Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 191 The three adorable little ones went to see the Empress Dowager

The morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room, and Xiao Nanyi, Xiao Nanyao, and Jiang Youan got up early from their warm beds.

Their three pairs of eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, their excitement and anticipation overflowing.

Xiao Nanyao held Xiao Nanyi's hand tightly, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, "Brother, are we really going to see Great-Grandma?" Her words revealed a hint of nervousness and a great deal of curiosity.

At this moment, Xiao Nanyao looked like an adorable little bunny, making one want to hug her. She wore a pink jacket, on which were meticulously embroidered delicate and lifelike flowers, as if they could exude a charming fragrance at any moment.

Her hair was styled into two playful and cute buns, like two graceful butterflies resting on her head.

Her hair was adorned with a few small, exquisite pearl flowers that swayed gently with her movements, shimmering with a faint but captivating light.

Xiao Nanyi sensed his sister's nervousness, gently patted her little hand, and said with a confident smile, "Of course, my silly sister! Great-Grandma has always loved us the most."

And I heard that she hasn't been feeling well lately.

"So she'll be especially happy when we visit her this time." As he spoke, Xiao Nanyi puffed out his chest, displaying a manly air. Today, he wore a blue brocade robe, its soft and smooth fabric embroidered with exquisite patterns in silver thread. A flawless white jade belt tied around his waist further accentuated his upright figure and spirited demeanor.

Jiang Youan, standing to the side, nodded vigorously in agreement with Xiao Nanyi's words.

Despite his young age, Jiang You'an, as the young prince of Xijing Kingdom, exudes an innate nobility in every gesture. However, even now, in the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace, his innocent and lively spirit remains undiminished.

Seeing him waving his hands excitedly, he said, "I've prepared a special gift for Great-Grandma! This is a painting I drew myself. It depicts the three of us friends and the Empress Dowager, all playing happily together in the garden. Haha, I'm sure Great-Grandma will beam with joy when she sees this painting!" As he spoke, a radiant smile bloomed on Jiang You'an's face, as bright and beautiful as a peach blossom in spring.

"Wow, little brother You'an, you drew so well! Great-Grandma will definitely love it," Xiao Nanyao praised, her eyes sparkling.

The three children held hands and skipped and hopped toward the palace where the Empress Dowager lived.

Along the way, they passed through the magnificent Imperial Garden, where colorful flowers vied for attention.

Butterflies fluttered among the flowers. Little Nanyao was drawn to a blooming peony and stopped in her tracks: "Brother, You'an, look how beautiful this flower is! Shall we pick it and give it to the Empress Dowager?"

Xiao Nanyi frowned slightly and said, "Yao'er, we can't just pick the flowers in the Imperial Garden. We can find some pretty wildflowers outside to give to Madam."

Jiang Youan nodded in agreement: "Moreover, the Empress Dowager would definitely prefer to see us visit her safely and happily, rather than picking flowers."

Xiao Nanyao nodded somewhat disappointedly, but quickly smiled again: "Okay, then let's go see Great-Grandma quickly."

They walked along the long corridor, whose walls were painted with exquisite murals that told the history and legends of the Nanzhao Kingdom.

As they walked, Xiao Nanyi explained the story of the murals to Xiao Nanyao and Jiang Youan. Jiang Youan listened intently, occasionally asking questions, which Xiao Nanyi patiently answered.

Finally, after a long journey and anxious waiting, they arrived at the palace where the Empress Dowager resided. The palace stood majestically, solemn and dignified, like an inviolable sacred place.

The palace's heavy doors were tightly shut, as if isolating it from the noise and commotion of the outside world.

At the gate, two burly, solemn-looking guards stood straight as statues, their faces expressionless, their eyes sharp as hawks, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

Xiao Nanyi took a deep breath and mustered his courage to step forward.

He bowed slightly to the guards and said in a clear, loud voice, "Brothers, we have come to visit the Empress Dowager. Please do us a favor and let us in."

