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Shen Chuwei shook her head very honestly, "Please don’t make things difficult for me, can you?"

I just want to eat and drink without a care in the world, and not bother with anything else.

Xiao Jinyan noticed her attitude but didn’t understand her; he wasn’t annoyed either, "No matter, I will find you a capable assistant to teach you slowly."

Shen Chuwei mustered her courage and said, "Your Highness, this concubine is simple-minded, I’m afraid I will not be able to learn."

Xiao Jinyan reassured her, "You should not belittle yourself, I think you are very smart, and you will definitely be able to learn."

Shen Chuwei wanted to cry without tears, "..." Your Highness, feel free to call me stupid; it’s okay, I find it an immense honor!

Xiao Jinyan put down the teacup, "You should rest early, I will be returning now."

Shen Chuwei stood up, weakly saying, "This concubine sees Your Highness off."

After Xiao Jinyan left, Shen Chuwei turned to bathe and rest, not letting anything delay her sleep.

*

It was breakfast time again, and the Empress was seated at the dining table, hesitating to pick up her chopsticks, her beautiful phoenix eyes fixated on the entrance.

She hoped Liu Xi would send some appetizing side dishes today; otherwise she would lose her appetite again.

Seeing the Empress waiting again, Qing Ying couldn’t resist reminding her, "Empress, would you like this maid to inquire at the East Palace?"

The Empress knew how estranged she was from her eldest son, and felt too proud to give in, so she simply refused, "No need, I will wait a bit longer."

Qing Ying had no choice but to stand by the Empress’s side and wait with her.

Until the food in front of them turned cold, and Liu Xi did not send the side dishes.

Qing Ying ordered the maid, "Heat up all of these dishes."

The Empress felt somewhat disappointed; as the maids heated the food, she forced herself to eat a little.

Two days later at the dining table, the Empress hadn’t received any appetizing side dishes from Liu Xi, and she began to desperately crave the taste of Pickled Long Beans, Dried Radish, Spicy Beef Jerky, Sour and Spicy Potato Shreds...

Glancing once more at the meal in front of her, she had no appetite at all.

She couldn’t help but complain, "He has sent them several times; what would it hurt to send them once more? There is no consideration for me at all!"

Qing Ying knew that the Empress was craving those dishes and that’s why she was losing her temper.

"Empress, shall this maid go and ask?"

The Empress exclaimed angrily, "What for? He has already sent them a few times; doesn’t he know I like to eat them?"

Knowing she liked them and still not hurrying to send some was clearly meant to upset her!

Qing Ying hurriedly soothed, "Empress, don’t be upset. The Crown Prince has many affairs to deal with every day, it’s normal for him to forget."

The Empress then calmed down a bit, took a deep breath, picked up her chopsticks to make do with some eating, and then had the maids withdraw the meal.

Having finished breakfast, the Empress went to the Imperial Garden for a walk to relieve her gloomy mood.

Instead, she happened to meet Concubine Yun strolling with her little imperial grandson in the Imperial Garden.

The Empress felt really unlucky; why did she have to run into Yun Xianbai?

Day in and day out, all she did was carry her little imperial grandson around for show, as if to make sure no one was unaware that he was her son.

She turned to leave, only to hear the annoying voice of Concubine Yun, "Is the Empress taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden too? What a coincidence, I am here today with Chengcheng to see the peony flowers."

The Empress took a deep breath, turned around with a smile on her face and looked at Concubine Yun, "Quite the coincidence indeed, I did not expect to bump into Concubine Yun here in the garden."

Concubine Yun, holding the toddler over two years of age, first curtsied to the Empress, then cheerfully taught the child to greet her, "Yinyin, quickly pay respects to the Empress Dowager."

Yinyin’s childish voice said, "Empress Nai Nai."

The Empress looked at Chengcheng in Concubine Yun’s arms—cute indeed, but it was not her son’s child, which made all the difference.

She smiled and said, "It seems that Yinyin has grown quite a bit, look at those rosy little cheeks. It could be due to the wind, Concubine Yun might want to keep Chengcheng inside instead."

Concubine Yun said cheerfully, "Empress is right, but Yinyin is already over two years old and can’t stay put in the house; he enjoys coming outside to play."

Empress feigned sudden realization, "So Yinyin has become such a playful child? This won’t do, you can’t be like your father, obsessed with women and neglecting your duties."

If he weren’t obsessed with women and neglecting his duties, could Concubine Yun be holding her grandson so soon?

Concubine Yun’s face turned a little sour as she was hit where it hurt, but then she asked with a grin, "Empress, the Crown Prince has taken concubines for over half a year now, hasn’t he? Why is there no sign of activity? How strange!"

Empress couldn’t help but roll her eyes, always mentioning the most inconvenient topics.

She coughed lightly and said very seriously, "The Crown Prince is busy with official duties every day, when does he have time to think about these things? Besides, the Crown Prince is still young; there’s no rush."

Concubine Yun rolled her eyes, maybe your son just isn’t up to it?

Yet outwardly, she still agreed with a smile, "Empress is right, the Crown Prince will soon reach the age of capping ceremony, he does seem a little young. But there are others his age who already have a brood of children."

"That’s true," the Empress looked at Yinyin, "Yinyin is also over two years old, why haven’t I seen Prince Cheng father a second or a third child? Isn’t having a brood of children a good thing?"

Yun joked, "Empress is joking, Chengcheng says having one son is not worrisome, and establishing a career is the most important thing right now."

"Be careful indeed. Yinyin is young and should not always be exposed to the wind. I still have to go to the East Palace, so I will take my leave now."

The Empress was tired of listening to her show off and turned her head towards the East Palace.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

Wasn’t it just birthing a son?

Not being able to have a second or third child, it must be because she’d played too hard in her youth, her body was too frail, and now she’s making excuses!

As the Empress goes out, a crowd follows; wherever she goes, the procession is magnificent.

East Palace

Shen Chuwei was summoned early in the day by Xiao Jinyan, thinking something good was at hand, but when she arrived, he tossed her several books on management.

Looking at the five books in her arms, she realized Xiao Jinyan was serious this time.

Shen Chuwei looked up at Xiao Jinyan with a pitiful expression, hoping he would rescind his order.

"Your Highness, I’m afraid I won’t be able to understand these."

Xiao Jinyan comforted her, "These are all the basics, easy to understand. I believe you can do it."

Shen Chuwei drooped her shoulders, thinking she’d rather sleep than spend time reading books.

Xiao Jinyan pointed towards the bookshelf behind him, "Look here, these are the books you’ll need to read in the future."

Shen Chuwei looked up in the direction of Xiao Jinyan’s pointing finger and unconsciously began to count, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven... twenty volumes. She wished she could die on the spot—it was just too much for her, this little salted fish.

A shrill voice from outside announced, "The Empress has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan stepped out from behind the desk to greet the Empress.

Shen Chuwei hurriedly put the books on the desk and stood behind Xiao Jinyan. When the Empress entered, she followed him in salutation.

Almost in unison.

"Mother, I wish you peace and prosperity."

"I wish Empress peace and prosperity."

Wearing a bright red phoenix robe, the Empress entered and noticed Lady Shen was also present, her brows furrowed slightly. No wonder she was favored—clinging to the Crown Prince like that, it would be hard to forget her.

...

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