Chapter 50 The Proud Rooster

“Mother~~” Fei An’an dragged out the word mother for a long, long time.

Tang Chaoyang calmly toyed with the Nine Linked Rings in her hand and said evenly, “Calling me mother won’t help. Today, you can’t go out.”

“Really can’t?”

“Mm. You can’t.”

“What a pity… An’an really wanted to see the lanterns.”

Fei An’an widened his bright, glistening eyes.

His intention was obviously to look so big-eyed and adorable that Tang Chaoyang would agree to take him out to see the lanterns.

In the Jin Kingdom, every year on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the common people would hold a “prayer blessing” celebration—
Praying for good weather, for bountiful harvests, for peace.

And the streets would be hung with all sorts of lanterns bearing those blessings.

It was a truly lively day.

Tang Chaoyang looked at her son putting on his cute act and still hardened her heart to refuse him.

“An’an, today we’re going to keep the old matriarch company. Next time, Mother will take you to see the lanterns, all right?”

As soon as Fei An’an heard it was to keep his great-grandmother company, he stopped trying to act cute.

“Then I’ll bring Gugu to greet Great-Grandmother later.”

Tang Chaoyang laughed. She smiled. “Even if we can’t go out to see the lanterns, we can make one ourselves.”

Sure enough, her son grinned broadly in delight.

Tang Chaoyang extended a finger to poke his little cheek, which had gradually regained some plumpness.

…Actually, she didn’t know how to make a lantern. But she still had time later to figure it out.

“An’an, go change into a clean set of clothes. We’re going to Jinhétang.”

Today, the people from the main and second branches would definitely be gathering at Grandmother’s place. Tang Chaoyang guessed they’d be assembled at Jinhétang.

When they arrived, Nanny Zhou greeted them with a beaming smile.

“Miss Tang, young master, the old madam has been waiting for you.”

Tang Chaoyang nodded gently, holding Fei An’an’s hand as they followed Nanny Zhou inside.

In the main hall, Second Aunt Lin was telling amusing stories to coax the old madam into smiling, while First Aunt Li looked worried and distracted.

Old Madam Su cast Li Shi a sidelong glance, then gave a cold, dissatisfied snort.

Now you know to be anxious? If you’d listened to me sooner and arranged an engagement for Su Ling, you wouldn’t have this much to fret about.

The Su family was already prosperous enough. Yet you still had to gamble on sending daughters into the palace to compete for all that ostentatious glory.
Really, was your brain kicked by a donkey?

Li Shi had no idea the old madam was inwardly cursing her.

The moment Old Madam Su saw Tang Chaoyang and the little one enter, her face bloomed into a broad smile, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening even more.

“Oh my, what is little An’an carrying?”

Today, Fei An’an was bundled up in so many layers that he looked like a round, waddling dumpling.

He struggled mightily to kneel and offer his greetings. Then he clambered to his feet and presented his chicken cage like a treasure.

“Great-Grandmother, this is Gugu, the rooster I’m raising. I brought him to greet you!”

“Gugu, greet Great-Grandmother!”

“Cluck! Cluck!”

The proud rooster was surprisingly cooperative today.

The corners of Tang Chaoyang’s mouth twitched slightly.
Her son… really knew how to amuse people.

Sure enough, Old Madam Su gathered Fei An’an into her arms and laughed so hard her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Oh heavens, little An’an and Gugu are both such good children!”

Li Shi lifted her embroidered kerchief to hide the wry amusement tugging at her lips.
It was just a rooster, not a person.

But Lin Shi thought the child was so lively and adorable that she couldn’t stop smiling either.

When will I finally get to hold my own grandson?

Her sons Su Ziliang and Su Ziliang Jr. had no idea their mother was already eager for grandchildren.

At that moment, the Su sisters—whom the family was all worrying about—finally passed layer upon layer of inspection and arrived at the flower-viewing banquet.

The noble young ladies today were dressed in their most exquisite gowns, with elaborate makeup, each a unique beauty of her own.

Dong Xinrui was supporting Grand Dowager Empress Dong as they entered the banquet, basking in the admiring gazes of all the noble ladies.

Once everyone finished their formal greetings, the Grand Dowager Empress said a few words and then summoned each lady to step forward so she could have a good look at them.

When she was done with her inspection, she told them they could enjoy the flowers as they pleased.

Before coming to the palace, Su Miao and Su Ling had been sternly reminded by their grandmother:
Do not try to stand out today.
The Su family will never be the house that produces the future empress.

Several young noblewomen were quietly chatting when a sudden, sharp cry rang out.

Miss Yang, daughter of the Minister of Rites, had screamed and clapped a hand over her red lips.

She had just seen a little creature crawling over her gown.

In the blink of an eye, palace maids were at her side, politely inviting her to leave the banquet hall.

Miss Yang’s face turned white as a sheet. She darted an anxious glance at the ladies seated nearby, bit her lip, and followed the maids out.

It was obvious she’d been set up—
Simply because the Grand Dowager Empress had praised her for being gentle and virtuous.

Su Miao immediately pulled her sister to a quieter corner of the garden.

Su Ling, still shaken by the scene that looked calm on the surface yet was full of hidden currents, whispered, “Sister, Miss Yang…”

“Ling’er, don’t speak. We’ll talk when we’re home. From now on, stay close to me.”

Su Miao’s tone was unusually stern.

Su Ling nodded meekly.

The Grand Dowager Empress had already left the banquet. She had no need to remain. Naturally, her informants would report back anything worth knowing.

When she heard that Miss Yang had been escorted out of the palace, she only said mildly:

“What a pity.”

Dong Xinrui smiled. “Aunt, have a taste of the plum blossom tea I made.”

The Grand Dowager Empress sipped and said with a pleased smile, “Your tea-making skills have improved again.”

Dong Xinrui covered her lips in a soft laugh. “If you enjoy it, Aunt, I’m delighted.”

The Grand Dowager Empress told her to go to the banquet as well—no need to keep her company here.

Dong Xinrui knew her aunt wanted a moment to rest. She coquettishly said a few words and then left.

As soon as she arrived at the flower-viewing banquet, she spotted the Su sisters.

Her gaze flickered faintly. She lowered her voice and said to the maid beside her with a soft smile:

“In the Imperial Garden, the flowers are also in beautiful bloom. The Grand Dowager Empress wishes the young lady in the pink gown, with the lotus ornament at her brow, to go enjoy them.”

The maid understood instantly and left to carry out the order.

Dong Xinrui kept her gentle smile and continued walking forward.

Several noble ladies gathered around to speak with her.

As she talked with them, she saw the maid reach Su Ling’s side.