The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 918 - 918 421 Scheming Jiaojiao (Two s)_2

Chapter 918: 421 Scheming Jiaojiao (Two Chapters)_2 Chapter 918: 421 Scheming Jiaojiao (Two Chapters)_2 In fact, these two matters were of different nature, Qin Chuyu purposefully concealed his identity, while Xiaoqi was completely unaware of his aunt’s status.

But Xiaoqi didn’t think of this aspect.

For the first time, the logical prodigy Xiaoqi encountered a situation where he could not argue back.

Fortunately, Xu Zhuzhu was a big-hearted companion, and it didn’t take long before he brushed off the matter, “Let’s go play!”

The three scoundrels of Guozijian went off to have another wild adventure and cause chaos in the Imperial Palace!

The weather in autumn was high-spirited and sunny, with a gentle breeze and clear skies.

Gu Jiao and Empress Dowager Zhuang took the Feng Nian to the Imperial Garden to bask in the sun.

Yesterday was the Moon Eve Festival, and all the major princes and princess consorts came to the palace to celebrate the festival. Naturally, the consort of Prince Ning also came, and with her, the two little princesses under Prince Ning’s knees also entered the palace.

Both little princesses were two years old and at the most adorable age.

Consort Zhuang favored them and allowed the little princesses to stay overnight in the palace.

Today, the couple of Prince Ning came into the palace to take the little princesses back home.

The little princesses had just stumbled upon the three scoundrels of Guozijian and went off to play with them.

So Consort Zhuang and the couple of Prince Ning came to the Imperial Garden to wait for them, not expecting to run into Empress Dowager Zhuang and Gu Jiao.

“Empress Dowager!” Consort Zhuang said with a smile as she came forward to salute, then turned her head towards Gu Jiao, “Jiaojiao is here too.”

After learning of Gu Jiao’s favor, Consort Zhuang’s way of addressing Gu Jiao changed too.

“Grandmother.” Prince Ning gave Empress Dowager Zhuang a bow and also nodded in greeting to Gu Jiao beside her, “Doctor Gu.”

In comparison, his address was much more standard, neither too warm nor too distant, mainly very natural.

Gu Jiao then also greeted him naturally, “Prince Ning.”

Afterwards, the consort of Prince Ning also exchanged greetings with Empress Dowager Zhuang.

“Please, have a seat.”

With one command from Empress Dowager Zhuang, palace maids brought out chairs and tables for them.

Eunuch Qin said, “Empress Dowager, Miss Gu, please take a seat.”

Consort Zhuang pouted, as her status as consort was here, and Prince Ning, a prince, was here, yet Eunuch Qin attended to an outsider first.

Gu Jiao and her grandmother then sat down independently.

“Not even offering to assist the Empress Dowager,” Consort Zhuang muttered to Gu Jiao, although she could see the Empress Dowager was in good health and didn’t need support.

“Empress Dowager, it’s so sunny here, why don’t we go sit in the pavilion?” Consort Zhuang suggested.

Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently, “If you want to go, go by yourself; I am here to bask in the sun.”

Consort Zhuang said no more.

Prince Ning gently tried to smooth things over, “Such nice sunshine; we might not get it after winter. Mother, please sit.”

Consort Zhuang sat down on the other side of Empress Dowager Zhuang, while Prince Ning and his consort sat down opposite the three of them.

Eunuch Qin presented tea and refreshments.

Not expecting to encounter Consort Zhuang and the couple of Prince Ning, Eunuch Qin had prepared all of Gu Jiao’s favorite snacks.

Consort Zhuang watched as the table was filled with Spicy Dried Meat, Crispy Peanuts, Spicy Broad Beans… her brows furrowed slightly, “Eunuch Qin, can the Empress Dowager eat these?”

In the past, Empress Dowager Zhuang wasn’t fond of spicy food.

“Ah, this…” Eunuch Qin started to speak, then hesitated.

Consort Zhuang instructed her own palace maid, “Go get some pea cake and water chestnut cake.”

The palace maid quickly brought over several plates of pea cake and water chestnut cake from the Imperial Kitchen, bright in color and delicate in appearance, clearly indicative of exceptional taste.

Consort Zhuang smiled and picked up a piece of pea cake, placing it on the plate in front of Empress Dowager Zhuang, “Empress Dowager, please try this.”

Gu Jiao took a piece and tasted it.

Consort Zhuang’s expression unexpectedly soured; the Empress Dowager hadn’t eaten yet, when did it become your turn?

Gu Jiao put the dessert down, “It’s too sweet, the Empress Dowager shouldn’t eat it.”

The color on Consort Zhuang’s face sank, she put her chopsticks down on the table and said, “That’s still better than all these spicy foods!”

Empress Dowager Zhuang glanced at Consort Zhuang impatiently, “It’s not for you to eat! So much talking!”

Consort Zhuang was choked up.

Fortunately, the three scoundrels from Guozijian arrived with the two little princesses, running wild and sweaty, just in time to diffuse the awkwardness on the scene.

They were all running around, covered in sweat.

Consort Zhuang wouldn’t allow the two little princesses to run off and play wildly anymore, not wanting them to lose the dignity of the Imperial Family.

“Xiaoqi should know better, as their brother you ought to keep an eye on them, and not let them run wild all the time, in case the Emperor sees this and gets unhappy.”

The remark was clearly directed at Prince Ning.

Prince Ning looked at Qin Chuyu, who was darting around in the flower garden, and smiled helplessly, “Father Emperor said Xiaoqi is too pudgy, having him move around is excellent.”

Consort Zhuang’s heart felt even more stifled.

She was not usually like this, it was the recent stress from her heart condition that made her irritable, finding everyone a bit displeasing to the eye.

The three scoundrels from Guozijian ran off again, and the two little princesses, hindered by Consort Zhuang’s imposing manner, had no choice but to stay put.