When Wang Xiuxiu stepped into Qixia Courtyard, Princess Su Yingxue was sitting on a soft couch by the window, holding a colorful silk thread in her hand, intently making a knot.
Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, bathing her in its glow and making the jewels on her head sparkle, while her luxurious dress shimmered with a soft sheen.
Yet this princess, of such noble status, was now acting like an ordinary woman, her head bowed as she fiddled with the silk threads in her hands, her expression so earnest that one couldn't bear to disturb her.
Her movements were clumsy, even awkward, but there was an indescribable elegance in every gesture.
Especially in her lowered eyes, there seemed to be a subtle tenderness hidden, as if she were thinking of someone or something through the silk thread in her hand.
"Sister!" Wang Xiuxiu called softly, afraid of disturbing her.
Su Yingxue looked up and saw that it was Wang Xiuxiu. A gentle smile immediately bloomed on her face: "Xiuxiu is here. Please sit down."
Her smile was completely different from Madam Cheng's fake smile that hid daggers. It was like the warm spring sun, inspiring both respect and warmth.
Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart, quickly walked over and sat down beside her, took out several exquisitely embroidered sachets and handkerchiefs from her sleeve, and handed them over.
"Sister, I made some sachets and handkerchiefs. Do you like these designs?" Wang Xiuxiu asked with a hint of anticipation.
Su Yingxue took the sachet, gently stroking the fine stitches on it, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes: "It's wonderful, Xiuxiu's craftsmanship is truly excellent! The embroidery is so lifelike, and the stitches are so even, I really like it!"
Wang Xiuxiu was a little embarrassed by the praise and was about to say something when she saw Su Yingxue's eyes suddenly light up, as if she had thought of something, and she asked eagerly, "Xiuxiu, do you know how to make knots?"
"I know a little bit. What kind of product do you want, sister? I can try."
"Great! I can't seem to tie this love knot properly. Teach me!" Su Yingxue's eyes sparkled with anticipation, her voice filled with childlike excitement.
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Okay, sister, watch me do it once first."
She took the silk thread from Su Yingxue's hand, skillfully wrapped it around a few times, and her fingers moved nimbly, soon tying a love knot.
Su Yingxue watched intently, but when it was her turn to do it herself, the situation was completely different.
The silk thread was tangled up in a mess, either with the knots tied incorrectly or the direction of the loops reversed.
Wang Xiuxiu watched from the side, unable to suppress a smirk, but quickly suppressed her laughter and patiently taught her again and again.
"Sister, look, you need to go around here like this, and then come back through here..." Wang Xiuxiu instructed softly, without a trace of impatience in her tone.
Su Yingxue studied very hard, but unfortunately she was clumsy and could never learn it.
In the end, even she herself felt a little embarrassed, blushing as she said, "Xiuxiu, am I too stupid?"
Wang Xiuxiu quickly shook her head: "You're just starting out, so it's inevitable that you're a bit rusty. You'll get used to it after a few more practice sessions."
Su Yingxue sighed, glanced at the sky outside the window, and said softly, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest. I'll practice some more later."
Wang Xiuxiu stood up and nodded obediently: "Okay, then I'll come and keep you company again tomorrow."
After leaving Qixia Courtyard, Wang Xiuxiu returned to Lanyue Pavilion in a cheerful mood.
Not long after entering, Granny Li came in with several maids, carrying an exquisite wooden box.
"Madam, just as you stepped out, the Princess suddenly remembered that she had forgotten something for you. That's why she sent me to bring it over right away!" Granny Li said with a smile, her tone respectful.
Wang Xiuxiu was somewhat surprised. She took the wooden box, opened it, and her eyes lit up immediately.
The box was filled with all kinds of jewelry, each piece so exquisite that it was hard to look away.
Unlike the glamorous but slightly gaudy jewelry that Lu Jingze bought for her on the way back to Beijing, this jewelry was exquisitely designed, with delicate yet understated gemstones and noble yet tasteful gold ornaments. Each piece seemed to be tailor-made for her, precisely hitting the spot in her heart!
Holding the jewelry, Wang Xiuxiu felt both happy and apprehensive.
She hadn't expected the princess to be so generous, and she certainly hadn't expected the jewelry to suit her taste so well.
Looking up at Granny Li, I was about to say something to express my gratitude when I saw that although Granny Li had a smile on her face, there was a deep and unfathomable meaning in her eyes.
