Chapter 33

Chapter 33

No one had ever seen Xue Song like this before and couldn’t help but want to laugh. However, thinking they shouldn’t disturb Nuo Er and A Tong’s conversation, they all stifled their laughter.

Shen Weiqing was shaking with suppressed laughter, and Shen Weiyan, afraid his brother would laugh out loud, shot him a warning glance and gestured to the side, signaling him to move away.

Shen Weiqing, also fearing he couldn’t hold it in, complied and moved away, weaving around the pillars and running along the wall to a farther spot.

Shen Zhinuo, focused on chatting with A Tong, didn’t notice her second brother’s sudden departure, knowing he could never sit still.

Hearing that her cousin was fine, Shen Zhinuo let out a sigh of relief and relaxed back into her aunt’s arms, nestling into a comfortable position, her voice brimming with pride: "I told you my cousin is the best brother in the world."

The system replied in a monotone: "Young Master has a keen eye for people."

Seeing the little girl chatting with A Tong again, everyone held back their laughter, took their seats, and once again listened intently.

Shen Weiqing ran to the corner, quietly chuckled for a moment, and then, afraid of missing any important information, crept back, squeezed in between his two brothers, and sat on the bench.

At this moment, everyone was sitting in a long row on the bench, sat in silence.

Princess Lanzhen noticed that the servants passing by the courtyard kept glancing their way and immediately grew wary.

No, they couldn’t let anyone notice anything unusual. With so many people in the courtyard, who knew who was the emperor’s spy.

Princess Lanzhen exchanged a meaningful glance with her daughter and glanced at the busy servants in the courtyard. Princess Huayue understood, got up, walked to the hall entrance, and quietly instructed the maid.

The maid curtsied and left, soon returning with some snacks and tea, followed by two old women carrying a small table, placing it in front of everyone. The maid set out the snacks and tea on the table, poured tea for everyone, and then silently retreated.

On a spring evening, with a gentle breeze, everyone ate snacks and drank tea, seeming carefree and at ease to onlookers.

Shen Zhinuo, however, wasn’t hungry and waved off the pastry her sister offered, continuing to ask: "Pup, what happened to my cousin after that? Is he still alive?"

The system continued: "Xue Song went out to look for the consort, searched for a while but couldn’t find him. Midway, he received a letter from Princess Lanzhen saying that Princess Huayue had an accident and asked him to contact the consort to return home quickly."

"Xue Song couldn’t continue searching for his father and hurried back, rushing home as fast as he could, but still arrived too late. When he got home, he found his sister was already gone and discovered that your family had also met with misfortune."

"Needless to say, he was devastated. He sent more people to search for the consort while assisting his mother with his sister’s funeral. He also used all available resources to investigate the truth and contacted the ministers who originally supported the crown prince, trying to clear your family’s name."

"However, with the crown prince’s downfall, most of those ministers, fearing the uncertain situation, chose to protect themselves and didn’t dare to step forward. By the time Princess Huayue was buried, there was still no progress, and Xue Song hadn’t even managed to meet the Old Emperor."

Hearing all this was exhausting enough. Shen Weiyan and Shen Weiqing both patted their cousin’s shoulder.

Shen Zhinuo: "Then did my cousin go after us later?"

The system: "Yes, after the funeral, Princess Lanzhen and Xue Song took most of the princess’s guards to chase after your family. Later, they escorted your family back to the capital, buried them, and then Princess Lanzhen fell ill and soon passed away."

Shen Zhinuo: "Did my uncle never return?"

The system: "No, even after Princess Lanzhen’s funeral, the consort never appeared."

Shen Zhinuo: "What about my cousin in the end?"

The system: "First, his sister was gone, then his uncle’s family was tragically killed, followed by his mother’s death. With his closest relatives all gone, and during this time, the 11th Prince and the Empress also met with misfortune, under such continuous blows, Xue Song, not yet of age, had his hair turn mostly white. Months of running around, not eating or sleeping well, his body also collapsed."

