Chapter 311: Sunny Day, Warm Courtyard, Loud Laughter
The flower trellises in the east courtyard of Prince Rong's mansion were covered with verdant vines. Fine rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, weaving a flowing pattern of light across the blue brick floor. Little Swallow was squatting in the corridor, teasing a cat. The snow-white Persian cat licked her fingertips, tickling them. She couldn't help but giggle, and the light-red flowered jacket on her shoulders swayed gently with her movements, like a flower about to take flight.
"Be careful not to get dust on your skirt." Yongqi stood on the steps, holding a folding fan in his hand, looking at her helplessly. He was wearing a dark blue casual suit with a dark pattern embroidered on the collar, which made his figure look even more upright, but the eyes he stared at Xiaoyanzi were as soft as melted honey.
Little Swallow raised her head and wrinkled her nose at him. She simply sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor and held the cat in her arms. "Your Highness is so lenient! This cat was given to me by the Empress Dowager. It's so precious. She won't let me get it dirty."
"Yes, yes, what the princess said is true." Yong Qi walked down with a smile and sat down beside her. He reached out and brushed a fallen leaf from her hair. "I just had someone stew some rock sugar snow pears. It will be perfect when it cools down."
As he was speaking, Ziwei walked in with Erkang's arm around her. She was wearing a moon-white cheongsam with a few orchids embroidered on the cuffs. In her hand, she held a plain brocade bag. "Look what I brought with me? This is a purse I embroidered for Mian Yi. I just finished it."
Erkang was dressed in royal blue official uniform, presumably having just returned from the government office. When he saw Xiaoyanzi, he bowed and said, "Princess, you're free today."
"Uncle Fu, please stop teasing me." Xiaoyanzi patted the empty seat beside her. "Come and sit down. Where are Qing'er and Brother Xiao Jian? Didn't they say they would come today?"
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Jian was seen supporting Qing'er as they slowly passed through the Moon Gate. Qing'er wore a lilac soft satin cheongsam dress, covered by a matching waistcoat. Her belly was bulging like a ball, a sign of a six-month pregnancy, yet her face was radiant and radiant. Xiao Jian was also carrying a small box of preserved fruit, and he paused every few steps, fearing he would tire her out.
"Finally you're here!" Xiaoyanzi stood up quickly, almost throwing the cat out of her arms. "Qing'er, come and sit on that rattan chair. It's cushioned."
Xiao Jian carefully helped Qing'er onto a chair. She smiled and breathed, "You look so anxious, but I'm not that fragile. But you, I heard a few days ago that you climbed over the wall to see Liu Qing's guesthouse again?"
"I just climbed over a wall half a person's height, that doesn't count!" Xiaoyanzi argued with her neck stiffened, but her hand subconsciously touched the red gold and kingfisher hairpin on her temples - that was the one Yongqi had just found for her yesterday, saying it would look good with her red dress.
Ziwei sat down next to Qing'er and poured her a cup of chrysanthemum tea. "The imperial physician said Qing'er needs more rest. Don't let her act rash." Her fingertips traced the rim of the teacup, and she suddenly smiled. "Come to think of it, Jinsuo was talking about you yesterday. She said she had made some lotus root powder cakes and wanted to send them over for you to try."
"Speak of Cao Cao, and here he comes!" Liu Hong's loud voice came from outside the courtyard. Then she came in carrying a food box, followed by Liu Qing, who was also holding a bunch of fresh lotus pods picked from the outskirts of the city. "Look what goodies I brought!"
Jinsuo followed behind, wearing a lake blue cloth skirt and holding a small basket in her hands. She bowed when she saw everyone and said, "Greetings to the prince and princess. Here are some freshly made lotus root powder cakes, and some medicinal pillows for Qingge to help with pregnancy."
"Don't be so polite." Qing'er smiled and waved, "Come here and let me see you. I heard that you and Liu Qing have been busy recruiting waiters for the guesthouse recently?"
Liu Qing placed the lotus pod on the stone table and scratched his head. "Yes, business is booming, thanks to the ideas the princess came up with a few days ago." As he spoke, he peeled the lotus pod, and the tender white lotus seeds rolled all over the plate. "Try this, it's sweet."
Liu Hong opened the food box, and the sweet aroma of osmanthus filled the air. "This is freshly made mung bean cake. I added mint, so it's cool to eat." She stuffed a piece into Xiaoyanzi's mouth and said, "Try it now. How does it compare to the one made by your chef?"
Xiaoyanzi stuffed it into her mouth and her eyes lit up: "Absolutely delicious! Even better than the ones in the imperial kitchen! Liu Hong, with your cooking skills, it would be a shame if you didn't become an imperial chef."
"Don't flatter me." Liu Hong smiled and pushed her away. "But you, when will we have a little prince or princess? The old lady has asked several times."
"Liu Hong!" Xiao Yanzi's face flushed red. She grabbed a lotus seed and threw it at her, but Liu Hong dodged it easily. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll have Yongqi make you copy the family rules!"
"Oh? Who do you want to punish by making them copy the family rules?" Yongqi raised an eyebrow and put his arm around Xiaoyanzi's shoulders, unable to hide the smile in his eyes. "Let's see who dares to make our princess angry."
Everyone laughed. The Persian cat in the corridor, startled by the laughter, raised its tail and jumped into Yongqi's arms, causing Xiaoyanzi to scratch its chin again. Qing'er leaned back in a rattan chair, watching the lively scene before her, stroking her belly with a gentle smile. Xiao Jian sat at her feet, bending down to peel lotus seeds for her. The sunlight fell on their clasped hands, warming them so much that they seemed to melt.
Ziwei watched this scene, turned to Erkang and whispered, "This is great."
Erkang held her hand, his fingertips running across the jade bracelet on her wrist: "Yes, this is really good."
The vines under the flower stand are still growing quietly. In the distance, the sounds of the little eunuchs playing can be heard, mixed with Liu Hong's hearty laughter and Xiaoyanzi's scolding. It is like a song warmed by the sun, flowing slowly on this sunny day.
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