"Ziwei, do you think this Granny Fang will really tell the Emperor?" Xiaoyanzi was understandably anxious, after all, Granny Fang had previously complained about her to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Seeing Xiao Yanzi's flustered appearance, Ziwei quickly comforted her, "It's alright, there are still a few days left. You can learn from me these few days, and then she won't be able to find fault with you, so she naturally won't tell Father Emperor." Xiao Yanzi's palace etiquette was indeed not up to par, but what could she do? She was Xiao Yanzi's good sister, so she could only be more tolerant.
"Ziwei, I knew you were the best! You truly are my sworn sister. I knew it! There's no such thing as a fake sworn sister!" Xiaoyanzi excitedly stepped forward and patted Ziwei's shoulder. With Ziwei by her side, she felt that she could live a carefree life.
Ziwei, however, looked preoccupied. Yes, she had just promised Erkang that she would ask Hanxiang for her opinion on Mengdan's behalf, but if her father found out about this, their already fragile father-daughter relationship would break down even further.
This is a dilemma; Ziwei is caught between a rock and a hard place. She can neither advance nor retreat.
Little Swallow, so carefree, didn't notice Ziwei's worried expression at all. She excitedly tried to pull Ziwei along, wanting to head straight to Baoyue Tower. "Ziwei, aren't we supposed to ask Hanxiang what she thinks for Mengdan? Let's go now!"
Little Swallow's eyes sparkled as she reached out and pulled Ziwei aside. Before Ziwei could react, Little Swallow had already dragged her away.
Jin Suo kept calling out "Princess" from behind. Seeing Ziwei being dragged away by Xiao Yanzi, Jin Suo gritted her teeth inwardly.
Ziwei was dragged along by Xiaoyanzi the whole way, but the two still chatted and laughed.
Until they ran into the Fifth Prince, who was in a hurry, in the Imperial Garden.
This was the first time they had met Yongqi since the truth came out. However, Yongqi seemed to be in a hurry and didn't notice Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi watching him from the side.
Xiao Yanzi wanted to greet Yongqi, but seeing how hurriedly he left and how he hadn't even noticed them, she whispered in Ziwei's ear, "Ziwei, where do you think Yongqi is going?"
Ziwei remained obediently in Shufangzhai, completely unaware of what was about to happen. She simply shook her head and said, "I don't know either, but seeing Fifth Prince in such a hurry, it must be something important."
Little Swallow's eyes darted around. "Why don't we follow them and take a look?"
Ziwei pursed her lips, hesitating slightly, and said, "Isn't this a bad idea? What if we get caught?" Besides, Ziwei was also afraid that Xiaoyanzi would cause more trouble.
But what kind of person is Little Swallow? She loves to join in the fun. No matter how many times she gets beaten, she never learns her lesson and never sets a bad example.
"Oh, it's alright. Look how flustered he is, he definitely won't notice us. We'll just quietly follow behind him, we won't bother him." Little Swallow said to herself, and then quietly followed.
Ziwei couldn't persuade Xiaoyanzi, and seeing that Xiaoyanzi had already followed, she was afraid that Xiaoyanzi would cause trouble. After hesitating for a long time, Ziwei finally couldn't help but stomp her foot and chase after her.
As soon as they arrived at the palace gate, Yongqi gathered with Fuertai, Jichu, and Fukang'an, who had rushed over. "You know, it's not like Guanbao is coming back. Father Emperor even sent us to welcome him. He's really giving him a lot of face."
"After all, they've worked very hard, so sending a few of us to greet them is just right, isn't it?" Fukang'an had studied with these princes in the palace since he was a child, and he and Yongqi were naturally very familiar with each other.
"Then let's hurry up and go, they might be almost there already," Yongqi quickly replied.
Fu'ertai had no objection to this. After all, the other party wasn't a princess; he was just being sent, so he only needed to play the role of a welcoming guard. The main person being greeted was the Fifth Prince, not him!
Ji Chu and Fu Ertai shared the same sentiment, both wearing cold, indifferent expressions. Despite their cold demeanor, they still followed Yongqi and Fu Kang'an to the palace gate.
Little Swallow peeked out and saw this scene. She scratched her head, puzzled, and said, "How did they get together? And Ertai, he went into the palace but didn't even say he'd go to our Shufangzhai and the Imperial Kitchen. What a traitor!" Little Swallow accused Ertai indignantly.
