boyutpedia Chapter 202 The Eve of Parting
Chapter 202 The Eve of Parting
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, gently illuminating the Empress Dowager's palace. A faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, bringing a sense of tranquility. Gu Liuli, dressed in a loose-fitting light pink palace gown, slowly entered the hall. Her slightly protruding belly added to her maternal gentleness. "Liuli, come and sit," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, gesturing for Gu Liuli to sit beside her.
Gu Liuli moved gracefully and sat down beside the Empress Dowager, a respectful yet kind smile on her face: "Mother, how are you feeling today?"
The Empress Dowager took Gu Liuli's hand and patted it gently: "I'm fine, but you, being pregnant, need to be extra careful." As she spoke, her gaze fell on Gu Liuli's belly, her eyes full of affection.
At this moment, a palace maid brought over two cups of steaming tea. The Empress Dowager picked up one cup, blew on it gently, and handed it to Gu Liuli: "This is newly presented tea, please try it."
Gu Liuli took the tea, took a sip, and exclaimed, "The tea is fragrant and has a sweet aftertaste. It's truly a fine tea."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. I was thinking that after the child is born, we should prepare something special for him."
Gu Liuli's eyes lit up: "Mother, what are your thoughts?"
The Empress Dowager rose, walked to a cabinet to the side, opened the cabinet door, and took out an exquisite wooden box. She placed the wooden box on the table, gently opened it, and inside were some colorful silk threads and unfinished embroidery.
“I plan to embroider a swaddling cloth for the child,” the Empress Dowager said, picking up a piece of embroidery cloth. “It has auspicious patterns embroidered on it, in the hope that the child will grow up safely and healthily.”
Looking at the exquisite stitches on the embroidery, Gu Liuli was deeply moved: "Mother, you put so much effort into this."
"Here, you try it too." The Empress Dowager handed the needle and thread to Gu Liuli. "Although you are not feeling well now, every stitch is a testament to your love for your child."
Gu Liuli took the needle and thread and carefully began embroidering. Her needlework was a little clumsy, but every stitch was filled with her expectations for the child. The Empress Dowager patiently guided her from the side, correcting her technique from time to time.
"That's it, take your time, don't rush," the Empress Dowager said gently.
The two chatted as they embroidered. The Empress Dowager told Gu Liuli amusing stories about Xiao Jingchuan's childhood, which made Gu Liuli chuckle from time to time.
"When Jingchuan was little, he was very mischievous. Once, he secretly ran to the Imperial Garden and accidentally fell into the lake, which terrified me and the late Emperor." The Empress Dowager recalled the past with a smile in her eyes.
Gu Liuli imagined Xiao Jingchuan's mischievous childhood self and couldn't help but laugh: "I didn't expect His Majesty to be so lively when he was a child."
After finishing the embroidery, the Empress Dowager took out some soft fabric, intending to make a few pairs of small shoes for the child. She skillfully cut the fabric, her fingers nimbly moving between the needle and thread.
Gu Liuli watched from the side, her heart filled with admiration: "Mother, your craftsmanship is truly excellent. I want to be like you in the future and make these things for my children by hand."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "With more practice, your skills will naturally improve. Making things for children is all about the sentiment. When they grow up and see these things, they'll know how much their parents love them."
Before they knew it, evening was falling. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, bathing the two of them in its warmth and creating a cozy scene.
"Time flies," the Empress Dowager said, putting down the shoes in her hand. "Liuli, you should go back and rest too."
Gu Liuli stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager: "Mother, thank you for today. I have learned a lot from being with you and have also felt the warmth of home."
The Empress Dowager held Gu Liuli's hand and said with a smile, "Silly child, you are my daughter-in-law and the mother of my future grandchild. We are family. In the future, if you need anything, just come to your mother."
Gu Liuli nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. She turned and, supported by a palace maid, slowly walked out of the palace. In the spacious and bright imperial garden of the Southern Jing Kingdom's palace, the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager sat side by side on a stone bench, surrounded by blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies. Yet, the springtime beauty of the garden could not dispel the longing in their eyes for the world outside the palace.
