Yun Jiu watched Wan Ruo showing such concern for Lord Bai Chen and said with a gentle smile, "Miss Wan Ruo, it's not hard to tell that you still care a great deal about Lord Bai Chen, don't you?"
"Ah?" Wan Ruo looked astonished. What did this mean?
"That's wonderful!" Yun Jiu showed a relieved smile and continued, "Lord Bai Chen has always been a cold - looking person. Few people can get close to him. Even so, there are still many young girls infatuated with him. However, he has always been very lonely! Until you came along. You seem to be his exception indeed! Lord Bai Chen has also become much gentler!"
Wan Ruo said awkwardly, "Ah - ha! Really? Is there such a change?"
Gentle? Really? He was more like a devil! But then again, Wan Ruo realized that she had never really taken the time to get to know him.
After breakfast, Wan Ruo planned to visit Princess An Yao. She prepared some snacks for her in the kitchen. After getting everything ready, she returned to her residence and called for Wan Zi.
The pouting Wan Zi was hiding in a corner and didn't want to respond at first.
But Wan Ruo used the same old trick. "Hey, this delicious food I made with my own hands just came out of the oven. It's a pity. I wanted to share it with you, but you weren't around. You're so unlucky!"
Food made by Wan Ruo herself? It must be delicious! Wan Zi struggled inwardly but couldn't resist the temptation of the delicious food. Suddenly, it appeared in front of Wan Ruo!
"Humph! You always know how to bribe me with food! Humph, give it to me!" Wan Zi said in a huff.
"Here you are. After you finish eating, accompany me to the palace to visit Princess An Yao!" Wan Ruo said.
"I knew it. The food doesn't come for free!"
On the way to the palace, Wan Ruo told Wan Zi about what had happened in the past two days.
"I didn't expect such a strange thing to happen in the palace!" Wan Zi commented.
When they reached the palace gate, they were stopped by the guards. Only then did Wan Ruo suddenly remember that she had entered the palace in the prince's carriage yesterday.
Now without a token and without the prince, it would be very difficult for her to get in.
Just as they were about to go back,
"Miss Wan Ruo? What are you doing here?"
A carriage stopped in front of her. Sitting in the carriage were Mrs. Su, the wife of the prime minister's mansion, and the eldest miss, Wei Qing Shan.
Wan Ruo looked up. "Miss Qing Shan? Ah, I originally wanted to visit Princess An Yao, but it seems I can't get in..."
Wan Ruo explained awkwardly.
"Oh, really? Coincidentally, we're also going to visit the princess. Why don't you get in and come in with us!" Wei Qing Shan invited actively.
"Qing Shan, who is it?" A voice came from inside the carriage. It was Mrs. Su, the wife of the prime minister's mansion.
"Mother, it's a friend we met at the Prince Pingnan's mansion before, Miss Wan Ruo!"
Hearing the conversation, Wan Ruo realized there was someone else in the carriage. She was afraid of causing trouble and said embarrassedly, "Um, is it not very convenient? Maybe it's not a good idea?"
"It's okay. The person in the carriage is my mother. Come on up!"
"Wow! This young lady is not only beautiful but also kind - hearted!" Wan Zi stared at her in admiration.
Hearing Wan Zi's words, Wan Ruo thought to herself, You little pervert!
Feeling a bit embarrassed but unable to decline the kind invitation, she got into the carriage.
When she saw the prime minister's wife in the carriage, she immediately felt the powerful aura. Mrs. Su looked like a refined and noble lady from a prominent family.
The carriage smoothly entered the palace.
"Let me introduce you. This is my mother, Mrs. Su, and this is Miss Wan Ruo!"
"Greetings to Mrs. Su!" Wan Ruo greeted politely.
Seeing that Wan Ruo was cute - looking and well - behaved, Mrs. Su said gently, "There's no need for such formalities! Qing Shan has good taste. You're really an adorable child. You and Qing Shan are of similar ages and get along so well. Come and visit our mansion more often when you're free!"
Hearing her mother's invitation, Wei Qing Shan looked at Wan Ruo happily.
Wan Ruo thanked politely, "Okay, thank you, Mrs. Su. Qing Shan is also beautiful and kind - hearted. She's very likable!"
"Oh, by the way, isn't Shopkeeper Bai with you?" Wei Qing Shan asked curiously.
"No, he's quite busy!" Wan Ruo replied awkwardly.
