Chapter 74

Cheng Ru'an's heart raced, and Meng Xin and Lu Qingjia also watched Tuan Tuan with nervous expressions.

The Empress Dowager wore a sullen face, her gaze falling on Cheng Ru'an.

Cheng Ru'an hurried to stand: "Empress Dowager, please forgive me, it is my fault…"

Before she could finish, Emperor Xiao Jieyun calmly said: "What fault does Princess Consort Ning have? This Jade Pendant is a small trinket I bestowed upon Princess Jiayou."

Murong Yuyiao and Huo Wenxuan both shivered; could it really be a gift from His Majesty?!

Xiao Jieyun smiled: "Tuan Tuan, come to Imperial Uncle."

The crowd exchanged glances; the Little Princess had just called him Imperial Uncle, and the Emperor actually… answered?!

Tuan Tuan scrambled on her short legs to his side, crisply shouting: "Imperial Uncle! Why won't they let me call you that? Aren't you my Imperial Uncle?"

She raised her hand and pointed at the Princess Consort: "Just like Imperial Aunt!"

Xiao Jieyun glanced at Murong Yuyiao and Huo Wenxuan.

The two hurriedly lowered their heads.

Xiao Jieyun smiled and patted Tuan Tuan's head: "Since I have permitted you to call me so, you may. They just don't know, that's all."

The Empress Dowager's pupils suddenly contracted, her gaze at Tuan Tuan instantly becoming complex and profound: How could this little child possess such virtue and ability? To have both the Emperor and the Princess Consort regard her so highly?

The Princess Consort breathed a sigh of relief, yet was also surprised: Since when has the Emperor favored this child so much?

Murong Yuyiao and Huo Wenxuan's faces turned ashen, wishing they could crawl into a crack in the ground.

Their earlier obstacles and doubts toward Tuan Tuan now turned into a harsh slap on their own faces, resounding loudly.

Xiao Jieyun reached out, picked up the Jade Pendant at Tuan Tuan's waist, and gently rubbed it a few times: "In my view, you wearing this Jade Pendant suits you perfectly." He pointed at Cheng Ru'an: "Go ahead."

"Alright!" Tuan Tuan bounced back to Cheng Ru'an's side. Cheng Ru'an looked gratefully at the Emperor, and Xiao Jieyun gave a slight nod.

Everyone at that moment fully understood that this Little Princess, newly returned to Ning Prince's Mansion, for some reason had already earned the sovereign's favor.

"Ahem," the Empress Dowager cleared her throat lightly, calming the situation: "It turns out it was just a misunderstanding, Emperor, let us hold a feast. There are many children present today; they must be hungry."

Xiao Jieyun smiled and nodded; a palace attendant in the main hall shouted, "Feast—begins!"

The sounds of silk and bamboo rose gracefully as maidens, bearing exquisite delicacies, entered in a light, orderly stream.

The noblewomen lifted their chopsticks, raised cups, and exchanged banter; laughter and greetings gradually filled the air, as if the earlier incident had never occurred, a scene of harmony.

After sitting for a while, Xiao Jieyun took his leave: "Mother, I am returning to Zichen Hall. May Mother enjoy good health and the banquet to the fullest."

The Empress Dowager nodded: "State affairs take precedence, go."

The crowd hurriedly rose, bowed and escorted: "Respectfully see His Majesty off!"

Xiao Jieyun waved his hand, turned and left his seat; the others only sat down again after his figure vanished.

The Empress Dowager's gaze intermittently swept toward Tuan Tuan, causing Cheng Ru'an to feel a hidden alarm, hoping the banquet would end quickly so her daughter would no longer be the center of attention.

Murong Yuyiao, seething inside, could no longer hold back upon seeing the Emperor leave: "Although Princess Jiayou's stay in the capital was brief, the few great deeds she accomplished have spread throughout Jingcheng, known by everyone."

"The gambling contract at Xuanqiong Temple shocked Jingcheng; the Clever Pastry Pavilion uncovered the golden hairpin and rescued Official Xie—whether it's true or false remains unknown."

Tuan Tuan ate the dishes in front of her with a fragrant gusto, concentrating fully, pretending not to hear, not uttering a single word to her.