"But he couldn’t rest yet, because the consort was still missing, so he, disregarding his mourning period, went out again to search for the consort."

"Who would have thought he would encounter a large group of powerful bandits on the road, who not only robbed but also killed. Xue Song, along with the dozens of guards from the princess’s mansion he took with him, were no match for them and all fell under the bandits’ swords."

Hearing about this death and that death, everyone was already accustomed to it, but hearing this still couldn’t help but sigh, all feeling sorry for Xue Song.

Shen Zhinuo also sighed: "Ah, my cousin was such a good person, yet he's gone too."

"My grandfather always says Daxuan is peaceful and stable, but look, there are still such ruthless bandits. But system, do you think those bandits were really bandits?"

The system replied, "That is unknown."

A Tong said he didn’t know, but Princess Lanzhen and the others all felt that it was probably just as Nuo Er suspected—those people weren't real bandits at all.

Xue Song himself was skilled in martial arts, and the princess’s guards were also top-notch. If they had encountered ordinary bandits, how could they have been wiped out so easily?

Shen Zhinuo asked again, "If they couldn't win, didn’t my cousin reveal his identity?"

The system carefully reviewed the plot: "The plot indicates that Xue Song revealed his identity, but those people showed no regard for it."

Shen Zhinuo clenched her fist: "They are utterly inhuman."

Princess Lanzhen and her son exchanged glances, both harboring two suspicions. One was that those people feared Xue Song might come back to settle the score with them later. The other was that those people were specifically targeting Xue Song.

Shen Zhinuo asked, "So my uncle was never found?"

The system replied, "Even after Xue Song’s death, the consort never appeared."

Shen Zhinuo sighed inwardly: "Ah."

The once close-knit family was now entirely gone, leaving Shen Zhinuo feeling a sense of loss, her chubby little face scrunching up like a bun.

Seeing the little girl's furrowed brows, Princess Lanzhen, concerned that she might be tired from chatting with A Tong all morning, spoke up: "Nuo Er, the flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully, and it's not too sunny now. Why don’t you go play with your sisters for a while? Auntie will prepare dinner, and tonight we'll have your favorite Longjing shrimp and carrot stewed lamb."

Princess Wen'an stood up and walked over, taking her sister’s chubby little hand: "Nuo Er, let's go see the flowers."

Shen Zhinuo couldn't think of what to ask next, so she obediently nodded her little head: "Okay, let's see the flowers."

Princess Lanzhen smiled, placing the little girl on the ground and patting her chubby little bottom: "Go on, but don’t run too fast."

Princess Wen'an then looked at Princess Huayue and Xue Wan: "Big sister, A Wan, are you coming?"

Before they could answer, a woman who appeared to be a stewardess approached, holding a basket. She first bowed to everyone, then said: "Princess, Steward Zhu from the southern estate came to settle accounts today and brought a few little rabbits, saying they're for the little princess to play with."

Hearing this, Shen Zhinuo's eyes lit up, her little voice filled with joy: "Nuo Er wants to see the bunnies!"

Princess Lanzhen smiled and said, "Alright," then instructed the stewardess a few steps away: "Bring them over quickly, let the little princess see."

Before the maids could step forward, Princess Huayue had already run over, taken the basket and brought it over.

The four little girls gathered in a circle, squatting on the ground. They opened the coarse cloth covering the basket and saw four fluffy white bunnies inside, squirming around, utterly adorable.

The little girls exclaimed in delight, all of them loving it.

Princess Wen'an reached out and touched one, very happy: "So soft! Big sister, I want one."

Princess Huayue smiled, picking up the one Princess Wen'an had touched and placing it in her hands: "Perfect, there's one for each of us. This one's for you."

Princess Wen'an hugged the bunny: "Thank you, big sister."

Princess Huayue also smiled, moving the basket closer to Shen Zhinuo: "Nuo Er, you pick first."

Shen Zhinuo didn't hesitate, reaching out her chubby little hands to grab the fattest one: "Nuo Er wants this one, it's the meatiest."

