Chapter 114 Can't we just live in peace? If Moyaqi were in Cheng Qianyue...

Is it okay? If Mo Yaqi were in front of Cheng Qianyue, she would probably tilt her head and answer: It's alright?

To be honest, Moyaqi was a little unaccustomed at first. Especially since she had eaten breakfast with Cheng Qianyue on the first morning, but when she came back from school early in the afternoon and rushed to the main room, she suddenly remembered that her mother had gone on a southern tour with her father.

Thinking this, the smile on her face faded considerably. But what could she do now that her mother was gone? Besides, she had promised to take good care of herself while her mother was away. So she took a deep breath and returned to the west wing, where she would temporarily read and memorize the lessons she had learned that day, and practice a few more sheets of calligraphy.

After a while, having almost finished her homework, Moyaqi paused briefly. Just then, a palace maid came to report that Granny Shuang from the main courtyard had arrived.

Moyaqi nodded and said, "Please let her in."

Soon, Granny Shuang came in from outside and bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Second Princess." She was there on the orders of the Crown Princess, who said that since Crown Princess Cheng had left, she was worried that the Second Princess might not be used to being alone in the West Front Courtyard, so she asked Granny Shuang to invite the Second Princess to the Main Courtyard for a meal.

After listening to Granny Shuang finish speaking softly, Moyaqi stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Granny, let's go now, don't keep Madam waiting."

Although she agreed, Granny Shuang was still taken aback by the Second Princess's decisive attitude. After recovering slightly, she saw the Second Princess leading the maids outside, and she quickly followed.

When Moyaqi arrived at the main courtyard, she first paid her respects to the Crown Princess, and then saw the eldest princess, greeting her with a smile, "Hello, eldest sister." Wulinzhu's brows relaxed, and she smiled back.

After the Crown Princess and Moyaqi were seated, she asked softly, "Are you hungry?"

Moyaqi nodded, a little embarrassed but also straightforward, and said, "Replying to my mother, I am indeed feeling hungry."

The Crown Princess then instructed the person next to her, "Go to the kitchen and serve the meal."

Before long, the food was served, and palace maids brought basins of water and handkerchiefs for the Crown Princess and the princesses to wash their hands. During the meal, the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping was followed, and the only sound on the table was the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Moyaqi found the room very quiet. In the west courtyard, she, her mother, and brothers would usually chat during mealtimes. Her mother only ever told them not to talk when they had food in their mouths, and to swallow their food first to avoid choking. But the rules in the main courtyard seemed stricter?

As Moyaqi ate, she was thinking about this. After finishing a bowl of rice, she still felt it wasn't enough, so she said to the palace maid next to her, "Add another half bowl." But when the bowl was brought back, there was only a shallow layer of rice inside, not even half the size of a fist.

Moyaqi wanted her to serve more, but the Crown Princess put down her chopsticks and said softly, "Overeating will harm your stomach and intestines. Moyaqi, do you know that?"

Although Moyaqi didn't know the exact meaning of the sentence, she guessed it meant not to eat too much. She thought perhaps this was just the custom here? But it didn't matter; she could always have some snacks when she got back. She nodded and said, "Yes, daughter understands."

The Crown Princess nodded and smiled, "Good child."

After a while, Moyaqi finished her meal, and someone brought her water and a handkerchief. She rinsed her mouth with tea, wondering whether she should take her leave. Then she saw Granny Shuang come over and whisper a few words in the Crown Princess's ear. After Moyaqi finished rinsing her mouth and washing her hands, she heard the Crown Princess say, "Alright, it's getting late, Second Princess, go back and rest."

Yay!

Moyaqi immediately stood up to take her leave, skipping away before even stepping out of the door.

The Crown Princess frowned as she watched the Second Princess walk briskly, thinking that it would be time to teach her manners in about a year or two. Then she looked at the First Princess and said, "Wulinzhu, go back and rest."

Wulinzhu stood up and gave a slight curtsy. "Yes, Mother. I take my leave." She walked out unhurriedly and began preparing for bed after reaching the west wing. However, as she sat in front of the dressing table, she couldn't help but think of Moyaqi. She thought her second sister looked so lively.

But soon, the wet nurse's words came to mind again. She said, "The second princess is young and loves to make a fuss, so she can go to study outside with the prince. But in less than two years, when the second princess grows up, she definitely won't be able to go anymore."

Looking at herself in the mirror, Wulinzhu thought with a touch of envy: Even if it's only for two years, it would be good.

As Moyaqi left the main courtyard, she saw several familiar eunuchs emerging from the east courtyard, carrying things in their hands. She stopped them and asked what was wrong, only to learn that her two older brothers were moving back to live with her. Moyaqi was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly returned to the west front courtyard. Upon entering the east wing, she indeed saw Hongyan and Hongchao eating.

When Hongyan saw Moyaqi return, he asked her with concern, "I just heard you went to your stepmother's place, have you eaten yet?"

Moya asked curiously, "I've already used it." But she still wasn't full.

Seeing that she was still staring at the food on the table, Hongchao put down his chopsticks and said, "Would you like to eat some more?"

Hehe, okay.

Moyaqi readily agreed and sat down to eat with them, finishing half a bowl of rice before stopping. However, not long after the meal, they heard that a palace maid from Madam Fan's side had arrived from the back courtyard. After briefly inquiring about their situation, she took her leave.

Moyaqi remembered her mother's arrangements and said to her, "I'll go and pay my respects to Mother Fan tomorrow."

Biluo replied joyfully, "Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly convey your message."