In Xiao Yanzi's eyes, Fu Ertai had sided with Shufangzhai, not speaking up for them at all. Moreover, Erkang had already been demoted to a cook in the imperial kitchen, and Fu Ertai, now a general, didn't help his brother. Wasn't this ingratitude? Wasn't this treason?
Ziwei's eyes flickered, but she didn't say anything, leaving everyone wondering what she was thinking. Only a hint of resentment flashed in her lowered eyes.
"Who are those two people next to me? They're all huddled together and walking so hurriedly towards the palace gate. Are they going to greet someone?" Xiao Yanzi felt extremely excited at the mention of greeting someone.
She had already met Princess Saiya of Mongolia and Princess Hanxiang of Hui, and she didn't know who was coming now.
However, logically speaking, if some important person were to come, shouldn't the emperor personally greet them?
Xiao Yanzi's words resonated with Ziwei, who also felt that they were about to welcome someone.
Little Swallow trotted a few steps toward them, and Ziwei, feeling sleepy, felt as if someone was handing her a pillow, so she also trotted a few steps toward Little Swallow.
Then they saw a sedan chair slowly approaching, from which stepped a gentle, dignified, and beautiful woman. A couple alighted from the sedan chair behind them.
However, Xiao Yanzi's attention was still focused on the young woman. "Wow, is she a princess from somewhere? She's very beautiful!"
Ziwei bit her lip, feeling ashamed of herself. Since entering the palace, she felt that all her strengths had been overshadowed by the palace.
She was easily outshone by Princess Yong'an in her skills of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her looks were no match for Princess Yong'an, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Even to the Empress Dowager, she couldn't compare to Qing'er's knowledge and manners. Qing'er's temperament was like a rare orchid in a secluded valley; her presence was impossible to ignore.
Princess Saiya, who came after her, was not as open-minded and carefree as her. Now, Xiang Han is from a foreign land and has an exotic beauty, and now an unknown woman has arrived.
Ziwei felt that nothing had gone smoothly for her since entering the palace, and she sighed helplessly.
Hearing Ziwei sigh, Xiaoyanzi quickly turned to look at her and asked with concern, "Ziwei, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Ziwei managed to keep her composure, shook her head.
After seeing who they were picking up, Xiao Yanzi's curiosity disappeared, and she remembered why they had come out today.
Ziwei didn't want to watch any longer, not wanting to witness this scene that made her jealous. She chatted and laughed with Xiaoyanzi along the way, and her mood brightened considerably.
As soon as they arrived at Baoyue Tower, they saw Jin Lingzi coming down from the tower.
Upon seeing that they were the two princesses who had come to see their princess before, Jin Lingzi quickly stepped forward and greeted the two girls in somewhat broken Chinese.
When Xiao Yanzi heard Jin Lingzi address her as "Gege," she didn't immediately correct her. Ziwei glanced at Xiao Yanzi, but didn't say anything.
In Ziwei's eyes, they were just two palace maids who had just entered the palace and didn't understand the status of people in the palace. Thinking of this, Ziwei said softly, "Is Consort Xiang in Baoyue Tower? We're looking for Consort Xiang."
After all, Baoyue Tower was surrounded by guards, and in front of others, Ziwei still had to address Hanxiang as Consort Xiang, lest someone find fault with her and use it as gossip.
“Yes, the princess is up there.” Jin Lingzi walked ahead, leading the way for them.
No matter how many times she came, Xiao Yanzi always felt that Baoyue Tower was filled with an atmosphere of luxury. She muttered to herself, "The Emperor really does have a soft spot for Consort Xiang."
Because she spoke very softly, Jinlingzi, who was leading the way, didn't hear her. But Ziwei, who was very close to Xiaoyanzi, heard Xiaoyanzi's casual remark.
Ziwei looked around and found that, just as Xiaoyanzi had said, her father seemed to really care about this Consort Xiang. At least, Baoyue Tower and the other palaces in the palace were different in every way, clearly built in the architectural style of the Hui people.
Jin Lingzi went in to announce their arrival, and Hanxiang told them to come in. Jin Lingzi then opened the door and let them in.
As soon as Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei entered, they saw Consort Xiang sitting on a prayer mat, praying devoutly in Uyghur.
