The virtuous consort has always been ostentatious , that even when she opened the palace doors in the middle of the night without permission, and even when she called on the imperial physician for a ergency when it was just for a dog, others could only express their discontent in their heart but did not dare to oppose her.
The imperial physician quickly arrived, carrying a dicine box on his back and paying his respects with salutation.
Rise, quickly co look at our ABao! ng Sangyu rushed with her words stumbling over each other.
When Emperor Zhouwu awoke, a big hand was feeling around his neck, coming in contact with his purple bruise bringing him a fit of acute pain.
He let out a pained grown and raised his head to glare at the owner of those big hands. Of noble birth, whence has he received such crass treatnt?
Be more gentle! Seeing that ABao woke from the pain, ng Sangyu imdiately admonished and gently patted ABaos head. She spoke with heart ache ABao bear with it just a bit more, let the imperial physicial give you a careful checkup, youll get better quickly.
The discomfort in his body and the anger in his heart imdiately subsided. He unconsciously let out an affectionate whimper, the tail behind him wagging back and forth. He didnt even realize himself how happy he was in his heart that he was able to see this woman again.
Stroking the fur on ABaos back, ng Sangyu smiled with a sigh of relief.
He was choked for about seven to eight minute, but other than a circular bruise on his neck, he wasnt hurt elsewhere. The imperial doctor finished his diagnosis and left a container of cream for relieving his bruises.
ng Sangyu took out a pair of small scissors, lightly tapped ABaos little moist nose saying, Little one, we have to cut the fur on your neck to put on the dicine. Be good and dont move. If youre good, Ill tell Bi Shui to make a midnight snack for you in a bit.
Emperor Zhouwu has already slowly gotten used to her child coaxing style of talking and uncharacteristically voiced in response.
ng Sangyu completely awwed to the little puppys whimpering. She held a dumb smile on her face montarily before lifting the scissors and very carefully shaving the fur around ABaos neck, then carefully applying the dical cream.
The womans touch was soft and gentle, her focus expression as if protecting her own child. Her slender fingers had a soft warmth to it, and her touch sent a warmth to his heart. He felt an indescribable comfort. Emperor Zhouwu lifted his head and look inquisitively at her beautiful face in montary daze.
Pfft! Bi Shui and Yin Cui who were leaning up the dog fur on the side started giggling, pointing at ABao and playfully saying, Your ladyship, after shaving a ring of fur off, ABao looks so weird, you want to laugh just looking at him.
Actually, poodle fur has to be cut monthly for the fur to beco thicker and prettier. If it was spring now, I would give ABao a haircut in one more month. But since it is already nearing autumn, and it will get cold soon, giving ABao a haircut would get him sick. ng Sangyu said while massaging ABaos back.
Its just raising a dog, why is she making it so complicated? This woman is so fussy! Emperor Zhouwu humphed coldly to himself, purposely ignoring the lting defenses of his heart.
After putting on dicine, the dull pain he felt from his neck subsided to a cool minty feeling, allowing Emperor Zhouwu to recover so energy. As he was just beginning to feel pangs of hunger, Head Nurse Feng brought up bowl of overwhelmingly delicious slling chicken congee and a small plate of soft and light naigao.
(TN: Naigao is milk-based gelatin, which makes it sound disgusting, but its really quite good.)
ABao was traumatized today, its a good chance to feed him so nutritious food to recuperate.
ABao was traumatized. Its a good chance to feed him so nutritious food to recuperate. ng Sangyu pushed the bowl towards ABao, patting his head in reassurance while grabbing a piece of naigao for herself.
Looking at ABao happily eating by himself, ng Sangyu finally couldnt resist reflecting on all the dangers of the imperial garden. A branch, a step, a threshold, a giant foot, even a pond not even half a ter deep could beco a murder weapon. So without her company, hes not allowed to go anywhere counting off a long list of various dangers, disregarding whether ABao understood or not.
Emperor Zhouwu licked off the bowl with his little tongue, as if unmoved by the virtuous consorts nagging, but in his heart he was actually greatly moved. How long has it been since he last experienced this kind of ticulous and common show of care? Even Huiru and Empress Mother have not been able to give him this feeling of relaxing comfort.
