After the guards left, the princess immediately went to Li Nian, her whole body exuding an excitement of wanting to share gossip.
"Nian Nian! Guess what news I just heard?"
Li Nian covered the steamer, wiped his hands, and looked at the princess at this moment. She looked lively and lively, not at all like the elegant and dignified look she had before.
I think it's very interesting.
He smiled and continued, "What's so interesting that makes the princess so happy?"
"I'm sure you've heard about the marriage between the Su and Zhao families, right?"
Li Nian nodded: "I know, I heard it from Sisi."
The princess' eyes sparkled, as if she was enjoying a good show. "Su Muyan ran away from her marriage! I heard that when the young master of the Zhao family learned of this, he immediately rode out of the city in pursuit, so anxious that he knocked over three stalls on the way."
Li Nian recalled the conversation she overheard during the royal spring hunt that day.
Su Muyan didn't like Zhao Ju. It seemed that she was forced when she had sex with Zhao Ju, so she was dissatisfied with the marriage and chose to elope.
Li Nian didn't expect that Su Muyan, a native lady born and raised in the boudoir, would actually have such courage.
"It's really surprising."
The princess keenly noticed her reaction was quite calm: "Nian Nian doesn't seem too surprised?"
Li Nian lowered her head to arrange the steamer. "I just think Princess Su has a strong personality, so it's understandable that she's unwilling to yield." She suddenly changed the subject. "The guard's attire was very unique. Are the patterns on it unique to the princess's residence?"
The princess blinked and thought to herself that Nian Nian was indeed smart and careful.
According to her two subordinates, they had only met Nian Nian once when they first left the capital.
Unexpectedly, she discovered the clue as soon as she saw it today.
The princess curled her lips and replied casually, "That's the emblem of a 'Shadow Guard,' worn only by the most trusted guards in the Princess's residence."
"Shadow guard?" Li Nian was a little surprised, but felt that it should be reasonable.
She wanted to ask, when they left the capital, did the princess already know about it, so she secretly arranged for people to protect them?
But it also felt a little unbelievable. Why did the noble Princess of Anyang Kingdom bother to arrange shadow guards to secretly protect her and Sisi? Besides, they had only just arrived at that time and had only met the princess a few times.
"Well," the princess' voice suddenly softened. "They were established during the reign of the previous emperor, specifically to protect important members of the royal family. My father gave them to me when I came of age. The silver patterns on their clothes are in the shape of winter plum blossoms, symbolizing their ability to protect from the shadows."
Li Nian pondered for a moment: "Then... did the princess ever arrange for them to go on a mission to the northwest? Or perhaps..."
"I sent them." The princess looked directly at her, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "The day you left the capital, I was worried about your safety, so I arranged for two shadow guards to escort you."
Li Nian didn't expect that it was really the princess who arranged people to protect them secretly, and she didn't expect that the princess would admit it so frankly.
No wonder the princess came looking for her early the next morning when she first arrived in the capital. And when she said she wasn't Yun Qiuwu, she believed her.
Later, when she regained her status as the Crown Prince's wife, she still accepted it calmly.
Li Nian suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.
The princess, who seems carefree and easy-going, is actually so cunning. It would be too easy for her to manipulate anyone she wants.
"Why..." Li Nian raised her eyes and stared at the person in front of her, the noble Princess, whom she always regarded as a close friend.
At this moment, she was shocked to realize that her previous understanding of her was really superficial.
The princess walked over, gently picked up the rag that had slipped from her hand, and put it back on the stove: "Because I like the snacks you make?" She tried to lighten the atmosphere with a joke, but the seriousness in her eyes betrayed her.
White steam began to emerge from the steamer, and the aroma of locust flowers became stronger.
The princess took a deep breath and suddenly became serious: "Niannian, do you know why I want you to come to my house and make some snacks for me?"
Li Nian shook his head: "I don't know."
"Because here," the princess said, looking around at the flour sacks, spice jars, and steaming steamers, "I feel most like myself. Without all the princess airs and formalities. It's like..." she paused, "like being back when my mother was still around."
Li Nian was at a loss for words by her sudden sincerity, so the princess saw maternal love in her?
What an outrageous excuse.
Li Nian lowered her eyes and said softly, "The locust flower cake is almost ready. Princess, please try it later to see if it suits your taste."
The princess smiled, her smile sincere and bright. "As long as it's made by Nian Nian, it must be delicious."
White steam continued to rise from the gaps in the steamer, blurring the faces of the two people.
Li Nian looked at the princess's profile softened by the heat, and the wall of vigilance that had just been built in his heart quietly loosened.
She thought of the robe embroidered with silver patterns and what the princess had just said, and suddenly realized that no matter what the princess's purpose was, she had never hurt herself or Sisi since they met.
Always treat them kindly and friendly.
Maybe she is too narrow-minded and always can't help but think the worst of others.
——————
When Li Nian was about to leave the princess's residence with a food box full of 'Sophora japonica cakes', the sun had already begun to set.
The princess personally escorted her to the gate.
The evening wind blew their skirts together and they looked at each other.
The princess's deep female voice sounded gentle and kind: "Be careful on your way. If you are free someday, you can come to my house to cook for me. I will have someone prepare some more fresh locust flowers. If you have any other ingredients you want, just let me know and I will have someone find them for you."
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