Chapter 13

Luo Qinghan, upon hearing these words, not only felt no disappointment but was somewhat relieved.

If Xiao Xixi had readily agreed to take him to the Xuan Gate, he would have suspected that she had ulterior motives.

Then he heard Xiao Xixi say,

"Your Highness, if you need any help, there's no need to go to the Xuan Gate. Just come to me, and I will do my utmost to fulfill your wishes."

Luo Qinghan stared at her for a moment before asking, "Do you still have any protective amulets?"

"I don't have any now, but if Your Highness wants one, I can make it for you when I return."

"Hmm, I want two protective amulets."

"No problem."

The conversation ended, and the two parted ways.

Luo Qinghan went to the study; as the Crown Prince, he had many things to attend to every day.

Xiao Xixi, on the other hand, returned to the Qingge Hall with Baoqin.

Baoqin directed the palace maids to rummage through the wardrobes for clothes.

After making the two protective amulets, Xiao Xixi resumed her laid-back attitude, slumping on a soft couch with her small, pale feet dangling and gently swaying.

She held a large bowl in her arms, filled with fruit cut into small pieces.

As she used a fork to pick up the fruit and eat it, she asked,

"What are you looking for?"

Baoqin replied, "Tomorrow night, you will attend the birthday banquet. I am looking for suitable clothes for you."

"But the clothes I usually wear are fine."

"That won't do. You've been in the palace for half a year and have never appeared in public. Tomorrow will be your first appearance, and you will be accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince. This is a special honor that not just any concubine can have. You must dress beautifully so that everyone will remember you. The clothes you usually wear are too ordinary. I need to find a set of clothes that will amaze everyone!"

Xiao Xixi didn't care much about her appearance; she just wanted to eat well, sleep well, and stay warm.

A laid-back person, after all, is easy to take care of.

Baoqin finally found a decent dress and then remembered something else.

"Madam, when you attend the Empress's birthday, you need to bring a birthday gift, right?"

Xiao Xixi wasn't sure: "I guess so."

Baoqin was in a panic: "The birthday is tomorrow, and you haven't prepared anything yet. Where can we find an appropriate gift in such a short time?"

Seeing that Xiao Xixi was still eating, she couldn't help but complain, "At a time like this, how can you still have the heart to eat? You need to think about what gift to bring!"

"Since it's a birthday celebration, why not just send longevity peaches? Tomorrow, you can have someone make a basket of longevity peaches, and I'll give them to the Empress."

Baoqin was almost speechless: "Everyone else will be sending all sorts of rare treasures, and you want to send just a basket of longevity peaches?!"

Xiao Xixi asked sincerely, "Is that not allowed?"

Baoqin was almost fainting with anger: "Of course not! The Empress is a noble lady. How can you send such a meager gift? If people find out, they will laugh at you!"

"If not longevity peaches, then how about a bowl of longevity noodles?"

"No!"

"Then how about making a big pancake with 'Happy Birthday to the Empress' written on it?"

Baoqin was almost in despair: "Can't you think of anything other than food?!"

Xiao Xixi had a pained expression.

Apart from food, she couldn't think of anything else.

The two of them thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable solution.

Finally, Xiao Xixi clapped her hands and decided firmly,

"I'm tired, I'm going to sleep!"

Then she burrowed into the blankets and slept soundly.