When Yinlingzi saw that guests had arrived, she quickly invited Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi to sit down and served them tea and snacks, which are the favorites of the Hui people.
Fortunately, Hanxiang did not pray for a particularly long time. She only made Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi wait for a short while before opening her eyes and slowly walking out.
"What brings you two princesses to my Baoyue Tower today?" Hanxiang found it strange, after all, they were Mengdan's friends, and she and Mengdan had already made things clear. Why would they appear at Baoyue Tower again?
"Hanxiang" Little Swallow couldn't hold back any longer and called out first.
When Hanxiang heard her name called, she was only slightly taken aback before she understood what Xiaoyanzi meant. She waved her hand and dismissed all the palace maids serving in Baoyue Tower, leaving only Jin and Yinlingzi, whom she trusted.
"Little Swallow, you might as well speak your mind," Hanxiang said frankly.
"Hanxiang, I want to ask you, are you really willing to stay in this palace to serve the Emperor?" Xiaoyanzi couldn't keep anything to herself, and she asked the question directly without any restraint.
Ziwei wanted to come over, but couldn't be stopped. At the same time, she was also very curious about who Hanxiang would choose. Looking at the decorations in Baoyue Tower, she knew that her father, the Emperor, had put a lot of thought into this Consort Xiang.
When Hanxiang heard Meng Dan's name, she was stunned for a moment, then smiled faintly and said, "Little Swallow, didn't I tell you all a long time ago to tell Meng Dan to forget the past and start over?"
"But didn't he try to kidnap you yesterday? To take you away from the palace, to the ends of the earth?" Xiao Yanzi didn't understand. Did Hanxiang no longer love Mengdan? Was their relationship so fragile?
"Yes, he wanted to kidnap me." Hanxiang said very frankly, as if she wasn't the one being kidnapped. "But I already made it clear to him yesterday that no matter how many times he asks, I've decided to spend the rest of my life in this palace."
When Xiao Yanzi heard Hanxiang say such things, she became furious and couldn't help but shout, "What about Meng Dan? He only thinks about you. After he was rescued yesterday, he kept calling out your name. Does your past mean nothing to you?"
Hanxiang was completely baffled by Xiaoyanzi's exaggerated idiom. Fortunately, Ziwei quickly translated for Hanxiang, "Xiaoyanzi means it's worthless."
Immediately afterwards, Ziwei took Hanxiang's hand and sincerely advised, "Hanxiang, have you really thought this through? You are so young, are you really willing to spend the rest of your life in this palace? There is Mengdan who loves you outside the palace, are you really going to give him up so easily? Have you ever seen the concubines in the harem?"
“Some concubines don’t receive the Emperor’s favor and may not even see him a few times a year. Others may initially enjoy the Emperor’s favor, but favor is fleeting, and no one can maintain the Emperor’s affection for long.” Ziwei frowned as she analyzed the current and future predicaments for Hanxiang.
"Yes, now that I've been sent to the palace and decided to stay, I've made all the necessary preparations." Hanxiang closed her eyes with a look of resignation. "Thank you for helping me and Mengdan during this time, but we don't need you anymore."
"Hanxiang, is it for the riches and glory of the palace?" Xiao Yanzi couldn't help but ask, remembering what Anke had said to her in that pavilion during their inspection tour.
Hanxiang slowly opened her eyes, staring at Xiaoyanzi in disbelief. Hadn't they said they'd already heard Mengdan's story about them? Why did they still so objectively believe she was only staying in the palace for wealth and status?
"No, if I were truly greedy for worldly riches and glory, I wouldn't have eloped with Meng Dan so many times." Recalling her past with Meng Dan, it felt as if those things had happened in a past life.
How could she dare to covet the words "love" now?
"Then what exactly is it for?" Xiao Yanzi didn't understand, or rather, she didn't consider things from Hanxiang's perspective, or perhaps she didn't see the miserable state of the Hui people.
"I am first and foremost a princess of the Hui people. If sacrificing myself alone can bring peace to my Hui people, then I am willing to do so." Hanxiang gave a bitter smile and continued, "Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, you have never seen what the Hui people are like now. Burning, killing, and looting are happening all the time in the Hui community."
“Everywhere I heard people crying and screaming, but I was powerless to help.” Hanxiang suddenly closed her eyes, as if she had returned to the Hui people who were now suffering in dire straits.
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