Chapter 318: The Palace is in turmoil, the old name and the new grudge
The carriage rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a regular clattering sound. Xiaoyanzi lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out the window at the Fang Mansion's gatehouse gradually receding into the distance. She still had the bag of dried osmanthus flowers her mother had given her in her heart, and the sweet, warm aroma of the kitchen still lingered in her nose.
"Can't bear to leave?" Yongqi held her hand from the side. He was wearing a dark blue casual suit with dark patterns embroidered on the collar, which made his eyebrows and eyes look even gentler. "I'll come back with you when I have time in a few days."
Xiaoyanzi shook her head, buried her face in his shoulder, and said in a muffled voice: "I just feel that I am more comfortable at home." She didn't have to be on guard against anyone's calculations all the time, didn't have to listen to those sour words, and didn't have to face Zhihua's smiling face.
Yongqi gently stroked her hair, his fingertips brushing against the pearl tassels at her temples. "I'm sorry for putting you through this." He knew that Xiaoyanzi, though seemingly carefree, was actually more sensitive than anyone else. Zhihua's little antics these past few days must have been a source of frustration for her.
The carriage drove into the side door of Prince Rong's mansion. Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Zhuozi were already waiting there. When they saw the carriage stop, they hurried forward and lifted the curtain.
"Your Highness, Princess, you're finally back!" Little Dengzi said with a smile on his face. "The little bugs and mosquitoes have been chasing us for a long time, saying they want to show you something good."
As soon as he finished speaking, Little Swallow came running over, holding a bamboo cage. Inside, two gray pigeons fluttered their wings. "Princess, look!" He held the cage in front of Little Swallow like a treasure. "These are carrier pigeons that Brother Liu Qing sent. He said that if there's an emergency, a carrier pigeon is faster than running errands!"
The little mosquito was shocked: "Wow, boom, boom, this little black pigeon can really fly that far?"
Little Swallow was amused. She took the cage and examined it carefully. There was a small copper ring tied to the pigeon's claw. "This is called a carrier pigeon, not an ordinary pigeon." She gently tapped the pigeon cage with her fingertips. "Once it's well-trained, it will be useful."
As he was speaking, Shi Liu came up carrying the bag he had brought back from the Fang residence. Just as he was about to call her "Miss," he suddenly stopped and said, "Princess, I've got everything."
Seeing her nervous look, Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but laugh: "Don't be so reserved. From now on in the East Courtyard, just call me by my name."
"That won't do," Yong Qi shook his head, a smile in his eyes, "We still have to follow the rules. However, the name 'Pomegranate' is not bad, it sounds better than 'Spring Peach'."
At the mention of "Chun Tao," everyone's smiles faded. Xiao Zhuozi glanced westward and lowered his voice, "Speaking of Chun Tao, the one from the West Courtyard has been sending people to the East Courtyard to snoop around. I wonder what they're trying to find out."
The smile on Xiaoyanzi's face completely disappeared. She handed the pigeon cage to Xiaochongzi and said, "Let's find a quiet place to keep it. Don't let the cat get it." Then she said to Yongqi, "I'm going to check on Mianrui and Mianxin. You can go back to the study first."
Yongqi knew she was unhappy and nodded: "I'll ask the kitchen to make your favorite beggar's chicken later."
Xiaoyanzi didn't respond and turned to walk towards the east courtyard. Shi Liu followed closely behind her, looking at the princess's back, and sighed inwardly - it was still better to be in the Fang Mansion. At that time, the young lady's eyes were full of smiles.
Under the crabapple tree in the east courtyard, the nurse was playing with Mianrui and Mianxin. Mianrui sat in a cushioned stroller, banging a rattle. Mianxin, supported by a maid, was learning to walk unsteadily. When she saw Xiaoyanzi come in, she immediately rushed over with open arms, mumbling "Mother."
"Run slowly, don't fall." Xiaoyanzi bent down, picked up her daughter, and kissed her soft face, and the depression in her heart dissipated a little.
Mian Xin hugged her neck, nuzzling her little head against it and giggling. Xiao Yan Zi sat down in the yard with her in her arms, watching Mian Rui waving his little hands in the stroller, her eyes gradually softening. For the sake of these two children, she had to bear the weight of her worries.
