allonlinenovel Chapter 446: Lost
Chapter 446: Lost
"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
Princess Yuqing avoided her mother's sharp gaze and quickly fed her daughter water.
I patted her back.
The Empress was taken aback at first, then asked, "When did you and Cui Yan meet?"
She had thought that Miaomiao was her own granddaughter, but she never expected that her granddaughter's biological father would be Cui Yan.
Very well, the Cui family lad actually kidnapped her daughter.
She also had a baby.
That's incredibly bold.
Princess Yuqing saw that her mother was cold and silent, so she obediently knelt down and replied.
"Mother, Miaomiao is so grown up now, so naturally we..." Naturally, we have known each other for many years.
Logically, now that the Empress Dowager has heard that Cui Yan is Miao Miao's biological father, she should be on their side.
You should be happy.
Why that expression?
Empress Cao frowned, poked her daughter's forehead, and said helplessly, "You really have no shame. If your father knew this, he would be furious."
"It would be better if he died of anger, then he wouldn't be causing trouble for the Empress Dowager."
"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Princess Yuqing pursed her lips: "Mother, please calm down. Your subject misspoke."
"Get up." The Empress reached out to help her up and continued, "Do you know that when Cui Yan first entered the court as an official, he was very serious and even advised your father that I was interfering in politics and was like a hen crowing at dawn, and asked your father to discipline me properly."
Princess Yuqing: ...Uh!
She really didn't know this.
Cui Yan's personality is exactly what he would say.
However, although the Empress Dowager was formidable, she was not a petty person.
If you really dislike Cui Yan, you should find a way to deal with him before he gains power.
She had no choice but to say some good words for Cui Yan: "Your Majesty, Cui Yan had just entered officialdom at that time. He was young and arrogant, and didn't know the immensity of the world. He must be very remorseful now. I will make him kowtow to you and admit his mistake another day. Please don't hold it against him." Princess Yuqing quickly apologized for Cui Yan.
“Then I’ll wait for him to come and kowtow.”
Empress Cao didn't show it on her face, but she was actually happy inside.
Although Cao Chong was her maternal relative, he was utterly useless and had a vicious mind.
The only reason I agreed to let Qing'er marry me was because she was from my mother's clan.
She imagined that he would cherish Qing'er.
did not expect……
I never expected it to be this bad.
If he were still alive, I would surely tear him to pieces.
Cao Chong is incomparable to Cui Yan in the slightest.
In the end, it all comes down to those damned ancestral rules and regulations, and the emperor's fear.
Otherwise, Miao Miao wouldn't have been stranded for so many years.
From a public perspective, Cui Yan held the important position of Grand Secretary at a young age.
Talented, resourceful, and strategic.
Most importantly, he enjoyed the emperor's deep trust.
With the help of Cui Yan and the Cui family, her chances of winning are much higher.
She looked at her adorable little granddaughter with crumbs all over her mouth and took a handkerchief to wipe it for her.
She instructed her daughter, "Don't worry about the matter of deposing the empress. I will make my own decision. Qing'er, take Miaomiao and go to rest. Stay in the empress's palace tonight."
Princess Yuqing could not possibly sleep.
The one who tied the knot must untie it; she must see Consort Shen tonight.
After putting her daughter to sleep, she quietly left.
Miao Miao tossed and turned, unable to sleep, trying to think of a solution. Eventually, she fell asleep.
I was awakened in the middle of the night by a commotion.
There seemed to be people moving around outside the window, and the light of torches.
I vaguely heard that the water was burning and people were putting it out.
She quickly scrambled to her feet: "Xi'er, where's the fire?"
Xi'er, who was sleeping in the outer room, had already come in with an oil lamp. She had heard the commotion before her mistress and had already gone out to inquire.
Sitting by Miao Miao's bedside, he comforted her, "Princess, don't panic. It was Consort Chen's bedchamber that caught fire. It has nothing to do with us. Please rest assured."
This is the palace, how can Miaomiao feel at ease?
I knew the palace was not peaceful, but I never expected that something would happen on my first night there.
It's scary.
She held Xi'er's hand tightly: "Where are Mother and Grandmother? And is Uncle Crown Prince alright?"
"Everything is fine. I heard from the palace maids that His Majesty is staying at Consort Chen's palace tonight. There's a fire there, so Your Highness should go and check on it."
"Where is the Empress's maternal grandmother?"
"She's inside, trying to lull the little prince to sleep."
"I'm going to take a look." Miao Miao slid off the bed, put on her shoes, and headed out.
With things so urgent, how could I possibly sleep?
Xi'er quickly caught up and draped a cloak over her mistress, as the late spring chill was quite biting.
It doesn't matter if Consort Chen's bedroom burns down, but we can't let her young master get cold.
As soon as Miaomiao stepped out, she ran into her maternal grandmother, the Empress, who had come looking for her.
She was still holding her whimpering little Yu'er in her arms.
While coaxing her grandson, the Empress pulled her granddaughter into the house, saying, "Go back to your room and sleep. Don't go out."
She looked at the calm Miaomiao and the anxious Xiaoyuer.
Distressed.
Both children have had tragic fates.
Xiao Miaomiao's composure suggests that she has experienced similar things many times before.
Yu'er was originally a very lively and cheerful child, but since her last near-drowning incident, she has become very timid and easily startled.
I don't sleep soundly and I'm easily startled.
He's also afraid of rain and thunder.
It was as if he had lost his soul and spirit.
Strangely, the little guy would stop crying and fussing and become quiet whenever Miaomiao was around.
Her grandmother dragged her back into the house, and Miaomiao had no choice but to obediently go back to bed.
Looking at my grandmother's expression, I felt that this matter was related to her.
Empress Cao felt uncomfortable being stared at by the little girl beside her, sensing that there was something else in the girl's eyes.
Can't see through.
This is not something someone her age should have.
He reached out and covered her eyes: "Don't look, go to sleep."
Miaomiao: ...