Chapter 254 The Emperor Summons

After Chunzhi returned to the capital, she stayed with Xiaoxing in the palace for several days, taking time to look at the account books and inquire about matters in the palace.

With the help of housekeeper Cheng and Yuzhu, all the affairs of the palace and the people in the backyard are handled neatly.

Even when the news of Prince Chang'an's death came from Xizhou, Chunzhi left the capital overnight and rushed there, nothing happened.

After Chunzhi came back, she promoted Yuzhu to be the female housekeeper of the palace. Although Yuzhu was young, she was steady in her work. Even the housekeeper Cheng said that she was a rare and thoughtful person.

Huo Yanran and Song Wan'er had been staying in the Chang'an Palace for the past few days. They would tease Xiao Xinghui during the day, and at night they would often get together to read storybooks and play music. Sometimes, when they were done playing, they would stay together, and their relationship grew closer.

On this day, Chunzhi and Huo Yanran had lunch together and went to the garden to appreciate the flowers.

Xiao Xinghui and Nian'er both wanted to take a nap at this time, so the wet nurse and maids took the two little ones away together.

Yuzhu also had some free time and strolled in the back garden with Chunzhi and others.

It is spring, the season of warm wind and blooming flowers. Peaches and plums are in full bloom, hibiscus is delicate, and butterflies are fluttering among them, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Song Wan'er was fanning herself with a round fan as she chased butterflies. Her cloud-sleeved silk dress was flowing through the flowers. Her face was like a lotus and she was more beautiful than any flower.

Huo Yanran smiled and said, "It flew to the left! A little further!"

Song Wan'er followed the butterfly and nearly fell into the flowers. Yuzhu was quick to catch her and said softly, "Be careful."

"The butterfly flew away." Song Wan'er felt a little regretful that she didn't catch the butterfly.

Seeing her like this, Chunzhi smiled and said, "Then I'll make one for you."

As he spoke, he walked to the edge of the flower bed, picked some grass, and immediately made a green butterfly for Song Wan'er. It was lifelike, and its wings and antennae would move when touched.

Song Wan'er loved it when she saw it, and couldn't put it down to play with it. "Sister, you have such a skillful hand. This grass butterfly looks just like the real thing."

"Sister-in-law, I want one too."

Huo Yanran was also very fond of it when she saw it, and immediately asked Chunzhi for it.

The Thirteenth Princess was born and raised in the imperial palace. She had seen all kinds of rare things, but it was this kind of folk thing that she found very novel.

"Okay." Chunzhi agreed with a smile and made two more, one for Huo Yanran and one for Yuzhu.

Yuzhu didn't expect that she would also be involved, "Sister, I..."

Chunzhi said softly: "Since you call me sister, then you are my sister. If other sisters have it, you will naturally have it too."

Yuzhu took the grass butterfly in her hand, held it high, and looked up. The sunlight dotted it, making it look even more delicate and beautiful.

Song Wan'er is about to reach marriage age, but she is still happy to see flowers and enjoy the scenery, and she is so innocent as to chase butterflies and fireflies. It can be seen how well Song Anlan protects her.

Miss Song is so lucky that Yuzhu can hardly help but envy her.

But while Chunzhi was doting on the little girl from the Song family, she also did not forget her, which made Yuzhu feel that she was also very lucky.

"Let's go sit in the pavilion in front."

Chunzhi invited a few people to the pavilion and told the maids to make tea and bring some snacks.

The scenery is beautiful in spring. After the women in the families learned that Princess Chang'an had returned from Xizhou, they sent her invitations one after another, inviting her to their homes to enjoy the flowers and scenery, but Chunzhi did not go.

One reason was that she had returned from Xizhou and wanted to spend more time with Xiaoxing.

Secondly, during the peace talks between the two countries, Princess Xiling chose Prince Chang'an, and all the powerful people in the capital wanted to know what decision Prince Chang'an would make.

Huo Zheng was thousands of miles away. They couldn't see him, nor could they inquire about him in person. They could only get information from Chunzhi.

Chunzhi didn't want to flatter those people. When she had free time, she would rather drink tea and chat with a few sisters in the mansion.

Huo Yanran said excitedly that she wanted to go for an outing outside the city and climb high to see the distant view.

Song Wan'er also likes to go out, but ever since she was in danger last time when she was boating on the lake and was almost deceived by Jiang San, Song Anlan has been watching her even more closely.

If she hadn't come to Chang'an Palace for a short stay this time, Song Anlan would definitely not have let her leave home for so many days.

The Thirteenth Princess and Miss Song got together and they were so eager to travel across the three thousand miles of mountains and rivers that they could visit and see all the famous places they had heard of in books and the good places they had heard of in rumors.

There are too many restrictions on women in this world. Before getting married, they have to listen to their parents and brothers, stay at home and never go out of the front door. After getting married, they have to take care of their husbands and children, and put their husbands and children first in everything. There are very few opportunities to go out of the house and see the world in their lifetime.

As a princess, Huo Yanran was born into a wealthy family and was extremely noble. She was envied by everyone from birth, but there were even more invisible shackles that bound her.

Perhaps the happiest time in life is this moment.

Chunzhi said, "It's too far to go for the time being, but it's still possible to go for an outing outside the city. You two can discuss where you most want to go, and I'll take you there in the next two days."

Huo Yanran: "Really?"

"Then... can you bring my brother with you?"

Song Wan'er didn't forget to bring her brother with her when she went out to play.

Haruji smiled and said, "Of course."

When these women travel, they must bring guards. In that case, what's wrong with having Song Anlan with them?

What's more, Song Anlan is very sensible and will not do anything beyond the limit.

"That's great." Song Wan'er said, "Then I have to think carefully about where to go for fun."

Huo Yanran said, "I heard there's a Taoist temple in Dongshan where wishes come true. The mountains and plains there are covered in azaleas, and the scenery is stunning. Lotus Lake in the south of the city is also beautiful this season, with green mountains and clear waters. The gardens in the west are also a great place to enjoy the spring..."

"Everywhere is good, I want to go everywhere, what should I do?"

Song Wan'er was in a dilemma.

Seeing her like this, Yuzhu couldn't help but smile, "Then pick the one you want to go to the most, and go to the rest later."

Song Wan'er was a little confused about the choice, so she asked them, "Where do you want to go?"

Yuzhu was unable to answer for a moment. She came to the capital with Nian'er in her heart. She had been busy making a living and had no time to raise the child, so she had no time to think about going out for fun. Therefore, after being in the capital for so long, she had never made a special trip to enjoy the scenery.

Chunzhi said, "Yanran first mentioned the Taoist temple in Dongshan, so let's go there first. The azaleas are in full bloom at this time of year, and it would be nice to go up there and enjoy the view."

"Then let's go to Dongshan." Song Wan'er said excitedly, "I'll send someone back to the Song residence to tell my brother to make preparations early."

Chunzhi smiled and said, "Okay."

Song Wan'er immediately called her maid and asked her to go to the Song residence to tell Song Anlan about going to Dongshan in two days, and then happily discussed the trip with Huo Yanran, Yuzhu and others.

As they were talking, Butler Cheng came in to report, "Princess, Eunuch Xu is here to deliver the Emperor's instructions."

Song Wan'er and the others who were discussing heatedly suddenly became quiet.

"Please come in quickly."

Chunzhi said this and stood up to greet him.

Seeing this, Song Wan'er, Huo Yanran and others also went out to greet them.

Chunzhi came out of the back garden and saw Eunuch Xu head-on.

"Princess." Eunuch Xu came forward with two young eunuchs. "The Emperor has spoken, summoning Princess Chang'an to the palace for an audience."