"Green Wan, Sister!"
Xuan Thirteen, carrying a food box, happily walked towards her, and seeing her holding a similar food box, he smiled even more broadly.
The Princess and the Prince truly had telepathy!
Their voices spoke simultaneously:
"Did the Empress send you, Sister?"
"And you, what is this?"
It was unclear when Xuan Thirteen began calling Green Wan "Sister."
Xuan Thirteen waved the food box in his hand, gestured towards the study, and chuckled teasingly, "The small kitchen has some new dishes, and His Highness asked me to send them for the Empress to sample."
He added, "They are all dishes the Empress likes to eat."
It was as if he were seeking praise.
Green Wan's eyes curved, her smile uncontainable. She knew His Highness would never bear to make the Empress sad. Here she was, still holding her ground, and His Highness couldn't hold back any longer.
She had served His Highness for so long and had never seen him care so much about anyone. His Highness, the iron tree, had finally bloomed.
Green Wan didn't reply, and Xuan Thirteen didn't mind. He was simply relieved that he no longer had to be anxious, feeling relaxed both in body and mind. Even his voice became lighter, "Then Sister, I'll take this to the Empress."
Green Wan nodded and said to him with unusual gentleness, "Hurry and go!"
Watching Xuan Thirteen's departing back, Green Wan carried the food box towards the study and gently knocked. "Your Highness, the Empress sent me to bring you some food."
Upon hearing the knock, his brows furrowed slightly in displeasure. However, upon hearing Green Wan's voice outside the door, the frown immediately smoothed out. Even the eyes that held a hint of warmth were instantly filled with joy. He concealed his happiness and spoke with feigned calm, "Enter!"
Green Wan gently pushed open the door and walked in with the food box.
"Your Highness, the Empress said that today is Winter Solstice, and it's best to drink some warming soup. She feared your small kitchen might not have prepared any, so she specifically sent me with a bowl."
"She also included some side dishes that you like."
Green Wan spoke as she opened the food box, placing the ginseng soup, simmered for several hours, and the side dishes on the dining table.
"Mm, I know!"
Ji Jinmo nodded faintly, saying no more.
If it weren't for meeting Xuan Thirteen, Green Wan would have thought His Highness was still angry and unwilling to deal with the Princess. But thinking that His Highness had indeed instructed Thirteen to send food to the Empress, while the Empress had taken the initiative to send food herself, she felt His Highness must truly love the Princess dearly.
And then she thought that His Highness, clearly very happy but acting cold, was utterly different from his usual ruthless and imposing image.
It was an awkward kind of cuteness.
Green Wan truly never imagined she would use the word "cute" to describe His Highness one day.
"You may go,"
Green Wan suppressed a smile and gracefully withdrew.
After Green Wan closed the door, Ji Jinmo finally stood up and walked to the dining table, picking up the steaming bowl of ginseng soup.
...
Xuan Yi saw Thirteen happily running towards Xinyuan Pavilion and knew His Highness couldn't hold back any longer. He couldn't help but sigh, exhaling a puff of warm air into the biting cold wind. The frost on the branches immediately melted into a water droplet, slowly falling, much like the bitter tears shed by the women who admired His Highness.
If nothing else, Madam Rulan and Madam Xinyang from the detached villa would likely shed tears like a dam breaking.
Xuan Thirteen paid no mind to Xuan Yi, who was squatting on a branch and gazing at the sky like an idiot. He directly rushed into the inner courtyard. From beyond the main door, Nan Shiying heard Thirteen's shout: "Empress, His Highness sent me to bring you food."
His voice was loud, his tone cheerful, even happy.
This shout was heard by almost all the servants in Xinyuan Pavilion.
His Highness is actively seeking reconciliation?
The servants in Xinyuan Pavilion were ecstatic. Their days of fear and unease finally settled, and each of them wished they could shout for joy.
The Empress is mighty!
Nan Shiying's hand trembled, and the meat on her chopsticks fell onto the table. Her eyebrows twitched, wishing she could pick up the fallen meat and stuff it into Thirteen's mouth, silencing him.
Bai Zhi and the others were quite happy. Before Nan Shiying could give any orders, they quickly walked to the door and welcomed Xuan Thirteen in.
Xuan Thirteen walked in with the food box, glanced at the dishes spread across the table, and gave Bai Zhi a look. Bai Zhi was now quick-witted and immediately understood the meaning in Thirteen's eyes, promptly clearing away the dishes one by one.
This freed up half of the table.
Xuan Thirteen placed the food box on the table, opened the lid, and took out the dishes one by one, then spread them across the table again.
"Empress, these are dishes His Highness specifically ordered the small kitchen to prepare for you."
Xuan Thirteen deliberately emphasized the word "specifically" to indicate His Highness's humble attempt at reconciliation.
"I know,"
Nan Shiying nodded indifferently.
Thirteen glanced at her. If he hadn't met Green Wan on her way to deliver food to His Highness, he would have truly believed the Empress was still angry.
The Empress must be incredibly happy right now!
Xuan Thirteen thought.
"Then Empress, your subordinate takes his leave!"
Thirteen lowered his head, but his face wore an expression of wise discernment, as if he had seen through the situation. If Nan Shiying hadn't seen his expression, she would have definitely given him a big eye-roll.
After Xuan Thirteen withdrew, Bai Zhi picked up serving chopsticks and placed food onto Nan Shiying's plate, saying, "Empress, please try them and see if they suit your taste."
Soon, the plate in front of her was piled high with food.
Nan Shiying's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but glance at Bai Zhi. Suddenly, she remembered something.
Where was Green Wan?
...
Xuan Thirteen returned to the study to report.
When Ji Jinmo asked about Nan Shiying's reaction, Xuan Thirteen replied very sincerely, "The Empress is very happy. Hmm... she is probably happy in a very reserved way."
Xuan Thirteen carefully chose his words. After all, given the Empress's personality, she probably wouldn't show it so obviously. Telling a lie... no, this well-intentioned statement, couldn't be made up casually; it had to align with the character's personality.
Xuan Thirteen gave himself a thumbs-up for his wit.
Perhaps it was love that lowered intelligence, or perhaps Ji Jinmo didn't delve deeper. He seemed to believe Xuan Thirteen's account. The oppressive atmosphere that had lingered for days instantly dissipated, like clouds parting to reveal the sun, or like the revival of all things. In short, it was peaceful and serene.
Even the air exuded a joyful atmosphere.
Ah, how wonderful!
Xuan Thirteen couldn't help but exclaim, increasingly feeling that to live a good life, one must appease the Princess!
However... on the other side.
Green Wan sneaked back to Xinyuan Pavilion. After returning the food box to the small kitchen, before even entering the inner courtyard, she was pulled aside by Bai Zhi to inquire about the situation, fearing that it was also Thirteen's own initiative.
"His Highness ordered it!"
These simple five words made it instantly clear who between the Prince and the Princess was more invested.
Xuan Yi, who witnessed and heard everything, couldn't help but twitch his mouth, unsure what to say!