Tian Ruidong stared blankly as Hua Liuli entered the room. Upon hearing Hua Changkong's dry cough, he quickly came to his senses and greeted Hua Liuli with a bow.
Hua Liuli gestured to return the greeting, but Tian Ruidong quickly waved his hand and said, "This subordinate one dare not accept Xianzhu's courtesy. Please, take a seat quickly."
He couldn't bear to let such a fragile woman go through the trouble of returning his greeting.
Upon hearing that Tian Ruidong didn't require a return greeting, Hua Liuli didn't hesitate and turned around to sit down. Occasionally, she would cover her chest and cough, causing Tian Ruidong to be cautious with his breathing, afraid that he might blow her away with a single breath.
When he came, he was still full of anger, but when he actually faced the Hua family's daughter, his anger vanished, leaving him a bit at a loss. "A few days ago, this subordinate caused a disturbance to Xianzhu, which caused this subordinate to feel extremely uneasy. Today, this subordinate specially came to apologize to Xianzhu."
"Young Noble Tian, you're being too polite," Hua Liuli spoke weakly, "It was my own timidity. It has nothing to do with you, Young Noble Tian. You need not blame yourself."
Hearing these words, Tian Ruidong was moved. His grandfather and father both believed that everything was his fault, but here was the victim, Hua Xianzhu, who didn't hold him responsible. What a kind little fairy she was!
The more she said so, the more embarrassed he felt. Thinking about how reluctant he was when he came to apologize earlier, Tian Ruidong felt even more ashamed.
Such a gentle and kind girl must be a celestial fairy descended from the immortal realm.
Hua Liuli smiled gently as she listened to Tian Ruidong's various words of remorse and thoughtfully had her maid serve him tea.
When the other party finished speaking, Hua Liuli lowered her eyelids. Her beautiful eyebrows and eyes resembled the soft moonlight, making people unable to help but be enchanted. "Young Noble Tian, please don't worry. I hold no blame against you."
Upon hearing that Xianzhu didn't hold him responsible, Tian Ruidong was deeply moved and presented the prepared gift list.
Hua Liuli placed the gift list on the tea table. "Young Noble Tian, you are too polite."
The female official who came with Tian Ruidong was a senior palace maid from Consort Xian's Palace. Since entering, she hadn't spoken a word.
She half-lowered her eyes, maintaining the posture of a lowly person, but her peripheral vision carefully observed Hua Liuli from head to toe. After Hua Liuli accepted the gift list from the Tian Residence, the female official presented a prepared invitation.
It was an invitation handwritten by Consort Xian herself. The floral imprint on the paper emitted a faint fragrance.
"The plum blossoms in the palace are blooming. Her Highness is concerned that Xianzhu may not be accustomed to the capital since her recent arrival. She wishes to invite your honored self to the palace to enjoy the flowers," the female official performed a deep courtesy, "May Xianzhu do us the honor of participating.."
Hua Liuli wasn't surprised by Consort Xian's invitation. Rumors about the Eldest Prince had been circulating in the capital, and all those rumors stemmed from her.
If she refused Consort Xian's invitation, the rumors about the Eldest Prince in the capital would only intensify, greatly affecting his future reputation.
For the ambitious Consort Xian, this was unacceptable.
Sigh.
Who asked her to be a softhearted and kind person?
Closing the invitation, Hua Liuli smiled shyly at the expectant female official, her eyes filled with anticipation, "Many thanks to Her Highness for the invitation. Official's daughter will definitely attend. However, Official's daughter has some health issues and many restrictions on what can be eaten and used. Will it be too much trouble for Her Highness?"
"How could it be a trouble? Before this slave came here, Her Highness said that Her Highness and the Greate General's wife were good friends in their youth. Although Her Highness has never met your honored self, Her Highness already regards your honored self as her own niece in her heart." The female official breathed a sigh of relief. If Hua Xianzhu was willing to come, that was a good thing. Even if she had to drink the morning dew of three months, Her Highness would find a way to get it for her.
