Chapter 150

A delicate noble lady raised in the deep palace—when has she ever seen something like this?

"Ah—" Murong Yuyiao screamed, leaping up from the bed, jumping to the floor, not even bothering to put on her shoes, barefoot she hopped and shouted, her face drained of color, tears and snot streaming.

"Come here, quick! Take this bug away!"

"Help! It's crawling up!"

The palace maids swarmed forward, striking it, and the unicorn beetle was flung to the ground, fleeing at great speed.

Seeing the bug run away, Murong Yuyiao calmed down, then suddenly froze, as if finally realizing what she had done, standing stiff in place, all color draining from her face, even paler than when she had been feigning illness.

The hall fell into instant silence.

The Empress, Consort Rong, Consort Hui, and even little Xiao Lin stared, dumbfounded.

Only Tuan Tuan, behind the Empress, held back laughter, shoulders shaking.

Murong Jin rose slowly, her calm gaze sweeping over Murong Yuyiao, then glancing at the slightly stiff Consort Hui: "This palace sees your illness is indeed serious; you should rest."

If so, then take good care of yourself; do not go out, and no one needs to visit, disturbing your tranquility.

Having said that, Murong Jin took Tuan Tuan's hand: "Let's go back."

Xiao Lin, who had been behaving well beside Consort Rong, suddenly broke free of the mother's hand, ran to Tuan Tuan's side, and whispered: "Tuan Tuan! Can I ride your little dog cart?"

Tuan Tuan nodded generously: "Sure! Let's call Twelve and play together!"

Xiao Lin turned to look at the mother: "Mother Consort, I want to go."

Consort Rong looked at her son's longing eyes, sighed, nodded, and followed them out.

Consort Hui glanced at the lost Murong Yuyiao, then flicked her sleeves in frustration and left.

The three little ones rode together in the dog cart, speeding along the palace road, scattering a chain of happy laughter.

That night, Xiao Jieyun, in the Fengyi Palace, heard Murong Jin's report and burst out laughing.

Xiao Jieyun scooped Tuan Tuan into his arms in one motion: "You little clever ghost! So mischievous!"

Tuan Tuan didn't agree: "My big wolf is so well‑behaved, how could it scare her? Anyone can tell she's pretending!"

Xiao Jieyun flicked her nose: "Right! Tuan Tuan did exactly right!"

Murong Jin smiled at the two of them: "Your Majesty, I wonder whether today's handling is appropriate?"

She did not understand why the Emperor had suddenly fallen out with the Empress Dowager, for Murong Yuyiao had been the Empress Dowager's most beloved younger relative in the Murong family all these years.

The Empress has handled it well; I have already entrusted the affairs of the six palaces to you—you may decide.

Murong Jin relaxed: "I will obey the decree."

The construction of the Heaven‑Sacrifice Terrace is proceeding quickly; Tuan Tuan, how should I perform the Heavenly Sacrifice to bring down sweet rain?

Tuan Tuan thought carefully: "I don't know!"

Xiao Jieyun stared: "Ah?"

Tuan Tuan patted his broad shoulder: "Don't worry, Imperial Uncle! The Great Dragon's Heavenly Sacrifice will surely bring rain!"

These days, Xiao Jieyun, worried over the rain‑prayer that had been proclaimed to all under heaven, suddenly felt his heart settle.

With this little lucky star around, there will surely be no problem.

He smiled slightly: "Thank you, Imperial Uncle. Go on, hurry to sleep—we'll play again tomorrow."

Early the next morning, Xiao Yuanheng and his wife arrived at the Fengyi Palace.

Tuan Tuan flung herself forward: "Daddy! Mommy! I've missed you so much!"

Cheng Ru'an held her close: "Mommy also misses you; without you, the Prince's Mansion is quiet, and Mommy isn't used to it."

"I'll be home soon! Daddy!" Tuan Tuan opened her little arms toward Xiao Yuanheng.

Xiao Yuanheng lifted her up high: "Daddy's missed you to death!"

Murong Jin smiled at the family of three: "Please sit, and I'll serve tea."

Xiao Yuanheng set Tuan Tuan down, and together with his wife paid respects to the Empress, then sat.

Tuan Tuan found Snow Tuan, picked it up to show her parents: "This is Snow Tuan, isn't it adorable?"

Snow Tuan opened its bewildered big eyes, staring at the strange two‑legged creature before it.

