Chapter 267: Visiting friends in the morning light, expressing feelings through laughter
The early morning at Prince Rong's mansion is awakened by the copper bells on the eaves and the birds singing outside the window.
Xiaoyanzi turned over and opened her eyes suddenly. The morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting tiny specks of light on the brocade quilt. She blinked, and it took her a moment to remember that she was no longer in Shufangzhai, but in Prince Rong's mansion—her and Yongqi's home.
The seat beside her was empty, but the bedding still lingered with warmth. Xiaoyanzi sat up, her moon-white cotton blouse slipping off her shoulders, revealing a small patch of fair skin. This blouse was specially made by Fang's mother. The collar was embroidered with tiny crabapple flowers, and the stitching was fine, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear. She grabbed the plain jacket draped at the end of the bed and threw it on, then ran barefoot to the door. As soon as she opened it, she saw Yongqi walking from the other end of the corridor, carrying a tray with two bowls of steaming lotus seed soup on it.
"Awake?" Yongqi's voice was as clear as the early morning. Seeing that she was barefoot, he frowned slightly and walked quickly forward. "Why aren't you wearing shoes? Be careful not to catch a cold." As he spoke, he bent down and wanted to carry her back, but Xiaoyanzi dodged nimbly.
Xiaoyanzi chuckled and didn't answer. She reached out to grab the lotus seed soup on the tray, but Yongqi dodged her easily.
"Go wash up first." Yongqi looked at her helplessly and tapped her nose lightly with his fingertips. "Xiao Zhuozi has prepared hot water. Wash up first and then eat."
"I know, Your Excellency Prince Rong." Xiaoyanzi drew out her voice, made a face at him, turned around and ran back to the inner room. Her satin soft-soled shoes were kicked to the foot of the bed, and her steps were as light as a deer.
When she finished washing up and came out, Yongqi had already placed the lotus seed soup on the small table by the window. The rosewood table was polished to a shine, and next to it was a plate of freshly cut apples. Xiaoyanzi sat down and took a sip with a white porcelain spoon. The sweet taste melted on her tongue, and she narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. "My mother's osmanthus lotus seed soup is still the best. It's even more fragrant than the ones made by the palace chefs."
"If you like it, I'll ask the kitchen to teach you how to make it later." Yongqi sat opposite her, his royal blue uniform making him look even more handsome. He watched her eat with a sweet look on her face, but he didn't touch much of the food in his own bowl.
Xiaoyanzi noticed his gaze and looked up at him: "Why don't you eat? Don't you like it?"
"Just watching you eat." Yongqi's eyes were as gentle as a pool of spring water, which made Xiaoyanzi's cheeks hot. She quickly lowered her head and pretended to concentrate on dealing with the lotus seeds in the bowl, but the tips of her ears turned red.
After breakfast, Xiaoyanzi couldn't hold back any longer and pulled Yongqi to run out, "Let's go to the Fang family to see my brother and Sister Qing'er! I heard from Xiaozhuozi yesterday that Sister Qing'er stayed with my mother embroidering handkerchiefs for half the night!"
"What's the hurry?" Yongqi staggered when she pulled him, and quickly steadied his steps, reaching out to hold her waist. "How can you run out right after your wedding? It's not ok." Having said that, he followed her to the door honestly and picked up her cloak.
"What are you afraid of?" Xiaoyanzi turned around and smiled at him, her eyes curved into crescents. "We are going to see my brother and sister-in-law, not to do anything else. Besides, the palace is so close to the Fang family. We can just push open the corner door and get there. It's so convenient." She pulled him out as she spoke, and the strap of her cloak brushed against the back of Yongqi's hand.
As they reached the corner gate at the rear of the palace, they saw Xiao Jian pushing open the door from the Fang residence. Qing'er followed behind him, clutching a gilded food box. Qing'er was wearing a water-green jacket with a light pink collar and a single jade hairpin in her hair, making her look even more elegant and charming.
"Brother! Sister Qing'er!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up. She shook off Yongqi's hand and ran over, hugging Qing'er's arm. "Why are you here? I was just about to go see you!"
Qing'er smiled and patted her hand, her fingertips touching the jade bracelet on her wrist - it was the dowry given by Fang's mother yesterday, a piece of extremely fine mutton-fat jade. "Your brother and I thought you'd be unaccustomed to your new marriage, so we came to check on you." As she spoke, she handed the food box to the maid behind her. "Here are the snacks that Fang's mother asked me to bring you. They're all your favorite lotus cakes and almond pastries."