"Then... Official's daughter will trouble Her Highness," Hua Liuli said, her mouth curling up.
She thought only some vain men liked to call anyone they conversed with "good friends", but she didn't expect Consort Xian to have the same hobby.
Her mother has told her long ago that due to her fierce and independent nature when she was young, she had hardly any close friends. If anyone claimed to be her good friends in the capital, she must not believe them; it would all be lies to deceive her and Third Brother.
As he reluctantly left, Tian Ruidong turned his head to take one last look at the delicate Hua Xianzhu. When he saw her smiling at him, he quickly said, "Please rest assured, this subordinate will no longer cause a commotion in the city."
Once outside the gates of the Hua family's estate, the cold wind brought Tian Ruidong back to his senses. What did he just say?
Never cause a commotion in the city again?!
Can he pretend that those words were never spoken?
"Your Royal Highness, Consort Xian wishes to hold a plum blossom banquet in the palace and has sent an invitation," The eunuch presented the gold-stamped invitation to the Crown Prince.
"On such a freezing day, why bother with plum blossoms?" The Crown Prince declined the invitation, "Benwang won't go."
The eunuch took the invitation back.
"Consort Xian hastily organized the plum blossom banquet to invite the Great General's daughter." The Crown Prince tapped the table with his fair fingers. "She doesn't want her to be her son's Wangfei, but she wants to use the other's identity to quell the rumors. This mother and son duo are quite remarkable."
The eunuch dared not respond.
"Forget it," The Crown Prince stood up, "Consort Xian has already given birth to a foolish son. Benwang shouldn't say too much about her."
His brothers all hoped that the Emperor would depose him from the position of Crown Prince. He couldn't help but feel sorry for them when he saw the foolish methods they used. They were all sons of the Emperor, so how did they end up so foolish?
"Prepare a generous gift and send it over during Consort Xian's plum blossom banquet."
"To Consort Xian?" The eunuch was surprised. When did the Crown Prince become so considerate? Although he didn't attend the banquet, he still prepared a gift for Consort Xian, which would be giving her face.
"To the daughter of the Great General."
The eunuch sighed with relief. The Crown Prince was still in his right mind.
"Your Royal Highness, the Fifth Prince has come to pay his respects," A female official from the Eastern Palace entered and whispered, "Would Your Royal Highness like to see him?"
"Let him in," The Crown Prince's expression was indifferent, showing no particular closeness to the visitor.
Before long, a man as graceful as jade walked in. He respectfully saluted the Crown Prince, "This younger brother pays respects to the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair, his expression emotionless as he watched his brother, who was as beautiful and talented as the moon, "En, have a seat."
His cold attitude didn't affect the Fifth Prince. After respectfully exchanging pleasantries, he didn't mention anything else and simply took his leave.
Among his brothers, there were those who showed respect, defiance, and even flattery. But none of them did it as perfectly as the Fifth Prince, flawless in every aspect.
Unfortunately, no matter what means they employed, as long as he, the Crown Prince, remained standing, they would always be just Princes.
It truly evoked great sympathy.
On the day she entered the palace, Hua Liuli didn't go directly to Consort Xian's Lincui Palace; instead, she first went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager in the Shoukang Palace.
The Empress Dowager was a kind and benevolent old lady. She was very fond of Hua Liuli and when heard that she was going to the Lincui Palace to admire the plum blossoms, she specifically gave Hua Liuli a red fox cape.
"This cape is vibrant in color. This Grieving One is too old to wear it, but it suits you perfectly," When Hua Liuli put on the cape, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This Grieving One has always said that this cape would look beautiful on a charming young girl like you."
Upon hearing this, the female attendant beside the Empress Dowager wanted to smile yet dared not.
A few days ago, a younger relative from the Empress Dowager's paternal family wanted this cape, but the Empress Dowager didn't give it to her because she didn't find her attractive enough.
