The Royal’s Little Lady

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Today, the peaches in the harem have been picked to entertain the imperial relatives and noble ladies from the families of important officials.

 

Xiao Heng, as the fifth son of the reigning emperor, should naturally attend the banquet with his family.

 

According to the rules, it should have been Xiao Heng’s legitimate wife’s responsibility should come. However, since he didn’t have one, Gu Sui’er, as his concubine and only woman, had to attend instead.

 

Arriving in the harem, Gu Sui’er first went to greet the Empress.

 

She had met her before, but back then, it was because of what Princess Zhaoyang did.

 

Later, she heard that Princess Zhaoyang had been heavily punished, confined to the palace and ordered to face the wall for self-reflection. That princess was the Empress’ biological daughter. Because of this entanglement, Gu Sui’er naturally felt somewhat apprehensive at the thought of facing the Empress again.

 

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“After going in, just follow the proper etiquette. Don’t overthink, and there’s no need to listen to what the others say.”

 

Xiao Heng had to meet the Emperor upon entering the Palace so he said this to her before they separated.

 

Gu Sui’er firmly remembered his words and planned to just pay her respects and not bother with anything else.

 

After he left, she initially felt a bit uncomfortable. But then, she looked back at the little Ah Chen in Guizhi’s arms. Thinking that he was now the imperial grandson, and as his mother, she would inevitably have to attend such occasions in the future, her unsettled mind calmed a little. She couldn’t simply continue to feel nervous whenever Xiao Heng wasn’t around. Hence, she braced herself, straightened her back and walked forward.

 

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When she arrived outside the Empress’s Palace, she happened to see several noble ladies of the officials’ families talking to a nanny.

 

Upon seeing Gu Sui’er, the nanny, who had been talking and laughing with the other noble ladies, immediately put on a strict expression. She intentionally cast a long look before speaking out with you with exaggeration, “Is My Lady the fifth Prince’s Concubine?”

 

As soon as she said this, everyone’s attention turned to Gu Sui’er.

 

Upon closer inspection, they couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. They already knew that the newly-instated fifth Prince had a woman who was a crude peasant girl from the countryside. Moreover, she had unexpectedly also become his legal concubine consort. 

 

Still, these women used to believe that such a girl wouldn’t be able to compare to the noble young ladies of Yanjing City. But now that they saw her, they discovered that she had an extraordinary appearance. Even her gorgeous formal court attire and shining gold hairpin seemed to pale in comparison to her captivating beauty.

 

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Under the scrutinizing gaze of everyone, Gu Sui’er stepped forward: “Yes.”

 

The nanny glanced at Gu Sui’er, seemingly displeased. She lowered her eyelids and said unhurriedly: “Come to think of it, we did have a brief encounter once. At that time, My Lady was still pregnant. My Lady must have forgotten it.”

 

This nanny surnamed Sun was the Empress’ confidant. Affection often clouds one’s judgement1T/N: The original text says ‘帮亲不帮理’ (bāng qīn bù bāng lǐ) which is essentially the opposite of the original saying ‘帮理不帮亲’ (bāng lǐ bù bāng qīn) which means that one’s judgement should not be clouded by [familial] affection.. Having watched Princess Zhaoyang grow, she naturally resented this insignificant peasant girl, Gu Sui’er, in her heart for causing such grievance to a dignified princess.

 

By saying this now, she was deliberately trying to make things difficult for Gu Sui’er. After all, it was an embarrassing incident. Could this so-called Concubine really be comfortable about it? Did she still have the face to greet Her Majesty the Empress?

 

Upon hearing this, Gu Sui’er thought for a moment. She understood that the nanny was talking about the time Princess Zhaoyang pushed her into the lake, and replied: “Yes, I don’t remember that much.”

 

Upon hearing this, Nanny Sun choked.

 

She also had her pride, but it seemed that this Concubine Gu had no intention of giving her any face.

 

She was there standing beside the Empress all the time but she didn’t see her? Even if she didn’t see, even if she didn’t remember, couldn’t she at least say something polite? But now, in front of so many people, she actually said she didn’t remember her?

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Nanny Sun’s face reddened with shame. The corners of her mouth rose in an awkward smile before she moved her gaze to the baby in Guizhi’s arms.

 

She didn’t like the fifth Prince’s family, but she found this child, with his delicate and lovely appearance, very adorable and amusing.

 

“So this is the little imperial grandson? Come, let me take a look––”

 

As she was speaking, little Ah Chen, who had just awakened, kicked and stretched his body with a sleepy yawn.

 

He was smacking his little lips thinking of his mother when he suddenly saw an old nanny reaching out to hold him. 