"Your Majesty, look at this Imperial Garden. Although it is magnificent, it is still a limited world. I often wonder what the mountains and rivers outside are like." The Empress Dowager gently stroked the hair at her temples, her gaze looking beyond the palace walls, her eyes full of longing.
The Emperor Emeritus nodded slightly, his gaze unwavering: "The Empress is absolutely right. I have spent most of my life confined within this palace, busy with state affairs. Although I have protected the stability of the Southern Kingdom, I have also missed too many wonderful things in the world. Now that we have the opportunity to step out of these palace gates, how can we not seize it?" His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unshakable determination.
Inside the majestic and solemn imperial palace of the Southern Jing Kingdom, the atmosphere in the council hall was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. The Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager sat side by side on the main throne, their gazes slowly sweeping over Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli standing below. Their eyes held both a firm longing for the journey ahead and a hint of worry about their children's reactions.
Emperor Xiao Jingchuan, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, stood tall and handsome, but his face paled slightly with shock. He spoke first, his voice tinged with urgency and confusion: "Father, Mother, this...this is absolutely not allowed! You two are the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager, the world outside the palace is full of complexities and unpredictable dangers, how can you so easily risk going out?"
Gu Liuli and Xiao Wanqing, dressed in magnificent palace attire and exuding elegance, frowned slightly and stepped forward, saying, "Father, Mother, I understand your longing for the world outside the palace, but many affairs within the palace still require your guidance. Moreover, you are both advanced in years; how can your health withstand such a long journey?"
The Emperor Emeritus raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet. He stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on the distance, and slowly said, "Children, your mother and I have spent decades in this palace. Although this palace is magnificent, it is like an invisible cage, trapping our yearning for the outside world. Now that we are still healthy, if we do not go out for a walk now, I'm afraid we will never have the chance again."
The Empress Dowager also stood up, her gaze gently sweeping across her children's faces, and said softly, "My children, you have all grown up and have your own responsibilities. You are fully capable of handling the affairs of the palace. Our trip is not an impulsive decision, but a well-considered one."
Gu Liuli, with tears in her eyes, walked to the Empress Dowager's side, took her hand, and said through sobs, "Mother, I can't bear to part with you. I will worry about you day and night if you leave."
The Empress Dowager gently stroked Gu Liuli's head and comforted her, "Liuli, don't cry. We will take good care of ourselves and write to you often to let you know how we are doing. You should also take good care of yourselves and support each other."
Seeing that his parents had made up their minds, the Emperor Emeritus, though still worried, understood that he could not change their decision. He sighed softly and said, "Since Father and Mother have made up their minds, your son will no longer try to stop you. However, I will arrange for the most elite guards to accompany and protect you along the way to ensure your safety."
The Empress Dowager stroked Gu Liuli's pregnant belly and comforted her, "I know that the Grand Empress Dowager is also about to leave the palace, leaving only you few people. Xiao An Yi and the others are at a very mischievous age, but now we can only rely on you. I promise to come back before you give birth."
In the Imperial Garden, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. This place, once filled with laughter and joy, was now shrouded in sorrow. Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao sat side-by-side on a familiar stone bench, surrounded by blooming flowers, yet they had no heart to appreciate them.
Xiao Nanyao clutched a freshly picked flower tightly in her hand, her eyes reddening, her voice trembling with tears: "Brother, are Grandpa and Grandma really leaving the palace? Why are they leaving?" Her shoulders trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.
Although Xiao Nanyi tried his best to remain calm, his brows were tightly furrowed. He reached out and gently patted Xiao Nanyao's shoulder, saying, "Yao'er, I don't want Grandpa and Grandma to leave either, but they have their own reasons." His voice trembled slightly, revealing his reluctance.
