Chapter 115 – The Widow’s Adopted Daughter (part 15)

Due to Li Su’s deliberate moves, she and Imperial Princess An He quickly became friends. Because of Li Su’s influence, Imperial Princess An He did not stay in the yard all day and instead began to talk to the other women.

After Mrs. Yang and the others put aside their doubts about the identity of Imperial Princess An He, they discovered that she was just a shy young girl with a gentle personality. They were relieved. Their attitude towards Imperial Princess An He relaxed, and they were a little more tolerant and pampering.

Imperial Princess An He was only a few years older than Yan Xi, and he was still a child.

The elders in the house were happy to see these changes.

Princess Qing Shan, in particular, was very happy. An He was not just her daughter-in-law, but also her niece. She thought An He was spoiled, so she didn’t expect An He to be so innocent. Princess Qing Shan knew it already, but she still felt a little surprised. Father emperor really loved Highest-Ranking Imperial Concubine Su a lot.

The men in Yong An Mansion disapproved a little. They didn’t want their female family members to be so emotional. They felt that there were other plans. If the emperor really loved Imperial Princess An He, then he would not raise her to be so innocent. Weren’t the people around him so smart and capable? Fortunately, she was married into their mansion. If she married elsewhere, Imperial Princess An He would be devoured.

The old emperor finally couldn’t help it. He hadn’t seen his granddaughter for more than 2 months, so he sent someone to bring his granddaughter to the palace. Although he had people telling him the situation of his granddaughter every day, the old emperor still felt uneasy. He felt that his granddaughter may be wronged and he wouldn’t know about it.

After seeing her, the old emperor was relieved. Yong An Mansion was very good, and so was Zhen Shu.

“Grandfather emperor, why are you so thin again? Bao’er isn’t here, so are you not behaving?” Imperial Princess An He childhood nickname was Bao’er. Her eyes reddened when she saw the old emperor, and she choked up in his arms.

“Grandfather emperor eats and sleeps on time every day. If you don’t believe it, ask him!” The old emperor never saw his granddaughter cry. She reminded him of Min’er, and he felt very uncomfortable.

Imperial Princess An He looked at Head Eunuch Xiang Zhong. Xiang Zhong didn’t dare to disobey His Majesty, so he naturally nodded and said yes.

The old emperor was afraid that his granddaughter would ask more questions, so he quickly said, “You haven’t been in the palace for a long time. Little Eighteen is worried about you.”

“Bao’er is also very worried about Eighteenth Uncle. Grandfather emperor, can I go see Eighteenth Uncle?” Imperial Princess An He asked. “I brought some good things for Eighteenth Uncle.”

“Don’t worry. Xiang Zhong, go and pick up Little Eighteen.” The old emperor smiled. “Let grandfather emperor take a look at these good things. Grandfather emperor will have dinner in the palace today and will ask the royal chefs to prepare your favourites for you.”

“This was written by my cousin and it is wonderful. Eighteenth Uncle likes to read books, and he always reads the classics and history. What cousin wrote is fun,” said Imperial Princess An He innocently.

The old emperor smiled. Can the emperor’s education be compared to the emperor’s granddaughter’s? As a prince, Little Eighteen had to study how to govern the country and many other strategies. But, he didn’t want to explain this to his granddaughter. “Cousin?”

“Mm. Cousin is the cousin of husband’s relatives. She was missing for several years and only recently returned,” Imperial Princess An He said excitedly. She then covered her mouth. “Oh, don’t tell husband what I said.”

Yong An Mansion’s affairs were naturally known to him. “It’s okay. It’s just grandfather emperor. Nobody else will know.”

Imperial Princess An He was relieved and smiled. “Grandfather emperor, I actually admire my cousin. She is very wise, smart, strong, and brave. She was a pampered girl from an affluent family who became a village woman. When coming back from that, your temperament would surely change. But, cousin is different. Husband said that cousin’s temperament was calmer and she was more intelligent than before. Isn’t she very good?”

The old emperor smiled. “Do you like her a lot?”

“Mm, I like her!” Imperial Princess An He’s eyes lit up.

The old emperor smiled. Just as he was about to speak, a servant called from outside the door. “Your Majesty, the eighteenth prince is here.”

The old emperor nodded. The 18th prince entered and he said, “This son greets father emperor.”

“Greetings to Eighteenth Uncle.” Imperial Princess An He did not look down on the 18th prince because of his young age. She earnestly paid her respects to the 18th prince.

“Bao’er can dispense these formalities.” The 18th prince was only about 3 years old, but most of the imperial children mature prematurely. The 18th prince, in particular, was calm and restrained like a little adult.

“Eighteenth Uncle, come here. I have brought some good things,” Imperial Princess An He said excitedly.

The 18th prince looked at the old emperor and saw that he had no objection. He then went over to Imperial Princess An He.

Imperial Princess An He put the items she brought on the table. They were all small gadgets that were specially prepared by Li Su, such as a Rubik’s Cube. This is what Li Su prepared after learning about what the 18th prince was like.

Sure enough, the 18th prince was interested in the Rubik’s Cube. He was not interested in the other toys or scripts.

