Chapter 253: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 253: The Empress Dowager
Since they had received the royal approval to enter the palace ahead of time, the Empress Dowager was well-prepared in the morning.
All sorts of snacks and tea, including portions for the child, were ready.
When she heard that Prince Qi and his family had arrived, the Empress Dowager couldn’t stay still.
She thought to herself that she wasn’t particularly eager to meet the child, Suisui, but was merely curious.
After the events surrounding Prince Qi, when the Empress Dowager had some time to herself, she began to reflect a little.
Suisui, this child...
She had some sort of fortune on her, it seemed.
Perhaps the heavens had taken pity on Prince Qi’s family and specially sent this treasure to her youngest son.
Because of this, the Empress Dowager felt a mild curiosity toward Suisui.
Now that she could finally meet the child, she naturally felt a bit of anticipation.
Before long, a palace maid came to report that Prince Qi, along with the princess and little princess, had arrived.
The Empress Dowager nodded to show that she understood and ordered Elder Sister Xu to personally go out and greet them.
Elder Sister Xu smiled as she led Prince Qi’s family into the inner hall, subtly observing Suisui as she did so.
She noticed the little girl was quite frail and slender, but her eyes were very beautiful.
When Elder Sister Xu first saw the child, she thought that Suisui seemed too thin, but upon a second look, her eyes stood out: bright, lively, pure, and untainted.
Because these eyes were so striking, they also carried a subtle sense of familiarity. Elder Sister Xu couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.
Suisui noticed someone was watching her, and when she looked up, she met Elder Sister Xu’s kind smile. She shyly smiled back in response.
Her mother had told her that when they entered the palace, she should stay close to her mother and not look around too much; everything would be arranged by her parents.
Suisui obediently followed her mother’s advice and didn’t look around too much. However, Elder Sister Xu’s gaze was so warm that she couldn’t help but take another quick look before turning her eyes away again.
She thought to herself...
It didn’t seem like the people around the Empress Dowager were too frightening after all.
Just last night, Seventh Brother had scared her by saying that the Empress Dowager was very serious and that her attendants looked intimidating.
Seventh Brother had said he didn’t want to come to the palace.
Suisui had been nervous at the time, but now, because of Elder Sister Xu’s kind smile, she felt a little more relaxed.
Soon, the family entered the inner hall.
The Empress Dowager had been sitting there waiting, and when Prince Qi and his family arrived, they first performed their respects to her.
Suisui had been learning etiquette from Aunt Xiang these past few days, so she had already learned the basic ceremonial rites very well.
Now, she followed her mother’s example and performed a curtsy.
Then, upon her mother’s signal, she obediently kneeled down and gave a deep bow to the Empress Dowager: “Suisui greets Her Imperial Grandmother, wishing Her Imperial Grandmother peace and safety.”
Suisui didn’t know many auspicious phrases, and Qi Wangfei didn’t want to make things difficult for the child.
So, the previous night, she had taught her only a few simple lines.
Qi Wangfei thought that since the Empress Dowager loved Prince Qi so much and was generally lenient with his family, she wouldn’t be too strict even if Suisui didn’t follow all the formalities perfectly.
Moreover, considering Suisui’s poor background, the Empress Dowager probably wouldn’t be overly concerned with minor missteps.
Qi Wangfei was reluctant to put the child through unnecessary trouble.
As Suisui performed her greeting, the Empress Dowager lowered her gaze and looked at the tiny child standing in front of her.
She really was very small.
She seemed even smaller than the youngest child in the royal household.
Although it had been a while since the Empress Dowager last saw Feng Xuanbin, she still had some impression of the young prince. He had been plump and chubby, full of youthful vitality.
At his young age, he was quite chubby, a fortunate child.
Now, looking at Suisui, she seemed so fragile and thin, almost like a paper doll, as though a gust of wind could blow her away.
These idiots! The Empress Dowager cursed inwardly, but she did her best to make her expression more loving.
However, she usually preferred to maintain a serious face, keeping the dignity of the Empress Dowager intact.
At this moment, trying to smile felt a little awkward, and her expression remained somewhat stiff.
In the end, she decided not to force a smile and just lightly raised her hand in a casual gesture: "Good child, get up."
Suisui, obedient, thanked her and then stood up. She wanted to see what her Imperial Grandmother looked like but was too timid, instead quietly staying close to her mother. Her little head lowered shyly, not daring to glance around.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: This child was once so pitiable, and she had such a small heart.
However, as a princess of the royal family, this kind of demeanor wouldn't do in the future.
With these thoughts in mind, the Empress Dowager gestured for Suisui to come closer: "Suisui, come here, let your Imperial Grandmother take a good look at you."
Her voice was low, and it was hard to tell whether she was pleased or displeased. Her face, too, was composed.
Qi Wangfei guessed that the Empress Dowager wasn’t displeased, so she gently patted Suisui’s shoulder: "Go on, Suisui."
The pat on the shoulder was meant to give the child some courage and a sense of security.
Her mother was still here, so there was nothing to fear, not even if it was her mother’s mother-in-law.
Suisui obediently walked forward, keeping her head lowered and not daring to look around.
Prince Qi watched with concern, wanting to speak up, but fearing the Empress Dowager might disapprove, he held back, his eyes never leaving Suisui.
The Empress Dowager: ...
Foolish child!
She was the Imperial Grandmother; did he think she would eat the child?
The title of Princess was even given by her personally. Other princesses didn’t receive such a privilege, didn’t that say something?
After cursing her son inwardly, the Empress Dowager felt a little relieved, adjusted her expression, and managed to force a slight smile.
Suisui obediently approached the Empress Dowager. Her round, bright eyes cautiously peeked up, meeting the Empress Dowager’s slightly stern gaze.
Suisui was a bit scared but didn’t sense any malice from the Empress Dowager. She just instinctively widened her eyes.
The Empress Dowager had originally wanted to adjust her expression to appear less stern and not frighten the child on their first meeting.
However, when her gaze met Suisui’s eyes, she froze.
These eyes...
They were so similar to Prince Qi’s!
No, that’s not right.
They looked exactly like the late Emperor’s!
The eyes of the late Emperor, when he was young, had been remarkably clear and beautiful.
When she had thought of Prince Qi’s eyes, she believed them to be the most similar to the late Emperor’s.
But now, with Suisui before her, the resemblance was even more striking. The late Emperor’s youthful eyes seemed to be reflected in hers.
The late Emperor had become muddled in his later years, making many poor decisions, but she had been his wife, accompanying him from youth to old age. She knew how vibrant and beautiful his eyes had been when they were young.
She had once thought Prince Qi’s eyes were the closest to the late Emperor’s, but now she was seeing something even more similar.
Looking into Suisui’s eyes, the Empress Dowager felt a wave of nostalgia, as though she were momentarily transported back to the Emperor’s youth.
Although the late Emperor had made mistakes in his later years, their bond from their youthful days had remained deep and enduring.
Now, seeing these eyes again, the Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned.
Suisui sneaked another glance, noticing the Empress Dowager’s stern expression, and quickly lowered her head again, pretending she hadn’t been looking around. She softly and obediently spoke: "Imperial Grandmother is well. I am Suisui."
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