"Mom still loves me the most!" Xiaoyanzi smiled with her eyes curved. Suddenly she remembered something and pulled Qing'er to look her up and down. "Sister Qing'er, you were exhausted yesterday, weren't you? My brother didn't bully you, did he? If he dared to bully you, I would be the first one to not let him go!"
Xiao Jian listened from the side, shook his head helplessly, and reached out to knock her forehead: "Girl, you are so disloyal as soon as you get married. Am I that kind of person?" He was wearing navy blue arrow sleeves and a jade belt around his waist, which made him look more upright.
"Who knows?" Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue at him, making everyone laugh. Yongqi walked forward and bowed to Xiao Jian and Qing'er, saying, "Brother, sister-in-law."
Qing'er's cheeks flushed slightly, and she bowed slightly: "Prince Rong." Xiao Jian patted Yongqi's shoulder: "My sister will be in your care from now on. If I find out that you treat her badly, don't blame me for being rude." His tone was half joking and half serious.
"Don't worry, big brother. I will treat Xiaoyanzi well." Yongqi's tone was solemn and sincere, and when his eyes fell on Xiaoyanzi, they were filled with unbreakable tenderness.
They walked towards the main hall, chatting and laughing. Xiaoyanzi led Qing'er in front, chattering non-stop, sometimes asking her if the wedding wine was sweet, sometimes asking if the Fang family's servants were easy to get along with. Qing'er patiently answered each question, occasionally turning to glance at Xiao Jian, her eyes full of tenderness.
When they reached the main hall, a maid served tea. The faint aroma of Longjing tea wafted from the blue and white porcelain cup. Xiaoyanzi took a sip and suddenly thought of Ziwei and Erkang. She turned to Yongqi and said, "Yongqi, let's go see Ziwei and Erkang this afternoon. I heard Mingyue say yesterday that Erkang planted a whole yard of crape myrtles for Ziwei in the mansion!"
"Okay." Yongqi nodded in agreement. "It just so happens that I haven't seen Erkang for a while, and I want to talk to him about the new bows and arrows made by the Wubeiyuan."
Xiao Jian said, "Let's not go. This afternoon I plan to take Qing'er to see the temple fair in the capital. She hasn't been there yet. I heard there will be dough figurines and folk songs being sung at the fair today, so it's a good opportunity to take her there to join in the fun."
"Okay then." Xiaoyanzi felt a little regretful, but on second thought, she smiled again, "When you come back, tell me if the temple fair is fun. If it is, I'll ask Yongqi to take me there. It would be best if the dough figurine maker could make a family portrait for us, including Liu Qing, Liu Hong, and the others!"
Qing'er smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll definitely explain it to you." She picked up a piece of lotus cake and handed it to Xiaoyanzi. "Try it! Mother Fang asked the kitchen to make this especially for you. She added your favorite chopped walnuts."
As they were talking, Little Mosquito ran in with a plate of freshly baked osmanthus cake. Seeing the people in the hall, his eyes lit up and he shouted, "Wow, boom! Who's here? It's Master Xiao and Princess Qing!" He placed the osmanthus cake on the table and said as if presenting a treasure, "Freshly baked osmanthus cake, Princess, please try it. It's made according to Madam Fang's recipe! I got up in the early morning to watch over the kitchen and make sure it's sweet but not greasy!"
"Little Mosquito is really sensible." Xiaoyanzi picked up a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "It tastes good, 80% like my mother's."
The little mosquito was so flattered that his face lit up with smiles. He scratched his head and said, "Of course I've been practicing for several days! If the princess likes it, I'll ask the kitchen to make it every day!"
Everyone sat for a while longer before Xiao Jian and Qing'er stood up to say goodbye. Xiaoyanzi walked them to the corner gate and watched them walk into the Fang family's garden. Qing'er even turned around and waved at her before turning back.
"What are you thinking about?" Yongqi walked over, held her hand, and stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist with his fingertips.
Xiaoyanzi looked up at him, the sunlight shining on her face, making her smile particularly bright: "I was thinking, how nice."
"What's so good?" Yongqi asked knowingly, but there was a smile in his eyes.
"Everything is fine." Xiaoyanzi's voice was light and content. "I have you, my brother, sister Qing'er, Ziwei, Erkang, and so many good friends. It's great."
Yongqi lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, which carried the coolness of the early morning and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus: "Mm, that's great."
Sunlight streamed through the palace courtyard, landing on their clasped hands, warm and bright. In the distance, the clear song of birds echoed, as if singing for the newlyweds, as if blessing them with a fulfilling life. In this life, they had finally escaped the shadows of their past lives and welcomed the warm sunshine of their own prosperous age. The days ahead would surely be filled with joy and happiness in Chang'an, year after year.
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