Chu Siqing also received a system notification.
System: [Host, you have successfully helped Emperor Chu Ming resolve his insomnia. Points +500]
Chu Siqing was delighted. [An emperor really is different! So many points in one go!]
Having tasted the sweetness of success, the little money-grubber was hooked and could hardly wait to do it a few more times.
[A-Tong! Quick, let me see what else has been troubling Imperial Uncle lately!]
System: [Host, could you stop being so eager for instant gains?]
Chu Siqing replied shamelessly, [A-Tong, that's shallow of you! Isn't earning more points all about helping more people?]
System: ...
After Chu Siqing turned one month old, Han Wanqing took her out visiting a few times.
The first occasion was Han Nanxing's apprenticeship banquet.
General Fang did not want to make a grand affair of it, so he sent invitations only to Prince Yu's Residence, the Han family, and his own brothers' households.
On the day of the banquet, Han Nanxing could not suppress his delight, chattering nonstop in his duck-like croak of a voice.
"Brother-in-law, Sister, please come in!"
"Father, Eldest Brother, sit over here."
"Little Brother, Little Sister, have some fruit."
He was so eager to play host that anyone would have thought he owned the general's residence.
The Earl of Ningyuan bristled his beard and glared. "Could you settle down for a moment?"
Han Wanqing smiled. "Father, Nanxing has finally gotten his wish. It's only natural for him to be happy."
Han Xiangru covered her mouth and laughed. "Look at that silly face! He's even dressed all in red. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was the bridegroom today!"
Beside himself with joy, Han Nanxing shot her a glance. "Mind your own business. I like it!"
General Fang and his wife came out to greet everyone as well. After exchanging pleasantries, they began the apprenticeship ceremony at the auspicious hour.
The ceremony itself was not complicated. With everyone as witnesses, Han Nanxing offered General Fang tea and formally became his disciple.
"Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"
General Fang accepted the tea and drank it, then offered a few words of encouragement before everyone took their seats for the feast.
Still a nursing baby, Chu Siqing could only stay in her wet nurse's arms, chatting idly with the system out of boredom.
[Aaaah! When will I finally get to eat a proper feast? I've had enough of drinking milk every single day!]
The system comforted her: [Host, things will get better once your teeth come in.]
Chu Siqing sighed. [Sigh! I'm so bored! A-Tong, aren't you the Gossip System? Give me some juicy gossip to pass the time~]
System: [Host, I've detected a piece of gossip about General Fang. Would you like a taste?]
Chu Siqing immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. [Huh? No way! My second uncle only just became General Fang's disciple. Is his idol's house already collapsing?]
System: [Host, you've misunderstood. General Fang is an upright man. There is nothing improper about him.]
Chu Siqing breathed a sigh of relief. [Thank goodness! Then what's the gossip?]
System: [General Fang is henpecked. Madam Fang often twists his ear at the slightest disagreement!]
Chu Siqing did not believe it. [He doesn't look the type. Is this gossip guaranteed genuine?]
System: [Host, look at General Fang's right earlobe. Doesn't it look thicker than the left? That's all from Madam Fang tugging on it!]
Chu Siqing instinctively looked at General Fang's right earlobe, then compared it with his left. Sure enough, it looked red and swollen!
Chu Siqing could not help marveling. [You really can't judge by appearances! The great general looks so mighty and imposing, yet he has a tigress at home who's tugged his ear swollen!]
Prince Yu and his consort, who were eating, were speechless. "..."
Chu Hongle thought, Daughter, couldn't you wait until we get home to say this?
He was sitting right beside Fang Yongshan! What if he spat out his food?
Despite trying his hardest to hold it in, Chu Hongle could not help studying Fang Yongshan's ear.
Had Madam Fang really tugged it swollen?
General Fang asked in bewilderment, "Your Highness, what is it?"
Could there be a bug on my ear?
Chu Hongle awkwardly raised his cup. "Well, General Fang, let me offer you a toast!"
