"Hui Shuren, it's so lively here!" A familiar, cheerful voice rang out.
Song Anxin looked up and saw that Qingfeng had led General Yan in. The two were already quite familiar with each other and there was no need for further announcements.
Song Anxin sighed: "Yes, with the Second Prince's wealth and power, how could it not be lively?"
"Then this general will make Hui Shuren's courtyard even more lively." Yan Shuping smiled and raised his hand to beckon.
Then a servant led a group of people into the courtyard.
"I hope Lady Hui is well. This is a housewarming gift from our general to Lady Hui."
After the servant finished speaking, the group of people immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Lady."
Song Anxin was overjoyed to see the dozen or so servants; she had been worried about buying servants these past few days.
She was new to Kyoto and had no connections, so she was afraid of picking someone with unclean intentions or impure motives.
"Don't worry, Hui Shuren, these people are absolutely innocent and trustworthy."
Yan Shuping seemed to have guessed Song Anxin's thoughts and stepped forward to her side.
Song Anxin turned to look at him: "I am very satisfied with this housewarming gift. General Yan, you always bring me timely help. I don't know how to thank you. Since you are here, let's have a simple meal later. I will cook myself."
Yan Shuping looked at her smiling eyes and couldn't help but smile. He replied, "How could I refuse when Lady Hui cooks for me? Then this general will respectfully accept your offer."
"Aunt Anxin is going to cook herself? Can I mooch a meal too?"
At this moment, a woman's voice rang out. It was Yan Ping'er who entered the courtyard. She was still dressed like a soldier, wearing a red dress and her hair was tied up high. She looked heroic and valiant, and a maid carrying gifts followed behind her.
She smiled broadly, "Aunt Anxin, my grandfather asked me to bring you a housewarming gift."
Song Anxin was overjoyed to see her and went to greet her: "Ping'er is here. Marquis Dingguo has gone to great lengths. Please go back and thank the Marquis for me."
"You absolutely must be here for this meal. Today, I'll let you taste Aunt Anxin's cooking." She continued, "Ping'er, you and General Yan have some tea and sit for a while. I'll go write a thank-you note, and then have these people return the furniture."
Yan Shuping nodded: "Alright, Lady Hui, don't take these things too seriously. These are just common tactics the Second Prince uses to win people over."
Upon hearing that the expensive furniture was specially sent by the Second Prince, Yan Ping'er pouted, her face showing some anger: "These people in the capital are really cunning. Aren't they deliberately trying to sow discord? Aunt Anxin, you must firmly stand on my Crown Prince's side. My Crown Prince is the rightful heir apparent. Why do these princes have to get involved? Wouldn't it be better if they just stayed as carefree princes? My Crown Prince wouldn't mistreat them."
"Ping'er, watch your words! There are too many people and too many ears in the capital, unlike in the northern frontier." Yan Shuping immediately stopped her sternly.
Yan Ping'er lowered her head and pouted, "I know, Brother Shuping, I won't say anything like that elsewhere, but we're here with Aunt Anxin, so I just couldn't help it."
Song Anxin patted her head to comfort her. This child was used to being free in the northern frontier, and it was indeed much more restrictive for her to come to the capital. It must have been difficult for her.
She smiled and said, "It's no use for me to take it to heart. Once Anbang finishes his exams, I'll go back to Linjia Village, and everything here will be irrelevant to me."
Song Anxin's expression relaxed considerably when Linjia Village was mentioned.
Actually, she didn't care much. At most, it was a bit troublesome to send it back and forth. Feng He would explain things clearly to the Crown Prince. She believed that the Crown Prince would not be easily swayed by someone who would try to provoke him.
Yan Shuping's eyes flashed upon hearing this, "Hui Shuren isn't planning to stay in Kyoto?"
"Of course I'm more comfortable staying in the village, since all my relatives are in Linjia Village," Song Anxin said matter-of-factly.
Upon hearing this, Yan Ping'er's face immediately fell: "Aunt Anxin, what will I do if you leave? It's so boring in Kyoto. I have to be careful what I say and watch that person's face. Only when I come here can I relax. Most importantly, I will miss you very much."
Song Anxin smiled gently and said, "Ping'er, you can come visit me in Linjia Village when you have time. I believe you will like Linjia Village."
Seeing that the furniture was almost moved, she greeted General Yan and Ping'er and went to the study to write a thank-you note.
Yan Shuping stared blankly at Song Anxin's retreating figure.
Then the Crown Prince also sent a housewarming gift, which was quite generous. Song Anxin accepted it, and now her family was clearly on the Crown Prince's side.
In Kyoto, at the fish pond in a courtyard of the Second Prince's residence.
"My lord, Consort Hui has returned all the gifts," a guard-like man said as he approached.
The second prince tossed the fish food into the pond, not even lifting his eyelids upon hearing this: "It's nothing, just for show."
He lowered his eyelids, looking at the fish in the pond, and asked, "How is the one in the palace doing lately?"
The guard said, "We received news that he coughed up a large amount of blood this morning."
The second prince threw all the fish food in his hand into the pond, clapped his hands, and said, "Linchuan, look how fat these fish are. Let's scoop them up and have the kitchen cook them for lunch."
The day after Song Anxin moved into the mansion, she was summoned to the palace.
At this moment, she was standing at the door of the Imperial Study, dressed in her official robes. The eunuch who was supposed to go in to announce her arrival had been gone for a long time, and no one came to summon her in.
Song Anxin waited at the entrance of the Imperial Study for a while, until half an hour later, when she was finally summoned inside.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Long live the Emperor!" Song Anxin entered the Imperial Study and knelt down respectfully.
"Ping Sheng!"
A dignified voice came, and after thanking the voice, Song Anxin stood there obediently, keeping her eyes down.
She knew that the emperor's summons to her this time was no small matter.
The emperor looked at the composed woman before him, a glint in his eyes. He had deliberately left this wise and virtuous woman waiting for more than half an hour, yet she appeared remarkably calm. In contrast, his ministers would normally be trembling with fear, reflecting on what they had done wrong.
The emperor's sharp gaze swept over the woman before him: "Has Lady Huishu been waiting outside for a long time?"
Song Anxin said respectfully, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state for the country and its people. There must be something more important to attend to than summoning me. It is alright for me to wait a little while."
The emperor paused for a moment before speaking: "Does Consort Hui know why I summoned you here today?"
Song Anxin lowered her head and said, "This humble woman does not know, please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
"Hmph, you wouldn't know!"
The emperor narrowed his eyes, suddenly became angry, and an aura of oppressive power swept over him.
Song Anxin immediately knelt down.
"You, a court lady, have actually entered the court and sided with the Crown Prince! Consort Hui, you have quite the audacity! I can bestow this title upon you, and I can also strip it off!"
Song Anxin prostrated herself on the ground and said in a humble yet firm voice, "All the honors I have received today are thanks to His Majesty's grace. If His Majesty were to strip me of my clothes, I would naturally have no complaints. However, I would like to know what I have done to offend His Majesty so much."
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