0p0 Chapter 833: Rewarding Two More Nurses
Chapter 833: Rewarding Two More Nurses
Before Jing Chunxi could even straighten up, he heard the emperor say, "Chunxi is thirteen now, right? When the Rong'an Marquis's Mansion is officially opened, I will reward you with two nurses and a few palace maids. Don't refuse then."
These words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake. Jing Chunxi's heart tightened, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.
Did she have to start learning palace etiquette so early? She had originally thought she would have to wait until her marriage was granted, at least until she reached the age of marriage. She thought of the future, bound by rules and regulations like a puppet of a lady from a noble family, a princess who followed the rules and observed etiquette.
Thinking that the days of freedom were about to fade away, her delicate brows couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Father, have you forgotten that Xi'er has already rescued Nanny Zhou?" Xu Zize suddenly stepped forward, his dark brocade boots making a soft sound as they stepped on the golden bricks. He couldn't bear to see her in such a state of embarrassment, and he didn't want her to lose her agility and straightforwardness too soon. "Isn't that a ready-made foster nanny?"
"Yes, Madam Zhou is at Qingshan Villa!" Jing Chunxi's eyes lit up and he responded quickly as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw.
She recalled the tears in Nanny Zhou's eyes a few days ago when she mentioned wanting to retire outside. She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud at this moment. She only hoped that Xu Zize would go see the old man in person someday and "ask for the emperor's permission."
The emperor's expression softened upon hearing this, and he gestured for her to stand. "This is what the royal family owes her." His gaze was distant, as if he was recalling something. Finally, he nodded. "Then let Madam live in the Rong'an Marquis's mansion with honor. On the day the mansion opens, I will personally go and reward her."
Jing Chunxi felt relieved after receiving this promise. As she left the hall, she couldn't help but pat her chest and gave Xu Zize a playful smile.
The sunlight filtered through the eaves onto her face, making her bright smile even more vivid. Xu Zize's heart softened, and he raised his hand to gently stroke her hair. When his fingertips touched the soft black hair, his eyes were filled with unwavering tenderness.
"By the way, Brother Xiaokang,"
On the way to Fengyi Palace, Jing Chunxi suddenly remembered something. She gently tugged at Xu Zize's sleeve, and her fingertips paused slightly on the fabric embroidered with cloud patterns.
"Tomorrow, Xi'er will go to Prince Jing's mansion to pay her respects to Grandpa and Grandma." She paused briefly, a gentle look in her eyes. "Princess Hong is due to give birth at the beginning of next month, and Mother specifically asked me to help her check that the mansion is well prepared. Would Brother Xiaokang be willing to come with us?"
After saying this, she raised her face. The morning light filtered through the carved lattice windows on the palace wall, casting tiny golden shadows on her eyelashes.
Xu Zize slowed down his pace upon hearing this, the jade pendant on his waist swaying slightly as he moved, "Of course I'm going."
His voice was gentle, but his eyes drifted to a corner of the eaves outside the distant palace wall. "Speaking of which, Brother hasn't seen Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang for over two years. It's only right to go and say hello."
Suddenly she remembered something, and when she turned her head, her hair brushed against the golden python pattern on her shoulder. "But my brother has to attend the morning court tomorrow, and the emperor might be delayed too..."
Thinking of the thick stack of memorials on his father's desk, he paused for a moment, "Xi'er, you don't have to get up early tomorrow. How about waiting for your brother to pick you up?"
"Okay!" Jing Chunxi replied softly.
"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Anping." A gentle voice suddenly came from the corner of the corridor.
Not far away, a scholar in a blue robe was standing shoulder to shoulder with Qingfeng. When he saw them coming, he immediately bowed and saluted. His moon-white blue robe fluttered slightly in the wind, and he looked extraordinary from a distance.
Although Jing Chunxi returned the greeting politely, she secretly tugged at the corner of Xu Zize's sleeve while lowering her head, and her voice was as soft as willow catkins in March: "Where did this handsome scholar come from?" Her eyes swept over the silk scarf of the same color, and she clearly felt that the man was as gentle as jade.
"Huh!" Xu Zize almost laughed out loud. He raised his hand and lightly touched her forehead, but withdrew his fingertips just before touching her. "Xi'er's memory is so bad..."
He deliberately dragged out his tone, "Not only did I forget the people I knew, I also forgot about Cousin Mingyue's visit."
After saying this, he glanced meaningfully at the new mutton-fat jade bracelet on the waist of the scholar opposite him. It should be a reward from the emperor after he restored order. Only Duke Ningguo was worthy of such a bracelet.
"Is it Brother Chengrui?" Jing Chunxi's eyes suddenly lit up, and her skirt lifted slightly as she suddenly leaned forward. Before Xu Zize could stop her, she leaped forward two steps like a fluttering butterfly, the golden hairpin in her hair trembling slightly.
"Brother Chengrui has changed a lot!" She suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back to blink at Xu Zize. "Who said that only girls change a lot when they grow up?"
Catching a glimpse of the man behind him looking displeased, Tao Chengrui quickly took two steps back, his boots scraping softly against the bluestone. His wide sleeves dropped as he bowed, "Chengrui greets Princess Anping." Looking up, he saw Jing Chunxi paused steadily five steps away, not rushing towards him rashly. Her skirt swayed gently with her movements.
"Duke Ningguo, there's no need to be so polite,"
I shouted that he could have been given a title immediately, but he didn't ask for it. Unexpectedly, his face turned red and he didn't dare to agree.
Xu Zize took half a step forward, with the hem of his black python robe just blocking the two of them. "Save it from bothering Sister Chunxi." His tone was gentle, but his hand subtly pulled Jing Chunxi to his side.
Jing Chunxi leaned forward, and the pearl tassels hanging from his temples swayed slightly with his movements. "Long time no see,"
She smiled brightly, her eyes glancing at the new jade pendant with dragon pattern on Tao Chengrui's waist. "Brother Chengrui has a more scholarly air. If I met him on Suzaku Street, I'm afraid I wouldn't recognize him."
"Sister Chunxi is the same," Tao Chengrui bowed slightly, "She is as beautiful as a lotus emerging from the water, so stunning and enviable."
"Okay, okay," Xu Zize suddenly interrupted, not wanting to hear them praising each other.
His fingertips tapped impatiently on the jade belt around his waist. "Are you done yet?" He deliberately put on a stern face, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. "Didn't you see me, Your Highness?"
After saying that, he coughed lightly and turned towards Fengyi Palace, "Go in and pay your respects to the Queen." Suddenly, he lowered his voice and added meaningfully, "Remember to look more at the person opposite you." His eyes were only looking at his cousin.
The morning breeze blew by, carrying with it the fragrance of the newly blooming peonies in the imperial garden.
Xu Zize gazed at the golden glazed tiles of Fengyi Palace in the distance, thinking to himself: I got up before daybreak for the morning court, and then spent so much time with my father. I wanted to see my cousin first to give him some instructions...
After all, it's hard to say those words of advice in front of this girl. I just hope that my cousin, with his usual cleverness, doesn't make a fool of himself in such a big matter in life.
The three of them passed through the carved moon-shaped door at the end of the corridor and arrived at the harem. The vermilion lacquered gate of the main hall of Fengyi Palace was already in sight.
Gilded bronze bells hung from the eaves tinkled softly in the wind. The palace maids had already been waiting outside the hall, their hands hanging low. Upon seeing them arrive, the head maid immediately stepped forward, her silver hairpins twitching as she bowed. "Your Highness, Princess, Master Tao, the Queen has been waiting for a long time."