When Ning Xihua stepped into Linhua Palace again, she had a completely different feeling towards Su Bi.
Perhaps it was because she learned about Su Bi's childhood from Bai Luoqiu, when she looked at Su Bi again, she discovered many things that she had never noticed before.
For example, she had always been curious about why the decorations on the fifth floor of Tingfeng Tower and Linhua Palace were so exquisite and sophisticated, even more luxurious than the residences of most wealthy nobles, which did not fit Su Bi's gentle and jade-like personality at all.
Now that I think about it, it's probably because Su Bi suffered too much from lack of food and clothing in Ryukyu during his youth, which is why he now pays so much attention to the quality and details of life.
Ning Xihua brought an ice bowl filled with fruits and nuts, topped with honey and yogurt. It was icy and sweet, and was particularly refreshing in this hot summer.
Sure enough, Su Bi also took a bowl. Although it was not obvious on his face, his brows seemed to relax more as he ate, and the corners of his eyes drooped lazily. He was obviously very satisfied with this bowl of overly sweet ice.
She had discovered before that every time she ate those sweet and greasy cakes and preserved fruits, Su Bi would always take a piece from time to time.
At that time, she thought it was cute that a grown man secretly liked to eat desserts. But now, she just felt sad.
I'm afraid Su Bi has never eaten candy or tasted anything sweet since she went to Ryukyu.
Because the past was bitter, that is why I like sweetness so much now.
Ning Xihua suddenly remembered what Bai Luoqiu said to her before he left that day.
"Su Bi suffered too much and endured too much pain. As his uncle, no matter how hard I try, I can't give him back his youth."
At that time, Bai Luoqiu's tone was bitter, but his eyes were looking at her with burning intent.
"But I can see that he treats you differently."
There was hope in his eyes, which came from the request and expectation of an elder.
"If possible, I ask you to do your best to make his future life a little sweeter."
Ning Xihua came back to her senses and found that Su Bi did not interrupt her from staring at him in a daze.
He simply put down the bowl of ice, picked up the folding fan and slowly fanned her.
Her heart softened.
Su Bi always seemed to be like this, too considerate and perfect to her, sometimes even making her feel that it was not real.
Ning Xihua took out a small wooden box and stuffed it into Su Bi's empty hand.
"Here, for you."
Su Bi took it and looked at it. The small wooden box looked ordinary and there was nothing special about it.
He reached out and opened the box, and found a sugar man in the shape of a little rabbit lying quietly inside.
Su Bi picked up the little rabbit candy figure and examined it carefully. She found that it was the same kind of candy figure that children on the street often bought. However, this candy figure was lifelike, with red rabbit eyes and looked vivid.
It was the first time he received such a gift and he felt very surprised.
Su Bi looked up at Ning Xihua, her eyes twinkling with twinkling stars, and her tone unconsciously took on a smile, "Give it to me?"
Ning Xihua nodded somewhat embarrassedly.
She didn't know what was wrong with her, but when she passed by Jiqingfang on the way here, she heard the hawking of sugar figures, so she got off the car and bought one.
Thinking that he must not have eaten candy figures like other children when he was a child, I wanted to buy one for him.
After I bought it, I realized it was a bit childish. Although I felt embarrassed, I still gave it away.
She simply wanted to buy him something sweet that he had never tasted before.
Su Bi smiled generously, her smile spreading across her hair and eyebrows, making her whole person bright.
He picked up the candy man, snapped it, and bit off the cute head of the little rabbit.
Ning Xihua: …
Even though it was given to him, I still felt that the boss was a bit cruel.
Su Bi finished eating with a few crunchy bites and put the remaining candy figure back into the original small wooden box.
He smiled, "Very sweet. Thank you, I like it very much."
Ning Xihua suddenly felt that Su Bi looked particularly cute and adorable when she obediently ate the candy man.
As an old lady, her heart was almost melted into a pool of sugar water, filled with pity and love for Su Bi.
"But why did the princess think of giving me a gift?"
Ning Xihua choked. She couldn't say that she felt pity for you because she heard your tragic past from your uncle.
Without waiting for her answer, Su Bi asked again, "The princess just stared at me blankly, with eyes as if she wanted to eat me alive. Now she gave me such a lovely gift, could it be that the princess..."
Su Bi smiled and said, "Are you in love with me?"
These four words are very convoluted and meaningful.
Ning Xihua: …
Fuck the weakness, cuteness, and sympathy of that little guy!
Who is this big guy who needs her pity? He is a ruthless man who can resist drunkenness in his dreams and go to the battlefield alone!
This kind of boss who would play tricks on her at the slightest disagreement does not need her sympathy and mercy!
"Your Highness is a little... self-indulgent."
Su Bi was heartbroken when she heard this, her eyelashes drooping, "The princess called me a beauty before, and now she says I am being sentimental. Could it be that my face is too haggard and I can no longer win the princess' heart?"
Ning Xihua took a deep breath and suppressed the national quintessence that was about to burst out of her chest.
To prevent Su Bi from bringing up her previous embarrassing incident of being poisoned, she could only raise the corners of her mouth stiffly and replied with a fake smile: "Your Highness is as handsome as a crown of jade, as beautiful as the bright moon, gentle and elegant, with the appearance of a phoenix and the demeanor of a dragon."
Su Bi stopped pretending and replied with a smile, "So I am so beautiful in the princess' heart."
Ning Xihua rolled her eyes without hesitation and nodded in agreement.
A beauty is a beauty, but she is a little narcissistic.
Seeing her rolling eyes, Su Bi laughed again, and her laughter attracted Huai Liu who was outside the door to look out frequently.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore. Don't forget the banquet the day after tomorrow."
Ning Xihua did not forget about the banquet.
After the Wanshou Festival, envoys from various countries returned home one after another. Before leaving, Emperor Shao Yuan ordered the crown prince to host a banquet on his behalf to entertain the guests and show his hospitality.
Ning Xihua asked curiously, "Why did you agree to this, Your Majesty? Are you feeling better now?"
When Su Bi smiled, he knew that he couldn't hide the fact of his so-called "weakness" from her, although he didn't want to hide it from her.
He said meaningfully, "I've been sick for too long. It's about time I get better."
Otherwise, I'm afraid the ministers would almost forget that Dali has a prince.
"Don't forget to come early."
Ning Xihua knew that he had his own plans, but she still replied unhappily, "Why did you come here so early?"
Su Bi tapped her forehead lightly with his folding fan and smiled back, "So that you can see me so beautiful earlier."
Ning Xihua: …
What to do if the boss is too angry? Her mother tongue today is speechless...
After Ning Xihua left, Su Bi stopped smiling.
"Go check who the princess has met recently."
He was not slow to react. Ning Xihua treated him differently today. Not only did she give him a candy man, but she also became more tolerant in her attitude.
Huai Liu: "Master, do you suspect that the princess has some bad dealings with other people?"
Su Bi glanced at him, and Huai Liu immediately shrank his head, saying no more, and just leaned forward and replied respectfully: "Yes."
After Huailiu left, Su Bi opened the wooden box containing the candy man again and took out the half-eaten little rabbit candy man.
He looked at the sugar man quietly, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously again.