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墨書 Inktalez
Xiao Yao woke up from her nap, and He Yu was still asleep, breathing steadily.
She was really exhausted. Gently caressing He Yu's cheek, Xiao Yao didn't want to get up either. She stared at He Yu's sleeping face, feeling as if she could never get enough of it.
However, no matter how much she didn't want to, it was time to get up. After all, there were still a bunch of trivial matters at home waiting for her to manage. After He Yu left, Xiao Yao realized that the entire Xuanping Prince's Mansion's Family Business was not just the petty matters she had seen before; there were also estates in the Beijing Suburbs that needed management, and even He Yu had properties and land in Jiangnan that she was responsible for.
Previously, these tasks were all handled by He Yu. Now that He Yu was away on a campaign, these responsibilities had fallen to Xiao Yao. From the initial shock and confusion to now becoming somewhat adept at it, Xiao Yao was slowly finding her way.
Currently, the Xuanping Prince's Mansion had several houses and shops, and Xiao Yao was clear about the businesses under her control.
However, Xiao Yao also knew that there were still some things that He Yu had not shown her. Although she was curious, she absolutely refrained from prying. Throughout history, curiosity has often led to trouble; since He Yu chose not to show her something, there must be a reason for it. It would be better to wait until He Yu was willing to share rather than stepping into forbidden territory and causing trouble for both of them.
She quietly got up without calling anyone and tidied herself before heading out.
When Xiao Yao stepped outside, she startled Yun Zhu, who was waiting outside. "Why didn't you call me in to serve you, my lady?"
Raising a finger to signal silence, Xiao Yao said softly, "The prince is still asleep. I didn't want to wake him, so I didn't call anyone." Seeing Xiao Yao's gesture, Yun Zhu immediately closed her mouth and dared not speak loudly again. Xiao Yao pointed towards the room and told Yun Yue, "When the prince wakes up, attend to his washing. I'm going to check the backyard."
"Yes." Yun Yue knelt in response. Xiao Yao nodded and headed towards the backyard with Yun Zhu.
Unexpectedly, they encountered an obstacle halfway there. Xiao Yao glared at the woman kneeling in front of her; she had almost forgotten about this woman in her courtyard because she had been so well-behaved in the backyard.
Indeed, this woman was Cheng Yuezhu.
"I have seen the princess." Cheng Yuezhu knelt on the ground with her head bowed, making it hard to see her expression.
Xiao Yao took a step back. Yun Zhu quickly supported her mistress as she stood firm. "What are you doing?"
"I mean no offense to the princess; I only have one request today and hope that the prince and princess will grant me this." Cheng Yue's tone was neither servile nor overbearing. She seemed different from the Cheng Yuezhu that Xiao Yao had known before.
However, looking back, Xiao Yao couldn't quite remember what the previous version of Cheng Yuezhu was like.
After all, she had left her in the backyard for so many years. Usually, apart from seasonal changes, no servant would dare bring up this person. Now this person had blocked her path. It seemed that she had been waiting here; Cheng Yuezhu knew that both He Yu and He Ziyao had returned to the mansion and now that everything was taken care of on the prince's side, she must be here to check on the children in the backyard.
This woman is actually quite perceptive; she just happened to marry He Yu, which could be considered a mistake.
Xiao Yao sighed softly and stood still, "So what do you want?"
"This conversation is really not suitable here. How about the princess comes to my courtyard to listen?" Cheng Yuezhu glanced around, seeming somewhat troubled.
However, upon hearing this, Yun Zhu immediately became alert, standing up straight. Xiao Yao narrowed her eyes at Cheng Yuezhu, her voice inevitably turning a bit cold, "What is it that cannot be said here?"
"This... I truly find it difficult..." Cheng Yuezhu saw that Yun Yue and several servants were watching her warily and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Seeing her helpless smile, Xiao Yao felt that perhaps Cheng Yuezhu really had something to say. She smiled slightly, "How about this? I happen to be going to the children's courtyard; why don't we talk there?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuezhu raised her head and smiled, saying, "I will follow the princess's arrangements."
"Good."
