SFS Chapter 140 Heading to the Phoenix Palace
Chapter 140 Heading to the Phoenix Palace
He Mingyan rushed to the gate of He Mingning's palace like a gust of wind. Her steps were hurried, her skirts fluttering, and her face was full of anxiety. As soon as she stepped over the high threshold, her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings and instantly caught sight of Li Mama and Cui'er standing to the side.
When Li Mama and Cui'er saw He Mingyan arrive suddenly, they were taken aback. They hurriedly knelt down and respectfully bowed to He Mingyan.
At this moment, He Mingyan was extremely anxious and didn't care about these formalities. She couldn't wait to ask, "Granny Li, tell me quickly, is my eldest sister here?" Before she could finish speaking, she had already rushed towards the inner room like an arrow.
Seeing this, Cui'er, who was following behind, dared not be negligent in the slightest and quickly turned around to instruct the maid beside her to serve He Mingyan tea. Li Mama, on the other hand, replied with a smile and respectfully, "Second Princess, you have come at a very inopportune time. My mistress has just left."
Upon hearing this, He Mingyan's heart sank, and she lost all interest in even taking a sip of tea. Like an ant on a hot pan, she anxiously pressed, "Where did my eldest sister go? Does she know about Lord Fan's matter?"
Hearing He Mingyan's urgent inquiry, Granny Li couldn't help but ponder. She thought that the Second Princess must have heard about what happened at the morning court session and was worried about the princess, which was why she rushed over to find out the news. Thinking of this, Granny Li quickly replied, "Your Highness, my mistress learned about this early this morning and then hurriedly left the palace with Lan'er."
He Mingyan's beautiful face was filled with confusion, as if she were a completely bewildered monk. Her large, bright eyes were full of surprise, and her lips parted slightly as she asked in astonishment, "Leaving the palace? Eldest sister actually left the palace? May I ask what brings you here?"
Standing to the side, Granny Li appeared calm and composed. She gave a slight curtsy and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, the matter is like this. Our princess learned of the trouble that had befallen Lord Fan, and she was so worried, her heart was in turmoil. She was so concerned that she rushed out of the palace to visit him. She has just sent word back that Lord Fan is well and unharmed. Your Highness will first visit the Duke of Zhenguo's residence this afternoon, and then return to the palace with the Third Princess tonight."
After hearing Li Mama's words, He Mingyan's expression relaxed slightly. She nodded gently and replied, "Oh, I see. That's wonderful. Since my elder sister isn't in the palace, I won't bother you any longer. I'll take my leave now." With that, He Mingyan resolutely turned around and walked slowly towards the palace gate with light but firm steps. Her graceful figure appeared exceptionally charming in the sunlight, like a beautiful painting.
By this time, He Mingyan's figure had gradually faded into the distance, becoming increasingly blurry until it completely disappeared from sight. Watching that figure vanish, Cui'er turned her head, her large, bright eyes looking at the old woman beside her, and then softly said in a voice as gentle as a breeze across a lake, "Old woman, you see, the Second Princess must be worried that the Princess might be bullied outside, so she specially came to check on her!"
Granny Li stood there with a kind expression, motionless like a quiet sculpture, listening intently to Cui'er's endless narration. As Cui'er's words flowed, a faint smile gradually appeared on Granny Li's face, which was etched with the marks of time, a smile as warm and gentle as a flower blooming in spring.
She nodded slightly, indicating her agreement and approval of what Cui'er had said. Then, Granny Li slowly extended her slightly withered but still gentle right hand and gently tapped Cui'er's little head as if a gentle breeze were blowing. At the same time, a hint of reproach flickered in her eyes as she softly said, "Do you really need to tell me that, little girl? The Second Princess and our Princess are sisters, inseparable! Their sisterly bond is incredibly deep, and the Second Princess's care for our Princess is heartfelt and without a trace of pretense! So, how could the Second Princess not be worried when she knew our Princess might be bullied? But now that she knows the Princess is alright, she's no longer concerned. Alright, alright, stop standing here like a wooden post, let's hurry back to the palace, that's the important thing. As long as our Princess can continue to be safe and sound, that's far more comforting and satisfying than possessing any treasure in the world!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Granny Li, without the slightest hesitation, reached out and gently took Cui'er's delicate, tender hand. The two of them walked side by side, in unison, slowly stepping forward into the magnificent Yu Ning Palace.
Cui'er appeared exceptionally well-behaved and sensible, nodding slightly and softly replying, "Mm." Then, she carefully followed behind Granny Li, step by step, as if afraid of getting lost if she wasn't careful.
Meanwhile, He Mingyan, accompanied by Yanzi and Xiaotao, didn't rush as before, but leisurely walked towards her palace. Before long, they returned to her Jade Beauty Palace. Upon entering, He Mingyan walked calmly to the table and elegantly sat down in the exquisite chair. Seeing this, a palace maid quickly stepped forward and poured her a cup of fragrant tea. He Mingyan gently lifted the cup with her slender hand, brought the rim to her lips, and began to sip slowly.
Seeing this, Xiao Tao, standing to the side, was filled with doubt. She quickly stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Princess, why aren't you worried about the Eldest Princess at all? We don't know how the Eldest Princess is doing, yet you can still sit here so calmly and leisurely drinking tea!" Hearing Xiao Tao's question, He Mingyan slowly put down her teacup, looked at Xiao Tao with gentle eyes, and smiled faintly. Then, she turned to Yanzi beside her and said with a smile, "Yanzi, you tell Xiao Tao the reason."
