Chapter 1497: Chapter 1494: Interrogation
“Your Imperial Ancestral Mother is quite well. Your father has called upon many doctors who have all been diligent. As long as her mood remains joyful, this illness is not much of an issue.”
“That’s very good.” Li Chongjin nodded.
“What brings you to the palace today?”
Since September, when several princes were summoned back to the capital, they assumed posts at the court. Li Chongjin took a position in the Ministry of Works, which wasn’t a particularly crucial post, and he wasn’t usually busy. However, he seldom entered the palace unless it was to see the Dowager Empress.
Because of this, the Empress Dowager always worried that he was too lonely.
“Father summoned me.” Li Chongjin replied tersely.
The Empress Dowager paused slightly upon hearing this, then gently patted his shoulder: “The tasks your father gives you, do them well. You mustn’t bring shame upon the Royal Family. If you don’t like it, e to your Imperial Ancestral Mother.”
Li Chongjin’s expression remained unchanged: “I won’t.”
He won’t dislike it, nor will he care.
The Empress Dowager sighed lightly in her heart, said no more, and after speaking with him for a while, they heard Li Chun’er at the door offering her thanks.
“Let those two girls e in,” the Empress Dowager thought of something and didn’t refuse, saying this with a smile.
When Chu Ziluo and Li Chun’er entered, they saw Li Chongjin sitting beside the Empress Dowager, expressionless.
Chu Ziluo thanked her politely, and the Empress Dowager followed up with some words of praise.
Li Chun’er occasionally let her gaze fall on Li Chongjin.
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Li Chun’er approached playfully, her tone coquettish: “Empress Dowager, you look so radiant today. Is it because Chun’er’s flowers are beautiful, and that made your mood and health better?”
“You silly girl, still so thick-skinned,” the Empress Dowager said with a helpless smile.
Li Chun’er stuck out her tongue: “You won’t admit it, but in Chun’er’s heart, you’re as spirited and beautiful as a flower. Lord Rong, don’t you agree?”
Li Chongjin looked up indifferently and gave a non-mittal “Hmm.”
With an evident air of perfunctory.
Li Chun’er clung to the Empress Dowager’s arm in a spoiled manner: “Your Grace, Lord Rong is too cold to Chun’er. You must say something to him.”
The Empress Dowager now fully understood Li Chun’er’s thoughts. It no longer surprised her that she fancied Li Chongjin, but she didn’t quite approve.
“Chun’er, you silly girl, how can you not know that Fourth Prince has the most stubborn temperament?” The Empress Dowager rubbed her forehead.
The nanny beside them noted this and quickly seated Li Chun’er, fearing that if she troubled the Empress Dowager, it could aggravate her condition. She spoke to change the subject: “Miss Li, don’t be angry with Lord Rong. Her Grace just praised your cut plum blossoms.”
Li Chun’er was a bit reluctant, but she dared not act out in front of the Empress Dowager.
So she followed the nanny’s words and boasted about how her plum blossoms were the best.
Li Chongjin didn’t stay long. After Li Chun’er remained behind, he left.
The Empress Dowager knew he had to see the Emperor, so she didn’t keep him.
A look of disappointment flashed in Li Chun’er’s eyes. If not for being in the Cining Palace, she might have chased after him immediately.
Even so, soon after Li Chongjin left, Li Chun’er found an excuse to leave as well.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, not holding her back, but glanced at the nanny beside her.
The nanny immediately left and instructed a palace lady to follow Li Chun’er, lest the girl cause any trouble.
Once Li Chun’er was gone, the Empress Dowager beckoned to Chu Ziluo: “Ziluo, e and sit. Are the plum blossoms in this vase arranged by you?”
“Yes.” Chu Ziluo obediently sat beside her.
The Empress Dowager asked her questions, and she answered accordingly.
Talking about the art of flower arranging.
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