Chapter 51
After saying this, Lu Dieqing bit her lip, very apprehensive and nervous.
Now the pressure was on Zheng Xuening.
She had gotten addicted to teasing the little white rabbit, and her mouth had gotten ahead of her. Now she was in a difficult position.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to sleep in the same bed.
But between her and the doll, only one could be awake.
If she was nearby, the doll would have no spirit. Given how much this girl cared for the little doll…
No matter how slow Lu Dieqing was to react, over time, she would realize something was wrong.
Moreover, given her current situation, Zheng Xuening thought of the situation that had not yet been completely cleared up, and her heart became extremely calm.
She still had things to do.
Lowering her eyes to look at the girl, Zheng Xuening’s gaze softened a little, a faint smile on her face.
“There’s no rush. That day will come. I’ll put it on your tab for now.”
After saying this, she smiled and watched Lu Dieqing, observing her reaction.
The latter had turned into a completely red little apple.
What does she mean, that day will come…
In her heart, she clearly felt that the Crown Princess couldn’t possibly mean that, but she was still shy, always feeling that the other might, just might, mean that.
Sob, sob, sob, how annoying!
Lu Dieqing was so ashamed and annoyed she wanted to jump into the other’s arms.
Zheng Xuening, however, looked at her seriously. “Or if you want to cash it in now, this Princess doesn’t mind either.”
Lu Dieqing’s body stiffened. Her teeth inexplicably itched, and she wanted to bite Her Highness again.
But her gaze fell on the gauze wrapped around the Crown Princess’s wrist, and she silently retracted the thought.
At the side, Matron Zhang pretended to be a wooden statue, not listening, not looking, not speaking.
For a while, she couldn’t figure out what Her Highness meant.
In any case, she would have to pay more attention to this Miss Lu in the future. No matter what the situation, the other was someone Her Highness held on the tip of her heart.
After lunch, Lu Dieqing returned to her quarters in a daze.
On the way, Matron Zhang accompanied her, personally seeing her off.
Lu Dieqing noticed that Changning Palace was surrounded by imperial guards. The atmosphere was very grim, as if any petty thief who dared to break in would be killed without mercy.
She even saw, on a high point, imperial guards with crossbows, ready and waiting.
Lu Dieqing’s attention was drawn to this, and she took a couple of extra looks. Matron Zhang, at her side, spoke up.
“Miss Lu, please don’t be alarmed. After the incident with the Second Prince, the Son of Heaven was furious. He now values our Highness, which is why he has people protecting her like this.”
Matron Zhang was not a talkative person. In the past, when managing the palace staff of Changning Palace, she wouldn’t say much.
But towards Lu Dieqing, perhaps because she knew her Highness’s attitude, the more she looked at this girl, the more she liked her.
“Right now, Her Highness has a lot on her plate and is spread thin. It’s inevitable that she can’t look after you, Miss Lu. When she is free, she will definitely spend a lot of time with you.”
Lu Dieqing’s lips parted, wanting to say that she didn’t need the Crown Princess’s company.
For some reason, after the Crown Princess’s sky prison incident, there seemed to be a few more secret ties between them.
A part of her, in this life-and-death crisis, had fallen into the Crown Princess’s heart.
The Crown Princess had said she wanted her to repay her by warming her bed, but every time, she had let her off lightly.
It seemed that it was more of a joke, that she was just teasing her.
Lu Dieqing came to her senses and slowly understood this.
—So next time Her Highness teases me, I don’t have to be afraid.
As long as I act even less shy than Her Highness, Her Highness will become shy!
Seemingly thinking of the sight of the Crown Princess being made shy by her, a brilliant smile bloomed on Lu Dieqing’s little face, a little bit of eagerness in her eyes.
This smile made even Matron Zhang a little dazed, a trace of unconcealable amazement flashing in her eyes.
In terms of looks alone, this Miss Lu was truly unique in the Chaoying palace. There was no one more worthy of her Highness.
And in terms of character, Miss Lu was kind and pure. The way she had run over when she heard Her Highness had woken up was a genuine display of emotion, without a trace of falsehood.
Matron Zhang felt that she was old and might not be able to accompany Her Highness for much longer. But if she could see Her Highness have a confidante in her lifetime, if she really couldn’t hold on and had to leave in the future, her heart would be a little more at ease.
At the corner of the side-palace ahead, Matron Zhang, thinking that they were almost there, said to Lu Dieqing, “Starting tomorrow, you will be going to the Caiyun Academy. Even with a sedan chair to pick you up, the road is too far. You will have to wake up early. This old servant takes the liberty of asking your family to move to Yunxi Hall. The main hall there is empty and has always been maintained by servants. Everything is ready for you to move in, and it’s closer to the academy.”
After saying this, Matron Zhang observed Lu Dieqing’s expression.
The latter was dazed, not even having understood what Matron Zhang had said.
She had lived in this side-palace with her parents since she was born and had almost gotten used to it.
All her neighbors were hostages from other neighboring countries. Although they were not as close as brothers, they got along peacefully.
When one of them had a difficulty, everyone would lend a hand.
And now, Matron Zhang was actually asking her and her parents to move to another place?
This was truly unexpected.
Lu Dieqing didn’t dare to make a sound.
Moving was a big deal. She didn’t dare to make the decision herself.
Matron Zhang saw Lu Dieqing’s constraint, smiled soothingly, and persuaded her, “Miss Lu, don’t worry about this. This old servant will discuss it with your parents. I’m telling you in advance to give you a heads-up.”
She had been in the palace for so many years and was best at figuring out people’s thoughts, knowing how to speak to put people at ease.
Hearing her say this so leisurely, the apprehension in Lu Dieqing’s heart instantly dissipated by more than half.
As long as she could discuss such big matters with her parents, she would be much more at ease.
Matron Zhang saw this and couldn’t help but smile.
In any case, she was doing all this for her Highness.
The person Her Highness held on the tip of her heart was the person she, Matron Zhang, held on the tip of her heart. She could not be neglected.
Matron Zhang followed Lu Dieqing into the side-palace. Lu He and Bai Ming had been waiting at the door. Seeing the movement, they quickly craned their necks and came out to welcome her.
When they saw Matron Zhang, they both froze.
Where is Qingqing?
Lu He’s eyes searched anxiously, but when she saw Lu Dieqing walking out from behind Matron Zhang, the stone in her heart suddenly dropped, and she relaxed.
Lu He rushed forward, took Lu Dieqing’s hands, and said to her, “You’re back. It’s good that you’re back.”
This was clearly a sign that she had been worried that Lu Dieqing had entered a den of dragons and tigers and would not return.
Now, seeing her daughter back in one piece, she was finally at ease.
Matron Zhang saw Lu He’s worry for her daughter. She didn’t show it on her face, but she knew in her heart that her Royal Highness’s reputation in the eyes of others was not good. She was not an approachable person, which was why Miss Lu’s parents were so worried.
Matron Zhang pulled a smile, her etiquette perfect.
She knew in her heart that if she wanted Miss Lu and her Highness to become closer, the key was her parents. She had to make them let go of their wariness.
