When they returned to Shousong Hall, the maid standing under the eaves glanced discreetly into the room and whispered, "The young master is inside."

Li Shiyue and Xu Lingzi were ushered in. After passing the screen, they immediately saw the person sitting next to Old Madam Xu.

Xu Yunci was wearing a dark blue brocade robe with a dark pattern and a jade crown. He was talking to Old Madam Xu about something. When he came in, he saw that Old Madam Xu looked worried.

"I'm back."

Old Madam Xu was the first to see the two of them. She waved and took the sisters' hands, asking, "Well, do you recognize them?"

The words were addressed to Li Shiyue, but the gaze was fixed on Xu Lingzi.

"Grandmother, don't worry. My cousin is well-behaved and lovely. If it weren't for the fear of worrying you, Mother would have wanted to keep her here to use the pot."

Madam Xu, unsuspecting, smiled and said to Li Shiyue, "Then you're in for a treat. Your aunt loves hot pot in the winter; it warms you up nicely afterward."

Li Shiyue said with a smile, "My aunt said my hands are cold and I should eat more hot pot in the winter. But I'm worried that my grandmother won't see me. My cousin said that my aunt should bring the hot pot to Shousong Hall and eat with my grandmother."

Xu Lingzi also stepped forward: "Grandmother, please agree. Hot pot tastes better when there are more people."

The worry on Madam Xu's face disappeared, and her face became rosy with the coaxing of her sisters. However, she did not forget the important matter and took Li Shiyue's hand: "Go and pack your things, and go to the palace with your cousin."

"ah?"

For a moment, Li Shiyue thought she had misheard; there was no mention of entering the palace in her previous life.

Xu Yunci placed one hand on his lap and, seeing her blank expression, explained, "Her Majesty wishes to see you and instructed me to take you to Chonghua Palace for a short visit."

The "Empress" he mentioned was Xu Lingyu, who had married the current Crown Prince and was Xu Yunci's elder sister from the same mother.

The Emperor was over fifty years old, and the Empress had passed away many years ago, yet no new Empress had been appointed. After the Crown Prince's wedding, the Emperor entrusted the affairs of the six palaces to the Crown Princess, Xu Lingyu.

Madam Xu held Li Shiyue's hand tightly and instructed, "Go, pay your respects to your cousin. Don't wander off. After you've seen Yuan Niang, come back with your cousin."

Li Shiyue nodded, returned to the Bisha Pavilion, changed into a short jacket with lilac patterns, combed her hair into a bun, and left the Duke's mansion with Xu Yunci.

The carriage was spacious and bore a wooden plaque bearing the name "Xu". Xu Yunci sat in the center of the carriage with his eyes closed, a faint fragrance of orchids wafting from him.

Space was limited, and they were alone together, so Li Shiyue lowered her eyes and didn't dare to look around, sitting obediently. She didn't know when, but the carriage stopped, and after what seemed like an eternity, she finally got off.

Wrapped in a cloak, Li Shiyue looked up at the vermilion palace walls on all sides, which were tall and seemed to stretch endlessly.

"Carriages are not allowed to enter; you must walk to Chonghua Hall."

Li Shiyue snapped out of her daze and agreed. Chunling was a maid, but she couldn't go into the palace with them, so she waited outside the palace gate with Chang'an.

Xu Yunci walked at a moderate pace, his figure standing tall on the long street. Li Shiyue was so engrossed in watching him that she quickly lifted her skirt and followed him.

No matter which palace gate you turn into, the tall red palace walls on both sides stretch as far as the eye can see, towering into the clouds and obscuring the view outside.

The two golden characters "Chonghua Hall" flow gracefully above the palace gate. Golden eaves rise high against the azure sky, their crimson walls contrasting beautifully with the green railings and red tiles.

The blazing sun shines down, emitting a dazzling light, displaying its majestic and magnificent presence.

Chonghua Hall is also known as the "Eastern Palace," symbolizing the noble status of the crown prince of the East.

Xu Yunci found the main hall with ease, and Li Shiyue immediately spotted the dignified woman in a magnificent palace dress sitting at the head of the table. It was none other than the Crown Princess Xu Lingyu.

She looks remarkably like Xu Lingzi, except that the smile in her eyes is practically a carbon copy of her mother, Yang.

It must be said that Xu Yunci and his three siblings truly inherited all the good qualities of the Duke of Rongguo and his wife, yet each of them also possessed their own unique temperament.

"This must be Ah Yue. Let me see her."

Li Shiyue straightened up, then stepped forward a few steps and bowed again: "Li Shiyue greets Your Highness the Crown Princess, may Your Highness live a thousand years."

"No need for formalities, please sit down."

The Crown Princess looked her over carefully. No wonder her grandmother liked such a well-behaved little girl. She wondered which of her younger brothers would get the girl.

He then looked at Xu Yunci and asked about Old Madam Xu and the others. Xu Yunci answered them one by one without showing any dissatisfaction.

As he emerged from the East Palace, two eunuchs behind him carried many things in their hands.

Li Shiyue was still a little embarrassed, so she called out to Xu Yunci in front of her: "Cousin."

“I just glanced at it, and the gift from my cousin looks really precious. I’m afraid I’m unworthy of it.”

The two walked together down the long street. Xu Yunci's face was unusually gentle: "The things that your elder sister gave you, the sixth sister and the others also have. Just take them. After all, it is your elder sister's kindness."

"Besides, those things were almost all arranged by my elder sister herself, without going through the Imperial Household Department. You can use those silk flowers to give as gifts. However, you can keep those precious items yourself after they go through the Imperial Household Department. If you don't like them, you can put them in the storeroom."

Xu Yunci paused for a moment and looked at her: "Don't be afraid, your elder sister is very easy to get along with. Besides, it was your elder sister who wanted to see you when you entered the palace today. Even if you go out of the mansion with your mother or sixth sister in the future, if anyone looks down on you, your elder sister will stand up for you."

"My elder sister is the Crown Princess. The Emperor has not established an Empress for many years and trusts Your Highness and my elder sister very much."

Is this to find her a powerful backer?

Li Shiyue chuckled. Why do these siblings both love to find backers for themselves? It's true what they say, it's good to have a big tree to lean on.

"My cousin's words are ambiguous."

Xu Yunci raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Li Shiyue continued, “The Emperor trusts my cousin, and His Highness the Crown Prince cherishes her; that’s because of my cousin’s own abilities. If I were to do that, I would eventually become tiresome.”

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