The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 369 - Poisoned

Before long, the princes and princesses arrived at Cining Palace, each accompanied by their mothers.

Hui Zhaoyuan brought two children with her: her own Second Princess and the Fourth Prince, whom Ye Yun had entrusted to her care.

The children rarely had a chance to play together like this, especially the Fourth Prince, who wasn't familiar with his three older brothers, the Eldest Princess, or the Third Princess.

The first three princes were at least somewhat acquainted with one another, having studied together for a while. The Eldest and Third Princesses were close since they were both raised by Shu Fei.

As for the Fourth Prince, he was still holding onto his second sister's hand.

In the end, the children naturally formed little groups.

The Eldest Princess, being the most mature, led her younger siblings in greeting and paying respects to the Empress Dowager. Afterward, they all took their seats.

Tai Guifei ordered the dessert box to be brought over, but when it was opened, they found that it had cooled.

She then said, "Empress Dowager, these pastries have cooled down. Eating them might upset the stomachs. Why not use the small kitchen here to warm them up before serving them to the princes and princesses?"

"Yes, have them taken to be warmed up," the Empress Dowager agreed without much thought, nodding.

She then instructed a maid to take the pastries away for heating.

Turning back, she began speaking to the children.

The first person she addressed was the Fourth Prince, beckoning him over with a hand, "Jing'er, come here to Grandmother, let me see if you've grown taller."

The Fourth Prince, unfamiliar with the Empress Dowager, hesitated to move.

Hui Zhaoyuan bent down and gently encouraged him, "Go on, Fourth Prince, that is your Imperial Grandmother."

With her reassurance, the Fourth Prince, still holding Bai Zhu's hand, finally made his way over to the Empress Dowager.

"Here, have a red bean pastry," the Empress Dowager said, offering him a plate.

As children tend to love food, he eagerly picked up a piece and smiled, "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother."

However, before the Empress Dowager could respond, the Fourth Prince suddenly turned and ran back.

With a small effort, he broke the pastry in half and offered it to his sister, "Sister, have some!"

The Second Princess smiled brightly as she accepted half of the red bean pastry, "Thank you, Fourth Brother."

The scene was naturally met with praise from those present.

At that moment, the warmed pastries were brought back.

The Grand Consort ordered them to be distributed among the children.

But having just eaten a red bean pastry, the Fourth Prince wasn't in the mood for more sweets.

Seeing his second sister holding a piece, he handed his portion to Hui Zhaoyuan, saying, "Your Highness, you eat it. Jing'er isn't hungry."

"Fourth Prince truly has a kind nature, loving his siblings and respecting his elders, thinking of Hui Zhaoyuan first," Tai Guifei said with a smile.

As soon as she spoke, a flicker of emotion passed through Hui Zhaoyuan's eyes.

First, she wasn't the Fourth Prince's biological mother, and second, the Empress Dowager, the proper elder, was still sitting there, so how could she accept such praise?