Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 580 - 295 Sidelined_2

Chapter 580: Chapter 295 Sidelined_2

The eunuch, with a smile, handed over a purse to Monkey Sister, who hurriedly tucked the purse into her bosom.

Empress Dowager Fu had long heard about the amusing events at the House of Animals and was not afraid of it. She spoke a few words to it and examined its appearance closely before having the eunuch serve it some pastries and have it sit aside to eat leisurely.

The pastries from the Royal Kitchen were extremely delicious, and Monkey Sister, squatting on the brocade stool, ate one after another. Not yet satisfied and fearing that the children in the room might come to compete with her for the food, she directly picked up the jade plate to help herself eat. Thinking that Monkey Brother and Shan Dian had not had such delicious pastries before, she pulled out a cloth bag from her bosom. This cloth bag was a necessity for the House of Animals when going up the mountains; if they found something nice, they would bring it back home.

Monkey Sister finished all the pastries on the table beside her, then went to other tables, picking up pastries and stuffing them into her bag. Once the bag was full, she fastened the top with a button and slung it over her back.

This bag was designed by Qian Yixiu, who knew they were not good with tying straps, so she crafted buttonholes and sewed wooden buttons, making it a double-strap backpack.

The crowd watched dumbfounded as she completed these actions and then burst into uproarious laughter, making Empress Dowager Fu laugh so hard that she cried.

Qian Yixiu, her face flushed, glared at the monkey, not knowing when it had slipped the bag into its bosom. She explained with a smile, "It must find the pastries delicious and wants to bring some back for Monkey Brother and the others to try."

Empress Dowager Fu laughed and said, "Indeed, a clever little monkey, so charming and handsome. When there’s no business, bring it into the palace, it will cheer me up as well."

As soon as these words were out, the youngest little girl, Nuonuo, said, "Imperial Great Grandmother, if you like this monkey so much, why not keep it in the palace? It can sleep in my palace at night, and come to accompany you during the day, so you can be cheerful every day."

This little girl was Fifth Prince Zhu Xiang’an’s daughter, Zhu Min.

A six or seven-year-old boy then spoke up, "No, it should sleep at my place at night, and come to accompany Imperial Great Grandmother during the day."

Mingming was not having it, and said loudly, "Monkey Sister is mine, I’m not giving her to anyone."

Jingjing also quickly added, "Hmm, Monkey Sister is mine, I’m not giving her to anyone."

The little boy, displeased and full of authority, said, "Under the heavens, all is imperial soil, what is yours is also ours, the Royal Family’s."

Empress Dowager Fu’s expression darkened as she said, "Suizhi, that’s not right. ’Under the heavens, all is imperial soil; among all its subjects, none do not serve the sovereign.’ Subjects and commoners are all children of the Royal Family. How can you grab their property?"

A boy of about ten hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Imperial Great Grandmother, it’s my brother’s fault for being ignorant. I will make sure to teach him properly when we return."

Suizhi was the second son of Sixth Prince Zhu Xiangji, and the ten-year-old boy was his eldest son, Zhu Suquan.

Qian Yixiu observed these troublesome children. Apart from Zhu Sujin and Zhu Suquan, the rest had a strong desire for possession in their eyes. Only the younger ones couldn’t control their mouths and were the first to ask for the monkey.

She was not worried at all. If she couldn’t protect a member of her own household in front of the Empress Dowager, she would not have brought Monkey Sister with her.

Empress Dowager Fu likely also recognized the intentions of these children and warned them, "This monkey belongs to your cousin auntie, and she cannot be without it."

Pan Yue nodded in agreement, "Yes, Monkey Sister is Yueyue’s girl, and Yueyue cannot be without her."

These kids were clever and knew that the Empress Dowager was very fond of Pan Yue. Seeing this, they momentarily withdrew their desires.

As they were speaking, an eunuch came in, reporting that the Emperor had heard of Monkey Sister’s arrival and wanted to see her too, instructing someone to bring her to Taiji Hall. Qian Yixiu then had Blue Bead, who had come along, lead the monkey there, and also gave it some whispered instructions while tugging on its ear.

With Monkey Sister gone, the attention of these imperial grandchildren returned to the Empress Dowager. They entertained their grandmother with colorful performances and a variety of flattering words.

The Empress Dowager, who disliked the noise, usually only let her great-grandchildren come to pay respects once every ten days. Having been ill for nearly a month and having not seen them for a while, she allowed them to stay a little longer this time.

Qian Yixiu noticed that among these children, Zhu Sujin had the least opportunities to speak. The few times he did speak, he would be interrupted or overshadowed by the others, or subtly sneered at. It was apparent that they were banding together to exclude him.

Her heart felt some pangs. Zhu Sujin used to be assertive and extroverted, but now he was restrained and low-profile. He might have felt losing face being excluded in front of Qian Yixiu and Pan Yue, his face somewhat pale, his mouth pursed into a tight line.