Chapter 12
Su Yao watched Rong Yang’s departing back. After a moment of silence, her brows and eyes faintly swept over Banjian, who was kneeling on the ground, and she said, “Get up.”
Banjian stood and waited respectfully before Su Yao.
“Since she said so, then let’s go take a look.”
Rong Yang rather admired her own wit and acting skills. Holding it in the whole way, she kept a dark expression as she quickly returned to Jinxiu Hall. After dismissing Chunxi and the others, she amused herself for quite a while.
When Xiaqing came to look for Rong Yang, Chunxi stopped her outside.
“What is it?”
“I advise you not to go in right now. The princess is currently furious,” Chunxi whispered.
“What happened?”
“The princess consort is attending her family banquet tomorrow and isn’t bringing her. After the princess came out of Fanghua Hall, her expression looked awful. Once she returned, she drove us all out.” Chunxi described it vividly.
Xiaqing frowned. “All right.”
But then she thought again. “No, this matter of mine is very important. If I don’t report it in time, the princess will definitely blame me later.”
“Then go.” Chunxi waved her hand, indicating there was nothing she could do. She added quietly, “Take care of yourself.”
Xiaqing was just about to knock.
With a creak, the door opened.
Rong Yang walked out from inside, looking full of energy, and instructed, “Go to the garden. Chunxi, have someone prepare some light wine and snacks.”
“Ah, yes, Princess.” Chunxi froze.
Xiaqing hurriedly followed and reported as she walked, “Princess, the hidden guard following Li Qianqian’s side came to report that Li Qianqian wants to meet you.”
Rong Yang abruptly stopped, slightly surprised. So the original owner was even a stalker? The other party had already cut ties with her, yet she still sent people to follow her at all times!
“How many hidden guards from the residence are over there?”
“Ten. They protect her safety at all times.”
“Withdraw them. From now on, there is no need to bother with that side.” Rong Yang’s eyes held no emotion as she continued walking toward the garden.
“Yes. Then should you meet her?” Xiaqing asked carefully.
“No.”
The sunlight was warm and gentle, casting mottled shadows through the leaves. The Princess’s residence’s storehouse was in the eastern courtyard. The entire courtyard was like a small palace, and this so-called storehouse was the courtyard before them.
Outside, eight heavily armed guards stood watch along with Mama Sun, who managed the keys to the storehouse courtyard. When they saw Su Yao appear at the courtyard entrance, Mama Sun stepped forward to welcome her.
“Princess Consort, this old servant has been waiting for some time.”
“Mm. Lead the way,” Su Yao said lightly.
Many towering trees were planted in the courtyard. The hall was high, wide, and spacious, splendid and magnificent, with eight carved beams and embroidered pillars standing inside.
This wealth, unique to the imperial family, was so extravagant that it left one amazed.
The entire hall glittered with pearls and jewels, filled with all kinds of jade and treasures. Banjian lowered her head and did not dare look around too much.
“Pardon this old servant for asking too much, but does the princess consort already have anything in mind that you would like to give?”
Su Yao opened her mouth. “Just choose two small and exquisite items.”
“All right, this old servant understands.” Mama Sun smiled politely. “Then Princess Consort may look around as you please. This old servant will go prepare them.”
Su Yao nodded.
“What did you steal that got you punished and sent to the stables?” Su Yao asked carelessly.
“A white jade porcelain spoon,” Banjian replied.
“Not worth it…” Su Yao’s eyes brightened slightly. “Next time you steal, steal from here.”
Banjian shook her head.
Su Yao did not understand.
“This servant has found something more important than life, so I will not steal again,” Banjian said, her eyes reflecting Su Yao’s puzzled expression.
“What is it?”
“It is you.” Banjian bit her lower lip and said firmly.
In the original book, this conversation had also appeared, only in a different scene, at a different time.
At that time, Su Yao had held her hand and returned her trust.
But now…
Su Yao gave a mocking laugh, turned her back, and continued walking among the room full of jewels. “You’re handing over your life just like that?”
“This servant is sincere. I am willing to be loyal only to the princess consort. Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it, without a second word.” Banjian’s words were earnest, her posture humble. Within her lowered eyes, a faint, strange darkness could vaguely be seen.
