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Seeing Xiao Jinyu’s aggrieved expression, Han Missy can’t help but feel her heart ache for him, a person brought up in a figurative greenhouse, too innocent for his own good.

"The person who should be heartbroken is me."

Xiao Jinyu would have been better off not mentioning it, for now he felt even more miserable.

"I don’t see you looking heartbroken at all, no tears or tantrums, yet it’s me who feels overwhelmingly sorrowful."

Han Missy sneered coldly, "If I were to make a fuss, it could cost someone their life."

Xiao Jinyu caught her hand abruptly on hearing this, "You’re not thinking of killing Wanxin, are you?"

Han Missy retorted, "Should I kill the Empress Dowager instead?"

Xiao Jinyu quickly covered Han Missy’s mouth, "You can’t speak so carelessly, the Grand Empress Dowager is untouchable, and Wanxin too, she’s had no choice but to obey, owing to the gratitude she holds for the Empress Dowager."

Han Missy raised an eyebrow, "You’re already protecting her before she’s even entered the door?"

Xiao Jinyu hurriedly clarified, "I’m not protecting her, marrying someone you don’t love is a very painful thing."

Han Missy replied, "... Perhaps you should pity yourself instead."

Xiao Jinyu embraced her once more, whispering in her ear, "How could I ever be pitiable when I have you?"

Han Missy’s voice was cool, "Yet you are marrying someone else."

Xiao Jinyu felt distressed and aggrieved, "That’s why I’m so sad, and you don’t even console me."

Han Missy couldn’t help but remind him, "You are a man."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Does being a man mean I’m not entitled to feel heartbroken? To marry someone I do not love is a grave injustice already."

Han Missy was silent...

Xiao Jinyu lifted his head, pulling her into the bed with him, and looked down at her seriously, "Bear me a child, will you? A child born of you would surely be as adorable as Susu."

Han Missy paused at his words and, seeing his expectant look, she asked, "... And if I can’t bear one?"

Xiao Jinyu asked in confusion, "How could that be impossible?"

Without answering, Han Missy wrapped her arms around Xiao Jinyu’s neck and lifted her head to kiss his lips.

Xiao Jinyu, moved by the moment, freed one hand to draw the bed curtains, shielding the room’s light and also the intimate scene within the bed.

The Emperor, thinking of the Empress’s birthday drawing near, planned to prepare a special gift for her.

On the day of the Empress’s birthday, the Emperor hosted a grand birthday banquet.

Shen Chuwei, with the birthday gift in tow, followed Xiao Jinyan and his family of four to attend the banquet.

As they entered the Grand Hall, the two little ones each carried a longevity peach in their hands and autonomously ran towards the Dragon Throne.

The Emperor and Empress, seeing their darlings arrive with longevity peaches in their arms, immediately revealed delighted smiles.

Just as they were about to embrace the two little ones, they watched as the children approached and suddenly knelt down with a thud, then proceeded to kowtow with proper form.

"Grandfather, Nai Nai, peace upon you."

The sudden greetings startled both the Emperor and Empress; they had never seen such young children pay their respects like this before.

The two children imitated the gesture perfectly, to everyone’s delight.

The Emperor, pleased as could be, beckoned them over, "Taotao, Susu, come to your Imperial Grandfather."

Taotao and Susu clambered up from the ground and waddled with their little short legs towards the Emperor and Empress.

Susu held up her peach to the Empress, "Taotao."

"Nai Nai," Taotao also handed her longevity peach over to the Empress.

The Empress beheld the longevity peaches in her hands, given by her treasured grandchildren,

The proper greetings had been meticulously taught by Chun Xi, who spent many days training the babies until they could roughly perform the gesture.

Initially, Susu held her longevity peach as if it was her own, not willing to part with it regardless of how much Chun Xi instructed her; not only that, but Susu tried to put the peach in her mouth as well.

To succeed in getting Susu to offer the longevity peach, Chun Xi spared no effort, and since Susu was fond of sweets, she had no choice but to coat the peach with lemon.

After Susu took one bite, she never ate it again.

The longevity peach was made of chocolate.

Concubine Yun, upon seeing the children’s act, thought that being so young and already knowing how to please the Emperor, what would become of them when they grew up?

The Emperor, holding Susu, exclaimed in front of everyone, "It’s Taotao and Susu who are the cleverest, so young yet they know to greet their Imperial Grandfather and Grandmother."

Concubines Yun and De exchanged glances, neither spoke up, wishing they could turn invisible and keep their presence unnoticed.

After all, their grandsons had no clue about such courtesies at the age of one, let alone greeting properly.

When it was time to present birthday gifts, and Shen Chuwei and Xiao Jinyan’s turn arrived, she carried the birthday gift up to the Grand Hall.

She spoke the well-prepared congratulatory words and then, under everyone’s watchful gaze, she offered the gift.

Qing Ying took the present from Shen Chuwei’s hands and brought it to the Empress, opening the box to give her a peek inside.

While others had brought precious jewels or exotic curiosities, Shen Chuwei’s gift was a marked departure.

Driven by curiosity, the Empress asked Shen Chuwei, "Crown Princess, what are these?"

Shen Chuwei explained, "Your Majesty, inside are a face mask and cream that can improve skin dullness and signs of aging, making you appear several years younger after use."

The Empress was delighted, for what she lacked was exactly that; she instructed Qing Ying to store it away for a closer examination later.

The seated concubines, upon hearing this, suspected that the Crown Princess was trying to flatter the Empress by gifting these seemingly useless items, which only the Empress cherished as treasures.

Two months later, when the concubines saw the Empress again, they were astounded; she appeared several years younger and all pleaded with the Empress to share some of her face masks with them.

Having delivered the birthday gift, Shen Chuwei and Xiao Jinyan returned to their seats.

After the birthday banquet had concluded, the Empress returned to Fengyi Palace and couldn’t wait to open the present from Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei had written detailed instructions and the effects of the skincare products.

The Empress picked up a box labeled with ’face mask’, opened it to see a bottle inside, and a piece of paper.

After reading the instructions and understanding the effects, the Empress was eager to try them.

"Qing Ying, bring water, I need to wash my face," she ordered.

"At once." Qing Ying withdrew, returning shortly with water.

With Qing Ying’s assistance, the Empress washed her face, picked up the mask, looked at the paste inside, dark and dubious of its virtues for the face.

Out of trust for Shen Chuwei, the Empress nevertheless let Qing Ying apply the dark mask to her face, leaving only her eyes and mouth uncovered.

Having seen the listed effects, and restraining her laughter, Qing Ying went to prepare water.

The Emperor, with his thoughtfully prepared gift, arrived at Fengyi Palace just as he pushed the door open and saw a pitch-black face, he was truly taken aback.

...

PS: Seeking monthly ticket support (emphasis added).

Also, for those taking middle school exams, wishing you all the best in entering your ideal high schools.