The night will always pass, and dawn will eventually break.
Early the next morning, in the Shaohua Pavilion of the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Mei Xiyuan was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, carefully doing her makeup. A rose-purple gown made her look noble and elegant. A dazzling purple-gold flower was pasted on her forehead, and a pair of jade and old red agate plum blossom tassel earrings dangled from her thick earlobes, swaying with a shimmering light. The light pink-purple jade bracelet on her wrist gave people an indescribable sense of comfort.
"Your Highness, it's time for breakfast. Miss Lu has been waiting outside for quite some time." After she finished dressing, her personal maid urged her that it was time for breakfast.
"Alright, let's go!" After carefully examining the luxurious cosmetics and clothing to ensure they were in order, she slowly rose and, with the help of her maid, took small steps toward the food table in the warm pavilion.
"Greetings to Sister Mei! Sister Mei looks especially beautiful today," Lu Tianjiao said, immediately curtsying and flattering Mei Xiyuan as she appeared in her finest attire.
“Please rise, sister. Now that we are sisters, there’s no need to be so formal. Sit down quickly, you must be hungry,” Mei Xiyuan said, pulling Lu Tianjiao’s hand to sit down.
As soon as she sat down, she smiled and said, "Granny Zhao, from now on, when it's time to eat, just tell someone to serve my sister first. There's no need to wait for me, the princess. Don't let my sister go hungry. From today onwards, everything my sister uses must be the best. She must not be neglected."
"Yes," Zhao Mama had barely finished speaking when Lu Tianjiao smiled and said, "Sister, there's no need to trouble yourself. I'll wait for you. With someone to keep me company, I can eat more."
Mei Xiyuan felt pleased to hear this, thinking to herself, "You're smart enough to know that I'm still the most respected person in the Qin Prince's Mansion."
So she chuckled and said, "Then you must eat more, little sister. Otherwise, when we get back to the academy, your father will complain that Your Highness and I are being harsh on you and not taking good care of you."
As she spoke, she glanced at the maid standing beside her, gesturing for her to serve Lu Tianjiao rice. Mei Xiyuan continued cheerfully, "Sister, try this porridge! Do you like it? In Dongning, it's called 'Daughter's Porridge.' It's a daily dish that's eaten by everyone, whether in the palace or among the common people. It's made by simmering round glutinous rice, black glutinous rice, mung beans, red beans, red dates, peach kernels, peanuts, lotus seeds, longan, pine nuts, yam, lily bulbs, goji berries, and Job's tears together over low heat until tender. Finally, rock sugar is added for flavor."
As they spoke, a steaming bowl of fragrant porridge was placed in front of Lu Tianjiao.
After politely thanking her, "Sister Xie," Lu Tianjiao took a bite and praised, "Mmm... soft, sweet, and refreshing, it's really good."
"I'm glad you like it, little sister. Try this crab roe soup dumpling too. The dumpling has a thin, fragrant skin, and the soup is just right—not too salty, not too bland. After you finish eating, a lingering fragrance remains in your mouth, making it unforgettable. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Please try it!" Mei Xiyuan said with a look of pure delight, personally picking up a crab roe soup dumpling, which resembled a plump, round, tightly wrapped, and delicate chrysanthemum bud, white as snow, crystal clear, and seemingly about to burst open, and placing it into Lu Tianjiao's bowl.
Afterwards, she didn't forget to remind her, "By the way, when eating this crab roe soup dumpling, remember to 'lift it gently, move it slowly, open a window first, and then eat the soup.' Enjoy the wonderful experience of tasting it, little sister."
Lu Tianjiao was immediately filled with curiosity and bewilderment, feeling that the Princess of Dongning before him was indeed extremely extravagant, a true golden princess. This lavish breakfast alone could probably provide an ordinary family with enough firewood, rice, oil, and salt for many days.
Although she was not favored by Xuan Yuanhan, Mei Xiyuan did not skimp on herself in terms of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, and was served luxurious food and clothing every day.
Seeing that Lu Tianjiao had also started eating, Zhao Mama then began to serve Mei Xiyuan.
Upon seeing Granny Zhao, Mei Xiyuan's smile gradually faded, and she asked, "Has His Highness not returned to the manor yet?"
"Your Highness, His Highness returned to the manor with General Cheng around midnight last night," Zhao Mama replied.
"Oh? He's already back at the residence. It seems our Highness knows what day it is today!" Mei Xiyuan thought she would be going to the palace alone again on her first New Year's Eve after her wedding, but she didn't expect Xuan Yuanhan to return. A faint sense of anticipation arose in her heart.
After a slight smile, he asked, "Have you found out where Your Highness went yesterday? What did you do?"
Granny Zhao simply shook her head slightly, and the faint smile that had just appeared on Mei Xiyuan's face vanished instantly.
Seeing this, Lu Tianjiao smiled and said, "Today is New Year's Eve. According to custom, you will ride in the same carriage with His Highness to the palace to join the royal family. Why don't you take this opportunity to show your concern to His Highness in person? You can see how he responds and also take this chance to strengthen your relationship. Wouldn't that be better?"
These words were like a wake-up call, and Mei Xiyuan suddenly understood.
Indeed, she and Xuan Yuanhan had never spent much time alone together and had communicated too little. He wouldn't tell her many things unless she asked.
Such a cold person, if she hadn't asked, he probably would never have mentioned it in his entire life. That's why the two of them drifted further and further apart.
Perhaps she really should be patient and wait. Perhaps one day, she will enter his heart, and everything will be different.
