Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Can Zhi’er Grow a Bunch of Little Buns?
Bai Zhi’er listened and swiftly responded in her childish voice.
"How could that be? Just a few days ago, Zhi’er ate them; the oranges hanging on the branches were icy sweet~"
Having said that, she tugged her brothers and headed towards the Orange Garden.
However, what met their eyes were patch after patch of bare branches.
Although the Orange Garden was not small, looking around, where was there a single orange?
Bai Zhi’er pouted: "How strange~"
The branches stretched out, clawing like wild dragons.
The fourth son, Bai Daoyan, frowned and reminded: "Sister, walk slowly, don’t let the tree branches scratch your face."
Bai Zhi’er walked with small steps, running to the only Nuan Pavilion outside the Orange Garden.
Each garden has a pavilion for the distinguished guests to rest while enjoying the scenery.
The Orange Garden is no exception.
However, perhaps because the Orange Garden was neglected, the paint outside the Nuan Pavilion was peeling, and the whole house seemed dilapidated.
Bai Zhi’er remembered that day when the handkerchief loosened a bit, she saw Brother Juzi’s house, clearly freshly painted, looking brand new!
At this moment, a little eunuch came running from outside the garden.
"Servant greets Your Highness the Princess, and greets Your Highness the Princely Heir!" he exclaimed in panic, kneeling and kowtowing.
The third son, Bai Yaoyu, turned around, looking annoyed.
"Are you the little eunuch guarding the Orange Garden? Where did you run off to just now, leaving your post without permission?"
The little eunuch trembled all over and explained: "Servant went to the privy, beg His Highness the Princely Heir for forgiveness."
He kowtowed loudly.
On Bai Zhi’er’s face, her adorable little eyebrows furrowed, her big dark, watery eyes looked at him.
"Stretch out your hand and let me see~"
The little eunuch was puzzled but silently complied.
Bai Zhi’er stepped forward, blinking her long lashes as she inspected.
Hmm~ not Brother Juzi.
Brother Juzi’s hand felt distinctly bony and had long fingers.
The fingertip of his index finger had very thin calluses.
Every time he wrote on her palm, it tickled!
Bai Zhi’er waved her hand: "You should get up~"
The little fellow put her hands on her hips, cutely scowling and asked: "Why are there no oranges here? Is it because you didn’t take good care of them, not giving them water, or food!"
The little eunuch was shocked and hurriedly protested his innocence.
"Your Highness the Princess, this Orange Garden has been here since the former dynasty, but after the Emperor ascended the throne, this garden has long been abandoned."
"Because the only well in the garden dried up, it was difficult to water, and the nearest well is across two palaces."
"Over time, fetching water became inconvenient, so these orange trees no longer bear fruit. We’re just waiting for the Imperial Affairs Bureau to request permission from the Emperor to clear this area and plant new fruit trees."
The eldest son, Bai Xuanmo, chuckled softly, glancing sideways: "Little Ball, didn’t brother tell you the truth? There are no oranges here. If you want some, brother will start planting them for you this year, and I promise you’ll eat them next year."
Bai Zhi’er puffed up her cheeks, her little face full of thought, her big watery eyes blinking lightly.
Hmm, it seems there must be other orange trees in the palace.
Brother Juzi can sneak tasty fruits for her to eat.
When there’s time, she’ll go find them well!
Bai Zhi’er waved her little hand to let the little eunuch leave.
She wandered in the garden with small steps.
Watching the little fellow seriously inspecting the place, the fourth son, Bai Daoyan, couldn’t help but laugh: "Sister, what are you looking at?"
"Hmm, I’m thinking, if this place is dug up, what kind of trees should be planted?"
She blinked her big eyes and curiously asked: "Can Zhi’er plant lots of little buns? Plant them today, and harvest lots of buns next year!"