Hua Liuli covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled lightly. Her eyes curved slightly, charming enough to make people forget about her illness, "Many thanks to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, for the praise."
"This Grieving One likes young girls like you the most. Come to this Grieving One's palace more often when spring arrives," The Empress Dowager gently held Hua Liuli's hand and patted her, saying, "This Grieving One has plenty of fabric in my private collection. Tomorrow, let's have the embroiderer make some clothes for you according to your measurements."
Hua Liuli nodded with a smile. In the Empress Dowager's eyes, she could sense a kind of enthusiasm.
As soon as Hua Liuli left, the Empress Dowager exclaimed with joy, "It's been a long time since this Grieving One encountered such a remarkable young girl. Finally, those fabrics in the private collection will serve a purpose."
The Empress Dowager's hobby was to see beautiful young girls wearing beautiful clothes. If she hadn't entered the palace and become the Empress back then, she might have become the most talented female fashion designer in Great Jin.
Alas, her great ideals were buried by the harem struggles.
After leaving the Shoukang Palace, Hua Liuli coughed a few times and weakly caught her breath. Palace servants hurriedly approached her with a sedan chair. She perfunctorily uttered, “This does not abide by protocol", but she still sat on the sedan chair.
Although the palace roads were regularly cleaned by eunuchs, snowflakes continued to fall. How could she, a delicate woman, walk in such harsh weather?
Once seated, she even managed to adopt an extremely delicate posture. She could guarantee that not even the swaying little white flowers in the wind could match her current pitiful appearance.
To reach the Lincui Palace from the Shoukang Palace, they had to pass through the back of the Chenyang Palace. As she looked at the wide palace road behind the Chenyang Palace, she realized that while this palace was filled with people, it was quieter than the Hua family's estate, which had fewer people.
The snow grew heavier when Hua Liuli saw palace servants carrying a sedan chair embroidered with golden patterns coming in her direction.
"The... the Crown Prince?" The eunuch who was carrying the sedan chair sounded somewhat panicked and quietly reminded Hua Liuli, "Hua Xianzhu, that is the Crown Prince's procession."
All the palace attendants around Hua Liuli stopped in their tracks and respectfully retreated to the side of the wall. Hua Liuli held onto the iris and descended from the sedan chair, quietly watching as the Crown Prince's procession approached.
When the procession was right in front of her, Hua Liuli uncovered her cape hood and bowed her head in a gesture of respect.
The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, struck her face, making her feel the chills.
As the wind lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, the Crown Prince caught sight of a touch of red in the snowy background.
Just as the curtain was about to close, he extended his fair hand and lifted it.
"Official's daughter offers greetings to Your Highness," Hua Liuli raised her head and saw the handsome face behind the curtain.
No wonder there were rumors that the Emperor favored the Crown Prince. With such a face, who wouldn't be partial?
Cough cough. Hua Liuli covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed a few times. Regardless of the time or place, she would never forget that she was a delicate and helpless young woman.
Just as she finished coughing, the Crown Prince let down the curtain, and she tactfully took a step back.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind the curtain, holding an exquisitely crafted hand warmer.
"Take it," the curtain lifted once again, and the Crown Prince lazily looked at her. "You are... the Young Lady from the Hua family?"
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am indeed the daughter of the Hua family," Hua Liuli reached out to receive the hand warmer and held it with both hands. It felt quite warm.
"It's snowing heavily. Be careful on the road," the Crown Prince looked at her with smiling eyes and calmly let down the curtain.
Fortunately, the Eldest Prince had no intention of marrying this Young Lady from the Hua family. Otherwise, with his appearance and intellect, he would probably have mistreated the poor girl.
Over the years, Consort Xian had been in the harem for so long and finally did a good deed, not allowing flowers to be stuck in her son's pile of dung.
Indeed, this was accumulating blessings and virtues.
Krish728
Author's Note:
The daily question of all the Princes when they wake up: "Has the nauseating Crown Prince been deposed today?"
