RPAGF Chapter 457 Zhiyan's Sweet Story (Part 9)
Chapter 457 Zhiyan's Sweet Story (Part 9)
Gao Mengli took a few steps, stopped, and turned to look at Hongluan. "Hongluan, hurry up and catch up."
Hongluan nodded quickly, glanced at Dou Xiaoxiao, bowed to him, and hurried to catch up with the three of them.
She walked quickly to Gao Mengli's side and said in a low voice, "This was absolutely not His Highness's intention, Su Wan, she..."
"No need to say more," Gao Mengli interrupted coldly.
Her gaze swept over the figure in black armor in front of the palace. "His Highness the Crown Prince's intentions were seen by everyone just now. General Hongluan, there is no need for us to defend him any further."
Hongluan was speechless. She opened her mouth, but couldn't find a single word to comfort her.
She could only glance at Shawn Dou with a "good luck to him" look.
She was powerless to help.
As Su Wan watched the army leave one after another, she wanted to lean close to Dou Xiaoxiao and softly explain.
However, just as her fingertips were about to touch his sleeve, Dou Xiaoxiao abruptly slapped them away.
His handsome face was as cold as frost, and his words fell like ice beads: "Wan'er, the woman you speak of is none other than the Marquis of Dingguo of the current dynasty!"
He was granted a noble title based on his merits, becoming a first-rank imperial consort!
She is a noblewoman personally appointed by my father, and also the benefactor who protected me as I grew up. How could you so casually insult her?
"I remember you risked your life to save me, and I have protected you for two years. I respect your behavior and wish you to behave yourself."
I never expected you to be so disrespectful and narrow-minded!
"That single word 'woman' not only insulted the Marquis, but also slapped me in the face and chilled the hearts of those around my father!"
Su Wan was so intimidated by his rage that she staggered backward and almost fell.
The delicate and aggrieved look on her face froze instantly, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.
Tears welled up again, and she choked out, "Your Highness, I truly didn't know... I was just flustered and spoke without thinking; I didn't mean to insult you, Lord Marquis..."
She tried to reach out to him, but Dou Xiaoxiao coldly avoided her, his icy gaze sweeping over her.
Disappointed: "I don't know? Then I'll go back and learn!"
"I will arrange a courtyard for you. Before entering the Eastern Palace, you must thoroughly learn the royal rules and the hierarchy of the court!"
If you dare to overstep your bounds even slightly, don't blame me for showing no mercy!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
There was a "clang" sound.
Sitting in the head seat, Ayu smashed her teacup in front of Dou Xiaoxiao, startling all the palace servants and eunuchs in the hall into kneeling down, not daring to even breathe.
Dou Xiaoxiao stood in the hall, his black armor still on, and quickly knelt down, saying, "Mother, please calm your anger."
Ayu's phoenix eyes were cold and sharp, her fingertips tapping heavily on the table, showing no mercy whatsoever: "Calm down? How can I calm down!"
"You have been fighting in the northern pass for two years, and His Majesty and I have been worried about you every day."
We look forward to your safe return to the capital, and to your steady and proper establishment as the crown prince.
But you, on the day of your triumphant return, caused a huge uproar in the streets outside the city!
She glanced at his still-on black armor, her anger growing stronger: "Su Wan is just a commoner. Considering she saved your life, reward her with gold, silver, and fertile land, and ensure her a peaceful life."
What did you bring back? To upset me?
Dou Xiaoxiao kowtowed heavily, his voice hoarse and trembling: "Your subject knows his mistake... Your subject was foolish."
"Get out! Just seeing you gives me a headache." Ayu was furious and rubbed her forehead.
Dou Xiaoxiao kowtowed again: "Your subject takes his leave."
When he stood up, his steps were heavy, and he dared not look at his mother's furious face. He bowed and retreated.
With a loud "smack," Ayu, growing angrier the more she thought about it, slammed her hand on the table. "We really owe you two, you're all debt collectors!"
The head maidservant beside her hurriedly stepped forward to soothe her, whispering, "Your Highness, please calm down. Be careful not to upset yourself."
"His Highness the Crown Prince was confused for a moment, remembering Su Wan's life-saving grace, and it wasn't that he was truly biased."
Now that I know I was wrong, I will definitely make amends to Princess Jinning in the future.
"I hope so," Ayu said, rubbing her temples, her voice full of helplessness.
"He's so foolish; he made the most mistake he could have made."