Everyone thought the little girl just found the fattest one more comfortable to hold, and they all laughed, saying Nuo Er was clever. But then, the little girl added: "Nuo Er likes to eat bunnies."

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then erupted in laughter.

Shen Weiqing, leaning on his knees and bending over to watch the scene, immediately laughed so hard he couldn't straighten up when he heard his little sister's words. He poked her chubby little face and said, "Nuo Er, you little glutton, you even want to eat such a cute little bunny."

The plump little girl, clutching the chubby bunny, lifted her short leg to kick Shen Weiqing: "Last time, mom made rabbit, and you ate the most of it."

It was the braised rabbit meat their mother had made, so fragrant and delicious. She only had a few pieces and hadn't had her fill when her mother stopped her, saying it wasn't good to eat too much. Most of that tender, fragrant braised rabbit meat ended up in her second brother's belly, and now he dares to laugh at her.

Worried that Little Dumpling might fall, Shen Weiyan squatted down, encircling her with his arms, and smiled as he comforted her, "Nuo Er, don't be angry. It's just that the bunny is still too young; it needs to be raised for a while. If you want to eat rabbit meat, we can have the imperial kitchen prepare it, and mom can cook it for you."

Shen Zhinuo, leaning in her big brother's arms, nodded: "Then Nuo Er will raise it first and eat it for the New Year."

Everyone laughed again. Xue Song also squatted down, touching the little bun on Little Dumpling's head: "Nuo Er, no need to wait until the New Year. The bunny can be eaten after raising it for two or three months."

Shen Zhinuo, who had never raised a rabbit before, thought it would take a year, like raising a pig. Hearing this, she grinned so widely her eyes disappeared: "Okay."

There were two rabbits left in the basket. Princess Huayue looked at Xue Wan: "A Wan, you choose."

Xue Wan modestly declined: "A Jie, you choose first."

Knowing her nature, Princess Huayue picked up the slightly larger one and placed it in Xue Wan's arms: "Take it. When it's plump, we'll roast it."

Xue Wan carefully cradled the little bunny, her eyes sparkling with joy: "Thank you, A Jie, but I want to keep it, not eat it."

Princess Huayue: "It's yours. Eat it if you want, keep it if you like. It's your call."

The little girls, each holding a rabbit, were full of curiosity, chattering away.

Princess Wen'an also wanted to keep hers, so she moved beside Xue Wan with her rabbit, and the two discussed how to raise it and what to feed it.

Princess Huayue and Shen Zhinuo, both food enthusiasts, huddled together, discussing how to cook the rabbit when it grew up.

Princess Lanzhen, accompanied by the three boys, watched with amusement. After a while, preoccupied with the messy and confusing matters, she didn't disturb the little girls. She instructed Coral and the others to look after the children and then led the three boys into the hall.

Princess Huayue noticed her mother and brothers had left. Seeing it was getting late, she rose, "A Wan brought the peach blossom pastries she made herself. Shall we go and try them?"

Xue Wan, delighted that her sister remembered the pastries she brought, nodded eagerly: "I made them this morning with freshly picked peach blossoms and added honey."

Princess Wen'an and Shen Zhinuo naturally agreed, saying it was a good idea.

So the group of little girls, holding their rabbits, hurriedly walked out of the courtyard.

Coral picked up the basket with the rabbits and followed with the others.

Princess Wen'an, seeing her sister struggling to hold the rabbit with her little round hands, asked, "Nuo Er, shall I hold it for you?"

Shen Zhinuo shook her head: "Nuo Er will hold it herself."

Although she liked to eat rabbit meat, the fluffy little bunny was also very comfortable to hold.

Princess Wen'an laughed. Looking up, she noticed Princess Huayue and Xue Wan had already walked ahead, chatting. She called out to them, "A Jie, A Wan, slow down, let's wait for Nuo Er."

The little sisters stopped, turned back with a smile, and everyone adjusted to Shen Zhinuo's pace, strolling to Princess Huayue's courtyard.

