Qin Zhaoyue paused, only then realizing that she was being addressed.
It feels a bit strange to suddenly hear someone call me by this title so seriously.
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing!" The group of people standing at the door greeted him in unison.
Qin Zhaoyue waved her hand casually: "No need for formalities."
The old butler straightened up and immediately led the way.
"Your Highness, please follow this old servant. My master specifically instructed me to wait here for Your Highness's arrival."
"Tsk, we're all family, why be so polite? Lead the way."
The scenery of Lingering Garden changes greatly depending on the season.
Since the garden is named for flower viewing, it has naturally been meticulously designed and maintained.
Although it is late autumn and everything is beginning to wither, the gardener's skillful arrangement has created a unique charm.
Chrysanthemums of all colors are in full bloom, some clustered like hydrangeas, others with delicate petals cascading down like waterfalls.
Golden yellow, pure white, light purple, and dark red vie for attention, displaying their tenacious vitality in the chilly autumn wind.
Several tall maple and acer trees, their leaves already dyed red by frost, some as red as fire, others as yellow as gold, create a picturesque contrast with the verdant pines and cypresses.
And then there are the hibiscus that bloom that night, changing color three times a day: white in the morning, pink at noon, and deep red in the evening, adorning the pavilions and towers, adding a touch of charm.
This garden is indeed wonderful. It covers a vast area, has an exquisite layout, and features distinct layers of scenery. It is far superior to the gardens and residences of the imperial heirs.
Nominally, it belongs to the third sister, but everyone knows that it is actually the Empress's private property.
The Empress Dowager was diligent and frugal, not fond of luxury, and didn't have any decent palaces or villas. It was rare for her to come to this garden to relax.
Although Qin Zhaoyue was envious, she was too embarrassed to ask for it.
As she walked along, the garden was teeming with visitors. Whether they knew her or not, noble ladies, ladies of leisure, and scholars all stopped to pay their respects.
Qin Zhaoyue mostly just nodded slightly in return, continuing her steps as she followed the old steward deeper into the area.
The old steward did not lead her to the main hall where the banquet was held, but instead led her through several moon gates to a spacious courtyard, in the center of which stood an exquisite three-story flower building.
"Please come in, Your Highness. The princes are all waiting for you upstairs."
The old housekeeper stopped at the top of the stairs and bowed to invite him.
Qin Zhaoyue climbed the stairs to the third floor and found that everyone had arrived.
Xiao Jiu, with her sharp eyes, spotted her first. Like a cheerful little bird, she flew over, grabbed her sleeve, and scolded playfully:
"Sixth Sister! Why are you so slow to arrive!"
This girl has been coming to her residence a lot lately, sometimes with Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba along, which Qin Zhaoyue finds annoying.
"Go away, go play somewhere else. I'm already grateful that I even came."
Xiao Jiu muttered under her breath, "He never does anything productive all day long, all he does is lie around..."
"Huh? What did you say?" Qin Zhaoyue raised her eyebrows.
Her three older sisters and brothers haven't seen her lately, mainly because... they feel sorry for her.
Xiao Liu didn't take any gold or silver, but she picked out all the most cherished and precious items from their storeroom.
Qin Zhaowan glared at her irritably and beckoned, "Come here quickly and stand here for a look."
Qin Zhaoyue walked to the window, muttering to herself:
"I said, winter is almost here, why bother climbing up here and breathing in this cold wind..."
His words practically screamed "pretentious affectation."
However, when she casually glanced out the window, she couldn't help but pause in surprise.
The spacious courtyard downstairs was not the chrysanthemum garden and maple forest she had imagined.
Qin Zhaoyue turned to look at her third sister with some confusion, and blinked:
"Third sister, what are you doing?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com