Chapter 210: Dusk Warm Room, Rumors Begin
As dusk fell, the lanterns in Shufangzhai lit up one by one, their orange glow filtering through the gauze-covered window lattices, casting a gentle, warm glow across the blue brick floor. The copper bells on the eaves, caressed by the evening breeze, tinkled softly, mingling with the crackling of the charcoal braziers in the warm room, creating a particularly peaceful atmosphere.
Xiaoyanzi sat cross-legged on the cushioned kang, fiddling with the jade pendant Yongqi had given her, the red string snaking around her fingertips. She was wearing an apricot-colored soft satin jacket with a lotus embroidered around the collar. Her hair was loosely tied in a bun, a few strands dangling down her cheeks, swaying gently as she shook her head. "Honestly," she suddenly slapped the kang table, causing the jade pendant to make a crisp sound against the surface. "I've always felt that the old house in the south of the city should have a wind chime hanging on it. The sound of the chimes in the wind would surely make the children more excited to study!"
Ziwei sat at the embroidery frame across from her, embroidering a handkerchief with a silver needle in her hand. The orchid stitches on the handkerchief were dense and detailed. She wore a lilac-colored jacket and skirt. The light shone on her face, making it soft and misty. "It would be nice to hang a wind chime," she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents. "But choose something quiet, so it won't disturb the children. We can build a swing in the empty space in the backyard, so the children can relax during recess."
"Swing!" Little Swallow jumped down from the kang and stepped barefoot onto the warm carpet, the toes of her shoes making little dimples in the fur. "I'll build it! My brother and I learned carpentry, so I guarantee it'll be sturdy and look great! I'll be the first to swing on it, and I guarantee I'll be higher than anyone else!"
"Why are you barefoot again?" Yongqi walked in, holding a gilded lunch box. The hem of his royal blue uniform was tinged with the coolness of the evening. He placed the lunch box on the table and leaned down to hold Xiaoyanzi's foot. The foot felt slightly cold, and he frowned slightly. "No matter how warm the floor is, it's still brick. Be careful not to catch a cold." He then picked up her soft-soled shoes and put them on her. As his fingertips brushed her ankle, Xiaoyanzi flinched and her ears flushed.
"I'm not cold!" She stubbornly raised her chin, but rubbed her toes against the fur in her shoes. "Look, my palms are sweating!"
Erkang followed Yongqi in, holding a collection of poems. When he reached Ziwei, he gently brushed the lint off her shoulders. His voice was as soft as a spring breeze. "I just heard you talking about the swing at the door? I'll have someone find some fine nanmu wood to ensure it's stable." He glanced at the orchid handkerchief on the embroidery frame, and a smile spread in his eyes. "This handkerchief is so beautifully embroidered. Is it for me?"
Ziwei's cheeks flushed, and she hid the handkerchief in the embroidery basket. She twisted the thread with her fingertips and whispered, "It's not finished yet..." But the smile on the corner of her mouth could not be hidden, like a petal dipped in honey.
"Princess, brother, Master Fu!" A man came in on a small stool, carrying a white fungus soup. His small body was wrapped in a gray eunuch's uniform. The tip of his nose was red from the cold, but he smiled with his canine teeth showing. "This white fungus soup is freshly stewed with rock sugar. It's sweet and warms the body!"
"The stool arrived just in time!" Little Swallow snatched the jade bowl, scooped a large spoonful into her mouth, and stuck out her tongue from the heat. She mumbled, "Sweet! Delicious!"
Yongqi reluctantly handed over the handkerchief, "Eat slowly. No one's trying to snatch it from you." He turned to the small stool and asked, "Is there anything new in the palace today? I heard from Eunuch Su that the wintersweets in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Are you planning to take your princess there to see them tomorrow?"
