Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 679 - 681: Entering the Palace (5)

Xiqiu left the Cian Palace, lowering her head as she retraced her steps back out of the palace. Suddenly, seven or eight female officials approached from the opposite direction. The groups exchanged formal greetings and whispered a few words. The female officials who were originally guiding Xiqiu withdrew, while the female official in a light purple overcoat smiled and said, "Fourth Madam!"

Xiqiu returned the smile, recognizing her only after she spoke. This person was indeed the Empress’s nanny.

"My name is Mao. Fourth Madam, you may call me Mao Jin."

"Nanny Mao!" Xiqiu replied with a smile, to which Nanny Mao further said, "The Empress heard that you came to the palace and said she hadn’t seen you in a long time, so she invited you to wait for her at Fengwu Palace."

The Empress Dowager was ill, and as a daughter-in-law, it was natural to visit and offer her condolences. Xiqiu thus followed Nanny Mao, winding her way through the corridors for half a cup of tea’s time, before entering Fengwu Palace. This time, she was taken directly to the main hall instead of waiting in a side hall. Nanny Mao smiled and ordered tea to be served: "The Empress is still at Cian Palace and hasn’t returned yet, so please wait, Fourth Madam."

Indeed, so it was. Xiqiu nodded with a smile, sitting down on the chair brought to her, yet she still did not drink the tea!

Nanny Mao watched Xiqiu sitting there solemnly, the corners of her lips curved slightly upwards, as she went to stand guard by the door.

Just a cup of tea’s time later, the sounds of people offering greetings echoed outside. Xiqiu stood up, and soon spotted the Empress, dressed in a resplendent red palace attire, entering with small steps, appearing much like before childbirth but with an added grace and allure, making it hard for anyone to look away.

Xiqiu was about to kneel to pay her respects when the Empress personally supported her: "After a tiring morning, since there’s no one around in the palace at this moment, there’s no need for such formalities." Then she added, "Please sit down and rest."

Xiqiu did not sit down. It was only when she saw the Empress sit down in the main seat that she partially reclined into her chair: "How is the Empress Dowager’s health..." The Empress looked at her and smiled: "It’s nothing serious, just a recurrence of her migraine. She’s resting after taking her medicine." After pausing, she continued, "I often hear Madam Shen speak of you. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it? The last time was at the Eldest Prince’s washing ceremony, but there were so many people then that I didn’t have a chance to catch up with you." She finished, her gaze falling on Xiqiu’s abdomen: "How far along are you, four months? Your belly seems larger than mine was at that time. I remember mine wasn’t showing at four months."

"Your Majesty is slender," Xiqiu replied with a smile. "I’m just short and plump, quite the eyesore."

The Empress covered her face with a laugh, shaking her head. "Once you give birth, it won’t matter anymore. With a child to care for, no matter how much delicacy you eat, you won’t gain weight."

Xiqiu acknowledged her remark but then covered her face with a bashful smile: "I look forward to that day."

The Empress’s gaze lingered on the teacup beside Xiqiu’s hand, nodding slightly as she smiled.

A female official peeked in from the door, and the Empress’s eyes flashed as she said with a smile: "I have nothing else but just wanted to see you. You should go back now. I won’t keep you, for Grand Commander Xiao is still waiting outside!" The Empress stood up, laughing as she took Xiqiu’s hand and patted it meaningfully: "Fourth Madam, you truly are blessed!"

Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately lowered her head and replied, "I dare not say so; Your Majesty is truly blessed with wealth!"

The Empress looked at Xiqiu, who didn’t dare meet her gaze directly and chuckled lightly, asking Nanny Mao to escort Xiqiu to the door.

Once she exited the door, the Empress heaved a sigh and said, "No wonder Old Fourth adores her so much..." Then she turned and went into the inner chamber.

As Xiqiu made her way out of the palace gate, perhaps because she was tired or had refrained from drinking water all morning, she felt a stifling discomfort in her chest, as if something was trapped there, making her nauseous with an unsettling feeling.

She couldn’t walk too fast and simply endured it as she made her way out of Fengwu Palace, turning corners several times before finding her way to the sedan chair that would take her to the East Splendor Gate where Fourth Master Xiao was waiting, hands folded, beneath the palace gate. Xiqiu’s complexion didn’t look well, but at the sight of him, she seemed relieved, whispering as she followed him, "Let’s talk once we’re outside!"

Fourth Master Xiao also noticed her pale complexion and, disregarding propriety, scooped her up at the palace entrance, drawing a round of murmurs from unaware guards and peculiar glances along the way.

Xiqiu felt suffocated with discomfort, yet couldn’t help but feel shamed, turning her head aside bashfully, ignoring the staring eyes around her.

"Where do you feel unwell?" Fourth Master Xiao asked with a furrowed brow.

"I just feel a heaviness in my chest, as if I can’t catch my breath!" Xiqiu lay on Fourth Master Xiao’s shoulder, her voice weak.

Fourth Master Xiao suddenly felt a chill rise from his feet, immediately quickening his pace as he carried Xiqiu.

Once they exited the palace gate, Chunliu and Bihuai, who had been waiting, rushed over in alarm: "Madam, what happened to you!" Xiqiu waved her hand: "Quick, help me onto the carriage." The two hesitated but said no more, helping Xiqiu onto the carriage. Xiqiu asked Chunliu to find the spittoon inside the carriage, and she bent over it, vomiting extensively, emptying all that she had eaten in the morning.

Chunliu and Bihuai’s faces both changed dramatically: "Madam, Madam!" The matters within the palace were beyond their comprehension, and their hearts leapt to their throats in fear.

Fourth Master Xiao stood outside the carriage, hearing the sounds from within, his expression instantly darkening, as cold as frost.