After saying this, Xiao Yao turned to give Yun Zhu a look. Understanding the cue, Yun Zhu immediately called over the trustworthy Yunlan, giving her a few instructions. After listening, Yunlan nodded and promptly took a shortcut to the East Back Courtyard.
Cheng Yuezhu naturally observed all of this but said nothing; she merely bit her lip and then immediately revealed a look of relief. Xiao Yao was not trying to hide anything from Cheng Yuezhu. Now in the Xuanping Prince's Mansion, aside from He Yu, it was just her, Xiao Yao. The purpose of this was to intimidate Cheng Yuezhu.
As for the kind of underhanded tactics often seen in dramas regarding food tampering by Cheng Yuezhu, that was simply impossible.
Firstly, the children's tea sets and other personal items were all overseen by Yun Bi, and all meals came from the kitchen in the Central Courtyard. No matter how capable Cheng Yuezhu was, she could not reach into the Central Courtyard.
Moreover, she was hardly favored at all.
Upon arriving at the East Back Courtyard, they indeed found everyone standing at attention. Xiao Yao was satisfied as Yun Bi came out to greet her, saying, "Greetings, Princess."
"Get up."
"Replying to the princess, the masters have not yet woken from their afternoon nap." Yun Bi replied earnestly.
"Nothing," Xiao Yao waved her hand, "I didn't plan to come here this early, but I unexpectedly ran into Madam Cheng in the garden. How about this, you find a quiet room, and I will have a good chat with Madam Cheng, which will also help pass the time."
"Yes." Yun Bi replied and hurried off, pretending to prepare.
Cheng Yuezhu then knelt before Xiao Yao and said, "Thank you, Princess, for your kindness."
Xiao Yao smiled but remained silent; it was clear she wasn't in the mood to talk. Cheng Yuezhu did not expect a response and calmly stood up and stepped aside.
Soon, Yun Bi returned to inform them that the room was ready for the princess. Throughout the process, she did not mention Cheng Yuezhu's name. However, Cheng Yuezhu remained composed, her expression unchanged.
Xiao Yao couldn't help but regard this woman with a bit more respect, thinking that if this woman weren't a concubine of her family, they might have actually become good friends.
Once inside the room, Xiao Yao took the main seat while Cheng Yuezhu sat at the lower end. The maid quickly brought in tea.
Cheng Yuezhu looked at the tea and thought that indeed, the prince truly cared for this princess. This kind of fruit tea was usually something only the ladies of the household would brew for themselves. And now, this princess didn't have to consider anyone else's feelings; wherever she was, there would always be fruit tea or flower tea.
However, Cheng Yuezhu herself did not like this sweet and sour tea and had no intention of drinking it.
Xiao Yao didn't care whether she liked it or not; as long as she enjoyed it herself, that was enough. She took a sip of the peach tea and said, "Well then, what do you want to discuss with me?"
Cheng Yuezhu did not speak but merely looked around the room. Xiao Yao understood and told the others, "You all can leave."
"Master..." Yun Zhu naturally had concerns. Xiao Yao shook her head, "It's fine. You all are guarding at the door; nothing will happen. Just go out."
Since their master had said so, Yun Zhu could only comply and step outside.
Before long, only the two of them remained in the room. Xiao Yao leaned back in her chair and said, "Now then, you can say what you want."
Since Cheng Yuezhu was sitting at Xiao Yao's lower end, Xiao Yao clearly saw Cheng Yuezhu's eyelashes fluttering as if she were struggling with something. Then it seemed she made a significant decision as she rose to kneel before Xiao Yao and said, "I... I would like to ask the prince and princess to let me leave the residence."
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yao instantly put away her lazy demeanor, sat up straight, and looked seriously at Cheng Yuezhu. "Are you saying you want the prince to dismiss you?"
Cheng Yuezhu's breath was a bit rapid as she softly said, "The princess knows that I fell seriously ill some time ago and have only just recovered. This illness made me think about many things. In this mansion, the prince will never favor me. Rather than wasting my life here, it would be better to ask the prince and princess to let me go. This way, I can still do something and at least feel worthy of myself."
Illness? Change of heart? Hiss... this plot sounds familiar.