Crown Prince: No. (*￣︶￣)
Tian Ruidong stared blankly as Hua Liuli entered the room. Upon hearing Hua Changkong's dry cough, he quickly came to his senses and greeted Hua Liuli with a bow.
Hua Liuli gestured to return the greeting, but Tian Ruidong quickly waved his hand and said, "This subordinate one dare not accept Xianzhu's courtesy. Please, take a seat quickly."
He couldn't bear to let such a fragile woman go through the trouble of returning his greeting.
Upon hearing that Tian Ruidong didn't require a return greeting, Hua Liuli didn't hesitate and turned around to sit down. Occasionally, she would cover her chest and cough, causing Tian Ruidong to be cautious with his breathing, afraid that he might blow her away with a single breath.
When he came, he was still full of anger, but when he actually faced the Hua family's daughter, his anger vanished, leaving him a bit at a loss. "A few days ago, this subordinate caused a disturbance to Xianzhu, which caused this subordinate to feel extremely uneasy. Today, this subordinate specially came to apologize to Xianzhu."
"Young Noble Tian, you're being too polite," Hua Liuli spoke weakly, "It was my own timidity. It has nothing to do with you, Young Noble Tian. You need not blame yourself."
Hearing these words, Tian Ruidong was moved. His grandfather and father both believed that everything was his fault, but here was the victim, Hua Xianzhu, who didn't hold him responsible. What a kind little fairy she was!
The more she said so, the more embarrassed he felt. Thinking about how reluctant he was when he came to apologize earlier, Tian Ruidong felt even more ashamed.
Such a gentle and kind girl must be a celestial fairy descended from the immortal realm.
Hua Liuli smiled gently as she listened to Tian Ruidong's various words of remorse and thoughtfully had her maid serve him tea.
When the other party finished speaking, Hua Liuli lowered her eyelids. Her beautiful eyebrows and eyes resembled the soft moonlight, making people unable to help but be enchanted. "Young Noble Tian, please don't worry. I hold no blame against you."
Upon hearing that Xianzhu didn't hold him responsible, Tian Ruidong was deeply moved and presented the prepared gift list.
Hua Liuli placed the gift list on the tea table. "Young Noble Tian, you are too polite."
The female official who came with Tian Ruidong was a senior palace maid from Consort Xian's Palace. Since entering, she hadn't spoken a word.
She half-lowered her eyes, maintaining the posture of a lowly person, but her peripheral vision carefully observed Hua Liuli from head to toe. After Hua Liuli accepted the gift list from the Tian Residence, the female official presented a prepared invitation.
It was an invitation handwritten by Consort Xian herself. The floral imprint on the paper emitted a faint fragrance.
"The plum blossoms in the palace are blooming. Her Highness is concerned that Xianzhu may not be accustomed to the capital since her recent arrival. She wishes to invite your honored self to the palace to enjoy the flowers," the female official performed a deep courtesy, "May Xianzhu do us the honor of participating.."
Hua Liuli wasn't surprised by Consort Xian's invitation. Rumors about the Eldest Prince had been circulating in the capital, and all those rumors stemmed from her.
If she refused Consort Xian's invitation, the rumors about the Eldest Prince in the capital would only intensify, greatly affecting his future reputation.
For the ambitious Consort Xian, this was unacceptable.
Sigh.
Who asked her to be a softhearted and kind person?
Closing the invitation, Hua Liuli smiled shyly at the expectant female official, her eyes filled with anticipation, "Many thanks to Her Highness for the invitation. Official's daughter will definitely attend. However, Official's daughter has some health issues and many restrictions on what can be eaten and used. Will it be too much trouble for Her Highness?"
"How could it be a trouble? Before this slave came here, Her Highness said that Her Highness and the Greate General's wife were good friends in their youth. Although Her Highness has never met your honored self, Her Highness already regards your honored self as her own niece in her heart." The female official breathed a sigh of relief. If Hua Xianzhu was willing to come, that was a good thing. Even if she had to drink the morning dew of three months, Her Highness would find a way to get it for her.
