CHAPTER 51: Extra 1

After Chu Yu's "hard work," the news of the emperor's engagement with the empress spread throughout the Star Network in less than half a year. And now, the news of the emperor and empress preparing for their official wedding swept across the entire network.

Shu Yanyan stood in front of the mirror, trying on a wedding gown, her eyes constantly wandering around her lower abdomen. Chu Yu hugged her from behind, gently caressing her small belly through the veil.

She kissed Shu Yanyan's earlobe and reassured her softly, "Don't worry, it's not noticeable at all."

Shu Yanyan, with a helpless expression, pouted and confirmed, "...Really?"

She slightly tilted her body and said, "From this angle, it seems a little bit obvious."

Chu Yu rested her head on Shu Yanyan's shoulder. "Is it? I can't see it at all."

She suggested, "How about asking the designers to add a layer of lace on both sides? That way, it can perfectly conceal it."

Shu Yanyan nodded in agreement but glared at her. "It's all because of you that we have to trouble the design team!"

Chu Yu grinned like a cat that stole a fish, showing no sign of remorse. She playfully kissed Shu Yanyan's cheek a few times and mumbled in agreement, "Hmm, Yanyan is right, it's all my fault."

Shu Yanyan glanced at her with a hint of grievance reflected in the mirror. She was about to say something when the door behind them was opened from the outside.

She swallowed her words and turned around to see the Empress Dowager entering with Yunmiao in her arms. Beside them was a face Shu Yanyan had never seen before. The unfamiliar face was that of a little girl, slightly older than Yunmiao, around seven or eight years old. Despite her young age, she exuded a mature and steady temperament.

Both Yunmiao and the girl were dressed in the same style of flower girl's white dress. The only difference in their appearance was that Yunmiao had her hair styled into cute double ponytails, while the girl's hair was neatly tied up into a puffy bun at the back of her head.

As soon as Yunmiao saw Shu Yanyan and Chu Yu, she excitedly called out, "Mommy! Mom!"

The Empress Dowager brought her over to Shu Yanyan's side, smiling brightly, showing her teeth, and said, "Oh my, look how much you two look alike! This dress looks cute on Yunmiao, but on Yanyan, it looks beautiful and lovely!"

Shu Yanyan blushed as she helped Yunmiao adjust her skirt, saying, "No, Auntie, you're too kind..."

"Why are you still calling me Auntie?" The Empress Dowager was dissatisfied. "Although the wedding is next week, I remember you and Chu Yu have already registered your marriage, right?"

Shu Yanyan's face instantly turned red.

She cleared her throat and corrected herself, "Mother, I misspoke."

The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly. "Ah, that's right. Yanyan looks so beautiful. I'll forgive you this time! But next time, you mustn't make the same mistake again!"

Shu Yanyan lowered her head and nodded gently. "Yes."

Chu Yu was quite adept at teasing the little bunny herself, but seeing her being entertained by her own mother, she couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness. Not wanting Shu Yanyan to be shy all the time, she looked at the only outsider in the room and changed the subject, "Who is this little girl..."

The Empress Dowager's attention was indeed diverted. "Ah, I haven't had a chance to introduce her to you yet. This is the child from the Yu family, called Yu Changning. I specially invited her to be your flower girl."

"Since today is the dress fitting, I brought her to the palace as well."

As she finished speaking, Yu Changning timely performed a courteous gesture. "Good afternoon, Emperor, Empress."

Shu Yanyan quickly responded, "No need, no need. Ahem, you don't have to be so formal here."

She was still not accustomed to others frequently bowing to her, especially when the other person was an underage girl.

However, Chu Yu had a different thought.

She glanced at the little princess, who fit perfectly in her own mother's arms, and asked with some confusion, "Don't they usually choose flower girls of similar age? And they should be of similar height to look more harmonious."

But it was clear that Yunmiao, when placed on the ground, was near Shu Yanyan's knees, while the other flower girl, Yu Changning, was already at her waist.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand upon hearing this. "I initially thought the same."

She helped Yunmiao adjust her skirt while saying, "But children over three years old can still be mischievous. Not everyone is as well-behaved as our Yunmiao. Besides, when the two of you need to perform the ceremony, I will be busy entertaining guests and the media. What about the baby? After giving it some thought, I decided to invite an older child who can help take care of the baby during that time."

Chu Yu nodded with a smile.

In such a large palace with so many guards, how could there be no one to take care of the Imperial Princess? 

However, those guards treated Yunmiao with utmost respect and wouldn't dare to play with the Imperial Princess. So, it seemed like a good idea to find a slightly older companion for Yunmiao. They could play together and not get too bored, and if necessary, Yu Changning, as an elder sister, could also help take care of her.

Chu Yu couldn't help but admire. "Mother, you always think ahead."

The Empress Dowager proudly raised her chin. "Hmph, you handle state affairs well, but when it comes to these little matters, you're still a bit inexperienced."

Shu Yanyan laughed beside them.

She looked at Yu Changning and said, "Then, it will be your responsibility to take care of Yunmiao during that time."

Yu Changning slightly bowed. "I will follow the Empress's instructions."

The little one acted with precision, making Shu Yanyan feel a little embarrassed.

She turned her head and looked at her own little daughter, gently tapping Yunmiao's nose and reminding her, "At that time, you must listen to your sister Changning, okay? Don't run around and stay by her side."

Yunmiao lowered her head in the Empress Dowager's embrace and looked at Yu Changning.

