Finally going back to Chang'an!

Everyone in the palace was busy.

In this busy and joyful scene, Xia Sang, the girl who was rescued in Prince Mu's mansion before, came to Tao Ti for help.

Seeing Xia Sang kneeling down in front of him, Tao Ti quickly put down the teacup in her hand and said in surprise, "Let's talk it over. You get up first."

Xia Sang could not get up, she knelt on the ground and said, "Crown Princess, now that Prince Mu's mansion has been sealed and Prince Mu's family has been imprisoned, I have avenged my great hatred and have no regrets in this life. I only owe you a great favor, and I am willing to be your slave and serve you for the rest of my life."

Tao Ti smiled awkwardly and said softly, "I don't really need someone to serve me... Well, now that you have taken revenge, you should let go of the past, look forward again, and pursue a new life that belongs to you..."

Xia Sang lowered her head and whispered, "My parents are both dead, and my sister is also dead. If I return to the village, I will definitely be sold by my uncle's family. If I am sold to a mansion as a slave, it's fine. If I am sold to a brothel... I'd rather die! Please have mercy on me, Crown Princess, and keep me."

Tao Ti pondered for a moment. Indeed, in modern times, an orphan with no one to rely on has many difficulties, let alone in ancient times when the status of women was very low?

She didn't say anything, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became inexplicably tense.

Linglong was also born in a poor peasant family. Seeing Xia Sang's thin face kneeling on the ground and begging, she seemed to see herself many years ago. She clenched her fingers, bent down and whispered in Tao Ti's ear, "Crown Princess, when you and the Crown Prince were wandering in the countryside, Xia Sang ate vegetarian food every day, kowtowed and chanted sutras, and prayed to the Buddha to bless you with safety."

Tao Ti glanced at the girl on the ground with a little surprise, and thought: Alas, it's not easy for women in this world, it's just a small effort, so just help if you can.

She asked, "You can do anything I ask you to do?"

Xia Sang said without hesitation, "Yes, as long as you, Crown Princess, tell me, I will do anything for you, even if it means risking my life."

"You don't have to do that." Tao Ti smiled gently, "I'm going to open a shop when I return to Chang'an. Linglong and the others are palace maids, so it's not easy for them to help me run the shop. You used to sell things in the market, so you can help in my shop."

Xia Sang was stunned for a moment as if in a dream. When she came to her senses, tears glistened in her eyes. She hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you, Crown Princess. Don't worry, Crown Princess, I am eloquent and smart. Most of the customers at my sister and I's stall were brought by me..."

"Okay, as long as you take good care of the shop for me, if the business is good, I will give you dividends at the end of the year."

Xia Sang waved her hands with a sincere look on her face, "I dare not ask for money. I will be grateful to the Crown Princess for keeping me here."

"Okay, Xia Sang, you get up first."

Tao Ti asked Linglong to help her up. Xia Sang stood up, tugging at the hem of her clothes a little embarrassedly, and asked in a low voice, "Crown Princess, I have an unwelcome request. I want to go out for two hours and find the old lady who helped me in Prince Mu's Mansion and kowtow to her a few times."

Tao Ti readily agreed, "Okay, go ahead."

Xia Sang quickly thanked him and retreated respectfully.

She really kept her promise and said two hours meant two hours.

In the evening, Tao Ti was watching the palace servants packing up their boxes in the courtyard when Xia Sang came back.

Tao Ti asked casually, "Have you found that kind old lady?"

Xia Sang looked dejected and shook her head, "I didn't find her. Prince Mu's palace was sealed, and I finally found a maid who used to work in the palace. The maid said that those who had indentures were taken to the pawnbroker, and those who didn't have indentures took the opportunity to run away... I went to Yancui Tower and the manager said that she resigned a few days ago and returned to her hometown. So I went to the pawnbroker again, but I didn't find her. I guess the old lady should have returned to her hometown as well."

Tao Ti said, "Don't be too sad. If you have this grateful heart, then it won't be in vain for grandma to help you."

Xia Sang agreed, and was not idle either, helping the palace servants pack up the boxes.

After a night, Tao Ti was woken up by Pei Yan early the next morning.

He ruffled her hair, his eyes curled up, and his tone was a bit lazy and hoarse, "Ati, it's time to get up."

The handsome man's wake-up service made getting up early a pleasant thing. Tao Ti opened her eyes lazily and smiled at him, "Good morning, Your Highness."

Certain aspects of men are always particularly excited in the morning. Pei Yan looked at her obedient appearance and his eyes darkened a little.

After finally suppressing the crazy emotions in his heart, he leaned over and gently placed a restrained and forbearing kiss on her forehead, "Well, get up and have breakfast. We have to leave early today."

Having said that, he stood up and went to wash up first.

Tao Ti was touched by his good morning kiss. Pink bubbles popped up in her heart one after another. She rolled around shyly on the bed holding the quilt for several times.