So the next day, Moya went to the backyard. Madam Fan had been preparing since early morning and was overjoyed to see her arrive. Actually, she had wanted to send someone to invite the Second Princess over for dinner the previous evening, but she was too late; the Second Princess had already been summoned by the Crown Princess's people. So today, she had planned to invite the Second Princess over earlier, but the Second Princess arrived shortly after finishing her studies.

Fan pulled Moyaqi aside to talk, asking her if she slept well last night and if anything had happened today, or if anyone had bullied her.

Moya thought to herself, "My mother really cares about me. My eyes are sparkling as I say, 'Everything is fine, it's just that I'm not used to it without you, Mother.'"

Madam Fan gently wiped her face with a handkerchief, saying, "Perhaps Master Cheng is also thinking of the princess. I reckon Master Cheng will be back in a couple of months."

As evening approached, Madam Fan invited Moyaqi to stay for dinner. Moyaqi finished her bowl and wanted more, but remembering what had happened in the main courtyard the day before and unsure of the local customs, she asked, "Mother Fan, may I have some more rice?"

Madam Fan said, "Of course you can. Just tell the people next to you how much you want to eat, and they'll serve you."

Moyaqi thought that the rules here were different from those in the main courtyard and not very strict, so she immediately asked someone to give her more rice. After she finished eating, Fan Shi was afraid that she had eaten too much and would have indigestion, so she took Moyaqi for a walk in the courtyard. After walking around three or four times, it was getting dark, so she asked someone to take Moyaqi back.

After that, Moyaqi would go to the backyard from time to time, and gradually became acquainted with Madam Fan. Madam Fan was happy to have someone to accompany her and tried her best to make Moyaqi happy.

These past few days, Lady Fan heard that the princes were playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) outside, and worried that they wouldn't take the Second Princess with them, so she had someone make one for Moya to play with. It was a small round ball made of rattan, with a red rope and bells hanging from it, making a jingling sound when kicked, which was particularly cheerful.

This ball was far more exquisite than the ones used for playing football outside, and Moyaqi loved it so much that she immediately started kicking it in the yard. Madam Fan stood under the eaves watching her run around happily, her laughter filling the entire yard.

But things went wrong the next second. For some reason, Moyaqi fell, and the football rolled away to the other side with a "biu" sound.

Madam Fan rushed downstairs in a panic, asking with concern, "Quick, quick, let your mother see if you've fallen?"

Moyaqi got up from the ground, pouted and said, "I was thinking of showing you the new moves I learned, but I lost my balance and fell down."

Fan didn't care about any moves or techniques, nor did she have time to deal with the ball. She took Moyaqi back to her room, lifted her sleeves and trouser legs to check if she had bumped or bruised herself, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she found no wounds.

Just as the two were inspecting, Liu, who was opposite them, came in with the rattan ball.

Although Madam Fan and Madam Liu lived opposite each other, they at most kept to themselves. If she could, Madam Fan really didn't want to see her at all. When she saw Madam Liu coming over, Madam Fan frowned, thinking that Madam Liu actually dared to come. However, in front of the Second Princess, she couldn't very well turn her away, so she just sat there with a long face.

Moyaqi sensed the strange atmosphere, but she didn't dare to ask. She bowed to Liu and said, "Greetings, Mother Liu."

Liu happily agreed, placed the rattan ball on the table, and said softly, "I heard Princess playing with the ball just now, but I couldn't hear it for long. When I came out to check, I found that the rattan ball had rolled over to my side."

Moyaqi glanced at Madam Fan's expression and then at Madam Liu, replying softly, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Mother Liu."

Liu said, "How can it be considered a disturbance? I just feel happy to hear the princess coming and going." As she spoke, she gestured for the palace maid behind her to come forward: "When I was a child, my brothers played football with other people. I would watch them play." As she spoke, the palace maid placed two plates of pastries on the table. "I thought the princess must be tired after playing for a while, so why not have some pastries?"

Moya smiled and said, "Thank you, Mother Liu."

Fearing that saying too much would cause Madam Fan to lose her temper, Madam Liu left after delivering the gifts. After Madam Liu left, Moyaqi turned to look at Madam Fan and asked softly, "Mother Fan, do you not like Mother Liu?"

Madam Fan choked on her words. To be honest, she really didn't want to talk about these things in front of the Second Princess. After a while, she lowered her eyes and said, "The pastries sent are all seasonal. Does the Princess like them?"

Moya thought for a moment and said, "I like it, but if Mother Fan is unhappy, then I won't eat it. I will only eat what Mother Fan gives me."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fan's eyes almost reddened. She loosely hugged Moyaqi and gave her a piece of pea flour cake, saying, "Princess, please use it if you like it. Your mother isn't that stingy."

After a while, Moyaqi left. Before Madam Fan could say anything, Biluo started to get angry, "In my opinion, Consort Liu did it on purpose. I'm afraid she wants to use the Second Consort to curry favor with Master Cheng." She paused and continued, "Don't we have anything that the Second Consort likes? Why did you feed the Second Consort the snacks she brought?"

After a long silence, Lady Fan finally said, "I do dislike her, but she has no connection with the Second Princess. The Second Princess is still so young, how can I let her get involved in these things?" Besides, Lady Liu has already fallen out with Consort Li and has left a bad impression on the Crown Princess. How can she survive if she doesn't try to cling to someone? Consort Lin, the Crown Prince's wife, is not the kind of person who meddles in other people's business.

Madam Fan thought that whatever Liu was thinking, she wouldn't dare do anything to the Second Princess; at most, she'd just be another person trying to curry favor with the Second Princess and Master Cheng. Besides, Liu was far more cunning than her; what if she discovered something...?

Madam Fan clenched the handkerchief in her hand. If Madam Liu had truly rendered meritorious service in this matter, she wouldn't mind shaking hands with her and making peace.