Xiao Yunjing finally reacted and called for water to wash up.

Wuqing brought a bowl of porridge, saying, “Miss, eat something quickly. You’ve been unconscious for three days and nights.”

So long? After witnessing the Original Host disappearing in the dark space, she had immediately passed out. She hadn’t expected to be unconscious for so many days.

It must have been because her soul was reuniting with her body, she thought. Otherwise, it couldn’t have taken so long.

Seeing the porridge, Gu Qingli felt extremely hungry and quickly finished the bowl in a few mouthfuls.

“Wuqing, help me get dressed.”

After finishing the porridge, Gu Qingli regained some strength and wanted to see her children.

“Miss, why don’t you go back to the Space? It will be faster for you to recover there,” Wuqing persuaded, seeing how weak she was. “Just wait a while, and Wushuang and the others will bring the little princes over.”

Wuqing could tell what her mistress wanted to do, so she simply stated that when the Emperor found out that the Empress was awake, he would definitely stay in Fengqi Palace for an extended period.

Gu Qingli agreed. “Alright, let’s wait for the three treasures to return. After Yunjing is done washing up, we’ll enter the Space together and have him sleep.”

Seeing his condition, she suspected he hadn’t slept for days. That poor fool, she thought, a mix of heartache and sweetness filling her.

Upon hearing that Gu Qingli had woken up, Wushuang and the others readily brought the three treasures back to Fengqi Palace.

“My babies.” Gu Qingli couldn’t stop kissing the three treasures.

During those days when she couldn’t see them, Gu Qingli’s heart had felt as if cats were clawing at it. She had feared she would never see the four of them—her husband and children—ever again.

But now, everything was fine. Such things would never happen again.

This incident, in a way, was a blessing. The hidden danger had been eliminated, and they would no longer live in fear.

Gu Qingli took her husband and children, along with Wuqing, into the Space and asked Wushuang and the others to guard outside.

“Li’er.”

In the bedroom, Xiao Yunjing held Gu Qingli tightly. Only when he felt her tangible presence did his heart finally settle.

“Hmm, I scared you, didn’t I?” Gu Qingli kissed his cheek.

“What do you think?” Xiao Yunjing pinched her face and pressed her against his chest before closing his eyes.

Having not slept for three days and nights, he was beyond exhausted. Now that the crisis was over, he quickly fell asleep.

Gu Qingli didn’t disturb him. She gazed at his handsome face, listened to his even breathing, and inhaled his familiar scent. She smiled; everything was still so beautiful.

After accompanying Xiao Yunjing while he slept for a while, Gu Qingli went to the Pharmacy to swallow a pill and drank some spiritual spring water. Once she had recovered about halfway, she went to the little dumplings’ room.

Wuqing was feeding them milk.

“Miss, why are you up? Your body hasn’t recovered yet. Go back and rest; I’ll watch over them,” Wuqing said hurriedly upon seeing her enter.

“I’m fine. I just came to see them.” Gu Qingli waved her hand and reached out to hold Little Le’er.

Little Le’er hadn’t been hugged by his mother for many days. When she lifted him, he immediately burrowed into Gu Qingli’s arms, looking utterly content and pampered.

Gu Qingli’s heart ached for him. Even such a little one understood he missed his mother.

“Do you miss Mama?” Gu Qingli kissed him.

Little Le’er only cooed in her arms, seemingly responding to Gu Qingli.

Wuqing was astonished. “Miss, it seems the Third Prince understands your words.”

“Yes, this little guy is smart,” Gu Qingli said, lovingly stroking Little Le’er’s head.

It seems the intelligence of the three little ones isn’t low at all, Gu Qingli thought. It might be because they absorbed spiritual spring water while in her womb.

「In the Happiness and Longevity Palace」

Xiao Yuling heard that Gu Qingli had woken up and felt a pang of disappointment. She had thought Gu Qingli was gravely ill and on death’s door, but unexpectedly, she had recovered.

However, she still went to Fengqi Palace to see for herself. No matter how much she disliked Gu Qingli, she still had to maintain appearances. Otherwise, people would say she was a wicked mother-in-law.

When Xiao Yuling arrived, Xiao Yunjing and the others had just come out of the Space.

“Mother, why are you here?” Xiao Yunjing was surprised his mother would come to Fengqi Palace.

“What do you mean, ‘why am I here’? Am I not allowed to come?” Xiao Yuling’s face darkened.

“Of course you can, Mother. Please sit down. Li’er is looking after the children.”

“Then let me go in and see them. Is the Empress alright?” Xiao Yuling finished speaking and had Nanny Fu support her into the inner chamber.

“She’s fine. Mother, please go in. Your son is returning to the Imperial Study.”

Yun No. 14 had just sent word that Daoist Master Sanqing had arrived at the Imperial Study, and he needed to go. Gu Qingli was fine for now, so he didn’t intend to let Daoist Master Sanqing examine her. If he were to discover something unusual, dealing with a skilled charlatan like Daoist Master Sanqing—who was different from the common swindlers of the martial arts world—would be difficult to handle. It had been a different matter before when there was no other choice.

“You go on ahead.”

When Xiao Yuling entered the bedchamber, she indeed saw Gu Qingli dressing the three little ones.

“This servant greets the Empress Dowager.” Wuqing, seeing her first, immediately curtsied.

“Dispense with the formalities.” Xiao Yuling waved her hand and walked towards the little ones. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥

“Mother, you’re here?” Gu Qingli heard the voice and looked up. She was holding Little Roundie and didn’t curtsy, too lazy to bother. She detested these damned palace customs the most. Bowing or kneeling every time one saw someone—even as the Empress, she couldn’t change these rules.

Xiao Yuling was used to her unconventional ways and didn’t show any displeasure. She nodded lightly. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve taken some medicine and have recovered. Please sit, Mother.” Gu Qingli gestured towards a stool with her free hand.

Nanny Fu, standing beside Xiao Yuling, had never witnessed such an interaction between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. She was so surprised she couldn’t speak. After her astonishment subsided, she quickly curtsied to Gu Qingli.

“This old servant greets Your Majesty, the Empress, and the three little princes.”

“Dispense with the formalities, Nanny Fu. Please take good care of the Empress Dowager. I’m busy here.” Gu Qingli didn’t even raise her eyelids.

She had worn fewer clothes in the Space, and now that they were out, it was still a bit cold. She had to hurry and dress the three little ones.

Her performing these tasks herself surprised Nanny Fu even more. This Empress is truly different. Taking care of the little princes is something that could be completely entrusted to the nannies. Usually, ladies from prominent families wouldn’t do such things themselves. Yet, here was the Empress, personally attending to them. It truly broadened Nanny Fu’s horizons.

“Yes.” Nanny Fu rose and stood behind Xiao Yuling.

At that moment, Xiao Yuling picked up Little Roundie. Looking at the plump, milky-white little dumpling, her heart almost melted. Her grandson was so adorable.

“My sweet grandson, do you recognize your Imperial Grandmother?” Xiao Yuling gently pressed her forehead against Little Roundie’s, speaking softly.

She had missed her adorable grandsons terribly after not seeing them for a few days. Gu Qingli herself might not be very likable, but the children she bore were incredibly cute. Triplets in one go! If she had a second pregnancy, would it be another multiple birth? It would be best if she could have three more such adorable grandsons. She wouldn’t mind at all; the more grandsons and granddaughters, the better!

Little Roundie, however, was not Little Le’er. He didn’t even offer a smile, merely focusing on blowing bubbles.

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