Their gazes met in the air for a moment, and Yunmiao looked up and smiled at Shu Yanyan. "Okay!"

The Empress Dowager took the opportunity to put Yunmiao down on the ground. "How about this, baby? You take Changning and explore the surroundings outside, get to know each other, and build a bond."

She beckoned a maid by the door. "Accompany the two of them and take good care of the Crown Princess and Miss Yu."

The maid bowed and replied, "Yes."

Shu Yanyan also bent down and encouraged them. "Yunmiao, take your sister for a walk nearby. You will be walking the flower path together later, so it's important to be familiar with each other."

Yunmiao was very obedient and immediately nodded.

She reached out her hand to Yu Changning. "Sister, let's go and play~"

Yu Changning hesitated for a moment.

After recovering her senses, she tentatively reached out her hand and held Yunmiao's soft little hand. Yu Changning corrected her, saying, "We're not going to play, we're going to familiarize ourselves with the place."

Yunmiao looked up at her. "It's the same thing."

Yu Changning sighed, "...Okay."

The two little ones held hands and, under the watchful eyes of the adults, left the fitting room together.

The Empress Dowager was pleased. "My idea was absolutely right! It's great to have an older child. Our baby will go along with whatever she says!"

If a child of the same age had come, they might start arguing by now." 

Chu Yu chuckled and said, "Yunmiao is not so easily provoked into an argument."

"It would be worse if they don't argue!" The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes. "If they don't argue, it would mean our baby is holding grievances in her heart."

Chu Yu conceded, "Yes, yes, you're right about that."

The Empress Dowager gave her a stern look and didn't bother speaking to her further.

She looked at Shu Yanyan and asked, "By the way, I haven't asked yet, Yanyan, how does the wedding dress feel?"

Shu Yanyan also snapped out of her thoughts and replied, "Hmm... It's pretty good."

She gestured around her waist. "Chu Yu and I discussed it. We said we wanted the designer to add two lace trims in this area. Um... well, what do you think, Mother?"

"Come, come, let me have a look." The Empress Dowager pulled her towards the mirror, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law earnestly discussed it.

Chu Yu, who had been forgotten on the side, smiled helplessly and didn't complain at all. She patiently waited, leaning against a pillar, focusing on Shu Yanyan in the mirror. Whenever Shu Yanyan raised her head, their gazes met in the reflection. At moments like these, Chu Yu would curl her lips in a knowing smile, while the little rabbit shyly looked away. But no matter how many times the little rabbit avoided their gaze, after a while, she would tentatively lift her head again, searching for Chu Yu's eyes.

.....

The time spent trying on wedding dresses was longer than Shu Yanyan had expected.

By the time they finished communicating with the designer team and sent off the Empress Dowager, who had to go procure gifts, a hazy evening glow had already blanketed the sky. Shu Yanyan changed back into her own clothes and was brought back to the palace restaurant by Chu Yu. Looking at the empty spot, she suddenly jumped up.

"Where's Yunmiao?!"

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow, smiling teasingly. "What's this? You only remember now that we have a daughter?"

Seeing Chu Yu's calm demeanor, Shu Yanyan relaxed somewhat.

But she still worried about her little girl. "I forgot just now... Isn't she playing with the other child?"

Chu Yu stroked her hair. "Don't worry. I just contacted them. Yu Changning will bring Yunmiao back soon."

Shu Yanyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."

Sure enough, about five minutes later, the restaurant door opened, and Yu Changning appeared at the entrance, carrying Yunmiao in her arms.

Shu Yanyan immediately took Yunmiao from Yu Changning's arms and instinctively asked, "Why are you carrying her?"

Yu Changning felt a bit at a loss and kept her hands behind her back.

But Yunmiao spoke up, "I wanted Ah Ning to carry me."

Shu Yanyan pinched her little nose. "The older sister is only a few years older than you. How can you let her carry you? She will get tired too."

She asked that question because she felt that Yunmiao had been spoiled too much lately—

A three-year-old child is not light, it would be one thing if Yunmiao wanted to be carried by an adult, but how could she cling to a young girl like Yu Changning?

Before Yunmiao could answer, Yu Changning spoke up for her, "It's okay... I can carry Yunmiao."

Yunmiao nodded in agreement. "Yes, Ah Ning carries me very steadily~"

Shu Yanyan sighed and chuckled, "What's going on? You don't even call her 'sister' anymore?"

Yunmiao confidently replied, "Ah Ning sounds nice!"

Shu Yanyan rubbed her forehead. "You..."

For the first time, she felt that Yunmiao was leaning towards Chu Yu in terms of personality—

Why was their little girl becoming more and more domineering?

But the person involved, Yu Changning, didn't think there was any problem at all. In fact, she nodded in agreement with Yunmiao's statement.

Seeing this, Shu Yanyan didn't say anything further. However, this was also good news, as it proved that the two little ones got along well and there was no need to worry about their relationship.

With that in mind, Shu Yanyan lifted Yunmiao and looked at Yu Changning. "Changning, is someone from your family here to pick you up? Why don't you stay and have dinner together before you leave?"

Yu Changning seemed to hesitate for a moment, but Yunmiao reached out and persuaded, "Ah Ning, let's stay together!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Changning nodded. "Okay."

Shu Yanyan smiled and gestured for the little girl to follow, then led the two of them back to the dining table.

Although the Empress Dowager couldn't come due to her duties, it was still a warm dinner for the four of them!

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