Xiao Yao stared at the woman in front of her, a thought slowly rising in her mind, but she did not voice it and had no intention of doing so. She merely played with the cup in her hand and said slowly, "Have you considered that you are the only remaining consort in my household? The prince has just returned victorious. If you were to be dismissed at this time, people outside would not look kindly on our Xuanping Prince's Mansion, and our reputation would suffer." Moreover, her own reputation would also be tarnished.
"I know," Cheng Yuezhu said anxiously. The way she referred to herself as "I" confirmed Xiao Yao's suspicions even more. She remained composed and listened to Cheng Yuezhu continue, "That's why I asked the princess to dismiss everyone else; this matter cannot be known by others."
"Mm." She was somewhat clever, Xiao Yao nodded. "So what do you plan to do?"
"I was thinking that the prince and princess might as well let me go for now. After all, a consort cannot leave the mansion. In another year or so, I might die from my illness anyway," Cheng Yuezhu articulated her thoughts word by word.
Indeed, a concubine would not attract much attention; concubines do not leave the mansion. Xiao Yao thought for a moment, nodded again, then asked, "What about your parents..."
Cheng Yuezhu hesitated for a moment before saying, "My family has several daughters. Since I married the prince, it's like water spilled out; they haven't reached out to me at all these years. You can imagine how it is."
Xiao Yao nodded but did not immediately agree. She only said, "Let's do this: I can't make this decision alone. I'll discuss it with the prince when I return and let you know."
Hearing this, Cheng Yuezhu knew there was hope. It was common knowledge in the capital that the prince favored the princess. As long as the princess agreed to this matter, it would already be halfway successful. Cheng Yuezhu immediately nodded, "Alright, then I will trouble the princess."
Xiao Yao waved her hand, "Alright then, you can go back first. I'll return and discuss it with the prince."
"Yes."
However, even after discussing this matter, Xiao Yao had to leave first before Cheng Yuezhu could follow behind her to exit.
Xiao Yao watched Cheng Yuezhu's departing figure for a while before sighing, "She is indeed a pitiful person."
The other servants exchanged glances, not understanding why the princess sighed like that. However, they naturally could not casually interject sympathy for others; if they sided with their master’s words, it would imply that the princess alone favored the prince's mansion and was a domineering woman. But if they took the opposite stance, it would make them seem cold-hearted and lacking compassion as servants. Who would dare use such servants?
So at this moment, the best course of action was to remain silent.
Xiao Yao sighed and turned to ask, "Have Zi Yao and the others woken up?"
"In response to the master, they are already awake. The several masters are actually in the study right now!" Yun Bi replied with a smile.
"Oh, then Zi Yao didn't rest for long. Isn't he tired?" Thinking about her lord still sleeping in bed while Zi Yao had already gone to the study to review his lessons, Xiao Yao wondered if this was just a matter of age difference.
Wait a minute, her He Yu was only twenty-five or twenty-six this year. By modern standards, that was still young. Could he really not handle it?
However, Xiao Yao forgot that as the commander of the entire army, He Yu expended far more mental and physical energy than He Ziyao. Naturally, he would be more fatigued. He Ziyao merely followed He Yu to the battlefield to gain experience; he didn't have to fight alongside the soldiers on the front lines, balance conflicts among the generals within the army, or make decisions that could determine life and death with a single command. Thus, his recovery would be quicker.
That evening, when Xiao Yao joked about this with He Yu, she was thoroughly educated by Xuanping Wang in various ways.
But that was a matter for later. At this moment, upon hearing that the children were in the study, Xiao Yao lifted her foot and headed towards it. Upon entering the study, it was quite peaceful. The study was a four-room space with symmetrical sides; in the middle was the main room. To be precise, it consisted of five rooms, each with the same layout: a large desk in the center and a row of shelves behind it for books or other items. There were three lamps on each side of the desk and in front of it. On the right side of the desk were writing tools like inkstones and brushes, while on the left side lay a roll of freshly selected rice paper.
The room was very quiet; without any chatter from the children, they all had their heads down quietly writing and drawing.
Xiao Yao stood in the room and looked around at the children. At this moment, each child appeared to her as a graceful young gentleman. (To be continued)
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