"Then... Official's daughter will trouble Her Highness," Hua Liuli said, her mouth curling up.
She thought only some vain men liked to call anyone they conversed with "good friends", but she didn't expect Consort Xian to have the same hobby.
Her mother has told her long ago that due to her fierce and independent nature when she was young, she had hardly any close friends. If anyone claimed to be her good friends in the capital, she must not believe them; it would all be lies to deceive her and Third Brother.
As he reluctantly left, Tian Ruidong turned his head to take one last look at the delicate Hua Xianzhu. When he saw her smiling at him, he quickly said, "Please rest assured, this subordinate will no longer cause a commotion in the city."
Once outside the gates of the Hua family's estate, the cold wind brought Tian Ruidong back to his senses. What did he just say?
Never cause a commotion in the city again?!
Can he pretend that those words were never spoken?
"Your Royal Highness, Consort Xian wishes to hold a plum blossom banquet in the palace and has sent an invitation," The eunuch presented the gold-stamped invitation to the Crown Prince.
"On such a freezing day, why bother with plum blossoms?" The Crown Prince declined the invitation, "Benwang won't go."
The eunuch took the invitation back.
"Consort Xian hastily organized the plum blossom banquet to invite the Great General's daughter." The Crown Prince tapped the table with his fair fingers. "She doesn't want her to be her son's Wangfei, but she wants to use the other's identity to quell the rumors. This mother and son duo are quite remarkable."
The eunuch dared not respond.
"Forget it," The Crown Prince stood up, "Consort Xian has already given birth to a foolish son. Benwang shouldn't say too much about her."
His brothers all hoped that the Emperor would depose him from the position of Crown Prince. He couldn't help but feel sorry for them when he saw the foolish methods they used. They were all sons of the Emperor, so how did they end up so foolish?
"Prepare a generous gift and send it over during Consort Xian's plum blossom banquet."
"To Consort Xian?" The eunuch was surprised. When did the Crown Prince become so considerate? Although he didn't attend the banquet, he still prepared a gift for Consort Xian, which would be giving her face.
"To the daughter of the Great General."
The eunuch sighed with relief. The Crown Prince was still in his right mind.
"Your Royal Highness, the Fifth Prince has come to pay his respects," A female official from the Eastern Palace entered and whispered, "Would Your Royal Highness like to see him?"
"Let him in," The Crown Prince's expression was indifferent, showing no particular closeness to the visitor.
Before long, a man as graceful as jade walked in. He respectfully saluted the Crown Prince, "This younger brother pays respects to the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair, his expression emotionless as he watched his brother, who was as beautiful and talented as the moon, "En, have a seat."
His cold attitude didn't affect the Fifth Prince. After respectfully exchanging pleasantries, he didn't mention anything else and simply took his leave.
Among his brothers, there were those who showed respect, defiance, and even flattery. But none of them did it as perfectly as the Fifth Prince, flawless in every aspect.
Unfortunately, no matter what means they employed, as long as he, the Crown Prince, remained standing, they would always be just Princes.
It truly evoked great sympathy.
On the day she entered the palace, Hua Liuli didn't go directly to Consort Xian's Lincui Palace; instead, she first went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager in the Shoukang Palace.
The Empress Dowager was a kind and benevolent old lady. She was very fond of Hua Liuli and when heard that she was going to the Lincui Palace to admire the plum blossoms, she specifically gave Hua Liuli a red fox cape.
"This cape is vibrant in color. This Grieving One is too old to wear it, but it suits you perfectly," When Hua Liuli put on the cape, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This Grieving One has always said that this cape would look beautiful on a charming young girl like you."
Upon hearing this, the female attendant beside the Empress Dowager wanted to smile yet dared not.
A few days ago, a younger relative from the Empress Dowager's paternal family wanted this cape, but the Empress Dowager didn't give it to her because she didn't find her attractive enough.
