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墨書 Inktalez
Mid-Autumn Festival in August, the fragrance of Osmanthus wafts through the air.
He Yu got up early this morning to attend court.
Xiao Yao also rarely lingered in bed, getting up as soon as the sun rose.
After getting up, she first checked the gift list. This list included not only gifts for the palace but also for various princes and some officials. Gifts for the Noble Family were also prepared. The entire list included several dozen families, and the gifts had already been categorized and organized.
Naturally, He Yu had to personally deliver the gifts to the Nurturing Heart Palace, Prince's Residence, and Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. For the Noble Family and several esteemed Grand Scholars, both of them would visit. The rest would be sent according to the list.
After Xiao Yao reviewed the list and confirmed everything was in order, she had breakfast and began to wash up and change. She wore a simple yet elegant pale lotus-colored cotton long dress, with a matching thin gauze overlay featuring gold thread patterns. Her hair was styled up, adorned with hair accessories according to the princess's regulations. When He Yu returned from court and saw Xiao Yao like this, he couldn't help but reach out to touch her neck, smiling, "It's been a long time since I've seen you dressed so formally."
"When I'm at home, there's no need for such formality. Now that I'm going out, I naturally have to tidy up," Xiao Yao said as she put on her last Earring, stood up, turned around in front of He Yu, and blinked, "I can't embarrass my husband, can I?"
He Yu laughed heartily, holding Xiao Yao with joy in his heart, "That's for sure. My Daughter-in-law is definitely the most beautiful."
Since they were only delivering gifts and visiting briefly, they didn't stay long at each place—about three hours total—and finished their rounds. Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Yao lamented, "I didn't expect celebrating a festival could be so exhausting."
"Just hang in there," He Yu said with concern as he looked at Xiao Yao, who appeared slightly fatigued. After all, today had disrupted her usual routine. He held her close, allowing her to lean against him, "Rest a bit; there's still a banquet tonight."
"Mm." Xiao Yao lazily responded and soon fell asleep against He Yu.
Looking at Xiao Yao's sleeping face made it impossible for He Yu not to feel distressed.
Her health was already poor; enduring such fatigue was truly difficult for her. Thinking about the banquet later that evening, he sighed softly, wondering if Xiao Yao could handle it. After all, her previous environment had been relatively simple; now facing various people's true colors made him worry. However, knowing that Consort Chen was in the palace provided him some comfort. After court ended, he specifically visited Consort Chen to give her a heads-up. She agreed to help shield Xiao Yao from some troubles, which eased his mind a little.
However, Consort Chen said, "Hong Ming, it's not just about you. What is a princess? She is your wife; she is supposed to accompany you and share your life. She is not one of those concubines in your courtyard. By protecting and pampering her like this without letting her know how much you've done for her, do you think that's appropriate?"
"I never intended for her to be exposed to these things," He Yu shook his head with a bitter smile.
"What do you mean you never intended?" Consort Chen raised her voice slightly. "She is a princess, not your pet canary. Hong Ming, she will eventually grow up; you can't always shield her like this."
"I understand," He Yu nodded. "But I also don't want her to be exposed too early; let's take it slow..."
"You..." Consort Chen truly admired this child; who would have thought that the flirtatious prince would dote on his wife like this?
This was not just affection; it was as if he wanted to elevate her to a divine status.
After sleeping for about an hour, if they continued, it would surely delay their schedule.
He Yu, holding back his heartache, gently woke Xiao Yao from her slumber, kissing her forehead. "Get up, or we'll be late for the palace."
Xiao Yao was still groggy but understood that going to the palace was important. She obediently got up and let the maids help her change clothes. Seeing this, He Yu felt relieved and began to prepare himself.
After fixing his hair and wiping his face with a damp cloth, Xiao Yao finally woke up completely, allowing Yun Zhu and Yun Yue to help her with her makeup.
Yun Zhu knew that Xiao Yao liked to wear floral hairpins, so she brought over a few gilded ones to adorn her. Xiao Yao looked at them and shook her head. "Just that pink floral hairpin will do; the others are too eye-catching."
Yun Zhu was taken aback for a moment before realizing and nodded with a smile. "Alright."
During the palace banquet, with so many people around, it was better not to be too conspicuous. Usually, the prince indulged the princess, so she wore various floral hairpins at home, sometimes even creatively. However, it was wise to be more cautious in the palace.
Thinking of this, Yun Zhu slightly bowed. "This servant did not consider it well; please punish me, Princess."
"People always have unexpected moments," Xiao Yao smiled nonchalantly. "Now is not the time to fuss over this; let's hurry up."
"Yes." Yun Zhu immediately started busying herself as well.
In the palace, Ming Yellow was esteemed above all, followed by Noble Family in purple.
