Su Ziji lowered his eyes and said to the Empress, "This grandson entrusted Bu Hui to Your Majesty because I am naturally at ease. Bu Hui has been wanting to grow closer to you as well, so long as you do not find us a nuisance."
At present, the person he trusted most in the palace was the Empress. With her safeguarding Ye Buhui, she would not encounter trouble at the inner banquet. He answered with a smile, not in a formulaic manner, but with the affection of a younger relative.
"How could you be a nuisance?" The Empress's smile grew several degrees more genuine. Beckoning Ye Buhui over, she said, "Good child, come here to me."
"Yes." Ye Buhui answered and went over, standing at the Empress's side.
The Empress took one of her hands as well. Together, they looked just like grandmother and granddaughter.
When everyone looked over, that was indeed how it seemed. The two standing together gave off a harmonious feeling; subtly, even their expressions bore some resemblance.
"As expected of the Imperial Grandson's Consort, the future woman who will hold the Phoenix Seal and serve as mother to the realm. She truly resembles Her Majesty!"
"Could it be because their attire is similar?"
"Not merely that. Their bearing, their brows and eyes, their expressions—there is something similar in all of them. Perhaps this is what they call Phoenix Aura?"
Leaving aside the ladies' private thoughts, Su Ziji looked toward the Emperor and requested, "Your Majesty, this grandson has never seen what the palace looks like within. May I have a look around today?"
The request was not excessive.
By the old rules, he ought to have lived within the Imperial Palace.
Now, he resided in "the separate estate favored by the imperial carriage" rather than