Ye Jingcheng's expression stiffened.
Eunuch Jiao also turned his gaze, looking around, a hint of confusion in his eyes. xxs壹贰
This was truly the Empress's order for the princes to come and pay their respects.
Prince Lian was the only married prince among them. By rights, his consort should have accompanied him, but why wasn't she present?
The little dumpling smacked its lips, gnawed on its index finger, and tilted its head, "Is it because she did something wrong, and Brother is afraid Uncle Emperor will get angry if he finds out?"
Ye Jingcheng gritted his teeth in hatred.
This little girl was feigning ignorance!
Eunuch Chang emerged from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, "His Majesty has finished his medicine. Please, Your Highnesses, come in."
Ye Jingcheng shot the little dumpling a hateful glare and, with a flick of his sleeve, strode ahead.
Ye Jingkun had been standing in the distance. He cast a deep look at the little dumpling before also entering the hall.
Ye Jingyu, carrying the little dumpling, walked at the very end.
The others entered first.
Eunuch Chang reached out and stopped Ye Jingyu, "Your Highness Prince Yu, His Majesty said you are to return today and need not come to pay your respects."
Ye Jingcheng, who had just entered the main hall, paused. He glanced back at Ye Jingyu, a cold smile flashing in his eyes, and then strode in with his head held high.
Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes, his face darkening.
Eunuch Chang sighed inwardly, "Your Highness, you know His Majesty's temper. It's likely His Majesty has encountered some troubles recently. It's actually better if you don't see him."
Su Yunmo frowned, feeling indignant on Ye Jingyu's behalf.
The Emperor was too biased. Whatever troubles he had were just excuses. To block Ye Jingyu alone at the door while everyone else entered was clearly an act of disrespect.
If this were to get out, Ye Jingyu would be criticized in court as an unfavored prince. How could he establish himself then?
"Thank you, Eunuch, for informing me. I shall take my leave," Ye Jingyu concealed all his emotions in his eyes and turned to descend the steps.
"You can't leave like this." Su Yunmo struggled and jumped from his arms onto the ground.
She jumped so forcefully that she stumbled and almost fell down the steps.
Ye Jingyu's heart leaped in alarm, and he instinctively reached out to stop her.
She managed to steady herself, turned, and ran towards the inner chamber.
Ye Jingyu's eyelids twitched. He instinctively reached out to grab her, but only managed to touch a bit of her clothing. "Momo, come back!"
Eunuch Chang's face turned ashen with shock. He quickly chased after her, "Oh, dear little ancestor, His Majesty has not summoned you, you cannot enter. Quickly! Quickly stop her!"
Guards on both sides stepped forward to block her.
The little dumpling, relying on its small size and agility, squeezed through their armpits and rushed into the inner chamber.
At this moment, everyone in the inner chamber was kneeling on the ground, having finished their greetings.
Emperor Ye Yao leaned against a soft couch and waved for them to rise.
Luo Yun'e sat on a chair by the couch, holding an empty bowl, which she placed on a nearby tray.
A maidservant, holding a tray, bowed and retreated.
The little dumpling burst in from outside, "Uncle Emperor, Momo has come to see you."
"Little ancestor, aren't you making things difficult for this old servant?" Eunuch Jiao chased after her from outside and sent two servants to stop her.
Luo Yun'e frowned fiercely, "His Majesty's health has just started to improve. Who dares to be so audacious and cause a commotion outside!"
The little dumpling, being held by the collar and dangling in mid-air, flailed its hands and feet desperately, struggling, "Let Momo go, Uncle Emperor, Uncle Emperor!"
Emperor Ye Yao straightened up, "Let the child come in."
Luo Yun'e was somewhat displeased, "But Your Majesty, the imperial physicians said your body still needs to rest well. Perhaps I should handle this."
"My health is fine," Emperor Ye Yao waved his hand and said loudly, "Chang Hui, let Momo in."
