An Honghan went to the morning court session, so he naturally couldn't bring his half-grown child with him. Therefore, Xi Xizhi could only stay in the Panlong Hall and wait for him.
The eunuch moved a soft couch under the shade of a tree and specially prepared a plate of pastries, placing it on a wooden table not far away so that Xi Xizhi could easily reach it.
The warm sunlight shone down, filtering through the dense foliage and casting dappled patterns of light.
Xi Xizhi squinted contentedly, looking as if she were enjoying the sunshine.
Many eunuchs and palace maids were curious about the little girl's identity, but no matter how they observed her, they couldn't find a single clue. Every time the little girl came out of the inner palace, she always wrapped a black cloth around her head, as if she couldn't bear to look at people, but her chubby round face was very endearing.
Many palace maids couldn't help but exclaim in amazement the moment they saw her, "What an adorable child!"
Because of his demotion, Wu Jianfeng was required to guard the Panlong Hall unless ordered by An Honghan. Like the other ordinary guards, he stood in place like a gatekeeper, occasionally going to check if there was any disturbance.
He was already unpopular, and this demotion only made him more sarcastic and mocking, so he's been wearing a cold expression these past few days.
A palace maid approached him and asked, "Guard Wu, do you know where that girl came from?"
Compared to the palace maids, Wu Jianfeng had a wider network of information, after all, even if he was a good-for-nothing, he still had a great general as his elder brother.
“How would I know? This girl suddenly appeared last night, and no one saw where she came from.” Because of his demotion, Wu Jianfeng was filled with anger no matter who he was talking to.
Xi Xizhi used her chubby hand to cover her eyelids, blocking the glaring sunlight, as she lay on the soft couch, going back to sleep. Her ears, hidden beneath a black cloth, twitched as she listened intently to the conversation between the two people in the distance.
"So you didn't know either? I asked Steward Lin this morning, but he wouldn't say anything, only that the girl was a newly recruited palace maid." The palace maid looked at the 'sleeping' little figure with a hint of suspicion.
If she were truly just a lowly palace maid, there would be no reason for His Majesty to treat her so well. Not only did he provide her with textiles from the Brocade Manor, but he also treated her like a princess every day.
Is this the treatment a palace maid should receive?
Even a princess couldn't compare.
Wu Jianfeng also had doubts, but he dared not make any wild guesses.
Don't think that palace maids are just lowly servants. Many high-ranking officials sent their daughters to the palace to be selected as concubines, and those who were not selected would also become palace maids.
However... generally speaking, talent shows are held after a girl reaches the age of marriage. This little girl in front of us is only seven or eight years old, so she shouldn't belong to that category.
Wu Jianfeng wasn't particularly bright, but after spending so much time in the palace, he had learned a few survival skills. "Shh... keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear. How can we gossip about what happened in Panlong Palace? If His Majesty finds out, we'll all be dead," Wu Jianfeng warned, then dismissed the palace maid and continued his guard duty.
Xi Xizhi yawned in boredom. No wonder the palace maids and eunuchs kept sneaking glances at her; they were trying to find out her background.
It makes sense. In the palace, if you act rashly without verifying the other party's identity, it's very easy to cause trouble.
Basking in the warm sunshine, it wasn't long before Xi Xizhi truly fell asleep and began to dream.
When An Honghan returned, this was the scene he saw.
Under the dense shade of the trees, a seven or eight-year-old girl lay on a soft couch with her eyes closed, her body half-bent over. Her small mouth was rosy, like a cherry. Her small nose twitched as she breathed steadily, occasionally letting out a soft snore or two.
Lynn asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, should we wake him up?"
Only one night had passed, and rumors about the little girl's identity were already flying everywhere in the palace. But no one knew which version was the correct answer, not even Lin En, who served by An Honghan's side.
However, there was one thing Lynn was absolutely certain of: this little girl must not be offended, because His Majesty's favor towards her was genuine and without any pretense.
"No need." After saying this, An Honghan walked quietly towards the shade of the trees.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that a child had unwittingly exposed a small portion of her tail. Luckily, she was wearing a white dress today, otherwise, that tail would have been quite conspicuous.
Gently grasping her tail and tucking it into her skirt, An Honghan stretched out his arms and scooped the child up in his arms.
Lynn and the other eunuchs and maids stared wide-eyed. Just who was this girl? His Majesty had never held anyone before!
If it were a stunning beauty, they would be more accepting. But the person in His Majesty's arms was just a little kid who hadn't grown up yet.
Does Your Majesty like children?
No.
If His Majesty desired a son, the concubines in the harem should have given birth to princes long ago, instead of remaining childless to this day.
The idea lingered in everyone's minds for a moment before being immediately dismissed.
How could His Majesty, with his icy, unapproachable face, possibly like children? Or is it true, as the rumors in the palace suggest, that His Majesty suffers from pedophilia? But His Majesty doesn't look at little girls with that lewd gaze.
Lynn coughed twice, pulling the others back to their senses.
Instead of putting Xi Xizhi back on the dragon bed, An Honghan held her in his arms, then sat down at his desk and began to deal with government affairs.
"Lin En, how is the matter I entrusted to you progressing?" An Honghan picked up his brush, made two strokes on the memorial, and then asked.
Lynn, of course, knew what His Majesty was asking about, and replied, "This servant has already informed the people at the Imperial Academy, and students can begin their studies tomorrow."
An Honghan paused for a moment with his brush, then continued writing.
"In addition, give the order to have Jinxiu Manor make a few more clothes for her and send them over in a few days."
Lin En understood in her heart that the "she" An Honghan was referring to was the child in His Majesty's arms. The more special His Majesty treated her, the more mysterious her identity became. Could she be the daughter of one of His Majesty's old friends, sent to him to raise in his place?
I think this idea is the most likely, but if that's the case, why doesn't His Majesty just adopt her as his goddaughter?
Therefore, it's simply impossible to figure out.
Lynn left the room and beckoned a young eunuch to deliver a message to Jinxiu Manor.
Just as I was about to step inside, I suddenly saw two elegantly dressed women walking towards me from not far away. Their hair was adorned with gold hairpins, and their faces were made up with very even rouge and powder. While their looks weren't exceptionally beautiful, they were definitely beauties in the making.
Lin En was so startled that his whisk trembled, and he forced a smile. "Greetings, Consort Hua and Consort Ning. His Majesty is currently processing memorials and is not available."
Lynn emphasized the last three words, as if deliberately reminding the two of them.
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