No matter how rich the feelings of a little puppy is, you wouldnt ever be able to perceive it from his fluffy face. As such, ng Sangyu did not catch even a little of Emperor Zhouwus sudden changes in mood. Seeing that he was done eating, she moved his little nest beneat her bed. She put him him in and covered his stomach with a little blanket, sternly warning, Tonight youre going to sleep right under my eyes. See if I wont break your leg if you sneak away again!
The womans stern voice, exagerated hand gestures, and her purposely intimidating expression, were surprisingly cute. Emperor Zhouwu stretched the corners of his mouth into a smile, let out a whimper, and slowly closed his eyes.
ng Sangyu layed on her bed and watched him for a bit. Seeing that he was really asleep, she finally felt reassured to fall back onto her pillow. When her breathing beca regular, Emperor Zhouwus tightly shut eyes suddenly opened. His dark black eyes showed his complicated feelings. He took a deep look at the woman asleep on the bed, wanting to sigh but quickly stopping himself.
The operation tonight was an utter failure, but he is not giving up. If he couldnt do it at night, then he would do it in the morning instead. When this body becos a little stronger and healthier, he must go to Qianqing Palace and Zhongcui Palace to investigate the truth. Then, he must find a way to get back his own body.
Ever since he got hurt, ABao was much more obedient. Even then he still enjoyed exploring around, but he would always obediently return to ng Sangyus side when night approached.
Like this, after six to seven days, the circular bruise around his neck finally completely disappeared. Leaving just a small ring where there was no fur, as if his body suddenly reconnected there. He looked hilarious, but also incredibly cute.
As late autumn approached with its overbearing cold air, ng Sangyu beca worried that ABao will beco sick without that layer of fur. In her freeti she made a few neck wraps and little sweaters, preparing to make ABao wear them this day to see if they fit. But ABao unfortunately was unwilling to cooperate. As soon as she managed to get one arm in, he started furiously struggling, swinging the little neck wraps and sweaters to all over the place. One even started coming out at the sides and got completely destroyed.
Head Nurse Feng lifted her hand, as if she was going to hit the disobedient ABao. ABao squat unafraid beside ng Sangyu, appearing to be arrogantly fearless.
As expected, ng Sangyu seeing such imdiately stopped Head Nurse Feng, waving her hand and saying, Its fine, if it broke it broke. Ill just patch it up.
ABao lowered his head, hiding his pleased expression in his eyes.
But Your Ladyship, even the emperor has not worn clothes handmade by you before! This little rascal really doesnt understand how lucky he is! Head Nurse Feng exclaid.
The pleased expression in ABaos eyes imdiately disappeared. His heart felt incredibly uncomfortable and his brows scrunched. If no one said it he wouldnt have realized, he really hadnt worn clothes handmade by the virtuous consort before.
Bi Shui picked up the little sweaters that have been thrown all over the place while suggesting, Your Ladyship, perhaps ABao isnt used to wearing clothes, this servant saw that he didnt even know how to walk anymore. Its no matter that these sweaters have been destroyed, but even if you put in the effort to patch them up he probably still wont be willing to wear them.
Its too bad, this servant wanted to see what ABao looked like wearing these clothes. It must very cute. Your Ladyships fingers are so nimble, this pair of rabbit ears look as if they are real. If ABao wore it he wouldve beco a little bunny. Yin Cui played with a little cotton jacket in her hands, her disappointnt evidently expressed on her face.
ng Sangyu gave the little troublemaker curled up beside her a glare. She poked his soft head saying, Dont worry, Yin Cui you will see our ABao make a major transformation for sure. Whether he wants to or not, he will wear these clothes. Its not just for looking nice, its more for his health. The weather has been becoming colder and colder, and he just got a haircut. If he doesnt wear clothes to keep warm, hell get sick. Also, he loves to play, running around all day. He is still little now, not yet able to take a bath. So these clothes would also be able to keep his fur clean, preventing parasites. Itll be good for him. Just let him be free for a few days, when the days get a little colder, when you bring him out to play make sure to make him wear clothes.
The servants heeded in unison.
So it isnt just for pleasure, but because she cares about us? Maybe next ti when were in a good mood well wear it. Emperor Zhouwu dazed for a bit before naturally conceding.
ng Sangyu was a little surprised seeing that after she finished speaking ABao actually affectionally scooched toward her in her arms, swinging his little tail back and forth in bliss. Could it be that ABao can understand my words? She held ABaos two front paws and lifted him in front of her. Facing his clear and lively eyes, an idea ca to her.