Princess Huayue instructed the maid to bring water. The four of them put the rabbits back into the basket Coral was carrying and went to wash their hands.

While they were washing their hands, Princess Huayue glanced at the food box on the table and quietly signaled Qing Shuang with her eyes.

Qing Shuang understood, took out a silver needle, and carefully checked the box of pastries behind everyone's back. After covering the box, she nodded to Princess Huayue, indicating everything was fine.

Princess Huayue smiled slightly, feeling relieved.

It wasn’t that she distrusted Xue Wan.

It was just that Xue Wan had brought this box of pastries from the Xue family, and she wasn’t sure if anyone else had handled it.

Earlier, when they left for their mother’s courtyard, Qing Shuang and Fei Xue had also followed, and this box of pastries had been left here for so long. Now, who knows what kind of mischief might be lurking in their home? She wasn’t comfortable, so it was better to check first. Fortunately, everything was fine.

"Come on, let’s have some snacks," Princess Huayue called her younger sisters over after everyone had washed and dried their hands.

Princess Wen’an helped her younger sister onto a chair, and Princess Huayue opened the lid of the food box, taking out the plate of pastries.

On the white porcelain plate sat two layers of pink peach blossom-shaped pastries, exquisitely crafted and beautifully colored.

Princess Huayue recalled her earlier coldness toward Xue Wan and felt a pang of guilt. She threw an arm around Xue Wan’s neck and said with a smile, "A Wan, your skills are really improving."

Hearing her sister’s slightly exaggerated tone, Princess Wen’an caught on and joined in the praise, "It’s just as good as what the imperial kitchen makes."

Xue Wan was a good kid, and naturally, Shen Zhinuo was eager to praise her pastries, clapping her little hands, "The flowers are so pretty! Nuo Er wants to eat them."

Seeing her sister and the two young princesses enjoy them, Xue Wan was both happy and a little overwhelmed. She gestured invitingly, "Please try them. If you like them, I’ll make more next time."

Shen Zhinuo didn’t hesitate. She reached out her little hand, picked up one, and took a bite.

Soft, crispy, and sweet—utterly delicious. The little girl’s eyes lit up as she mumbled, "So good."

Xue Wan’s smile widened, and she eagerly urged Princess Wen’an, "Princess, please try one too."

"Alright," Princess Wen’an smiled, took one, bit into it, and nodded enthusiastically, "It’s really delicious."

Princess Huayue had always trusted her cousin’s skills, but her two cousins had grown up in the palace and had seen all kinds of delicacies, especially Nuo Er, who was quite picky. So, she had been a bit worried at first that it might not suit their tastes. Now, seeing them both rave about it, she smiled happily.

Xue Wan, excited, clasped her hands and looked at Princess Huayue, "Sister, you try one too."

Princess Huayue took a piece, ate it, and patted Xue Wan’s head, "Next time you come, make some more for me."

Xue Wan smiled and agreed.

After finishing her first piece, Shen Zhinuo grabbed another. Princess Wen’an ate slowly and asked between bites, "A Wan, how did you make these?"

Xue Wan smiled and replied, "This morning, I went to my garden to pick peach blossoms..."

Usually, in front of strangers, Xue Wan was somewhat timid and spoke little, but when it came to her specialty of pastries, the little girl immediately became articulate and spirited, as if she had transformed into a different person.

Xue Wan spoke animatedly, and the little girls listened intently.

After Xue Wan finished speaking, she realized that everyone was looking at her. She blushed slightly and whispered, "Next time, I’ll make more for you."

Princess Huayue took the opportunity to tease, "Making it two or three times is fine, but don’t overdo it like before."

Xue Wan shyly covered her face, and the three young princesses all laughed.

---

In the princess’s courtyard.

Princess Lanzhen asked, "A Yan, are you leaving the palace now because your father and mother have something to tell you?"

Shen Weiyan replied, "Nothing special, it’s just that Nuo Er and the others are here, and my mother asked me to come over to see if there are any new developments."

Princess Lanzhen nodded, "Just as well, A Song has also just returned, so I’ll tell you both together."

