Old Madam Yu truly wished she could dugged a hole in the ground to squeeze herself in when she caught sight of her own granddaughter speaking fiercely to the Ninth Princess and hoodwinked the princess to get closer with an unconcealable boorish cunning look. Bean-big droplets of cold sweat were dripping from her forehead as she was afraid that the little brat would continue to create havoc when she heard the sound of the Empress’ suppressed snorty laugh.
Yu Pin Yan on the other hand was extremely calm with none whatsoever expression on his handsome carved face.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess had also turned their faces away yet their shoulders were slightly shaking as the sight of these two snowball-like little girls staring at each other was indeed too adorable.
“Did her legs become like this for the sake of saving Pin Yan?” The Empress asked in a low voice.
“Yes.” Old Madam nodded her head.
“Can it be cured?”
“Physician Xue did an examination and said there will be no hope unless Great Master Ku Hui undertakes the treatment.”
They could originally count upon Divine Doctor Pu for treatment, however the chance slipped away for saving the Crown Prince. Old Madam couldn’t mention these in front of the imperial family, otherwise they would turn out to be narrow-minded and hoping to rely on the grace as repayment.
Even if she didn’t mention it, the Empress would be unlikely to forget either and immediately expressed, “Do rest assured. Bengong[1] has already dispatched people to find Great Master Ku Hui. Bengong will definitely bring him back so long as the great master is still alive.”
Before Old Madam could respond, Yu Pin Yan bowed and spoke cordially, “This humble servant will thank the Empress’ kindness on behalf of my younger sister.”
“Don’t say this as it’s also thanks to you that Cheng Si (Crown Prince’s name) is able to return safely to Bengong’s side. The one that ought to be grateful is supposed to be Bengong.” The Empress smiled and waved her hand. She then pointed at the spirited and cute little girl between the flowering shrubs, “Yu Xiang is a good one. She has a profound understanding at such a young age. Bengong’s Little Qiu’er has a very clear mind and if she likes that person after a glance, nothing can go wrong.”
Old Madam repeatedly said they didn’t deserve it. As she looked forward, the worries that she had just offloaded raised again when she saw her own granddaughter swiftly lift up the woolen blanket and without waiting for the Ninth Princess’ reaction, she quickly covered her legs back then laughingly rubbed the head of the Ninth Princess. Wasn’t the agreement was to have a glance? This damn child, the Empress was just here staring and you dared to deceive the Ninth Princess.
The Ninth Princess also felt cheated and glared at Yu Xiang with an accusation in her eyes then clearly stated, “I haven’t seen it!”
“Your eyesight is not good, so you can’t blame me.” Yu Xiang beamingly said, “I will let you look again but you will let me take a bite of the pastry that you are holding, just one bite!” Looking at her roundness, she must be a foodie.
The Ninth Princess was at a loss but when she saw the beautiful smile on lotus seed cake, she reluctantly extended her hand.
Yu Xiang was not the least bit courteous at all. She swallowed the whole pastry in one mouthful and only left the little pastry crust on the fingertips of the Ninth Princess. The Ninth Princess stared at her in shock then pursed her lips with her nose twitching and reddened eyes revealing a super cute crying look.
Old Madam Yu was just standing behind the Empress thus she couldn’t see her expression and also dared not turn to look at both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess’ expressions. She was scared witless and would soon be frightened to death by this brat!
Yu Xiang almost tumbled off laughing and reached out to rub the head of the Ninth Princess before coaxing her, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s the elder sister’s fault. Elder sister will show you a magic trick. You’ll have to really watch carefully this time!”
The Ninth Princess didn’t cry as she looked up with curiosity. She saw her fair hands swaying around in the floating light then with a snapped of the fingers, a delicate and beautiful camellia flower conjured out of the thin air. With a movement, the flower was then inserted on her sideburn. A sweet scent wafted along her hair that smelled extremely delicious.
The Ninth Princess wrinkled her little nose and kept sniffing as she grabbed Yu Xiang’s palm turning it from side to side to look.
The Empress surprisingly exclaimed when she saw her daughter actually willing to take the initiative to touch others with the look of cheerfulness that the Empress couldn’t help getting teary eyes.
This was because her daughter was born with a congenital deficiency that not only was she slower compared to others in learning to walk and talk, she was even utterly antisocial in nature. As she was the most vulnerable and innocent among all her daughters, the Empress simply loved her the most. Overtly this lantern feast was said to celebrate the Empress’ birthday, but secretly it was to choose a study companion for her daughter.
However, when she saw her youngest daughter hid in a vacant corner, the Empress thought this was a fall through but unexpectedly sprung out this Yu Xiang. This mischievous character was just right to complement her youngest daughter.
The Crown Prince smirked, “You taught her this trick? You also loved to flaunt this when you were young.”
Yu Pin Yan stared fixedly at the little girl who had just conjured another camellia flower for the Ninth Princess and spoke with a prideful tone, “Xiang’er’s movement is faster than mine.”
The two little balls now each have flowers on their heads as they look at each other and shamelessly showing off their good looks. Yu Xiang then asked, “What’s your name?”
“I’m called Little Qiu’er[2] .” The Ninth Princess foolishly smiled.
After Yu Xiang heard that, she burst out a streak of shocking laughter that her tummy felt cramped before panting for a breath and puffed out, “I am Xiang’er. Your name is really well-suited for you. The one who chose this for you is truly talented!”
The talented Empress covered her mouth to suppress her smile and softly said, “Though Little Xiang’er is disable, her temperament is extremely optimistic and magnanimous.” Just looked at that bold and uninhibited laughter that not only her white teeth but even the small tongue in her throat could be seen as no ordinary well-bred young lady would really act that way.
Old Madam Yu was feeling rather guilty, “Reply to the Empress, this subject thought not to bound Xiang’er with many rules as walking is inconvenient for her. Usually she is only taught to read and play qin thus not much teaching of the etiquette. Should there be any infringement of rules, do request forgiveness from the Empress.”
The unexpected sense of sympathizing with one another was felt by the Empress after she heard those words, she grabbed the Old Madam’s hand and patted reassuringly, “You are right to actually be able to think this way! They are basically different from other people and shouldn’t be treated by using the methods of others to guide them. There is already too much inconvenience and tribulation in their life therefore they shouldn’t be imposed with more burdens. Just let them live happily.”