To showcase the emperor's favor, today He Yu prepared for Xiao Yao a floor-length wide-sleeved Pleated Phoenix Tail Skirt in purple, embroidered with Silver-Patterned Peonies and butterflies fluttering around the hem, making it look almost real as if dancing gracefully.
Over it was a Su Embroidery Moonlight Silk Cloak. The collar of the cloak featured a Gourd Button that Xiao Yao had woven herself some days ago, complementing the outfit perfectly and adding a finishing touch.
The attire was splendid, and the hairpin was a Golden Butterfly Hairpin paired with a Pearl and Jade Hairpin; there were no other accessories needed.
He Yu nodded in satisfaction, "Very beautiful."
Xiao Yao smiled gently at He Yu, placing her hand on his, and the two walked together to Xuanping Prince's Mansion.
Upon arriving at the palace, He Yu first took Xiao Yao to Consort Chen. Consort Chen looked at Xiao Yao and covered her mouth with a smile, "Indeed very beautiful."
He Yu smiled and bowed to Consort Chen, "Today, I will be relying on you more, Your Highness."
"Of course, who told you that you are my only nephew? If I don't protect you as a couple, who will?" Consort Chen said directly. However, He Yu was satisfied, "Then thank you very much, Aunt."
"Hurry up and go; after all, you're not a prince. No matter how favored you are, you can't arrive later than a prince," Consort Chen told He Yu.
"Alright." He turned to Xiao Yao and said, "I'll wait for you over there. Just follow the princess later; don't wander around by yourself; you're not familiar with the palace."
"Mm, I understand." Xiao Yao nodded in assurance while looking into He Yu's eyes.
After He Yu left, Consort Chen had Xiao Yao sit down and said, "Actually, I also wanted to have a few words with you today."
Seeing Consort Chen's serious expression, Xiao Yao was taken aback for a moment but quickly replied, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
"Enlighten is too grand a term," Consort Chen waved her hand. At that moment, a maid brought in two cups of tea. Consort Chen picked one up and took a sip, smiling as she said, "This is the new tea that the Emperor awarded recently; give it a try."
Xiao Yao didn't have much knowledge about tea; she rarely drank it at home and only played around with some floral teas occasionally, sometimes adding honey. He Yu didn't mind these little things; he always said, "As long as you're happy."
However, this made several servants in the household feel quite sorry for her.
But since Consort Chen had offered it, Xiao Yao obediently took a sip of tea.
It seemed that Consort Chen didn't ask her for any tea-tasting opinions but instead set down her cup and said, "Yao Yao, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you as your aunt; have you ever thought about why you married He Yu?"
Why?
Xiao Yao was momentarily stunned. What was this all about? Wasn't it He Yu who arranged for her to marry? The proposal had already been made, and the emperor had issued a decree; naturally, she had to marry, so what was there to discuss?
Seeing Xiao Yao's dazed expression, Consort Chen rubbed her forehead. She knew that He Yu really didn’t share much with this girl, as if he was preparing to keep her in the residence and take good care of her.
Consort Chen pondered for a moment and then spoke to Xiao Yao, "Do you know how He Yu's parents died?"
"The prince mentioned this to me," Xiao Yao nodded honestly, "but he didn't go into too much detail, and I..."
It wasn't appropriate to dig too deeply into such matters. Xiao Yao lowered her head, and Consort Chen nodded in understanding. Then she continued, "So do you know why He Yu is marrying you?"
"Uh..." This question genuinely left Xiao Yao unsure how to respond. However, she had some idea of the reasons; although He Yu had mentioned them, Xiao Yao vaguely felt that those weren't the real reasons. Therefore, she didn't know how to answer Consort Chen's question.
Consort Chen sighed, "Forget it. It doesn't matter why you are marrying him or why he is marrying you. What matters is that you are now the princess, the legitimate wife of the prince. Have you thought about truly standing by his side?"
"Aren't we doing that now?" Xiao Yao asked in confusion.
"..." Consort Chen chuckled lightly and asked, "Then tell me, what is the prince busy with right now?"
"Matters of the court." Xiao Yao felt that some things needed to be stated clearly, so she pursed her lips and simply said those four words. Then she thought for a moment and added seriously, "The prince is my man. While he doesn't share much about external matters with me, I also understand that there are some things I shouldn't pry into. Since I am the prince's woman, I will naturally do what I should do: manage the Xuanping Prince's Mansion well so that the prince can focus on his affairs. I believe that's what a wife should do. As for what he is doing, if he wishes to tell me, I will certainly listen. If he needs my help, I would go through fire and water without hesitation. But since the prince isn't saying anything right now, it must mean that everything at home is peaceful. So why should I need to know more? Isn't that reasonable?"
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