Seeing that she was smiling a little strangely, Concubine Li narrowed her eyes and couldn't help asking.
After taking a sip of tea, Concubine Li put the cup down, a smug look spread across her face, and she said casually:
"This Prince Yu's Mansion is indeed a great place. When people come here, their mood will improve and they will laugh unconsciously."
Concubine Li knew that Concubine Li was trying to put her off, but she had no intention of caring about her because she was thinking about her own affairs.
After Luo Lan and Leng Yu paid their respects to the emperor, they found an excuse and rushed to the backyard impatiently.
Ah Hong and Ah Cai, who had rushed to the backyard earlier, came over and whispered to her:
"Princess, the second young lady and the lady are in their rooms. I have given them instructions as you instructed, and they both said they would stay in their rooms well."
Luo Lan frowned and nodded helplessly.
"That's good. Arrange the meals and daily necessities for the Madam and the Second Miss. In the backyard, arrange for more manpower in the next few days. If there is any situation, notify me in time."
"I understand. I have already arranged for someone to deliver food to Madam and the Second Miss."
"Well, I'm going to the back garden to pay my respects to the two ladies. You guys don't need to follow me. Go to the front yard and see if there's anything you can help with."
After receiving the order, Acai and Ahong quickly walked towards the front yard, while Luo Lan crossed the corridor and went straight to the back garden.
The arrival of the emperor and the two ladies caught the people in Prince Yu's mansion off guard, and everyone started to get busy.
After Luo Lan arrived at the back garden, he went straight to the pavilion.
When Concubine Li saw her, she waved to her with a smile without waiting for her to salute.
"Lan'er, come and sit down. This is not the palace. There's no need to bow."
Luo Lan came in front of them and bowed slightly.
"Greetings to the two ladies. Although this place is not like the imperial palace, proper etiquette must still be observed."
Concubine Li also looked at her with a smile on her face.
"Princess Yu, you are too polite. We are sorry to bother you with our visit this time."
Luo Lan chuckled and replied:
"You are too polite, Madam Li. It is an honor for the Prince Yu's Mansion that the Emperor has brought you two ladies to his residence. However, we were caught off guard by the lack of advance notice and were unable to prepare for the reception. We hope you will not blame us for our slowness."
There was an ambiguous look in Concubine Li's eyes, and she waved her hands calmly.
"You're too polite, Lan'er. The reason I came here without saying hello is because the Emperor didn't want you to go through the trouble of making preparations. Besides, we won't be staying for just one or two days, so don't blame yourself."
Luo Lan had just learned from the emperor that they would stay in Prince Yu's Mansion for at least three days. During these three days, except for one day when they would take Concubine Li to appreciate the lotus flowers outside the city, the other two days would be spent in Prince Yu's Mansion.
In other words, Sina and her mother had to stay in the room for two days without going out.
Fortunately, it’s only two days, so they just need to hold on.
Thinking of this, Luo Lan bowed again and said:
"Luo Lan is very happy that the two ladies can stay in Prince Yu's mansion for a while. Please cool down here. I will go to the kitchen to see how the lunch preparations are going."
Concubine Li smiled mysteriously and waved her hand.
"Go and do your work. Concubine Li and I will just sit here for a while. The scenery of Prince Yu's Mansion is really unique!"
Luo Lan saw a different look in Concubine Li's eyes. Could it be that she had discovered Xina and her mother?
Thinking of this, she nodded calmly, turned around, lifted her skirt and left.
All along the way, she was thinking, what should she do if Concubine Li found out about Xina and her mother? How would she explain this matter?
Thinking of this, her brows furrowed, and she didn't notice the person walking towards her at all.
"Lan'er..."
Leng Yu stood in front of her like a mountain, and bumped into her.
"What are you thinking about? Didn't you hear me calling you twice?"
Luo Lan looked up and saw Leng Yu's handsome eyes. He frowned with some resentment and replied softly:
"I don't know. I have a feeling Concubine Li knows something. I'm wondering what we should do."
Leng Yu raised her hand, plucked the loose hair from her forehead, and comforted her softly:
"Don't worry. According to Father, they're just here to relax. As for Concubine Li, I'll have someone keep an eye on her. Please give more instructions to Xina and Mother..."
"I've already asked Ah Cai to tell them, but when Concubine Li arrived at Prince Yu's mansion, she went straight to the backyard. I have a feeling something is amiss. It seems we should not be careless."
Seeing Luo Lan's somewhat nervous expression, Leng Yu held her hand distressedly and whispered comfortingly:
"Don't worry, Lan'er. I'm here for you. No matter what happens, I'll be there for you."
Luo Lan looked up at Leng Yu and nodded heavily.
"I'm relieved to hear that, my husband. You can take the three children to pay your respects to the emperor. I'll go back to my room and change my clothes."
"Okay, Father just said he wants to play chess with Lele..."
When he heard that they were going to play chess, Luo Lan frowned and said:
"Husband, tell Lele not to win more than three games..."
Leng Yu's face darkened for a moment, then he gave a helpless smile.
"It's really sad that such a young child is being taught to curry favor with the powerful."
"My husband, this isn't called currying favor with the powerful; this is called acting according to the circumstances..."
"Okay, we'll do what you say. Go back to your room and rest for a while. I'll go find the children."
After Luo Lan nodded, he said goodbye to Leng Yu and went straight to the room.
At noon, Leng Xi came with Xiaobao and Yu Qiaoqiao. Leng Yu, Luo Lan, Leng Ming and their three children accompanied the emperor to have dinner together.
During the banquet, Xiao Bao sat beside Concubine Li and kept reciting the contents of the Book of Songs to her. Concubine Li praised him with pride.
"Your Majesty, you see, Xiaobao is smarter than other children. He recites the Book of Songs like a teacher. This child will become a great man in the future."
Listening to her somewhat exaggerated words, An An curled her lips.
"Who doesn't know the Book of Songs? What's there to show off? If you have the ability, just recite ancient poems..."
Ancient poetry?
Concubine Li frowned and looked at her, glaring at her with displeasure. Xiaobao snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Humph! Just brag! Ancient poetry? What is ancient poetry? Is it as good as the Book of Songs?"
"Why not? I memorized your Book of Songs three years ago. You definitely don't know my ancient poems..."
"I don't believe it. Let me see if you can carry one on your back..."
"I left Baidi in the morning amidst the colorful clouds, and returned to Jiangling a thousand miles away in one day. The monkeys on both sides of the river kept crying, and the light boat had already passed through thousands of mountains. Have you heard it? Can you do it?"
An An blurted out this ancient poem, which surprised everyone including the emperor. Luo Lan hurriedly stopped her and said:
"An An, Mom told you not to show off, why didn't you listen?"
"Who's showing off? It was Xiaobao who showed off first. He acted like he was invincible just because he could recite the Book of Songs. He acted like everyone could do it. If you're capable, how about we recite some poems and have a competition?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
