When someone asked for it, Ertai handed it over. After the person took it, he took out a packet of unpeeled five-spice powder and slowly began to peel it.
He wasn't sure if she ate spiced food, so he didn't peel it.
"Thank you, Ertai. Next time, you don't need to peel them for me. It's too much trouble for you."
"No trouble at all. Is there anything else you'd like to eat? I'll bring it to you next time. Pumpkin seeds can cause internal heat if you eat too much, so you shouldn't eat them too often."
Ertai didn't answer Chen Nian's question, but changed the subject. He didn't know what she liked to eat, so he asked her in general terms so he could find something for her.
"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
He spoke with feigned modesty, lost in thought.
The food in the palace tasted good, but it was rather ordinary; she preferred the food outside the palace.
"No trouble at all. Is there anything you'd like to eat? Or is there anything you can't eat?"
The food she wants to eat isn't a matter of whether it's troublesome or not; the main question is whether she has any dietary restrictions.
"Anything is fine, I don't have any dietary restrictions. Thank you for your help. Please put the cost of bringing the items on my tab and I'll pay you back next time, or I can pay a partial deposit tomorrow?"
He made a suggestion with a touch of playfulness.
"No need, I have that much money."
Looking at the pretty girl in front of him, Ertai curled his lips, shook his head and smiled as he refused. He still had the money to buy her food.
"No, if you don't want it, then I won't let you bring it."
Shen Nian shook her head in refusal. She had more than enough of her savings, so this was a good opportunity for her to spend it.
"Okay, I'll keep track of it for you, and you can pay me back next time."
Hearing Shen Nian "threaten" him like this, Ertai compromised and agreed for now, figuring out the future later.
Maybe the matter will have been resolved by then. If he were there, he would pursue the person and wouldn't be able to accept the money. If he's not there, he still can't accept the money.
"Okay, then remember that."
Seeing that the person agreed, Chen Nian was satisfied, unaware that Ertai was thinking so far ahead.
The two chatted casually. Shen Nian ate the melon seeds that Xiao Yanzi and Yong Qi had shared, while Ertai peeled some melon seeds for her. Ertai peeled melon seeds for Shen Nian and ate melon seeds with her, occasionally pouring her water and handing her some pastries.
Everything was done so naturally that Chen Nian, busy eating melon seeds and used to being waited on like this, didn't notice anything amiss for a moment.
One of them was busy watching the play, while the other was busy peeling melon seeds, pouring water, and handing out pastries.
"Why didn't you go to the Imperial Study the other day? You didn't even leave the Cining Palace."
Ertai tried to find topics to talk about and chatted with people.
Since it wasn't because of him, and he wasn't angry with him, there must be another reason. Thinking about how Chen Nian kept sneezing that day, he had a vague guess in his mind.
"Oh, that's because he's sick, and it's a bit serious. He's worried about infecting others if he goes to the Imperial Study, so he's recuperating in the Cining Palace."
Chen Nian's words confirmed Ertai's guess; indeed, it was because of illness.
Why didn't he think of that reason? He's just tormented himself to the point of depression.
Because of the addition of Chen Nian, Ertai did not make any pronouncements about human nature as in the original drama, and the Fifth Prince did not say anything to provoke Xiao Yanzi.
For a moment, the atmosphere inside the room was unusually harmonious. Everyone was busy with their own things, which was a rare scene. With nothing to do, Benjamin quietly took out his easel and drew everything in the room.
The bickering Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi, the heartfelt confessions of Ziwei and Erkang, the gossiping and spectating Ertai—every scene is worth recording.
As dusk approached and twilight deepened.
"Princess Qing has arrived!"
The announcement from outside reached inside, and everyone stopped what they were doing.
Chen Nian and Xiao Yanzi stood up abruptly and walked towards the door in unison.
Yongqiertai: ? ? ? Does it have to be this synchronized? They weren't even given a chance to react.
"May Princess Qing be blessed!"
The group of people inside bowed in greeting.
"Qing'er, what brings you here?"
Xiao Yanzi and Shen Nian each took one of Qing'er's arms. Before Shen Nian could even speak, Xiao Yanzi spoke up enthusiastically.
"Little Swallow, I've come to take Niannian home. It's getting late, and she's still recovering from her cold. She needs to take her medicine on time. I've bothered you for so long today, so Niannian should go home and rest now."
"No problem, no problem. It would be great if you and Shen Nian came to visit more often."
Oh, wait, Chen Nian, you have a cold? Why didn't you tell me? Were you staying in Cining Palace those few days because of a cold?
"Didn't you say you'd be fine after a good night's sleep? How come you've been sick for so many days?"
Little Swallow suddenly realized that if it was just a lingering cold, then staying within the Cining Palace would make sense.
No wonder no matter how she called out to Chen Nian, he wouldn't come out.
"Um."
Upon receiving the gazes of everyone in the room, Chen Nian closed his eyes, buried his head in Qing'er's arm, and nodded.
How embarrassing! The flag I set for myself has fallen.
"Qing'er, is the depression serious? Why didn't she tell us?"
Xiao Yanzi's tone was full of concern.
Qing'er looked behind Chen Nian and noticed the worry in his eyes, a hint of interest flashing in her own.
Have the two made up?
...
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