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The Empress saw them too and smiled along, favoring both her grandson and granddaughter equally.

"This palace will take Taotao out to play," said the Empress, and then she carried Taotao out the door.

For a moment, only Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei were left in the room.

Xiao Jinyan said, "Father and Mother are very fond of Taotao and Susu."

"It’s perfectly normal to like Taotao and Susu since they are so adorable," said Shen Chuwei, who hadn’t expected to adore the two little treasures herself as much as she did.

Xiao Jinyan took her hand and said, "This palace will take you to look at the East Palace account books and the records of social interactions and dealings."

"Why look at those?" Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan, puzzled. She was thinking of lying down to eat some cherries, with so many of them around, she had to eat more while they were fresh.

"Now that you are the Crown Princess, these are things you will need to look after in the future. Come on," said Xiao Jinyan, leading her out by the hand.

Shen Chuwei followed Xiao Jinyan to the Study Room with a bewildered face.

Liu Xi carried a pile of account books over and placed them on the desk.

Xiao Jinyan patted the stack of books and said, "This palace knows you are exceptionally bright. None of this will be difficult for you."

Shen Chuwei glanced at the account books under Xiao Jinyan’s palm and immediately felt dizzy, "Your Highness, you think too highly of me. Isn’t it Concubine Xu who manages the affairs of the East Palace? Let her continue to take care of it."

"The affairs of the East Palace are something you will eventually take over. Now that you’re the Crown Princess and managing the East Palace, you’ll be the Empress, overseeing the six palaces in the future. Learning now paves the way for later."

As for Concubine Xu, she can’t manage the East Palace forever. Besides, during this period, it’s not Concubine Xu managing the East Palace, but rather Lady Tao. Concubine Xu can’t even understand the account books.

He had incidentally overheard Concubine Xu’s thoughts of leaving the palace.

Over the last two years, Concubine Xu had changed a lot. Previously always vying for favor and wanting to be the Crown Princess, suddenly she neither sought favor nor wanted the title anymore.

Now she was purely playing in the East Palace, planning to leave once she had enough of it.

If not this year, she would leave next year. After all, a girl’s age is important.

Shen Chuwei, holding Xiao Jinyan’s hand, spoke in a coquettish tone like the characters in romance novels, "Your Highness, can we talk about this another day? Right now, I’m ’silly for three years with one pregnancy,’ and my IQ will surely drop. I definitely won’t understand the account books."

"In my eyes, you are the most intelligent one. Don’t belittle yourself. Come, I’ll teach you some simple ones first."

Xiao Jinyan led her to sit down in front of the desk.

A double chair was placed in front of the desk, prepared specially by Weichi at Xiao Jinyan’s request.

"Look, these are the monthly expenses of the East Palace, and these are the incomes. You should take a look at them."

"And this..."

Shen Chuwei was in one ear and out the other, not remembering a thing Xiao Jinyan said.

Xiao Jinyan pushed the stack of books towards her and said gently, "Start with these, and ask me if you don’t understand."

"...Okay." Shen Chuwei took an account book with feigned earnestness and looked at it.

She stole a glance at Xiao Jinyan and saw that he had taken out memorials to review.

Starting to review memorials this early?

Shen Chuwei looked over with confusion and saw a pile of memorials in front of Xiao Jinyan... The Emperor had taken Susu out to play, it turned out someone was sharing the Emperor’s work...

At this moment, the Empress arrived at the Imperial Garden, holding Taotao, and from afar saw Yun Xianbai teaching Yinyin to recite poems.

She recalled when the Crown Prince was of the same age; he was able to recite poems independently.

"Taotao, Granny Empress will take you for a look," said the Empress, as she walked into the Pavilion with Taotao in her arms.

Upon seeing the Empress arrive, Concubine Yun, holding Yinyin’s hand, came forward to pay her respects.

"This concubine pays respect to the Empress Mother," she said.

Yinyin, with a babyish voice, said, "Grandson pays respect to Granny Empress."

"Rise, I brought the grand prince out for a walk, and didn’t expect to find Concubine Yun here," the Empress said, amusing Taotao in her arms.

Taotao cooperated by grinning and gurgling some incomprehensible sounds, "Yiyah!"

Concubine Yun, looking at the Empress holding Taotao, made pro forma praise, "The grand prince has grown so much."

"Indeed, the grand prince is very clever.

The Crown Princess is promising, giving birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

I have both a grandson and granddaughter, a fortune not everyone has," the Empress replied, glancing at Yun Xianbai, who always flaunted her grandson. Do you have a granddaughter? I do.

Concubine Yun could clearly hear the boastfulness in the Empress’s words.

"The Crown Princess indeed did well, but as for granddaughters, one will arrive sooner or later," she said.

The Empress smiled and said, "Now that Prince Cheng’s health has improved, indeed you can have a second or third child."

Concubine Yun’s expression turned slightly unsightly, "Thank you for your concern, Empress Mother. Prince Cheng’s health is much better."

"That’s for the best. It’s quite hot outside, let’s go back and play with your sister, shall we?" The Empress said cheerfully, carrying Taotao away.

Concubine Yun was furious. She couldn’t fathom what sort of luck the Crown Princess had encountered to give birth to twins, which even the Emperor adored so much.

Late at night, when all was quiet,

The Emperor finished up his work.

The Eunuch of the Bedchamber brought the Green Top Card for the Emperor to flip through.

The Emperor, who had abstained for half a month, glanced at the Green Top Card and said, "Go to the Empress’s place."

The Empress did not have a Green Top Card, for she was the principal wife. Assuming the Emperor didn’t want to go, he was still bound to spend four days a month with her.

Arriving at Fengyi Palace, before he entered, Qing Ying came forward to greet him, "Your Majesty, the Empress has already retired for the night."

It was the same every time he visited; the Emperor felt somewhat dissatisfied, "Retired for the night, so I cannot enter?"

Qing Ying bowed her head subserviently, "This servant wouldn’t dare."

The Emperor snorted and pushed the door open to enter directly.

Qing Ying did not stop him; after all, he was the Emperor. Who would dare to obstruct?

Upon entering, the Emperor saw the Empress lying in bed.

Half a month had passed; even if there had been anger, it ought to have subsided by now.

But the Empress was always cold and indifferent towards him.

It most likely had to do with that Ye Chu.

ps: One more Chapter to come.