Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Cang Shuyue was always obedient in front of the Empress.

Youlu knew this, so he didn't feel uncomfortable about Cang Shuyue letting go of him. Instead, he rushed to the Empress, hugging her and acting coquettishly: "Mother, Little Deer missed you so much~~"

The Empress's heart softened. She touched the child's face, examined him closely, and said with heartache, "Little Deer has lost weight."

Youlu was both amused and exasperated, feeling that he had lost weight no matter what.

He found a suitable word to describe himself: "Mother, I'm not thinner, I've grown taller and stronger, so I look thinner."

"Is that so? Stand up and let your mother see." The Empress readily helped him up, gestured with her hand above his head for a while, and said with a smile, "You have indeed grown taller."

Youlu was so happy, hehe, he's grown taller!

Granny Cen brought over two plates of pastries, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and said, "These are freshly baked chestnut pastries and osmanthus cakes. Seventh Prince, please have a taste."

The sweet aroma of the pastries filled the air, and a deer with bright, sparkling eyes exclaimed, "Wow! Thank you, Grandma!"

Having been away from the palace for over two months, he missed Granny Cen's cooking terribly!

He immediately devoured chestnut pastries in one hand and osmanthus cake in the other.

Chestnut pastry is on the salty side, with a rich and crispy texture. One bite fills your mouth with the aroma of chestnuts. Osmanthus cake, on the other hand, is soft and delicate, with a subtle osmanthus fragrance. It is sweet but not cloying. Eating these two pastries together is simply a perfect blend of salty and sweet.

Youlu was enjoying her meal so much that she even stuffed two pieces into her boyfriend's mouth.

Cang Shuyue accepted the food with a blank expression, seemingly calm, but in reality his mind was blank, and a closer look would reveal that his pupils were somewhat unfocused.

The Empress seemed to only then notice the wooden figure standing there, glanced at it with annoyance, and said, "Sit down."

Cang Shuyue took off his cloak and handed it to a palace maid. He sat down properly, not daring to move, keeping his eyes down and his mind at ease.

The aloof and dignified Duke of Zhenguo was more obedient and docile than a three-year-old in front of the Empress. Youlu chuckled and whispered in his ear, "Who's meeting my parents, me or you? Why are you more nervous than me?"

After saying that, he was stunned for a moment, and it seemed... to make sense?

The Empress Dowager was both his parent and Cang Shuyue's parent. Although she only met one person, she accomplished two things at the same time: introducing her boyfriend to her parents and introducing him to her boyfriend's parents.

It's like having multiple identities, doubling the tension.

But he couldn't possibly be nervous; he just found it funny and collapsed into Cang Shuyue's arms laughing.

The Pixiu hiding under the table, secretly eating pastries: [What's wrong with the boss??]

Cang Shuyue reached out to support him, worried that he would slip and fall to the ground, then pulled him into her arms, saying helplessly, "What are you laughing at?"

His movements were natural and effortless, as if he had done it a thousand times before, completely ignoring the empress's glaring warning from the side.

Youlu wiped away her tears and laughed, "I was thinking that when we get married, Mother will not only have to provide betrothal gifts and dowry, but she will also have to become our own in-laws."

Cang Shuyue thought about it and realized that it made perfect sense, so he couldn't help but laugh.

Empress: "..."

My feelings are complicated, and I can't laugh at all.

Pixiu finally understood the joke and burst into laughter, pounding the ground: [That's so mean! I feel sorry for the Empress for three seconds!]

With that smile, the atmosphere in the warm pavilion instantly eased, and Cang Shuyue was no longer so tense. Holding Youlu's hand, she said firmly, "Sister, I want to marry Baobao."

The Empress gave a forced smile, picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said, "I vaguely remember someone sending a letter home saying that Xiao Lu had deceived him and that he harbored resentment."

As the saying goes, when you expose someone's shortcomings, that's what makes it satisfying.

Ever since receiving Cang Shuyue's letter, the Empress has had no peace and has been eager to vent her anger.

With her hands on her hips, Youlu angrily exclaimed, "You actually wrote a letter to the Empress Dowager complaining?! And you even said you hate me, that's too much!"

"Yes, yes, yes! That's really going too far!" The Empress gloated and fanned the flames, pulling the man to her side with a smile. "My dear, come to your mother, let's ignore him."

"Sister..." Cang Shuyue was filled with helplessness and could only watch helplessly as the treasure in her arms was snatched away.

Youlu gave him a subtle look, signaling him to calm down.

Sitting obediently next to the Empress, Youlu sighed dramatically, "Although he always tries his best to protect me and takes good care of me, and even vomits blood when he sees me injured, I never expected that he would complain to the Empress Dowager after just one argument. I am so heartbroken."

Empress: "..."

For a moment, I didn't know whether to comfort her or refute her.

The shared hatred of the deer had already calmed her anger, leaving her only with deep worry. She looked at her younger brother opposite her and asked with concern, "Has your old injury flared up again?"

Cang Shuyue was about to shake his head when he saw Lu wink at him. He paused, then nodded and said, "I'm fine now."

The Empress wanted to ask more, but Youlu grabbed her hand and shook it. "Mother, what do you think? Maybe I should just have a love-hate relationship with him. After all, hate lasts longer than love."

He knew how to manipulate people's hearts. The Empress, hearing this, felt a pang of anxiety and scolded, "What do you mean by 'love-hate relationship'? Since you two are in love, then just be honest and love each other!"

"Mother, you've agreed to let us be together?" Youlu pretended to be stupid.

The Empress was both amused and annoyed. She tapped his forehead and said, "You've said everything you want to say, how could I refuse?"

"Thank you, Mother!" Youlu hugged her affectionately.

The Empress affectionately touched his face, and seeing her younger brother staring at her expectantly, she raised her chin and smiled, "Alright, go back and sit down."

Youlu chuckled and went back to her boyfriend's side.

Cang Shuyue held her recovered treasure in her arms, feeling at peace.

As long as my sister agrees, nothing else matters.

Youlu took a piece of osmanthus cake, took a bite for herself, and stuffed the rest into Cang Shuyue's mouth. He was a little full, but his mouth was still craving something, so he began to make good use of his boyfriend.

Cang Shuyue didn't hold back, eating everything that was put in her mouth, and didn't forget to remind her, "Eat less, or you won't be able to eat lunch later."

Seeing the natural smile on his face, the Empress and Granny Cen smiled knowingly. This child hadn't smiled so easily and freely in a long time.

Seeing the two's intimate behavior, the Empress felt a little worried and reminded him, "His Majesty is unaware of this matter yet. We need to proceed gradually and slowly guide him to accept it. Until then, you should be more discreet in front of him."

"Sister, actually I..." Cang Shuyue had just started to speak when Youlu covered his mouth and chuckled dryly, "Alright, alright, then I'll trouble Mother to do some more persuasion with Father."

A look of confusion appeared in Cang Shuyue's eyes. Why wouldn't the baby let him speak?

Pixiu chuckled, recalling Cang Shuyue's outrageous remarks: "Could it be that he hasn't given up on the idea of ​​making the Empress ascend the throne and the Emperor his male concubine? Saying that in front of the Empress would be twice as funny."

The deer is heartbroken. [Is it funny? I only see my own despair. If it were a joke, it would be fine, but he actually has the ability to make his mother ascend the throne and his father a male concubine.]

"Pfft—" The Empress spat out the tea she had just drunk, and roared, "Cang Shuyue!"

You Lu suddenly realized, "Oh no, oh no, could it be that his mother can hear his thoughts too?"