Chapter 46 Staying Overnight
Xiao Yuxuan looked up anxiously:
"Your Highness, please—"
She suddenly fell silent before she could finish speaking.
Master Nie entered at some point and sat with the Princess in the warm lamplight. She took a sip of wine, and her demeanor was completely different from her usual refined and elegant manner at the girls' school; she looked like a drunkard who spent her days drowning her sorrows in alcohol.
The eldest princess beckoned to her with a gentle expression:
"Alright, I've already gone to ask Dr. Zhang to treat Master Pei. Your friend's grandfather is also a doctor who heals the sick and saves lives. I suppose good people are always blessed. You don't need to worry too much."
Seeing that Xiao Yuxuan didn't move, Master Nie pointed to the small table on the low couch in front of him, which was filled with all sorts of pastries and fruits:
"There's no use in being anxious. Ah Mian's snacks are good. Come and have some first."
"I'll take you back after you've rested."
It would be impolite not to react, so Xiao Yuxuan sat down next to the two of them, thanked them, and slowly drank the perilla-infused water.
The drink was sweetened with plenty of sugar, which soothed her somewhat anxious heart.
Master Nie tossed aside the empty wine jug, leaned back on his side, propped his head up, looked out the window, and muttered:
"He's just a physician from the prefecture, yet he dares to come to A-Mian for help. Isn't he afraid that A-Mian will really punish him?"
Xiao Yuxuan put down her drink. For anyone else, today would have been too risky, but for some reason, before she came, she had a feeling that the princess was willing to take care of this matter and wouldn't blame her.
Moreover, being able to register one's name with the eldest princess would make things much easier in the future.
She wouldn't do a business that would only lose money.
However, she could tell that Master Nie meant well and was not trying to make things difficult for her.
“Master Nie is right. Tonight, I acted impulsively.”
The eldest princess pushed aside the small dish of osmanthus cake in front of her and said:
“How old are you to dare walk alone on this dark road at night? If you need anything at night in the future, just have a servant come and inform us. You don’t need to come in person.”
Seeing Xiao Yuxuan nod, and then obediently pick up the pastry she was given and eat it, her cheeks puffing out as she chewed, she looked quite adorable.
The eldest princess couldn't help but say:
"To be honest, I felt an instant connection with you the moment I saw you. Don't be shy, just treat me like any other elder."
Treating the eldest princess as an ordinary elder? How can that be acceptable?
However, speaking of getting along well, she had only seen her once in her previous life at a palace banquet. The princess didn't even know whether she was round or flat, so this was the first time she had heard such a thing.
Xiao Yuxuan still smiled and said gratefully, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Under the watchful eyes of two "ordinary elders," Xiao Yuxuan forced herself to eat a lot.
Just as she was about to have her fill of food and drink at the Princess's residence, the clock struck midnight. She quickly stopped and said she had to take her leave.
Master Nie glanced at the eldest princess, whose face was full of loving kindness, and said helplessly:
“A-Mian, it’s a bit late. Children still need to grow.”
The eldest princess thought for a moment and said:
"Well, it's too late. Why don't you sleep here tonight? I'll send someone to take you back tomorrow morning and explain to your parents as well."
Master Nie frowned and said disapprovingly, "Amian, don't be willful."
Xiao Yuxuan was also troubled:
"Although I sneaked out, Your Highness has already troubled me enough tonight. I dare not bother you any further and thank you for your kindness."
The eldest princess, perhaps possessing a rebellious streak, couldn't bear to hear even one or two people disobey her. She waved her hand and said:
“What’s the big deal? The house is all ready and tidied up. You can sleep here for one night without any problem. You know my husband has been dead for many years. I have no children and it’s quite lonely living alone in this house. Just keep me company.”
When the topic turned to the prince consort who had once been deeply in love with the princess, Xiao Yuxuan finally stopped talking and nodded.
When the princess died saving the crown prince, she was only nine years old. There were many rumors in the capital that the princess had suffered a seizure and vomited blood, and was on the verge of death. It was only after the emperor and the crown prince took turns comforting her that she gave up the idea of becoming a nun.
Although the eldest princess seems completely unconcerned about her deceased husband, for some reason, Xiao Yuxuan feels a pang of sympathy for this seemingly aloof princess.
The princess and her husband were childhood sweethearts. After their marriage, they had five sons, but all of them died young due to congenital defects. Five years ago, her husband passed away at a young age, and she has been a widow ever since, now in her forties.
The current dynasty treats women harshly. The loss of a child and widowhood are so similar to Xiao Yuxuan's past. As the eldest princess, she faces even greater criticism.
She was destined to be widowed, unable to remarry, and even unable to marry due to her royal reputation, thus choosing to live a life of seclusion and peace.
Xiao Yuxuan said:
"In that case, I, Yuxuan, will trouble Your Highness for one night."
The room that the eldest princess mentioned, which was already prepared, was right next to the sleeping quarters. The head lady-in-waiting beside her, surnamed Meng, was called Aunt Meng, and she personally led Xiao Yuxuan to see the room.
Aunt Meng also had a gentle demeanor, looking at Xiao Yuxuan and speaking softly:
“Miss Xiao, this room has just been cleaned and no one has lived here yet. It was just a hasty renovation, so the decorations are a bit makeshift. If there is anything missing, please feel free to tell the servants.”
Xiao Yuxuan looked up and was stunned.
The floor was covered with a thick Western Region carpet, each step soft and silent, as if walking on clouds. Fresh peonies were placed in a blue and white porcelain vase, their fragrance mingling with the scent of agarwood from the incense burner, creating a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere. Behind the low-hanging golden curtains was a large and exquisite canopy bed, with a huge luminous pearl placed at the head of the bed...
It was completely different from the outside of the Princess's residence, or rather, it was much more luxurious than the Princess's own bedroom.
"This is the best-decorated bedroom I could think of. Thank you, Princess, and thank you, Aunt Meng, for your thoughtful arrangements."
Aunt Meng glanced at the calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the wall, but shook her head:
"This calligraphy and painting is not good."
She turned her head and instructed the maid behind her:
"Go to the storeroom and bring out that landscape painting from my dream to replace it."
Xiao Yuxuan was stunned. It was just for one night's sleep; there was no need to go to such lengths to replace a painting or calligraphy.
Moreover, isn't the "Landscape in a Dream" a lost masterpiece by Zhang Daxianren? Wouldn't it be a waste to use it only to decorate a bedroom?
Seemingly noticing her confusion, Aunt Meng smiled and said:
"Zhang the Immortal is the nickname of the prince consort."
Xiao Yuxuan: "..."
I see.
The princess's unexpected kindness put Xiao Yuxuan at ease.
Although I don't know if what she meant by "getting along well" is true, the care and attention I received were genuine.
From exchanging a purse for a token, to making an exception to enter the girls' school, and then to just agreeing to ask the imperial physician to save Doctor Pei, and caring about whether she was tired or thirsty coming alone in the middle of the night... Perhaps, the Crown Prince's protection of her on those occasions was also at the behest of the Eldest Princess.
If she were to list her greatest gain since her rebirth, it would be that chance encounter with the Princess.
As she slept in the soft, delicate bedding that exuded a faint floral fragrance, she felt for the first time that the road ahead was no longer difficult or long.
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