The dock was too crowded to be a good place for catching up.
I invited the siblings to my residence as guests.
Situ You looked around, "Didn't Uncle Wang come to pick you up?"
"He did, but he went aboard to find Mother. Let's go. It's not late, they won't be back until deep into the night." As for Big Brother, he was surely in his study at the other villa at this time. I'll ride back in your carriage."
The royal carriage was not only comfortable but also spacious, easily accommodating four people. Nannan pestered me with questions about foreign customs and traditions, and the journey was far from dull.
We chattered all the way back home, and as soon as I stepped out of the carriage, I froze.
His Highness the Crown Prince, who was busy with state affairs, why would he suddenly appear at my home? I wished I could turn and run, but given his noble status, I had no choice but to steel myself and bow, "Your Highness, may you be well."
The Crown Prince looked at me strangely, probably because I had become so tanned. After a long moment, he spoke, "There's no need for such formalities outside the palace. I've come to see Aunt Qing today."
"Mother probably won't be back until night. Your Highness, if it's important, perhaps you could find her on the ship?"
"It doesn't matter. I can come back tomorrow."
I immediately changed my tune, "Actually, this humble maiden can relay the message."
"No need. You wouldn't understand."
I: ...
I felt ashamed of my own presumption, having actually fantasized that he had come for me when I first saw him.
Over there, the Crown Prince had already started lecturing Situ You. This fellow had skipped class and was punished by his elder brother with three essays. Heaven knows, this guy was all brawn and no brain; he got a headache at the sight of words. Three essays would keep him busy for days.
It was girls like Sui Sui who were favored. She pestered her elder brother with a few sweet words and sent him on his way.
Sui Sui is truly my little lucky star. I went to the kitchen and asked them to prepare a few more hearty dishes for her.
After traveling all day, Ah Xiu had two large buckets of hot water prepared for me to wash off the road dust. Fortunately, Situ You was already familiar with my home. They could play freely even when I wasn't around. So I had someone take An Yishi to her accommodations and then immersed myself in the bath filled with flower petals.
Although it was fun outside, living on the ship was truly agonizing.
Firstly, a bath like this was a luxury.
I scrubbed myself until my skin was almost peeling off. My body was fine, but my face was truly dark. I held up my skirt and compared it against the full-length mirror for a long time, eventually deciding on men's clothing. Ah Xiu let out a sigh of relief as she put down the cosmetics.
Situ You returned to the palace after dinner. He had to write his essays. Before leaving, he declared that he was being punished for my sake, and his gifts would need to be double to compensate for his suffering.
Sui Sui, on the other hand, announced that she would stay at my place for two days.
This little girl must have set her sights on Mother's collection of storybooks again.
Two days later, Her Majesty the Empress summoned me to the palace to keep her company. Sigh, ever since that incident, I felt apprehensive whenever I heard about going to the palace. However, His Highness the Crown Prince had already taken charge of state affairs. During the day, he shouldn't be in Changning Palace, right?
The Empress's eyes crinkled with a smile when she saw me, "Xiao Er told me, and I didn't believe him, but Nannan has indeed become so dark. Qinghua, quickly fetch my whitening prescription! If you go out looking like this, how can you be considered a lady of refinement?"
I was dejected, "Your Majesty, Nannan can actually wear men's clothing."
"How can that be? You'll come of age next year. If you wear men's clothes every day, how will you find a suitor?"
"Uh..."
That subject made me feel guilty, "Your Majesty, Nannan is not in a hurry."
"You're not in a hurry to marry, but you should settle down sooner, shouldn't you? Otherwise, all the good men will be snatched up. Come here." The Empress beckoned me to sit beside her. "Nannan, what do you think of Xiao Er?"
Xiao Er is Situ You's childhood name. I was startled and quickly knelt properly, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. His Highness the Second Prince is of noble status, how could I possibly be worthy of him?"
Besides, the Crown Prince and I...
My head ached. How could the Empress have such a terrifying idea?
The Empress reached out and pulled me up, "Oh, my child, aren't we just having a casual chat? Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly, the floor is so cold."
The floor wasn't cold, but my heart was freezing.
The Empress, however, was not giving up, "Status is not an issue. Let me ask you, Nannan, what are your feelings towards Xiao Er...?"
"Your Majesty, please be assured, Nannan has absolutely no ulterior motives towards His Highness the Second Prince."
"Alright." The Empress expressed her regret. "Nannan, do you know who Xiao Er likes?"
Situ You has someone he fancies?
But it made sense. He was a bit older than me. In ordinary families, men would already have several concubines, let alone him being a prince. I honestly shook my head, "Your Majesty, Nannan has just returned to the capital and truly doesn't know His Highness the Second Prince's recent whereabouts. How about this? Shall Nannan find a way to help you inquire?"
We grew up together, so I would definitely be more open when speaking with him than with elders.
I thought I could handle this task.
But the Empress shook her head, "There's no rush. However, Nannan, if you find someone you like, remember to tell me. I will arrange it for you."