Chapter 302: Pear Blossoms in the Wind, Hidden Schemes
The breeze from the corridor carried a few crabapple petals into the main hall, landing on the old Buddha's bright yellow waistcoat. Madam Rong quickly reached out and brushed them away. When her fingertips touched the cool satin, she quietly glanced up at her master—the old Buddha's brow was furrowed, his eyes darting back and forth between Xiaoyanzi and Zhihua, as if weighing something.
"Alright," the old lady finally spoke, her voice devoid of emotion. "Since Mian Yi is fine, everyone can relax." She looked at Zhi Hua, her tone a little lighter. "You're weak and have to take care of the children. If you're too busy to handle the affairs of the West Courtyard, tell Xiao Yanzi and ask her to assign a few capable servants to help you."
These words sounded sympathetic, but in reality they were a warning—the people of the West Court were ultimately not as reliable as those of the East Court. Zhihua's mind was clear as a mirror, yet she forced a grateful smile and knelt, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace, and thank you, Princess, for your compassion. However, I dare not trouble you, Princess. These are minor matters, and I can still handle them."
"I'm glad I can handle it." Xiaoyanzi held her belly and spoke slowly, "But don't be too stubborn, sister. I asked the kitchen to stew bird's nest for you a while ago, but you always said you didn't have time to drink it. It will go bad if you keep it any longer." She deliberately emphasized the word "no time" and caught a glimpse of Zhihua's fingers suddenly curled up from the corner of her eye.
Yongqi picked up his teacup at the right moment, hiding the smile on his lips. This little swallow, though harsh in words, was actually more calculating than anyone else.
Seeing this, Ziwei quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sister Zhihua is worried about Mianyi, so she can't take care of herself. How about this, from now on, I'll have Jinsuo go to the west courtyard every day to help look after her, so that she won't be too tired."
"That's a good idea!" Xiaoyanzi clapped her hands and laughed. "Jinsuo is very considerate. We can feel more at ease if she helps you."
Zhihua wanted to refuse, but when the words came to her lips, she caught a glimpse of the look in the old Buddha's eyes and swallowed them back. She only whispered, "Thank you, Princess Ziwei, for your concern."
At this moment, Xiao Chongzi was hugging Mian Yi to amuse herself. The child suddenly stretched out his little hand and grabbed the hat on Xiao Chongzi's head, making a "baby-baby" sound. Xiao Chongzi screamed exaggeratedly: "Ouch! Little brother, spare me! This hat is newly made by me!"
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the hall finally relaxed a bit. The old lady looked at Mian Yi, a genuine smile on her face: "This child is quite stubborn."
"Just like his father when he was little." Xiaoyanzi continued, glancing at Yongqi with a hint of mischief, "Back then, someone climbed a tree to rob a bird's nest and nearly broke his leg. It was me..."
"Xiaoyanzi!" Yongqi blushed and interrupted her quickly, "Why are you saying these things in front of the old Buddha?"
The old lady was amused by their interaction and waved her hand, "It's okay. Children's stories are fun to listen to." She paused and looked at Yongqi, "Speaking of which, you should spend more time with your children, whether it's Mian Yi or..." Her eyes fell on Xiaoyanzi's belly, "These two are still unborn, they should be loved so much."
"Grandson has made note of it." Yongqi replied respectfully.
Zhihua's heart skipped a beat, thinking the old man was going to say something nice for her, but after waiting for a long time, there was no further response. She secretly looked up and saw the old man chatting with Ziwei about the scenery of Jinan, not even looking at her. The disappointment in her heart surged like a tide.
Little Mosquito leaned close to Little Dengzi's ear and whispered in a low voice, "Good grief, the master of the west courtyard is probably going to be unable to sit still."
Little Dengzi glared at him, signaling him to stop talking, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.
As the sun gradually set in the west, the Empress Dowager rose to say goodbye: "It's getting late, and I should return to the palace. Xiaoyanzi is in poor health, so rest well and don't let your mind wander."
"Farewell, Your Majesty!" Everyone saluted.
Seeing the imperial carriage disappear at the alley entrance, Xiaoyanzi finally breathed a sigh of relief and pounded her waist: "Finally he's gone. I feel uncomfortable when this old Buddha is around."
"You." Yong Qi supported her helplessly, "Can't you restrain yourself in front of the old Buddha?"
"If I restrain myself, I won't be myself anymore!" Xiaoyanzi raised an eyebrow. "Besides, everything I said was true. How could I be wrong?"
Ziwei smiled and shook her head, "You're just good at talking." She turned to Zhihua and said, "Sister, go back and rest too. Mianyi is just getting better, don't catch a cold again."
Zhihua nodded, hugged Mianyi, and silently turned to walk towards the west courtyard. The sunlight shone on her, but it seemed as if it was coated with a layer of frost, and even her back exuded an indescribable loneliness.
Xiaoyanzi looked at her back, and her anger gradually subsided. Instead, she felt a complicated feeling. She touched Yongqi's arm and said, "Do you think she will really change?"
Yongqi sighed, "I hope so." He held Xiaoyanzi's hand tightly, "Don't think too much. Let's go back to the house. I'll ask the kitchen to make you your favorite beggar's chicken."
"Great!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up instantly, and the gloom just now was swept away. She pulled Yongqi inside and said, "Hurry up, hurry up, I've been craving for food for a long time!"
Ziwei looked at their backs, smiled helplessly, turned to Jinsuo and said, "Starting tomorrow, just do as I say and go to the West Courtyard. Pay more attention and tell me if anything happens."
"Yes, princess." Jinsuo responded.
Under the crabapple tree in the east courtyard, Xiao Dengzi directed the servants to clear the tables and chairs, while Xiao Zhuozi carried the remaining candied pears to the kitchen. The mosquitoes and insects were still playing with each other, creating a lively scene. Meanwhile, the door to the west courtyard had been closed long ago, like a silent period, concealing all the thoughts behind it.
The wind blew through the corridors of Prince Rong's Mansion, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and an indescribable undercurrent, surging silently.
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