Everyone in the room could only watch as Zhan Feiyu left. Who would have thought that even the Imperial Guards dared not make a move? What exactly was the token in the purse?
"Princess," Guard Lin spoke before the Seventh Princess could unleash her anger. Disregarding his status, he walked over and lowered his voice, "That is the Dragon Pendant the Emperor wore in his early years."
The Seventh Princess's face, previously filled with rage, suddenly changed. Her brows furrowed instantly.
Her mother consort had also paid attention to this matter back then. After all, it was the Emperor's beloved item. When she noticed the Emperor had not worn this Dragon Pendant for several days, Concubine Min had even sent people to inquire. She had initially thought the Dragon Pendant had been bestowed upon a concubine or a prince or princess.
With Concubine Min's influence in the palace, her private investigation for half a month yielded no results. The eunuch serving the Emperor that day was Eunuch Liu. Her mother consort had subtly questioned him. Eunuch Liu did not explicitly reveal the whereabouts of the Dragon Pendant, but he did hint that the Emperor had not bestowed this Dragon Pendant upon anyone in the palace.
After so many years, the Seventh Princess did not expect to hear news of the Dragon Pendant again, and even more so, to find it in the hands of a young woman.
Thinking of Zhan Feiyu, who had just left, the Seventh Princess narrowed her eyes in thought. While she was not unattractive, she was short and appeared to be under the age of fifteen. Six or seven years ago, she was just a snot-nosed girl. Naturally, she couldn't have had any improper relationship with the Emperor. Could she be the Emperor's daughter who was lost outside the palace?
Upon considering this possibility, the Seventh Princess's expression turned extremely unpleasant. Did this Dragon Pendant belong to her mother? And now that this wretched girl had come to the capital, she had brought the Dragon Pendant with her?
"Miss, please wait. The Princess requests your presence to speak with you." Just as Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan stepped out of the courtyard, they were stopped.
Zhan Feiyu halted and looked at the old wet nurse who, while speaking the word "request," had an arrogant demeanor. She had initially thought Princess Zhaoyue had only sent her an invitation to appease the Seventh Princess, but now it seemed she had been too naive.
With a gentle smile, Zhan Feiyu glanced around. "What if I refuse to go?"
Nurse Niu stared coldly at Zhan Feiyu with her upturned triangular eyes. A mocking expression appeared on her withered, wrinkled, and sharp face. "If Miss Zhan dares to disobey the Princess's command, then do not blame this old servant for being impolite."
As soon as she finished speaking, a team of archers suddenly appeared on the rooftop and the southern wall. In the winter sunlight, the sharpened arrows were aimed at Zhan Feiyu in the courtyard. If they were to unleash a volley, it would be a perilous situation.
"Miss?" He Nuan had already drawn her soft sword.
Although the situation appeared to be a "trap," He Nuan was not worried. The courtyard was flanked by buildings. As long as they could hide inside the buildings immediately, the threat of arrows would be eliminated.
"Since Princess Zhaoyue extends such a warm invitation, I shall naturally go." Zhan Feiyu shrugged helplessly. She had become a sought-after commodity, with everyone wanting to tie her up and send her to the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion to gain his support.
Nurse Niu looked disdainfully at the feigning Zhan Feiyu and arrogantly led the way.
Who knew what kind of wild girl had appeared from some forgotten corner, daring to be so presumptuous in the capital! If she weren't somewhat useful, she wouldn't even have the资格 to meet a princess in this life, let alone the next.
Princess Zhaoyue, in terms of seniority and status, was the most respected in the Zhang manor. Therefore, Princess Zhaoyue's residence, the main courtyard, was also the best-located courtyard in the entire Zhang manor, Shou Chun Yuan.
Nurse Niu tidied her clothes at the entrance of the main house, casting aside the haughty attitude she had displayed towards Zhan Feiyu. Her expression instantly became humble. "Mistress, Miss Zhan has arrived."
With a creak, the door to the main hall opened from the inside. Two maids in blue cross-collared short jackets stood on either side of the doorway, their expressions solemn and heads bowed, indicating the strict rules of Princess Zhaoyue's residence.
Zhan Feiyu stepped onto the stairs and saw another maid emerge. She appeared to be in her early twenties. Although she also wore a blue jacket, she had a silver hairpin in her hair. Her eyes were fixed on Zhan Feiyu, clearly indicating she was a capable maid by the Princess's side.
"The Princess is having tea. Miss Zhan, please come in." Qing Huan's voice was clear and pleasant. Although she smiled, her attitude was identical to Nurse Niu's, both looking down on Zhan Feiyu from the bottom of their hearts.
He Nuan followed Zhan Feiyu into the room unobtrusively.
Apart from the archers who had followed and were now redeployed on the rooftops and walls of Shou Chun Yuan, there were no other experts in the courtyard. As for whether there were any personnel stationed inside the house, He Nuan would only be able to detect it after entering.
Upon entering, a wave of warmth greeted them, accompanied by a strong sandalwood fragrance. The fragrance was so intense that it felt uncomfortable.
Zhan Feiyu quickly surveyed the main hall. The tables and chairs were made of purple sandalwood, the porcelain was from official kilns, and the paintings hanging on the walls were by famous artists, all exuding luxury.
There were as many as ten maids and wet nurses serving in the room, not including those guarding the door or Nurse Niu and Qing Huan who had followed them in.
"How dare you! Not kneel and pay your respects to the Princess!" a maid standing behind the main seat exclaimed sharply, her eyes flashing with ferocity, as if Zhan Feiyu's current posture had offended the noble Princess Zhaoyue.
Zhan Feiyu looked up at Princess Zhaoyue, who was seated on the main throne, her hair entirely white but adorned with a gold-inlaid jade headdress. Instead of the kindness and gentleness of an elderly person, her aged, wrinkled face was filled with meanness and pickiness.
Princess Zhaoyue's thin and withered body was wrapped in a purple brocade long jacket embroidered with gold thread. Coupled with her overly vibrant makeup, she lacked the dignity of a royal princess, instead appearing like a decaying elder on the verge of death.
(/_)
Remember the website in 1 second: .：