Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he had never encountered soone so disrespectful.
An old father’s heart instantly felt as cold as ice.
Unable to help himself, he frowned, "It seems the Empress and Qing Que both have a high regard for the Heir’s Wife of Duke of Weiguo—"
The tone was so sour that it could wring out a barrel of vinegar.
The Empress stifled a laugh, knowing well that the Emperor was not pleased.
Perhaps it was because when she was pregnant with Qing Que, the Emperor thought the child wouldn’t survive, and thus neglected them.
Afterward, when mother and child were safe, the Emperor, though silent, made ands through his actions.
In the Royal Family, it is customary to favor grandchildren over children; the Emperor, having so many children, indeed had never doted on princes or princesses.
Yet, Qing Que was different. After the full month celebration, having held him once, he insisted on holding Qing Que and chatting whenever visiting Changchun Palace.
Between father and son, a rare bit of normal familial affection developed.
Of course, part of this was the Emperor’s high-profile favoritism aid at balancing various political forces.
Regardless, human hearts are made of flesh, and so being directly related by blood, over ti the Emperor indeed grew fonder of the youngest son Qing Que than his other children.
Add that Qing Que is innately clever; at just over four months, he could discern whom he should curry favor with in the palace.
The Empress and the servants guiding him ensured that whenever the Emperor ca, Qing Que seldom fussed, often smiling and leaning toward his father, laughing gleefully at his teasing.
Now, suddenly, seeing the Emperor and ignoring him, even the Emperor might not be used to this.
Thus he simply laughed: "This is Qing Que knowing the Heir’s Wife is his savior, and hence he’s especially close! Qing Que is truly a grateful, courteous good child—"
Even as he spoke, he still reached out to retrieve the Ninth Prince.
Who would have thought, even the Empress’s maternal hand was ineffective; the Ninth Prince looked terrified of being taken away by her, his little arms clinging tightly to Wang Yongzhu’s neck.
Wang Yongzhu...
Had a thought: Let go now! Unsure whether or not to voice it!
Luckily, she had tough skin, for Prince Ji Dan, only over four months old, was reared with exceptional strength surpassing other young children.
Squeezing her, she nearly rolled her eyes from the pressure!
Those aware could tell he was reluctant to leave; those unknowing might think he was attempting to suffocate her!
Even the Empress hadn’t expected her own son’s triple rejection, turning away defiantly, presenting her his rear.
Suddenly stunned.
However, the Emperor, sensing a bizarre fellowship, felt relieved, believing she matched his dilemma.
Initially thinking he wasn’t favored by Qing Que, unexpectedly even his mother was disregarded.
The Emperor’s mind instantly found balance.
He flicked the Ninth Prince’s head lightly: "You little ingrate—"
No longer confident she could hold the Ninth Prince, fearing that continued holding might make the world’s most distinguished couple suspect she hoarded his favor, and decide to silence her?
Quickly tugging off the octopus-like Ninth Prince stubbornly clinging to her, she handed him to the Empress.
Being pulled off before realizing what happened, the Ninth Prince blinked, thinking Wang Yongzhu was teasing him, giggling, clapping his hands, his short legs kicking excitedly.
Despite being rely over four months old, the Ninth Prince was well-fed and robust, weighing a hefty twenty pounds, a proper little rounded boy in a red outfit.
The usual person couldn’t endure his antics; Wang Yongzhu, unintentionally kicked twice, felt his weight.
Wang Yongzhu, in passing, patted the Ninth Prince’s chubby little peachy bottom, "Behave yourself—"
Before finishing, realizing abruptly, oh dear! There’s trouble!
Facing the Emperor’s amused, mocking gaze: "Such audacity from the Heir’s Wife! Daring to spank the Ninth Prince before both and the Empress? You’ve committed an offense! Do you understand your cri?"
Wang Yongzhu...
Glared at the now oblivious, exposing two rows of erging little teeth grinning mischievously, the real troublemaker Ninth Prince.
anwhile, the Empress diated: "Your Majesty, the Heir’s Wife and Qing Que are rely having fun, see, Qing Que is delighted!"
The Emperor glancing over, indeed his foolish son was joyfully giggling at soone who had just spanked him.
The Emperor felt a breath stuck in his throat.
Initially beaming, the Ninth Prince realized Wang Yongzhu was handing him to the Empress, his smile dropped, his lips quivered, "Waa—" crying dramatically.
Crying, he simultaneously pushed the Empress’s hands away, striving towards Wang Yongzhu.
The Empress...
Could it be that I bore a fake child?
The nearby nanny, witnessing this, felt her scalp prickling, mustered courage, attempting to take the Ninth Prince.
But who’d imagine, the usually easygoing, promptly embraced and fed by the nanny, the Ninth Prince, clutched Wang Yongzhu’s clothing furiously.
The nanny, despite courage, dared not forcibly remove the Ninth Prince, right?
A stalemate persisted; within the room, only the Ninth Prince’s cries echoed.
No matter how well-behaved a child usually is, once crying, they beco little devils.
Closest, Wang Yongzhu suffered greatly; her ears nearly hallucinated from this little devil’s cries.
With little choice, she forwent the idea of passing the Ninth Prince over, softened her tone, half-hugging him against her chest, gently stroking from his head to his back.
The tender motion quickly soothed the Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince’s cries gradually ceased; ultimately sniffling twice, pressing against Wang Yongzhu’s comforting touch.
Seeing this made the Empress both amused and envious.
Gesturing the nanny away, she couldn’t resist: "This Qing Que, truly seems destined for the Heir’s Wife. Rember the day after he was born, one embrace from the Heir’s Wife and he was pacified. Though the Heir’s Wife hadn’t entered the palace for months, such affinity still exists!"
Wang Yongzhu wished to reject such affinity, yet observing in her arms, the not-crying, munching his fists, his big eyes like plums, she sighed, conceding defeat.
Of course, the Emperor discerned the Empress’s reminder, urging him to cease nitpicking, for she’s the savior of his wife and child.
Thus he snorted, heading straight for his seat.
The Empress joined the Emperor, then summoned Wang Yongzhu to sit, waiting until everyone was seated.
Then seemingly recalling: "Qing Que’s antics made forget, the Heir’s Wife seldom enters the palace; submitting a card today, is there business?"
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