At this time, the Prince Bao's mansion did not descend into chaos despite the Princess's absence; everyone continued to perform their duties.
In the east courtyard, bamboo shadows danced in pairs outside the window, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of bamboo into the room. Bamboo leaves drifted in the wind onto Xueying's painting desk.
Xueying's slender, jade-like fingers lightly twirled the paintbrush, painting the green pines and bamboos outside the window on the Xuan paper on the table. The air inside was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, bamboo, flowers, and Yirao's rouge, creating a captivating aroma.
"Master, the Prince has arrived and is just outside the courtyard." The silence inside the house was broken by A'Luo's shout.
Upon hearing A Luo's words, Xueying was overjoyed. She quickly put down her pen and got up to go outside the courtyard to greet the prince.
But before she could get up, she saw Hongli walk into the room and head towards her painting table.
She looked at Hongli walking up to her, feeling both surprised and delighted. She said to Hongli coquettishly, "Your Highness, you've arrived. Why didn't you inform me in advance? I could have made preparations earlier."
“It’s alright, we don’t need so much formality. I just thought it had been a long time since I’d been to this East Courtyard, and since I was passing by, I thought I’d come and take a look.” Hongli then looked at the painting she had been working on.
Seeing that Hongli's gaze had turned to the painting, Xueying felt a little shy and pretended to put the painting away.
Seeing this, Hongli reached out and took Xueying's hand as she put away the painting. Looking at the painting on the Xuan paper, he said, "Xueying, you painted the pine and bamboo outside the window. Everyone knows that women have loved flowers since ancient times, but I never thought you would like pine and bamboo."
"This concubine only wrote this on a whim; it's all just clumsy work. I hope it won't offend Your Highness's eyes."
"The charm of the pine and bamboo in this painting is vividly displayed on the paper. It can be said that a piece of paper, a piece of ink, a person, a stroke of the brush, and a beautiful scene are all present."
"Your Highness is too kind. My painting skills are not even one ten-thousandth of yours." Hearing Hongli praise her like this, she was filled with joy.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for so long, Xueying was very reluctant for Hongli to leave so soon and wanted to spend more time with him.
Looking at the afterglow of the setting sun outside the window, Xueying suddenly thought of Mingyu and Yonglian, who were currently in the palace with Consort Xi and Emperor Yongzheng.
The prince usually dine with Mingyu and Yonglian, but since neither of them is here now, it would be better for the prince to have dinner here.
Thinking of this, Xueying's heart was filled with anticipation. She looked at Hongli and slowly asked, "Recently, Your Highness has been busy with official business and has not visited my East Courtyard for a long time. May we have dinner here in the East Courtyard tonight?"
Looking at Xueying's expectant eyes, Hongli couldn't bear to refuse, so he nodded and said, "I'll stay here for dinner today."
Hearing this, Xueying's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with joy. "I will immediately order someone to prepare the dishes that Your Highness likes to eat."
"good."
"A'Luo, give the order that His Highness will be dining here tonight, and have the kitchen prepare some of His Highness's favorite dishes."
"Yes, I'll go and do it right away." After saying that, A'Luo happily walked out of the room.
The news that the prince would dine in the East Courtyard made everyone in the East Courtyard extremely cautious and happy. They dared not slack off in the slightest and prepared the dinner with utmost care.
After dinner was prepared, Xueying and Hongli sat down at the table.
Xueying asked, "Is it because Father Emperor or Mother Emperor particularly like the Second Prince that they let him stay a few more days?"
Hongli nodded upon hearing this and said, "It's good to keep him by Father Emperor's side to fulfill his filial duties."
Seeing that although Hongli replied in this way, his expression was gloomy, Xueying knew that she had chosen the wrong topic.
She then placed a piece of his favorite dish on Hongli's plate.
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