Lu Ziyuan made a grand entrance for Zhong Muyu's return. Apart from Zhiyu, who was far away in Ling'an County, and Chengfeng, who was still recovering from his injuries, he mobilized almost all of his personal guards to escort her back.
At the main gate of the Prince's Mansion, Su Zhirou was dressed in a low-key pink and blue long dress. Her entire appearance was restrained and simple, showing the humility of a concubine.
However, her stiff expression betrayed her true thoughts.
Lianye whispered to her, "Madam, your expression is too serious. Be gentler."
"I can't do it! This is bad enough, do you expect me to smile at her?"
Upon hearing Su Zhirou's reprimand, Lianye immediately fell silent. If her mistress was in a bad mood, she would behave herself, otherwise she would be the one to suffer.
A magnificent carriage could be seen approaching from afar. Only Zhong Muyu and Granny Zhang had returned this time; Zaochun was there to take care of Chengfeng, and there was no need to bring the others to the Prince's residence.
After Su Zhirou composed herself, she saw Lu Ziyuan get off the carriage first.
"Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort are warmly welcomed!"
"Um."
To everyone's surprise, Lu Ziyuan simply responded and turned to help Zhong Muyu out of the car.
Zhong Muyu scolded, "It's just getting off the bus, you don't need to act like this. Don't forget your injury hasn't healed yet."
Lu Ziyuan's injuries were more severe than Chengfeng's, but while Chengfeng was still lying there, he was lively and energetic.
"With your treatment, this injury is healing very quickly."
"You still need to be careful. I'll change your dressing when we get back. I'll use mine, not anyone else's."
Zhong Muyu and Lu Ziyuan got off the carriage while talking, leaving Su Zhirou standing there, which made the expression on Su Zhirou's face even more stiff.
She really wanted to leave, but she couldn't; she had to endure it.
So she forced her way closer: "Your Highness, how did you get injured? Is it serious?"
Zhong Muyu laughed and said, "That was very heavy. If it weren't for me, he might have been eaten by wild animals."
Lu Ziyuan retorted, dissatisfied, "Wasn't that all to save you!"
"Even if you don't come to save me, with that stench of blood on you, how can you not attract wild beasts?"
"Even if there are wild beasts, I can kill them."
...
The two chatted and laughed as they headed to Xinxiang Courtyard. Su Zhirou couldn't get a word in edgewise; she didn't know what had happened between them, and even if she wanted to show concern, she didn't know how to say it.
They gradually fell behind.
She clenched her fists, wanting to leave, but Lianye held her arm tightly, saying, "Madam, please bear with it!"
Taking a deep breath, Su Zhirou said, "I understand, let's continue."
No matter what, she cannot break down and run away.
After a period of silence, Xinxiang Courtyard became lively again. When they arrived, the steward, Uncle Qiu, was directing the servants to move things inside.
Zhong Muyu asked in surprise, "Why are there so many things?"
"We've replaced all your furniture and household items with new ones. Now that you're back, everything should be completely refreshed."
"Actually, it doesn't have to be that complicated, but thank you for your kindness anyway."
As the two entered, the maids who had been waiting there bowed and said, "Welcome back, Your Highness!"
They were the happiest when Zhong Muyu returned. They had thought he didn't want them anymore, and they were all frowning and waiting for their unknown fate. Now, it was truly a blessing from heaven.
"Qiao'er! And all of you!"
Qiao'er was almost moved to tears: "Your Highness, I've finally been waiting for you to come back!"
"Yes, I'm back. How have you all been?"
“The people in the Prince’s mansion treat us very well, but without the Princess, we are still very lonely.”
Zhong Muyu took her hand: "Now you won't be lonely!"
"Yes! Hmm... Where's Early Spring Sister?"
Qiao'er looked around behind them.
Zhong Muyu said, "I have things to do in early spring, so I won't be back for a few days. Don't worry, we'll all see each other."
Lu Ziyuan waved his hand: "Now that the Princess Consort has returned, you should all do your jobs well and not disappoint her expectations."
"Yes, ma'am!"
After the maids dispersed, the group entered the room and found it completely renovated. Not only were the curtains and furniture new, but the potted plants on the table had also been replaced with flowering ones, and pleasant incense was burning inside, making it very relaxing.
Su Zhirou seized the opportunity to speak up: "To welcome back my sister, the Princess Consort, I have also prepared a gift!"
After she finished speaking, she clapped her hands, and two servants brought something up.
Su Zhirou lifted the red cloth and saw a beautiful jade tree branch on the tray.
The exquisite craftsmanship was breathtaking, which reminded Zhong Muyu of the treasure that Princess Kaguya had sent her admirers to find—the Penglai Jade Branch.
Even a layman like Zhong Muyu could tell that this thing was quite valuable. He wondered what Su Zhirou was planning to do this time.
Lu Ziyuan asked, "This jade carving, I remember it was part of your dowry, isn't it?"
Su Zhirou lowered her head and smiled faintly: "Yes, it's kind of Your Highness to remember."
Zhong Muyu said, "This thing looks extraordinary. It must be an important part of the concubine's dowry. How can I accept it?"
“My sister has been confined to the inner quarters for a long time and has no need for these ornaments. Moreover, this item is indeed precious, and I think only my elder sister is worthy of it.”
Zhong Muyu muttered to herself, her little mouth was so talkative, she was completely different from before.
Looking at the jade carving, Zhong Muyu suddenly said, "Is the plant carved here Sichuan pepper?"
"Sister has a good eye. This jade carving is actually a Sichuan pepper tree branch. Sichuan pepper has the effects of warming the middle and promoting qi circulation, dispelling cold, relieving pain, and killing insects. Moreover, Sichuan pepper has many seeds, which also symbolizes that sister can have many descendants for the royal family."
Heaven knows that Su Zhirou's heart was bleeding with every word she said, while Zhong Muyu was completely ungrateful.
Lu Ziyuan originally wanted to praise the auspicious meaning, but then he remembered Zhong Muyu saying that she "didn't want to have so many children like a sow," so she definitely wouldn't like the peppercorns having so many offspring.
Before Zhong Muyu could speak, Lu Ziyuan interjected, "Since the Princess Consort won't accept it, Consort Su, you can keep it for your own enjoyment."
The words "Consort Su" chilled Su Zhirou's heart even further.
Yes, ever since that conversation, he has never called her Rou'er again. She is no longer the innocent and naive Rou'er in his heart.
"……yes."
Su Zhirou forced out a single word, then finally couldn't hold back any longer and left Xinxiang Courtyard with Lianye and the others.
Only after Su Zhirou left did Zhong Muyu speak: "I thought you would let me accept that jade carving."
"How could that be? I won't force you to accept things you don't like."
Zhong Muyu propped her head up with her hand, looking curious: "How did you know whether I liked it or not?"
Putting aside any symbolic meaning, that jade carving looks very valuable.
"Because I remember you said you didn't like having too many children. If you were to produce as many seeds as a Sichuan peppercorn, you might jump up and hit someone on the spot."
Zhong Muyu blushed slightly. He really remembered those words; she had clearly said them in a moment of panic.
Lu Ziyuan couldn't hide his smile: "However, too many children won't do, but one or two should be fine, right?"
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