 

With his pampered temper, how could he willingly be held by this strange old nanny? Immediately, his little brows furrowed with displeasure as his face filled with unhappiness.

 

But the nanny didn’t care about it. She smiled and said: “Look at this child, he’s quite energetic.”

 

Standing beside Duke Zhenguo’s wife was their residence’s Old Madam surnamed Han. Old Madam Han admired Gu Sui’er’s outstanding appearance and gentle temperament, so she intentionally stepped in to help. She smiled and said: “Nanny Sun, this child is probably just shy with strangers, don’t tease him. Let’s go inside and greet Her Majesty the Empress first.”

 

But Nanny Sun, who had just lost face, was upset. Seeing that the mother and son duo did not give her face, she became stubborn and deliberately said: “Children should be taken out to meet people frequently. If they stay at home all day without meeting anyone, they will gradually become shy and timid.”

 

While speaking, she reached out to take little Ah Chen.

 

Gu Sui’er didn’t stop her. 

 

Little did she know that as soon as Nanny Sun approached to hold little Ah Chen, he would let out a cry and furrow his brows, glaring at her with his clear eyes. His face turned red, making him look like an angry little puppy.

 

Gu Sui’er hurried over with a smile and said: “Nanny Sun, it’s better if I hold him. This child is quite temperamental.”

 

Old Madam Han’s heart softened at the sight of this amusing and lovely little child: “Nanny, be careful not to make him cry.”

 

Unexpectedly, this Nanny Sun was extremely stubborn.

 

He was just a child born to a Concubine. But she was the Empress’ confidant, alright? 

 

She grabbed little Ah Chen and raised her hand to pat him: “Look at this little imperial grandson, he has quite the personality––”

 

But before she finished speaking, little Ah Chen suddenly reached out.

 

His little chubby and soft hand was very cute but his nails were long ah.

 

Because little Ah Chen didn’t like others cutting them, the nails on his five tiny fingers were quite sharp.

 

He waved his claw and Nanny Sun immediately screeched, letting go of him.

 

Gu Sui’er cried out in shock. She rushed over with Guizhi at the same time to catch little Ah Chen.

 

Fortunately, the two women caught the child and nothing serious happened.

 

Nanny Sun covered her face and kept retreating. When she finally removed her hand, people could see bloodstains on her fingers.

 

They looked at the child held safely and then at Nanny Sun, who had five ghastly red marks on her face.

 

Nanny Sun gritted her teeth in pain, tears about to fall from her eyes.

 

Alarmed, Gu Sui’er hugged her little Ah Chen tightly, afraid that someone would try to take him away.

 

She thought of what Xiao Heng said. He told her that she didn’t need to worry about anything and just greet the Empress. But now that her little Ah Chen scratched someone’s face… did she need to worry?

 

Just then, two palace maids came out. One of them frowned and asked: “Who is making a fuss outside and disturbing Her Majesty the Empress?”

 

But when they saw Nanny Sun, they covered their mouths in shock.

 

……

 

After this commotion, the women, who were originally supposed to greet the Empress and leave, were held back as if they were being put on a trial.

 

Gu Sui’er knelt on the ground holding Ah Chen.

 

The Empress didn’t say anything about getting up, so she couldn’t stand up either.

 

According to reason, the Empress was her mother-in-law and indeed had the right to make her kneel.

 

But she was holding a child at this moment. Little Ah Chen was plumper and softer than other children. Kneeling while holding him was very uncomfortable; both of her knees were in extreme pain.

 

Nanny Sun also knelt in front of the Empress, crying and expressing her grievances, finally ending with: “This old slave had good intentions. But who would have thought such a thing would happen.”

 

The Empress looked down at Nanny Sun and asked calmly: “So you’re saying you were scratched by a child who is not even a year old?”

 

Nanny Sun’s face flushed and she hurriedly said: “It is not that the little Highness is bad. He is young so he does not know what he is doing. It is just that My Lady the Concubine had not disciplined the little Highness well, leading to this incident.”

 

Upon hearing this, the Empress gestured: “Concubine Gu, bring little Highness over. Let Bengong see.”

 

Gu Sui’er hesitated, looking at the Empress and then at little Ah Chen in her arms.

 

Little Ah Chen lay quietly in her arms, curiously looking around with his clear eyes full of interest.

 

“Replying to Your Majesty, little Highness has a strong temperament and doesn’t like to be held by strangers. Please be careful, Your Majesty.”

 

Although Little Ah Chen was temperamental, he had never hurt anyone before. Now that he had cast a prominent pattern on Nanny Sun’s face, Gu Sui’er thought it might be because he was ‘shy with strangers’.

