The two walked side by side, their pace much faster than ordinary people, and soon they caught up with Princess Zande.
About four meters ahead of them walked Shen Xiaoyan and her group.
After entering the main gate, there was a bluestone path lined with various trees on both sides. The trees had not yet sprouted leaves, so their species were unclear.
At the end of the bluestone path was the gate of the Four Oceans House.
Above the gate hung a plaque with three grand characters written in a vigorous calligraphy: "Four Oceans House."
Jiang Yubao stopped at the gate and looked up at the plaque for a long time before smiling at Yi Zhixie. "Master Grand Tutor, the name of this residence is rather novel. I wonder what it signifies."
Yi Zhixie chuckled softly. "I just wrote it casually; it doesn't mean anything."
Knowing that Yi Zhixie did not wish to elaborate, Jiang Yubao wisely did not press further.
Upon entering the main courtyard, Sima Han and Yi Zhixie led Jiang Yubao into the living room to be seated. A servant had already thoughtfully served tea.
As for Shen Xiaoyan and the others, they went directly to the back courtyard through the second gate.
When Shen Xiaoyan reached the second gate, she suddenly remembered that Princess Zande was following behind.
Turning around, she indeed saw Princess Zande trailing behind.
"Princess, why are you not seated in the living room? This is the inner residence behind. Does the Princess also wish to take a look?"
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question, Princess Zande replied naturally, "The Grand Emperor sent this Princess here precisely to see the living quarters of the Grand Tutor and A'han. If I don't see it, how can I report back to the Grand Emperor? Moreover, I am not an outsider man. Is there anything I cannot see?"
Shen Xiaoyan smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Since the Princess wishes to see, then let us go."
With that, she turned and continued to walk inside.
Upon entering the back courtyard, following Shen Xiaoyan and the others, they wound through various turns, passed through gardens, and skirted numerous courtyards, finally stopping before a large gate.
Princess Zande looked up at the building above the gate. It bore three characters: "Qingliang Zhai."
At this moment, she heard Shen Xiaoyan say, "This is the residence of the Emperor's fifth son. The Princess can go in and have a look."
Princess Zande was taken aback. Was she being asked to go in by herself?
Were Shen Xiaoyan and the others not planning to lead the way?
Thinking of this, Princess Zande's face darkened slightly. Shen Xiaoyan was truly going too far.
Just then, Yue Qingxin stepped forward. "I will escort the Princess inside to have a look."
Only then did Princess Zande's expression soften, and she walked in with Yue Qingxin.
Baili Ziyun dreaded being in Shen Xiaoyan's presence the most. Seeing Princess Zande go in, she hurried to follow.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others waited outside for about fifteen minutes, and then several people emerged together.
Looking at Princess Zande's face, Shen Xiaoyan smiled gently. "I wonder if Princess Zande is satisfied with what she has seen?"
Princess Zande looked at Shen Xiaoyan. Seeing Shen Xiaoyan's radiant smile, like a blooming flower, she found it exceptionally dazzling.
"It's fine."
After a moment of silence, Princess Zande managed to utter these two words.
Lin Xiaowei, standing behind her, secretly rolled her eyes. Her tone was quite confident.
Previously, when she had accompanied Princess Zande to the Princess's mansion, it wasn't even this good.
"Let's continue. Next, we will see the Grand Tutor's residence. It's not far, just ahead."
With that, Shen Xiaoyan led the group forward.
Indeed, they did not walk far. Within about fifteen minutes, they arrived at Tangli Xuan.
Na Muzhong had not come along, so no one led Princess Zande inside.
Princess Zande also signaled with her eyes at Shen Xiaoyan and the others, asking them to lead her in for a look. However, Shen Xiaoyan and the others seemed not to notice, turning their gazes elsewhere.
Having no choice, Princess Zande had to enter and look around by herself.
The courtyard was quiet, with not a soul in sight.
None of the rooms were locked. Princess Zande, along with Baili Ziyun and Lin Xiaowei, toured the courtyard and quickly exited.
At this point, Princess Zande's face had become quite displeased.
In the palace, she had personally heard Yi Zhixie say that he lived in a horse farm he had bought previously.
However, from entering the main gate to now touring two courtyards, looking at the scenery and layout of the residence, and observing the furnishings and decorations, how could any of it not be exquisitely crafted and immensely valuable?
If this was a horse farm, then her own princess's mansion would hardly even qualify as a pigsty!
As Princess Zande harbored these thoughts, Shen Xiaoyan spoke up.
"Why does the Princess's face look so unhappy? Do you find this courtyard too simple?" Shen Xiaoyan said as she slowly walked towards Princess Zande.
Approaching Princess Zande, Shen Xiaoyan sighed. "Princess, do not be angry. How can we compare to you? You have been a princess for decades, so naturally, your attire and provisions are all refined. Our desires are not high; we merely seek sustenance."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zande gritted her teeth.
This place was even more luxurious and opulent than the Forbidden City, yet they claimed to merely seek sustenance.
She finally understood why Shen Xiaoyan had been so accommodating today.
It turned out she had been waiting for this moment.
Lin Xiaowei listened to Shen Xiaoyan's words, an unreadable gleam flashing in her eyes.
Shen Xiaoyan was truly not being polite to Princess Zande at all.
But where did her confidence stem from?
Before, in the small place of Baiyun Peak, it was understandable. Heaven is high, and the Emperor is far away.
Now, they were within the imperial city, near the capital.
Princess Zande's greatest backing was here, yet why could Shen Xiaoyan treat her with such an attitude?
Now, Princess Zande remained silent for a long time, clearly intimidated by Shen Xiaoyan.
Or perhaps, she was unwilling to have a direct confrontation with Shen Xiaoyan.
It seemed that the secrets between them were of great importance.
"Is the Princess tired? If not, shall we also take a look at the remaining courtyards belonging to us?" Shen Xiaoyan continued to ask.
Although her tone was as calm as ever, it felt like a chilling breeze to Princess Zande's ears.
Shivering slightly, Princess Zande forced a stiff smile. "No need. This residence is clearly very comfortable. It is indeed worthy of the Grand Tutor. I will not make any further unnecessary gestures."
Shen Xiaoyan shrugged indifferently upon hearing this. If she knew it was unnecessary, then what was she doing earlier?
Not wishing to dwell on the matter with Princess Zande, Shen Xiaoyan simply turned and said to Huo Ying, who had been following, "Escort the Princess to the front courtyard."
Huo Ying bowed in acknowledgment and walked to Princess Zande's side to pay his respects.