Xiao Yuling genuinely liked girls such as Mu Wan'er, who had a sweet way with words and knew how to coax people; she quickly had Xiao Yuling feeling quite happy.
"Ah! If only your cousin knew how to cheer me up like you do," Xiao Yuling sighed.
Xiao Yuxian and her daughter exchanged a glance, and Mu Wan'er whispered, "But isn't there still our cousin-in-law, the Empress?"
This was a probing question from Mu Wan'er. They had been here for quite some time but had not seen the Empress visit the Empress Dowager to pay her respects. They found it rather strange and thought they might as well find out from Xiao Yuling what was going on.
When Gu Qingli was mentioned, Xiao Yuling's mood soured. She said, "Your cousin-in-law, the Empress, is looking after three children all by herself and isn't feeling well. She's currently resting in her palace, so how could she come and cheer me up?"
