NFBE Chapter 25 Prince Chen is all about rules
Chapter 25 Prince Chen is all about rules
Zhao Yunzheng quickened his pace and soon arrived at Xu Jiaojiao's side. Before he could speak, Xu Jiaojiao obediently bowed and said, "This concubine greets Your Highness!"
Compared to the excitement and liveliness of the others, Xu Jiaojiao was excessively quiet.
She didn't make any unnecessary movements, her eyes were filled with an irrepressible gleam of anticipation.
Women in the inner quarters rarely had the opportunity to go out, so dragon boat races were nothing new to Zhao Yunzheng, but for them, they were quite novel and interesting.
Xu Jiaojiao's unconscious eagerness made Zhao Yunzheng unable to suppress a smile.
With so many people, the servants of the Prince's Mansion had prepared four carriages that were already waiting outside the mansion gate.
Zhao Yunzheng never cares about others' opinions when he acts.
He took Xu Jiaojiao's hand and led her to the first carriage.
The expressions on the faces of the remaining people were incredibly varied.
But since Prince Chen didn't speak, no one dared to approach him.
So the princess and her concubine Bai Yiru boarded the second carriage, the two secondary concubines boarded the third carriage, and the remaining concubines pitifully squeezed into the fourth carriage.
The carriage drove away and soon arrived near Taiping Lake.
Although she hadn't seen Taiping Lake yet, Xu Jiaojiao could already hear the sounds of laughter from the surging crowds.
She gently lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside.
Outside the carriage, the streets were bustling with people, all smiling as they thronged towards Taiping Lake, or browsing through various stalls, making the whole street lively and vibrant.
Seeing her longing, Zhao Yunzheng couldn't help but look out at the street: "Jiaojiao, have you ever come to Taiping Lake to watch the dragon boat races before?"
Xu Jiaojiao's eyes suddenly dimmed.
She lowered her head in self-consciousness, nervously clutching the handkerchief in her hand: "I've never been here before. Since I can remember, I've worked as a maid in various wealthy households. If I hadn't become the prince's concubine, I'm afraid I would never have had the chance to see this dragon boat race in my entire life..."
Zhao Yunzheng's gaze fell on Xu Jiaojiao, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
In his eyes, Xu Jiaojiao was like a roadside flower, delicate yet resilient, enduring the trials of wind and rain, yet still striving to grow.
Despite suffering greatly herself, she remained tolerant of everything, and even when she was constantly suppressed and framed, she maintained a kind and strong heart.
It's likely that her extreme caution stemmed from the immense suffering she endured, which became an instinct she developed.
Compared to the pampered women in the inner quarters who had been spoiled since childhood, Xu Jiaojiao was far more pure and kind.
A girl like Xu Jiaojiao, if she hadn't become his concubine, could probably have married an ordinary man who admired her and lived a peaceful life...
He gently placed his large hand on Xu Jiaojiao's small hand, which was tightly gripping the handkerchief, and said softly, "It's alright. I will accompany you to see it every year from now on."
Xu Jiaojiao looked up in surprise, her eyes slowly reddening. She couldn't believe that she would be cared for like this one day.
After a moment, she sniffed and smiled shyly, "Your Highness, you must keep your word!"
Seeing Xu Jiaojiao's blushing cheeks, Zhao Yunzheng was deeply moved and said softly, "Of course I keep my word."
……
On the second carriage.
The princess and Bai Yiru remained silent.
As they approached Taiping Lake, Bai Yiru suddenly broke the silence: "Sister, what do you think of Madam Xu?"
The princess, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them and calmly looked at Bai Yiru: "What does my sister want to say?"
The princess didn't respond to the question but instead asked a counter-question, to which Bai Yi remained calm and composed, as if she hadn't heard anything.
She smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "According to the rules, you should ride with the prince. Now, Xu Jiaojiao, a mere concubine, is occupying the carriage that should belong to you. I just feel sorry for you."
The princess glanced at Bai Yiru, her eyes revealing a faint disdain and indifference, saying nothing yet conveying a thousand words.
An invisible pressure caused Bai Yiru's smile to gradually disappear, and her hands, which were tucked into her sleeves, unconsciously tightened.
Just as she was about to look away, unable to bear it any longer, the princess smiled gently and said, "In the Prince Chen's residence, the Prince Chen is the rule. Who can ride with the prince depends on the prince's mood. You and I are both the prince's women, so naturally we should prioritize the prince. What is there to say about what is right or wrong?"
Sister, please don't say such things again in the future.
Bai Yiru nodded obediently: "Sister is right."
Despite this, Bai Yiru inwardly scoffed.
Which woman in the inner quarters doesn't want to be the sole recipient of Prince Chen's favor? Now that there are only the two of them in the carriage, why does the Princess Consort need to put on such a magnanimous and dignified act? It's rather irritating.
In the palace.
Zheng Antong leaned against the soft footstool, watching intently as the wet nurse wrapped the zongzi: "The prince likes to eat fresh meat zongzi, so wet nurse, please stuff more meat into the zongzi."
The wet nurse chuckled, "This zongzi already has a lot of meat in it. If you stuff any more in, it'll turn into a meatball."
The thought that Prince Chen would remember her kindness upon seeing the zongzi made Zheng Antong smile shyly.
She couldn't help but glance in the direction of Mingqian Courtyard: "Wet nurse, Taoxiang, don't you think the Prince's mansion is unusually quiet today?"
Tao Xiang's expression changed slightly: "This servant does not know."
Zheng Antong immediately noticed her unusual behavior and sat up straight: "Speak! What happened?!"
Tao Xiang trembled and knelt down...
Upon learning that Prince Chen had taken all the women from the inner quarters to watch the dragon boat race, leaving her alone in the mansion, Zheng Antong burst into tears.
She shoved the rice dumplings out of the basket: "What's the point of wrapping them now! The prince despises me so much, what good are rice dumplings!"
The wet nurse sighed softly and picked up the basket from the ground: "How can everything in life go smoothly? The concubine has only stumbled once. How do you know that she will not have a chance to get back up?"
Besides, the shores of Taiping Lake are crowded with people; perhaps some ignorant commoner might offend a noble person from your household. What do you say, Your Highness?"
Zheng Antong's body stiffened.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, her eyes blazed with intense joy…
……
Half an hour before the dragon boat race was to begin, Taiping Street was bustling with people, strolling around in twos and threes.
Zhao Yunzheng walked slowly along the bustling street with his wives and concubines.
The women in the inner quarters rarely went out, but after getting off the carriage, they were immediately drawn to the endless stalls.
The princess remained calm, keeping a respectful distance from Zhao Yunzheng, as they walked together toward the viewing pavilion that had been prepared on the lakeshore.
Xu Jiaojiao and the other concubines followed obediently behind Prince Chen and his wife, strolling leisurely with light steps.
Zhao Yunzheng would occasionally glance back at Xu Jiaojiao.
Seeing her looking around like a curious cat, Zhao Yunzheng found her adorable from the bottom of his heart, unlike the other concubines who were running wild like stray dogs released from their cages.
As Zhao Yunzheng walked, he turned around again and found that Xu Jiaojiao, who had been following him not far behind, was gone!
He paused, "Where's Xu Jiaojiao?"
Everyone looked at each other.
Everyone went off to stroll around and enjoy themselves, and no one noticed that someone had suddenly disappeared.
As for the shadow guards who were secretly protecting Prince Chen, in such a crowded and chaotic situation, their eyes were naturally fixed on Prince Chen, and no one would pay attention to a mere concubine.
Zhao Yunzheng frowned, his expression turning fierce: "Find someone!"