Chapter 220: Well Done

Cheng Ru'an, standing aside, heard with both laughter and tears: "Tuan Tuan, take him to the mansion for a walk; any place except your dad's study is fine."

Tuan Tuan happily grabbed Gongsun Yue's hand: "Let's go! My house has lots of fun things, let's play together!"

Gongsun Yue stood up and bowed to Cheng Ru'an: "Princess Consort, I take my leave."

Cheng Ru'an watched him, feeling bittersweet: "Go, have a good time."

"Let's go! We'll go see Snowy! It can talk a lot now; Third Brother gave it to me!"

Tuan Tuan, taking Gongsun Yue, after seeing Snowy went to the stables to look at Little White: "My second brother said that when the weather warms he'll teach me to ride! Then I can ride Little White to wherever I want!"

Gongsun Yue's face was full of envy: "They're really good to you!"

Tuan Tuan, puzzled: "They're my family! Of course they'll be good to me. Aren't your family good to you?"

Gongsun Yue's small face drooped, and he shook his head: "Only Mother Consort is kind to me; Father Emperor, I've only seen him a few times."

Tuan Tuan recalled Gongsun Chi's appearance: "Oh, your Father Emperor, his face looks like it won't move; if he doesn't speak I'd think he was a fake."

Gongsun Yue let out a "pfft" laugh, getting louder and louder, unable to control it, finally laughing with his hands on his belly and rolling onto the ground.

Tuan Tuan squatted down and looked at him: "Is it really that funny? I'm telling the truth!"

Gongsun Yue sat up: "Princess (Commandery), you're really adorable; no one has ever dared to say that about him."

Tuan Tuan laughed: "Just call me Tuan Tuan; may I call you… Xiao Yueyue, okay?"

Gongsun Yue, startled, said softly: "Mother Consort calls me Xiao Yueyue."

Tuan Tuan, proud: "See, I told you I pick the best names!"

Xiao Er, not far away, pouted: "Little Miss, are you being serious?"

He turned and came into the Quiet Orchid Garden: "I, the lowly officer, have just been following them; it all looks like ordinary play, nothing improper."

Cheng Ru'an nodded: "That child is shy, not mischievous; just watch from afar, let them play. Only one thing: the Prince's study must be off‑limits."

"Understood."

After a big circuit, Tuan Tuan and Gongsun Yue returned to under Snowy's perch.

Gongsun Yue looked up at Snowy: "Tuan Tuan, has your Snowy ever laid an egg?"

"Lay an egg?" Tuan Tuan was startled, looking at the little bird fluttering on the perch: "No, Snowy has never laid an egg."

A hint of sympathy appeared on Gongsun Yue's face: "When I was in the Palace, I also saw this kind of talking bird."

"The palace maid who tended them told me they all lay eggs. Moreover, after laying they hide them; they're precious."

"Snowy not laying eggs must be sad; other birds do, but it doesn't."

Tuan Tuan frowned: "My Snowy won't lay eggs! Other birds would laugh at it!"

"That can't happen! We can't let Snowy suffer such grievance!"

She thought: "Have you seen what those eggs look like?"

Gongsun Yue thought: "They're similar to chicken eggs, just a bit smaller."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Let's go, we'll help it lay an egg right now!"

Gongsun Yue, stunned: "This, we can help?"

"Come on! Follow me!" Tuan Tuan grabbed his hand and ran toward the kitchen.

The kitchen maid, seeing Tuan Tuan, smiled with her eyes narrowed to a slit: "Little Miss, you're here? Want something to eat? Tell Grandma, she'll make it for you."

Tuan Tuan waved her hand: "No! Grandma, I want an egg!"

The kitchen maid was stunned: "Egg? What kind of egg?"

Snowy is so beautiful; its egg can't be ugly!

"I want the whitest, roundest, most beautiful egg! Oh, and a bit smaller."

The kitchen maid looked bewildered, but since Little Miss wants it, it must exist!