Tonight, however, presented a rare opportunity, and Mei Xiyuan finally smiled and said, "What you say is absolutely right, sister. I was careless."
Then, the two looked at each other and laughed.
Inside Chenghua Hall, Xuanyuan Hanmo, adorned with a jade crown and dressed in a long white brocade robe, sat upright at his desk, holding a sachet of sapphire blue silk inlaid with a few sprigs of white plum blossoms. He gently brought it to his nose, savoring the fragrance. His deep eyes narrowed slightly, and a beautiful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, making him appear extremely gentle at that moment.
The originally faint herbal scent had become increasingly faint, yet he still cherished it. This was because the person who made the sachet had put in a great deal of effort and considerable difficulty to bring it into his possession.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort and Miss Lu have arrived," Cheng Liang said cautiously as he entered, seemingly unwilling to disturb him.
Upon hearing Cheng Liang's voice, he slowly came to his senses and raised his head, immediately reverting to his usual cold expression.
Just then, Mei Xiyuan and Lu Tianjiao walked in with light, graceful steps.
Lu Tianjiao's eyes reacted with lightning speed. The moment she entered the main hall, she recognized the sachet in front of Xuan Yuanhan. It was a gift from Yi Shangyun, given to her by Xuan Yuanyue the day before the Prince of Qin's wedding. She simply hadn't expected that Xuan Yuanhan would still carry it with him. Was it a reminder of her?
How much must he like that person to act like this! From childhood to adulthood, she had never seen her Han-gege become so affectionate, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects."
"Tianjiao greets Your Highness."
The two men approached and bowed to Xuan Yuanhan one after another.
Xuanyuan Han simply said coldly, "Get up."
As soon as Mei Xiyuan stood up, she smiled and said, "Your Highness, I have come here to ask for your permission on a matter."
Xuanyuan Han raised his eyes slightly, but only stared at the corner of the desk without looking at her, asking sparingly, "What is it?"
Feeling somewhat embarrassed at being ignored, Mei Xiyuan had no choice but to continue smiling in front of Lu Tianjiao, saying, "I have been in Xiqin for several months now, but Your Highness is always busy with court affairs, so I dare not trouble you. Today, I have hit it off with Sister Tianjiao, so I would like to keep her in the manor for a while longer to keep me company and also to show me around Xiqin. What does Your Highness think?"
As Xuan Yuanhan was pondering, Mei Xiyuan feigned pitifulness and said, "Your Highness once instructed me that I should not make decisions on my own regarding matters in the palace. That is why I came to Chenghua Palace specifically to ask for your permission. I hope Your Highness will grant my request, so that I will not be cooped up in the palace all day, missing my father and mother, becoming depressed and ill from the accumulated melancholy." As she spoke, she pretended to take out an embroidered handkerchief and lightly wipe the corners of her eyes.
Xuan Yuanhan seemed somewhat impatient and just wanted her to disappear from his sight as soon as possible. He then said to Lu Tianjiao, who was standing silently to the side, "If you are willing, you can stay at the Prince's Mansion for a while longer, but you should write a letter back to inform your father so that he will not worry."
"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured. Tianjiao will write a letter back to reassure her father. Tianjiao will definitely stay in the palace to keep the Princess Consort company." Lu Tianjiao really didn't expect that Mei Xiyuan's two moves would get Xuanyuan Han to agree to let her stay, and she couldn't help but get excited.
However, she thought to herself that as long as she could stay by Brother Han's side, she was confident that she could overcome Mei Xiyuan and Yi Shangyun with her own talents.
At this moment, she looked at the man who sat high above her, the only man she truly loved, with eyes as gentle as water. She secretly imagined the sweet and intimate moments they would share after she gained his favor, and a blush of shyness quickly spread across her face.
Mei Xiyuan's gaze suddenly fell on the sapphire blue sachet in front of Xuan Yuanhan. She took two steps closer, picked it up, and examined it for a long time. Then, she frowned and said with a look of disdain, "Your Highness, how can you use such a crude sachet? The materials and workmanship of this sachet are extremely inferior, and the herbs inside have long lost their fragrance. I will make a new one for Your Highness. I wonder what color and pattern Your Highness prefers?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Xuanyuan Han widened his eyes and shouted at him sternly, "Put it down for me."
Mei Xiyuan was unaware of the origin of the sachet, and still boasted nonchalantly, "I have the best sachet in the world, it has been used for a thousand years..."
"lay down!"
Before she could finish speaking, Xuan Yuanhan roared and stood up, quickly reaching out a strong hand to snatch her from Mei Xiyuan's grasp.
Everyone present, including Cheng Liang, was stunned. Mei Xiyuan was so frightened that she stood there dumbfounded, her hand still holding the sachet, but her smile had frozen on her face.
Cheng Liang
Hearing his master's angry voice, Cheng Liang hurried forward to Mei Xiyuan's side and said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, please."
"Your Highness..." Mei Xiyuan was still in shock but seemed to want to say something. However, seeing Xuan Yuanhan's angry face and his complete disregard for her, and the thick smell of gunpowder in the air, she was afraid that it would be of no use to say anything more at this time.
So he gritted his teeth, calmed himself down, and then straightened his back and strode out.
Lu Tianjiao, who was equally astonished, glanced at Cheng Liang, who also gave her a helpless look.
So she slowly stepped forward, bowed to Xuan Yuanhan, and said, "Your Highness, please calm down," before hurrying off after Mei Xiyuan.
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