Just as Xiao Dengzi was about to reply, Xiao Wanzi's panicked voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Princess! This is bad!" He rushed in like a gust of wind, clutching a deformed sugar figurine in his hand, with syrup dripping through his fingers. "Out there...out there are gossips! They say...that Princess Mingzhu isn't the Emperor's biological daughter, and that this is a lie our Shufangzhai colluded with the Fang family to fabricate!"
With a clang, the jade bowl in Xiaoyanzi's hand hit the table on the kang, and some white fungus soup spilled onto her sleeves. She was completely unaware of it. She stood up suddenly, her eyes wide open, and her voice rose: "What did you say? Who is spreading rumors?!"
The silver needle in Ziwei's hand fell into the embroidery basket with a "click". Her face turned pale instantly. Her fingers clenched the corner of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white. She looked at Xiaoyanzi with a look of bewilderment: "Xiaoyanzi...this...how could this happen..."
"Don't listen to his nonsense!" Erkang immediately held Ziwei's hand. The warmth in his palm made her feel a little more at ease. He frowned and looked at Xiao Wanzi. "Where did you hear that? Do you have any evidence?"
Little Mosquito was startled by Little Swallow's expression, shrinking back his neck and stammering, "I... I heard it in the teahouse at the palace gate. A few eunuchs and palace maids were gossiping about it, making it sound so convincing that they were going to tell the Queen Mother!"
Yongqi's face darkened, and he unconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "This is outrageous! Ziwei's life story is proven by a token, and the Emperor personally recognized her. How dare they spread such rumors! I'll tell the Emperor right now!"
"Wait!" Xiaoyanzi grabbed him, her eyes still blazing with anger, but her tone was calmer. "If we go to the Emperor now, wouldn't that be exactly what he wants? It would make us look guilty!" She took a deep breath and glanced at the crowd. "It must be Concubine Gao's doing! We haven't settled the score with Shouping and Jiansui yet, and now they're spreading rumors again!"
Ziwei bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly: "But if this rumor gets out, it won't be good for the emperor or for us..." She looked at Erkang, her eyes full of helplessness, "Will anyone really believe it?"
"Who dares not to believe me!" Erkang held her hand tightly, his eyes as firm as a rock. "As long as I'm here, I won't let you suffer even a little injustice. Tomorrow I'll check to see who's been gossiping behind your back, and I'll make them swallow their words!"
Yongqi nodded and said, "I'll have Xiao Zhuozi keep an eye on the people in Concubine Gao's palace to see if they make any moves. Anyone who dares to touch our people will have to pay the price!"
Xiaoyanzi walked over to Ziwei and patted her shoulder, her eyes soothing. "Don't be afraid, sister. They have the right mouths and can say whatever they want. We are upright and honest, and the Emperor knows what we are doing. Once the academy is established, let everyone see that we are sincere and the rumors will naturally fall apart!" She shook the jade pendant around her neck, the red string gleaming in the light. "Besides, there are so many of us here, what are we afraid of?"
Ziwei looked at Xiaoyanzi's sparkling eyes, then glanced at Erkang who stood beside her with a determined look. The panic in her heart gradually subsided, and the light in her eyes rekindled as she nodded: "You are right, we can't be defeated by rumors. We have to hurry up and take care of the academy. The children are waiting."
The charcoal brazier in the warm room burned brighter, casting a warm glow on everyone's face. Dusk deepened outside the window, and the light from the lanterns flickered gently on the window paper. Although the shadow of rumors quietly loomed, the laughter and whispers in the warm room were like a blazing fire, completely dispelling the chill.
Xiaoyanzi scooped up a spoonful of Tremella fuciformis soup and handed it to Ziwei, saying with a smile, "Come, have something sweet! Eat more sweet things, and you won't feel bitter!" Ziwei smiled and took it. The sweet aroma of the Tremella fuciformis soup spread across her tongue, warming her heart. Yongqi looked at Xiaoyanzi's profile and quietly draped his cloak over her shoulders. Erkang gathered Ziwei's clothes. The warmth in the warm room was even stronger than the charcoal fire.
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