Unlike Granny Lu from the Cheng family, Granny Li, though equally haughty, revealed something different about her to Wang Xiuxiu.
Her attitude was respectful but not servile, and her words were polite but tinged with a hint of probing, as if she were secretly observing something.
However, at this moment, Wang Xiuxiu was dazzled by the jewelry in front of her.
"Granny Li, please thank Her Highness the Princess for me. I really like all these pieces of jewelry." Wang Xiuxiu smiled, her eyes crinkling with gratitude.
Granny Li nodded slightly and said respectfully, "I'm glad you like it, Madam. Her Highness the Princess also said that if you need anything, please feel free to ask."
After Granny Li left, she happily took out the jewelry piece by piece to try on, and even pondered how to match it with her clothes.
On the other side, on her way back, Granny Li couldn't help but mutter to herself: This young mistress, though greedy for money, is quite adorable and indeed very likable.
---
As time went by, Wang Xiuxiu gradually noticed some subtle differences.
The relationship between Lu Jingze and the princess does not seem to be as loving as the rumors suggest.
Although the two always acted respectfully towards each other in public, a sense of distance between them was inadvertently revealed.
Although Princess Su Yingxue always smiled and treated people with gentleness and politeness, Wang Xiuxiu could detect a faint sadness in her eyes.
That touch of sadness, like a fallen leaf in late autumn, drifted silently into her eyes, only to be quickly concealed by her.
Whenever Lu Jingze appeared in front of her, her smile remained gentle, but that smile seemed to be separated by a thin veil, never able to reach her heart.
Although Lu Jingze treated Su Yingxue with great courtesy and his words and actions showed respect for her, he lacked the intimacy that a husband and wife should have.
He never showed much emotion in front of the princess, and he was even stingy with a single kind word.
Their relationship is not like that of a married couple, but more like that of a pair of tacit yet distant friends.
Wang Xiuxiu was puzzled, but dared not ask any further questions.
Her position was awkward; if she rashly inquired about their private affairs, it might cause unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, he could only keep this doubt to himself.
---
The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the sycamore trees in Qixia Courtyard, and golden light shines through the layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Su Yingxue stood alone under the tree, her slender fingers gently stroking the rough trunk, her fingertips slowly tracing a shallow mark on the bark—her name, which he had carved himself many years ago.
"Ah Xuan..." she murmured softly, as if calling out to a long-lost dream.
The sycamore tree still stands tall and its branches and leaves are lush, but the person who planted this tree for her is no longer by her side.
A thin layer of mist rose in Su Yingxue's eyes, but she quickly blinked, forcing the tears back.
She is a princess, the mistress of this palace, and cannot let anyone see her vulnerability.
She looked up at the tree canopy, as if she could see the spirited young man from years ago through the layers of branches and leaves.
He smiled and said to her, "Yingxue, this tree is for you. When it grows up, we'll get married under it, okay?"
At that time, she smiled so brightly, her heart and eyes full of longing for the future.
But now, the trees have grown tall, but the people are scattered.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart.
Just then, a soft footstep sound came from behind.
Su Yingxue quickly composed herself, turned around, and met Wang Xiuxiu's somewhat embarrassed gaze.
“Sister…” Wang Xiuxiu stood a few steps away, holding an exquisite food box in her hands, with a hint of apology on her face, “Have I disturbed you?”
Su Yingxue smiled slightly, her expression returning to normal: "No, I just came out for a walk. Xiuxiu, what brings you here?"
Wang Xiuxiu stepped forward and handed her the food box: "I asked Xiaoying to buy some delicious food outside the mansion, thinking that you might like it, so I brought it over."
Su Yingxue took the food box, but her gaze unconsciously drifted back to the sycamore tree.
Wang Xiuxiu followed her gaze and saw the faint carvings on the tree trunk.
She hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Sister, does this tree... have any special meaning for you?"
Su Yingxue was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: "Yes, this tree... was planted by an old friend."
Her tone was calm, but it couldn't hide the sadness in it.
She always felt that there were many unspoken meanings in Su Yingxue's words, but she dared not delve into them.
Looking at her, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly felt a pang of pity.
She had never seen Su Yingxue with such an expression before, as if she had shed all her strength in an instant, leaving only exhaustion and sorrow in her eyes.
"Sister..." Wang Xiuxiu called softly, but didn't know how to comfort her.
Su Yingxue forced a smile: "It's alright, it's all in the past. This tree is growing very well, and I should be content."
"Let's go try the delicious food you bought."
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