Half an hour later, after washing up and having breakfast, they arrived in front of the Jixian Palace, where their luggage had already been prepared.

Tao Ti and Pei Yan got on the carriage one after the other, and the curtains were opened along the way.

Watching the palace where she had lived for almost a month gradually passing by outside the window, Tao Ti felt a little reluctant to leave.

Perhaps because she did not have an emperor or empress, she felt that living in the Luoyang Palace was much more comfortable than living in the Eastern Palace.

Pei Yan looked at her profile and squeezed her hand. "If you like this, I'll bring you here again if I have the chance."

Tao Ti retracted her gaze, nodded at him, and smiled, "Okay."

Just think of it as a vacation.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the city gate.

Just like when they came here, a large number of officials were already waiting at the city gate.

The difference is that many officials have been replaced by new faces.

For example, the current top leader of Luoyang, Zheng Xuan, the governor of Bianzhou who is in charge of Luoyang -

Zheng Xuan is 45 years old this year. He is tall and slender. He wears a purple robe and an official hat. He has a handsome appearance, elegant temperament and a righteous face.

Tao Ti looked through the window and thought, this Lord Zheng seems to be a good match for Aunt Lu.

At this time, Linglong said outside the car, "Crown Princess, the governor's wife is here too. She's right beside us. Do you want to get out of the car and see her?"

Tao Ti didn't get out of the car at first because she thought it was boring to listen to the officialdom talk of men, so she was too lazy to move. But when she heard that Lu was coming, she became interested and leaned over to get out of the car.

Mrs. Lu did not come empty-handed, she also prepared a car full of rich gifts.

"Crown Princess, here is the list." Mrs. Lu stuffed the gift list into Taoti's hands with a gentle smile, "Part of it is for you. I appreciate your high regard for me and calling me aunt. As your aunt, I have to show some appreciation. Some of it is for your mother. They are food and toys. They are not very expensive. Please bring them to her."

Tao Ti felt a little embarrassed and said quickly, "Aunt Lu is so polite."

Mrs. Lu patted her hands and said with a smile, "Don't be so formal. We met in such a hurry this time that we couldn't spend a few days together. Let's wait and see if it's convenient for me to go with him when my master returns to Chang'an to report on his work at the end of the year. If I arrive in Chang'an, I will go to the East Palace to pay a visit to the Crown Princess."

Feeling the Lu family's genuine care for the young people, Tao Ti's heart was moved and she smiled, "Aunt Lu, please remember to come. I will prepare tea to entertain you then."

The two of them chatted for a while, and Pei Yan had almost finished his conversation.

He looked around and confirmed Tao Ti's location, then walked over and said slowly, "Ati, it's getting late, we should set off."

At this time, the sunlight has become brighter and the temperature has risen a little.

Tao Ti knew that if he delayed any longer, he would not be able to reach the next post station before dark, so he said goodbye to Lu.

Pei Yan also nodded politely to Lu, then took Tao Ti's hand and walked towards the carriage.

Mrs. Lu stood aside and watched quietly, seeing Pei Yan carefully helping Tao Ti get into the car, and seeing the affection inadvertently revealed in their eyes and brows, she couldn't help but reveal a relieved smile on her face.

"Madam." A low, mellow voice rang in Lu's ears. She came back to her senses, looked up, and saw that it was her husband, and her brows relaxed.

Zheng Xuan walked up to her and asked softly, "What were you watching so happily just now?"

Mrs. Lu narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Look at the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess... I am happy to see how well they are doing."

As she laughed, her eyes became moist again, and she choked up and said, "The Crown Prince looks so much like Yuanyuan, and the Crown Princess looks like Susu. That's great, that's great. Yuanyuan has good taste and picked a good daughter-in-law for herself. If she were still alive, she would rest in peace knowing how loving the two children are."

Zheng Xuan had always known about the close friendship between his wife, Empress Gu, and Zhang. He also sighed, put his hand on Lu's shoulder, and whispered, "Well, you're almost a grandmother, and you still shed tears so much. If your son and daughter-in-law see you, they will laugh at you."

Lu said in a coquettish voice, "I didn't cry, I just squinted my eyes because of the strong wind."

Zheng Xuan said helplessly, "Yes, yes, Madam is right, it's all because of this annoying wind."

The maids and servants behind him all felt their ears burning with heat. Where did the wind come from in such a clear morning?

The couple watched the Eastern Palace procession go away, and Lu sighed sincerely, "I just hope these two children can love each other till old age, and not end up like their respective parents..."

Having said this, she paused, clasped her hands together and bowed to the sky, "May they be well..."

"Don't worry, ma'am, it will be fine."

Zheng Xuan stroked his neatly trimmed beard and said meaningfully, "After all, Brother Gu and his family will be returning to Chang'an soon."