Chapter 501: Hiding the Beauty in the Golden House
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“We’re not strangers. Even if I say something wrong, Zhu Zhu won’t be mad at me,” An Xiaogu said indignantly, leaning in close to Mingzhu’s ear. “It’s so annoying. Can’t we have a little freedom? Following you everywhere, it’s too much.”
Mingzhu pinched her hand gently. “The situation now is different from before. It won’t hurt you to say a few less words.”
An Xiaogu, unhappy, lowered her voice and said, “Why did they randomly choose a companion for study? It makes our youngest brother get up every night to rush to the palace, and he can’t come back until it’s dark. He can even fall asleep standing up!”
When Hua Momo heard this, she was so scared that she pinched her arm hard and threatened, “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tell the lady when we go back, and she won’t let you out again next time.” After all, the Great Empress Dowager was the aunt of Ying Wangfei. How could such words be said casually?
An Xiaogu was furious, pointing at Hua Momo, “How dare you pinch me? How dare you pinch me? Tell me, how many times did you pinch me behind my mother’s back when I was a child?”
Hua Momo’s face turned red and white, feeling extremely embarrassed. She wanted to cry but dared not, wanted to leave but couldn’t, so she had to force a smile and said, “That’s nonsense. Miss, don’t talk nonsense.”
Mingzhu signaled to Su Jin, who approached and hugged Hua Momo’s arm, smilingly coaxing her to go elsewhere, “We’ve made some new pastries in our mansion, soft, sweet, and non-sticky, just perfect for you, Momo. And there’s also some good tea that the Wangfei has recently awarded. Would you like to taste it?”
Hua Momo still felt uneasy and kept staring at An Xiaogu, who directly rolled her eyes at her. Su Jin endured her laughter and said, “Alright, alright, we’re not outsiders. Our Wangfei and Miss An have been good friends for many years. Princess Changhua will also come later. Momo can’t keep standing in front of the noble person all the time, right? If they ask her to leave, it’ll be even more embarrassing.”
Only then did Hua Momo reluctantly follow Su Jin, and An Xiaogu, relieved, said, “Finally, she’s gone. I was almost driven crazy!” Then she followed Mingzhu into the reception hall, laughing, “Let me see where you live? They say Ying Wangfei hides in a golden chamber, with gold bricks on the floor and walls of white jade…” Before she finished speaking, she saw Yuwen Chu coming out of the inner room, blushing and frightened, bowing and greeting softly, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu nodded amiably, “Rare to get together, have some fun, don’t be formal.” Then he explained to Mingzhu, “I forgot to get something important.”
Mingzhu urged him to leave, “Go, go, we’re not comfortable here when you’re around.”
Yuwen Chu reminded her, “I’ll be back a little later today. Take it easy and don’t play too hard. Even if it’s a room paved with gold bricks and walls of white jade, it won’t withstand your antics.”
“I got it. Go do your business quickly.” Mingzhu saw him off to the door and then turned back to entertain An Xiaogu.
An Xiaogu covered her face and pretended to cry, “So embarrassing, how did my nonsense end up being heard by him?”
“He’s not someone who minds.” Mingzhu found it amusing too. She thought Yuwen Chu would have a stern face when meeting her friends, but she didn’t expect him to indirectly joke around too.
An Xiaogu kicked at the floor tiles teasingly, “Not gold bricks? Just ordinary blue stone bricks polished smooth, that’s all.”
Mingzhu let An Xiaogu fool around, “You can fool around as much as you want now. When my niece and her friends come later, I’ll see if you still have the nerve to fool around?”
An Xiaogu, now playful, pulled Mingzhu to sit down, “I have a few things to tell you. I don’t really know why the Great Empress Dowager chose my brother to be a companion for study. My family really has no idea. I don’t know what my parents are planning, and I can’t control them, but I want you to know my heart. No matter what, I’ll always stand by you.”
After saying this, An Xiaogu’s eyes turned red, “My mother is very strict with me and never allows me to come out. I’m afraid you’ll think I’m keeping my distance from you and become estranged.”
Mingzhu smiled and said, “No, I know what kind of person you are, and you know what kind of person I am. As for Uncle and Aunt, you don’t have to worry too much. The fact that they agreed to let you out is already an attitude. ‘Like mother, like daughter.’ Doesn’t Aunt know your temperament?”
Yue Guo Gong Madam expressed her position through An Xiaogu’s words. Whether the Yueguo Gong Mansion genuinely wanted to board the ship of Yuwen Chu or wanted to have a foot in both boats didn’t matter. She wouldn’t treat the Yueguo Gong Mansion badly as long as An Xiaogu was involved. After all, An Xiaogu had taken such great risks to help her in the past. She didn’t believe that the Yueguo Gong Mansion and An Xiaogu’s family were unaware. They might have lent her a hand behind the scenes. Being grateful and remembering favors is the right way to live.
An Xiaogu wiped away her tears and laughed, “As long as you know.” She felt embarrassed and took out a sachet from her sleeve, throwing it to Mingzhu. “Here’s the purse I promised you.”
After speaking, she looked away, pretending that she hadn’t embroidered the sachet herself. Mingzhu took a look and burst into laughter. There were two bald ducks on top and a clump of crooked and withered grass next to them. She couldn’t help but pity Yue Guo Gong Madam. “You have the courage to give something like this as a gift.”
An Xiaogu, feeling embarrassed and angry, snatched it back. “What are you laughing at? At least I can sew a few stitches. What about you? You, of all people! Others beg me, but can’t even get one. I embroidered it for a long time, and now you laugh at it?!”
Mingzhu quickly apologized to her, “Miss An is much more skillful than me. I can’t even sew a button, let alone embroider a sachet. I didn’t know how to appreciate it.”
“Consider yourself lucky, I won’t argue with you!” An Xiaogu slammed the sachet on the table, showing her anger. “Put it away immediately!”
Su Lan, holding back her laughter, helped Mingzhu put it away. Seeing the sky, she reminded the two of them, “It’s time to go to the Feiyan Pavilion. The guests should have arrived.”
Mingzhu led An Xiaogu to the Feiyan Pavilion. “There are plum trees and all female relatives on this side of the North Garden, so there’s no need to worry about clashes. That’s why we’re hosting the guests here. Let the girls have fun, and we’ll chat in the Feiyan Pavilion.”
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi, dressed beautifully, were busy inside and out. Su Ye led the beauties to tune the silk and bamboo instruments in the Feiyan Pavilion. Seeing Mingzhu leading someone over, they all smiled and came up to greet her. An Xiaogu saw Ping Nushi and couldn’t help but look at her a few more times, whispering softly, “She’s really beautiful. Your Highness isn’t tempted at all?”
Mingzhu shamelessly replied, “His Highness values inner beauty.”
“Pei,” An Xiaogu spat at her, then noticed a beauty holding a harp kneeling to the side. She didn’t hesitate to call out to her, “Beauty, play a tune for us to listen to. If you play well, there will be rewards.”
The beauty glanced at Mingzhu before giving a slight bow and gracefully played the harp with her jade-like hands.
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