Chapter 271: Morning Fun at the Palace, the Emperor and Empress Arrive
The early mornings at Prince Rong's Mansion always carry a lazy warmth.
Xiaoyanzi was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window. She rolled over and bumped into Yongqi's arms. His arm was still loosely wrapped around her waist, and his breathing was even, clearly still awake. Sunlight filtered through the carved window, casting a faint shadow on his chiseled face. His eyelashes were long and thick, like two small fans.
Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but reach out her finger and gently poke his cheek. It felt soft and warm. Yongqi stirred, his brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't wake up. He just hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head, and muttered, "Sleep a little longer..."
"Sleep, sleep, sleep, it's almost noon!" Xiaoyanzi pinched his nose and said in a crisp voice, "If you don't get up, the emperor will send someone to lift the roof!"
Yongqi then slowly opened his eyes, still a little sleepy, but the look he gave her was instantly gentle like melted honey: "Princess, why did you wake up so early today?" He deliberately emphasized the four words "Princess, Your Highness" with a playful smile.
"Go away!" Xiaoyanzi slapped his hand away and sat up. Her moon-white tunic slipped off her shoulders, revealing a small piece of her fair skin. "Yesterday, the Emperor said he would come over for breakfast today. Did you forget?"
Yongqi suddenly remembered and quickly threw off the quilt and got out of bed, his movements so fast that they made a gust of wind. "Oh no, how could I forget about this!" He walked behind the screen and turned back to remind him, "Hurry up too, don't keep the emperor waiting anxiously."
Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but giggle at his flustered manner. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the aqua-red jacket hanging by the bedside. It was specially made by Fang's mother, with delicate crabapple flowers embroidered on the collar, the stitching intricate. She reached out to take it down, then put it on with swift movements. She combed her hair into a simple bun in front of the bronze mirror and inserted the red gold and kingfisher crabapple hairpin Yongqi had given her. The girl in the mirror had curved eyebrows and eyes, with the innocent and lively demeanor of a newlywed.
Just as she had finished cleaning up, she saw Xiao Zhuozi coming in with a copper basin. When he saw Xiao Yanzi, he quickly bowed and said, "Good morning, Princess."
"Good morning, Xiao Zhuozi." Xiaoyanzi smiled and nodded. "Where's the prince? Have you finished washing up?"
"The prince is waiting in the side hall. He asked me to invite the princess over for morning tea." Xiao Zhuozi replied, and his eyes could not help but glance at the snacks on the table - that was the plum blossom cake brought back from Shufangzhai yesterday, the princess's favorite.
Xiaoyanzi picked up a piece of plum cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "Let's go see if our Prince Rong has had some morning wine again."
As soon as I reached the side hall door, I heard Yongqi's voice: "Ask the kitchen to bring up that sweet-scented osmanthus glutinous rice and lotus root dish. The princess loves it."
Xiaoyanzi's heart warmed as she pushed the door open and walked in. Yongqi was sitting at the table, looking through the account book. He was wearing a royal blue uniform and a jade belt around his waist, which made him look tall and straight. When he saw her come in, he put down the account book and waved with a smile, "Come here."
Xiaoyanzi walked over and sat beside him naturally. She picked up a piece of almond cake and handed it to his mouth: "Try it? Jinsuo made it yesterday."
Yongqi opened his mouth and bit it, then took her hand, his fingertips stroking the mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist: "The Emperor and the Empress will probably arrive at 9:00 PM. Do you want to go to the door to greet them?"
"No need." Xiaoyanzi shook her head. "The Emperor is not a stranger. We can just wait here. Besides, this is our palace. How can the host go to the door to greet us every time?" She said this, but she knew in her heart that Qianlong treated her differently. What was hidden in this difference was only known to her and him.
Yongqi knew her temper and didn't force her. He just smiled and nodded: "I'll do as you say."
The two were having morning tea when little Dengzi came trotting in, his face flushed with excitement. "Prince! Princess! The Emperor is here! And the Empress is here too!"
Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi hurriedly rose to greet them. As they reached the courtyard, they saw Emperor Qianlong and the Empress had already entered through the Moon Gate. Emperor Qianlong, dressed in bright yellow formal attire, walked steadily, a gentle smile on his face. The Empress, clad in a stone-blue phoenix robe, looked dignified and graceful. Her eyes were filled with affection as she met Xiaoyanzi.
"Your son (daughter-in-law) pays homage to the Emperor and the Empress." Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi saluted together.
"Get up, get up." Qianlong smiled and waved his hand. His eyes flicked to Xiaoyanzi. Seeing her wearing a light red jacket and looking rosy, the smile in his eyes deepened. "Look at your palace. It's even more lively than the palace."
"Your Majesty, you're joking. It's nothing compared to the palace." Xiaoyanzi replied with a smile, stepping aside to make way. "Please come in. This is freshly made osmanthus glutinous rice and lotus root. It's still hot."
The Queen took Xiaoyanzi's hand, her fingertips slightly cool but very soft. "Ci'er, are you used to living in the palace these days? Did Yongqi bully you?"
"Your Majesty, I'm fine." Xiaoyanzi smiled with her eyes curved, secretly glancing at Yongqi, "He dares to bully me? Give him the courage!"
Yongqi shook his head helplessly, which made Qianlong and the empress laugh.
Entering the main hall, the host and guest sat down, and the maid served them tea. Qianlong took a sip and looked at Yongqi: "How is the case I asked you to investigate yesterday?"
"Your Majesty, there's some clues. I was planning to go to the palace today to report," Yongqi said solemnly. "Not many officials are involved. One of them is the Minister of Personnel, a student of E Min. I'm thinking..."
"Emin?" Qianlong frowned slightly, then waved his hand. "No matter whose disciple he is, as long as he makes a mistake, he will be dealt with according to the law. There is no need for leniency."
"Yes, I understand." Yongqi nodded in agreement.
Xiaoyanzi listened from the side without interrupting, but quietly peeled oranges for the Queen. She knew that she didn't understand these court affairs, nor did she need to understand them. With Yongqi and the Emperor around, she only needed to be the Princess of Rong.
The Queen saw what she was thinking and patted her hands with a smile. "Don't worry about them, let's talk about our own business." She picked up a piece of plum blossom cake and said, "This cake is well made. Is it Jinsuo's work?"
"The Empress has good taste!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up. "I brought it back from the guesthouse yesterday. Jinsuo's craftsmanship is getting better and better. I'll ask her to make more for you later."
"Okay," the Queen agreed with a smile. "Speaking of which, it's time for Liu Qing and Jinsuo's wedding. Has the date been set?"
"It's settled. It'll be held at the guesthouse on the 16th of next month." Xiaoyanzi said with a smile, "We hope the Emperor and the Empress will come and have a look."
"I will definitely go, I will definitely go." Qianlong agreed cheerfully, "I will also personally be their witness!"
As he was speaking, the kitchen brought up breakfast, a table full of dishes, a good mix of meat and vegetables, all delicious and fragrant. Qianlong picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root, put it in his mouth, and nodded. "Hmm, not bad, even better than what the imperial kitchen makes."
Xiaoyanzi smiled even more happily after hearing this and quickly picked up a piece for Yongqi as well: "Try it and see if it tastes better than the last time you made it."
Yongqi looked at her helplessly, but still ate it obediently, mumbling: "It's delicious, much better than what I make."
Watching the young couple playfully playing, Qianlong and the Empress smiled at each other, their eyes filled with relief. This morning at Prince Rong's residence was free of the constraints of palace rules and the intrigues of the court. Instead, it was filled with the warmth and bustle of an ordinary home, like a bowl of warm lotus seed soup, soothing everyone's heart.
The sun shines through the window lattice, casting a warm and bright light on everyone's face. The fulfillment of this life is hidden in the trivialities of daily life, in the daily laughter and joy, year after year, long and stable.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com