Little Nanyao looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sobbed, "I don't want them to leave. Grandpa always tells us interesting stories, and Grandma makes us delicious snacks. If they leave, who will play with us?" Her little face was full of grievance, and her eyes were filled with fear of her grandpa and grandma leaving.
Looking at the distant palace, Xiao Nanyi remained silent for a moment before saying, "Yao'er, we must be sensible. Grandfather and Grandmother may want to see the outside world, and we should support them." Even as he said this, tears welled up in his eyes, clearly showing that he was also very sad.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, causing the flower branches to sway and petals to fall, as if sighing for the children's sorrow. Little Nan Yao rested her head on Little Nan Yi's shoulder, sobbing softly, while Little Nan Yi hugged his sister tightly, trying to comfort her.
"Brother, can we go with Grandpa and Grandma?" Xiao Nanyao asked with a hint of anticipation.
Xiao Nan Yi shook his head and said helplessly, "We can't go. There are still many things to do in the palace, and the royal grandparents' schedule may not be suitable for us."
Xiao Nanyao cried even harder: "When will we be able to see them again?"
Xiao Nanyi gently stroked Xiao Nanyao's hair and said, "When Grandpa and Grandma come back, they'll bring us lots of fun things. We have to be good and wait for them to come back." Early in the morning, before the first rays of sunlight had fully illuminated the palace, the imperial kitchen was already bustling with activity. The fires blazed under the copper pots, and the water in the large iron pots bubbled and steamed. Several imperial chefs were working diligently, preparing meals for everyone in the palace. At this moment, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao, hand in hand, walked into the imperial kitchen with expectant looks on their faces.
"Oh, little prince and little princess, what brings you to the imperial kitchen today?" A plump imperial chef, Chef Li, greeted them with a smile. His face was all smiles, his eyes were narrowed into slits, he was wearing a white apron, and he was holding a spoon in his hand.
Little Nanyao blinked her big, watery eyes and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Master Li, we want to make cookies for Grandpa and Grandma. Can you teach us?"
“Yes, Master Li, we want to give Grandpa and Grandma a surprise before they leave the palace,” Xiao Nanyi added from the side, his eyes filled with determination.
Upon hearing this, Master Li's face lit up with joy: "Of course, Your Highnesses, come this way, please." He led Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao to a large cutting board, on which ingredients such as flour, butter, eggs, and sugar were already laid out.
Little Nan Yao eagerly reached for the flour, but accidentally kicked up a cloud of white dust, making her cough. "Cough cough..." Little Nan Yi quickly patted his sister's back, a doting smile on his face: "Yao'er, don't rush."
Master Li smiled and picked up a large bowl, beginning to patiently explain, "Your Highnesses, let's first soften the butter, then add sugar and mix well." As he spoke, he skillfully demonstrated, and Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao watched with wide eyes, completely absorbed.
When it was Xiao Nanyi's turn to stir, he gripped the mixer tightly with both hands and stirred vigorously, his little face turning slightly red from the effort. Xiao Nanyao helped by handing him eggs, her eyes fixed on her brother's movements.
"Yes, that's it, Your Highness, you've mixed it really well," Master Li praised from the side.
Next, it was time to add the flour. Xiao Nanyao carefully held the flour bag and slowly poured it into the bowl, while Xiao Nanyi gently stirred it with a spoon to prevent lumps from forming. In no time, the loose flour gradually transformed into a soft dough in their hands.
"Wow, brother, we did it!" Xiao Nanyao jumped up excitedly, her face beaming with a proud smile.
Master Li smiled and said, "Next, we'll roll the dough into thin sheets and then use a mold to press out shapes." He took out a cute little rabbit mold and handed it to Xiao Nanyao.
Xiao Nanyao took the mold and pressed it firmly onto the dough, creating a lifelike little rabbit shape. Xiao Nanyi, on the other hand, chose a star mold, and the star he pressed out was neat and beautiful.
"These cookies must be delicious. Grandpa and Grandma will definitely love them." Xiao Nanyi looked at the various shaped cookie doughs laid out on the cutting board, his eyes full of anticipation.