"Miss Zhou, Zhou Yao?" Princess Xinping was somewhat dazed. Since Zhou Yao had suddenly left, she had not seen her for a long while either.
Thinking back, how many commandery princesses, county princesses, and daughters of noble families had once surrounded her? Now her gates were deserted; it would already be good if they sent letters.
Now that Zhou Yao had appeared and even come calling at her door, Princess Xinping's feelings were complicated.
"Let her in." Coming back to herself, Princess Xinping still ordered that Zhou Yao be admitted. "I'll receive her here."
As she spoke, Princess Xinping turned and returned to her seat. The tea had already gone cold, and the maidservants promptly and obediently removed the old tea and brought fresh tea.
Princess Xinping let out a deep breath, picked up her cup, and took a sip. After only one sip, her brows drew together slightly.
The tea was certainly not inferior tea; tribute tea could not be bad. Yet it was a little stale. The water was good water too, but it was not Westping Jade Capital Spring.
Princess Xinping had grown up in the palace. What tea had she not tasted? One sip was enough for her to tell.
It was still sweet on the tongue and delicately fragrant, yet she gave a bitter smile. After one sip, she set it down. In terms of flavor, there was not much difference, but this was precisely where treatment diverged.
No wonder her mother-consort was worried.
Once one was pushed out step by step, it would likely be hard to return.
Just as she was mulling it over, Princess Xinping heard a faint gasp.
"What is going on? How disgraceful." Princess Xinping frowned again. The people around her were palace female officials and maidservants, all rigorously trained;