Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1084 - 1081_1

Chapter 1084: Chapter 1081_1

When Xiao’er woke up, she found the space beside her empty and devoid of warmth. With a slight frown on her face, she wondered if he really got scared of her, afraid to come back and sleep in the room all night.

"Yang Mei!"

Yang Mei quickly walked in, assisting Xiao’er out of bed.

Xiao’er’s belly was getting bigger, making it uncomfortable for her to get up. She needed someone to help her with getting up.

"Did Brother Guan return home last night?"

"Master returned when dawn was about to break. By that time, the princess hadn’t woken up. He prepared breakfast in the small kitchen, and then went to the Imperial Palace, saying he’d return at noon to have lunch with the princess."

Hearing these words warmed Xiao’er’s heart. She nodded and prepared to get out of the bed to wash and have breakfast.

After breakfast, Xiao’er sat at the piano for a while and sketched a painting. Just as she was about to invite Yang Liu to play chess with her, the Empress arrived.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er was somewhat surprised, but quickly rose to her feet to meet her.

The Empress, however, had already entered. Xiao’er quickly bowed to greet her.

Seeing Xiao’er so ready to bow, the Empress immediately stopped her: "Don’t move!"

Paused, Xiao’er looked at the Empress.

"There’s no need for formalities here. Plus, your belly is so big, it’s not convenient for you to bow." The Empress walked up quickly and grabbed Xiao’er’s hand.

Xiao’er didn’t insist, knowing the Empress wasn’t one for such formalities. "Mother, is there something you need from the Palace?"

The two sat down together.

With a smile on her face, the Empress looked at Xiao’er’s protruding belly, "I came to see my grandson! It took so long for Xuanyi, that stinky boy, to finally bring you to the Palace. Your belly is really big. It’s only been a little over six months since you became pregnant. But you already look as big as I did just before Xuanyi was born."

"I have been undutiful for not visiting the Palace to see you earlier." Xiao’er felt embarrassed. Since she got pregnant, she hadn’t visited the Palace in half a year. A senior had to come to see her, she indeed had been unfilial!

She had intended to pay a visit to the Empress, but it would be inappropriate to bypass the Empress Dowager. Shangguan Xuanyi told her that the Empress Dowager had been ill lately and in a bad temper. It’s been hard to serve her. He also said he feared that the Empress Dowager might find her disturbing and asked her not to enter the palace in the meantime, so she didn’t go.

"That’s fine. I know your fetal qi has moved and you need to rest. Xuanyi told me you wanted to come to the palace to see me but he stopped you. I originally wanted to come earlier, but Xuanyi stopped me saying you needed bed rest and I shouldn’t disturb you. Today, I heard him say that every morning he would accompany you to educate the baby in your belly, so I decided to come and see."

The Empress didn’t use ’we’ to talk about herself, indicating her intention not to pull rank in front of Xiao’er.

After saying this, the Empress put her hand on Xiao’er’s belly, and softly said, "Kid, your father isn’t free today, so your royal grandmother will play with you."

Xiao’er laughed, "Baby, your royal grandmother is here to see you!"

"Xuanyi said that the baby plays games with him. Is that true? How is it done?" The Empress looked at Xiao’er expectantly.

In fact, ever since Xuanyi mentioned Xiao’er’s routine with their unborn child, the Empress was tremendously curious. She wanted to know what this prenatal education and playing games was all about. But Xuanyi stopped her from coming over.

Hmph! She was sure he just didn’t want her to come, for fear that Xiao’er, who was heavily pregnant, would still have to bow to her. Is that what he cared about?

Did he think she was such an inconsiderate mother-in-law?

Seeing that the Empress was eager to try, Xiao’er said, "Mother, knock here lightly with your hand, and then place your palm upon it."

Hearing these words, the Empress carefully extended a finger and lightly tapped Xiao’er’s protruding stomach. Then she placed her palm upon it, closely followed by feeling the child kick Xiao’er’s belly twice with her palm.

"Mother, the baby is greeting you!"

"Really! It moved! She really responded to me!" The Empress looked at Xiao’er with a face full of surprise and joy.

"Mother, you can try in other places."

The Empress nodded eagerly, then lightly tapped another part of Xiao’er’s belly. The child kicked that area a few times in response.

The Empress enjoyed this little exchange for a while, but stopped after a few rounds, worried that she might exhaust her precious grandchild.

"This child is so smart, actually knowing how to greet people while still in the womb. Are there any other games we can play?" The Empress was even reluctant to return to the Palace. It would be so nice if she could play with her grandson every morning when she woke up!

Xiao’er shook her head: "All she really knows how to play is this, but Mother can join me in a game of chess."

"Chess? Sure! I love games of chess!" The Empress seemed excited about the prospect. That was until she recalled her painful past experiences playing chess with Xiao’er.

There was a flicker of hesitation in the Empress’s heart. After pondering for a bit, she asked, "Is playing chess also part of prenatal education?"

Xiao’er nodded, "I suppose so. Playing chess can help develop cognitive skills."

"As the saying goes, ’Actions speak louder than words’. We must play chess with integrity, just as we must live our lives. As parents, we have to lead by example while our child is educated, isn’t it true?" said the Empress carefully.

Xiao’er immediately understood the implications of the Empress’s words. The Empress was worried that she might want to take back her moves. Heaven knows, if it weren’t for her infamous reputation of taking back her moves, she wouldn’t have resorted to such measures, tarnishing her own reputation!

But since the Empress said so, she had to oblige, fearing the Empress might be too upset. Xiao’er agreed and said modestly, "Mother is correct. Those who play chess and take back their moves are nothing but scoundrels. Now, we’re educating the child in the womb. As elders, we have to set a good example."

Listening to Xiao’er, the Empress let out a sigh of relief. She nodded happily, "Then let’s begin. I’ll teach my grandson how to play chess!"

And so, Xiao’er and the Empress began to play chess. Xiao’er was extremely skilled, and caught the Empress off guard within the first three moves. Every time the Empress considered revising her move, Xiao’er would gently rub her swollen belly and softly say, "Baby, look, your royal grandmother is teaching you how to play chess! After you’re born, make sure you keep her company for a game of chess!"

At this, the Empress swallowed her words, faux pas brushed aside, and cautiously retracted her reaching hand. Just as her pieces were being systematically captured by Xiao’er, the game ended before she faced total defeat, feeling incredibly worn and frustrated. Not even fifteen minutes had passed.

As her side was in shambles, the Empress nearly fainted from the suspense!

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