Chapter 276: Ci Ning Returns, Old Swallow Returns to the Nest
While morning dew still clung to the petals of the crabapple blossoms at Prince Rong's mansion, breakfast was already set out in the east courtyard corridor. Qing'er held a bowl of lotus seed soup, her eyes constantly glancing out the courtyard gate, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the white porcelain bowl.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Jian pushed a plate of crystal shrimp dumplings in front of her, his eyes falling on her slightly furrowed brows, "The lotus seed soup is almost cold."
Qing'er came back to her senses, scooped a spoonful of soup to her lips, but didn't taste anything. "I was wondering if the Empress Dowager would blame me for not returning to the Cining Palace for a while?"
Xiaoyanzi, who was holding half a rose cake in her mouth, mumbled, "Why are you so surprised? You're getting married, not running away!" She swallowed the cake, patted Qing'er's hand, and said with a smile, "Besides, the Emperor has already said that you should go to the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager for ten days every month. It's almost the end of the month now, so it's a good time to go back and show your filial piety."
Yongqi poured Xiaoyanzi a cup of hot tea and said gently, "I've asked someone to prepare a car. Xiao Jian will go with you. Stay for ten days and keep the old lady company."
Qing'er finally smiled and looked at Xiao Jian: "Will this be too much trouble for you? As for the martial arts gym..."
"The martial arts gym is under the watchful eyes of Ertai and Liu Hong, so nothing will go wrong." Xiao Jian held her hand, gently pinching her palm with his fingertips. "You've been with the old lady since you were three years old. This is the first time you've been apart for so long. She must be thinking about you."
As he was speaking, Xiao Dengzi hurried in and replied, "Your Highness, Princess, the carriage is ready. Princess Qing, Hero Xiao, it's time to set off."
Qing'er stood up and straightened her moon-white jacket. The collar was embroidered with a few orchids, which she had embroidered herself. Xiao Jian changed into a navy blue casual suit, with a belt tied around his waist that Qing'er had made. It was simple but neat. Xiaoyanzi stuffed a food box into Qing'er's hand and said, "Here are your favorite almond cakes and the sweet-scented osmanthus cake that the old lady likes. Bring them to her to try."
"Thank you, Xiaoyanzi." Qing'er took the food box, and her fingertips touched the warmth at the bottom of the box, and her heart also felt warm.
Xiao Jian carried the food box for her, and the two walked out side by side. Xiao Yanzi chased her to the Moon Gate, still shouting, "Qing'er, if you get bored staying in the palace, send a message back. I'll ask Xiao Wanzi to bring you something new!"
"I know!" Qing'er turned around and waved. The sunlight fell on her smiling face, and the pearl tassels on her temples swayed gently, making her eyes and eyebrows look even more gentle.
The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement. Qing'er lifted a corner of the curtain and watched the familiar street scene gradually transform into the vermilion of the palace walls. Xiao Jian held her slightly cold hand and said, "Don't be nervous. I'm here."
Qing'er nodded, her fingertips still trembling slightly. She had been brought into the palace at the age of three, spending fifteen years by the Empress Dowager's side. Every corridor and every pot of flowers in the Cining Palace was more familiar to her than her own boudoir. On her wedding day, the Empress Dowager had held her hand, her eyes tearing up, and said, "Come home often." Now, half a month had passed.
When the carriage stopped at the side gate of the Cining Palace, Rong Mama was already waiting there. Seeing Qing'er, the wrinkles on her face brightened with a smile: "Qing Gege is finally back! The Empress Dowager has been waiting in the corridor since early morning!"
"Madam." Qing'er stepped forward and shook Madam Rong's hand, her voice filled with intimacy, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Come in quickly!" Aunt Rong stepped aside to lead the way. When her eyes fell on Xiao Jian, she became a little more gentle. "Hero Xiao, please come in too."
The courtyard of the Cining Palace remained elegant, except for two pots of newly blossomed wintersweets placed in the corridors, wafting a subtle fragrance. The Empress Dowager was sitting in the warm room of the main hall, flipping through Buddhist scriptures. When she heard footsteps, she suddenly looked up, her cloudy eyes instantly lighting up.
"Qing'er!"
"Grandma!" Qing'er couldn't hold back any longer. She lifted her skirt and quickly walked forward. She knelt down in front of Grandma with a plop. Her eyes were hot and tears fell. "My granddaughter is back!"
The old lady hugged her in her arms, stroking her hair with her hand, her voice choked with sobs: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... Let me see, have you lost weight?" She held Qing'er's face and looked at it carefully. Seeing the innocent look of a newlywed between her eyebrows, she smiled and wiped the corners of her eyes, "Silly child, getting married is a happy event, why are you crying?"
Qing'er wiped her tears and then remembered Xiao Jian behind her. She quickly turned sideways and said, "Master Buddha, this is Xiao Jian."
Xiao Jian took a step forward and saluted. Although his movements were casual and unrestrained like a man from Jianghu, he was still respectful. "Junior Xiao Jian, greetings to the old Buddha."
"Good boy, get up quickly." The Empress Dowager looked at him, her eyes full of satisfaction. "I often hear the Emperor and Qing'er talk about you. You are indeed a heroic young man." She patted Qing'er's hand. "You must treat Qing'er well in the future, otherwise I will not forgive you."
"Junior will keep in mind the teachings of the old Buddha." Xiao Jian responded loudly, and when his eyes fell on Qing'er, there was an unbreakable tenderness in them.
Rong Mama had already brewed hot tea and brought a plate of Qing'er's favorite chestnut cake. The Empress Dowager held Qing'er's hand and peppered her with questions, covering everything from the palace's food and daily life to Xiao Jian's martial arts school and even the latest trouble Xiaoyanzi had gotten into.
"...Yesterday, Xiaoyanzi said that she wanted to teach Mianrui how to climb trees and rob bird nests, but Yongqi stopped her. The two had a quarrel, and in the end, Yongqi admitted defeat and climbed the tree himself to pick the biggest crabapple to apologize to her." Qing'er laughed as she spoke, her eyebrows curved, just like when she was a child acting coquettishly in front of the Empress Dowager.
The old lady smiled brightly and tapped her forehead. "Only children like you can live such a lively life." She looked at Xiao Jian and said, "Qing'er grew up in the palace and has a quiet personality. Sometimes she can't help but think too much. You should bear with her."
"Don't worry, Master Buddha," Xiao Jian picked up a piece of chestnut cake and handed it to Qing'er, "Qing'er's kindness, this junior will remember it in his heart."
Qing'er took the cake, her cheeks flushed slightly. She glanced at Xiao Jian secretly and met his smiling gaze. She quickly lowered her head, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.
Aunt Rong smiled and said, "My Lord, look at how red Qing Gege's face is. She must be being pampered by Hero Xiao in the palace."
The old lady laughed even more happily, holding Qing'er's hand unwillingly and saying, "Stay here for ten days and keep me company. I have the side hall you used to stay in cleaned every day, and it's still in its original state."
"Yeah." Qing'er nodded heavily, the uneasiness in her heart having long since vanished. It turns out that no matter how far you go, there is always a place like this, where someone is looking forward to your return and someone remembers all your preferences. This is your root.
Xiao Jian watched Qing'er and the old lady being so affectionate, then took a sip from his teacup. The tea was warm, just like the warmth that filled the room. He thought, from now on, staying with her for ten days every month, watching her smile like a flower beside the old lady, would be the most wonderful thing in the world.
The wintersweets outside the window are in full bloom, and their subtle fragrance drifts in through the window lattice, mixed with the hint of sandalwood, making this morning of reunion even warmer and longer.
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