Chapter 242: Ming Cui Palace
The banquet finally dispersed, and the sun was already setting in the west.
Because Princess Duanmin had returned to the Capital City, the Grand Princess also stayed in the Palace to accompany her.
“I have missed you dearly all these years, Aunt. Let’s live together!” Princess Duanmin said sincerely, “Please don’t dislike me.”
The Grand Princess looked at her and smiled, “You shouldn’t dislike this old aunt of yours. I drank a lot of wine today, and I might get drunk and rowdy tonight.”
“Then I will accompany Aunt and be rowdy together,” Princess Duanmin immediately replied. “If one can get drunk and rowdy, one can still live.”
“Don’t torment yourself anymore,” the Grand Princess said, holding her hand with heartache. “When you left to marry far away in anger, I thought perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing for you to be far from the Capital City. The grasslands are vast; perhaps they could have eased your mind. Now it seems you still can’t let go of what happened back then.”
“Aunt, have you forgotten General Zhu by now?” Princess Duanmin gazed at the Grand Princess without blinking.
The Grand Princess smiled and said nothing.
At this moment, Yu Lu arrived with two Head Palace Maids and respectfully asked the two Princesses, “Grand Princess, Princess Duanmin, your Imperial Chambers have both been prepared and are adjacent to each other. Please follow this servant. The sedan chairs have also been readied.”
“I was just telling Aunt that we want to live together,” Princess Duanmin said. “Go and make the arrangements!”
“This… alright,” Yu Lu hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile, “Originally, Ming Cui Palace was arranged for the Grand Princess, and Hui Xiang Palace for Princess Duanmin. If both Masters wish to live together now, in this servant’s humble opinion, Hui Xiang Palace would be more suitable. It’s not only closer to here but also more spacious.”
The reason the Grand Princess lived in Ming Cui Palace was that she always stayed there whenever she returned to the Palace. It was her residence in the Palace before she went to Bowang Mountain, and no other place could compare.
“Although Hui Xiang Palace is large, neither of us has ever lived there. Let’s go to Ming Cui Palace! I am getting older now and am more nostalgic,” Princess Duanmin said.
“Yes, yes, yes! This servant’s consideration was inadequate; I truly deserve to die,” Yu Lu said quickly. “This servant will order people to redecorate Ming Cui Palace immediately.”
Princess Duanmin glanced at her and said nothing further, but her gaze was cold.
Yu Lu was a confidant of the Empress. How could Princess Duanmin not hate him?
“Steward Yu, Princess Duanmin has not returned to the Capital City for a long time. Please arrange everything according to her preferences,” the Grand Princess specifically instructed. “I heard the Empress prepared meticulously to welcome her. Let’s take a walk around for now and then return to Ming Cui Palace.”
Yu Lu quickly agreed and left.
The two Princesses walked hand in hand along the road, followed by several attendants.
“The Palace has looked the same for so many years,” Princess Duanmin couldn’t help but sigh. “It’s exactly like in my dreams.”
“Precisely because it’s the same, we should take a look,” the Grand Princess said. “When we are too old to walk, this place will still look the same.”
The weather had already become quite cool by evening. Sang Er, having found out where the Grand Princess was, quickly brought a cape.
“Quickly pay your respects to Princess Duanmin,” the Grand Princess told her.
Upon seeing Sang Er, Princess Duanmin couldn’t help but look her over, “This Maid is so beautiful. I haven’t seen anyone so lovely in so many years.”
“Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but doesn’t Your Ladyship look in the mirror?” Sang Er covered her mouth and laughed. “Your Ladyship is far more beautiful than this servant!”
“Aunt, no wonder this Maid can serve by your side,” Princess Duanmin smiled. “She is not only beautiful but also very clever.”
“Did you go to see your Mother Wen?” the Grand Princess asked Sang Er.
“I did. Look, isn’t that her standing over there?” Sang Er pointed ahead.
Wen Mingqian stood far off on the road where the Princesses were walking.
She was the Grand Princess’s adopted daughter. It was only right and proper for her to come and pay her respects when the Grand Princess entered the Palace.
“This servant pays her respects to the Grand Princess and Princess Duanmin.” As the group approached, Wen Mingqian bowed respectfully and greeted them.
“Duanmin, I haven’t had a chance to introduce you to this person yet,” the Grand Princess said, pulling Wen Mingqian’s hand. “This is my adopted daughter, Wen Mingqian. She is now the incense maker for the Empress.”
“Oh? Aunt actually took an adopted daughter? I had no idea,” Princess Duanmin couldn’t help but scrutinize Wen Mingqian.
She knew the Grand Princess’s temperament very well. For her to take an adopted daughter meant this person was quite capable.
“This servant is foolish and unworthy, yet the Grand Princess did not abandon me and took me as an adopted daughter. I am truly ashamed.”
“If Aunt likes you, you must have extraordinary qualities,” Princess Duanmin said. “It’s rare that you get along with her. As a junior, I have been away from Aunt’s side for many years and cannot contribute. It is I who should thank you.”
After only a few words, a Maid from the Empress’s Palace arrived.
After bowing to the two Princesses, she whispered to Wen Mingqian, “Her Ladyship has a headache at the moment and is asking for you.”
The Grand Princess heard this and said, “Since the Empress has summoned you, you should go quickly. Come to Ming Cui Palace tomorrow when you are free and keep me company.”
Wen Mingqian bowed again before leaving.
The two Princesses arrived at Ming Cui Palace. As soon as they entered, Princess Duanmin exclaimed in surprise, “What a lovely scent! There are still orchids blooming in the Palace at this time of year.”
“What good orchids are there at this season?” the Grand Princess smiled. “It must be the incense the Empress had Mingqian make according to your preferences. Her incense is excellent, with no trace of artificiality.”
Prince Chu and his Princess Consort also left the Palace.
Sitting in the Horse Carriage, the Princess Consort said, “Princess has been married to the Northern Frontier for so many years, how is it that she has no children? King Fenye has three Great Consorts, and those two already have children, and more than one.”
“You know the Princess’s temper. She can’t even be bothered to look at Qi Sihe, so how could she bear him children?” Prince Chu snorted.
Their Ying family, I don’t know what’s wrong with them, but every daughter they have is rebellious.
It’s one thing for the Grand Princess to remain unmarried her whole life, but Princess Duanmin is also as stubborn as can be.
“Alas, it really shouldn’t be this way. Women are like vines; how can they not depend on men?” the Princess Consort shook her head. “What about the Princess? Without her own children, how lonely will she be in her old age?”
“Don’t say such things in front of the Empress,” Prince Chu reminded her.
“Oh my, I know. Although the Empress and the Princess are not on good terms, I would never speak ill of the Princess in front of the Empress. That would only make me seem petty,” the Princess Consort said.
Prince Chu closed his eyes and stopped speaking. The effects of the wine had not yet worn off, and his head felt a bit dizzy.
“Speaking of which, these Barbarian tribesmen are indeed tall and strong. Look at Prince Yu Chao, he’s only fifteen years old, and he’s frighteningly tall,” the Princess Consort said again. “It’s a pity I didn’t get a chance to remind Bai’er today. He must be careful not to offend him.”
“Bai’er is not a rash person, you are worrying a bit too much,” Prince Chu said.
“Alas, what can be done? When he enters the Palace, he must be cautious at every step,” the Princess Consort sighed.
Prince Chu said nothing further, but the words Tutor Zhuge had spoken to him that day flashed through his mind.
Was he testing him? What exactly did he intend to do?
