"Zhang Zimei," Ye Qingcheng called to her.
Hearing her name, Zhang Zimei looked up and saw a girl in luxurious clothing walking towards her.
Ye Qingcheng walked up to her and squatted down to meet her gaze.
Then she looked her up and down.
Seeing the few copper coins in her hand, making even eating a problem.
Then she took out her own purse, "I just saw your performance, it was very wonderful, but I forgot to give you some performance fee, so I'll give you some silver!"
Saying that, she gave her some silver from her purse.
Zhang Zimei looked at the silver, a little dazed, "You... why are you helping me?" Actually, she understood that Ye Qingcheng wasn't someone who forgot and specifically came back to give money.
Ye Qingcheng pondered for a moment, "Hmm... how to say it! Perhaps... we are fated!"
Zhang Zimei looked at her, watched her get up and leave. Only when her back could no longer be seen did she put away the money.
Perhaps, she could have a good meal today. But why did her vision blur more and more, until water flowed from her eyes, and then her sight returned to clarity.
Her parents died, she did not cry. Her siblings were killed, she did not cry. Her home was destroyed, she did not cry. Now, looking at the silver, she cried. Perhaps a little kindness in the world gave her the courage to cry!
On the bustling street, people walked and stopped, watching this girl, disregarding her image, cry out loud in the crowded street.
Seeing that the weather was good, Ye Qingcheng decided to stroll around a bit longer, after all, girls' shopping time is not fixed.
When she got tired, she would find a tea house to rest.
There was a storyteller in the tea house, which was exceptionally lively.
As soon as Ye Qingcheng found a seat, she heard a loud crash, and the storyteller exclaimed "Yo ho!", drawing everyone's attention.
"Esteemed patrons, today we will talk about the Regent, Xiao Wangye." Then he slapped the storyteller's block, "Pa!"
Ye Qingcheng paused, put down her teacup, and listened to how the storyteller spoke of Xiao Wangye.
"Speaking of this Xiao Wangye, his appearance can be described as so terrifying that ghosts and gods would fear him. He has three faces, very wicked, and a very large mouth. Alas~ some people ask how big. So big that it can swallow a child's head."
At this moment, a child was scared and ran into his parents' arms.
"And speaking of the Regent Xiao Wangye's eyes, tsk tsk tsk, they are as big as lanterns!"
*Pfft!* Ye Qingcheng couldn't hold it in and sprayed out her tea.
"Those lantern-sized eyes can stare a child to death, so you must never stare into his eyes. It is said his arms are very muscular, strong enough to be invincible, and can crush an egg with a single squeeze."
Ye Qingcheng heard the gasps of the surrounding crowd.
Ye Qingcheng felt very uncomfortable. She never expected the storyteller to slander Xiao Wangye like this. To say he was wicked, but she liked it.
"It is also rumored that his legs are broken, which is why he is always in a wheelchair. This is..."
Ye Qingcheng listened with great interest when suddenly a sound interrupted, and a group of soldiers burst in.
The soldiers pushed the customers, and the shopkeeper came out, "Oh! Officer sirs, we are just small business people, what's wrong... Alas~"
The soldiers didn't want to listen to his explanation, and pushed him aside, "I am just following orders. We are to take this person away." The soldier pointed at the storyteller, "Take him away."
With a wave of the soldier's hand, several people behind him escorted the storyteller away.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the soldiers and recognized one of them as Xiao Wangye's subordinate.
Looking at him, Ye Qingcheng narrowed her eyes. She didn't expect Xiao Wangye's influence to be so great that he could even mobilize people from the army.
It was truly terrifying!
There was nothing else interesting to see today, so Ye Qingcheng went back.
As soon as she returned to her chamber and lay down, Xiao Wangye arrived.
"Prepare yourself, there is a family banquet tonight."
Ye Qingcheng lifted her head from the quilt, "Huh? Family banquet? What family banquet?"
Xiao Wangye didn't say anything more, just left Lin Xiao to watch her and prepare well.
Thus, Lin Xiao and Ye Qingcheng stared at each other, until Bi Xi came out to rescue the princess, "The princess needs to return her clothes. Commander Lin Xiao, please leave."
Lin Xiao had no choice but to close the large door.
Ye Qingcheng was confused, "What family banquet?"
Bi Xi was surprised, "Does the princess know? At this time every month, there is a family banquet in the palace, and this time, it is hosted by the Emperor... no, by the Empress Dowager. It's probably to reward the Prince."
"Reward the Prince?"
Ye Qingcheng twitched her lips.
Bi Xi nodded, "Yes. After the former Emperor passed away, the Emperor was young, and the Prince held great power. Every time he returned after handling court affairs in the palace, it was probably because they felt the Prince had worked hard, so they wanted to reward him."
Ye Qingcheng smiled and shook her head, "Silly Bi Xi, do you know why the Prince handles court affairs, no matter how late it is, and still has to come back?"
Bi Xi did not understand.
Ye Qingcheng changed her clothes and sat in front of the mirror to put on makeup, "That is to give the people in the palace a sense of security. They are just a group of orphans and widows. If the Prince wanted to rebel, they would have no choice but to yield. As for this family banquet, whether it is sincere or a Hongmen Banquet, we will know once we go."
Bi Xi still didn't quite understand.
Ye Qingcheng finished her makeup and looked at herself in the mirror, becoming more beautiful each time. She really liked it.
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and asked, "Bi Xi, you said the family banquet is held in the palace every year. Who hosted it in previous years?"
Bi Xi thought for a moment, "It was the former Emperor!"
Ye Qingcheng twitched her lips. As expected! The women favored by the Emperor were either foolish sweethearts or green tea bitches.
Clearly, the Empress Dowager was the former.
Bi Xi didn't understand why the princess asked, "Princess? Is there a problem?"
Ye Qingcheng snapped back to attention, "Ah! Oh! It's nothing, I was just asking."
When Ye Qingcheng went out of the room, Xiao Wangye's carriage was already prepared.
There wouldn't normally be a carriage from the Prince's mansion to the Imperial palace family banquet, as Xiao Wangye's father's generation was already several generations ago.
However, Xiao Wangye had lived in the palace since he was young. After the death of the former Emperor, Xiao Wangye became the one holding great power, so his father was also present at this family banquet.
When Ye Qingcheng pushed Xiao Wangye into the grand hall, she heard the sound of laughter and joy from inside.
Ye Qingcheng raised her eyebrows. This seemed different from what she had imagined.
Then she heard a voice from near to far, "Ancestor, little ancestor, slow down, don't fall."
A tender voice rang out, "No, I don't want to, Uncle Emperor is coming, I'm going to meet Uncle Emperor."
Suddenly, the child bumped directly into Xiao Wangye's arms.
Ye Qingcheng took a closer look. The child was wearing a dragon robe, likely the Emperor.
It seemed the Emperor was quite afraid of his Uncle Emperor, and cautiously emerged from his uncle's embrace, not daring to look at him.
Seeing this, the nanny hurried forward to bow, "Your servant greets the Regent, and the Regent's Consort."
Xiao Wangye nodded to signal her to rise, then looked at the Emperor, "So restless, what is this conduct?"
The child lowered his head and whispered, "Uncle Emperor, I was wrong."