Upon hearing the sound, the guards looked closely and immediately recognized the three innocent and adorable children before them. They dared not delay, and quickly and respectfully bowed to Xiao Nanyi and the others before slowly and uniformly pushing open the heavy door.

As the gates opened, a faint fragrance wafted out. Stepping inside the palace, they found it exquisitely furnished and warmly inviting, exuding elegance throughout. Beautiful calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, luxurious carpets covered the floor, and the furniture was arranged in a pleasing, staggered manner.

Deep within the palace, the Empress Dowager sat regally on a large couch.

She held a yellowed ancient book gently in her hands, seemingly immersed in the world of words, reading with complete concentration.

The Empress Dowager wore a deep purple robe embroidered with lifelike golden phoenix patterns, wings outstretched as if about to take flight, exuding nobility and majesty.

Although the passage of time has etched wrinkles on her face, her eyes remain bright and spirited, sparkling with a kind and gentle light.

Just then, the lively and energetic Xiao Nanyao, like a cheerful little bird, couldn't wait to run to the Empress Dowager's side.

She opened her arms and rushed into the Empress Dowager's embrace, hugging her arm tightly, and cried out in a sweet voice, "Great-Grandma, we've come to see you!" The Empress Dowager was amused by Xiao Nanyao's sudden action and laughed heartily. She gently put down the ancient book in her hand, looked at the children who had gathered around with a loving face, and said with a smile, "My dear children, what brings you all here to visit the Empress Dowager today? Let the Empress Dowager take a good look at you and see if you've grown taller and bigger again!"

Xiao Nanyi and Jiang Youan also stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Rise, both of you. There's no need for so many formalities here with your great-grandmother."

Jiang Youan handed the painting to the Empress Dowager: "Great-Grandmother, this is a gift for you. I hope you like it."

The Empress Dowager took the painting and examined it carefully. Her smile deepened. "This painting is beautiful. You'an is such a thoughtful child. The Empress Dowager likes it very much."

Xiao Nanyao also approached the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, are you feeling better? We were so worried when we heard you weren't feeling well."

The Empress Dowager patted Xiao Nanyao's head: "The Empress Dowager is alright. Seeing you all has made me feel much better."

Xiao Nanyi said from the side, "Empress Dowager, we've brought you lots of fun things too. We saw many beautiful flowers in the Imperial Garden, and we even saw a cute little rabbit."

The Empress Dowager listened with great interest to the children's stories, occasionally bursting into laughter. The three children, one after another, recounted the amusing events that had taken place in the palace over the past few days to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, when I grow up, I want to be like you, a kind and wise person," Xiao Nanyi said earnestly.

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded: "Good, Yi'er has ambition. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, you must face them bravely and remember the Empress Dowager's words."

Xiao Nanyao retorted, "Great-Grandma, I also want to be like you and take good care of everyone in the palace."

The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Nanyao with eyes full of affection: "Yao'er is so sensible, she will definitely grow up to be an excellent princess."

Jiang Youan also said loudly, "Empress Dowager, when I return to Xijing Kingdom, I will tell my friends about what happened here, so that they will also know that Nanzhao Kingdom has such a kind Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager laughed happily: "Good, good."

Before they knew it, dusk was falling, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windows into the palace, draping the entire palace in a golden veil.

"Great-Grandma, we should go back now, otherwise Father and Mother will worry," said Xiao Nanyi.

Although the Empress Dowager was somewhat reluctant to part with them, she nodded and said, "Alright, children, be careful on your journey. Come and chat with the Empress Dowager again when you have time."

The three children bowed to the Empress Dowager to say goodbye, and the Empress Dowager watched them leave the palace.

"Brother, I'm so happy today! Great-Grandma is all smiles," Xiao Nanyao said, holding Xiao Nanyi's hand.

Xiao Nanyi smiled and said, "Yes, we should visit Great-Grandma often in the future so that she can be happy every day."

Jiang Youan nodded in agreement: "Yes, next time I come, I will bring an even better gift for Great-Grandma."

The three children walked hand in hand toward their home in the afterglow of the setting sun.