“Heh. I am currently trapped in a mire. This little bit of sincerity of yours means nothing to me.” Su Yao glanced sideways at Banjian.
“You appearing before me was not a coincidence, was it?” Her voice was neither heavy nor light, but it made the humble person behind her stop breathing for an instant.
There were many kinds of evil in this world. Rong Yang was one kind, but what kind Banjian was, Su Yao could not see clearly.
If she was after wealth, then Su Yao had already brought her to the richest place in the residence. Whether she could obtain anything would depend on her own ability. But if it was for something else…
“Princess Consort has misunderstood. I only remember your life-saving kindness from back then and have no way to repay it, except with this worthless life.” Banjian’s voice carried unconcealed urgency as she hurriedly knelt.
“Then properly clean Fanghua Hall and do not fantasize about anything else. Otherwise, that life of yours will truly be gone.” The corners of Su Yao’s lips lifted slightly. Since Banjian wanted to stay, then she would continue watching.
The person behind her clenched her palm. “This servant will respectfully obey Princess Consort’s teachings.”
“Princess Consort, the gifts have been chosen.” Mama Sun smiled as she presented two exquisite brocade boxes.
Banjian cautiously accepted the gifts.
When they walked out of the storehouse courtyard, dusk had already dyed the horizon red. Su Yao’s steps were light as she crossed the corridor. A breeze swept up crabapple blossoms and sent them drifting before her eyes.
“You go back first.”
“Yes.” Banjian left with the congratulatory gifts.
Su Yao stopped beneath the corridor where the crabapple petals had drifted past, motionless as she stared at the red-stained sky in a daze.
Beneath the crabapple tree, Rong Yang lifted a jade porcelain cup and took another sip of wine. At first, it had been somewhat harsh on the throat, but now the more she drank, the smoother it became. The wine fragrance was rich. Not bad.
After being worried and frightened for so many days, the plan had finally made progress.
It was worth celebrating.
“Princess, drinking harms the body,” Chunxi reminded from the side.
“Mm, it’s fine.” Rong Yang picked up a green grape and placed it in her mouth, then drank another cup.
Chunxi glanced at Rong Yang, who was already half drunk, then looked around and saw that everyone nearby had been dismissed. For some reason, her head began to ache. How was she supposed to help this ancestor back later? When the princess was drunk, she could really make trouble.
After a while.
“Princess, Princess, the sky is already dark. Why don’t we return?” Chunxi asked.
Rong Yang struggled to open her eyes, nodded, and supported herself up. She even walked a few steps steadily.
But as she continued walking, she began to lose her balance and nearly dragged Chunxi, who was supporting her, down to the ground with her.
Chunxi could only grit her teeth and support Rong Yang unsteadily as they walked toward Jinxiu Hall.
In a daze, someone approached from ahead. Chunxi hurriedly set Rong Yang down and, before she could clearly see the person’s face, called out, “Quick, come help support the princess.”
Su Yao’s figure stiffened, and she stopped.
Rong Yang slightly opened her eyes. As if possessed, she straightened her body and walked on weak legs to stand before Su Yao.
“Su Yao?”
“Why are you here? Did you come to drink too?”
Chunxi had just caught her breath when she heard the voice and looked up. Why was it the princess consort?
“Greetings, Princess Consort. The princess is drunk. I was helping her back.”
“Mm.” Su Yao was about to turn and leave, but the person before her grabbed her arm.
Just as Su Yao wanted to shake her off, Rong Yang’s body suddenly pressed close.
In an instant, it was as if even space froze. Su Yao’s eyes widened. Rong Yang had fallen solidly into her arms, her head leaning against Su Yao’s shoulder. Her wine-scented breath scattered over the skin of Su Yao’s neck, making Su Yao frown hard.
She tried to push her away, but the drunk person held her tightly and could not be pushed off at all.
Su Yao closed her eyes and spoke in a voice as cold as frost.
“Let go.”
Rong Yang seemed to be frightened by those words and actually let go.
“Pull her away,” Su Yao gritted out.
Chunxi hurried forward to support Rong Yang.
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