bookcurios Chapter 423 Entering the Palace to Present Flowers
Chapter 423 Entering the Palace to Present Flowers
The younger sister not only missed Si Muyan, but also Xiaoxia'er. She immediately squatted down to hug Xiaoxia'er: "Oh, my darling, I've missed you so much since I last saw you."
However, when she wanted to hold the child, the maids and servants who were attending to her wouldn't allow it and all surrounded her.
The younger sister waved her hand: "Alright, alright, don't worry, I know I'm pregnant and can't hold the baby."
Xia'er looked at her and said seriously, "Auntie, Xia'er is almost four years old. Auntie says I can't let anyone carry me anymore, I need to walk by myself."
The little sister pinched her cheek and said happily, "Okay, Auntie will remember."
In fact, ever since Xia'er learned to walk, Si Muyan stopped letting her family carry her all the time, letting her walk on her own whenever she could. Back in Songji Village, where the village paths were difficult to navigate, she also insisted on not carrying her.
Later, when they arrived at the Marquis's residence, Xiaoxia was confined to the garden. Si Muyan always reminded Yumeng to take Xiaoxia to play in the garden every day, and not to carry her, but to let her walk and climb on her own.
As for what happened at the manor, I have no idea.
But now, seeing Xiaoxia'er makes her very happy: "My little darling has grown so strong. When your mother went to the palace, she told me that you had grown taller and stronger. I couldn't believe it."
Xiaoxia said in her childish voice, "I'm all grown up now, I can eat this much in one meal."
She gestured with her chubby hands, making the little girl burst into laughter.
She then asked Si Muyan and Xiaoxia what time they had breakfast and learned that they ate very early and not much, because they were worried that it would be inconvenient to change clothes on the way to the palace.
The younger sister hurriedly had the meal prepared: "Then let's have lunch early. His Majesty is holding a meeting in the Hall of Diligent Governance today and won't be coming. This is a good opportunity for you and Xiaoxia to keep me company."
The meal was plentiful, and palace maids served Xiaoxia'er food. Although Xiaoxia'er had been spoiled a bit by Si Muyan, she still knew the rules of the palace and sat obediently.
Each time, the palace maid would only give her a tiny bit, which she would eat in one bite, eagerly waiting for the next bite, which was never quite enough.
The younger sister then said, "Put more of her food, especially the two dishes she likes, in front of her so she can help herself."
The old woman hesitated and said, "Your Highness, this is probably against the rules."
"His Majesty has already permitted me to break the rules, so why should I need so many rules when I'm dining with my own sister and niece?"
The nanny placed the bowl of food over and said, "I'm afraid the child will get indigestion if she eats too much... Besides, the young lady is a girl, she shouldn't eat so much."
Si Muyan didn't like hearing these words, but since they were in the palace, she remained silent.
However, Xiaoxia herself said, "Granny is wrong. Boys and girls are the same. Good health is the most important thing."
The younger sister also said, "That's right, Xiaoxia is my niece, so she should be more at ease. If you feel it's inappropriate, then you may leave."
The old woman was startled and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness: "Your Highness, it was all my fault for overstepping my bounds. I know I was wrong, please forgive me."
When Granny Tian came in and saw this scene, she told her to leave first, and then told the palace maids to leave as well. She was the head nanny of the younger sister, and she didn't usually need to serve her meals, but the other nannies and palace maids listened to her.
Xia'er recognized her and sweetly called out, "Aunt Tian."
Si Muyan corrected, "She should be called Granny Tian."
Granny Tian smiled broadly: "Young Miss, you may call me whatever you like. How are you, Eldest Miss and Young Miss?"
"Thank you for your concern, Granny Xie. We are all doing well. I saw that Her Majesty was doing well when I went to the palace. I hope that when I return, my parents can rest assured."
The mention of a carefree, reclusive father, and a mother who has long been mentally unstable, always makes my younger sister feel sad.
Her mother used to only remember her, and now she's just gone. She feels so sorry for them.
After the meal, Si Muyan said to Granny Tian, "Granny, please take Xiaoxia to play in the courtyard. I want to have a private talk with Her Majesty."
Granny Tian and Yin Xin had both served in the Marquis's mansion for more than half a year. Little Xia'er was lively, active, and had a sweet tongue, which they both liked very much, and they were happy to play with her.
Si Muyan then told her younger sister about the things that had been sent from the manor, emphasizing the hibiscus flowers.
“I know you like hibiscus, and it should be blooming in another two weeks. These hibiscus plants were cultivated by me personally. After being propagated by cuttings, they will bloom more and more densely, which will make you happier.”
The younger sister said, touched, "Thank you, big sister."
"Why are you being so polite with me?" Si Muyan took her hand and said gently, "When you entered the palace, although I was extremely unwilling, I respected your wishes. Taking our parents to the estate was also to avoid making things difficult for you and your brother. Don't overthink it."
The younger sister, with red eyes, said, "I know, eldest sister, I know you don't really blame me. It's me who made you and our parents suffer."
“I’m not upset. I never liked life in the capital. I’ve been living much better on the estate than before. My second sister and younger brother will also stay at the estate when they have time, but they just won’t be able to see you.”
Even if they stayed in the Marquis's mansion, the younger sister would enter the palace and become a Noble Consort, living in the Emperor's Zichen Palace. There were too many considerations, and it wouldn't be easy for the sisters to meet again.
Si Muyan reached out and stroked her younger sister's belly, then said, "Now that you're carrying a child, you need to be even more careful. The people serving you, the imperial physicians and female doctors taking care of the fetus, all need to be attentive. Your life and the child's life are of utmost importance, understand?"
"it is good."
Si Muyan continued, "I know you want a prince so you'll have something to look forward to in the future, but you also need to learn to be content. Having a child with you, regardless of gender, is good. It's not that I don't want you to have a boy, it's just that I'm afraid..."
I'm just worried that if I have a daughter, my younger sister might not be happy.
The younger sister's eyes were red. The older sister had told her so much because she knew that they probably wouldn't be able to see each other for a long time.
She moved the bench closer and leaned on Si Muyan's shoulder: "Big sister, I know everything, big sister, I miss you all so much."
“Silly girl, you’ve married into the royal family, so it’s not very convenient for us to meet. But even if you marry into another family, we can’t be together every day like before. Little sister, no matter when or where, just remember that you have two older sisters, and we’ll always be here for you.”
"it is good."
Si Muyan spent the whole day with her younger sister and didn't leave the palace until evening.
The younger sister gave him a lot of gifts, and he was still not satisfied. After everyone left, he felt a little lost.
Upon learning this, the Emperor said, "If you miss your family, let them come to the palace to keep you company often. If that's not possible, I will issue an edict allowing them to stay for a while."
"No..." The younger sister quickly shook her head, "Firstly, they are all busy with their own things, and I don't want to delay them. Secondly, Your Majesty, this pregnancy has not been easy for me, and I imagine there are many rumors circulating outside. I don't want to put Your Majesty in a difficult position at this time."