Xiyou said politely, "Please convey my thanks to Her Highness the Princess."
Xiu'er liked Xiyou's polite and courteous manner, and said, "You're too kind. Her Majesty says you're a very interesting person. Every time she sees a book you've annotated, she laughs so hard she almost falls over."
Xiyou blushed.
He wrote those things on a whim, just randomly, never expecting the princess to see them.
Nanxing said coldly from the side, "Everyone in the manor knows that the Princess Consort has a low threshold for laughter."
Xiyou, who was already quite familiar with her, said, "Nanxing, you seem to be in a good mood today; you even helped me out of a difficult situation."
Nanxing remained expressionless and did not respond.
Xiu'er went back and told Tang Zhuyun about it.
Tang Zhuyun's eyes burned with the fire of gossip. "Xiu'er, do you think Nanxing and Xiyou are possible?"
Xiu'er: "It's unlikely."
Tang Zhuyun murmured, "I think the difference in status makes it a bit difficult."
"Status isn't the main issue. After all, it's normal for a daughter to marry into a higher social class."
Tang Zhuyun asked: Are you sure it's some, and not many?
Considering that even the chess pieces that the Great Confucian Scholar Kong casually gave her were so expensive, the Kong Family's wealth and influence are immeasurable.
Xiu'er retorted, "No matter how high his status is, Xiyou is still a sickly person!"
Who can accept becoming a widow at any time when they get married?
Tang Zhuyun weakly indicated that she seemed to be able to do it.
However, she dared not say such a thing now, for fear of being punished by the Prince of Jin.
"So what do you think the problem is?" Tang Zhuyun asked curiously.
"I'm only telling you this secretly, so please don't ask any more questions, lest you betray me," Xiu'er said mysteriously.
"I promise I won't tell, you tell me," Tang Zhuyun said confidently.
"Someone died here on Nanxing," Xiu'er said, pointing to the spot on her chest.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
She knows about this.
If it weren't for the man's foolishness back then, Nanxing wouldn't have left the Xiao Family.
"Huaishang actually likes Nanxing."
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun said, "Xiu'er, you can't say things like that."
"I wouldn't lie! Huaishang told Song Jingyang himself that he liked Nanxing before," Xiu'er said. "You know how stingy Huaishang, but do you know that he bought Huaishang Nanxing silk flower for her birthday?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Don't underestimate half a tael of silver; in the Huai Huaishang, it's a matter of earth-shattering significance."
Tang Zhuyun: "Oh."
It's a truly touching love story—no, it's unrequited love.
Xiu'er said, "So, from now on, don't think about Young Master Kong Nanxing anymore. If possible, think of Huaishang and give him a push."
Tang Zhuyun: She's so stingy, you really can't push her away.
She said she couldn't eat the matchmaker's pig's head.
After Xiyou recovered, Tang Zhuyun sent a carriage from the manor to take him back.
Linlin was worried, so she went back with him and didn't come back that night.
"Mother, I'll save some dates for my brother," Yanran said while eating a date.
These are the fruits from the jujube tree in front of the Tang Family family house.
Meng Yulan was thoughtful; after having the bamboo picked, she specially sent Lüzhu over to deliver it.
No matter what, it has the flavor of the old days.
Tang Zhuyun only tasted two before setting them aside, but Yanran liked them very much when she returned and ate them non-stop.
"Eat less, the skin of dates is too hard and hard to digest," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile.
Yanran outwardly agreed, but secretly popped one into her mouth when she wasn't looking.
When the Prince of Jin returned, Yanran happily called him to eat dates together.
The Prince of Jin said he would not eat it.
He has a sensitive stomach, so he can eat soft food.
Yanran really liked it and secretly ate quite a bit, until only a shallow layer remained on the plate, at which point she felt embarrassed.
Tang Zhuyun was worried that she wouldn't be able to digest it well, so she forced her to eat a large hawthorn ball before letting her go back to sleep.
Eating dates is a momentary pleasure, but bloating will lead to serious consequences.
Yanran suffered from severe abdominal bloating that night and went to the toilet many times, but her stomach still hurt.
The maidservant serving her was terrified and went to find Tang Zhuyun.
Yanran, however, refused.
"It's nothing," she said weakly, lying on the bed. "I've had this happen before when I ate too much, and even Mother's presence didn't help. You don't need to worry about me, go and rest."
The maid dared not, but as the night wore on, she could no longer stay awake and fell asleep by the bedside.
Yanran, however, felt too bloated to sleep and was angry with herself. She secretly vowed that she would never eat so much again next time.
But I can't fall asleep, what should I do?
How will I get through this long night?
Go find Cui Xiaoqiu? Great idea!
Although we can't meet, Cui Xiaoqiu's courtyard is right next to the Prince's Mansion on the side of the Cui Family's residence. Just call him out and say... just say we're going to admire the moon ahead of time!
Anyway, it's already the thirteenth, and the moon is quite round.
Having made up her mind, Yanran tiptoed to her feet, put on her clothes, and went out the door.
The guards on night watch were startled when they saw her and tried to coax the little princess back home.
Yanran, carrying a lantern, waved to them, "It's alright, I won't go far. I'm just going to call Cui Xiaoqiu out to talk. If you're worried, just follow me from a distance."
What else could the guards say?
This little devil is completely unafraid of the dark, which is truly admirable.
The palace was so large that many men were afraid to go out at night.
The moon was already bright on the thirteenth. As she walked quickly to the wall, Yanran blew out the lantern—she didn't want to be mistaken for an assassin by the Cui Family's guards; she had to keep a low profile.
No, we need to observe the situation in Cui Xiaoqiu's yard first.
There was an artificial hill nearby, Yanran thought she should climb up and get a better view first.
The little one was doing this for the first time and found it very exciting. He forgot about the pain of his bloated stomach and was completely absorbed in "doing something naughty".
She tiptoed around behind the artificial hill, but unexpectedly heard some noises coming from inside.
Yanran was taken aback, then stopped and listened carefully.
"Her Highness the Princess is very kind; she would save anyone."
Yanran's eyes widened. It was Nanny Rong's voice?
But who is she talking to?
Very light footsteps soon came from inside. Others might not have noticed them, but Yanran's hearing was exceptional, and she still heard them.
Meanwhile, the guards following far behind couldn't hear Yanran's voice and frantically called out to her.
If anything happens to this young master, they'll all be in deep trouble.
"What are you doing here, young lady?" Nanny Rong as she emerged from behind the artificial hill.
Although the moonlight was bright, Yanran still couldn't make out her expression.
"I came to find Cui Xiaoqiu, to scare her a little. What are you doing here, Granny?" Yanran asked innocently. "Are you going to scare someone too? Let's hide in the rockery together!"