Chapter 183 - 181. Sneaky II

Third-person POV

A few days later, Shu Zhiruo arrived at Da Qi's royal palace with half a dozen of Xu soldiers to protect her along the way. Hong er came out to see her with Xue Lang holding her hand.

Shu Zhiruo: "Greetings to Your Majesty Empress."

Hong er: "Ohohoho~ You are as tiny as ever."

Meiyun: "What Your Majesty Empress said indeed is true."

Shu Zhiruo greeted her properly just to get teased about her height. She clenched her hand into a fist and forced a smile.

Shu Zhiruo: "My my my~ It seems like Your Majesty Empress need some relaxing massage, huh~"

Shu Zhiruo gave the two giggling girls a death glare. Shu Zhiruo's deathly massage that no one could hold back their scream during the massage, even Xu Tingfeng went limp after the massage. Yet after a minute, one would felt his body become light as a feather.

The two of them immediately shut their mouths and lowered their heads like a puppy got scolded by its master. Meiyun turned around and fake crying while complaining to Huayun that she got bullied by Shu Zhiruo.

Meanwhile, Hong er hid behind the innocent Xue Lang and told him to avenge her. Xue Lang stared at Shu Zhiruo and gave her a respectful bow. Shu Zhiruo smiled softly at him and bowed back.

Shu Zhiruo: "Cut out your horrible acting, let me check your pulse."

Huayun guided them to the main hall and Ming Yu went to brew tea for the new guest. Shu Zhiruo checked Hong er pulse and said that she was perfectly fine.

Hong er: "Xue Lang, if you ever feel uncomfortable, just go find physician Shu. You can trust her with your secret."

Xue Lang: "Yes, Imperial Mother."

Shu Zhiruo smiled and packed her stuff into her medicinal box then left to her designated chamber.

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7 months later*

Hong er's belly had become very big compared to 7 months ago. She even found it quite hard to walk or run with the bulging stomach but she was contented that the baby was healthy and growing fairly well.

Weisheng and Xue Lang like to rub her belly and told the baby inside to not bother its mother too much. She would just laugh it off and joined them to talk to her belly.

During these 7 months, Hong er would do her daily practice in the morning and then spending the rest of the day doing a bunch of stuff that didn't require strenuous movement.

Weisheng hadn't experienced any mood swings nor weird cravings from Hong er. He had collected plenty of information from several trusted sources such as his mother and his nanny. He thought that maybe because of Hong er good nature that she rarely got angry or upset.

Like usual, he went to Hong er's favorite spot, Floating Lotus Pavilion, to check on her. He saw her teaching Xue Lang how to draw and her laughter could be heard from far away.

The servants in the palace adore their master and never slacked in serving her. They were very protective of anything that related to Hong er and Xue Lang. Hong er was very thoughtful towards her servants, she would give them a few days of leave when they have urgent matters in their house outside the palace.

They didn't know how but Ming Yu became the second Lao Jin (the one who taught Hong er before she got married). She was the fiercest among the young servants and would punish anyone who dares to talk bad about Hong er.

Weisheng walked towards Hong er and crouched down to kiss the bulging belly. Then he sat on his seat and roughly ruffled Xue Lang's hair. Xue Lang giggled and continued to draw.

Hong er: "Your Majesty Emperor, it seems like you are getting busier and busier."

Weisheng: "En. Big project."

Hong er: "Hoo~"

Hong er saw Weisheng didn't want to talk about it, she didn't question him and poured him a cup of tea. Weisheng took his coat and dr.a.p.ed it over Hong er's shoulder.

Weisheng: "Middle winter, wear more clothes."

Hong er: "En."

Hong er pulled the coat closer to her body and smiled when the leftover warmth from Weisheng's body transferred to hers. Qiyi automatically went to get Weisheng a new coat.

Xue Lang placed down his brush and let the servants take it away to dry it off. He poured himself a cup of tea and was enjoying the silence when he felt that someone was staring intensely at his direction. He glanced around and saw Weisheng looking at him. Then Weisheng moved his eyeball in a meaningful way, he winked at Weisheng as a reply.

After dinner*

Weisheng went to the library beside their chamber and called Xue Lang over. He dismissed the servants except the Qi brothers and now it left only four of them. Weisheng sat with his head leaning on his fist.

Xue Lang: "What is it that Imperial Father wanted to talk to me?"

Weisheng: "We have to give your mother a surprise."

Xue Lang: "What should we do?"

Weisheng: "Cook."

Xue Lang: "Imperial Father knows how to cook?"

Weisheng: "Not really good but experienced."

The memories where he cooked something for Hong er together with the three Xu little brother, Xu Zhiqiang, and Xu Tingfeng. Although it didn't end very well, at least he knew what seasoning he should use to cook Hong er's favorite dish. He was quite confident in his not-so-sure cooking skill and decided to pull Xue Lang into his plan.

Meanwhile, the face of the Qi brothers got worse at the mention of Weisheng cooking.

The Qi brothers: 'There is no way he is experienced.'

However, they weren't in the place to give their opinion on what their master was going to do. They could only pray that it would go well.

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Weisheng and Xue Lang went to the kitchen that Hong er often uses when she was visiting Lu Cixi. Weisheng had sent a message to Lu Cixi to keep Hong er there until further notice, Lu Cixi followed his order and kept talking to Hong er for almost two hours.

Hong er found it quite weird for Lu Cixi holding her back like this but she just went along with it until a servant ran like his ass was in a fire. He didn't bother to let the eunuch to announce his presence and fell on his knees in front of Lu Cixi and Hong er.

Servant: "Hi-his Majesty Emperor and His Highness Prince!"

Lu Cixi and Hong er were alarmed when the servant called out to Weisheng and Xue Lang with such a panic and anxiousness. Hong er's calm face scrunched into a frown and stood up to face the servant.

Hong er: "What happen to His Majesty Emperor and Xue Lang?"

Lu Cixi also couldn't stay calm, she gripped the armrest and almost smashed it to pieces.

Servant: "The kitchen is in fire with His Majesty Emperor and His highness Prince in it!"