CHAPTER 1610: CHAPTER 1610: SICK

Zhulan was also puzzled. This is a princess, not a prince. It’s not easy for a princess to leave the palace, let alone stay outside for a while.

Lady Li said, "Could something have happened in the palace?"

Zhulan didn’t think so. If something had happened, her daughter would have sent news back. "We’ll know when Yu Die and the others return tomorrow."

Lady Li also stopped thinking about it and put away the account book. "Mother, you should rest. I’ll head back now."

Zhulan nodded, "Alright."

After Lady Li left the main courtyard, she looked up to see snowflakes falling and shrank her neck. She worried about her eldest son far away on the grasslands. The winters on the grasslands were bitterly cold, with poor living conditions and food, and fresh vegetables were hard to come by.

Lady Li had listened to her mother-in-law’s words and dried a lot of vegetables in the spring and summer, sending several batches to the grasslands in winter. The latest batch should have arrived.

As Lady Li had estimated, Mingyun received the food sent from the capital. The grasslands lacked for nothing in meat, but were short on various vegetables and fruits. Since the start of winter, Mingyun relied on the dried vegetables sent from the capital to get by.

He had also thought about building greenhouses on the grasslands, but unfortunately, there was a shortage of firewood in winter. He had to save on firewood and had no large supply of charcoal for greenhouses.

Mingyun smiled non-stop as bags of dried vegetables were brought down, especially when he saw a box of tea. He almost wanted to personally handle it.

Wu Ming heard the commotion and came over. "These are all rare goods on the grasslands; do you want to share some?"

Mingyun took the list, "No need to share, there’s some here for Uncle."

Wu Ming took the list and laughed, "Godmother still cares about me."

Mingyun coughed, "Aunt also cares about you."

Wu Ming chuckled. His wife indeed cared for him, but it lacked a certain flavor. Apart from the dried vegetables sent by his family at the start of winter, he had received nothing else. He realized that the dried vegetables were likely reminded by his godmother, and although his wife’s letters consistently showed concern, he still sensed some complaints.

His wife took care of two children, had to manage his wife and illegitimate son, which took up a lot of her energy.

The last few boxes were wrapped tightly in quilts. Mingyun looked over the list, his throat moved at the sight of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Many apples were frozen, but still edible. Mingyun shared them with his young servants and guards, and also shared the frozen pears and persimmons.

Every time something was sent over from the capital, not only were Mingyun’s young servants and guards happy, officials familiar with Mingyun were also pleased.

As soon as the food from the capital was brought into storage, colleagues who received the news came over.

Mingyun generously offered some of the frozen pears and persimmons, "Please help yourselves."

No need for Mingyun to say more; no one hesitated.

One of Mingyun’s colleagues suddenly asked, "Lord Zhou, the Prefecture City has been cleaned up. We want to bring our families over and have found a few residences. Would you like to join us?"

The action of Mingyun biting the pear paused. After a year of thorough clearance, the Prefecture City was indeed safe. Due to its geographical location, it was the largest trading hub and the first to prosper on the grasslands. He hadn’t really considered having his wife and children come over. "You go ahead and make arrangements."

The few people in the room nodded upon hearing this change in topic. Wu Ming and others gradually left, asking, "You’re really not planning to bring your family over?"

Mingyun shook his head, "Wait a little longer. What about Uncle?"

Wu Ming smiled, "I’m not in a hurry either."

Mingyun didn’t feel lonely sleeping alone. He had ambitions, and although he missed his wife and children, he wouldn’t disrupt his plans.

The next day, after breakfast, Yu Die and several companions went to the Ran Residence. The steward of the Ran Residence had been waiting at the gate for a while. Yu Die and the others first met with the Qi Clan, then went to the courtyard where the princess was staying.

Princess Zhenyue was playing chess by herself. Hearing footsteps, she looked up with a smile. Yu Die and the others paid their respects, and the princess said, "You’re here, come and sit quickly."