Just then, Chuntao from the west courtyard entered, carrying a tray filled with delicate pastries. She walked up to Xiaoyanzi, knelt in greeting, and said in a sickly sweet voice, "Princess, the concubine has seen you return home, so she sent me over some pastries. She said they're freshly baked lotus cakes."
Xiaoyanzi didn't look at the snacks, her gaze resting on Chuntao's face. This maid had been with Zhihua for so long that a calculating look had taken over her features, and her eyes would always dart around when she looked at people.
"The concubine is thoughtful." Xiaoyanzi said lightly, "Let it go."
Chun Tao didn't leave immediately. She glanced at Shi Liu and asked in surprise, "This sister looks unfamiliar. Is she a new maid? What's your name?"
Shi Liu was about to answer when Xiao Yanzi spoke first: "Her name is Shi Liu. She came here from the Fang Mansion. She will serve in the East Courtyard from now on."
"Pomegranate?" Chuntao laughed with her hands covering her mouth, as if she had heard a joke. "This name is really fresh, it sounds like the fruit tree planted in the yard. Unlike us maids, our names always have some flowers and plants in them, which sounds more elegant." As she spoke, she deliberately straightened her chest, as if showing off her name.
Shi Liu's face turned red, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand, but dared not say a word.
Xiaoyanzi's eyes turned cold. She stood up, holding Mianxin in her arms, and looked down at Chuntao. "I think pomegranates are great. They're red, sweet, and real. They're not like some flowers and plants that look shiny but are rotten inside. They're all good looks but no use."
Chuntao's smile froze, and her face turned pale and blue. She hadn't expected Xiaoyanzi to be so blunt and blunt, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.
"Leave the snacks here, you can go now." Xiaoyanzi turned around and stopped looking at her. "Tell Consort Consort that I appreciate your kindness, but it's not anyone else's place to say anything about the people in the East Courtyard."
Chuntao bit her lip, glared at Shiliu, and retreated in embarrassment with the empty tray.
Looking at her back, Shi Liu whispered, "Princess, were we too... too impulsive just now?"
"This is how you deal with people like this." Xiaoyanzi patted her hands, "Don't be afraid, I'm here, no one dares to bully you." She lowered her head to look at Mianxin in her arms. The little guy was looking at her with her big black eyes, as if cheering her on.
Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but smile and kissed her daughter on the cheek: "Our Xin'er is still the best. Unlike some people, they have evil intentions."
The sun was setting, its golden afterglow filling the east courtyard. Mianrui had fallen asleep in the stroller, while Mianxin yawned in Xiaoyanzi's arms. Xiao Dengzi and the others had set up a small table in the yard, preparing for a barbecue tonight.
Yongqi returned from his official duties and, upon seeing this heartwarming scene, the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. He walked over to Xiaoyanzi and took Mianxin from her arms, moving gently as if afraid to wake her.
"Are you tired?" he asked in a low voice.
Xiaoyanzi shook her head and leaned on his shoulder: "It's okay. I just feel that life in this palace is really not as peaceful as at home."
"It will be fine." Yongqi hugged her tightly, "I won't let you and the children suffer any injustice."
In the study in the west courtyard, Chuntao was tearfully reporting to Zhihua what had just happened. After Zhihua finished listening, she slammed the teacup in her hand to the ground, shards scattering everywhere.
"Fang Ci!" She gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment. "She's just a wild girl from Jiangnan. Do you really think you're a princess? And that girl called Shi Liu, is she worthy of being compared to the people around me?"
Chun Tao knelt on the ground, trembling with fear: "Concubine, that Xiaoyanzi is too arrogant, she doesn't take you seriously at all..."
"I know she doesn't take me seriously!" Zhihua interrupted her, her chest heaving violently, "But she can't expect to be so complacent forever!" She walked to the window, looking at the warm lights in the east courtyard, her eyes growing colder and colder, "Since she wants to protect that maid, then I'm going to start with that maid! I want to see how long Fang Ci can protect her!"
As the night deepened, Prince Rong's mansion was shrouded in silence. The laughter and chatter in the East Courtyard gradually died down, but the candles in the West Courtyard burned brightly into the night. A new storm was quietly brewing in this still night.
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