A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles

Not long after, the Ji Family discovered that Ji Youbo had gone westward.

Upon hearing the steward’s report, Ji Youyuan shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Let him go. Now all we can hope for is that Suisui can come back quickly."

The steward asked, "Should we inform the palace about this matter?"

Ji Youyuan frowned at this, "Why inform the palace?"

The steward hesitated, not daring to say the next words.

"Speak freely."

"The eighth son has just become the Champion Scholar and has been appointed the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat. If the old lady were to... the eighth son would need to observe mourning for three years..."

Though the steward’s reminder was disrespectful, it also reminded Ji Youyuan that if his mother truly couldn’t hold on, the eighth’s career path...

"This matter... if Ninth Sister returns from the palace, mention it to her."

"Ah..."

"The eighth is ambitious in the Imperial Court, and three years of mourning is disadvantageous for him. However, if he doesn’t observe mourning, he will be labeled as unfilial. Discuss this with Pan’Er, she will certainly talk to Princess Lianchun about it, or she might inform the emperor. That way, they can make arrangements in advance, and neither the emperor nor the eighth will be caught off guard!"

"Yes!"

The steward agreed, yet he seemed to have more to say.

Ji Youyuan couldn’t help but look at him.

"What else?"

"The old lady has been looking at portraits of young noblewomen sent by the ice matchmakers over the past few days."

The head of a sect suddenly becoming the head of a household was slightly irritable handling these trivial matters.

"What’s wrong with that?"

"There’s nothing inherently wrong. It’s just that the old lady seems to be considering matches for the eighth son, but there are still three sons ahead of the eighth!

Not to mention, the fourth son’s age... If they don’t settle it now and something happens to the old lady, the fourth son will be in mourning for three years, making it truly difficult for him to find someone!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Youyuan couldn’t help but wave his hand, "Don’t worry about this matter. Mother has her reasons. Tell Nanny Zhang to enter the Lying Palace and report the old lady’s condition to the Empress Dowager!"

The steward was initially puzzled by Ji Youyuan’s words, but upon reflection, he quickly understood everything and promptly replied, "Yes! I will go at once."

Nanny Zhang was quite surprised to hear the steward’s words.

"Was it truly the eldest son who asked you to tell me this?"

The steward bowed to her, "I’m sorry to trouble you, Nanny Zhang."

Nanny Zhang quickly stepped aside, "There’s no need for such formality. I was already planning to ask the old lady’s opinion on this matter. After all, Miss Ninth is her adopted daughter, so the emperor’s wedding cannot proceed according to usual custom.

However, I’m worried about the old lady... "

The steward said, "Our old lady is very kind-hearted. She must have thought about these things already, but her health is not well, so she hasn’t personally entered the palace. That’s why the eldest son noticed her thoughts and asked me to speak with you. I’m sorry for the trouble."

Nanny Zhang sighed upon hearing this and said, "I understand. I will prepare to enter the palace immediately."

Nanny Zhang soon entered the palace.

The Empress Dowager was quite surprised upon hearing that Lady Ji’s health was very poor.

"Lady Ji is not doing well? How did this happen?"

Others might not know, but she was well aware that, in her youth, Lady Ji’s martial arts, Qi observation, and cultivation techniques from the Yun Family were all capable of attaining immortality. Of course, such immortality was just a legend, but extending one’s life was certainly possible.

Yet considering her age, Lady Ji shouldn’t be at this stage!

The Empress Dowager’s surprise was understandable to Nanny Zhang, who looked around the Great Hall at the busy little palace maids.

Realizing Nanny Zhang had something important, probably concerning Lady Ji’s secret, the Empress Dowager said, "Everyone leave! Do not enter without my command!"

The little palace maids hurried out.

"There’s no one here now, you may speak!"

"It is said that when Miss Xi’Er returned after running away from home, she was already at death’s door and pregnant with Chang Rongshun and the princess. Premature birth was likely, potentially resulting in two deaths. Lady Ji, desperate to save her daughter, exhausted decades of her cultivation to ensure Miss Xi’Er safely gave birth to Chang Rongshun and the princess, risking her own life in the process."

Empress Dowager Xiao’s mouth dropped open in shock, her heart mysteriously moved. Memories of her own struggles during her pregnancy with Emperor Yuansheng came rushing back.

"Ah! Mothers indeed, whether by the palm or the back of their hand, love their children dearly. When you leave the palace, visit the Imperial Medical Bureau and see if there’s anything the Ji Mansion can use. Take it and send it over, under my orders."