Chapter 579 - 295: Exclusion_1
On the morning of the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Pan Yue, Qian Yixiu, Mingming, Jingjing, and Monkey Sister, all appropriately dressed, accompanied by Qian Manjiang, carried their tributes and went to the Palace.
The Empress Dowager had been unwell recently, and Pan Yue’s request for an audience had been denied. It was only yesterday that news came from the Palace that the Empress Dowager was feeling better and asked them to visit early today. She specifically instructed that Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister should be brought along, as she wanted to see them.
Monkey Brother had not returned from the estate with White Wolf and Dashan, so only Monkey Sister was taken this time. Monkey Sister’s temperament was much gentler, and she was more responsive to commands. Unlike Monkey Brother, who had grown more irritable with age and was quick to take offense. The unruly children in the Palace were the kind who could not be provoked yet loved to stir up trouble, and Qian Yixiu feared they might agitate Monkey Brother. If he were to injure anyone, it would be trouble for her own family.
Before leaving the house, Qian Yixiu repeatedly stressed to Monkey Sister that she must behave properly. Without her command, no injuring behavior was allowed; otherwise, she would be sent back to Xishi Mountain. Monkey Sister nodded in agreement and even raised her left front limb as if to swear. She did not want to leave her master and Monkey Brother, nor did she want to go back to Xishi Mountain alone.
Outside Cining Palace, Auntie Qing whispered to Pan Yue and Qian Yixiu that the little prince and princesses were all greeting the Empress Dowager.
She was reminding them to be cautious around those young nobles. Qian Yixiu gently tugged at Monkey Sister’s ear, reminding her to remember her instructions.
Qian Manjiang brought them as far as here before stopping, watching his wife and children enter Cining Palace.
Empress Dowager Fu was in a side hall, reclining on a lounger, her face radiating kindness as she spoke with several children. Eight of them, ranging from five to their teens, sat by her side—three girls and five boys. Zhu Sujin was also there; he had returned from the estate yesterday, and he was the oldest and tallest among these children. The boys wore apricot yellow three-dragon python robes and seven-bead gold dragon crowns on their heads. The girls’ clothes were distinctively styled, but all without exception featured phoenix embroidery, and they wore small phoenix hairpins on their heads.
As soon as Empress Dowager Fu saw this family arrive, her face bloomed into a smile.