The next day, Consort Rou arrived at the courtyard as promised. Looking at the picturesque courtyard, Consort Rou finally understood why her son came so frequently every day.
"Your Majesty, please have a seat. I'll make some tea."
Consort Rou waved her hand: "You go about your business, I'll just wander around."
Mu Qiangwei nodded as she rolled up her sleeves: "Yes, Your Majesty."
After Mu Qiangwei and Xiao Xiu left, Consort Rou led the nanny around the courtyard.
"No wonder the chickens and ducks don't smell bad; the fragrance of the roses covering the wall has diluted the odor."
The nanny nodded: "Yes, Your Highness, I didn't expect this princess to be such a wonderful person. Look how beautifully the roses are blooming all over the wall. And Your Highness, look, all the chickens and ducks that have grown up are in their enclosures. The chicks and ducklings are running around everywhere. This way, the meat of the chickens and ducks will be more chewy when they grow up."
Consort Rou gave the nanny a coquettish look: "Nanny certainly knows how to eat."
The old nanny smiled knowingly: "Isn't it all because Your Highness treats this old servant well that I have no worries about food and clothing?"
"Alright, the sun's too strong now, let's go sit in the shade."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The nanny helped Consort Rou to the pavilion, and Xiao Xiu had already prepared the tea.
After Xiaoxiu poured tea for Consort Rou, she wanted to help the princess, but the consort kept her there, which made Xiaoxiu feel a little uneasy.
"You're the only maid in this courtyard; it must be hard on you. Don't be afraid. I just want to ask you some questions; just answer them truthfully."
Xiao Xiu nodded respectfully: "Yes, Your Highness. Actually, the Crown Princess and I did all these chores together. Otherwise, it would have taken me a long time."
Having been in the palace for so many years, she still knows the rules. If she calls her "Princess" as usual, it might implicate the princess.
"You've been in the Azure Kingdom for a year now. What do you usually do in the courtyard?"
Xiao Xiu answered Consort Rou's question honestly, because she knew that lying would be useless; an investigation would easily uncover the truth, and it wasn't worth wasting her life on it.
Consort Rou asked a few questions and then sent her down to help. After all, she couldn't just refuse to let a little maid help.
The food was served quickly, and You Xuanyi also brought Xiao Liu over. Because the Imperial Concubine was present, Xiao Xiu and Xiao Liu were not allowed to sit at the table and could only eat secretly in the kitchen.
The nanny wanted to replace the Imperial Concubine's bowls and chopsticks with her own, but the Imperial Concubine refused.
"I'll use this one."
Consort Rou first took a bite of the greens. The greens were crisp and tender, and had a sweet taste. Consort Rou, who did not usually like to eat greens, took several bites at once, which surprised the nanny.
"Your Majesty, you..."
"Granny, these greens are quite refreshing, you should try them."
The old woman didn't believe it, so she used a separate pair of chopsticks to taste it, and it did indeed have a sweet flavor.
After eating the vegetables, Consort Rou picked up some chicken and braised pork, and finally ate some eight-treasure duck. She also ate a whole bowl of rice.
After the meal, Consort Rou rubbed her bulging belly and said, "I haven't eaten this much in years. I can't take it anymore. I need to get up and go for a walk. Rose, come with me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
You Xuanyi wanted to go with them, but was stopped by the old woman.
"Your Highness, Her Highness has something to say to the Crown Princess. Please wait here."
You Xuanyi muttered as he watched the departing figure, "Is there something you can't say that I can hear?"
The old woman smiled with relief: "Your Highness, there are some things that cannot be known to you. Don't worry, Her Majesty will not make things difficult for the Princess Consort."
After the old woman finished speaking, she stood at the door waiting for Consort Rou.
When You Xuanyi saw that the old woman was stopping him, he didn't follow her anymore and could only sit in the pavilion and wait.
Xiao Xiu and Xiao Liu were eating in the back when they came to the pavilion to clean up the table, and You Xuanyi didn't say anything about it.
After waiting for about half an hour, Consort Rou and Mu Qiangwei finally returned. You Xuanyi quickly ran over and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Mu Qiangwei was alright.
He always felt that his mother's purpose in coming today was not pure, but he couldn't guess it.
Consort Rou saw her son's nervous expression but didn't expose him.
"Alright, I've been out of the palace for quite a while now, it's time for me to go back, you two don't need to see me off."
You Xuanyi and Mu Qiangwei nodded simultaneously: "Respectfully seeing off Mother Consort."
When Consort Rou heard the word "Mother Consort," a smile appeared on her lips. This girl is quite sensible.
After Consort Rou disappeared, You Xuanyi suddenly felt that something was wrong.
"Rose, what did Mother say to you just now? She didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"
Mu Qiangwei shook her head: "No, Her Majesty is very kind to Qiangwei and has told Qiangwei a lot about His Highness."
You Xuanyi pointed to himself: "My affairs? And then what?"
Mu Qiangwei sighed: "Then let me live my life peacefully with Your Highness."
"Live our own lives? What do you mean by that, Mother?"
Looking at this clueless person, Mu Qiangwei turned and left: "Think for yourself, you idiot."
You Xuanyi understood what he meant: "Hey, Mu Qiangwei, who are you calling an idiot? You stop right there, I'm going to catch you today."
Xiao Xiu and Xiao Liu, standing in the corner, witnessed the entire process clearly. They exchanged a glance and secretly watched You Xuanyi and Mu Qiangwei flirting.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