Princess Lanzhen recounted the conversation between the little girl and A Tong before they returned to the mansion, concluding, "Xue Song, the matter with Ning Er is most likely the doing of Third Uncle Xue and Madam Chen."

Xue Song's face darkened, "Father has always been good to Third Uncle Xue. Why would he be so heartless?"

Princess Lanzhen shook her head, "I don't know. Ask your dad when you see him; perhaps he knows."

Shen Weiyan asked, "Aunt, where did Uncle go?"

Xue Song also looked at his mother, "Yeah, Mom, why did Dad suddenly leave and stay away for so long?"

Princess Lanzhen glanced at her son before looking at Shen Weiyan, "At first, your uncle told me not to tell anyone, but given the current situation, I won't hide it anymore."

Shen Weiqing urged anxiously, "Aunt, what exactly was Uncle up to? Why all the secrecy?"

Princess Lanzhen looked at her two nephews, "Your uncle wanted to create a detailed map of all of Daxuan."

Prince Consort Xue Zhiyong was a talented painter, and his work was incredibly lifelike.

Both Shen Weiyan and Shen Weiqing knew this, but they hadn't expected him to have such grand ambitions, and they both praised, "Uncle really has big ambitions."

Only Xue Song, after a moment of silence, asked, "Mom, why did Dad suddenly decide to draw a map?"

Princess Lanzhen replied, "Your dad wanted to present it at the Emperor's birthday next year."

Shen Weiyan and Shen Weiqing both nodded, "Grandpa will definitely be thrilled."

Xue Song pressed further, "Why does Dad want to give Grandpa a map?"

Princess Lanzhen sighed, "Your dad wants to pull some strings to get you a job in the capital."

Xue Song thought to himself that it was indeed so, and he sighed, "But I don't want to be an official. I'm happy just running around and doing business."

Princess Lanzhen said, "I told him the same, but your dad thinks it would be a waste of your talents if you didn't become an official."

Xue Song was very helpless, "Dad lives like a free spirit; he doesn't want to be an official, living easy and free. Why does he think I want to be one?"

Princess Lanzhen explained, "Your dad just wants to do his duty as a father by getting you a favor. It's up to you whether you take it; he won't force you."

Xue Song was momentarily at a loss for words, and after a moment of silence, he sighed again, "Dad should have talked to me first. He doesn't have any real skills, just running off like that; how can anyone feel okay about it?"

Shen Weiyan and Shen Weiqing exchanged glances, both understanding.

Even though Daxuan isn't as hard on merchants as the last dynasty, they've always been at the bottom. It makes sense Uncle would think that way.

Shen Weiyan said, "Aunt, when our family was in trouble, Uncle went out on business. Could he have been scouting for the map?"

Princess Lanzhen replied, "It should be so."

Shen Weiqing asked, "Uncle's been gone so long; could something bad have happened to him?"

Princess Lanzhen nodded, "Just now, when A Tong said your uncle hasn't come back, I thought the same."

If he was okay, he wouldn't have been out of touch this long, or ignored her and Ning Er's deaths, or let Xue Song search for him in vain.

Xue Song's face was tense, "Mom, when Dad gets back, I'll have a real talk with him. No need for the map anymore, and he shouldn't go out again."

Shen Weiyan deeply agreed, "Right now, safety is key. Aunt, you should talk to him too. As for Cousin becoming an official, maybe it's better to wait a bit."

If Dad becomes Emperor, then Cousin becoming an official won't be an issue.

Shen Weiyan didn’t spell it out, but everyone present understood his meaning.

Princess Lanzhen nodded, "Of course. Nothing matters more than keeping our family safe."

Everyone agreed on that.

Xue Song added, "Mother, starting today, I’ll go out less. Since Nuo Er has reminded us, from tomorrow, we’ll check the whole house carefully."

Princess Lanzhen replied, "I was thinking the same."

Shen Weiqing said, "We’ll stay here for a few days. When there’s nothing to do, I’ll take Nuo Er around to meet more people."

