Chapter 134: Returning Swallows from the Hometown, Chuntao Meets a Talented Man

As the carriage stopped in front of the Fang Mansion, Xiaoyanzi jumped out, her lilac-colored dress skirt brushing against the bluestone, catching a few golden osmanthus petals. She took a deep breath, the sweet scent of osmanthus mixed with the familiar smell of fireworks hitting her face. She couldn't help but squint her eyes, "It still smells like home!"

Xiao Zhuozi got off the car with his bag in hand. Seeing the doorman about to speak, he hurriedly reminded him with a smile, "Uncle Wang, you should call me Gege. You have to follow the rules of the palace."

"What are you guarding?" Xiaoyanzi turned around and put her hands on her hips. The lotus embroidery on her flag dress gleamed in the sunlight. "This is my home! Why would I call myself Gege when I go back to my own home? I'm Fang Ci, not Huanzhu Gege!"

At this time, Chuntao came hurriedly from the corridor. She was Xiaoyanzi's maid who had served her since she was a child. When she saw Xiaoyanzi, her eyes lit up and she bowed with a smile. "Miss, you're back! Madam is waiting for you in the courtyard. She said your favorite sweet and sour fish is already stewing on the stove."

"Chun Tao!" Xiao Yanzi rushed over and took her hand, then pointed at Xiao Zhuozi and the others behind her, "Let me introduce you, these are the 'Four Talents' of my Shufangzhai - Xiao Zhuozi, the one who's always good at keeping rules; Xiao Dengzi, who's very clever; Xiao Chongzi, who can imitate all kinds of bird calls; and Xiao Wenzi, who's the most eloquent!"

Xiao Zhuozi quickly bowed and said, "Hello, Miss Chuntao. We are here to serve the princess." As soon as he finished speaking, Xiaoyanzi glared at him. He scratched his head and changed his words, "We are here to serve... the young lady."

Little Dengzi smiled and waved his hand: "Miss Chuntao, you're welcome. We just came back with the princess to take advantage of her kindness and try the sweet-scented osmanthus cake made by Aunt Zhang."

The little bug chirped and imitated the sound of birds, making Chuntao laugh. The little mosquito shook its head and said, "My goodness, Miss Chuntao's yard is more well-maintained than Shufangzhai. The sweet-scented osmanthus flowers are falling like gold!"

Chuntao was so amused by them that her face lit up with laughter. She pulled Xiaoyanzi inside and said, "Come in quickly. Madam just said that she would give you the jade hairpin that you didn't take away last time." She saw Ziwei following behind and nodded with a natural smile. "Miss Ziwei is here too. Madam has put the copy of 'Flower Garden Collection' that you borrowed last time in the study."

"Thank you, Chuntao." Ziwei responded with a smile. She had lived in the Fang Mansion for several months and was already so familiar with Chuntao that there was no need for formalities.

After passing through the screen wall, she saw Fang's mother squatting by the flower bed watering the orchids, with Xiao Jian standing by to help pass the kettle. Xiaoyanzi ran over, crouching down, and covered Fang's mother's eyes from behind: "Mom, guess who I am?"

"Who else could it be besides my wild girl?" Fang's mother smiled and slapped her hand away. Seeing her Manchu dress, she pinched her cheek and said, "Why did you come back wearing this? The sleeves are so wide, they'll trip you up when you practice swordplay."

"This material is so soft!" Xiaoyanzi spun around, her skirt fluttering. "This is the brocade the emperor gave me. Do you think it's beautiful?" She pulled the Four Talented Men over. "Brother, mother, these are the 'Four Talented Men' from my Shufangzhai! Come visit often."

Xiao Jian put down the kettle, looked at Xiao Zhuozi and the others and said with a smile, "Is that the 'rules king' Xiao Zhuozi you keep talking about?" Xiao Zhuozi scratched his head embarrassedly. Xiao Wenzi said quickly, "Sir, you're joking. We are all here to serve the princess... oh no, the young lady!"

Xiao Zhuozi couldn't help but say to Chuntao, "Miss Chuntao, you have to call me Gege in the palace. This is the rule. Otherwise, Eunuch Su will punish us by making us kneel down and count on the abacus."

"What punishment do you want?" Xiaoyanzi glared at him and pulled Fang's mother's hand and acted coquettishly, "Look at him, mother. He comes home and still talks about the palace rules! Chuntao, you should call me Miss, just call me Miss. Don't listen to him!"

Fang's mother smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Alright, alright. Just call me Miss in the mansion and let the children relax." She said to Xiao Zhuozi and the others, "Don't be restrained. Just treat it like your own home. Ask Aunt Zhang to cook whatever you want. Ci'er has been bothering you a lot in the palace."

"No trouble!" Little Dengzi waved his hands quickly, "The princess treats us very well. Last time I was sick, it was the princess who asked Doctor Li to prescribe medicine for me!" The little bug also chirped twice, as if in agreement.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs. Chuntao had already brought hot tea, and Aunt Zhang smiled as she headed to the kitchen. "I'll go steam some osmanthus cakes so you can taste some freshly picked osmanthus flowers!"

Xiaoyanzi dragged Ziwei along as she ran towards the east wing. The hem of her Qipao skirt brushed against the orchids in the flowerbed, bringing with it a burst of fragrance. "Sister Ziwei, I brought you some new ink from the palace. It's even better than the one you used last time!"

Ziwei, pulled along by her, looked back with a smile—Little Zhuozi was chatting with Xiao Jian about interesting things in the palace, Little Dengzi was helping Aunt Zhang move the steamer, Little Chongzi was squatting under the osmanthus tree imitating bird calls, and Little Wenzi was huddled beside Fang's mother, listening to her stories of Little Swallow's childhood embarrassment. In the warm sunlight, the fragrance of osmanthus mixed with laughter, gently blowing away the palace's rules.

Chuntao looked at Xiaoyanzi's back and walked towards the kitchen with a smile: "I'll go help Aunt Zhang light the fire so that the young lady can eat the osmanthus cake earlier." She knew in her heart that no matter how noble Princess Huanzhu Xiaoyanzi was in the palace, after returning to the Fang Mansion, she was still the young lady Fang Ci who loved to climb trees and rob bird nests.