Chapter 543: 270 Reunion (two updates combined into one)_5 Chapter 543: 270 Reunion (two updates combined into one)_5 “It’s ugly.” the Empress Dowager Zhuang shook her head.
Zhuang Yuexi was slightly startled; this was her prettiest dress, and both her mother and servants said it was nicer than the plain robe.
However, to please the empress dowager, Zhuang Yuexi switched back to the plain robe.
The empress dowager softened her eyes and facial expressions after the change.
She wasn’t sure whether it was an illusion, but it seemed like the empress dowager was looking at her, or rather, was looking through her at someone else.
That afternoon, it was the day for a follow-up check-up on the emperor at the Imperial Palace.
Last time the emperor had dyspnea, he held out and attended court, but once he returned to Huaqing Palace he collapsed. Luckily, Gu Jiao left him some medicine. The medicine had finished today, and the eunuch Wei came knocking on the door.
After finishing school, Xiaoqi came to the Medical Hall to find her, and seeing her packing her first aid kit, he asked, “Jiaojiao, where are you going?”
“I’m going to make a house call.” Gu Jiao replied.
“Where are you going to make the house call?”
“Imperial Palace.” Gu Jiao replied.
For Gu Jiao, whether it was the Imperial Palace or a commoner’s home, they were both simply workplace for her house calls; hence, there was nothing alarming or secretive about them.
Xiaoqi’s big eyes blinked, stepping forward, he held onto Gu Jiao’s hand, his face looking cute, “Can Jiaojiao take me with her? I haven’t been with you for several days, I miss you so much.”
If the emperor were here, he could tell who his chubby son had learned these sweet nothings from.
Gu Jiao couldn’t resist Xiaoqi’s plea, and as he was an obedient kid that never caused her trouble, she thought it wouldn’t pose a problem bringing him along, especially since there was no one at home today.
Xiao Liulang went to the Hanlin Academy and Guozijian with the old Wine Server. Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun went to learn art, and Yao Family and the old maid went to make a vow at the temple.
Gu Jiao nodded and agreed, “Okay, but you can’t run around.”
Xiaoqi patted his little chest, “I promise not to run around!”
Gu Jiao brought Xiaoqi up onto the carriage. Seeing Xiaoqi, the eunuch Wei’s eyelids twitched. So, the little master was also coming?
“Hello, eunuch Wei.” Xiaoqi politely greeted.
Eunuch Wei smiled awkwardly, “Hello, hello.”
Nothing should happen right? Usually, the trio would cause a ruckus, but today the seventh prince wasn’t in the palace, neither was the young master from the Xu household, it shouldn’t be possible for this little kid to cause any trouble alone.
Moreover, no matter how you look at it, this little kid is the most well-behaved among the three. Whatever it was about pasting things on the wall or group fights, it was definitely all mischief led by the seventh prince and young master Xu!
Xiaoqi was exceptionally well-behaved all the way, sitting beside Gu Jiao, looking cute as a porcelain doll, which reassured eunuch Wei completely.
Upon entering Huaqing Palace, eunuch Wei led Gu Jiao to the emperor for her follow-up check-up and left the little guy to play in the little garden. He gave him some tea cakes and fruits, and assigned a gentle-looking palace maid to watch him.
As soon as eunuch Wei and Gu Jiao left, the little fellow became a handful!
“Sister Palace maid, let’s play hide and seek!” he said cutely.
Then – he managed to hide and couldn’t be found!
Prince Xiaoqi grinned wickedly and sneaked out of Huaqing Palace.
He was going to find his great-aunt!
The Imperial Palace is so large, he wasn’t really sure where his great-aunt actually lived, but he had asked Xiaoqi before, the empress dowager lives in the Imperial Harem, just across the Imperial Garden!
He had promised Jiaojiao not to run around, so he didn’t run. He hopped!
He hopped into the Imperial Garden, and saw a familiar figure.
“Hmm? Jiaojiao? Are you also here?”
He hopped over and swiftly clung onto her legs.
Startled, she pushed him away at once!
Xiaoqi tumbled onto the grass. He wasn’t hurt but was momentarily confused. He raised his little head, looked at her strangely, “You’re not Jiaojiao! Why are you wearing Jiaojiao’s clothes? Ah? I’ve seen you before! You’re the elder sister who gave me the candied haws!”
On hearing this, Zhuang Yuexi recognized Xiaoqi.
Isn’t this the little fellow she encountered when she went to Bishui Alley to find Gu Jiao?
The wound on her neck from Hai Dongqing’s peck still hurt after several days.
What did he call her just now?
The image of Gu Jiao briefly flashed in Zhuang Yuexi’s mind — dressed in a plain robe, a red birthmark on her left face…
Zhuang Yuexi’s face changed starkly.
“Miss Zhuang, Miss Zhuang!”
A palace maid walked over carrying a basket, “Here are your basket and scissors.”
This palace maid was sent to serve her by the empress dowager. Earlier, she went to fetch the flower-cultivating tools for her, otherwise she wouldn’t be alone here.
An absurd guess flashed across Zhuang Yuexi’s mind. She felt that it was impossible, but considering the many odd occurrences after the empress dowager returned to the palace and her coarse clothing that night, she shivered involuntarily.