N-A-A Chapter 9 It's been so long since I've seen Sister Ye...
Chapter 9 It's been so long since I've seen Sister Ye...
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Wu Feng got up, washed up, ate breakfast at the servants' quarters, and then returned to the small garden of Guangxin Palace.
Although he had recovered his original body last night and had taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill to begin cultivating his Qi, he still chose to keep a low profile in front of outsiders.
The winter plum blossoms in the small garden have finished blooming, with only a few scattered petals remaining on the branches.
Now is the time when all flowers are in full bloom, and the peonies are in their most magnificent bloom, with large red, pink and white blossoms that appear elegant and luxurious in the morning light.
Many roses have bloomed, their deep red and light red hues intermingling, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
Wu Feng picked up the scissors and bamboo basket and began to prune the withered flower branches.
Just as the scissors snipped off a withered rose, the sound of a door opening suddenly came from the direction of the bedroom.
Wu Feng subconsciously turned around to look.
Li Yunrui walked out of the palace, dressed in a plain white palace gown made of fine satin that shimmered softly in the morning light.
Her long hair wasn't meticulously combed as usual; it was loosely tied up with a single emerald green jade hairpin, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks.
Her makeup was very simple, with only a thin layer of powder and a touch of light blush on her lips.
Even with such a simple outfit, it couldn't hide the stunning beauty of her face.
Her skin was as white as the first snow, her eyebrows and eyes were exquisitely beautiful, and her figure was curvaceous under the plain white dress, with a slender waist and a full chest.
Wu Feng glanced at it only once before immediately lowering his head and bowing respectfully.
Li Yunrui's gaze lingered on him for a moment, and then, surrounded by four maids in a procession, he slowly walked towards the flower hall.
The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Wu Feng then straightened up and continued pruning the flower branches.
However, he was thinking about that glimpse he had just made; Li Yunrui seemed to be in good spirits today, with even a faint smile on her lips.
Did something happy happen?
About fifteen minutes later, as Wu Feng was putting a bunch of cut dry branches into a bamboo basket, a maid dressed in a light green palace dress quickly walked into the small garden.
"Young Master Wu," the maid's voice was clear and melodious, "His Highness wishes to see you. Go to the flower hall immediately."
Wu Feng put down the scissors and bamboo basket: "Yes, sister."
He walked to the water vat by the garden, scooped water to wash his hands, dried them with a cloth, and then followed the maid to the flower hall.
The Flower Hall is located on the east side of Guangxin Palace and is a spacious and bright room.
The room has carved wooden windows on all four sides, and several clumps of green bamboo grow outside the windows. The morning breeze blows in through the bamboo forest, carrying a fresh scent.
When Wu Feng entered the flower hall, Li Yunrui was having breakfast.
On a round mahogany table were seven or eight small dishes: crystal shrimp dumplings, bird's nest porridge, osmanthus cake... each one exquisite and fragrant.
Li Yunrui sat in the main seat, holding a small white jade bowl in her hand, sipping her porridge.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Wu Feng walked three steps to the table and bowed.
Li Yunrui glanced at him and said gently, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wu Feng straightened up and stood to the side with his hands at his sides.
Li Yunrui didn't say anything more and continued eating her breakfast.
The flower hall was quiet, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.
Wu Feng kept his eyes closed and his mind focused, remaining completely still.
Chunmei, standing behind Li Yunrui, glanced at Wu Feng, slightly surprised.
She sensed that the young gardener was acting differently today.
Although he was still wearing that slightly worn green shirt and still had that demure look, his overall demeanor seemed... more composed.
The anxiety that used to lurk in his eyes has diminished, replaced by a calm confidence.
Is it because cultivation is now possible?
Chunmei withdrew her gaze and continued to stand at her sides.
Li Yunrui didn't eat breakfast for long; less than fifteen minutes later, she put down her chopsticks.
The maid immediately handed over a plain white handkerchief.
Li Yunrui took the handkerchief, gently wiped her moist red lips, and then casually placed it on the table.
"Hmm... I'm full." Her voice carried a unique languidness.
Several maids stepped forward to clear the dishes from the table.
