A few days later, Jiang Bailu's birthday arrived, and Xiangli Mingzhu took her daughter-in-law and daughter to the East Palace.
Yuan Qi originally did not want to go, did not want to get involved in the affairs between Jiang Bailu and Xiao Yi, and even less wanted to meddle in Xiao Yi's business.
But Xiangli Mingzhu insisted on taking her there, saying that setting up a stall for less than a day would only earn her thirty coins, and the Jiang family didn't need that thirty coins.
However, Yuan Qi could not go to the Eastern Palace every day, so he had no choice but to go with them.
Today, only members of the Jiang family came to celebrate Jiang Bailu's birthday. Jiang Bailu was afraid that too many people would annoy the Crown Prince, so she decided to have a meal with her family.
Jiang Bailu lived in Fengyi Palace. The huge palace was very quiet. The eunuchs and palace maids stood quietly without saying a word.
Yuan Qi then complained, "Why is it so lifeless?"
Upon hearing her words, Jiang Bailu sighed, "It's like this everywhere in the Eastern Palace. A few days ago, His Highness saw several eunuchs talking together and had them beaten with a board. One eunuch was beaten to death. Since then, the entire Eastern Palace has become quiet."
Yuan Qi hummed in agreement: "Has the Crown Prince suffered some kind of shock?"
She doesn't like to meddle in other people's business, but she enjoys listening to gossip and watching the excitement.
Jiang Bailu rolled her eyes at her: "You'd better be careful. The Crown Prince has been in a bad mood these days. Be careful that what you said gets back to him, or he'll give you a hard time."
After Jiang Bailu finished speaking, she glanced worriedly at the palace maids and eunuchs around her, fearing that one of them might gossip and complain to the Crown Prince.
Fortunately, the eunuchs and palace maids all pretended to be dead and no one looked up at Yuan Qi, so Jiang Bailu breathed a sigh of relief and invited them into the room.
Jiang Songlu and Jiang Jiulu both thought Fengyi Palace was very grand, and they toured the room on their own, their eyes filled with envy. They weren't envious of Jiang Bailu's luxurious residence, but rather of how well she had married.
The current Crown Princess has everything she wants, and so many people serve her. How many people in the world can be the Crown Princess?
She'll definitely be the Empress in the future, the most noble woman in the world.
Yuan Qi followed along and took a look around. The house was indeed luxurious, but she wasn't particularly impressed; it was just so-so. She didn't envy Jiang Bailu's life; she preferred a carefree life where she could do whatever she wanted.
Jiang Bailu showed Xiangli Mingzhu around, and Xiangli Mingzhu felt much more at ease knowing what her daughter's daily life was like.
Since it was still early before lunch, Jiang Bailu led everyone on a stroll, and they eventually arrived at the garden of the East Palace.
Yuan Qi discovered that the garden of the Eastern Palace had also been designed and guided by a master, with excellent feng shui layout and nothing to criticize.
The garden was filled with all sorts of rare and precious flowers, some of which even the Jiang family didn't have. Jiang Jiulu and Jiang Songlu were overjoyed.
Jiang Bailu was pleased to see that the two of them were not arguing, so she asked the palace servants to cut off the flower branches they liked so they could take them with them when they left.
Xiao Yi was reviewing memorials in his study when Hong Sibao came to report that the Crown Princess was strolling in the garden with her family, and that the seventh young lady of the Jiang family had also come.
Xiao Yi put down his pen, lost in thought. After a short while, he muttered to himself, "The Crown Princess is quite clever. I just said that she has been neglected lately, and if she finds it boring, she should have her family members come to the palace to keep her company for a few days. She acted so quickly."
He finished reviewing a memorial in his hand, put down his pen, and stood up: "Let's go to the small garden. It's been a long time since I've had a proper conversation with the Crown Princess."
Hong Sibao beamed with joy. He knew he had made the right bet. His Highness the Crown Prince actually wanted to see the Seventh Miss. Whenever the Crown Prince encountered a problem, he would go to the Seventh Miss. However, recently he had a bit of a falling out with the Seventh Miss and was not in a position to take the initiative to approach her.
The Seventh Miss's willingness to come to the Eastern Palace this time is probably also an attempt to reconcile with the Crown Prince.
He had served the Crown Prince since he was very young, so no one understood the Crown Prince better than him.
Hong Sibao had everyone follow him from a distance, while he stayed by the Crown Prince's side.
As soon as Xiao Yi entered the small garden, he saw Jiang Bailu leading the Jiang family to stroll around the garden. Yuan Qi followed leisurely at the back, holding a flower in his hand and smelling it.
He walked into the pavilion and sat on a round stool to rest. Hong Sibao immediately had the people behind him put down tea, snacks, and a long, narrow box.
He then withdrew with his men.
Jiang Bailu was thrilled to see Xiao Yi ahead. Did the Crown Prince know it was her birthday and wait for her here? That's wonderful! The Crown Prince has been lukewarm towards her these days, only exchanging a few words with her when they meet.
The Crown Prince seems to be in a good mood today; perhaps the two of them can...
In that short time, Jiang Bailu thought about many things.
She was overjoyed, but dared not show it, and carefully led her family over to pay their respects.
Yuan Qi followed at the back, walking with a somewhat roguish air. She bowed perfunctorily to everyone and didn't take the initiative to speak to Xiao Yi. She just watched Xiao Yi exchange pleasantries with Xiangli Mingzhu.
Xiao Yi personally opened the slender box, which contained a gold hairpin that he had Hong Sibao pick out from the storeroom.
Jiang Bailu was very happy to receive the prince's gift.
She could tell that the Crown Prince wasn't in a good mood, so she took her leave with her family.
Seeing that Yuan Qi was not speaking, Xiao Yi had no choice but to take the initiative.
"Seventh Miss, please wait."
Yuan Qi knew that Xiao Yi wouldn't contact her unless there was something wrong, so he must have come looking for her this time.
A smug smile played on her lips, and with an expression that said, "Just as I expected," she stayed.
After everything that had happened, Jiang Bailu no longer suspected that the two had any illicit affair. She was only now certain of one thing: the Crown Prince had sent her family into the palace so that he could actually see Yuan Qi.
As expected, she made the right decision to have her mother bring Yuan Qi along.
"What does Your Highness want with me?" Yuan Qi's attitude was cold and distant. She felt that Xiao Yi was a vengeful person and should still remember the time she dealt with Consort Feng. Perhaps, in addition to asking necessary questions, he would also make things difficult for her to avenge his mother.
Before Xiao Yi could even offer her a seat, she sat down opposite him and began pouring tea for herself.
"I was imprisoned by Tanxi for more than four months last time, and I was only able to be rescued thanks to Miss Seven. Thank you very much."
Yuan Qi, with a nonchalant air, twirled his teacup in his hand: "Your Highness is mistaken. It was the Imperial Advisor who saved you that time, not me."
"No, it's you, Seventh Miss. Without you, the Imperial Preceptor might not be a match for Tanxi. I know your abilities, Seventh Miss." Seeing Yuan Qi's attitude, Xiao Yi knew that Yuan Qi wouldn't help easily this time. If he didn't show some attitude, he might not be able to resolve his troubles.
Yuan Qi chuckled and spoke his mind directly: "I thought Your Highness wanted to avenge Consort Feng."
"Seventh Miss is joking. My mother has no grudge against you."
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