Hua Liuli covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled lightly. Her eyes curved slightly, charming enough to make people forget about her illness, "Many thanks to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, for the praise."
"This Grieving One likes young girls like you the most. Come to this Grieving One's palace more often when spring arrives," The Empress Dowager gently held Hua Liuli's hand and patted her, saying, "This Grieving One has plenty of fabric in my private collection. Tomorrow, let's have the embroiderer make some clothes for you according to your measurements."
Hua Liuli nodded with a smile. In the Empress Dowager's eyes, she could sense a kind of enthusiasm.
As soon as Hua Liuli left, the Empress Dowager exclaimed with joy, "It's been a long time since this Grieving One encountered such a remarkable young girl. Finally, those fabrics in the private collection will serve a purpose."
The Empress Dowager's hobby was to see beautiful young girls wearing beautiful clothes. If she hadn't entered the palace and become the Empress back then, she might have become the most talented female fashion designer in Great Jin.
Alas, her great ideals were buried by the harem struggles.
After leaving the Shoukang Palace, Hua Liuli coughed a few times and weakly caught her breath. Palace servants hurriedly approached her with a sedan chair. She perfunctorily uttered, “This does not abide by protocol", but she still sat on the sedan chair.
Although the palace roads were regularly cleaned by eunuchs, snowflakes continued to fall. How could she, a delicate woman, walk in such harsh weather?
Once seated, she even managed to adopt an extremely delicate posture. She could guarantee that not even the swaying little white flowers in the wind could match her current pitiful appearance.
To reach the Lincui Palace from the Shoukang Palace, they had to pass through the back of the Chenyang Palace. As she looked at the wide palace road behind the Chenyang Palace, she realized that while this palace was filled with people, it was quieter than the Hua family's estate, which had fewer people.
The snow grew heavier when Hua Liuli saw palace servants carrying a sedan chair embroidered with golden patterns coming in her direction.
"The... the Crown Prince?" The eunuch who was carrying the sedan chair sounded somewhat panicked and quietly reminded Hua Liuli, "Hua Xianzhu, that is the Crown Prince's procession."
All the palace attendants around Hua Liuli stopped in their tracks and respectfully retreated to the side of the wall. Hua Liuli held onto the iris and descended from the sedan chair, quietly watching as the Crown Prince's procession approached.
When the procession was right in front of her, Hua Liuli uncovered her cape hood and bowed her head in a gesture of respect.
The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, struck her face, making her feel the chills.
As the wind lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, the Crown Prince caught sight of a touch of red in the snowy background.
Just as the curtain was about to close, he extended his fair hand and lifted it.
"Official's daughter offers greetings to Your Highness," Hua Liuli raised her head and saw the handsome face behind the curtain.
No wonder there were rumors that the Emperor favored the Crown Prince. With such a face, who wouldn't be partial?
Cough cough. Hua Liuli covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed a few times. Regardless of the time or place, she would never forget that she was a delicate and helpless young woman.
Just as she finished coughing, the Crown Prince let down the curtain, and she tactfully took a step back.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind the curtain, holding an exquisitely crafted hand warmer.
"Take it," the curtain lifted once again, and the Crown Prince lazily looked at her. "You are... the Young Lady from the Hua family?"
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am indeed the daughter of the Hua family," Hua Liuli reached out to receive the hand warmer and held it with both hands. It felt quite warm.
"It's snowing heavily. Be careful on the road," the Crown Prince looked at her with smiling eyes and calmly let down the curtain.
Fortunately, the Eldest Prince had no intention of marrying this Young Lady from the Hua family. Otherwise, with his appearance and intellect, he would probably have mistreated the poor girl.
Over the years, Consort Xian had been in the harem for so long and finally did a good deed, not allowing flowers to be stuck in her son's pile of dung.
Indeed, this was accumulating blessings and virtues.
Krish728
Author's Note:
The daily question of all the Princes when they wake up: "Has the nauseating Crown Prince been deposed today?"
Crown Prince: No. (*￣︶￣)
