Chapter 300: The Buddha's arrival, undercurrents surge
The vermilion lacquer gate of Prince Rong's mansion slowly opened, and the Empress Dowager's bright yellow carriage, flanked by eunuchs and palace maids, entered like a graceful dragon. On either side of the carriage, guards in slate-blue uniforms, long swords at their waists, marched in unison, their steps clacking against the bluestone slabs and creating a dull, hushed silence.
The wind blew from the crabapple tree in the east courtyard, sending a few pink and white petals scattering onto the hem of Xiaoyanzi's aquamarine cheongsam. She subconsciously picked up the petals, her fingertips feeling slightly cold. She looked up at the approaching imperial carriage, a smile playing on her lips, but a hint of vigilance flickered in her eyes.
"Xiaoyanzi, don't be nervous." Yongqi gently touched her elbow. He was wearing a royal blue casual suit today, with a jade belt tied around his waist, which made him look even more upright. He whispered, "I'm here."
Xiaoyanzi turned her head to look at him, blinked, and deliberately raised her voice: "I'm not nervous at all! Master Buddha is here, just in time to try the peach blossom cakes I just learned to make!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial carriage had already stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Rong Mama took the lead and lifted the bright yellow curtain of the imperial carriage, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, we have arrived."
The Empress Dowager supported Madam Rong's hand as they stepped down from the imperial carriage. She wore a dark purple cheongsam embroidered with longevity patterns, topped with a bright yellow waistcoat. Her silver hair was meticulously combed and pinned with a phoenix hairpin inlaid with red gold beads. Her gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on Xiaoyanzi's slightly swollen belly. Her brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again. Her voice, hoarse with the husky quality of old age, said, "Xiaoyanzi, you're not feeling well. Why did you come out to greet us?"
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!" Xiaoyanzi saluted together with Yongqi and Ziwei. Xiaoyanzi's voice was clear and loud. "The Empress Dowager is here to see her grandson. She is so happy that she can't contain her excitement. This little distance is nothing!" As she spoke, she deliberately puffed out her belly with a playful smile on her face.
The old lady was amused by her and raised her hand and said, "Everyone get up." She turned her gaze to Ziwei and said softly, "Ziwei is here too?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ziwei stood up and replied softly, "I heard that Your Majesty was coming, so I came here specially to pay my respects to you."
"Good boy." The old lady nodded and walked inside with Madam Rong's support. Her eyes swept across the courtyard, "The crabapple trees in the east courtyard are in full bloom."
"The Empress Dowager likes it. She will ask Xiao Dengzi to pick a few branches and send them to the Cining Palace." Xiaoyanzi said quickly and winked at Xiao Dengzi.
Little Dengzi responded cleverly, "I'll do it right away!"
The group walked into the main hall and sat down in order of importance. Xiao Zhuozi served freshly brewed Rain-Previous Longjing tea, the aroma lingering in the air. The old lady took a sip of tea, her gaze set on Xiaoyanzi, and she spoke slowly, "I heard you haven't been feeling well lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Master. I'm much better now." Xiaoyanzi smiled, her hand unconsciously caressing her belly. "It's just that these two little guys are naughty and always kick me."
"Oh?" The old lady raised an eyebrow. "What did the imperial physician say?"
"The imperial physician said everything is fine, so I can rest assured and take care of her." Yong Qi continued in a calm tone, "I have already had the servants in the East Court replaced with skilled ones. I will definitely not let the princess suffer any injustice."
The old lady glanced at Yongqi without saying anything. She then asked, "Where's Zhihua? Why didn't she come over?"
As expected, she came. Xiaoyanzi sneered inwardly, but she still smiled on her face: "Sister Zhihua said that Mian Yi had a cough and was being taken care of in the west courtyard. I wanted to go over and take a look, but I was afraid of disturbing the old lady's peace."
"Mian Yi is sick?" Old Buddha frowned, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I just sent someone to tell you. I don't think it's serious, otherwise Sister Zhihua would have come here a long time ago." Ziwei explained softly. She picked up the teacup and hid the gleam in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said to Aunt Rong, "Go to the West Courtyard and see. If he is really ill, call Doctor Li."