Princess Lanzhen said, "Nuo Er is still so young. We don’t want to wear her out. We should handle the investigation ourselves first."

Shen Weiyan, however, shook his head, "Even the best-hidden things leave clues, but for things that haven’t happened yet, there’s no way to investigate. It would be faster to let Nuo Er take A Tong to check people’s faces."

Princess Lanzhen said, "I’m just worried about tiring Nuo Er."

Shen Weiyan replied, "Nuo Er cares about our family too. She wants A Tong to check more people. Weiqing and Hui Er can keep an eye on her later. If Nuo Er gets tired, just stop her and let her rest."

Shen Weiqing said, "Don’t worry, big brother. I’ve got it under control."

After chatting for a while longer, a maid came to tell them that the meal was ready and asked if they should serve it now.

Shen Weiyan then stood up to bid farewell, "Aunt, I can’t stay out too long. I need to return before the palace gates are locked, so I won’t stay for dinner."

Princess Lanzhen didn’t push, "Alright, Song Er, go send off A Yan."

Shen Weiyan and Princess Lanzhen bowed to each other, and then he hurried out, returning to the palace.

After Shen Weiyan left, Princess Lanzhen had the maids call the girls over, and then they served the meal.

After the meal, Xue Wan said goodbye to everyone. Princess Huayue offered to escort her to the main gate, and Shen Zhinuo, holding her sister’s hand, also went along to see her off.

The four young girls, each holding their own rabbits, walked together to the main gate of the princess’s mansion.

Outside the gate, Princess Huayue held Xue Wan’s hand, and the two sisters talked with reluctance.

Princess Huayue repeatedly instructed, "In a few days, I’ll come to pick you up. Tell your aunt that this time you’ll stay longer, and pack what you need ahead of time."

Xue Wan nodded repeatedly, "Alright, then I’ll bring my pastry molds and make pastries for you every day."

Remembering Princess Huayue’s earlier joke about getting sick of eating pastries, the young girls all laughed, and Shen Zhinuo’s little round belly shook as she laughed.

Princess Huayue gestured to the little rabbit in Xue Wan’s arms and added, "If your aunt doesn’t let you keep this rabbit, just say it’s mine and that you’re keeping it for me."

"I remember," Xue Wan nodded with a smile, bowed to them, and then got into the carriage with her little rabbit.

After getting into the carriage, she pulled back the curtain and kept waving to them until the carriage turned the corner and disappeared.

After seeing Xue Wan off, the three young girls, each holding their own rabbits, returned. They played for a while, and then Princess Lanzhen told them to wash up and get some rest.

Shen Weiqing went to sleep with his cousin Xue Song. After bathing and changing into nightclothes, the young girls all piled onto the couch in Princess Lanzhen’s room.

Princess Huayue started causing a bit of trouble until Princess Lanzhen stood by the couch with a feather duster in hand, and the three young girls finally closed their eyes and lay down properly.

After a long, noisy day, the children were tired. They closed their eyes and soon fell asleep.

The three beautiful young girls slept side by side in the same direction, looking so sweet, especially Nuo Er, who was curled up into a chubby ball, both charming and adorable.

Princess Lanzhen watched for a while, then gently sat by the bed, tucked them in, and kissed each one before returning to her own bed to sleep.

As soon as the lights went out, a maid whispered from outside, "Princess, have you gone to bed?"

Princess Lanzhen asked softly, "What is it?"

The maid replied in a low voice, "Princess, Thirteen Brother has come and is adamant about seeing you."

Thinking of the things Thirteen Brother had secretly done to Fourteenth Brother, Princess Lanzhen frowned, "Tell him I've already gone to bed and won't see anyone."

The maid's tone was helpless, "Princess, the steward already told Thirteen Brother that, advising him to come back tomorrow if he has any business. But despite repeated attempts to persuade him, he won’t budge. Thirteen Brother is blocking the entrance, insisting on seeing you now. He even said that if you don't see him, he’ll camp out at the gate all night."