Part 2
Zhao Yiyi knew that with Lady Xu’s temperament, she wouldn’t be willing to organize it for her. Even if she did, it would likely just be a perfunctory affair, far less grand than Zuo Lianzhi’s.
So she planned to hold the coming-of-age banquet for her sister in the palace, letting her pass this birthday with dignity.
Who knew they would be going to Chang’an.
For a moment, she found herself in a dilemma. But Gu Zhen had agreed with great difficulty; if she delayed it until later, she was afraid he would regret it.
“What is it?” Observing the slightly heavy expression on the beauty’s face, Gu Zhen slowed his voice and asked.
Zhao Yiyi looked at him, thought for a moment, and answered truthfully.
Gu Zhen couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “We thought it was some major matter. If you are worried about her, order Aunt to manage the banquet for her.” Pausing, he added, “It is just that Aunt’s status is not what it used to be. Shall We choose someone else for you?”
Since he had spoken to this extent, a smile slowly rippled on Zhao Yiyi’s lips. “If that is so, then this concubine will temporarily thank Bixia on behalf of my sister.”
She had thought about it for many days. Over the past three years, she had been too clingy, completely disregarding his feelings and not caring whether he actually liked her.
In fact, the more she lowered her posture like that, the more she bowed her head first, the less she could obtain the things she wanted. Simply because that person had been held up too high—so high he wasn’t even willing to lower his eyes slightly to take a look.
Calculating carefully, in reality, she was also at fault.
From now on, she would no longer rack her brains to treat him well like that.
But taking the matter on its own merits, she really should thank him for this.
Since that was the case, she couldn’t just gloss over it.
Gu Zhen sighed lightly, helplessness overflowing in his smiling eyes. “You and We are husband and wife; there is no need to be so distant and polite.”
The dim yellow on the horizon deepened a little more. Gu Zhen also stood up at this time, watching the palace servants pack some honey-preserved cherries into a food box. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he asked in a low, husky voice, “Yiyi, after We finish this box, will… will you make more for Us, alright?”
Zhao Yiyi raised her lips in a smile and agreed readily. “Sure. When Bixia finishes them, just send someone over. There are many cherries these days, and the little palace maids love to play and make noise; they made quite a lot. Even if they are finished by then, this concubine will just ask people to make more. They made so much, I guarantee it tastes even better than what the Imperial Kitchen makes. Not just cherry preserves, but cherry biluo and cherry shushan are also delicious. If Bixia likes, this concubine will send people to deliver them together…”
She listed the cherry delicacies the Jiao Fang Palace maids could make, a盈盈 smile hanging on her lips. That smile was incredibly gentle, making one want to hold her in their palm to cherish and spoil.
Gu Zhen inevitably stared blankly for a long time before suddenly realizing—these cherry preserves were not made by her.
A trace of bitterness swiped across his heart, and he couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It was his delusion. And rightly so; how would Yiyi make food for him now? It was his insatiable greed and wishful thinking.
Taking a deep breath, he smiled along with her. “Good. Then don’t forget.”
She escorted Gu Zhen all the way to Suzhang Gate, and couldn’t help but remind him, “Bixia must not fool this concubine.”
“Rest assured, We will go arrange it right now.” Gu Zhen looked back, staring at her for a moment longer before turning and striding away.
In the distant sunset, a formation of wild geese flew past, constantly flapping their wings, embellishing the unextinguished setting sun.
Gazing toward the west, Zhao Yiyi’s lips turned upward, and she couldn’t help but start laughing.
Mancao asked curiously, “What is it that makes Niangniang smile so happily? Niangniang, tell us quickly so we can be happy too.”
Zhao Yiyi tilted her head to look at her and said urgently, “Go pack the luggage quickly!”
Mancao became confused. “Where is Niangniang going?”
“Back to the Western Capital to have a look.” Zhao Yiyi looked up at the setting sun, her pupils reflecting the heavy light.
Mancao was startled and asked, “When will Niangniang go?”
Zhao Yiyi said, “Wait until the last ten days of the month, then go.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but put her hands behind her back and kick a pebble on the blue bricks. She kicked it twice before remembering this behavior wasn’t quite proper, and stopped with flushed cheeks.
But the thought of returning to Chang’an soon, being able to offer incense at the ancestral graves for her grandfather, grandmother, and mother, then resting for a night in her own courtyard, seeing the willow colors of Baqiao and the cloud-piercing pagodas—it made endless pleasure breed in her chest.
Zhao Duanduan, who had been educating Zhao Ah-Huang on the side, heard this and hurriedly gathered around. “Sister, where are you going?”
“Back to Chang’an.” Zhao Yiyi touched her head, a hint of apology on her face, and said warmly, “Sister can’t accompany you for your birthday. When Sister comes back, I’ll make it up to you, okay?”
Zhao Duanduan pouted, feeling a bit depressed for a moment. She reached out to hug her, burying her head in the crook of her shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s the same no matter when we celebrate.” Anyway, her birthday on the day before the Dragon Boat Festival was given by her grandparents; if her sister changed the date, it wouldn’t make any difference.
Hearing her muffled voice, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help but smile. She reached out to pat her back and said softly, “Bixia said just now that on the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, he will select a titled lady to preside over it for you. Remember to be obedient and sweet with your words.”
Zhao Duanduan nodded vigorously. “Sister, I know. Don’t worry.”
Dinner was laid out on the table. Just as they were about to move their chopsticks, the female official sent to deliver things to the Huai’an Marquis Manor returned.
Zhao Yiyi put down her chopsticks and asked softly, “How is the manor? Did Brother say anything?”
The female official shook her head and whispered, “Niangniang, this servant did not see the Shizi today. I heard from the people in the Shizi‘s study that he went to Lanruo Temple on West Hanging Mountain today.”
“What did he go there for?” Zhao Yiyi’s brows furrowed sharply. Zhao Weimin and Lady Xu had been sent by her to Lanruo Temple to pray. Could her brother have gone to visit the two of them?
At the thought of this guess, her face instantly became unpleasant, gloomy enough to wring water from.
The female official replied, “The page boy said that Miss Zuo wanted to visit the Marquis of Huai’an and Lady Xu, and the Shizi escorted her there.”
Zhao Yiyi’s brow twitched, and her breathing stagnated for an instant.
This answer was even more unacceptable to her than the previous guess.
She asked almost in disbelief, “He escorted Zuo Lianzhi to Lanruo Temple?”
With no elders at home, if younger siblings wanted to travel, it was perfectly normal for the elder brother to escort them. Anyone else she wouldn’t care about, and indeed felt it was proper—but it absolutely could not be Zuo Lianzhi.
No matter how important the reason, it was not acceptable.
She couldn’t accept it.
Her mother had said she was stubborn, and Gu Zhen had said she had a mulish temper, but no matter what anyone said, she just couldn’t accept it.
The female official also knew about the complicated lawsuit of the Huai’an Marquis Manor and knew that Empress Niangniang was not on good terms with her stepmother and stepsister. As soon as she heard the news, she knew things would go wrong, and she had prepared herself for Niangniang’s anger on the way back.
She stiffened her neck and nodded. “Yes. This servant confirmed repeatedly; the Shizi did indeed escort Miss Zuo there.”
Zhao Yiyi’s face was unsightly. Before she could say anything, Zhao Duanduan reddened her eyes in anger first. “How could he do that!”
Lightly tapping the table a few times, Zhao Yiyi lowered her eyelids slightly. After a long while, she said indifferently, “Go to the Marquis Manor again tomorrow. If Brother has returned, tell him: if he still remembers Mother, he should understand what he is doing.”
The female official respectfully responded yes.
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