Proofreader: Xythil

Sitting in her wheelchair, Ying Yue was pushed up the stairs by Ching'er. Every day she would stay at Anxiang Palace from morning to sunset, hence Esteemed Empress Dowager had ordered the servants to modify the staircase so that it would be easier to climb using a wheelchair.

"Ying Yue greets Imperial Grandmother.", she bowed her head to perform a courteous greeting.

Ching'er kneeled on the ground: "This lowly servant greets the Esteemed Empress Dowager. May Her Majesty live for thousands of thousands of years."

"Rise!", Empress Dowager Ning solemnly ordered the little servant to get up.

"This servant thanks the Esteemed Empress Dowager.", Ching'er quickly got up on her feet and retreated to stand behind Ying Yue with a lowered head.

Furrowing her brows, Empress Dowager Ning then moved her gaze to Ying Yue and worriedly asked, "It is unusual for you to come late and miss the morning prayer. Did something happen?"

Ying Yue hastily shook her head, "Answering Imperial Grandmother, this morning, this granddaughter went to Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery. At the beginning of spring, the air is filled with the scent of fresh flowers and young grasses. This granddaughter got too absorbed in it and forgot about the time."

She didn't want to tell Empress Dowager Ning about the meeting with Honorable Consort Shu earlier. She didn't want to make an unnecessary fuss and make her Imperial Grandmother worry.

Empress Dowager Ning threw a glance at Ching'er who didn't dare to lift her head. The servant wasn't good at hiding her emotions, so after noticing a slight change of her expression, Esteemed Empress Dowager knew that something had indeed happened. Her granddaughter didn't want to tell her, it didn't mean that she couldn't find out about it later. She decided not to press Ying Yue about this matter.

"It's good that nothing happened. Now let's go back and accompany your Imperial Grandmother. Today this dowager asked Dong'er in the kitchen to make your favorite flower pastries."

Dong'er was a girl servant who helped out in the kitchen. Li mama found out that the pastries made by her were very delicious and pretty. The first time Ying Yue tried it, she liked it very much. Since that day, Esteemed Empress Dowager Ning assigned the task of making pastries to Dong'er.

Hearing that her favorite pastries were already prepared for her, Ying Yue couldn't wait to eat. Her stomach growled all of a sudden.

Esteemed Empress Dowager shook her head and laughed as she looked at the princess' reddening face.

Ying Yue shyly followed behind the Empress Dowager back to the resting hall. The moment they arrived, the fragrant scent of the various delicious pastries placed on top of a jade table entered her nose that she almost drooled.

Ying Yue ate so many pastries that her stomach was bulging. She wiped the pastry crumbs with a handkerchief prepared by Xiao mama and sighed in contentment.

"Imperial Grandmother, this granddaughter likes the pastries very much..."

Esteemed Empress Dowager Ning: "En. It's good if you like it. But you can't eat too many either. Let's rest for a bit. After that, this dowager wants to check your homework."

Ying Yue instantly deflated, her shoulders bend down. The moment she heard the word 'homework', there were four words that crossed her mind: just kill me now.

The said homework was actually like this.

Xiao mama would read a book loudly for her to hear. Her job was to remember every single word and recite it back again for her Imperial Grandmother to hear. A single mistake and Xiao mama would read the book from the first page once again. Obviously, this was not an easy feat for her, as she was blind and couldn't take a peek...

Author: orz she wants to cheat...

Ying Yue gave a lifeless sound of agreement and let Ching'er push her out for a stroll. Esteemed Empress Dowager entered the inner chamber with the help of two mamas to change her robe.

She sighed helplessly, "That child, why does she hate learning so much? Learning is for her own sake. As an imperial family member, how can she not know manners and have no skills?"

Xiao mama laughed, "The third princess is still so small after all. She is playful, yet also very smart and is able to learn fast. . Besides, there is Her Majesty who dotes on her very much by her side. This servant thinks Esteemed Empress Dowager can teach her slowly. It isn't a bad thing that she lives a happy and leisure life."

Shaking her head, Esteemed Empress Dowager Ning sighed many times. She was very worried about this granddaughter. Fortunately, the current emperor still gave her some face as his Imperial Mother, hence she was capable of sheltering her from the wind and rain. What Xiao mama said has a point, however, if one day she is no longer in this world, what will happen to Ying Yue? Thinking so, she couldn't help but feel anxious...

...

Another leisure but torturous day. Ying Yue tried hard not to fall asleep when she heard Xiao mama read another book. Today was 'The Book of Four Virtues'.

What da heck were the four virtues anyway…? Could it be eaten…?

Fortunately, they stopped at noon for lunch. Ying Yue instantly regained her spirits. She sat on a chair, holding back not to drool as the palace servants brought in the foods and placed it on the table in front of her. Her stomach grumbled once again even though she had already eaten a lot of pastries in the morning. The two mamas standing behind esteemed Empress Dowager couldn't hide their smiles.

Then she heard her Imperial Grandmother mercilessly drop yet another bomb: "Today you'll learn more about table manners. Just like the usual, Li mama will guide you. Afterward, you will repeat the actions several times until you manage to do it properly."

Ying Yue was petrified. Every single day, besides reciting books, her Imperial Grandmother would demand her to learn about manners: how to greet someone, how to bow, how to eat.

Even smiling and sleeping were also bound by procedures...

Ying Yue: "..." She really couldn't stand it anymore. Help...

Ching'er who couldn't stand to see anymore either, lowered her head: "..." The third princess is so hopeless, beyond saving. She couldn't help but feel that her future was bleak…