said.

Yuanbao looked around and picked a piece of the three-color water chestnut jelly.

“Is it good?”

Yuanbao nodded.

The Empress was clearly not satisfied with his reaction.

She frowned and said to Anru, “What kind of people does the Imperial Kitchen employ? They can’t even make good pastries?” She was known for her quick temper.

Anru hurriedly said, “I’ll have them make a new batch right away.”

“No need, Anru.” Yuanbao finished the piece of jelly, wiped his hands with a cloth, and picked up a piece of the Empress’s favorite pea cake to feed her.

Smiling, he said, “Grandmother, it’s not that the pastries are bad. After the lesson in the Imperial Study, Third Aunt gave me some pastries, so I wasn’t hungry and couldn’t eat more.”

“Does she always bring you pastries?” the Empress asked.

She remembered the Princess of Su as a good and honest person but didn’t pay much attention to her otherwise.

Since the Princess of Su was not her daughter-in-law, she didn’t regard her as one and was only satisfied as long as she didn’t cause trouble.

Yuanbao nodded, “Third Aunt is very kind, and Brother Yu and Brother Lin are also very nice.”

“Really? I was worried that these two little ones might be distracting and affect your studies!”

“Grandmother, after class tomorrow, can I bring Brother Yu and Brother Lin here to have some pastries?”

The Empress’s eyes brightened as she looked at Yuanbao with a smile. “You’re always so thoughtful. That’s not something Liu Zhen would do.”

Liu Zhen (The Crown Prince ) had always been self-focused and never interfered in others’ matters.

“But I eat Third Aunt’s pastries every day, so I should invite them to have some once,” Yuanbao said matter-of-factly.

“Alright,” the Empress said with a smile. “I’ll help you with this favor. Bring them over tomorrow to have pastries. Let me know if there’s anything specific you want.”

“I like everything Grandmother prepares,” Yuanbao said with a smile.

“You’re so sweet-talking,” the Empress said as she poured some sour plum soup for Yuanbao.

Watching him drink it, she patted his back to help him settle. “Among the ladies in the palace today, which one do you like?”

Here it comes again.

Yuanbao’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he glanced at the Empress before lowering his head to look at his sour plum soup.

“Don’t like any of them?” the Empress asked in surprise.

Yuanbao shook his head, then nodded with a smile.

“You little rascal, what do you mean? Do you like them or not?”

“I like all of them, but Grandmother, you’re not picking a consort for me; you’re picking one for Father, and he doesn’t like those ladies.” Yuanbao replied seriously.

The Empress was surprised that a four-year-old could say such a thoughtful thing, “How do you know that your father doesn’t like them?”

“Because I know who Father likes.”

Looking at Yuanbao, the Empress’s heart softened unexpectedly.

She reached out to pat his head and kissed his forehead, “Good child, Grandmother knows that your father likes your mother.”

Yuanbao was silent for a moment before he spoke, “Father does like Mother, but I know now that Father likes someone else.”

“Who?” As soon as Yuanbao finished speaking, the Empress thought of a possible candidate but wanted to hear it from Yuanbao himself.

“It’s an aunt who cooks very well. She saved me and is very kind to me.”

The Empress smiled, “So you think your father likes her because she is kind to you?”

Yuanbao shook his head and said seriously, “Father likes her because he likes her, not because Aunt Rongrong is good to me.”

“You understand what liking means?” The Empress looked at him with skepticism, her eyes full of doubt.

“I just know.”

“Alright, you know. This is a little secret between you and your father, right?”

Yuanbao tilted his head and grinned mischievously, “No, Father doesn’t know. I haven’t told anyone. It’s a little secret between Grandmother and me.”

“Haha, truly my good grandson,” the Empress laughed heartily, hugging Yuanbao and giving him a big affectionate rub, “Alright, it’s a little secret between Yuanbao and Grandmother.”

……

By noon, Xue Xiaoshan and Old Madam Xue arrived at Huaihua Lane.

Xue Xiaoshan and Uncle Yang were carrying a wooden board on which Old Madam Xue was lying.

“Grandmother.”

Rongrong hurried forward and saw that Old Lady Xue had a large, swollen bump on her head, her face was very pale and she looked in great pain.

When she saw Rongrong, she forced her eyes open, moved her mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out.

“Why didn’t Second Brother bring Grandmother here sooner?” Rongrong was heartbroken and started to cry.

Xue Xiaoshan looked apologetic and said, “At first, Grandmother’s condition wasn’t so serious. She could still talk and walk a bit. I thought she would improve with some rest, but it only got worse over time.”

Rongrong knew it wasn’t the time for blaming, so she didn’t say much.

She had Xue Xiaoshan and Uncle Yang move Old Lady Xue into the house on Wutong Lane.

Early that morning, Rongrong had found four porters, and after two trips, they moved all nine trunks packed by Chunxing to the new place.

Chunxing and Feicui worked tirelessly, getting the largest room ready first.

They set up a bed for Old Lady Xue, and a beautiful couch next to it for Xue Xiaoshan, so he could be close to his ailing grandmother.

Xue Xiaoshan and Uncle Yang carefully laid Old Lady Xue on the bed.

Chunxing had already prepared hot water and put a hot water bottle in Old Lady Xue’s bedding.

“Uncle Yang, we’ve cooked some food here. Please stay and eat,” Rongrong said.

“No, I need to get back,” Uncle Yang replied. “You two are very dutiful; Old Lady Xue is fortunate to have you. This place is even better than the best homes I deliver to, I’m truly impressed.”

“Let me see you off,” Rongrong said.

Since Uncle Yang was used to being on the move, he agreed and followed Rongrong outside.

Before Rongrong could say anything, he said, “Child, is there something you want to remind me about?”

“Uncle Yang knows some about my family’s situation. My elder brother is quite useless, lazy and fond of comfort. With Grandmother like this, he’s not of much help. I want to give him a lesson. Please, Uncle Yang, after you leave, don’t mention where we’re staying now.”

Everyone in the village knew about Xue Dacheng and Cuihe, and that Old Lady Xue was still working the fields with Xue Xiaoshan at her age.

Uncle Yang waved his hand. “Alright, I won’t interfere with your family’s matters. If Da Cheng asks, I’ll just say I delivered them to Huaihua Lane.”