Hearing that, a delighted laugh escaped the old queen: âThe lass is finally here eh. Hurry and let her inside. Also, from now on thereâs no need to inform me before letting her inside, I give her free passage.â
âYes Your Grace.â After taking the order, the eunuch promptly moved backwards to carry out his command.
Minutes later, a beautiful woman in red casually strolled through the doors, and by her side was a milky child walking hand in hand.
Like any kid of that young age, they would of course starting eyeing their surroundings with novelty. However, this wasnât of the curios kind like how the old queen assumed. Bai Xiachen was simply wondering why everything in this imposing palace was so inferior to his own home at the Holy Island.
âMy dear, youâve finally come.â The old queen was beaming with joy in that smile, âI have to thank you for before. If not for your reminder, I would never have thought to seek out an alchemist to cure my illness.â
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The old queen didnât want others to know sheâs been poisoned, hence the reason why she replaced the word with âillnessâ.
âThereâs no need to thank me Your Grace. Is there another matter of summoning me today?â
âNo,â the dowager shook her head. âBefore you left in such a hurry that I couldnât even manage to talk with you properly, thatâs why I called for you again today. Oh right, this child is your son is he not?â
When Bai Xiachen heard this, he immediately did what a good child would do, âHello beautiful Grandma Queen, I am called Bai Xiachen.â
âHaha, what a good boy,â the dowager was very lovely in her expression. Towards this courteous and sensible little guy, the fondness sheâs expressing came straight from her heart: âSince this is the first time we are meeting, I canât just let you go without a gift. Here then, take this golden bracelet and consider it a meeting gift from me.â
Having said this, the dowager didnât delay and immediately took off the golden bracelet from her wrist. Seeing this, the old maids by the queenâs side was shocked and wanted to stop this. But finding how lovely that smile was, they can only retract their words.
How long has it been?
After the former king passed away, this old queenâs been confining herself to this isolated section of the palace without ever stepping foot to the outside world. Aside from Lanyue (Bai Yanâs mother) coming to visit while she was still alive, none would ever come here. Then once even Lanyue passed away, this old queen literally stopped smiling altogetherâ¦
âGood child, promise me you must keep this golden bracelet well so you donât lose it,â the dowager meaningfully states this.
Doing as told, Bai Xiachen received the gift and revealed his usual innocent smile, âThank you beautiful Grandma Queen.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âLet me direct Xiao Mei to take you outside to play. Iâm sure you would be bored with us here.â
(Note: Xiao Mei means Little Plum Flower. Its like the most common name people use for maids in Chinese dramas to the point itâs stale and bland.)
Xiao Mei was the old granny in service to the dowager, making her position in the palace very special and unusual. With her by the kidâs side, itâs safe to assume none would dare try anything harmful, less they wish to incur the wrath of the old queen.
âGranny, all these beautiful ladies and sisters should be very tired too after working so hard.â His voice soft and convincing: âI know you are worried about me, but I am always very good and obedient. Iâm sure no one will make trouble for me.â
âThisâ¦â Wanting to say some more, the old queen was stopped by Bai Yan before she can say anything else.
âYour Grace, donât worry, Xiachen will be fine on his own so you need not fret for his safety.â
Her son had always been the type to know his limits, hence the reason why she can be so assured he be fine.
âVery well then,â relenting, the old queen did as the pair wished. âThen go ahead and play by yourself as you wish. If something happens though, remember to bring out the bracelet I gave you. Seeing the bracelet is equal to seeing me.â
âI understand.â Plucking the baby tiger down from his shoulder, the boy shifts his friend into his crossed arms to make traveling easier.
Once outside though, he immediately began to ponder his next move, Which way to that evil womanâs place?