She immediately selected from the prepared ingredients, took out a slightly small, perfectly shaped boiled white egg, and handed it to Tuan Tuan: "Here, look, will this do?"

Tuan Tuan carefully cupped it with both hands, examining it closely.

Snow‑white and round, with a faint watery sheen, a little smaller than the usual ones.

She nodded satisfied: "Thank you! Grandma!"

"Come on! Xiao Yueyue!"

Gongsun Yue followed her: "But Tuan Tuan, this is cooked!"

"Shh! Speak softly! Don't let Snowy hear; it won't know!"

"……"

The two returned to under the bird perch.

Tuan Tuan looked up: "It's too high, I can't reach."

She shouted loudly: "Second Uncle! Second Uncle!"

Xiao Er darted in front of them, causing Gongsun Yue to step back a few paces, looking up at his towering figure.

"This is my Second Uncle!"

Gongsun Yue looked around: "Why did he just appear? He gave me a fright!"

Tuan Tuan, proud: "Right! My Second Uncle is the best; wherever I am, he's there!"

"Second Uncle, hold me! Bring me close to Snowy's perch." Xiao Er lifted her up, bringing her near Snowy.

Tuan Tuan gently placed the egg she held into Snowy's little feeding bowl.

Snowy flapped its wings, looked down at the unfamiliar thing in its bowl, and immediately shrieked: "Tuan Tuan! Tuan Tuan!"

Tuan Tuan patted its feathers: "This is the egg I helped you lay! Look, how pretty! From now on, you'll have eggs too!"

Xiao Er, hearing this, looked puzzled: "Miss, you helped Snowy lay an egg?"

But Snowy is male!

Tuan Tuan slipped out of their lap, took Gongsun Yue's hand, and the two little ones stood side by side, heads raised, looking eagerly at Snow Clothes.

Seeing Cheng Ru'an walk over, Tuan Tuan immediately excitedly lunged forward, hugging her leg, raising a hand to point at the shelf, her happy little face flushed:

"Mom! Look quick! Snow Clothes, which I helped together with Xiao Yueyue, finally laid an egg! A prettier egg than any other bird's! Snow Clothes will never be laughed at by other birds for not laying eggs again!"

Cheng Ru'an followed the direction of her point and saw that smooth boiled chicken egg lying steadily in Snow Clothes' food bowl.

Snow Clothes felt utterly wronged, continuously shouting: "Tuan Tuan! Tuan Tuan!"

She was first startled, then couldn't help herself, squatted down, and in one motion pulled her daughter and that little hostage who was similarly blinking his eyes at her into her embrace, laughing until her shoulders shook.

"Good! Good! You two are really amazing!"

Gongsun Yue stiffened all over, daring not to move a muscle, and Cheng Ru'an sighed in her heart, this child must have suffered a lot before.

She stood up, taking one in each hand: "Come on, let's go back to Jinglan Pavilion and have some sugar cake."

As evening approached, Gongsun Yue should leave, and Tuan Tuan said: "Come again the day after tomorrow; tomorrow I have to go see the National Preceptor."

Gongsun Yue shuddered violently.

"How are you?"

Gongsun Yue whispered: "Our Da Xia's National Preceptor is terrifying."

Tuan Tuan said nonchalantly: "Oh, that nasty National Preceptor, don't be afraid of him. He probably can't do any harm now."

Gongsun Yue said nothing, bade farewell and left, returning to their own residence.

A middle-aged eunuch came forward to attend to them, helping with changing clothes and pouring tea.

Gongsun Yue quietly let them attend.

"The Princess (Commandery) has a tall guard by her side, her second uncle, who always stays by her side and comes when called."

The eunuch nodded: "Not bad."

"By His Majesty's decree, the miscellaneous household must constantly remind His Highness that what His Majesty wants is the head of Prince Ning."

"Consort Yun is still waiting for His Highness to return, and His Highness doesn't have much time."