HRPM – Chapter 294 The Empress Refuses to Give Up (1)

Xiao Yu became even more pleased and sidled up to his mother’s side.

“Mother Empress, you can’t look down on me like that. To everyone else, I’m a dignified and imposing prince, but in front of you, I’m just a child who never quite grows up. It’s only natural for me to act spoiled once in a while. Mother Empress, you can’t go around breaking my heart.”

“You rascal, you certainly know how to make your mother happy.”

The Empress burst into delighted laughter, her eyes filled with affection for her youngest son. Even her usually dignified features softened into a gentle warmth.

There was none of the harsh severity she had displayed earlier when reprimanding Consort Hui.

Jin Luoluo was secretly astonished. She had always heard that familial bonds within the imperial family were notoriously weak—fathers killing sons, brothers turning against one another, mothers seizing power from their children. Such bloody tragedies occurred all too often.

Yet the Empress and Xiao Yu seemed genuinely different. They resembled an ordinary mother and son: a loving mother, a devoted child, living together in warmth and harmony. The sight gave others a sense of happiness.

As a result, Jin Luoluo’s impression of the Empress improved considerably.

No matter how formidable she might be, at heart she was simply a good mother protecting her fledglings.

“Come, come, let’s all go together. You must all visit my palace and keep me company for a while,” the Empress said with a radiant smile. She took Jin Luoluo’s hand with her left hand and Xiao Yu’s with her right, and the three of them walked side by side toward Fengzao Palace.

Yang Ruoyao watched the entire scene with cold eyes.

Jin Luoluo’s good fortune had once again exceeded her expectations. How could this woman be so blessed, escaping danger time and again?

Not only had Jin Luoluo emerged unscathed, but she had also secured an even deeper place in everyone’s hearts.

Now, far from disliking her, the Empress regarded her as an intelligent, quick-witted, and lovable young lady. Yang Ruoyao herself had always enjoyed the Empress’s favor, yet now the Empress walked away without sparing her even a glance.

Yang Ruoyao was filled with resentment and indignation. However, she knew all too well that Jin Luoluo was currently basking in imperial favor, and there was nothing she could do to her for the moment. She could only wait patiently for another opportunity.

The Empress led them back to her palace and enthusiastically instructed the palace maids to bring out the treasured tribute delicacies stored away for them to enjoy.

Jin Luoluo, true to herself, showed no trace of politeness and ate with great enthusiasm.

“Luoluo, weren’t you with Che’er just now? Where did Che’er run off to, leaving you behind? He really doesn’t know how to be considerate toward young ladies. Since it’s such a rare occasion for you to enter the palace, he should have taken you around to sightsee and then brought you here to have a meal with Mother Empress.”

The Empress watched Jin Luoluo eating heartily, finding the sight rather fascinating.

However, she had always believed that extraordinary people often possessed habits that ordinary people found difficult to understand.

And Jin Luoluo was certainly no ordinary person.