Eunuch Chang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and signaled the guards to release her.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, the little dumpling scurried to the bedside, "Uncle Emperor, are you alright? Qiqi has come to see you."
A hint of warmth appeared on Emperor Ye Yao's face. He reached out a large hand and ruffled the little dumpling's head, "Why has Momo come to the palace today?"
The little dumpling took out peanuts from its embrace.
"Today is the first day of the twelfth lunar month. Mother said we must bite into disaster to ward it off. Momo brought peanuts for Uncle Emperor to eat. Just as I came in, I heard them say Uncle Emperor was ill."
She peeled a peanut and offered it to Emperor Ye Yao's mouth, "Uncle Emperor, Momo will peel peanuts for you to eat, and you won't be sick anymore."
"Presumptuous! His Majesty's person is of noble status. How can he casually eat things from outside?" Luo Yun'e reprimanded sternly, "Take that away quickly."
This little girl had tricked her last time and taken so many valuable things from her. She hadn't settled the score with her yet!
The little dumpling retracted its small hand in fright, looking at Luo Yun'e with teary eyes, then turned and buried its face in Emperor Ye Yao's embrace, "Uncle Emperor, the Empress is so scary~"
Luo Yun'e was instantly annoyed and gritted her teeth.
This little girl dared to sow discord right in front of her!
Emperor Ye Yao frowned, slightly displeased, "As the mother of the nation, the Empress should be magnanimous and dignified. Why are you being so particular about etiquette with a child?"
Luo Yun'e was choked, and although displeased, she could only endure it.
Emperor Ye Yao then reached out and pulled the little dumpling onto the couch, rubbing her face, "Good child, I am very happy that you brought something for Uncle Emperor."
"Really?" The little dumpling looked up, beaming, its eyes sparkling with a light that greatly improved one's mood.
She extended her small hand and held out a peanut kernel, "Then, Uncle Emperor, you eat."
"Alright~" A hint of doting flashed in Emperor Ye Yao's eyes as he bit the peanut kernel from her hand.
Ye Jingcheng knelt outside the curtain, a deep glint in his eyes.
Was Father Emperor perhaps spoiling Su Yunmo a little too much? No matter how cute this girl was, she was merely a minister's daughter. Father Emperor's affection for his own princesses probably didn't reach this extent.
Ye Jingkun kept his head lowered, saying nothing.
However, Ye Jingguang and Ye Jingge showed a hint of envy in their eyes.
Ye Jingguang envied that Emperor Ye Yao could eat peanuts, while Ye Jingge envied that Su Yunmo could be so close to Emperor Ye Yao.
"Momo has brought a lot more here, and also sunflower seeds and walnuts." Seeing that he had eaten, the little dumpling became even happier, rummaging through its small pockets to take things out.
As she lowered her head, Emperor Ye Yao could see the jade pendant she wore on her neck more clearly.
Emperor Ye Yao was stunned for a moment and instinctively reached out to touch the jade pendant, "Where did you get this?"
Luo Yun'e heard him ask and turned her head to look. Upon seeing the jade pendant, she frowned fiercely.
"Brother Yu gave this to Momo. These delicious snacks were also prepared by him for Momo," the little dumpling said, turning out all the items and spreading them on the bed.
She smiled as if presenting a treasure, revealing her six small white teeth.
"Brother Yu said he knows Uncle Emperor has been very tired, so he asked Momo to bring these to Uncle Emperor, hoping you will always be safe and sound."
Ye Jingcheng's gaze flickered, and he spoke up to remind them, "Mother Empress, Father Emperor said talking at this hour might be tiring for him. Perhaps we sons should withdraw first, and let Father Emperor rest well?"
Luo Yun'e, receiving the hint, said to Emperor Ye Yao, "Cheng'er is right. Your Majesty, you should rest after taking your medicine."
She then turned to Su Yunmo, "You should also withdraw. From now on, you are not to enter without His Majesty's summons."