“It was this prince who misunderstood you today. You may move back to Qingge Palace at any time.”
Leaving these words behind, Luo Qinghan left without looking back.
Once they were far away, Xiao Xixi hurriedly sat back down by the hot pot. Picking up her bowl and chopsticks, she quickly scooped the fish out of the pot, dipped it in the sauce, and stuffed it into her mouth.
“So spicy, so fragrant, so delicious!”
Baoqin asked while blanching vegetables for her, “So you were originally a member of the Mystic Sect?”
Xiao Xixi nodded as she ate, “Yes.”
“Why haven’t I heard you mention this before?”
“Just a small matter, not worth mentioning.”
Baoqin asked again, “Do the General and Madam know about this?”
“They don’t. In the family, only Grandfather knew about it, but Grandfather passed away three years ago. Everyone else in the family thinks I grew up in an ordinary nunnery.”
Baoqin thought to herself that this explained it.
If the General and Madam had known that Xiao Xixi was a member of the Mystic Sect, they certainly would not have sent her into the palace.
Although being a Crown Prince’s Virtuous Consort was glorious, it was not worth mentioning compared to the identity of a member of the Mystic Sect.
Luo Qinghan returned to the study.
He instructed Eunuch Chang.
“Not a single word of what Virtuous Consort Xiao said tonight is allowed to spread out.”
“Understood.”
“Tomorrow, send some things over to Virtuous Consort Xiao as compensation for her.”
“Understood.”
Luo Qinghan opened the memorials and began to read them one by one.
Ever since Luo Qinghan was established as the Crown Prince last year, the Emperor would bring the reviewed memorials to Luo Qinghan every day, letting him learn how to handle state affairs.
He kept reading until midnight before he finished looking through all the memorials.
After sleeping for a mere two hours in bed, he woke up naturally, got up to change clothes and wash up, had a simple breakfast, and headed to the Council Hall to discuss political affairs with his Imperial Father and the ministers.
Just as Xiao Xixi and Baoqin finished moving their luggage back to Qingge Palace in the morning, Eunuch Chang arrived at the door with two large chests of goods.
“Virtuous Consort Xiao, these are rewards from His Highness the Crown Prince. Quickly express your gratitude.”
Xiao Xixi bent her knees and knelt down, “Many thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince for his grace.”
One chest was filled with silks and satins, and the other was filled with gold and silver jewelry, all of which were the popular styles of this year.
Xiao Xixi smiled happily as she took a protective amulet out of her sleeve.
“Eunuch Chang, yesterday’s amulet should be ruined by now. This is a new amulet I made. Please trouble yourself to pass it to His Highness the Crown Prince on my behalf.”
She was riding in the same boat as Luo Qinghan now, so she had to protect his safety well.
Only if Luo Qinghan lived well could she continue to be a salted fish with a clear conscience.
Eunuch Chang took the amulet with both hands and carefully put it away.
“Rest assured, Virtuous Consort Xiao. This old servant will definitely deliver it into the hands of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
After sending Eunuch Chang off, Xiao Xixi instantly transformed into a little butterfly and happily flew toward the backyard.
The backyard of Qingge Palace was originally a small garden, but it had now been turned into a vegetable garden. On the left was the vegetable patch, on the right were the chicken and duck coops, and in the middle was a small pond. Lotuses were planted inside the pond, and many fish and shrimp were raised in the water.
Xiao Xixi first went to stand in front of the chicken coop for a while.
She counted the chickens inside one by one. There was one rooster and twelve hens, along with several small chicks.
The big rooster was currently sunbathing with its harem, living a very fulfilled life.
Afterward, she went to take a look at the neighboring duck coop.
Exactly ten big white ducks.
Xiao Xixi opened the wooden door of the duck coop and let the big white ducks out.
They took neat and orderly steps, waddling grandly toward the pond.
Inside the vegetable patch on the left, there were white radishes, Chinese cabbages, baby bok choy, green onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, green beans, cucumbers, corn, and sunflowers.