Swallow understood immediately, nodded slightly to Xiaotao, and asked with a smile, "Then let me ask you, why was our master in such a hurry to find the eldest princess just now?" Faced with this question, Xiaotao looked blank, shook her head, blinked her big, bright eyes, and replied in confusion, "Is that even a question? Of course, it's because she was worried that the eldest princess would be frightened!"
Yanzi smiled sweetly, her voice as clear and melodious as a silver bell, and said coquettishly, "Oh dear, what's the situation now? Have we seen the eldest princess?" Xiaotao, standing beside her, looked completely bewildered and replied softly, "We haven't seen the eldest princess at all. Doesn't that make us even more anxious and restless?" He Mingyan smiled slightly and shook her head gently, as graceful as a flower swaying in the wind.
Seeing this, Yanzi's curiosity grew even stronger, and she quickly asked, "So, where exactly did the eldest princess go?" Xiaotao blinked, thought for a moment, and then replied, "Didn't she say she was going to find Lord Fan?" As she said this, she suddenly seemed struck by a flash of inspiration, her whole body frozen in place, a look of sudden realization crossing her face, her eyes fixed intently on Yanzi and He Mingyan. Seeing this, He Mingyan could no longer contain her laughter, giggling and teasing, "Now you finally understand?"
Xiao Tao nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, her excitement overflowing. She eagerly exclaimed, "I understand! I understand! The eldest princess must have rushed off to find Lord Fan because she was worried about him. If that's the case, then it means the eldest princess didn't encounter anything terrible or get frightened at all. So, we don't need to worry about it at all, right, Your Highness?" He Mingyan's lips curled slightly, a sly glint in her eyes, and she replied playfully, "Hmm, not bad, not bad at all! Your little brain has finally opened up!"
Xiao Tao's cheeks flushed crimson, like ripe apples. A little embarrassed, she reached out and gently scratched her head, a slightly upturned smile revealing a shy yet sweet expression. She whispered, "Hehe, I'm so grateful to Sister Yanzi and the princess this time! If it weren't for your guidance, I'd probably still be completely lost." With that, her large, watery eyes looked at He Mingyan and Yanzi with gratitude.
Hearing Xiao Tao's words, He Mingyan smiled gently, glanced at Yanzi, and then looked back at Xiao Tao, saying softly, "You have made some progress, but there is still a lot to learn. You should ask Yanzi for advice more often and learn from her."
Upon hearing He Mingyan's words, Xiao Tao nodded hurriedly, her face full of a flattering smile, and solemnly promised, "Princess, please rest assured, I will definitely not let you down. I will study hard with Sister Yanzi and strive to be as excellent as Sister Yanzi as soon as possible!" As soon as she finished speaking, everyone present was amused by Xiao Tao's cute appearance and burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant for a moment.
However, just as everyone's laughter subsided, a stern-faced and dignified old woman slowly entered the room. It was none other than Rong Momo, a highly respected figure in the palace. Upon seeing He Mingyan and the others, she first bowed respectfully before speaking, "Your Highness, the Empress has just sent word that she wishes to invite you to Fengluan Palace."
Upon hearing this, He Mingyan already had a pretty good idea of why her mother had summoned her. She pondered for a moment, then smiled and said to Rong Mama, "I suppose Mother wants to inquire about Qin Zejun." Rong Mama, standing nearby, smiled faintly and chimed in, "Indeed! Her Majesty has been eagerly awaiting news from the Princess; she's probably been waiting with bated breath!"
He Mingyan smiled gently and said, "Since that's the case, let's not delay any longer and hurry over." With that, she strode out. Seeing this, Xiao Tao and Yanzi quickly followed closely behind He Mingyan, and the group headed towards the Phoenix Palace in a grand procession.
In the blink of an eye, a graceful figure swept across the palace corridors and paths like a gust of wind, and He Mingyan arrived in front of the magnificent and resplendent Phoenix Palace.
Upon entering the Phoenix Palace, He Mingyan dared not be negligent in the slightest. She quickly lifted her skirt, stepped forward, and respectfully bowed to the Empress sitting in the main seat. Then, in her clear and melodious voice, like a nightingale singing in a valley, she said sweetly, "Greetings, Mother Empress. May Mother Empress enjoy good health, longevity, and eternal youth."
At this moment, the Empress, sitting on her high seat, was all smiles. She beckoned to He Mingyan affectionately and said with great joy, "Yan'er, come quickly to your mother's side."
Upon hearing the Empress's summons, He Mingyan's face lit up with joy. Her beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons, and she dashed towards the Empress like a joyful little bird. Reaching the Empress's side, she first curtsied respectfully, then gracefully sat down. Next, she extended her slender hand, gently picked up the fragrant tea cup that a palace maid had just presented, elegantly brought it to her lips, and took a small sip, savoring the delicate aroma spreading in her mouth.
After a brief pause, He Mingyan raised her head, her bright eyes looking at the Empress, and asked softly, "Mother, may I ask what brings you here today?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress feigned anger, deliberately putting on a stern face and saying, "You silly girl, how can you talk like that! Does your mother only summon you when there's something important?"
Seeing this, He Mingyan quickly reached out and hugged the Empress's arm, shaking it coquettishly, and said with a charming smile, "Oh, Mother, please don't say that! Whenever Mother misses me, I will rush to see you whenever you wish." After saying that, she didn't forget to wink playfully.
The Empress couldn't help but chuckle at He Mingyan's adorable appearance. She couldn't resist gently poking He Mingyan's smooth forehead with her finger and said with a smile, "You little rascal, you always know how to use your words to make your mother happy."