Unable to make heads or tails of it, General Fang drank a bewildered toast with Prince Yu.
At the women's table, Han Wanqing also could not help casting frequent glances at Madam Fang.
Madam Fang looked so gentle and amiable. How could she be the tigress her daughter's inner voice described, tugging General Fang's ear until it swelled?
Naturally, Madam Fang noticed. "Your Highness, is something the matter?"
Han Wanqing felt a little embarrassed. Then something occurred to her, and she smoothly replied, "Speaking of which, Nanxing owes his chance to become General Fang's disciple to you, Madam Fang."
Madam Fang smiled. "Nanxing is a sincere boy. I think very well of him. The old man only refused to take a disciple before because he was worried about his bad leg. I told him off about it long ago."
Han Wanqing picked up on the implication. Madam Fang really did hold the upper hand at home.
Meanwhile, Emperor Chu Ming had gone several nights without another bout of insomnia. He felt refreshed every day, and even his efficiency in handling state affairs had improved.
After thinking it over, he decided that all the credit belonged to Chu Siqing. That child truly was his lucky star!
So, after court that day, Emperor Chu Ming called Prince Yu back, and the two went to the Imperial Study together.
Chu Hongle asked, "Imperial Brother, what did you summon me for today?"
He had barely said anything at court that day.
Could he be arranging a marriage for Princess Yongfu?
At that thought, Chu Hongle said, "If you're arranging a marriage for Princess Yongfu, Imperial Brother, I have no other objections. Just marry her off as far away as possible!"
Emperor Chu Ming was speechless. "..."
"How could it happen that quickly? Even I cannot simply decree a marriage on a whim!"
Chu Hongle looked disappointed. "Oh? So it isn't about that."
Emperor Chu Ming reassured him. "Don't worry. Since I said I would arrange a marriage for Yongfu as soon as possible, I certainly won't forget it."
Chu Hongle asked in puzzlement, "Then why did you call me here, Imperial Brother?"
Emperor Chu Ming coughed before saying, "I grew very fond of Siqing when I saw her that day, and the Empress Dowager has been thinking of her as well. Why not let Siqing stay in the Empress Dowager's palace for a few days?"
Chu Hongle was shocked. "What? No! My daughter is still so little. I won't agree to that!"
Emperor Chu Ming said, "It would merely be keeping the Empress Dowager company for a few days."
Chu Hongle still refused. "Imperial Brother, you have so many sons and daughters. I only have one daughter!"
Who told your Siqing to be so especially adorable?
Seeing his younger brother's firm stance, Emperor Chu Ming conceded a step. "Then have your consort bring Siqing into the palace more often to keep the Empress Dowager company. Surely that's acceptable?"
Chu Hongle thought it over. It was only right for his mother to want to see her granddaughter, so he finally agreed.
Emperor Chu Ming even personally selected a gift for his younger brother to take back to his niece.
In private, Chu Hongle said to his consort, "Wanqing, Imperial Brother seems very fond of our daughter."
Han Wanqing smiled. "Isn't that a good thing?"
Chu Hongle said unhappily, "But he even wanted Siqing to stay in the palace, supposedly to keep the Empress Dowager company for a few days!"
Han Wanqing could not help frowning. "Your Highness, Siqing is still so little. I really wouldn't feel at ease."
Chu Hongle hurriedly said, "Don't worry. I didn't agree to that. You'll only need to take Siqing into the palace more often from now on to keep the Empress Dowager company."
Han Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief. "That's no trouble."
Chu Hongle took a small pellet drum from inside his robe. It was made of pure gold, with a large character for "fortune" engraved on each drumhead. Two little golden balls hung from the top, and several little tigers were carved along the sides, matching Chu Siqing's zodiac sign.
He said gloomily, "Look, Imperial Brother even had this made especially for her!"
Han Wanqing took the little drum and turned it over in her hands, marveling. "This pellet drum is so exquisite. Why haven't you given it to Siqing to play with?"
Before you continue