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Xiao Jinyan originally wanted to discuss with the Emperor how to persuade the Empress to let Shen Chuwei return, but the Emperor pushed the responsibility onto him, telling him to figure it out himself.

It’s as though only he wants to bring back little ninth, as if Father doesn’t miss being alone with Mother?

"Father makes a good point, Mother is fond of the Crown Princess and the babies, and I can’t bring them back just yet," he said.

The Emperor, none too pleased, said, "That’s why I’m telling you to think of a solution. The Crown Prince is so clever; surely, you can come up with a way."

Being my son, of course, you should share my worries and relieve my burdens. Otherwise, how would he get the chance to visit the Empress’s palace every night to coax her?

Thinking about coaxing the Empress, the Emperor felt a wave of melancholy again, as he had been too busy with state affairs lately to come up with an effective plan.

Xiao Jinyan: "..." You’re still the ruler of the country! All you know is to make things difficult for your son!

After pondering for a moment, the Emperor directly ordered, "You have one day to bring back the Crown Princess."

What can he say?

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head and agreed respectfully, "Your son obeys the command."

After the Crown Prince left, the Emperor stared at the stack of state affairs in front of him and thought of the Empress’s reaction last night. When had it become so necessary to tread so carefully even around his own daughter-in-law?

He sighed.

Eunuch Li offered up fresh tea and, hearing the Emperor sigh, understood as one who served closely beside him.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared your favorite dish today: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. The Empress particularly enjoys this dish."

The Emperor’s eyes lit up, and he instructed, "You personally deliver the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to Fengyi Palace."

"This servant obeys the command." Eunuch Li accepted the order and withdrew.

Returning to the East Palace, Xiao Jinyan felt as though the whole palace had emptied out after little ninth took the babies to Fengyi Palace for a short stay.

His heart emptied along with it.

Concubine Xu approached Hehuan Hall cheerfully, waving her handkerchief. Upon seeing Xiao Jinyan at the entrance, she happily stepped forward and greeted with a bow, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan looked down at Concubine Xu, and maybe because she got along well with Chuwei, he found her smile more agreeable now.

"The Crown Princess is not in Hehuan Hall."

Concubine Xu had come to play with the Crown Princess and the babies. How could they not be here?

"If the Crown Princess isn’t in Hehuan Hall, where is she?" she asked.

Xiao Jinyan answered indifferently, "Mother has taken the Crown Princess to Fengyi Palace for a short stay."

"Ah?" Concubine Xu pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. Why did the Empress have to take the Crown Princess there for a short stay? There went her fun.

Xiao Jinyan: "..." I’m even more frustrated than you, since when do spouses have to be separated?

While the Emperor and Xiao Jinyan were in a gloomy mood, Fengyi Palace was exceptionally lively.

On the dining table, within the soup pot, the hot broth was bubbling, topped with a thick layer of red oil that smelled particularly delicious.

The Empress pointed at the bones in the soup pot and asked, "Crown Princess, what is this?"

Shen Chuwei chuckled, "These are lamb spines. Don’t just look at them as mere bones; there’s still meat on them. And after being dipped in the soup like this, they taste especially delicious."

The Empress became tempted by the words, convinced that if Chuwei said it was delicious, it definitely was.

"Is that so? Your Highness has never heard of lamb spines before. What are they exactly?"

Shen Chuwei explained, "Lamb spines are the backbone of a lamb. They’re called that because their shape resembles a scorpion."

The Empress felt enlightened. Ever since interacting with Shen Chuwei, she had discovered many new and tasty dishes that she had never seen before.

"So that’s why it tastes so good."

Chuwei used to eat lamb spines often and knew roughly how long they needed to cook. When the time was right, she reminded, "Mother, they’re ready, we can start eating now."

Hearing this, the Empress hurriedly clenched her chopsticks, eager to pick up lamb spines into her bowl, and then another one to cool—it wouldn’t be enough for her otherwise.

This tactic was learned from Chuwei; otherwise, picking one up after eating one, it would be easy to burn her mouth.

Chuwei not only picked up lamb spines but also her favorite lamb and twisted Meatballs to cool, so as not to interfere with her pace of eating.

The Empress, seeing Chuwei’s bowl nearly filled, also picked up some meat and Meatballs to cool.

Old folks say, five-month-old babies can smell the fragrance of food, let alone seven-month-olds.

Susu’s beautiful eyes watched unblinkingly as Chuwei kept eating meat, extending her hands for a hug, "Mommy, mommy..."

Chuwei glanced at her daughter, seeing Susu waving her hands and feet excitably, "Mommy..."