CHAPTER 613: CHAPTER 507: THE IMPORTANT PERSON TO PAMPER, DUDU

Liu Qingyun took Lu Yuan to a palace that was both familiar and unfamiliar to him.

Familiar because he had passed by it several times, unfamiliar because he had never once entered before.

Lu Yuan looked up at the plaque faintly shimmering in the twilight—Changming Palace.

Having lived in the Imperial Palace this long, he naturally knew who resided inside.

His steps halted.

Liu Qingyun was pulling him along quite firmly, but suddenly her son stopped walking.

She turned back and said to him, "Come on in!"

Lu Yuan looked at her, "Are you sure?"

Then he glanced back at his father, as if asking, "What’s going on here?"

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Your mother wants you to go in."

Lu Yuan laughed, "That’s not what you said before."

Changming Palace was Princess Consort Chen’s residence.

Back when he thought he was a fake son, he didn’t dare request to meet her. After discovering he was legitimate, he naturally wanted to pay respects to his grandmother.

But his father had told him—your grandmother likes peace and quiet, don’t go bothering her.

So now she doesn’t mind being bothered?

"Also, since I entered the palace, I’ve never met Princess Consort Chen, but the first time my mother visits, she immediately gets to meet her. Let’s hear it—what’s going on?"

Lu Zhaoyan spoke bluntly, "Are you more important than your mother?"

Lu Yuan felt as though a thousand arrows had pierced his heart.

"Come in, come in."

Liu Qingyun pulled her son into Changming Palace.

Princess Consort Chen was a simple woman who didn’t care for extravagance. The courtyard was serene and verdant, planted with orchids and roses—not rare varieties, but ones that brought peace of mind.

The palace attendants in Changming Palace were few, making the place appear somewhat desolate.

Passing through the moon gate, Lu Yuan saw Princess Consort Chen watering flowers in the small garden.

Normally, Princess Consort Chen dressed very plainly, but for meeting her daughter-in-law and grandson, she had specially changed into a formal court outfit, making her somewhat clumsy while working.

Her long sleeves concealed the watering can; she tried to pull it several times but failed. A well-defined, strong hand gently took the watering can from her grasp.

"Let me do it."

Lu Yuan said.

Princess Consort Chen’s gaze trembled slightly. Slowly, she looked at the grandson who had approached her, her throat swelling with unspeakable emotion.

She softly released her grip.

Lu Yuan poured water for the flowers.

Where he watered, how much he watered—every detail was perfect.

Princess Consort Chen’s eyes grew faintly red.

Lu Yuan’s gaze landed on a lushly vibrant cast-iron plant: "Why didn’t you want to meet me?"

His tone was calm, but if one listened closely, they might detect a trace of faint grievance.

"Do you not want to acknowledge me?"

Princess Consort Chen hurriedly replied, "How could I... You walked past Changming Palace six times, I noticed. I..."

She lowered her head, a flicker of awkwardness and embarrassment flashing across her face. "I had a cold those days and was afraid of passing it on to you."

"Lies."

Lu Yuan stated firmly.

Princess Consort Chen hesitated to speak.

Lu Yuan snorted, "Are you thinking that since the Empress has no children, if you avoid interacting with the Crown Prince Mansion, the Empress will treat the Crown Prince as her own son and me as her grandson? You actually dislike worshiping Buddha, yet you act as though you want to retreat into the palace, merely to show the Empress that when the Crown Prince ascends the throne one day, you won’t covet the position of Empress Dowager."

Parents love deeply, so they plan far ahead.

Princess Consort Chen had indeed thought this way at first.

She understood her humble background and knew she couldn’t offer her son any support. If she could make the Empress a pillar for the Crown Prince Mansion, she would willingly abandon everything and spend a lifetime with candlelight and ancient scriptures.

But as fate would have it, Lu Qi turned out not to be Lu Zhaoyan’s biological son, and the Empress eventually sided with Jin Prince Mansion.

