Chapter 545: 271 Jiaojiao of My Sorrow (Two updates combined into one) Chapter 545: 271 Jiaojiao of My Sorrow (Two updates combined into one) “Who dares to block the Empress Dowager’s carriage? Move aside immediately!”
Qin, the chief eunuch serving beside the Empress Dowager, sharply addressed Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao’s appearance didn’t resemble any of the nobility in the palace, nor did she seem like a palace maid. Her attire was not extravagant, but she carried an aloof presence.
Gu Jiao didn’t step aside. Instead, she stared at the fluttering golden phoenix ornament on the carriage, approximately ten steps away. The massive golden phoenix, embroidered on the heavy drape, shone strikingly in the radiance, a dazzling sight.
Behind the thick curtains, several silhouettes could be faintly discerned. The figure in the middle dressed in a black gown with golden phoenix embroidery, sat imposingly. A familiar yet unfamiliar visage.
Young Nian finally managed to stand up from the ground. Ignoring the minor aches on his body, he hopped energetically towards the Empress Dowager’s carriage.
Moving from behind the carriage to the front, he caught sight of Gu Jiao standing in the middle of the path. “Jiaojiao?” he exclaimed.
A tremor passed through the Empress Dowager’s heart.
Nian, covered in dirt and grass debris, jumped over. As he hopped, bits of grass fell from him. “Jiaojiao, I did not run away!” he asserted solemnly.
Gu Jiao snapped out of her thoughts. Yes, he had not run. He had only been hopping around.
Gu Jiao extended her hand to clean the grass bits off Nian’s head and body, and then took out a handkerchief to wipe the dust off his face.
Originally, eunuch Qin intended to pull away these two oblivious people. However, upon turning his head, he noticed from the gaps in the curtains that the Empress Dowager didn’t show any signs of annoyance.
Not only that, the Empress Dowager appeared somewhat mesmerized.
It was well-known that the Empress Dowager disliked children, and even the daughters of the Ning prince rarely approached her. But, right now, she didn’t show any signs of aversion towards Gu Jiao and the scruffy little Nian.
Indeed, she was having difficulty taking her eyes off them.
An inexplicable emotion welled up from deep within her heart, leaving her puzzled.
Zhuang Yuexi, seated beside the Empress Dowager, observed the subtle changes in her expression, her eyes flashing with unease.
After Gu Jiao finished cleaning up Nian, he looked up at the towering carriage, thought for a moment and called out, “Grandma?”
Eunuch Qin’s expression changed abruptly and he stepped forward angrily, “Impudent! Who is your grandma!”
Nian pointed and said earnestly, “She is!”
The eunuch’s temples started throbbing, “That’s the Empress Dowager!”
“Yes, Grandma.” Nian looked at the carriage and asked with confusion, “Grandma, why did you come here to be the Empress Dowager? Are you not going back with us?”
The Empress Dowager was suddenly at a loss for words.
She didn’t know this child, but why did his words leave her unable to respond?
Moreover, that strange emotion had intensified.
As the Empress Dowager, witnessing these two children left her mind somewhat tumultuous.
She drew back the curtain, wanting to get a closer look at them.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A major incident has occurred!” Eunuch Wei rushed into Huaqing Palace in panic.
The Emperor glanced at him, “What’s the fuss about?”
Eunuch Wei let out a gasp, “Miss Gu and her younger brother are being stopped by the Empress Dowager!”
“What?” The Emperor abruptly stood up and stormed out.
As the Empress Dowager just lifted the curtains, the Emperor arrived panting heavily. He positioned himself between Gu Jiao and Nian, facing the Empress Dowager and said breathlessly, “These two are guests I invited to the palace. If they have offended Mother unintentionally, I ask for your understanding.”
Upon hearing that they were guests of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager lost interest.
Her gaze cooled, she let the curtain fall back, and stated lightly, “Since they are guests of the Emperor, you may take them away.”
She didn’t intend to punish the pair, but who would believe her? In everyone’s eyes, she was characterized as ruthless, reckless, a tyrant who would sacrifice human life to achieve her goals.
The Empress Dowager offered no explanation.
“I respectfully bid Mother farewell,” said the Emperor.
“Proceed,” the Empress Dowager said with disinterest.
The carriage slowly passed Gu Jiao and Nian.
Yet, in that fleeting moment as they brushed by each other, the Empress Dowager couldn’t resist pushing the curtain aside again to get a clear view of the thin, yet childlike face under the sunlight; delicate features, porcelain skin, and a red birthmark on the left cheek.
The girl didn’t show any emotion, her face calm and icy.
However, the Empress Dowager couldn’t shake the feeling that the girl seemed somewhat aggrieved.
What was she feeling wronged about? The Empress Dowager hadn’t even punished her.
The Empress Dowager let the curtain fall back.
For the rest of the afternoon, the Empress Dowager couldn’t stop thinking about the girl’s face and that touch of grievance that had disturbed her mind.