"Yes." Aunt Rong stood up in response.
"Wait!" Xiaoyanzi suddenly spoke up, "Master Buddha, why don't you let Sister Zhihua bring Mianyi over? It'll be a great opportunity for you to take a look at her, so you don't have to worry. Besides, we're all family, so why should we be divided into different courtyards?"
Yongqi looked at Xiaoyanzi, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but then he understood her intention and agreed, "Xiaoyanzi is right. I will send someone to invite him right away."
The old lady looked at Xiaoyanzi with a complicated expression, and after a while she said, "Okay."
The little mosquito volunteered, "I'll go!" He turned and ran out, muttering, "Booo ...
The little bug quickly followed, imitating Mian Yi's crying sound: "Wuwuwu..."
The hall fell silent for a moment, the only sound left was the boiling tea. The old lady closed her eyes, resting, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. The slow rhythm only heightened the tension.
Xiaoyanzi quietly held Yongqi's hand. His palm was warm, giving her a little strength. She looked at Ziwei, who nodded slightly at her, her eyes full of encouragement.
Soon, they saw Xiaowenzi and Xiaochongzi leading the way, with Zhihua holding Mianyi, followed by several maids, hurrying in. Zhihua was wearing a moon-white cheongsam, her hair simply tied up, and a look of just the right amount of worry on her face. When she saw the old Buddha, she quickly saluted and said, "Greetings to the old Buddha."
"Get up." Old Buddha opened his eyes and looked at Mian Yi. "How is Mian Yi?"
"Thank you for your concern, Master Buddha. I'm much better now." Zhihua said softly, and handed Mian Yi forward, "Mian Yi, call Master Buddha."
Mian Yi just turned one year old and can hardly speak. She just opens her big black eyes, looks at the old lady curiously, and makes "babbling" sounds.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Good boy." She gestured to Aunt Rong, "Put the longevity lock I brought on Mian Yi."
Madam Rong took out a longevity lock made of pure gold, inlaid with several round pearls, and put it on Mian Yi herself.
Zhihua quickly asked Mianyi to kowtow: "Hurry up and thank the old lady."
Mian Yi was forced to kowtow, then he grinned, revealing two newly grown teeth.
The old lady smiled even more happily, turned her gaze to Zhihua, and said in a gentle tone: "Thank you for your hard work these days."
"It is my duty to share the worries of the prince and princess." Zhihua lowered her head and spoke softly, "It's just that I am dull and stupid, and I am afraid that there are many things I have done poorly. I would like to ask the old Buddha and princess for guidance." As she spoke, she also glanced at Xiaoyanzi deliberately, with a hint of humility in her eyes.
Xiaoyanzi sneered inwardly, but smiled on the surface. "Sister Zhihua has done a great job raising Mianyi to be so strong." She paused, then changed the subject. "There's just one thing. Sister Zhihua is always too polite. She takes on everything herself. She didn't tell me earlier that Mianyi was ill. What if she delayed her treatment?"
Zhihua's face turned pale, and she quickly said, "I didn't mean to do that. I just didn't want to worry the old lady and the princess."
"We're a family, what's there to worry about?" Xiaoyanzi raised an eyebrow. "Besides, Yongqi is Mianyi's father, and I'm his mother. Mianyi is sick, how can we just ignore him?"
Yongqi nodded in agreement: "Xiaoyanzi is right. If Mianyi has anything to say in the future, Zhihua, just let her know."
Zhihua bit her lip, her eyes slightly red: "Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty for your understanding."
The old lady watched this scene without saying a word, simply picking up her teacup and taking a gentle sip. Sunlight streamed into the hall through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor. The air was filled with the fragrance of tea and flowers. It seemed calm, but undercurrents were surging.
Xiaoyanzi knew this was just the beginning. She looked at Zhihua, a flicker of determination in her eyes—in this life, she would never let anyone hurt her or her family again.
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