 

If that were true, it would be better if he wasn’t held by others.

 

There were also several noble ladies and their daughters present, and when they heard this, one of them smiled and tried to persuade: “Since Her Majesty wants to see, why doesn’t My Lady take him over?”

 

Gu Sui’er had no choice but to step forward.

 

Come to think of it, although the Empress and Xiao Heng had no blood relationship, Xiao Heng was a prince, and the Empress was the Empress. According to Nanny An, Xiao Heng should also be calling the Empress ‘Mother Empress’.

 

In that case, the Empress was little Ah Chen’s grandmother.

 

How could she not let his grandmother see him?

 

Gu Sui’er reluctantly carried little Ah Chen toward the Empress while patting and coaxing him: “Ah Chen, be good. Let the Her Majesty take a look at you.”

 

Little Ah Chen looked up at the Empress in confusion.

 

The Empress took him from Gu Sui’er’s arms.

 

After the first glance, she frowned.

 

She had seen Xiao Heng’s mother, the eldest daughter of the Zuo Family, the former Anguo ducal family. Not only had she seen her, but they had also studied together. Thus, they were quite familiar.

 

Now, looking at little Ah Chen, she instantly noticed the resemblance. He looked like Xiao Heng, that is, like the Zuo family’s former eldest daughter.

 

At that moment, she felt a little uncomfortable.

 

It was true that she was quite close with Lady Zuo back then but all was in the past now. The latter suffered a mishap and she took the position of the Empress. The Emperor had now rehabilitated the Zuo family and although he couldn’t find Lady Zuo’s remains, he still wanted to erect a tomb for her, saying that they couldn’t share a bed in life but they should be buried together in death.

 

Since His Majesty wants to be buried with Zuo Wanning, what is she?

 

“This child has a blessed appearance.” She thought to herself, but the empress smiled and reached out to touch Ah Chen’s little face.

 

Ah Chen turned his face away without giving her face, pouting with disdain.

 

The Empress was taken aback. She felt a bit embarrassed because of the presence of the several noblewomen. Some of them stepped forward to smooth things over: “The child is only eight months old; he doesn’t understand anything.”

 

Nanny Sun had been scratched but couldn’t complain that the child had done it intentionally. She harbored some resentment so she deliberately said now: “Your Majesty, little Highness is perhaps shy with strangers because of too much pampering.”

 

Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded and said to Gu Sui’er, “This child is of imperial blood after all. He must be well-educated unlike the rowdy children from the countryside. Even if you come from a humble background, you should hire a trained nanny to take care of him and let him see the outer world more often.”

 

Gu Sui’er hurriedly agreed: “Yes.”

 

The Empress smiled and looked at the child who closely resembled Zuo Wanning: “You don’t seem like you can handle it. Why don’t you ask for permission from His Majesty tomorrow and leave him in the palace? Let Bengong take care of him.”

 

Gu Sui’er was startled: “This cannot be done.”

 

The Empress asked with a raised eyebrow: “Why? Not willing to part?”

 

Gu Sui’er nodded: “Yes, not willing to part.”

 

The Empress was stunned.

 

In all her years as the Empress, no one had ever spoken to her like this.

 

How was she supposed to respond ah?

 

Nanny Sun smiled from the side: “As the old saying goes, a doting mother spoils the child. It seems that the My Lady the Concubine is too compassionate and has spoiled the little Highness.”

 

She used to have an affable smile, but now with five bloody marks on her face, her smile looked sinister like that of a yaksha.

 

The other wives around were surprised, but they held back and dared not speak.

 

The Empress nodded slightly and said, “Yes, Nanny Sun makes a valid point. Concubine, leave this child with Bengong. Bengong–”

 

Her words were cut off.

 

Because the baby in her arms had suddenly raised his chubby little leg.

 

And kicked the Empress straight on the nose.

 

Everyone froze after his kick.

 

Gu Sui’er couldn’t believe how her well-behaved son had suddenly become so aggressive once he entered the palace.

 

The Empress was also speechless.

 

This little child suddenly kicked her with his foot, with quite some strength, directly hitting her nose.

 

It took her a while to react. She touched her nose and discovered blood…

 

The people around were also stunned, with their gazes fixed upon the Empress bleeding from her nose.

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1T/N: The original text says ‘帮亲不帮理’ (bāng qīn bù bāng lǐ) which is essentially the opposite of the original saying ‘帮理不帮亲’ (bāng lǐ bù bāng qīn) which means that one’s judgement should not be clouded by [familial] affection.