When the Cui manor held the welcome banquet, the wind was strong and the snow fell urgently. The capital’s first snowfall came earlier than in previous years, and the snowflakes flying all over the sky soon laid a thick white carpet on the ground.
The bougainvillea at the Princess’s manor had also bloomed. When the wind blew, the petals fluttered and mixed with snowflakes, diving into people’s collars. Song Chuyi had just gotten off the carriage when she was blown off balance by the wind. Only Ziyun’s quick reflexes kept her steady. Looking up, the white snow and red plum blossoms shone brilliantly before her eyes, making her involuntarily break into a smile.
“Watch your step—it’s slippery.” Madam Cui personally met her at the second gate. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but smile, then looked down at Song Chuyi’s feet. Seeing that she wore a pair of deerskin boots today, she felt reassured: “This snow is deep. If you’re not careful, your shoes and socks will get wet.”
Song Chuyi took her arm. Turning her head, she saw two smiling young ladies and couldn’t help but look back at Madam Cui—in her previous life, she had little contact with the Cui family. The Cui family had later gradually declined, and she didn’t even recognize all the Cui family members.
Madam Cui beckoned them forward with one hand and smiled as she introduced them: “These are your two elder cousins from your maternal uncle’s family.” She pointed to the slightly taller girl who already showed the grace of a young maiden and wore a water-red cloak: “This is your cousin Huaying.”
The other slightly smaller one, still childlike in appearance and wearing a bright red cloak, had already called out with a smile: “I’m called Huayi! I’m two years older than you.”
Song Chuyi smiled and exchanged greetings with them, then was pulled inside by Madam Cui: “The wind and snow are so strong outside. It’s a wonder you young girls can bear it. Whatever you have to say, isn’t it the same to say it inside?”
Huayi was somewhat indignant and tugged at Madam Cui’s hand: “Auntie, how can you lie? You clearly promised to let us go to Qixia Pavilion to roast meat!”
Madam Cui was somewhat helpless being pestered by her. She smiled and pinched her face: “What time is it now? Later I’ll let you make trouble as you please. Anyway, I won’t have time to mix with you all. You can take these little devils with you! Even if you turn everything upside down, I won’t care. But it’s still early now. You should meet the guests—you mustn’t misbehave.”
Having pacified Huayi, Madam Cui pulled Song Chuyi into the flower hall and quickly had someone bring hot tea to dispel the cold. She also asked her: “You said it was all arranged before. How is it you suddenly said you’d come later?”
Song Chuyi smiled, showing her two small canine teeth. Her eyes curved, showing her happiness: “Elder Sister-in-law suddenly went into labor this morning. Old Madam wasn’t at ease, so she wanted to wait with First Madam and Third Madam for the child to be born before coming over.”
“No wonder your uncle complained that First Master Song came late—so that was the reason.” She watched Song Chuyi drink her tea and smiled: “You’ll soon be someone’s aunt. Time really does fly.”
Outside, announcement voices rang out. Madam Cui instructed them briefly and hurried out to receive people.
“Didn’t they say it was just a family banquet? How is there someone who needs to be personally received?” Huayi played with her little braid, looking at Huaying with confusion: “I thought it would just be our family and cousin, and that would be all.”
Huaying was much more composed than her. She glanced at her reproachfully, her voice gentle and soft: “What do you understand? Although it’s a welcome banquet, there’s no reason not to invite accompanying guests. Just like our father—which time does he host a banquet without inviting several familiar uncles to accompany him?”
Rebuked by her, Huayi dropped the subject and ran over to sit beside Song Chuyi, vigorously urging her to go to Qixia Pavilion: “There are many green plum trees planted there, much more interesting than these plum blossoms. Eating, drinking, and appreciating plum blossoms at the same time—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Cui Huaying was much more like a girl from the Cui family compared to Huayi. Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised by Huayi’s liveliness and was just about to speak when she heard Madam Cui’s laughter outside. She quickly smiled and pointed outside.
Only then did Huayi become obedient, standing quietly together with the two of them.
“Oh my, are you establishing rules?”
As soon as she entered, the beautifully dressed lady beside Madam Cui laughed: “It’s just a family banquet. Could it be that you’ve been lecturing the children again, cousin?”
Madam Cui ignored her and beckoned the three of them over with a smile: “Quickly pay your respects to the Princess.”
All three understood that this was Princess Rongcheng, who was as close as a blood sister to Madam Cui. They hurriedly curtsied.
“Quickly get up, quickly get up.” Princess Rongcheng acknowledged each one in turn, took the meeting gifts handed over by the female official beside her and distributed them, while unable to help laughing: “Fortunately I prepared well in advance, otherwise coming here rashly, wouldn’t that be rude?”
She paused, then beckoned and specifically called Song Chuyi to stand before her. Curious, she looked her up and down, then turned to Madam Cui and said: “She really does look somewhat like Tingting… Just for a moment, it was almost like seeing little Tingting from childhood.”
Madam Cui smiled and had her sit down, then instructed the young ladies: “Your brothers are all outside. Later have them take you along. Just be careful to watch the time, and don’t go play on the ice. When it’s about time, come back.”
Song Chuyi had just noticed that several more table settings were arranged in the room adjacent to the flower hall. After thinking briefly, she understood that the guests probably hadn’t all arrived yet. Later, Madam Cui would still need to receive guests, which was why she was letting them go play.
Huaying obviously had the same thought and smiled as she agreed.
Princess Rongcheng, however, smiled and asked Song Chuyi to stay: “I have something to ask this little girl. You two go first. I’ll send her over shortly.”
Madam Cui was anxious to go out and receive the Princess Consort of Zhennan. Hearing this, she chided her: “You’re already so old. What do you need to ask a nine-year-old girl? Settle down!”
Princess Rongcheng wasn’t afraid of her and urged her to go receive people: “Just a few words. Cousin, don’t worry—I won’t dare eat her.”
Madam Cui helplessly smiled and scolded her, but still left Song Chuyi with her. She glanced at Song Chuyi herself before going out to receive the Princess Consort of Zhennan.
“I’ve heard all about your affairs from my cousin. I was originally wondering what kind of formidable person you must be.” Princess Rongcheng smiled and took her hand: “But it turns out you really are just a little girl. It’s truly surprising.”
Before Song Chuyi could respond, she laughed again to herself: “Looking at you like this, how can anyone believe that it was you, this little girl, who forced Elder Zhang into retirement?”
In her previous life, after the Crown Prince died, the Crown Princess and Princess Rongcheng had successively met with misfortune. She had never dealt with Princess Rongcheng before, and therefore didn’t understand whether her words had some deeper meaning. For a moment, she couldn’t determine how to answer.
Princess Rongcheng suddenly restrained her smile and stared at her with a sigh: “But having said that, I really must thank you this time. If it weren’t for you…”
I’ve discovered I really am an unlucky person. How pathetic—I went to soak in hot springs and there was heavy rain and a power outage. The water park was completely unplayable, and we’d even bought all-access tickets… After coming home, the house was still without power, and I started having diarrhea from getting caught in the rain. Could it be that this year I really should just stay home obediently? Black person question mark face.