CHAPTER 476: CHAPTER 476 DELIBERATELY AGGRANDIZING

"To the Empress Dowager, Her Highness is doing well. The Sixth Prince eats and sleeps soundly, and he is healthy too."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager slightly smiled.

"Health is a good thing, though in your palace, you have always raised children well, so the Sixth Prince should be the same."

The Empress Dowager seldom interacted with Yihua Palace.

But after a few meetings, she had a high opinion of Lin Wanyi’s child-rearing.

Seldom did she hear of the children from Yihua Palace falling ill.

It seemed it was due to everyone’s careful attention.

For this reason, the Empress Dowager was very pleased.

Since everyone present was a woman, they followed Xia An directly into the side hall.

Lin Wanyi’s confinement was comfortably spent.

Not only was there no scent of blood in the room, but there was also a hint of elegant sandalwood.

There was also a faint sweet fruit fragrance in the air that made one feel at ease upon inhaling.

Princess Hui Xian saw Lin Wanyi behind the screen and cheerfully said.

"No wonder the Emperor favors the Imperial Consort so much; even during confinement, everything is kept so neatly and elegantly, a rare sight."

"I was unaware of the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess’s arrival, please forgive my lack of proper greeting."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Wanyi came out of the bed-chamber.

This encounter caused Princess Hui Xian to momentarily lose her composure.

Lin Wanyi already had stunning beauty, and now she seemed to have even more of a woman’s charm.

Ordinary mothers would likely be wrapped up tightly against the cold, for fear of illness later.

Her attire was simple, but every necessary layer was there.

And not a trace of bulkiness was visible.

Though she no longer resembled a young girl, she exuded a sense of lightness.

The feminine charm added a harmonious aura around her eyes.

Lin Wanyi’s appearance amused Princess Hui Xian, causing her to chuckle.

"If I were a man, I too would be captivated by the Imperial Consort, unable to move. How strange, you’re already a mother, and yet so pleasing to the eye!"

Complimented thus, Lin Wanyi was momentarily taken aback.

But soon, she shifted the topic, saying.

"I am just a willow of the pond, Princess’s praises are too much."

Lin Wanyi had never interacted with Princess Hui Xian before.

Her only impression was from the Emperor’s mentions of his elder sister’s virtues.

Therefore, while Lin Wanyi did not deliberately distance herself, she also didn’t rush to show excessive goodwill.

"Everyone says you have a gentle nature, and seeing you today, it is indeed so."

Princess Hui Xian spoke with a rather sweet tone.

Lin Wanyi, although unsure of her true nature.

But as the saying goes.

One does not strike a smiling face.

Princess Hui Xian came to visit her and spoke nicely, so Lin Wanyi responded politely.

"Princess, please do not mock me. I am just a bit foolish and unworthy of your praise."

Hearing this, Princess Hui Xian was about to speak again.

To further praise Lin Wanyi.

But the Empress Dowager coughed twice nearby, and she refrained from continuing.

"I came to see you and the Sixth Prince."

"Thank the Empress Dowager for your concern. Xia An, please ask Nanny Zhuang to bring the Sixth Prince."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Soon, a neatly dressed nanny brought over a baby wrapped in a brocade quilt.

After entering the inner room, she knelt and said to the Empress Dowager.

"The Sixth Prince greets the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess."

"Hm, you may rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager was not surprised by Nanny Zhuang’s presence.

However, Princess Hui Xian was clearly unexpected to see her there.

So she curiously said.

"It’s Nanny Zhuang!"

Nanny Zhuang was slightly plump, yet appeared tidy and meticulous.

She was once one of the trusted nannies who cared for the Emperor.

Years ago, she was granted favor and allowed to retire outside the city at the Imperial Manor.

But three months before the Sixth Prince’s birth, the Emperor had her brought back to the palace.

She and Nanny Du were good sisters.

Now, under the same roof caring for the Princes, their past friendship continued.

Despite being older than the Empress Dowager, she was full of spirit.

After years nurtured by the rural air, her temper became calm, gaining some rustic openness and clarity.

Thus, raising this precious prince was done with ease.

With this casual approach, the Sixth Prince grew even healthier.

The Sixth Prince now looked much larger than when he was born.

He had been large at birth, and even more so now.

He seemed almost the same size as the Fifth Prince was at his one-hundred-day celebration.

"I am just an old servant, grateful that the Emperor didn’t forsake me and called me back to care for the Sixth Prince."

Being one of the ones chosen by the Empress Dowager in the past, she naturally had a clean background.

Her return was well-regarded by the Empress Dowager.

"Hm, it’s good that you have returned. Please take extra care of the Sixth Prince."

"The Empress Dowager can rest assured, this servant understands."

"Bring him closer for me to see."

"Yes."

Nanny Zhuang approached with the Sixth Prince to the Empress Dowager and Princess Hui Xian.

The little one was sleeping soundly in the quilt.

Occasionally, he would grin as if he were smiling.

Princess Hui Xian burst into laughter.

She said outright.

"The Sixth Prince looks exactly like the Emperor did when he was first brought in, I liked him quite a lot back then."

Prompted by her words, the Empress Dowager carefully observed.

Indeed, his brows and eyes were just like the Emperor’s.

Though the Fifth Prince also resembled the Emperor, he had much of Lin Wanyi’s features.

But the Sixth Prince was as if the Emperor himself had given birth to him.

He was a complete replica of the Emperor’s appearance.

Even his dream-induced yawns were identical.

The Empress Dowager felt a sudden tenderness in her heart.

She glanced at Nanny Wen, who handed over a brocade box.

Inside was a golden longevity lock.

It was adorned with various gemstones of different colors, exuding festive grandeur.

Though others were unaware of its background, Princess Hui Xian, as the Empress Dowager’s daughter, knew.

She straightforwardly remarked.

"This was part of Mother’s dowry. Even the Emperor hasn’t worn it, yet it is given to the Sixth Prince, showing his special regard."

Lin Wanyi was slightly shocked upon hearing this.

But since it was brought here, it would be inappropriate to decline.

Hence, she carefully accepted it.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Hui Xian, with a trace of puzzlement in her eyes.

How in these months, Hui Xian seemed to have changed quite a bit.

Her temperament was much more "assertive" than before, and today’s birthday gift was merely something she found suitable.

Her "explanation" made it seem as if the Empress Dowager harbored impure thoughts.

It became somewhat uncomfortable all of a sudden.