Chapter 183 - 181. Sneaky II (1/2)
Third-person POV
A few days later, Shu Zhiruo arrived at Da Qi's royal palace with half a dozen of Xu soldiers to protect her along the way. Hong er came out to see her with Xue Lang holding her hand.
Shu Zhiruo: ”Greetings to Your Majesty Empress.”
Hong er: ”Ohohoho~ You are as tiny as ever.”
Meiyun: ”What Your Majesty Empress said indeed is true.”
Shu Zhiruo greeted her properly just to get teased about her height. She clenched her hand into a fist and forced a smile.
Shu Zhiruo: ”My my my~ It seems like Your Majesty Empress need some relaxing massage, huh~”
Shu Zhiruo gave the two giggling girls a death glare. Shu Zhiruo's deathly massage that no one could hold back their scream during the massage, even Xu Tingfeng went limp after the massage. Yet after a minute, one would felt his body become light as a feather.
The two of them immediately shut their mouths and lowered their heads like a puppy got scolded by its master. Meiyun turned around and fake crying while complaining to Huayun that she got bullied by Shu Zhiruo.
Meanwhile, Hong er hid behind the innocent Xue Lang and told him to avenge her. Xue Lang stared at Shu Zhiruo and gave her a respectful bow. Shu Zhiruo smiled softly at him and bowed back.
Shu Zhiruo: ”Cut out your horrible acting, let me check your pulse.”
Huayun guided them to the main hall and Ming Yu went to brew tea for the new guest. Shu Zhiruo checked Hong er pulse and said that she was perfectly fine.
Hong er: ”Xue Lang, if you ever feel uncomfortable, just go find physician Shu. You can trust her with your secret.”
Xue Lang: ”Yes, Imperial Mother.”
Shu Zhiruo smiled and packed her stuff into her medicinal box then left to her designated chamber.
.
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7 months later*
Hong er's belly had become very big compared to 7 months ago. She even found it quite hard to walk or run with the bulging stomach but she was contented that the baby was healthy and growing fairly well.
Weisheng and Xue Lang like to rub her belly and told the baby inside to not bother its mother too much. She would just laugh it off and joined them to talk to her belly.
During these 7 months, Hong er would do her daily practice in the morning and then spending the rest of the day doing a bunch of stuff that didn't require strenuous movement.
Weisheng hadn't experienced any mood swings nor weird cravings from Hong er. He had collected plenty of information from several trusted sources such as his mother and his nanny. He thought that maybe because of Hong er good nature that she rarely got angry or upset.
Like usual, he went to Hong er's favorite spot, Floating Lotus Pavilion, to check on her. He saw her teaching Xue Lang how to draw and her laughter could be heard from far away.
The servants in the palace adore their master and never slacked in serving her. They were very protective of anything that related to Hong er and Xue Lang. Hong er was very thoughtful towards her servants, she would give them a few days of leave when they have urgent matters in their house outside the palace.
They didn't know how but Ming Yu became the second Lao Jin (the one who taught Hong er before she got married). She was the fiercest among the young servants and would punish anyone who dares to talk bad about Hong er.
Weisheng walked towards Hong er and crouched down to kiss the bulging belly. Then he sat on his seat and roughly ruffled Xue Lang's hair. Xue Lang giggled and continued to draw.
Hong er: ”Your Majesty Emperor, it seems like you are getting busier and busier.”
Weisheng: ”En. Big project.”