Chapter 130 The Buddha Returns to the Palace, and the First Wind Rise
The crabapple blossoms in Shufangzhai had just fallen when the sound of mighty footsteps echoed down the palace path. Little Swallow, perched on a porch pillar, was teaching a white parrot the word "auspicious." She leaped to her feet at the noise, her lilac skirt sweeping across the orchids in front of the steps, nearly knocking over the pot of newly blossoming white orchids.
"What's wrong?" Ziwei hurriedly held the flowerpot, her aqua-green cuffs stained with dirt. She looked up at the palace gate and saw Xiaodiao running out of breath, with the whisk in his hand tilted.
"Princess...Princess! The Empress Dowager and Princess Qing have returned from worshipping Buddha at Mount Wutai!" Xiaodeng held his knees and panted. "The Emperor and the Empresses have gone to the palace gate to greet them. They told us to hurry over too!"
Little Swallow's eyes lit up, and she pulled Ziwei out and ran, "Qing'er! Qing'er is back!" She ran two steps and stopped, turned back, grabbed the osmanthus cake on the table and stuffed it into Little Wart, "Give the parrot some food, and I'll bring you some snacks from the imperial kitchen when I come back!"
The palace gates were already crowded. Bright yellow ceremonial processions were unfurled in the morning light. Qianlong, dressed in his everyday clothes, stood at the front. The Empress wore a stone-blue phoenix robe, twirling Buddhist beads. Concubine Ling wore a pink palace dress, a gentle smile on her face. Yongqi and Fu Erkang were standing in the procession of princes. Seeing Xiaoyanzi rushing over, Yongqi couldn't help but curl his lips.
"Empress Mother!" Qianlong stepped forward and bowed, his voice respectful. "Your son respectfully welcomes Your Majesty back to the palace. I wish you a long life and good health." The Empress and the concubines followed closely behind, bowing in unison. "Your servants respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the palace."
Xiaoyanzi pulled Ziwei and knelt down properly, imitating everyone else's salute: "Xiaoyanzi/Ziwei, welcome Her Majesty back to the palace, may Her Majesty be blessed!" She secretly raised her eyes and saw the eight-man sedan slowly descending and the curtain being gently lifted.
Qing'er was the first to descend from the side of the sedan chair. She was dressed in a moon-white palace dress, the hem embroidered with delicate orchids, and a pale jade belt tied around her waist. Her hands, slender and fair, held the curtain, the silver tassels swaying gently with her movements. Her gaze swept across the crowd, and when she saw Xiaoyanzi, it lit up for a moment, then she regained her composure and turned to support the person in the sedan.
The Empress Dowager was carefully aided by a palace maid as she stepped down from her sedan chair. Her royal blue robe, embroidered with subtle lotus patterns and adorned with round oriental pearls at the collar, swayed gently with her steps. The red sandalwood rosary in her hand twirled steadily, her gaze swept calmly over the kneeling figures, pausing slightly as it rested on Xiaoyanzi. The girl wore a lilac-colored palace dress, her hair meticulously combed, but her eyes, sparkling as if holding stars, stared at Qing'er, radiating an unrestrained, vibrant energy.
"Everyone, get up." The old lady's voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable majesty. Her eyes flicked to Xiaoyanzi, "Is this the new Princess Huanzhu?"
Xiaoyanzi quickly stood up straight, folded her hands in front of her stomach, and tried to keep a straight face. "Yes, Your Majesty, I am your humble servant Xiaoyanzi." As soon as she said this, she felt something was wrong and stuck out her tongue to change her words. "Your Majesty, I am Xiaoyanzi from Huanzhu Princess."
Qing'er added softly, "Grandma, this is Princess Huanzhu's Xiaoyanzi, and next to her is her study partner, Miss Ziwei." She looked at Xiaoyanzi with warmth in her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Princess Xiaoyanzi is lively and kind-hearted. She even taught the Twelfth Prince to read a few days ago."
The Empress Dowager hummed, twirling her rosary beads between her fingers. "I heard back in Mount Wutai that a spirited princess had arrived in the palace. She seemed quite spirited." She changed the subject slightly, her eyes glancing at Xiaoyanzi's half-closed feet. "It's just that these rules... I still need to learn them well."
"That's what the Empress Dowager said." The Empress stepped forward, the kingfisher-inlaid pearl hairpin swaying gently in her hair. She spoke calmly, "This child has just entered the palace and is straightforward, without any twists and turns. A few days ago, she was teaching Yongji how to write the character 'mother', and Yongji was so happy that he kept talking about it in the middle of the night. It's obvious that he has a warm heart."
Concubine Ling also smiled and nodded, the silk handkerchief in her hand gently resting on her wrist. She spoke gently, "Yes, Your Majesty, although Princess Xiaoyanzi may seem noisy, she is the most sincere person. With her and Miss Ziwei in Shufangzhai, every day is bustling. The Emperor said that this is what a home feels like. If you spend a few more days with her, you will definitely like her straightforwardness."
"Hmph," a cold laugh suddenly rang out. Concubine Gao was wearing a bright red palace dress, the golden hairpins on her temples jingling with every movement. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her eyes full of disdain. "I don't think you're straightforward. In my opinion, you must have used some unorthodox magic to please the Emperor and the Empresses. A girl from the common people is not worthy of being a princess."
Qianlong frowned slightly and spoke in a deep voice, "Noble Concubine Gao just returned from worshipping Buddha at Mount Wutai. Why are you still so harsh in your words? Xiaoyanzi was personally appointed as a princess by me. It is not your place to make comments."
Concubine Gao curled her lips, lowered her head unwillingly, but secretly glared at Xiaoyanzi.
Xiaoyanzi was already holding her breath, and when she heard what Concubine Gao said, she immediately forgot the rules and took a step forward: "I didn't use any magic! I taught my brother to read and accompanied Sister Ziwei to study. Why do you say I used magic?" She clenched her fists, and wrinkles appeared on her lilac cuffs. Her eyes were wide open like a little animal protecting its cubs.
"Xiaoyanzi." Ziwei quickly grabbed her arm and shook her head gently, signaling her not to be impulsive.
The Empress Dowager looked at Xiaoyanzi's angry expression, and a hint of smile flashed in her eyes, but she didn't show it. She just said lightly: "Okay, we just got back to the palace, let's all go. Qing'er, come back to Cining Palace with me and tell me what's new in the palace."
Qing'er replied "yes", and when she passed by Xiaoyanzi, she quietly touched the back of her hand with her fan and gave her a reassuring look.
Xiaoyanzi looked at the backs of the Empress Dowager and Qing'er, glared at Concubine Gao, and then was dragged by Ziwei to the Shufangzhai. Yongqi hurried over, chuckling softly, "You've just entered the palace and you dare to challenge Concubine Gao. You haven't lost your courage."
"What right does she have to accuse me of witchcraft?" Xiaoyanzi stamped her feet angrily. "If it weren't for the fact that Old Buddha just came back, I would definitely argue with her!"
Ziwei shook her head helplessly and helped her tidy up her wind-blown hair: "Okay, don't be angry, the old Buddha knows what's going on. Sister Qing'er spoke for us, and the Queen and Concubine Ling also helped us. That's enough."
Sunlight filtered through the palace's eaves, casting long shadows across the flagstones. Little Swallow watched Concubine Gao's retreating figure in the distance and snorted, "Just wait! I won't let her bully me!" She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning slightly white, but her eyes gleamed with a glint of defiance. The winds of the deep palace were finally starting to blow, but she, Little Swallow, wasn't afraid.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
