The palace maid who pushed open the door and entered wore an arrogant expression. Cheng Yunmeng instinctively turned toward Jiang Yingcheng at the doorway, assuming this was an attendant who had come to take her back.
The next moment, a childish voice rang out, dripping with disdain-
[Eww, this auntie is so ugly, and she's scowling too. Chengcheng doesn't like her.]
Cheng Yunmeng wanted to laugh, but her heart had already begun to sink.
Since she had not come for the little princess, there was only one possibility left-
She had come to make trouble for them.
Cheng Yunmeng hurriedly nudged Jiang Xingran, who stood in front of her, signaling for him to apologize quickly, before he lost his chance.
Yet Jiang Xingran stood as though his feet had taken root, refusing to budge an inch.
Cheng Yunmeng grew anxious.
Then, suddenly-
[Oh, oh, oh, oh! This maid is from Noble Consort Rou's palace, but she wants to pretend Noble Consort Qing sent her?]
Cheng Yunmeng froze, then abruptly understood.
Today would certainly not end well.
Otherwise, they would not have summoned her in someone else's name. That way, if the wounds on her body were discovered later, everyone present would merely say that a maid from Noble Consort Qing's palace had taken her away.
[Aren't they afraid Aunties will tell someone about this?]
Cheng Yunmeng lowered her eyes dejectedly.
How would she dare tell anyone?
She had neither power nor influence, nor any opportunity to see the emperor. Things like this had happened so often in the past that she had long since grown accustomed to them.
[Don't be afraid. Chengcheng will protect Aunties!]
Cheng Yunmeng froze and sharply lifted her head.
The little girl clenched her fists, stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around the maid's thigh. Looking up, she curved her round eyes into two lovely crescent moons and seized the initiative. "I know you! You're a maid from Noble Consort Rou's palace!"
Miaoxi froze. All the arrogance stiffened on her face before turning entirely to panic within moments. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
She had only recently entered Noble Consort Rou's service. Precisely because of that, Noble Consort Rou believed her identity would not be easily recognized and had sent her here today. But if someone exposed her identity, she would certainly have a bitter pill to swallow when she returned!
She reached out to push away the little girl clinging to her, but before her hand could touch the child's shoulder, a loud call came from inside. "Come inside quickly, Your Little Highness. It's chilly out there. Be careful not to catch a chill."
Miaoxi's breath caught.
This was actually a little princess?
She had heard that the Seventh Prince was of lowly birth and withdrawn by nature, and that none of his siblings wanted to associate with him.
How could she be so unlucky as to run straight into one today?
It's all right. Don't panic.
Miaoxi comforted herself inwardly.
So what if she's a princess? There are plenty of princesses in this palace. Who would dare refuse Noble Consort Rou a little courtesy?
Jiang Yingcheng turned her head and answered brightly, still refusing to let go.
With a miserable expression, Miaoxi tried to reason with Jiang Yingcheng. "Your Little Highness, please be kind and let this servant go. This servant is here on Her Noble Consort's orders to invite Her Ladyship the Consort to her palace for a chat."
The courage she had just gathered scattered again within moments.
No matter how far Her Noble Consort's power reached, she would not quarrel with a princess over a mere palace maid.
How could Miaoxi dare make an enemy for Her Noble Consort by offending a princess on her own initiative?
Jiang Yingcheng grinned again.
When she smiled, she looked like a little fairy, yet her words made Miaoxi shudder violently. "You wanted to push Chengcheng just now. Chengcheng saw it, you know."
Miaoxi: "..."
Miaoxi was on the verge of tears.
Fortunately, Consort Lan spoke just in time. "Xingran, hurry and bring your little sister inside. Don't let her catch a chill."
Miaoxi's eyes lit up.
Yes, yes, yes!
Please get the little princess inside!
Anywhere is fine, as long as she stops clinging to me!
Jiang Xingran walked out with heavy steps, stopped beside them, and slowly extended his hand toward Jiang Yingcheng.
Jiang Yingcheng had wanted to stubbornly cling on a little longer, but seeing her seventh brother's grave expression, she obediently placed her hand in his palm and followed him closely into the room.
Just before entering, she could not resist turning back to make a face at Miaoxi.
As though granted a pardon, Miaoxi stopped putting on airs and hastily explained why she had come-
Still in Noble Consort Qing's name, of course.
Cheng Yunmeng nodded. Without taking much time to tidy herself up, she rose to follow the maid outside, already braced for the worst.
Yet she had barely steadied herself when her usually quiet son resolutely stepped in front of her, while a warm little hand on her other side carefully grasped one of her fingers.
It felt as though a soft feather had gently brushed against her.
She lowered her head and met the little girl's sparkling gaze.
"Chengcheng will protect Aunties!"
Cheng Yunmeng was briefly dazed.
This was the second time she had heard those words. The first had been in the little girl's thoughts.
It had been so long since anyone had said something like that to her, though Xingran often did exactly that.
But she could not drag the little girl into this mire.
Cheng Yunmeng crouched down to meet those exceptionally clear eyes. Just as she was about to refuse, that familiar voice sounded-
[Don't be afraid, Aunties. Chengcheng came out for a walk with Uncle Changshun today! We're playing hide-and-seek, and he's waiting outside for Chengcheng to find him!]
Cheng Yunmeng's pupils contracted.
Uncle Changshun.
Was that Eunuch Changshun, the man Emperor Mingze trusted and favored so highly?
Before long, the gates of the Fragrant Pavilion opened again, and two adults and two children emerged.
The maid leading the way immediately started toward the right, but the other three did not follow.
Holding a child in each hand, Cheng Yunmeng stopped at the gates and looked around, feeling deeply uncertain about what she had heard in Jiang Yingcheng's thoughts.
Yet her resolve was firm-if the emperor's favored attendant was not here, she would risk Noble Consort Rou's punishment and persuade the little girl to go back!
But-
Simply because she could hear the little girl's thoughts, she had wishfully assumed that the child would never deceive her.
Yet children of this age let their imaginations gallop freely across the heavens, and often could not distinguish fantasy from reality themselves.
What if the person who had accompanied her today was not Eunuch Changshun, whose standing meant so much to Cheng Yunmeng?
Until she saw Eunuch Changshun in person, Cheng Yunmeng could not stop her thoughts from running wild.
[Found him!]
The little girl's thoughts suddenly rang out, and Cheng Yunmeng sharply raised her head.
Eunuch Changshun was emerging from a hidden thicket with several others, smiling as he walked toward them.
Hot tears welled in Cheng Yunmeng's eyes.
She actually...
She actually could be saved!
She looked down at the sweet little bundle waving nonstop at Eunuch Changshun, longing to scoop her straight into her arms.
Heaven must have seen how bitter her life had been all these years and sent this little fairy down to save her...
Eunuch Changshun approached them, first paying his respects to Cheng Yunmeng and Jiang Xingran before smiling kindly at Jiang Xingran. "Didn't Your Little Highness say you would be seeking? Why did you go and hide in Her Ladyship's courtyard yourself?"
Still holding Cheng Yunmeng's hand, Jiang Yingcheng reached her other hand toward Eunuch Changshun, clearly asking him to hold it. "Uncle Changshun, come along with us, pretty please~"
In her clear, sweet voice, the little girl slyly tattled. "This auntie says Consort Qing wants to invite us over for a little visit~"
Miaoxi: ???
Miaoxi: !!!
Before you continue