Wei Qing Shan said a bit disappointedly, "Oh, I see."
At this moment, Wan Ruo remembered how Bai Chen had treated Wei Qing Shan at the Prince Pingnan's mansion. She couldn't help but feel inferior.
It was true that Wei Qing Shan was beautiful and kind - hearted. More importantly, she came from a prominent family and was a refined young lady. She was so perfect. How could she compare with her?
The three of them came to Princess An Yao's residence, the Yi Ru Palace.
At this time, the Prince Pingnan and Concubine Yu were both there.
Concubine Yu was Princess An Yao's adoptive mother. She had watched Princess An Yao grow up and treated her like her own child.
Seeing the prime minister's wife and her daughter come to visit the princess, Concubine Yu quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Greetings to Your Highness Concubine Yu! Greetings to the Prince Pingnan!" Wei Qing Shan greeted politely.
"I didn't expect Qing Shan to have grown into such a beautiful young lady. You're really a little beauty!" Concubine Yu praised.
Si Hong Xi was very surprised to see Wan Ruo with them.
"Why are you here?" Si Hong Xi quickly stepped forward and asked with concern.
Seeing the special way the Prince Pingnan treated this young lady, Concubine Yu asked in confusion, "Who is this?"
"Your Highness Concubine Yu, let me introduce. This is Miss Wan Ruo. She's a good friend of this prince. We owe a lot to her for Princess An Yao's safe return this time!" Si Hong Xi put his arm around Wan Ruo's shoulder and introduced proudly.
Oh? Concubine Yu, Mrs. Su, and Wei Qing Shan were all a bit surprised. They didn't expect a seemingly delicate young lady to have such great abilities and to be so favored by the Prince Pingnan. She must not be an ordinary person!
"Oh? Really? Then we must really thank you!" Concubine Yu said politely.
Hearing Si Hong Xi say this, Wan Ruo felt unworthy and said awkwardly, "No, no. Your Highness is over - praising me. It was just a small effort on my part!"
"Oh? Miss Wan Ruo, there's no need to be so modest! The prince rarely praises people. You must have some extraordinary qualities!" Concubine Yu glanced at Si Hong Xi and said gently to Wan Ruo.
"Oh! By the way, this is the dim sum I made for Princess An Yao! Is she awake now?" Wan Ruo asked shyly.
Si Hong Xi took the food box from Wan Ruo's hand and replied, "Yes, she woke up this morning, but after eating something, she fell asleep again."
"I heard that the princess had contracted madness. How is she now? Is she better?" Mrs. Su asked with concern.
"Nonsense! It's just that she was a bit stressed because of the marriage alliance. The imperial doctor said there's no serious problem. She'll recover after a few days of rest!" Concubine Yu said awkwardly.
Hearing Concubine Yu say this, Mrs. Su nodded a bit uncomfortably. "That's good. I'm relieved then. Since the princess is still resting, we won't disturb her. We'll leave first!"
"I'm just about to return to the palace. I'll see you out!" Concubine Yu was about to see them out.
Wei Qing Shan looked at Wan Ruo beside her and asked with concern, "Miss Wan Ruo, do you want to go with us?"
Si Hong Xi quickly grabbed Wan Ruo's wrist and said to them, "Oh, I'll send her back later."
Wan Ruo also awkwardly broke free from Si Hong Xi's hand and nodded politely at them.
"That's fine. Come and visit our mansion more often when you have the chance. You're always welcome!" Mrs. Su said politely.
"Okay, thank you, Mrs. Su. Thank you, Miss Qing Shan!" Wan Ruo nodded and thanked.
Concubine Yu saw the mother - daughter pair out. Only she and Wan Ruo were left in the living room of the palace. Si Hong Xi quickly pulled Wan Ruo to sit down, opened the food box, and was about to take a bite of the dim sum.
"What are you doing? This is for the princess. You're not allowed to eat it!" Wan Ruo scolded.
Meanwhile, Wei Qing Shan and her mother had just left the palace in the carriage.
Mrs. Su thought for a moment and instructed Wei Qing Shan, "This Miss Wan Ruo seems to be no ordinary person. You should get along well with her. There might be times when we need her help!"
"Yes, mother!" Wei Qing Shan nodded.
Although she was not scheming, she always obeyed her parents' instructions.
Wan Ruo and Si Hong Xi were still playing around in the hall when suddenly they heard the door creak.