Imperial Princess An He smiled. “Does Eighteenth Uncle like this? This is difficult. Su Su said that this was a third-order Rubik’s Cube. If you can solve it, then there will be higher ones.”

The 18th prince took the Rubik’s Cube. “How do I play with this?”

“You need to mess up the pattern, then restore it to its original state. The shorter the time, the better.” Imperial Princess An He demonstrated this to the 18th prince.

The 18th prince understood how to play with the Rubik’s Cube, then fiddled with it by himself.

Even during the meal, the 18th prince kept his eyes on the Rubik’s Cube. The old emperor also took it and fiddled with it for a bit, thinking it was interesting. The old emperor let the 18th prince continue to play with the Rubik’s Cube.

Half a month later, the 18th prince sent someone to Yong An Mansion to inform them that the 18th prince had solved the third-order Rubik’s Cube and to ask Imperial Princess An He if there was a fourth-order Rubik’s Cube.

Imperial Princess An He immediately sent someone to ask Li Su, who then brought back the fourth-order Rubik’s Cube.

The 18th prince was content.

Imperial Princess An He smiled after sending away the 18th prince, but then she immediately thought of something and thought deeply.

Within a few days, Imperial Princess An He entered the palace. She expressed her thoughts to the old emperor.

The old emperor was a little surprised. “What do you mean when you say that you want your cousin to enter the palace to take care of Little Eighteen?”

Imperial Princess An He nodded. “Su Su is tough, optimistic, cheerful, and clever. She has many ideas. The children in the house love her and are very close to her. I think if such a person took care of Eighteenth Uncle, it would be good. Bao’er knows that grandfather emperor has high hopes for Eighteenth Uncle, but Eighteenth Uncle is still young. The schoolwork Eighteenth Uncle has to do is heavy.”

“Have you discussed this idea with Zhen Shu and your aunt?” the old emperor asked after he thought about it.

Imperial Princess An He shook her head. “If you discuss with them what to do and father emperor thinks it is good, then I can make a decision! If I ask Su Su, she will agree. She is very nice,” Imperial Princess An He said innocently.

“Child!” The old emperor laughed. “Grandfather emperor will consider your words. Don’t tell anyone about this for now, okay?”

If Imperial Princess An He’s cousin was really as good as Imperial Princess An He said, then the old emperor could rest assured that his beloved son would be well taken care of. He could not rashly impose this decree due to Imperial Princess An He’s relationship with Yong An Mansion. Although the old emperor was convinced that Yong An Mansion would not resist the decree, it would inevitably destroy their relationship.

The old emperor did not want to do this.

Besides, there wasn’t a lack of people serving Eighteen. The people around Eighteen were Min’er’s confidants, and the rest were selected by the old emperor. No matter how good a widow was, her status wasn’t suitable.

It was just Bao’ers slight fascination. The old emperor didn’t take it to heart.

He didn’t expect that Imperial Princess An He would take it to heart. Imperial Princess An He told Xiao Zhen Shu about it after she returned to the mansion.

Xiao Zhen Shu’s expression darkened. “Imperial Princess has already told the emperor?”

Although Imperial Princess An He couldn’t see that Xiao Zhen Shu was angry, but the person beside her noticed it and reminded Imperial Princess An He. In fact, when they heard about it, they didn’t think that it was appropriate. The helpless imperial princess had mentioned it without discussing it with them and they were too late to stop her.

Imperial Princess An He was still at a loss and did not know what she had done wrong. She looked at Xiao Zhen Shu timidly.

When Xiao Zhen Shu saw her, his anger dissipated and he patiently said, “Imperial Princess, cousin cannot enter the palace and it is not suitable for her to enter the palace. If the eighteenth prince is short of reliable people to serve him, then I can find some suitable people for Imperial Princess. Don’t involve cousin.”

Although Imperial Princess An He was innocent, she wasn’t stupid. She nodded quickly. “I see. Grandfather emperor only said that he would consider it carefully, but he didn’t agree.”

Xiao Zhen Shu was relieved now. Even though he knew that if his cousin really entered the palace and served the 18th prince then it would be good for Yong An Mansion, but he refused and his father and second uncle would not agree. The mansion’s safety was due to the presence of men like them, so there was no need for their female family members to come forward.

“Imperial Princess, cousin has a pitiful background. We all feel bad for her. We only hope that she will live a carefree and happy life. So, don’t talk about this matter again in the future, okay, Imperial Princess?” said Xiao Zhen Shu.

Imperial Princess An He nodded timidly. “Okay. Husband, don’t be angry.”

Xiao Zhen Shu smiled helplessly. “Imperial Princess knows that we are married. The most important thing between a married couple is to be honest and trusting of one another. Zhen Shu believes in Imperial Princess and asks Imperial Princess to discuss things with Zhen Shu before making any decisions, okay?”

Imperial Princess An He nodded quickly.

Imperial Princess An He regretted it a little. She just thought that Su Su was a good person and she could be more at ease with Su Su taking care of 18th uncle. But, she didn’t expect grandfather emperor or her husband to disagree. Her husband even got angry.

“Husband, don’t tell aunt about this, okay? And Su Su!” Imperial Princess An He said while she pulled Xiao Zhen Shu’s sleeve.

“Okay, I won’t,” Xiao Zhen Shu said patiently.