Chapter 60 Has the General Fallen So Low as to Sell His Maid's Earrings?

Life in the palace was tiring, but Ruo Xi was happy.

After all, her mother no longer had to endure the toxic atmosphere of the General’s Mansion, where those tactless men and women would constantly cause trouble.

However, the early morning court sessions were a source of frustration for Ruo Xi.

Her uncle would always come to the Colored Glass Palace at dawn, pull her out of her warm bed, wrap her up, and carry her away.

In the imperial court, Ruo Xi would drink from her ceramic milk bottle while listening to the old officials’ reports.

Ever since the Minister of Personnel and his deputy were thrown into prison, the Chancellor had become much quieter.

The Chancellor used to act as if he owned the country, and the emperor found it extremely frustrating. This recent crackdown finally gave the emperor some satisfaction.

As for the Chancellor’s future moves, the emperor decided to follow his niece’s advice: deal with each issue as it comes!

Look at his Ruo Xi; how smart and capable she is!

"I’m telling you, taking Xi'er north is fine, but you must promise me that no matter what happens, Xi'er comes first!" The Empress Dowager repeated this instruction for the eighth time.

No matter the reason, as long as Xi'er is there, Great Wei will remain intact!

"I understand, Mother Empress. Rest assured, I will protect Xi'er," the emperor said, then turned to Xiaoyao who was entering, "Yue'er, have you made the arrangements?"

"Everything is set!" Xiaoyao nodded. "Mother Empress, I will be leaving with the Crown Prince in two days. Nanny Qin will stay here, while Nanny Jin will accompany us. I’ve also arranged everything in the palace. You can eat the meals prepared by Nanny Qin until we return."

"Don’t worry, Wen Xu has been coming frequently these days. I’ve told him to visit every day!" the Empress Dowager added.

Wen Xu had just discovered that the Empress Dowager’s blood contained poison, which came from the Western Regions.

Since they hadn’t yet determined who was in contact with the Western Regions and dared to poison both the Empress Dowager and the young prince, their intentions were clear: to dismantle the royal family of Great Wei.

Emperor Xiao Yin decided to quietly uncover the mastermind behind this plot and catch all the conspirators.

Ruo Xi was being held by Nanny Jin, basking in the sun in the courtyard.

Dong Ju rushed in hurriedly. Seeing her, Nanny Jin whispered, "At your age, you still don’t know proper etiquette? Running so fast, what if you bump into someone?"

"Nanny, I’m sorry!" Dong Ju immediately bowed and apologized, then leaned closer, "Is the little princess asleep? I haven’t seen her all night, hehe, I miss her!"

"Not seeing her for one night and missing her already? Your words sound insincere," Nanny Jin chided Dong Ju. "What’s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Dong Ju and Hongmei were raised by Nanny Jin and Nanny Qin. They were children rescued by the Empress Dowager and the princess and were raised to accompany and protect the princess. Thus, Nanny Jin and Nanny Qin were like their mentors and elders.

"Come, let’s go inside and talk!" Dong Ju pulled Nanny Jin’s sleeve and led her indoors.

Ruo Xi woke up, feeling refreshed after absorbing plenty of spiritual energy and basking in the sunlight.

‘Yes, the stored spiritual energy is enough to fight off a gang of bandits!’ Ruo Xi stretched her little arms happily.

"Xi'er, come, Uncle will hold you!" Xiao Yin picked up his niece as soon as he saw her enter.

Seeing the handsome man, Ruo Xi’s mood brightened even more, and she smiled at her uncle.

"Hahaha, seeing Xi'er makes Uncle happy!" Xiao Yin laughed.

Hongmei brought Xiao Ruilin to the Fu Shou Palace. Xiao Ruilin had been learning with Wen Xu recently.

Wen Xu taught him to write his own name and his mother’s name, but the character in his sister’s name...

"Uncle, Lin'er can’t do it!" Xiao Ruilin held several sheets of paper, pouting and looking sad.

‘My silly brother, the character “Xi” in my name is really difficult. Don’t be upset; you’re doing great already,’ Ruo Xi grabbed her brother’s hand and cooed comforting words.

"Yes, Sister, wait, I’ll learn to write your name soon!" Xiao Ruilin nodded as if understanding his sister’s words.

This caused everyone in the room to burst into laughter.

"Look, they’re just kids, playing together. How wonderful!"

"These two are your greatest treasures, Yue'er!"

The Empress Dowager smiled warmly at the two children, then turned to Dong Ju and asked, "I heard you talking to A Jin outside. Did you have news to report? Where have you been all night?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Dong Ju with the same concern she would show her own child.

Last night, when Dong Ju said she was going out, the Empress Dowager reminded her to return early because the autumn air was cold. But Dong Ju didn’t return all night and only arrived now, close to noon.

"Empress Dowager, you wouldn’t believe it. I went back to the General’s Mansion last night. I left a pair of earrings in the drawer, but when I returned, they were gone!" Dong Ju pouted.

Xiaoyao took her daughter from Nanny Jin and gave her water to drink, her expression calm.

But Ruo Xi could see that her beautiful mother still cared about what happened at the General’s Mansion.

"Gone?" Nanny Jin tidied up the table, curious. "Did someone take them?"

"Yes!" Dong Ju nodded. "I asked Xiao Lan, who was on duty at Mozhu Garden. She said that Zhai Bailian had visited my room. So, I went to Zhai Bailian’s room at night, and..."

"Are these the earrings?" Nanny Qin looked at the earrings. "They’re not worth more than two taels of silver!"

"Selling them for one tael should be fine. Nanny, you wouldn’t believe it, but when I went there at midnight, I heard Zhai Bailian crying. She said she only found this pair of earrings in Mozhu Garden and planned to sell them for one tael tomorrow to buy a chicken to make soup for Hu Shi!"

"She wants to breastfeed the child, but most likely it's for her own sake!" Nanny Qin sneered.

"That child, this servant took a glance, and well, truly ugly!" Dong Ju walked over to the little county princess's side and said with a grin, "This servant wouldn't even compare it to our county princess; it's like comparing clouds to mud!"