Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 661: Imperial Consort (Part 2)

Even the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, with her advanced age and vast experience, was taken aback by Cui Du’s shamelessness.

Jiang Shaohua indeed changed her address to call her Grandmother, as a demonstration for both those inside and outside the palace, to show harmony and unified purpose between the Empress Dowager and the new Emperor.

Yet, Cui Du also followed suit...

Not responding felt inappropriate, but responding made her feel a bit annoyed inside!

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng silently criticized in her heart, but remained calm on the surface, smiling and saying, "You may rise and dispense with formalities! Sit and chat with me."

Cui Du responded loudly, "Thank you, Grandmother."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng slightly tucked the corners of her mouth. After Cui Du sat, she opened her mouth to ask, "The Emperor is holding a morning meeting, aren’t you the Minister of Agriculture? Why aren’t you attending court?"

Cui Du laughed, "As the Minister of Agriculture, I’m clueless about political affairs, and attending would just be an ornament. Besides, I usually have duties at the Imperial Manor, and even when I return to the palace, it’s only to accompany the Emperor for a day or two before I must return. Affairs of governance are neither convenient nor necessary for me to meddle in."

"It was the same back in Nanyang County. When the Commandery Princess managed affairs, I would wait outside."

"Now that the Commandery Princess has become the Emperor, and manages the Da Liang Court’s political affairs, it’s only right for me to pay respects to Grandmother on behalf of the Emperor and fulfill some filial duty."

He appeared to be a virtuous Imperial Consort.

Last night he was dumbfounded, but today he seems to have become clever. It seems Jiang Shaohua has been tutoring him well in private.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nodded slightly, "It’s good that you think this way. I was just about to call for breakfast; you should join me for it!"

Cui Du cheerfully agreed.

When breakfast was set, everyone surrounded the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng as she went to the dining hall. She sat, attended by over a dozen eunuchs and palace maids. The round table was covered with dozens of dishes. Not just for one person, but enough for ten.

Cui Du, seeing the Grand Empress Dowager’s dining setup for the first time, couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

Isn’t this a bit extravagant and wasteful?

Jiang Shaohua has a good appetite and can eat a lot, but she is not particularly refined about food and drink. She eats delicious delicacies, yet in times of travel and haste, dry biscuits suffice. Now seated on the Dragon Throne, palace conventions should dictate such practices as the Grand Empress Dowager’s, but Jiang Shaohua doesn’t follow these rules when ordering food. A meal consists of no more than eight dishes — quite simple and informal.

"Go and invite Prince Ping over."

At the Grand Empress Dowager’s command, Eunuch Ge soon returned with Prince Ping, who was rubbing his eyes.

Prince Ping was young, and before, he used to wake up when the sun was already high. Since staying at Jingyang Palace, he had to rise early daily with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Consequently, every morning, Prince Ping would have a fit.

Prince Ping yawned and rubbed his eyes, reaching out to pat and tug at Eunuch Ge, "Put me down, I want to go back to sleep."

Eunuch Ge’s face was pulled red, with even a strand of hair tugged, looking quite disheveled.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng dearly loved her naive grandson, and she cheerfully called, "Hao’er, come to Grandmother." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Unfortunately, when Prince Ping was having a fit, he never looked at anyone’s expression or knew when to back down. He slid down from Eunuch Ge and sat on the floor, kicking and crying for sleep.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, too, felt a bit of a headache. However, the eunuchs and palace maids dared not coax Prince Ping, and at her age, she couldn’t hold him even if she wanted to.

At this moment, Cui Du walked over, bent down, and lifted Prince Ping in his arms, "Stop fussing, be good and eat. After eating, I’ll take you to the garden to climb trees."

As soon as Prince Ping heard about climbing trees, he stopped crying.

Cui Du carried Prince Ping to the dining table, patiently looking after him while he ate breakfast.

Prince Ping didn’t know how to use chopsticks, holding a spoon in his right hand, shoveling food from the bowl to his mouth. It was quite an achievement if half of it made it to his mouth; the other half either fell on the table or onto the ground.

Cui Du took a cloth and wiped Prince Ping’s mouth and hands. He also poured a bowl of hot soup and fed Prince Ping spoonful by spoonful.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng watched this, quite pleased.

After breakfast, Eunuch Ge wanted to carry Prince Ping back to change into clean clothes, but Cui Du smiled, "Going to play in the garden, climbing and rolling around, there’s no need to change clothes. It’s not too late to change after playing."

Eunuch Ge looked towards the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nodded slightly, "Listen to Elder Changning."

Following this, the concubines were to come and pay respects, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was to report matters, and the stewards from all over the palace were to come to Jingyang Palace. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was busy all morning, so she couldn’t accompany Prince Ping. It just happened that Cui Du could take Prince Ping to the Imperial Garden.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was still uneasy, periodically sending people to check on the garden’s happenings.

"Reporting to the Grand Empress Dowager, Elder Changning is accompanying Prince Ping as he climbs a tree."

"Elder Changning picked a short tree with a thick cushion laid underneath and many Imperial Guards standing by."

"Prince Ping is having a great time and even found a bird’s nest."

"Elder Changning has been smiling and accompanying him with patience and kindness, showing no impatience."

Even if it’s just for show, it’s impressive to do so to such an extent.

What grown man of normal intellect would willingly accompany a child who knows nothing and only enjoys playing?

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nodded to herself.

By noon, a muddy Prince Ping happily returned. Cui Du was also covered in dirt, and he went to bathe with Prince Ping, changing into clean clothes.

After playing for half a day, Prince Ping became more familiar and closer to Cui Du, "What’s your name?"

Freshly bathed, Prince Ping looked handsome, fair, plump, and very cute.

Cui Du reached out and pinched Prince Ping’s chubby cheeks, "I’m Cui Du, your cousin Shaohua’s husband. You can just call me Brother-in-law from now on."

Brother-in-law.

Prince Ping crisply called out.

Cui Du laughed and acknowledged, holding Prince Ping’s hand to see the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

By this time, the small court meeting had ended, and Jiang Shaohua also came to Jingyang Palace, having a chat with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Upon hearing footsteps, Jiang Shaohua turned her head to look over and casually asked with a smile, "Did you have fun this half-day?"

"Fun." Prince Ping joyfully shouted, his feet springing forward to rush.

Cui Du quickly grabbed Prince Ping’s hand, "You can’t bump into your cousin; she’s pregnant!"

Prince Ping didn’t understand at all, "What’s pregnant?"

Cui Du patiently explained, "It means there’s a baby in her belly, and the baby is still small. After a few more months, the baby will be born."

"Then, you’ll be an uncle."

Prince Ping still didn’t understand and asked again. Cui Du answered again. Prince Ping seemed to have found a new game, kept repeating his questions, and Cui Du continued to talk with him.

During lunch, Prince Ping no longer clung to Jiang Shaohua but naturally sat next to Cui Du, opening his mouth and saying, "Brother-in-law, I want to eat meat."

Brother-in-law happily served his mischievous little brother-in-law meat.

Seeing this, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but smile to herself.

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