The couple smiled and nodded; Tuan Tuan put Snow Tuan down, took one hand of each parent, and pulled: "Come see my big wolf!"

Bringing them to the wolf's kennel, she called: "Big Wolf! This is my daddy and mommy—look, isn't he handsome?"

The big wolf lifted its head and gave a "Woof!" to show agreement.

Cheng Ru'an jumped at the wolf's appearance: "Is… this a dog?"

Tuan Tuan walked over and patted the wolf's head: "Exactly!" Then she pointed to the little dog cart: "It's great—every day it pulls me, along with Eleventh and Twelfth, running all over the palace."

Xiao Yuanheng exclaimed: "You let it pull you around the palace? And the Eleventh and Twelfth Princes?"

"Exactly!" Tuan Tuan proudly lifted her chin: "This little cart was made for me by Feng Zhou."

Xiao Yuanheng laughed helplessly: "You had the Private Workshop make this for you? How did you even think of that?"

Tuan Tuan suddenly remembered: "Daddy! Is Uncle Woof better?"

Xiao Yuanheng nodded: "He's fine, no need to worry, and he asked me to thank you."

By the way, the spiritual herbs you brought back have been planted by the Divine Doctor and are growing well.

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands: "Great! Ah, I need to go pick up Eleventh and Twelfth—we agreed to play together!"

Go! Go!

Xiao Yuanheng and Cheng Ru'an watched their daughter skillfully drive the dog cart out of the Fengyi Palace, exchanged a glance, smiled, and set their minds at ease—it seemed Tuan Tuan was doing well in the palace, shaking up the imperial quarters quite a bit.

The two returned to the main hall.

Cheng Ru'an said: "Thank you, Empress, for doting on Tuan Tuan; this humble wife is deeply grateful."

Murong Jin's smile was sincere: "Princess Consort Ning, you need not thank this palace."

This palace ought to be thanking you.

Since Tuan Tuan arrived, countless laughter has filled Fengyi Palace, and this Palace is truly delighted.

His Majesty also frequently visits; Tuan Tuan, she has indeed been a great help to this Palace.

Xiao Yuanhang smiled proudly: "The Empress's praise is mistaken."

The two sat for a while, took the Empress's generous gifts, and took their leave from the Palace,

Consort Hui heard that Prince Ning and his spouse had been sitting in Fengyi Palace for half a day, conversing merrily with the Empress, and her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

The Little Princess, Prince Ning's legitimate daughter, bears the great task of Heavenly Sacrifice to pray for rain, and has deeply earned His Majesty's trust.

Now, being so close with Consort Rong and Noble Consort De, wanting to have her leave the Palace is far from easy.

In the inner Palace, rank aside, even the imperial heir, none compare to the importance of the Sovereign's favor.

His Majesty stays at Fengyi Palace for at least seven of every ten days; during those days, this Funing Palace of mine has only received his visit once!

Seeing the Empress's favor grow ever deeper, if she bears a legitimate son, my Fifth Prince will later…

Yunxi came over: "Your Majesty, the scriptures copied today by the Empress Dowager are to be offered at Xuanqiong Temple; the ones you copied a few days ago, perhaps I could also give them to them, and send them together?"

Consort Hui's eyes flashed, "Empress Dowager!"

Indeed, the Empress's greatest weak point is that she is a distant relative of the Empress Dowager!

Now His Majesty is at odds with the Empress Dowager, deeply displeased; if His Majesty learns that the Empress is secretly colluding with the Empress Dowager, he will surely be displeased.

Then this Palace could use the opportunity to bring the Little Princess to Funing Palace; this divine favor would return, wouldn't it!

No, the Little Princess has deeply won the Sovereign's heart; if she can reside in Funing Palace, this Palace's divine favor will surely surpass before!

The Little Princess is young and needs playmates; there are none in the Empress's Palace, but my Fifth Prince is here!

She smiled faintly: "Tell them that my scriptures will only be finished copying tomorrow; have them bring the Empress Dowager's scriptures over, and we will send them together tomorrow."

Your Majesty's scriptures, weren't they finished copying the day before?

Yunxi was somewhat puzzled, but still replied, "Yes, Your Majesty," and went out to handle it.

Outside the Palace walls, Tuan Tuan's voice drifted faintly: "Big wolf! Ride! Run, big wolf!"

Consort Hui beamed a bright smile.