Li Yunrui raised his hand and waved it lightly.
The maids immediately stopped what they were doing and stepped aside.
Li Yunrui looked at Wu Feng and asked softly, "Have you had breakfast yet?"
The maids in the flower hall exchanged glances instantly.
Wu Feng also looked up, and seeing Li Yunrui staring at him, he pointed at himself uncertainly: "Your Highness, were you just asking me a question?"
This is outrageous!
A princess wants to give her leftover breakfast to a lowly gardener who is just doing odd jobs?
Li Yunrui did not respond, but looked at Wu Feng with interest, the smile on her lips deepening.
Wu Feng only thought about it for a moment.
He lowered his head and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I have already eaten breakfast, but... I'm hungry again now."
"Oh……"
Li Yunrui chuckled softly.
The laughter was soft, carrying an indescribable allure. She stood up, her soft satin palace dress cascading down with the movement, outlining the smooth curves of her figure.
She walked up to Wu Feng, very close to him.
Wu Feng could smell her unique, cool fragrance, mixed with the faint aroma of food left over from breakfast.
Li Yunrui looked down at him, her voice gentle: "The ones over there are yours, but don't leave any behind."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and walked out of the flower hall, her skirt brushing against the bluestone pavement, making a soft rustling sound.
Chunmei glanced at Wu Feng with a complicated expression, then immediately followed Li Yunrui.
Only Wu Feng and four other maids remained in the flower hall.
Wu Feng thought for a moment, then walked to the table and looked at the mostly-left-on breakfast.
The crystal shrimp dumplings are translucent, and the bird's nest porridge is steaming gently...
He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a shrimp dumpling, and put it in his mouth.
The fresh and fragrant flavor melts in your mouth instantly.
This is truly the Princess's food. Compared to it, what he ate in the servants' quarters this morning was practically pig swill.
Wu Feng ate quickly, but not rudely.
He was indeed hungry. After the Marrow Cleansing Pill cleansed his meridians, his body needed a lot of energy to replenish itself, and the breakfast at the servants' quarters was simply not enough.
I wish I could eat this well every day.
He is currently at the age where he is growing rapidly.
Several maids stood to the side, watching him eat quietly. Their faces were expressionless, but their eyes held a hint of surprise.
Wu Feng finished the last mouthful of bird's nest porridge and put down the bowl.
His gaze fell on the plain white handkerchief that Li Yunrui had used on the table.
He thought for a moment, and under the watchful eyes of several maids, he reached out and picked up the handkerchief, folded it neatly, and then naturally put it into his pocket.
It's as if this handkerchief originally belonged to him.
He then nodded slightly to several maids, turned and walked out of the flower hall.
After he walked away, hushed whispers began to rise in the flower hall.
"He actually ate it..."
"They even took His Highness's handkerchief..."
"That's incredibly bold..."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The main hall of Guangxin Palace.
A maid reported in detail everything Wu Feng had done after Li Yunrui left the flower hall.
This includes how he finished his breakfast and how he took the handkerchief.
Li Yunrui leaned back on the soft couch, holding a book in her hands, and looked up when she heard this.
"He took it?" she asked softly.
"Yes, Your Highness," the maid replied, bowing her head.
A smile slowly appeared on Li Yunrui's fair and rosy cheeks.
The smile was beautiful, with upturned eyes and a raised lip. But upon closer inspection, one could see a morbid pleasure hidden within it.
"Hmm...that's interesting."
She put down her book, reached up to tidy the stray hairs at her temples, and spoke in a gentle voice:
"Chunmei, I'm going to Taiping Villa in a bit. It's been a long time since I've seen Sister Ye. She's pregnant, and my brother isn't in the capital. As the eldest princess, I naturally have to take good care of Sister Ye for my brother."
At this point, her eyes narrowed slightly:
"Oh, and bring Xiao Wuzi along."
"Yes, Your Highness," Chunmei replied immediately.
She was startled.
She had long suspected that Wu Feng might gain favor, but she never expected... His Highness would transfer him to his side so soon.
That speed is just too fast.
but……
Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for Wu Feng is really hard to say.
She knew His Highness's personality best.