The housekeeper of the Eastern Palace, having received the news, stood waiting at the gates of the palace early.
Upon arrival at the Eastern Palace, Su Rong, Guixue, and Qiuying were greeted by the housekeeper who had long been waiting for them. He hastened to meet them with a warm grin, proffering his respects, "His Highness has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Miss Su and Second Young Master Ye, who are here to accompany Miss Qiuying."
Guixue expressed some embarrassment, "We apologize for having kept the Crown Prince waiting."
"Welcoming treasured visitors is something His Highness takes with great importance, waiting does not bother us in the least," the Housekeeper reassured enthusiastically, "Please, Second Young Master Ye, come right in."
Guixue nodded, gratefully.
The three entered the Eastern Palace, proceeding to the formal reception room.
Yan Huisheng, hearing the footsteps, came out to greet them, standing smilingly, "Second Young Master Ye."
Guixue greeted back, "Crown Prince, pardon my intrusion."
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "There’s nothing to apologize for. If my dear cousin has a request, I cannot help but comply. You do not need to stand on ceremony," he said smiling, glancing at Qiuying, "as long as the young lady settles comfortably, that will be enough."
Qiuying, upon noticing Yan Huisheng’s gaze, blinked her wide eyes and replied crisply, "I promise I’ll behave. Please don’t worry, I’ll try not to give you too much trouble."
Yan Huisheng laughed, "You won’t be any trouble. As long as you don’t disrupt things too drastically, I wouldn’t mind you staying at the Eastern Palace."
Qiuying nodded emphatically, "I will definitely behave."
Yan Huisheng showed a gentle smile, "Don’t worry about being too ’well-behaved’. Though we do things according to rules in the Eastern Palace, you don’t have to strictly adhere all the time. As long as it doesn’t go too far, feel free to act casually."
Again, Qiuying nodded her head and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Once the gathering settled in the reception room, Qiuying sat next to Su Rong. As it was her first visit to the Eastern Palace, and she knew Yan Huisheng but superficially, having only met him once at her birthday celebration at the Duke’s residence. Therefore, she seemed a bit reserved.
Su Rong offered her a pastry, to which Qiuying whispered, "Sister Su Qi, I can’t eat any."
"Eat up, it’s very good," Su Rong pressed the pastry into her hand, patted her head gently, and soothingly said, "Relax. You’ll be staying here for quite some time. No need to feel like a stranger." She paused for a breath, then continued, "Since His Highness acknowledged me as his cousin in front of you, shouldn’t you just consider me like a family member?"
Feeling compelled to take the pastry, Qiuying widened her eyes and whispered, "Is it really okay?"
"If you want to live well, eat comfortably, and dwell contentedly as you please, you need to have thick skin and cannot be overly sensitive," Su Rong quietly advised, "You’re still young and can learn little by little. Over time, you won’t feel like this is a big deal anymore."
Qiuying: "..."
Is that how it is?
Guixue lightly coughed.
Qiuying immediately turned her head, blushing as she looked up at Guixue, "Uncle, Sister Su Qi is incorrect, and I certainly won’t learn her ways. You don’t need to worry."
Su Rong burst out laughing.
Guixue looked at the two of them with an expression of helpless amusement, but he didn’t say anything.
Yan Huisheng asked with a smile, "Does the young lady have a tutor? Has Second Young Master Ye arranged for her to bring any accompanied personnel?"
Guixue shook his head, "Her being here alone is troublesome enough for Your Highness. As for others, I did not make any arrangements. Since she is residing in the Eastern Palace, everything else will have to rely on your arrangements."
Guixue knew well that the Eastern Palace was as unshakeable as a slab of iron. It did not seem appropriate for him to arrange for others to accompany Qiuying into the palace, so he had only sent Qiuying in alone.
Yan Huisheng smiled and said, "If Second Young Master Ye entrusts his dear niece to me, I promise I will arrange for her upbringing according to the Princess’s guidance."
Guixue nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness. As I trust the Princess, so too do I trust the Eastern Palace which she recommended."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "I cannot promise that she will remain completely safe while residing in the Eastern Palace, but I can promise that I will return her unscathed, the same way as today when you brought her here."
Again, Guixue expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."
While the two were exchanging pleasantries, Su Rong was quietly enjoying one pastry after another without joining their conversation.
Qiuying glanced at Su Rong every once in a while, then turned her attention towards her uncle and the Crown Prince. After a moment, she tugged Su Rong’s sleeve and softly said, "Sister Su Qi, you should stop eating. Be careful not to overstuff yourself before lunch. You’ve eaten too much."
Su Rong scoffed dismissively, "It’s just a small pastry, I could eat ten or so plates without a problem."
Qiuying: "..."
She eyed Su Rong’s belly, which was flat, and wondered where all those pastries she ate had gone.
Wiping her hands, Su Rong declared, "Alright, I’m done. Let’s go. I’ll take you to check out your courtyard. If there’s any part you don’t like, we can ask them to alter it."
Qiuying nodded in agreement.
After bidding goodbye to Yan Huisheng and Guixue, Su Rong led Qiuying away.
Once they left, Yan Huisheng chuckled and said, "Second Master Ye trusts my dear cousin enough to leave the youngest daughter of the Ye family under my care without fearing for her safety. Have you made your decision? Even if Ye Xiang no longer supports her, are you determined to support her?"
Guixue sighed lightly, "Crown Prince, for your information, ever since five years ago, I had been preparing to welcome the Princess back. More than a thousand days and nights had passed, and I have never let a day go by without due diligence. Back then, I already knew the weight of my responsibility even though I had not yet seen the Princess. Although the Princess does not return my feelings, I don’t want my efforts to be made in vain after all the hard work. You’re right, regardless of my father’s decision, I’ll support the Princess."
Yan Huisheng nodded with a smile, "Since Second Master Ye has been so earnest, I will also show my position. In this life, whether as the Crown Prince of Daliang or the future ruler, I will always be there for my dear cousin. Whether she decides to go to Nanchu or stay in Daliang, there will always be a place for her in my realm."
Guixue nodded, "Your Highness and the Princess are not blood-related, yet your relations resemble those of true siblings. I am aware of this. When I return to Nanchu, I will try to persuade my father."
Yan Huisheng responded, "Actually, Second Master Ye can tell Ye Xiang that, compared to the throne or the power of a royal relative, a family of pure officials and good generals is the best long-term plan. I believe Ye Xiang is a wise man and will not do foolish things. Although there are internal concerns in Daliang now, with the Princess personally going to Jibei to help me eliminate the threat, perhaps by the time Second Master Ye returns to Nanchu, Daliang’s internal concerns will already have been resolved. The present Daliang is not afraid of Dawei. I am not like my father, with fear of Dawei in my heart. So, even if there is no support from the Ye family, I still believe that the Princess has the ability to break the deadlock. Does Second Master Ye believe that?"
Guixue nodded, "The Princess is indeed exceptional. She will surely find a way out. I do believe that she carefully deliberates every move. She is more astute than others and is capable of careful and strategic planning." He paused and continued, "I do believe."
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