Chapter 370

The Empress Dowager's health was indeed not good; after speaking for a while, she kept breaking out in a cold sweat.

Aunt Xu was worried; after advising her several times in a low voice, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to let Sui Sui and the others go pay respects to the Emperor, while she needed to take medicine and rest.

Prince Qi was uneasy about his mother's health, so he stayed to ask for a few more details, and only after hearing that she had taken her medicine and lain down did he feel reassured and withdraw.

After leaving, he again asked Aunt Xu.

Aunt Xu summarized the main points.

The Empress Dowager's health has been poor ever since Princess Yangyang's remains were found.

Her old ailment flared up, and then she caught a wind-cold; it can be said that under this double blow, her condition has worsened.

Upon hearing this, Prince Qi couldn't help but worry.

He thought, perhaps because the remains of his Imperial Elder Sister had been found, the breath the Empress Dowager had been holding in her heart dissipated, and she no longer wanted to persevere.

Thinking of this, Prince Qi felt distressed, and his eyes grew a little sore.

Not wanting others to notice anything amiss, he could only swallow his saliva to hide his true emotions and nodded at Aunt Xu.

Prince Qi quickly brought his Princess Consort and Sui Sui to pay respects to his elder brother, the Emperor.

The Emperor was in a good mood because Yue Pin of the Inner Palace was pregnant, now about two months along.

Since it was still less than three months, he felt it inappropriate to share the joy with his younger brother, Prince Qi.

The Emperor's youngest princess is already over three years old; since Little Princess Chenyang, the Inner Palace has had no births of princes or princesses for three years.

In the meantime, some did become pregnant, but none gave birth.

Perhaps there were palace intrigues involved, but more often it was simply misfortune.

The Emperor seemed not to care much about these matters, but in fact he still minded them.

After all, who wouldn't want more sons and blessings? His princes and princesses are not few, but who would complain about having too many? He keeps so many beauties in the Inner Palace, yet the number of princesses is still under ten.

The Emperor also worries.

Now that Yue Pin is pregnant, the Emperor is naturally pleased.

However, besides the happiness, he cannot help but worry.

After all, Yue Pin has been pregnant several times before, but never managed to keep the child.

Doctor Liu, as Yue Pin's father, carefully took her pulse and said it was due to her physical condition, which is why it's not easy to retain the fetus.

Yue Pin has a gentle nature, and the Emperor still likes her quite a bit.

However, there are many beauties in the Inner Palace, and he thinks of Yue Pin only occasionally.

Unexpectedly, a time two months ago resulted in Yue Pin becoming pregnant again.

But whether it can be preserved is truly unknown; thinking of this, the Emperor also feels somewhat gloomy.

Nevertheless, he showed no sign of it, merely smiling as he held Sui Sui and coaxed the child for a while.

The Emperor was generous in his gifts, or rather generous toward his niece Sui Sui; while entertaining the child for a moment, he gave her a jade ruyi, a brush washer, an inkstone, and a wolf-haired brush…

In short, the few items on his Imperial Desk were all given to Sui Sui in no time.

Moreover, after the Prince Qi family stayed for a meal, the Emperor did not continue to feed Sui Sui, for his cooking skills were rusty and had been looked down upon by Prince Qi.

But this does not affect the Emperor's fondness for Sui Sui—who wouldn't like a little Lucky Star?

Especially the matter of his imperial younger sister's remains has made the Emperor firmly believe that this is a little treasure sent from heaven to Great Summer; he must keep the person, please her, and satisfy heaven.

So, the fabrics that had just been presented as tribute? He picked out bright colors suitable for children and bestowed them.

The pearls that had just been delivered below? He awarded them to make the child happy.

……

The Emperor bestowed many things generously.

He even leaned close to his younger brother Prince Qi and whispered, asking whether he would be willing to let Sui Sui become a princess.

Prince Qi:??

Prince Qi immediately glared angrily: 'Elder brother, you already have several princesses, I only have this one treasure!' Seeing his younger brother glare, the Emperor gave an embarrassed laugh: 'Haha, hahaha, I know, I know.'

If he's unwilling, it's fine.

His own niece can be seen anytime.

Furthermore, he treats his niece well; heaven ought to see that, the Emperor thought, and he does not ask for much more.

He only wishes for clear rivers and tranquil seas, and for the people to live in peace.

In fact, the Emperor privately also wishes for longevity.

However, he does not want heaven to think him greedy, so in the end he still restrained the desire deep within his heart.

Sui Sui does not understand those adult twists and turns.

She only knows that the food in the palace is delicious!

Roasted meat on the bone is tender, juicy, and richly fragrant.

Lotus-flower chicken strips are crisp outside, tender inside, with an endless aftertaste.

Taking into account Sui Sui's palate as a little child, the imperial kitchen deliberately reduced the amount of Sichuan pepper, so that the dish's spiciness is not pronounced.

However, a child's palate is still very keen; after the first bite, feeling a bit spicy, Sui Sui gulped down several mouthfuls of water and then refused to eat it further.

On the table there were also fragrant scallion-stir-fried lamb, and salty, flavorful lamb tongue strips…

With so many delicious things, Sui Sui felt she need not fixate on a dish that is unfriendly to her mouth and palate.

Although…

It is indeed quite tasty.

But there's no need for it.

There's just too much delicious food.

Especially the palace pastries—wuwu, they're too delicious!

If it weren't that her small stomach couldn't eat that much, Sui Sui really would want to try some more.

Unfortunately, her small stomach is only that big; eating too much makes her feel unwell.

Sui Sui definitely doesn't want to get a fever again from food stagnation.

Older brother had said, if you eat especially much, it's not just a simple fever; you might also vomit and have diarrhea, miserable to death! So, even though Sui Sui is a bit greedy, she still controlled herself.

The Emperor occasionally chats a few words with Prince Qi, and also takes care of the Princess Consort of Qi's side.

However, from the corner of his eye, he also occasionally glances at Sui Sui.

Seeing the little girl had eaten her fill, holding her small belly, her eyes still lingered on the pastries; she couldn't help but point her chin at Prince Qi, as if saying: Look, my niece, adorable to death.

Prince Qi also likes to see his own little darling's appearance of wanting to eat but unable to, which gives him the urge to feed her.

However, not for now.

If the little darling eats too much, she'll feel unwell.

Before Prince Qi could speak, the Emperor already signaled the Grand Steward beside him.

He doesn't need to speak; just a glance, then a tap of the chin, and the Grand Steward understands his meaning.

Serving beside the Emperor, if you lack even a bit of perceptiveness, your nine clans would have already moved their graves to the underworld.

So the Grand Steward didn't need to ask; he understood His Majesty's meaning, then quietly withdrew and had someone make arrangements.

After Sui Sui had eaten and drunk her fill, and Prince Qi's side had also finished speaking with the Imperial Older Brother, they prepared to leave the palace.

The Empress Dowager's gifts, the Emperor's gifts, and all the pastries that the Emperor specially had the Imperial Kitchen prepare, all left the palace together with Qi Wang Fu's carriage.

Because there were too many things, His Majesty specially arranged another carriage to escort these items back.

The second watch is at 19:00.