As Bai Sheng spoke, she looked back at Concubine Zhao, who was about to get up and leave. Without another word, she stuffed Princess Mingzhao into Bai Zheng's arms.
"The people in this palace, I really can't trust anyone else. Zheng'er, you are meticulous and patient. You've taken such good care of our two younger brothers at home. You must be able to take good care of Mingzhao too. Well, I'll leave first. I'll leave Mingzhao in your care."
After saying that, without waiting for Bai Zheng's response, she turned around and left on her own.
Bai Zheng looked helplessly at Bai Sheng's retreating back. Her smooth and decisive actions made it seem as if she had just appointed Bai Zheng as Princess Mingzhao's wet - nurse.
"Zheng, Sister Zheng?" Princess Mingzhao stared at Bai Zheng with her big, bright eyes, blinking them. Her innocent look softened Bai Zheng's heart.
"Sigh." She let out a long sigh and replied, "Your Highness."
Princess Mingzhao nodded. Her eyes rolled quickly, then she took her short little legs and ran clattering behind Bai Zheng. She hugged Bai Zheng's thigh and hid her whole little body. Then she poked out half of her head and carefully glanced in the direction where Concubine Zhao had left.
Bai Zheng said with a smile, "Does Your Highness also want to go?"
Princess Mingzhao shook her head. She just stared longingly until the figures of Concubine Zhao and Bai Sheng completely disappeared behind the screen. Then she turned around and ran to Bai Zheng's low table. She licked her lips looking at the snacks piled up like a small mountain on it.
Bai Zheng watched Princess Mingzhao's series of actions with a smile. Just as she was about to tease the princess with the snacks, she saw the little girl unceremoniously reach out her chubby little hands and pick up one piece after another of the yellow osmanthus cakes on the table and stuffed them into her mouth.
"Your Highness!"
Bai Zheng got anxious. She quickly motioned for Zhuling, who was standing closer, to grab the osmanthus cakes. Then she stepped forward, squatted down, and patted the princess on the chest to help her catch her breath. At the same time, she poured a cup of tea and fed it to the princess.
Princess Mingzhao had eaten too fast and was choking. Fortunately, Bai Zheng reacted quickly and helped her get through it. Then the princess began to chew the remaining cakes in her mouth bit by bit, looking very content.
Bai Zheng looked at Princess Mingzhao, who had caused trouble without realizing it. Her delicate eyebrows almost curved into a crescent moon. She held back for a long time before slowly saying, "Your Highness, how could you eat so fast? Be careful of choking."
Princess Mingzhao's cheeks were puffed out, looking exactly like a squirrel preparing for winter. Because her mouth was stuffed with too much food, her words were a bit slurred: "Mother, and Sister Sheng, don't allow, don't allow Zhaoming to eat."
"Since Her Highness the Concubine doesn't allow Your Highness to eat, it must be for Your Highness's health. How could Your Highness secretly eat as soon as Her Highness the Concubine left!" Bai Zheng put on a serious face and seriously taught the princess.
Princess Mingzhao swallowed the food with a wronged look, lowered her head, and said "Oh".
Bai Zheng looked at Princess Mingzhao, who had returned to her soft and obedient state. Her furry head was half - lowered, and the red - gold plum blossom hairpin on her head swayed slightly with her movements. Bai Zheng couldn't help but let out another long sigh.
She knew it. Concubine Zhao, who had always looked down on the Bai family, would specially send her an invitation. She must have had evil intentions. Now, this Princess Mingzhao, who was at the most annoying age of six or seven, was obviously a time - bomb that Bai Sheng had sent to her. If she was not careful, she would be accused of not taking good care of the princess.
Moreover, with Bai Sheng's ruthless personality, she would do anything to frame her. If she kept Princess Mingzhao by her side any longer, she might even lose her life.
Bai Zheng rubbed her temples with a headache. She remembered that back then, she had also used this Princess Mingzhao to save her father. Now, Bai Sheng was using the same tactic against her. It really felt like karma.
Back then! Bai Zheng seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Princess Mingzhao." Bai Zheng showed the little princess a smile as kind and amiable as possible. She said affectionately and gently, "Do you still want to eat something else?"
"Yes!" As soon as she heard about food, Princess Mingzhao immediately excitedly raised her head.
"Look over there." Bai Zheng pointed her index finger in the opposite direction. "On Prince Wu's table, there is a plate of newly - tribute green fruits from Southern Shu. I was once fortunate enough to taste them at the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion. They are fragrant, waxy, and sweet. They are much more delicious than the osmanthus cakes."
"Really!" Princess Mingzhao asked excitedly.
Looking at the princess's eager and expectant face, Bai Zheng curled her lips and nodded. She replied, "I'll be a puppy if I lie to you."
"Okay!"
After hearing this, Princess Mingzhao didn't even wait for Bai Zheng to get up and take her. She rushed towards Feng Jingyi on her own.
"Your Highness!"
Zhuling was startled by the princess's suddenly fast - moving little legs and didn't react for a moment. But Bai Zheng's heart skipped a beat. She quickly got up and chased after the princess in big strides. At least, at least she had to safely hand the princess over to Feng Jingyi.
With this thought in mind, Bai Zheng quickened her pace.
At this time, in the Wenrui Palace, because of Concubine Zhao's departure, the atmosphere became lively and relaxed. Feng Jingye seemed to be in a great mood because he had just gotten Feng Jingxuan drunk. He was happily chatting with his siblings, constantly shouting for the maids to serve tea and slapping the table to add to the fun.
The guests were also moving around freely without any restraint, toasting and greeting each other. The maids and servants in the Wenrui Palace were constantly moving around to serve snacks, remove fruit plates, and carry the birthday gifts bestowed by Feng Linche. The center of the main hall was suddenly crowded.
Princess Mingzhao's little body was squeezing through the people coming and going in the hall. Bai Zheng's eyes closely followed her. But because the princess was young and short, her sight would be blocked by the maids who suddenly walked by.
An uneasiness welled up in Bai Zheng's heart. She subconsciously looked behind her at the wet - nurse and maids who were supposed to be following the princess. She saw that they were all standing there with their heads down, as if they didn't see what was happening here and didn't take any action.
Bai Zheng's heart sank.
"Your Highness, slow down!"
Seeing the princess's little body squeezing through the gaps and running faster and faster, while she herself was always blocked by the maids coming and going, Bai Zheng simply called out, "All of you, be careful. Watch out for the princess..."
Before her words were finished, she saw Princess Mingzhao, who was running happily not far away, trip over something and suddenly fall forward onto the ground.
Bai Zheng immediately stopped.
"Princess Mingzhao!"
She deliberately shouted at the top of her voice. The noise in the hall drowned out Bai Zheng's shout, and no one noticed anything unusual. Not far away, the princess's wet - nurse and personal maid still seemed to hear nothing and remained motionless.
Bai Zheng's eyebrows frowned deeper and deeper. On the other side, the princess, who finally felt the pain of the fall, also began to cry loudly.
"Ah — wuwuwu..."