Chapter 54 Background
Lanxin came out shortly after going in, looking somewhat absent-minded. She stiffly invited the two young ladies from the Xiao family to come in, but her eyes kept falling on Hongzhu.
Hongzhu was extremely sensitive; she noticed Lanxin's attention even before Lanxin went in, and for some reason, she felt a little flustered.
Why are the people from the Princess's residence looking at me like that?
She glanced at Xiao Yuxuan subconsciously, and Xiao Yuxuan returned her a reassuring look.
"Don't worry, the Princess is a very good person, and so is Lanxin. Once you go inside, just act as usual."
Xiao Yuxuan knew that she could not explain how she knew that Hongzhu was the lost Princess Minying. During this time, she guided Hongzhu to regain her memory and thought of bringing her to see the eldest princess in advance, hoping to restore Hongzhu's identity without leaving a trace.
She had no shortage of servants, and after spending time with Hongzhu, she could tell that Hongzhu was a very good child.
besides--
Five years ago, the Crown Prince fell into an enemy country's trap while searching for the lost Princess Min-young. The Princess and her husband risked their lives to save him, but ultimately lost their lives... If Hong-zhu could return sooner, it would put an end to the worries of the Princess and the Crown Prince.
Xiao Yuyao was also invited in. This was her first time entering the Princess's residence, and she was startled as soon as she stepped inside.
Wasn't it said that the eldest princess was highly favored and valued by His Majesty?
Why is the mansion so...simple?
It seems that this princess does not like extravagance. As she walked, she carefully removed two gold hairpins from her hair and put them into Caihe's hand.
After thinking for a moment, he took off the jade bracelet from his wrist and handed it to Caihe, whispering his instructions:
"You can keep it."
Although Caihe didn't understand, she still nodded respectfully and carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief and put it in her sleeve.
Lanxin led everyone to a side hall and sat them down before the princess came out from her inner chamber.
Xiao Yuyao's eyes lit up, and she stood up and bowed before Xiao Yuxuan could:
"Your humble servant, Xiao Yuyao, greets Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings!"
After she finished speaking, Xiao Yuxuan slowly and deliberately bowed: "This humble woman greets the Princess."
Seeing the princess approaching, Xiao Yuyao reorganized her thoughts, preparing to explain why she had come along. However, the princess didn't stop in front of her; instead, she simply walked past her.
"You're here. Get up quickly."
The eldest princess personally helped Xiao Yuxuan up. Looking at the red pearl behind Xiao Yuxuan, her eyes reddened, and she asked in a trembling voice:
"Is this child someone you serve? How old is he? What's his name? Are his parents healthy?"
The princess stared intently at Hongzhu, and Hongzhu's heart gradually tightened. Anyone could understand what was going on.
She will probably find out about her origins soon.
Xiao Yuxuan withdrew her gaze from the stiff Xiao Yuyao and said to the Princess:
"Your Highness, she is ten years old, her name is Hongzhu, and she has beautiful handwriting, so I took her with me to the girls' school to audit some classes. As for her family situation... I don't know much about it, so why don't you let her tell me herself?"
"Red Pearl?"
Hearing the girl call her softly and look at her encouragingly, Hongzhu finally mustered up the courage to look up at the princess in front of her, dressed in ordinary clothes and as graceful as an orchid tree.
“This servant is Hongzhu. I probably damaged my brain when I was a child. I can’t remember many things. I only remember being sold to a matchmaker by a human trafficker. I have no memory of my parents.”
Xiao Yuyao turned around. She couldn't see the princess's expression from her direction, but she heard the conversation between the three of them, and her unease became more and more obvious.
Why would the princess, who is perfectly fine, ask a maid about her background?
Could they be old acquaintances?
She was filled with doubts, but seeing Xiao Yuxuan's calm and composed demeanor, she knew that everything was under Xiao Yuxuan's control, and she felt a sudden wave of frustration for no reason.
She had planned everything perfectly, and today she was supposed to steal the spotlight from the princess, but instead the princess went to care about a wretched girl!
The next moment, Xiao Yuyao saw the eldest princess, who had been standing ramrod straight, suddenly bend down and embrace the maid named Hongzhu, her voice choked with emotion:
“Child, you’ve suffered so much all these years. Let me show you something and see if you can remember it…”
As she spoke, her face streaked with tears, she looked apologetically at Xiao Yuxuan:
"Yu Xuan, there are some things I can't tell you yet. I'll take Hongzhu with me first. Go have some breakfast, and Lan Xin will accompany you to the girls' school later."
After saying that, she took Hongzhu's little hand and walked outside.
Lanxin immediately stepped forward and bowed to indicate that she understood.
From the moment the princess appeared until she left, she didn't give Xiao Yuyao a single glance.
Xiao Yuxuan smiled faintly as she watched Hongzhu being led away in a daze, and her heart felt slightly at ease.
It seems the eldest princess has largely believed it. All that's needed is to investigate whether what Hongzhu said is true. It would be best if Hongzhu could regain her memory soon, so that both the eldest princess and the crown prince can be at ease.
Lan Xin, seeing Xiao Yuyao's expression of shock and disbelief, found it somewhat amusing. She curtsied to Xiao Yuxuan and said with a smile:
"Miss Xiao, this way please—"
They were also very happy for the eldest princess that she was found!
Xiao Yuxuan took a couple of steps, then turned around and saw Xiao Yuyao standing frozen in place. She didn't bother to remind her and continued following Lanxin.
She didn't care at all what Xiao Yuyao was thinking at the moment.
The eldest princess and Xiao Yuxuan had both left, and most of the servants in the side hall had also left. Seeing that the fourth young lady Xiao was still standing there, they looked at each other, but none of them said anything to disturb her.
This person wasn't invited by the eldest princess in the first place, so why is he spacing out now?
Xiao Yuyao blinked her dry eyes. How could this be?
How could that be?
Wait, she remembered.
Five years ago, the eldest princess's husband died to save the crown prince, who was only thirteen years old at the time, in order to find the lost Princess Min-young.
Princess Min-young and the Seventh Prince are twins. If they were still alive, they would be ten years old this year!
That's impossible. She's just a little girl, how could she be a princess?
If it's true, then why did she allow the servants to mistreat Hongzhu and repeatedly call Hongzhu a lowly wretch...?
Xiao Yuyao shook her head, muttering unconsciously:
"No way, how could Hongzhu be a princess? There must be a mistake..."
Caihe, who had been standing behind her with her head down, hadn't heard what she was saying and asked with concern:
"Young lady, what's wrong?"
Not receiving a reply from Xiao Yuyao, Caihe glanced at the empty entrance again and tentatively spoke:
"The princess has already left. Shall we still have breakfast here?"
Although she was a servant, Caihe was anxious because her mistress seemed to be acting strangely. Thinking about the purpose of the young lady's visit today, she felt very worried.
"Shut up!"
Xiao Yuyao closed her eyes, gave a low scolding, exhaled a breath of stale air, and walked in the direction Xiao Yuxuan had left.
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