Yu Wen, being the Magistrate, was the first to speak, "There’s cold air on us, we’ll come over after it’s dispersed."

Zhenyue signaled for the palace maid to put away the chessboard and instructed her to bring tea snacks. Once the tea and snacks were set, Yu Die and her party took their seats.

Zhenyue gestured for the ladies to drink tea and explained with a smile, "I’m very familiar with you all, so I couldn’t help but invite you over once I left the palace. Don’t be formal."

Yu Die and her companions truly weren’t formal. With familial ties between the Hou Residence and the Ran Residence, they naturally showed the princess due respect.

Yu Die had some tea, "We were so surprised to receive your invitation. We had to verify it several times to believe that you were staying outside the palace."

Zhenyue smiled, "I was ill recently, and my mother requested permission from Her Majesty, who agreed to let me stay outside the palace for a while."

Yu Wen noticed that Princess Zhenyue had indeed lost weight. The last time she visited the Empress in the palace, Zhenyue’s cheeks still had some fullness.

Zhenyue wouldn’t continue discussing palace matters. She had been targeted, being one of only two princesses in the palace. No one dared to touch the eldest princess, so the idea was to target her. Her situation was enough to draw attention without implicating too many people, so she fell ill.

Zhenyue didn’t want to dwell on it and changed the topic, "Though I’m staying outside the palace, I can’t freely go out of the residence. Can you tell me about the exciting things happening in the capital?"

Yu Die laughed, "Of course."

There’s nothing in the capital that she hasn’t heard about, and the conversation inevitably turned to the Duke of Yongan Residence’s Zhuo Guyu.

Zhenyue hadn’t heard much news in the palace. Most of the time, apart from paying respects, she was with her mother and didn’t like to inquire, so she knew little about the Duke of Anguo Residence in the capital.

Zhenyue asked, "The Duke of Yongan Residence?"

Yu Die nodded, "Yes, the eldest grandson of the Duke Residence. There’s already a betting pool in the capital, betting that Zhuo Guyu will surely win top honors. Some even say he might become a Tanhua."

Yu Wen asked, "Betting pool?"

Yu Die nodded, "Yuan Bo even placed a bet and, ahem, helped me bet some silver as well."

Zhenyue became curious, "Who did you bet on?"

Yu Die smiled sweetly, "We bet on Mr. Zhuo winning top honors, but as for becoming a Tanhua, we’re not sure."

She remembered Mr. Gu, who was not inferior in looks to Mr. Zhuo, and they also bet on other candidates.

Zhenyue found the world outside the palace quite interesting. "I."

Forget it, she’s a princess, and her every move holds different significance. If word got out, it might be rumored that she fancied Mr. Zhuo, which would certainly cause trouble. She wasn’t ready to find a prince consort so soon.

Yu Die didn’t need to avoid it. She was already engaged, and her silver was bet together with Yuan Bo’s, only seen as Yuan Bo’s own bet.

The princess staying outside the palace wasn’t a secret, and palace gossip was tightly controlled, with no news leaking. Three days after the princess left the palace, some were speculating whether the eldest princess had fallen out of favor with the Emperor.

As a result, the Emperor sent Chief Eunuch Zhang to deliver jewelry to the princess, and the rumor disappeared.

That day, Princess Zhenyue wanted to go shopping, but Zhulan was worried. So, she and the Qi Clan accompanied the princess and the young women around the city.

The Qi Clan kept a close eye on the princess. Zhulan whispered, "You’re drawing attention this way."

The Qi Clan felt sorry for their granddaughter. Ever since the birth of the eldest princess, their granddaughter had become quieter. Thinking of the time when their granddaughter was plotted against, it made them gnash their teeth in anger.

The Qi Clan retracted their gaze, "You’re right."

The young women bought quite a few things. After walking for a long time, they became a little tired, and the group headed to a restaurant.