Sweetie may look gentle, but she's ambitious and decisive, and she's quick and efficient in everything she does.
Having been publicly humiliated today, how can he possibly make amends with just a few words?
They're probably all cleaning up their homes, throwing away the things their stupid son gave them, and parting ways amicably.
Dou Xiaoxiao was scolded in the Empress's palace, and then scolded again in Dou Zhan's study.
I thought that once I returned to the Eastern Palace, Ergen would be spared.
Little did he know that his imperial uncle, Dou Weiyi, would come over with his child and, in front of his seven, eight, or nine younger siblings, would berate him mercilessly.
Feeling better after the scolding, Dou Weiyi took her child and hurriedly went to the Marquis's residence in a carriage.
As soon as Gao Mengli heard the chattering of children outside the door, she knew it must be Dou Weiyi who had arrived.
"Go open the door, don't let those little devils tear down the gate."
Gao Mengli quickly offered her a word of comfort.
Butler Zhao smiled and hurried off to greet the guests!
"Brother Lin, Sister-in-law, I've come to see you!" Dou Wei's voice arrived before he did.
"Give me the child quickly, I want to hold him!" Gao Mengli quickly reached out her hands as soon as she saw someone come in.
Dou Weiyi handed over her daughter, Xiao Jiu, whom she was holding!
Gao Mengli reached out and took Xiao Jiu in her arms; the soft little girl nestled in her embrace.
The little hand immediately grabbed her clothes and called out in a childish voice, "Auntie."
It's so sweet it makes your heart flutter.
Gao Mengli pinched Xiao Jiu's chubby cheeks and smiled, "Oh my, our Xiao Jiu has grown so much! Did you miss your auntie?"
Xiao Jiu blinked her round eyes and nodded, nuzzling her little head against her neck!
"How is the Princess Consort's health?"
Dou Weiyi smiled and waved her hand, her eyes full of tenderness: "It's fine."
Ling'er is just a bit heavier now, and she's been sleeping more and more lately. She wanted to come with me today, but I stopped her, worried about the bumpy ride.
"But since the harvest was plentiful, they actually thought I was just slacking off."
They simply dumped all nine of their kids on me, saying it would let me experience what it's like to raise children.
"Throughout this journey, I've been sweating buckets, not having a moment's rest."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of laughter and chatter came from the courtyard.
Eight children chased after them, some holding osmanthus cakes, others clutching small paper kites.
Even the wet nurses were panting as they chased after them, shouting, "Little darlings, slow down!"
After Dou Weiyi finished speaking, Lin Xi came down from the corridor with a plate of candied plums and handed it to him: "Your Highness is probably prone to getting tired of food during your pregnancy."
These are my pickled plums; they're sweet and sour, and very appetizing. Your Highness, please take them back to the palace for the Princess to try, to cleanse her palate.
The plump green plums, soaked in amber-colored syrup, look refreshing.
Dou Weiyi's face lit up!
"By the way, I thought I would be reuniting with your good nephew today, so I prepared a lot of food in the kitchen."
But you don't need to now. Take everything with you when you go back and eat it at the Prince's Mansion.
Also, there are many crabs; since the princess is pregnant, she shouldn't eat them.
Upon hearing this, Dou Weiyi's eyes instantly crinkled with laughter, and she hurriedly replied, "Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"
"Brother Lin, you're so thoughtful! The food in your residence is much more to my liking than that in the Prince's mansion!"
He immediately called out to the servants behind him, "Quick! Go to the kitchen and help load everything onto the cart. Be careful not to bump or knock anything over!"
The servants responded and ran to the kitchen. Soon they were carrying food boxes and baskets and hurrying towards the carriage outside the mansion gate.
Two stacks of red lacquered food boxes filled the yard, and the aroma of braised prawns and braised pork hock wafted throughout the yard. Even the children playing in the yard came over, craning their necks and swallowing their saliva as they looked at the food boxes.
Gao Mengli smiled and pinched Xiao Jiu's cheek before reluctantly handing Xiao Jiu back to Dou Weiyi.
"Go back and tell your princess that she can just send someone to let you know what she wants to eat or use. Since we live not far apart, Xixi will have someone deliver it to her when she has it ready."
Dou Weiyi held Xiao Jiu in her arms, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Perfect, absolutely perfect!"
After seeing Dou Weiyi off, the two were about to return to their residence when they heard the sound of a carriage approaching in the distance.
"Father, mother!"
As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Lin Zhiyan hurriedly jumped down.