Chapter 297: Chapter 297: My Xiaobai is a Meat Eater
No!
Precisely speaking, the Empress Dowager was looking at the pastries in Xiaosuisui’s hands, which were being eaten bit by bit by the rabbit. "Ah! This rabbit is actually eating the pastries! This is truly astonishing. Come over and let me see what kind it is, that it can eat pastries!"
The Empress Dowager spoke with sheer delight, but after she finished speaking, she felt something wasn’t quite right! After a good while, she saw the Emperor place Xiaosuisui and the rabbit, which had initially been perched on his shoulder, into her arms. Only then did the Empress Dowager realize that her imperial son, the paramount sovereign, had allowed a rabbit to sit on his shoulder...
"Mother Empress, this rabbit not only eats pastries, but it can also eat meat!"
Seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression, the Emperor thought that perhaps his mother was displeased with him for indulging the little girl, so he mentioned something else to divert her attention. Sure enough, when the Empress Dowager heard that this rabbit could also eat meat, she was utterly astonished. She took Xiaosuisui into her arms and placed Xiaobai on a nearby table.
"Rabbits can eat meat? I don’t believe it. Emperor, I know you want to make me happy, but you must consider the circumstances. Old Madam Ji and the others are still here. Don’t speak such nonsense and make Old Madam Ji laugh at you!"
The Empress Dowager was in a rather cheerful mood and quickly reached for a piece of pastry for Xiaobai. However, Xiaobai only ate the pastries that Xiaosuisui fed it.
Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, the Emperor, knowing she truly didn’t believe him, said, "Mother Empress, please don’t disbelieve me. I will have someone fetch some meat right now. Let Suisui feed it to the rabbit for you to see." He then immediately ordered someone to fetch some raw meat.
When the staff of the Imperial Kitchen heard that a Palace Maid from the Empress Dowager’s Palace had come to fetch raw meat under His Majesty’s orders, they were all scared out of their wits. Why on earth would His Majesty suddenly order someone to fetch raw meat? Could it be that His Majesty knows someone in the Imperial Kitchen has been secretly profiteering, and that’s why His Majesty wants to investigate? It is said that there is a Young Master Ji by His Majesty’s side who conducts independent investigations, specifically helping His Majesty secretly investigate corrupt officials. Over the years, the depleted National Treasury has been slowly replenished by confiscating the mansions of countless corrupt officials. We’re doomed! I heard the Envoy from Nanjiang will be arriving soon. Could it be that the National Treasury is empty again, so His Majesty has decided to investigate our Imperial Kitchen? For a moment, those in the Imperial Kitchen involved in illicit profiteering began to panic.
Of course, no one in Cining Palace knew about any of this. Because at that moment, everyone was watching as the Empress Dowager took a plate of raw meat from a Palace Maid and placed it in front of Xiaobai. Then, she widened her eyes, determined to see clearly whether this rabbit truly ate meat!
Xiaobai was on the verge of tears. SOB SOB SOB... Although I’m not a purebred white rabbit, I’m not some kind of glutton that eats everything! Is Master treating me like a glutton or what? Why make me eat everything? SOB SOB SOB... The corners of Xiaobai’s eyes grew moist.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager found it amusing. "Look, I told you rabbits eat grass. Emperor, you insisted it eats meat. See? The rabbit looks like it’s about to cry." The Empress Dowager became even more certain that regarding the matter of rabbits eating meat, her imperial son was definitely just teasing her!
Hearing this, the Emperor grew anxious and said, "I truly haven’t deceived you, Mother. Please, just wait and see." Then he glanced at his precious daughter. "Sweetheart, Xiaobai is a rabbit. Rabbits eat grass, not meat!"
Hearing this, Xiaosuisui quickly retorted, "That’s not true! My Xiaobai *does* eat meat!"