Luo Qinghan’s fingertips gently caressed the protective amulet as Xiao Xixi’s brilliant smiling face surfaced in his mind.
He put the amulet into the pouch he carried with him.
“What has Virtuous Consort Xiao been doing today?”
Eunuch Chang answered truthfully, “She moved back to Qingge Palace this morning, and after that, she stayed inside Qingge Palace the whole time and never came out again. By the way, in the afternoon, Side Consort Bai sent someone to deliver an invitation to Virtuous Consort Xiao, wishing to invite her to attend a tea party tomorrow afternoon.”
Luo Qinghan revealed a thoughtful expression.
Eunuch Chang thought the Crown Prince would go to spend the night at Qingge Palace tonight.
However, Luo Qinghan said nothing and went to the study again.
The next afternoon, Xiao Xixi headed toward Cuiming Pavilion with Baoqin.
Along the way, Baoqin was like an old mother sending her silly daughter to school, nagging incessantly.
“When you see Side Consort Bai in a moment, your attitude must be better. Be absolutely sure not to say anything you shouldn’t say. If what the other party says makes you unhappy, just smile and don’t talk back. Just play dumb and get through it. Side Consort Bai is a Side Consort after all, and her rank is higher than yours. Moreover, her father is the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, so the Crown Prince is quite courteous to her. Even if you don’t flatter her, try your best not to offend her.”
Xiao Xixi let out a yawn. “I know.”
Ahead was Cuiming Pavilion.
Baoqin specially helped Xiao Xixi arrange her skirt hem and hair. Only after making sure she looked flawless did she give an OK hand gesture.
This hand gesture was something Xiao Xixi had done to Baoqin before. Baoqin found it interesting, so she learned it.
Quite a few people were already sitting inside Cuiming Pavilion.
Not only Side Consort Bai, but Side Consort Li, Virtuous Consort Xu, Liangyuan Chen, Beauty Zhao, and others had also come.
Almost all of the dozen or so concubines in the backyard of the Eastern Palace had arrived.
They knelt and sat on the cushions in order of their rank. On the low tables in front of them stood various kinds of fruits, melons, tea, and pastries.
Xiao Xixi stepped forward with Baoqin and bent her knees to pay her respects.
Side Consort Bai was born into a scholarly family and was beautiful and elegant. Unfortunately, her health was not very good, and she fell ill every three to five days, to the point that her entire being possessed a delicate temperament like a willow swaying in the wind.
It was precisely because of this weak and helpless feeling that it was easier to arouse a male animal’s desire to protect.
She smiled and said to Xiao Xixi, “Have a seat, Little Sister.”
Xiao Xixi walked to an empty seat nearby and sat down. Her eyes were instantly attracted by the fruits, melons, tea, and pastries in front of her.
These things looked so delicious.
Gulp~
She quietly swallowed her saliva.
Seeing her staring at the fruits, melons, tea, and pastries on the table, Side Consort Bai said with a smile, “These are the snacks I prepared for all the sisters. Try them all and see if they taste good?”
Xiao Xixi immediately picked up a piece of shortcake and put it into her mouth to eat.
She praised sincerely, “Delicious!”
Baoqin, who was serving at the side, sighed.
Is there anything you think is not delicious?
The others also expressed their praises for these tea pastries, and then the topic was brought up from this and slid toward other areas.
As the only woman here who could stand on equal footing with Side Consort Bai, Side Consort Li had far fewer scruples when speaking than the others, and her posture was also more casual and natural.
“I heard that Sister Bai was sick again yesterday. Didn’t His Highness the Crown Prince go to see you?”
Hearing this, everyone else paused their movements.
Side Consort Bai acted as if she did not hear the mockery in these words and still smiled beautifully and gently. “I was just a little uncomfortable. It was fine after a nap. Why would His Highness the Crown Prince need to make a trip personally?”
Liangyuan Chen usually was very close to Side Consort Bai, and upon hearing this, she immediately took up the conversation.
“Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince handles a myriad of affairs every day and is very busy. How can he run to the backyard all day long? Not only Sister Bai, but we sisters also haven’t seen His Highness the Crown Prince for a long time.”
Her words were clearly finding an out for Side Consort Bai.