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The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “In the imperial palace, everyone has their own responsibilities, just like your Uncle. No one can easily leave without a specific reason.”
Xiao Bao looked disappointed. “Isn’t that miserable? It’s like being a bird trapped in a cage.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to go to the imperial palace. It doesn’t sound fun at all.”
“Then you won’t go see Grandma and the Uncle Emperor?” The Empress Dowager asked, looking at Xiao Bao.
Xiao Bao hesitated, looking at the Empress Dowager for a long time before saying, “I want to go, but I only want to see Grandma and Uncle.”
“Alright.”
Wang Jinhe and Su Yu had suspected that the Empress Dowager liked Xiao Bao, but seeing her attitude today, they realized that her fondness for him exceeded their expectations.
Yu Bailin and the others looked at Xiao Bao, who was being embraced by the Empress Dowager, with strange expressions. Xiao Bao had reached the peak of life at just four years old.
Wang Jinhe looked at Su Yu, silently asking where the Empress Dowager would stay.
Su Yuzhi was also worried. They couldn’t just casually find a place for the Empress Dowager to stay. The key was that they hadn’t even considered the Empress Dowager coming when planning the wedding.
“You two don’t need to worry. Just find me a place to stay casually,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile, watching their expressions. “I came today to attend your wedding, not to be the Empress Dowager. You don’t have to go out of your way for me in terms of food. Just feed me whatever you’re eating.”
Although the Empress Dowager came for the wedding, she didn’t want to trouble anyone.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Since you’ll have many guests for the wedding, don’t call me ‘Empress Dowager.’ Just address me as ‘Madam.'”
Wang Jinhe looked at the Empress Dowager’s face; no matter how he looked at it, she didn’t seem like an ordinary Madam.
“Yes, Madam.”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Go about your business. Just let these two children accompany me.”
Zhang Zhilin, pulled to her side by the Empress Dowager, still looked somewhat restrained.
“Grandma, let my brother and me take you to see Big Flower. Big Flower is really smart.” Xiao Bao pulled the Empress Dowager to show off his Big Flower and Little Baa. Xiao Zhi also followed them out.
After the Empress Dowager left, Duan Chenxuan stared at Su Yu. “Why didn’t you tell us that Madam was coming?”
“I had no idea.” Big Brother didn’t tell him about this.
Who knew the Empress Dowager would come.
Duan Chenxuan and the others suspiciously looked at Su Yu. “You really didn’t know?”
“I really didn’t. Even my big brother didn’t tell me about the Empress Dowager coming. How would I know? I’ll ask when my big brother comes over.” Su Yu was now quite troubled. Did the Emperor know the Empress Dowager was here?
If the Emperor didn’t know, and if there was something wrong with the Empress Dowager, they might lose their heads.
“Alright, ask then. How did your son manage to get the Empress Dowager’s favor like that?”
“My son is obedient and sensible. Isn’t it normal for her to like him?” Su Yu said without reservation.
Duan Chenxuan gave Su Yu a disdainful look. He didn’t believe a word. “By the way, your wife’s family grew such good melons, and you didn’t even inform us. You’re really unkind.”
“That’s right. We came this time to get some good things to bring back to honor our elders, especially since it’s almost the New Year.” Someone nearby spoke, and it sounded like they were ready to plunder.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow at them. “If you want good things, it’s impossible without paying. Give money, and you can have as much as you want.”
“Su Yu, you’re really something, even negotiating money with us.” Duan Chenxuan laughed at being irritated.
When did this guy become so stingy? “It’s not easy for my wife to get good things. If you all want everything for free, is my wife’s family still making money?” Su Yu not only didn’t think he was wrong but also spoke confidently.
Everyone gave him a disdainful look and said sarcastically, “Is there any room in your heart for anyone other than your wife now?”
Su Yu seriously considered before speaking, “There’s also my son.”
Duan Chenxuan really wanted to strangle Su Yu. This guy was simply too much.
“Fine, we’ll pay, but you have to give us a discount or something. We need some sort of deal.” Duan Chenxuan wasn’t really expecting everything for free; they couldn’t afford that kind of generosity.
Besides, Su Yu was right. Wang Jinhe grew vegetables and fruits, brewed wine—all to make money and provide a good life for her family. Letting them take a bottle or two was fine, but too much would be overwhelming.
“That’s acceptable.” Su Yu nodded in agreement. As long as it wasn’t making Wang Jinhe give it away for free, it was not a problem.
“Is your wine really that miraculous? Can it really nourish the body?” Duan Chenxuan was still somewhat skeptical; this sounded too unbelievable.
“Well, the vegetables grown by Xiao He are also good. Just look at my grandfather, and you’ll know.” Su Xi was now quite energetic, and even his hair had turned darker.
“We’ll get some when we go back. You never gave us such good things before.”
Su Yu just smiled and didn’t say anything.
Seeing him like this, Duan Chenxuan, who had known him for several years, could still tell what he was thinking.
“Well, since you got married and still remembered to invite us, I won’t hold it against you today.”
“Then I must sincerely thank you.” After saying that, even Su Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
Most of the guests had arrived, and after all the rooms in both houses were filled, those who arrived later had to find a place to stay in the town.
Su Jiu and Su Long arrived three days before the wedding.
Su Jiu’s expression when he saw the Empress Dowager was simply indescribable.
“Empress Dowager, this…” Su Jiu looked at the Empress Dowager with wide eyes.
The Empress Dowager suddenly left the palace without telling anyone. Not only that, but she also had people hide her whereabouts, making it impossible for them to find her.
In the capital, chaos ensued as they searched. The result? The Empress Dowager was here, playing with his little nephew.
The Empress Dowager smiled at Su Jiu. “This dowager just wanted to take a stroll.”
“If you wanted to take a stroll, you should have at least informed the Emperor. You left without a word, and both the Emperor and the Empress were almost worried to death.” Su Jiu sighed.
“Alright, you tell the Emperor that I’ll stay here for a while before going back. It’s nice here, simple and not as tedious as the palace.” Life here was simple and uncomplicated, unlike the stifling atmosphere in the palace.
“Okay.” What else could Su Jiu do? He could only nod helplessly.
After borrowing Su Yu’s study to write a letter to the Emperor and sending it away, Su Jiu found Su Yu. “You didn’t even tell me that the Empress Dowager is here. We almost turned the capital upside down looking for her.”
Su Yu shrugged and said, “I thought you would come over soon.”
Who knew it was only three days early.
“I was busy looking for the Empress Dowager.” He also wanted to come earlier, but who would have thought that the Empress Dowager would suddenly disappear? He definitely couldn’t leave then.