A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1384 - 1382: Another Year

"No need to worry, Your Highness. The Emperor has assigned people to protect the Princess!"

"Moreover, the Emperor praised the Princess and even called her a heroine!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head and replied lightly.

"I don’t want her to be any sort of heroine; I just want her to be safe and sound!"

Zi Yue comforted, "She definitely will be!"

...

Fengyu Pavilion.

Lazily lying on the couch, Yue Er suddenly sneezed repeatedly.

"Achoo!"

"Achoo!"

Ying Luo brought over a blanket.

"Did the Princess catch a cold?"

Yue Er answered lazily.

"I’m not cold! It’s nothing!"

Maybe someone’s talking about me behind my back, probably Mother.

Last time when Mother heard about the bandit suppression, she worried herself sick.

So as not to worry her further, I have behaved for a while and haven’t really left the palace, staying inside to study every day.

Even so, she still occasionally talks about me.

By now, I’ve gotten used to it.

She got up and looked out the window; it was already completely dark, so she frowned.

"How’s the weather tomorrow?"

Ying Luo looked outside and said.

"Still cloudy, with a north wind blowing. It might snow tomorrow!"

Yue Er frowned even more deeply, like tying a knot.

Originally, I wanted to leave the palace tomorrow to see Yilan, but... the weather isn’t good.

Better forget it.

She yawned and got up.

"I’m hungry, let’s have the meal served!"

"Alright!"

Ying Luo turned and left, and shortly after, a table of exquisite dishes was laid out.

Some of these chefs were brought over from Yilan.

Originally meant to be given to Mother, but Mother didn’t like them, so I kept them for myself!

After finishing dinner, Yue Er retired early.

The next day.

She slept until broad daylight, it was already mid-morning.

Yue Er lazily got up and had a late breakfast.

Then looked outside and indeed it seemed like snow was coming, so she said.

"It’s the twenty-fourth today, my big brother is probably busy, I’ll visit my third and fourth brother then!"

"Alright!" Ying Luo responded and went off to prepare.

In no time, several outfits and a piece of jewelry were selected, the Princess was dressed up nicely, and then they left together.

...

The Third Prince and Fourth Prince lived in a palace next to the Eastern Palace, not far from the Zhaochen Palace.

Yet even so, she always preferred to take the shortcut.

Which meant directly passing through the Zhaochen Palace, entering through a side door, exiting through another side door, and just walking a few steps.

Yue Er always took this route, and no one at Zhaochen Palace dared to stop her.

Today, she chose the same path.

However...

Upon leaving the side door on the other side, she happened to meet Shi Yang and his son in the alley.

Yue Er was slightly surprised but stepped forward to greet them.

"Master!"

Seeing Shih Shaoling next to him, her expression changed, but she still managed to smile and greet.

"Senior brother!"

Shi Yang quickly clasped his fists.

"Fourth Princess, I dare not accept!"

Under his father’s gesture, Shih Shaoling had no choice but to adopt a humble, respectful posture.

"Greetings, Fourth Princess!"

Yue Er smiled.

"No need for formalities, Master. Are you... going to see my father?"

Shi Yang smiled and said.

"Yes!"

"The Emperor has recently been studying military tactics and occasionally summons me."

"Just as my son is idle, he tags along to learn and gain some insight!"

Yue Er nodded.

"In that case, I won’t delay you, please excuse me!"

Shi Yang also nodded and clasped his fists, watching the Princess leave.

...

Shi Yang glared at his son.

"Are you crazy? She’s the Fourth Princess!"

Shih Shaoling felt a bit speechless inside but was quick to admit fault on the surface.

"I was wrong!"

Shi Yang shook his head, punched his son on the shoulder, and swore.

"I don’t know how you youngsters interact!"

"But remember! You mustn’t show this kind of face to the Princess again!"

Shih Shaoling resigned himself.

"Yes, Father, I’ll remember!"

"Hmph! You always say you’ll remember, yet you still act the same when you meet the Princess. I think you’ve remembered it like a dog!"

After speaking, he walked straight ahead without looking back.

Feeling vexed, Shih Shaoling had no choice but to follow.

...

Meanwhile, Yue Er.

Upon arriving at Dexiang Palace where her third and fourth brothers lived, she felt entirely relaxed.

She took off the fox fur coat she wore outside.

She dashed into the study and plopped herself down in front of Zhao Qiheng’s desk.

"Third brother, are you painting?"

Indeed, Zhao Qiheng was grinding pigments, but not for painting. He was researching them.

He smiled gently, shook his head, and explained.

"Winter’s dryness leads to a pencil that can’t glide easily, so I put away my painting tools!"

"This is a set of new pigments I just got, so I’m roasting them over a fire and then grinding them to see how they turn out!"

Yue Er obediently leaned beside him, blankly watching him grind the pigments.

Zhao Qiheng was dressed in white, with long black hair partly tied and partly cascading down his back, giving him an ethereal presence.

His features blended beauty and strength, inheriting Xia Ruqing’s beauty and Zhao Junyao’s strong features.

This blend resulted in a harmonious balance of strength and softness in his face.

When he’s beautiful, he’s even more beautiful than women; when he’s handsome, most men would lose in comparison.

A bit more would be too hard, a bit less would be too soft; it’s perfectly balanced.

At this moment, he was using his well-defined hands to pick up a pigment and finely grind it against the Han White Jade Inkstone.

His expression was focused, his movements graceful, his eyes warm, and his look deeply concentrated and serious.

It’s said that serious men are the most charming, and it’s true; even Yue Er was mesmerized.

"Third brother, you are really good-looking!"

Zhao Qiheng felt a bit embarrassed.

"Really?"

Though he thought: this sister of mine dares to say anything!

Yue Er happily added.

"No wonder Mother says you’re like a romantic scholar, a poet of landscapes!"

"Looking quietly like this today, you’re indeed so!"

Zhao Qiheng felt even more exasperated.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Was I not good-looking before?"

Yue Er giggled.

"Everyone didn’t notice back in the classroom!"

Zhao Qiheng: "..."

Alright, is that even a reason? This sister!

"Right, where’s fourth brother? Where did he go?" Yue Er suddenly looked up and asked.

Zhao Qiheng put down the pigment, turned around to wash his hands, and said.

"He probably went out or went to find Shih Shaoling, I’m not sure!"

Yue Er nodded without further asking.

It’s normal not to know; these two brothers are on completely different paths.

Third brother indulges in painting, poetry, and music, living life elegantly like a mountain poet.

Fourth brother is moody, embracing both literature and martial arts, yet not studying seriously. Occasionally, his eccentric temper resembles a devil incarnate.

"He and Shih Shaoling really hit it off; both have quirky tempers!"

Zhao Qiheng laughed.

"You better not let fourth brother hear that; he’s really fond of you despite his quirky temper!"

Yue Er giggled and made a funny face.