Chapter 309
She looked up at the gloomy sky where snow was falling, completely absorbed in the sight, when suddenly something warm was placed into her cold palm, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
"good."
"Here it comes, hot and fragrant wontons!"
The stall owner smiled warmly, glanced around, and tactfully placed the first bowl of wontons in front of Tao Tao.
He glanced up casually and saw a familiar face. He froze for a moment, his eyes filled with doubt and curiosity. He chuckled awkwardly, "Miss, you look a bit like a customer I know."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at her elaborate and luxurious dress, then looked at the soldiers watching him from the side, and determined that she was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend. He quickly turned around and left.
"I'm so sorry."
Tao Tao watched his hurried departure without saying a word, then reached for a spoon and stirred the steaming wontons.
A sip of soup warms you up from head to toe.
Rong'er looked at her curiously, then glanced at the stall owner, "Has the Princess been here before?"
She hummed in response, showing no intention of talking, and Rong'er wisely buried her head in her soup.
As the snow fell heavier, pedestrians hunched their shoulders and hurried along, their heads and bodies covered with a thin layer of snowflakes. The biting wind blew against their faces, numbing and icy.
The soup, now cold, had solidified into a milky layer of fat, and a piece of silver, covered in snowflakes, lay quietly on the table.
Upon returning to the Privy Council, the steward happened to deliver a letter from Yuquan Pass.
Tao Tao took it and looked at it as she walked. She didn't say much, just a few words, explaining the matters concerning Yuquan Pass. Only the last sentence made her stop in her tracks without realizing it.
In the stillness of the night, as the moon shines through the corridor, I wander alone, thinking of you and longing for you, tossing and turning in bed.
Her lips curled up, and her eyes held endless tenderness, enough to melt away the chill of the snowy night.
She pushed open the door, walked to the desk, picked up her pen and wrote. Because her handwriting was not very good, she wasted several sheets of paper before it was barely acceptable.
Spring mornings, autumn nights, rainy or snowy days, my longing for you is deep. I wish you, like the surging spring tide, would not forget my face, and I further wish you peace and good fortune, and that you would return home soon.
As she was putting the letter in, she suddenly remembered something, looked up and her gaze fell on the parrot that was sleeping wrapped in a blanket.
It seems to be quite afraid of the cold; it started complaining about the cold as soon as winter arrived.
So she prepared a thick blanket and laid it in its little nest, and she saw it sleeping soundly in its nest for half the day.
She put her hand to her lips and whistled. Asu, whose eyes were still closed, instinctively flapped its wings and flew towards her.
"Good girl, Asu."
Tao Tao reached out her fingertip and touched its fluffy little head, listening to its joyful laughter.
"Eat! You want to eat, Asu, be good! Here's your reward!"
She used to reward it with treats when she praised it for being good, and now it remembers that and asks for them on its own.
She picked up a small box from the side, opened it, took out a few dried fruits, and tossed them to it.
Seeing that it was eating with great relish, she said, "Little Asu, can I borrow a feather from you?"
It didn't reply, but instead pecked at the dried fruit, making a crunching sound.
Seeing that it didn't make a sound, she stroked its feathers, and while stroking them, she plucked a bright and colorful tail feather from its tail.
It continued eating, oblivious to everything around it.
Gluing feathers onto the envelope makes it look much nicer.
After she had the housekeeper deliver the letter, she went to the soft couch by the window, knelt on it, leaned half her body against the windowsill, and gazed at the snowflakes falling in the courtyard.
Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep on it.
The room was heated by an underfloor heating system and had a fireplace, so even with the windows open, you could feel the warm temperature.
At this moment, Granny Wu quietly came in and covered her with a white fox fur coat.
Tao Tao was awakened by a burst of noise. She groggily got up and opened her eyes, and saw a group of maids building a snowman under a big tree. Rong'er was among them, having a great time.
Although it was night, because she didn't like it too dark, there was a lantern every three steps, and candlesticks were everywhere, illuminating the ground and the yard almost like daytime.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, she looked to her right and saw Leng Qiao hidden in the darkness, silent.
She couldn't help but say, "You can play with them too, you don't have to stay with me."
Upon hearing this, Leng Qiao's eyes flickered and fell on her. She remained silent, then shook her head.
Tao Tao rubbed her eyes, got up and went outside, took her wrist, and walked together into the yard.
She crouched down, made a snowball, and called out with a smile, "Leng Qiao!"
The snow-white, icy sphere slammed into her and exploded instantly, scattering countless cold fragments across her face, leaving her stunned in place.
Leng Qiao acted as if she had never encountered this situation before, simply playing around without any murderous intent or malice.
"Hahaha! What are you spacing out for? You look so silly..."
Hearing Tao Tao's laughter, Rong'er ran over excitedly, throwing the snowball in her hand right at Tao Tao's feet.
She was lively and perceptive, and knew that Tao Tao, though seemingly temperamental, was actually easy to get along with, so she played around with her without any reservations.
Sure enough, Tao Tao turned around and saw it was her. She scolded, "Oh, you actually dared to bully your master. I'll teach you a lesson."
She grabbed a handful of snow and ran after Rong'er.
"Your Highness... Rong'er was wrong..."
The maids, along with Tao Tao, started playing and laughing. Their sounds echoed in the gloomy sky, mingling with the howling wind and snow, and they unconsciously forgot about the cold.
Taking advantage of the light snowfall, those who played recklessly ended up getting fevers and illnesses.
Granny Wu stood at the door with a stern face and furrowed brows, constantly scolding the group of maids.
"What use are you all?! Knowing it was a snowy day and the princess was playing around, didn't you, as her maids, know to stop her? You actually dragged the princess into playing in the snow in the courtyard!"
"This is utter nonsense!"
"And you, Rong'er, you are the Princess's personal maid, yet you have failed in your duties, are not steady at all, and even caused the Princess to fall ill. Tell me, what were you thinking?"
Rong'er was scolded and looked dejected, her eyes red and filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"Granny...cough cough cough...Granny, please...don't blame them, it's my fault."
A coughing sound came from inside.
The doctor came out and, after speaking with Granny Wu, had someone follow him to get the medicine.
Granny Wu hurried in and saw Tao Tao leaning against the headboard with a flushed face and constant coughing. She quickly poured a cup of hot water for her to soothe her throat.
"Your Highness, please drink some water."
Tao Tao took the cup and gulped it down, then let out a long sigh of relief. "Don't punish them. It was my own carelessness."
She had never seen snow before. She was excited as she walked from the palace and played in the snow in the courtyard, unaware that she would fall ill.
Granny Wu frowned and said disapprovingly, "Your Highness, you have spoiled them too much, which is why they have become so negligent towards you."
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