She was completely, utterly ignored.

Murong Yuyiao's face instantly flushed bright red, burning hot, yet she was helpless.

The other party is a proper Princess (Commandery) with title and rank. As for herself, even though she is deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, in the end she is merely an untitled, rankless daughter of an external relative.

Respect and hierarchy are orderly, nobles and commoners distinct; it is only natural for the Princess not to speak with her, and no one can fault that!

She bit her teeth silently, "You are just a wild girl born and sent away to be raised outside, how bold of you!"

The Empress Dowager's complexion darkened again.

Cheng Ru'an hurried to speak to defuse: "It's just children being mischievous; they cannot be judged by Miss Yuyiao's eyes."

Huo Wenxuan glanced at the Empress Dowager, knowing well that the Empress Dowager is most protective of her own, and Tuan Tuan's embarrassment had already irritated this venerable matriarch; she felt a hidden delight, thinking that if she doesn't add fuel now, when else?

"Sister Yuyiao only knows these two incidents? She hasn't even heard that Princess Jiayou performed at Qingyin Hall, a piece that shocked Master Zhong Ziya? By the way, Sister Zhou was also present that day; perhaps we should ask her to tell everyone?"

The crowd's gazes all turned toward the table at the Marquis of Jinghai's Mansion.

Cheng Ru'an had once heard Xiao Ningxun speak of this matter, and her heart instantly lifted again.

Zhou Yuwei's face turned ashen, she glared fiercely at Huo Wenxuan; the incident at Qingyin Hall had instantly ruined the reputation of the talented woman she had always taken pride in.

She couldn't even dodge it, fearing others might bring it up; how could she possibly recount the events aloud in front of everyone?

Han Xueling gave her a glance, seasoned as ever: "There were many people present that day; I suppose Yuwei doesn't remember much."

Changing the subject: "Nevertheless, to have Master Ziya value her, the Princess's talent is truly unrivaled. By the way, I have heard that the Princess did not grow up in Ning Prince's Mansion? Such a young age yet possessing such skill is indeed astonishing."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly; this person from the Jinghai Marquis's Mansion was clearly shifting the burden of the conversation onto others.

"Oh? I truly did not know Princess Jiayou had progressed so much."

"Good child, tell me, during the years you were not in Ning Prince's Mansion, what did you do daily? Did you ever read books or practice characters?"

Murong Yuyiao, seeing the Empress Dowager's demeanor, instantly brightened, letting out a light laugh: "In the countryside, it's nothing but catching insects and birds; what refined pursuits could there be?"

Huo Wenxuan showed no concealment of the contempt and mockery in her eyes.

The Princess Consort gave her a look, and her brows furrowed again.

Cheng Ru'an was momentarily at a loss for words, wanting to answer for her daughter, but regarding the events before Tuan Tuan entered the Prince's Mansion, she truly knew nothing, and she regretted silently; had she asked earlier, she wouldn't have left her daughter to face it alone now.

Tuan Tuan swallowed the piece of cake in her mouth, lifted her little head, and answered earnestly: "There are many things to do! Play with Taoist Priest grandpa, help Flower Grandma feed her big yellow dog, watch the ants move their home, and when it rains, the water bubbles under the eaves are the most beautiful!"

The innocent, lively words painted a vivid pastoral scene, causing everyone to involuntarily smile.

The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with a hint of impatience: "Oh? Just playing? What about the elders who raised you—did they never teach you any rules or principles?"

"Rules and principles?" Tuan Tuan repeated, looking at the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, what are rules and principles?"

The Empress Dowager's lips curled with a hint of mockery: "Rules and principles…"

Before she could finish speaking, Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, her face showing confusion, and pointed a hand behind her.

A pair of huge eyes stared wide open, unmoving: "Empress Dowager, why is that pretty aunt in red always standing behind you?"

"Is the place where she lives too dark? She seems to really want to talk to you."

"Clang—!"

The Empress Dowager's wine cup slipped from her hand, smashing onto the table before her, and the wine splashed onto her lapel.

She whirled around sharply, but there was no one!

She immediately turned back to look at Tuan Tuan, whose hand was still raised in the air; her complexion turned deathly pale in an instant, her lips trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes were filled with unmistakable terror.