ABao lets play a ga. She put ABao down and grabbed a little embroidery ball from her sewing basket and slightly shook it, Do you see this embroidery ball? Im going to throw it out, then you get it back for , okay?
Seeing ABao lifted his head and was looking at her with an intent gaze, ng Sangyu let out a light laugh and tossed the embroidery ball far away. She excitedly called out, ABao be good. Quick, go get it. After you get it back Ill reward you with a piece of naigao.
We would want a piece of your naigao? What do you think we are? Black fus of annoyance emitted from all over Emperor Zhouwus body. He stiffly sat on the ground, as if immovable by even the eight winds. He definitely wont let himself be tad into an actual pet by this woman!
[TN: Eight winds refer to the eight winds of Buddhism. To follow the way of the Buddha and to beco a worthy and wise individual, it is advised to not be carried away by these eight winds. The eight winds are: prosperity, honor, praise, pleasure (four favorable winds), decline, disgrace, censure, and suffering (four adverse winds). One should not be swayed in there ways by attachnt to the favorable nor by their aversion of the adverse.]
"ABao, go get it! ng Sanyus smile stiffened, clearly ABaos reaction was not within her predictions.
ABao remained still.
ng Sanyu pushed his plump and fluffy little butt and tried again.
This ti, ABao moved. He took a sideways glance at ng Sangyu, took two steps, and regained a quiet spot to sit.
ng Sangyu forehead filled with furrows. She has a feeling that ABaos arrogant glance just then was as though he was giving a belittling sigh you foolish human!
This headcanon is really too out there, she must be thinking too much! ng Sangyu shook her head and ran over to retrieve the embroidery ball back herself.
Head Nurse Feng could not bear to watch this backwards owner-pet interaction between the two any longer. She opened her mouth in discontent, This ABao is really just an ungrateful white-eyed wolf that bites the hand that feeds him. He runs around and disappears all day, doesnt listen, doesnt let you hug him, and isnt even willing to play with Your Ladyship. Why should we keep raising such a useless rascal? Might as well send him back to the Taming Enclosure.
ABaos arrogant back stiffened. He wanted to turn his head around to look at the virtuous consorts reaction but then forced himself not to. He definitely will not admit his nervousness at this mont.
ABao is actually really obedient. If I call him, he can respond to . If I hug him, he doesnt struggle. Hes much better than back when he just ca. He just doesnt like to bother with strangers. This type of loyalty is incredibly rare. Not to ntion that ABao really likes cleanliness. When he eats, he never gets the table dirty. And he never goes pottying wherever. Hes the most refined little dog Ive seen.
ng Sangyu casually waved her hand. To prove her words, she grabbed a piece of naigao and beckoned to ABao, ABao co quickly. Ti to eat naigao.
Emperor Zhouwu paused for a mont, but eventually slowly made his way over in the end. He took the naigao from ng Sangyus hand and ate it in small bites. In order to not be sent back to the stupid Taming Enclosure, he has no choice but to put down his pride. But his lightly wagging tail revealed that he wasnt actually as unwilling as he thought he was.
Head Nurse Feng had no other choice but to just complain, Ugly with an unpleasant fur color. This servant really cant tell what there is good about this little rascal. But as its all good as long as Your Ladyship likes him.
Head Nurse Feng did not notice, the ABao that was eating naigao suddenly lifted his head and gave her a glare, with a dangerous look in his eyes.
ng Sangyu was just about to drink her tea, but hearing Head Nurse Fengs complaint she imdiately put down her cup. She explained seriously, Nurse, dont keep calling him little rascal little rascal from now on. Perhaps in your eyes ABao is just a dog, but in my eyes, he and my friends and family arent all that different.
Head Nurse Feng opened her mouth, t her masters stern gaze, and swallowed her opposition in the end.
ABao took back his dangerous gaze and continued munching on his naigao with his head down. Not noticing that his tail was wagging at a pace much faster than before.
[TN: The next three chapters Im just trying to make up for the weeks missed from being sick and exams, so did not really edit or proofread. Please do tell if there are any disastrously difficult to understand parts. m(_ _)m]
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