The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 963 - 632: The Empress’s Worries, A Bowl of Longevity Noodles is Enough to Satisfy

Chapter 963: Chapter 632: The Empress’s Worries, A Bowl of Longevity Noodles is Enough to Satisfy

Suddenly mentioning the Crown Prince’s birthday, the Empress’s expression became somewhat unnatural. "Yuyu, why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "Mother Empress, the Crown Prince brother has been back for so many years, and hasn’t celebrated a birthday. Doesn’t Mother Empress want to celebrate a birthday for Crown Prince brother?"

The Empress looked a bit uneasy. Indeed, she had not celebrated the Crown Prince’s birthday over these years. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but rather...

Xiao Jinyu asked further, "Mother Empress, why did you initially send Crown Prince brother to Nanzhao Country as a political hostage?"

As a child, Xiao Jinyu had always been curious as to why the Crown Prince brother had to leave the palace. Neither his mother nor the Emperor would tell him.

The Empress explained, "The situation forced us. It was an unavoidable matter."

Xiao Jinyu pressed on, "Then why not send another Prince as the political hostage?"

The Empress sighed and said, "Do you think we can send whomever we wish? The Emperor of Nanzhao Country demanded it had to be my child, and sending another Prince, if discovered, would not be a trivial matter."

Xiao Jinyu was stunned for a good while. After a long time, he came to a realization, "So, it wasn’t necessary to send the Crown Prince brother to Nanzhao Country, I could’ve been sent as well, yet Father Emperor and Mother Empress decided to send the Crown Prince brother as the political hostage."

The Empress said, "You were too young then and completely without guile. Who would feel assured sending you over? The Crown Prince was young too, but he was three years older than you and knew more. It had to be him."

"But the Crown Prince brother was only eight years old. Bullied in a foreign place, nobody was there to protect him." Xiao Jinyu suddenly thought of his eight-year-old self, protected by his father and mother, where no one dared to bully him, though there were still those who did so behind his back.

Upon hearing this, the Empress paused. She was naturally aware of this. It was something that couldn’t be helped.

"Mother Empress, let’s celebrate the Crown Prince brother’s birthday this time. Just prepare a birthday gift for me," Xiao Jinyu said, not forgetting to mention the birthday gift.

The Empress pursed her lips. The Crown Prince kept everything to himself; she really didn’t know how to communicate and get along with him.

"Then, Yuyu, what birthday gift would you like?"

Xiao Jinyu looked towards Concubine Han beside him, reaching out and holding her hand. This time, he looked towards the Empress, "The birthday gift I want is to have Ayan become my Crown Princess."

Concubine Han looked up at Xiao Jinyu, not expecting him to still be thinking about this. In truth, whether one was Crown Princess or a Concubine wasn’t important; what mattered was his attitude.

The Empress too did not expect her son’s birthday gift to be this. Every year she would ask her son what he wanted for his birthday, willing to grant anything within her power.

She looked towards Concubine Han. Aside from status, nothing seemed amiss.

"Mother Empress agrees, as long as you are happy," the Empress conceded.

Xiao Jinyu was overjoyed beyond words, "Thank you, Mother Empress."

Concubine Han bowed, "Thank you, Empress, for your grace."

The Empress didn’t have high demands for her youngest son; as long as he was happy, that was enough.

Leaving the Qiancheng Hall, the Empress felt some worry.

Qing Ying noticed the Empress’s worry. "Empress, if you’re uncertain about the preparations, why not call over the Crown Princess to discuss together?"

The Empress’s eyes brightened at the suggestion, "How did I forget about the Crown Princess? Go call the Crown Princess over."

"Yes."

Qing Ying left for the East Palace with a smile.

Feng Wuyou was studying a medical prescription when Qing Ying arrived, and saw the Crown Princess earnestly reading a book.

Upon seeing Qing Ying, Feng Wuyou asked curiously, "Mammy Qingying, what brings you here?"

Qing Ying approached and paid her respects, "Crown Princess, the Empress has requested your presence."

"Alright." Feng Wuyou put down the Medical Book and followed Qing Ying to Fengyi Palace.

Once inside the Main Hall, Feng Wuyou came forward and greeted her, "Mother Empress, for what matter have you called this son?"

The Empress beckoned her, "Crown Princess, come sit and talk."

"As you wish, Mother Empress." Feng Wuyou sat down in front of the Empress, lifted her head, and waited for the Empress to speak.

The Empress thought for a moment and said, "Crown Princess, the Crown Prince’s birthday is approaching. I haven’t celebrated his birthday for many years, and I am unsure about his preferences. What do you think should be prepared?"

Feng Wuyou was startled. She didn’t expect to be summoned especially for Jinyan’s birthday.

During her many years in the palace, Empress Ning had never celebrated a birthday for Jinyan.

In recent years, for his birthdays, she had prepared Longevity noodles and some small gifts.

Why had Empress Ning suddenly thought of celebrating Jinyan’s birthday?

"Mother Empress, why did you never celebrate His Highness’s birthday before?" she couldn’t help but ask.