Chapter 436: Princess Fu Rui

Chapter 436: Princess Fu Rui

With Xiao Guai asleep, everyone sat down to catch up. After being apart for three or four years, there was much to discuss. It wasn't until dusk that Tang Shuyi asked Li Jingyi to return to the palace, with Xiao Yuzhu accompanying him. Only then did the two get a chance to be alone together.

"Let's take a walk in the garden," Li Jingyi said softly.

Xiao Yuzhu hummed in agreement, and side by side, they walked towards the rear garden, with their entourage trailing at a distance. After a few steps, Xiao Yuzhu felt her hand being firmly grasped by a larger one, sending a tremor through her heart.

After nearly four years apart, both had much to say, but in that moment, they remained silent, savoring the tranquility of their solitude.

Hand in hand, they entered the garden, where the attendants waited at the gate. The two stopped by a rockery, facing each other. Four years had passed; the girl had lost her youthful awkwardness and stood graceful and radiant like the morning sun, captivating to behold. The boy had grown into a tall and handsome man, his stature imposing and his features striking.

After a moment's gaze, Xiao Yuzhu burst into laughter, breaking the awkwardness of the long separation. Li Jingyi joined in the laughter, then pulled Xiao Yuzhu into an embrace and whispered in her ear, "Yuzhu, let's get married."

Xiao Yuzhu wrapped her arms around his waist and hummed softly in agreement. Though they hadn't been in the capital these years, they were well-informed about its affairs. In recent years, Li Jingyi had taken full control of the court. His decisions, always met without dispute, were not born of tyranny, but of his established authority and almost invariably correct judgment.

The topic of selecting a bride had been brought up initially, but in the past two years, it had ceased to be mentioned.

"Tomorrow, I will go to the palace with my parents," Xiao Yuzhu looked up at him, "to discuss our wedding."

Li Jingyi, hearing this, grinned widely, losing all semblance of his dignified and wise imperial image, appearing completely like a young lad. Seeing him like this, Xiao Yuzhu also started to laugh.

The two of them chatted together for a while, and as the sky gradually darkened, Li Jingyi had to leave. They reluctantly parted at the mansion's gate, with Li Jingyi returning to the palace with a heart full of joy.

He went directly to Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager was waiting for him. After performing the proper salutations and sitting down, he said, "Master and the Duke are doing well. Tomorrow they will bring Yuzhu and Xiao Guai to meet you."

The Empress Dowager was delighted at first, but then she suddenly felt puzzled and asked, "Who is Xiao Guai?"

Li Jingyi's face involuntarily broke into an affectionate smile, "Xiao Guai is the youngest daughter of Master and the Duke, just over three months old. I've never seen such a beautiful child, with exceptionally large eyes and skin as white as snow..."

The Empress Dowager stood up upon hearing this, her voice trembling as she asked, "The Duke's youngest daughter?"

Li Jingyi hadn't expected her to be so excited, but he earnestly nodded, "Yes, her nose resembles the Duke's, while she takes after Master in other aspects."

"Haha, haha..."

The Empress Dowager burst into laughter, then inquired about many details concerning Xiao Guai. Li Jingyi once again felt that the Empress Dowager was overly concerned about Xiao Guai. At that moment, the Empress Dowager added, "I wish to recognize the Duke’s youngest daughter as my foster granddaughter and bestow upon her the title of Princess."

Li Jingyi was momentarily stunned, then quickly agreed, "Alright."

The Empress Dowager, still smiling, said, "I must carefully consider the Princess's title. You should go and choose a prosperous domain for her."

"Certainly," Li Jingyi promptly responded.

The Empress Dowager was so immersed in the joy of finally having a granddaughter that Li Jingyi, seeing her thus, still mustered the courage to say, "Grandmother, it’s time for Yuzhu and me to get married."

The Empress Dowager was momentarily taken aback, then exclaimed, "Ah, I had forgotten about your marriage arrangements."

Li Jingyi: "..." In my grandmother's heart, I am no longer important.

"After the Duke and Duchess come tomorrow, I will discuss the wedding date with them," said the Empress Dowager.

Li Jingyi's face broke into a smile, "I wish to get married before the end of the year."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly upon hearing this, "Getting married before the end of the year seems rather rushed."

Li Jingyi pursed his lips, then said, "Yuzhu's dowry doesn't need to include furniture and such, so there is enough time."

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment, "Tomorrow, when I discuss the marriage with the Duke and Duchess, I will try to arrange the wedding date before the end of the year."

Li Jingyi grinned, "Thank you, Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "Go back and rest."

Li Jingyi stood up and bowed before leaving. They were destined to be unable to sleep tonight. One was excited because he had a granddaughter, and the other was excited because he was going to get married soon.

The next day, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai finished their morning meal and took Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuyan to the palace. At the palace gate, they were greeted by the Empress Dowager's chief eunuch, who bowed and said, "The Empress Dowager has been waiting for the Duke and the Imperial Teacher since early morning."

As the chief eunuch spoke, his eyes kept darting towards the baby in Xiao Huai's arms, thinking, "This little master is truly extraordinary in choosing his birth!"

Several people got on the sedan again, and soon arrived at Cining Palace. As soon as they entered, the Queen Mother came over and looked at Xiao Xiaoguai and said, "This is Xiaoguai! Let the Ai family hug her."

She took Xiao Guai from Xiao Huai's arms, and Tang Shuyi and others bowed in respect. The Empress Dowager, eyes fixed on the baby who looked like a little dough ball, casually waved her hand, "You may all rise."

Xiao Huai felt somewhat helpless; it had been nearly four years since he had seen his mother, and she hadn’t given him a single glance upon their reunion.

Everyone sat down, and Li Jingyi secretly pulled Xiao Yuzhu to sit beside him, which Tang Shuyi noticed but pretended not to see. At the head, the Empress Dowager held Xiao Guai, playing with her with a beaming smile. The three-month-old girl’s eyes were very expressive, rolling around and even smiling at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager’s heart melted. She looked at Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi, saying, "I am so fond of this child, I would like to recognize her as my god-granddaughter. What do you think?"

Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai were both startled, then stood up to express their gratitude. This was an offer they couldn't and wouldn't refuse.

"Since she is my god-granddaughter, she must have a status befitting her," the Empress Dowager declared. "I confer upon Xiao Yuyan the title of Princess, with the honorific 'Fuhui', and grant her the fief of Chiyang County."

Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai quickly thanked her again. The Empress Dowager told them to dispense with the formalities, then turned to Tang Shuyi, "How is your health?"

Tang Shuyi smiled and nodded, "Very good."

But the Empress Dowager still cautioned, "You must take good care of yourself. Childbirth is not easy for a woman."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "Yes."

A three-month-old child often sleeps a lot, and soon Xiao Guai dozed off. The Empress Dowager carried her to a side hall, gently placed her in a prepared crib, and then quietly returned to the main hall to discuss the marriage of Xiao Yuzhu and Li Jingyi with Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi.