"Hmph!"
—Whoosh!
The moment after the girl shook off his hand, Ah Jun, still in a daze, suddenly thought of his little sister—wondering how her grades were, whether she'd grown taller? Oh! Right, what gifts should I bring back for them...
"Mm... good, good—oh! Much better, such a good girl, our Xin'er is the most sensible, hehe... Oh my, look at that aggrieved little face, there there, it's all Great-Grandmother's fault, don't cry now..."
"Great-Grandmother, why are you ganging up on me with them too..."
"Xin'er!"
"—And you two, don't quarrel, you should be loving and harmon—"
"*Ahem!*"
"Hm? Oh my—ah, Grandmother, you haven't taken your medicine yet, have you? You look tired too, let me help you back to Cining Palace... Qiu Xiang!"
"Ah? Oh... medicine? Yes, yes, yes, oh dear, look at my memory!"
Just as the Empress Dowager was contentedly playing matchmaker with her well-meaning advice, the little princess's tears welled up, that suppressed feeling looking like it was about to explode.
Suddenly, a hoarse cough rang out. The Emperor—seemingly kicked by someone—quickly exchanged glances with the Empress, and with a flash of inspiration, wearing his Golden Crucian Carp Best Actor expression, reminded his grandmother that it was time to take her medicine...
In truth, this Empress Dowager, due to her advanced age, was experiencing declining memory, with occasional confusion and blackouts. Without medication, the symptoms would worsen. According to common understanding, this condition was essentially Alzheimer's disease.
Although the imperial family's comprehensive healthcare system had long-term assistance from the Sacred Physician Clan, she was merely mortal after all. Combined with the damage to her foundation from past overwork, reversing her condition to recovery was virtually impossible.
Yuwen Lü understood this best—over the years, he had been treating her based on his ancestors' experience, so the old lady's current state was expected.
After all, when the foundation is shaken, prior to Heaven itself being damaged, it affects what comes after.
Despite this, because of the little princess, Yuwen Lü continued seeking new possibilities. However, without innate talent as a prerequisite, many methods from the Guardian world couldn't be employed, and even now, he remained helpless.
Fortunately, due to his expertise and dedication, the old lady maintained her stable condition. Of course, it was also because of this child's filial piety that the old lady favored Yuwen Lü greatly. After all, he was her old friend's grandson.
"Oh... by the way, child—how is your grandfather's health lately?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, all is well—Grandfather also asked me to convey his regards to you!"
"Mm... that's good—ah, Little Lü, why so formal... Like Xin'er, call me Imperial Grandmother!"
"Yes, Imperial... Grandmother!"
"Mm... good child, we're all family, no need to be so polite—Xin'er, you'll need to look after her more in the future, you're so sensible, be more accommodating to her, haha!"
As Yuwen Lü watched the Empress Dowager's departing figure with considerable concern, this strong old lady suddenly turned around, found him, and inquired about his grandfather's condition like any ordinary person—looking at her expression and tone, she clearly regarded Yuwen Lü as one of her own. Of course, the old lady's judgment was absolutely accurate, and having watched these children grow up, she knew them inside and out. Only, the little princess...
"Great-Grandmother... what do you mean look after, I can take care of myself, I'm not some kitten or puppy!"
"Mm! What nonsense are you talking about... silly girl, you'll grow up eventually—Great-Grandmother won't be able to stay with you forever!"
"You're talking nonsense! Xin'er won't let you say that—I love being with you, and besides, Brother Lü is my brother, you're confused again!"
"*Ahem*... nonsense! How can you speak to your great-grandmother like that!"
"Oh my, alright... just joking—well then Grandmother, come, let your grandson take you back?"
"Oh, yes, yes—wait, oh dear, where's that child?"
Of course, beyond gratitude, the old lady also truly liked this child Yuwen Lü—she'd watched the two children play together, study together, confide in each other... Whether they suited each other, she'd long had her opinion. Moreover, the old lady could see clearly that Yuwen Lü's feelings for the little princess, and she often thought of bringing them together. After all, where could one find such a fine young man?
It was just that the girl was oblivious, still a clueless silly thing, always treating Yuwen Lü as her brother. So although their relationship was good, when it came to a future together, well, that was missing about six levels of easterly wind!
And so, the little princess's heartfelt words made her childhood friend Yuwen Lü instantly look awkward—fortunately, with the Empress's interruption, the topic was timely diverted, and the Emperor's response that followed was quite swift...
However, just as the elevator arrived, the old lady suddenly seemed to remember something else, anxiously turning around again, searching...
—Indeed, the old lady suddenly remembered there had been a child called Ah Jun, that boy she'd mistaken earlier.
Although the earlier recognition might have been a small misunderstanding, somehow this child had already entered the old lady's heart. Perhaps it was because Ah Jun had been likable to elders since childhood, with proper manners, so he was easily accepted.
"Little Jun, next time you come, remember to visit Great-Grandmother... Oh, and—Little Lü, come often when you're free, spend more time with Xin'er and catch up, boys need to be more proactive..."
"Great-Grandmother... why do you keep making Brother Lü run back and forth, I can go visit him too—and besides, Brother Lü is very passive, right?"
"You silly girl..."
"*Ahem ahem!!*"
"Ah... Grandmother, it's cold at night, you should return to the palace early..."
"Mm... wait—come, children, pinky promise... Don't forget what you promised Great-Grandmother!"
"Oh..."
"Alright!"
"*Ahem ahem ahem!!!*"
At this moment, this weathered old lady looked kindly at the two good children, her heart couldn't help but feel happy, smiling as she invited them to visit the palace more often—though after the Empress's coughing and the Emperor's urging, she had no choice but to leave, that worried heart still couldn't let go.
So the old lady, disregarding everyone's objections, shuffled to the children's side and made a pinky promise with her future great-grandson-in-law Yuwen Lü, even teaching him to try harder, while the Empress's coughing grew increasingly loud... And then she suddenly started walking toward Little Xi and the others while seeming to wave at Ah Jun...
At this moment, Ah Jun, who had consciously retreated to his seat after being spurned by the little princess, confirmed with Little Xi and Ning'er before feeling honored yet again to hurry forward. As an outsider, he shouldn't have received such treatment, yet he received such deep affection from the Empress Dowager—so he cooperated particularly well, making a pinky promise with the old lady, feeling warmth that didn't originally belong to him.
—Pinky promise, hang yourself, no changing for a hundred years, seal it!
"Child, remember... come visit, come see this old lady often!"
"Oh... yes!"
In this scene, Ah Jun's heart was in a trance, involuntarily thinking again of his master, his eldest sister and brother-in-law, his little sister, and those kind people. Having been away from home so long, he wondered how his master's health was recovering.
Suddenly, this child's heart ached—Ah Jun, who hadn't cried since that incident, felt his vision blur and unconsciously agreed.
"*Ahem!*"
But at this touching moment, that discordant voice rang out again—the Empress had coughed until her throat was nearly hoarse, her expression changing from composed to particularly stern. She forcefully gave her old partner a meaningful look.
Subsequently, the old lady, supported by her filial and clever grandson, had no choice but to slowly leave, occasionally looking back with a smile...
"Big brother, you know my great-grandmother too?"
"Uh..."
The old lady's departing figure no longer looked as spirited as before. At this, Ah Jun's heart tightened—the former strong woman was now frail and elderly. Ah, time truly spares no one... He wondered about his master...
As he reflected, that tender voice rang in his ear. It was the little prince, looking at the stranger with innocent eyes, very confused—and then, the child's question left Ah Jun somewhat at a loss.
—How do I explain this? Truth or dare... Sigh, if he's like the little princess, won't my white lie be torn to shreds?!
"Oh, that's wonderful—big brother, will you come often in the future?"
"Oh... well..."
"Alright, we should go back too, it's late, little children need to sleep early—hmph..."
But Ah Jun's sensitivity and hesitation instantly vanished with his vague response and the arrival of the next question—this little prince was very pure, without any imperial airs, a simple and enthusiastic child.
And toward Ah Jun, he displayed an unusual attitude. By the looks of it, he'd inherited his father's genes—father and son were alike, both very easygoing.
Only, this big brother before the little one fell into a verbal dilemma again, not knowing how to respond—this question was clearly a very sincere invitation, not sarcasm, nor any complex subtext. But for the outsider Ah Jun, how should he answer...
Fortunately, just as Ah Jun was in difficulty, a third party's sudden participation indeed dispelled his indecision—mm... that's right, this person was the little one's own sister, the little princess, Changsun Xin.