Princess Consort Chen sighed, "Your father said you’re smarter than him—I didn’t believe it. Who in this world could outwit him?"

Lu Yuan replied, "Do you believe it now?"

"Hmm." Princess Consort Chen nodded faintly and said softly, "Grandmother was wrong. Could Yuan’er forgive Grandmother?"

Lu Yuan’s small grievance and petty anger dissipated instantly.

But he still had to put up a bit of an act.

After all, who makes peace right after being upset?

Just because he’s a grandson, does that mean he doesn’t need his pride?

Princess Consort Chen pursed her lips and said to Lu Yuan, "Zhaozhao is inside; go keep her company."

Lu Yuan snorted, "Who wants to keep her company—"

Princess Consort Chen smiled, "Zhaozhao’s teacher is there too."

"I’m leaving the watering can here."

Lu Yuan placed the can back on the rack and rushed inside.

Princess Consort Chen, watching his upright and serious retreating form, relaxed her expression. She turned toward Liu Qingyun and Lu Zhaoyan, who were sneaking peeks from the doorway, and asked, "How did I do just now?"

Liu Qingyun gave a thumbs-up. "Perfect!"

Lu Zhaoyan, serious as ever, said, "Mother, when did I ever claim he’s smarter than me?"

Princess Consort Chen smiled sheepishly.

When Lu Yuan reached the rear courtyard, Treasure Piggy had fallen asleep feeding the pony, clutching a handful of hay.

Meng Qianqian held her and gestured a whisper to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan snorted, scooping up the little rascal into his arms.

The little one tried to force her heavy eyelids open, struggling in her dream, but drained of energy, she toppled into her father’s embrace and fell soundly asleep.

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "Prince Changsun."

Lu Yuan replied coolly, "Did you teach her?"

Meng Qianqian feigned innocence, "Teach her what?"

Lu Yuan gave her a sidelong glance.

How was Princess Consort Chen so skilled at soothing him right off the bat? The more he thought about it, the more it resembled a certain someone’s tactics.

Meng Qianqian coughed lightly and changed the topic, "Princess Consort Chen is kind and admirable; it’s wonderful that Prince Changsun could reunite with her."

"Hmph."

Lu Yuan snorted.

Treasure Piggy felt warm and turned in his arms, stretching out one of her little feet.

"Let me take over," Meng Qianqian said.

"Xi’er."

Lu Yuan called.

Xi’er hurried over, "Your Highness!"

Lu Yuan handed the little one to her, "Take her away."

Xi’er looked pained, "Can we not...?"

The little girl was truly heavy. Xi’er couldn’t manage!

Summoning all her strength, Xi’er carried the tiny but dense sleeper away inch by inch, "Lady... help—"

Meng Qianqian watched her closely, prepared to step in if needed.

Lu Yuan said calmly, "She won’t fall."

"All quiet now?"

"Lady! Xi’er can’t go on..."

"I told you to eat more meat, but you didn’t listen. Now you can’t even carry a child..." Liu Qingyun took the child into her arms.

"You can relax now," Lu Yuan remarked pettily.

Meng Qianqian curled her lips slightly, "Congratulations, Prince Changsun, on reclaiming your Qilin status."

Lu Yuan muttered, "Only now you’re congratulating me?"

Meng Qianqian replied warmly, "Prince Changsun is wise, valiant, and unmatched. He is the most remarkable and gallant man Little Nine has ever known. Little Nine’s admiration for Prince Changsun is like endless ocean waves, surging ceaselessly. The greatest fortune in Little Nine’s life is meeting Prince Changsun."

Who could resist this level of flattery?

Lu Yuan was so buoyed by her words, he felt his soul ascend.

He replied coolly, "If you admire me so much, would you agree if I pursued you now?"

Meng Qianqian pondered.

Lu Yuan’s face darkened, and he clenched his fist, "Yan Xiaojiu, how dare you hesitate?!"