Back at the palace, Granny Gui didn't tell the Empress Dowager about Lu Wanning's misdiagnosis by the incompetent doctor from the Duke's Mansion. Instead, she simply reported that the princess was doing well and her injuries were not serious.
The Empress Dowager's face was flushed, and she looked extremely unwell. She leaned on the couch for a long time before regaining her composure. With a gentle smile, she said, "Ning'er is so afraid of pain. This must have been quite an ordeal for her. Poor thing. A Gui, go to my treasury and pick out some nice trinkets for her to cheer her up."
Granny Gui beamed, "Your Ladyship is so considerate of the princess. But the princess is no longer a child. Do you know why she made such a fuss over a minor injury just to get Your Ladyship's attention?"
The Empress Dowager looked up in confusion. She knew Lu Wanning well. The girl was so delicate that only she would be bold enough to ask the imperial doctor to examine her for a minor injury.
Granny Gui quickly continued, "The princess has grown up. I used to think she was just being delicate, but when I went there, I realized she was actually worried about Your Ladyship. She asked me all sorts of questions about Your Ladyship's well - being and said that when the prince comes back in a few days, she would come to the palace with him to visit Your Ladyship."
The Empress Dowager's face broke into a smile like a daisy, "Really? Who said Ning'er was spoiled? Such a considerate girl could never be a spoiled child."
"Exactly," Granny Gui added, "The prince has won a great victory. Your Ladyship need not worry anymore."
However, instead of being comforted, the Empress Dowager's smile froze, and the helplessness and worry in her eyes deepened, "Achieving too much merit might overshadow the sovereign... I wonder when Hongxi will ever understand."
...
Early the next morning, Lu Wanning excitedly set out with Jiyue and Xiangyun, carrying her gift. She was going to find Sheng Jinyu to give him the present. They say that one can never be too polite. She thought that simply chatting wouldn't help build a closer relationship, but a gift might win her some favor.
It was said that the Prince of Yu was a man of all talents, but he was so cold and hard to approach that his reputation was not as good as that of the Crown Prince. But it didn't matter. Lu Wanning was very confident in herself. She was good - looking, and if she was also sweet - tongued, she would be even more likable.
Prince Yu had been on duty at the Ministry of Rites. As the New Year was approaching, many envoys from small countries friendly with the Great Zhou had come to pay their respects. Prince Yu had to represent the emperor to receive them.
Lu Wanning took a carriage, while her two maids were extremely nervous. They couldn't understand why the princess would go out at this time, especially to the Ministry of Rites to find Prince Yu. Prince Yu, Sheng Jinyu, was a man who never showed a kind face to anyone. It was said that even the emperor had to give him some leeway.
Going there so publicly, if any unpleasant rumors spread, it wouldn't be good.
Lu Wanning had considered being more discreet, but she had no other choice. Sheng Jinyu was always elusive. She couldn't just go to his mansion to find him. After much thought, she decided to go there openly under the pretext of expressing her gratitude.
When they arrived at the Ministry of Rites, Lu Wanning led her two maids through the main gate. She politely asked a junior official, "Is Prince Yu on duty today?"
The junior official stared at the young girl in surprise. He had never seen such a beauty before. It seemed that even an immortal from the sky couldn't compare. But why did this young girl come here to look for Prince Yu?
He stammered for a long time and couldn't bring himself to say no. Blushing, he simply nodded, "I'll... go and announce your arrival."
Lu Wanning gave a gentle smile, which seemed to strike the junior official's heart. His heart raced for a long time. Only when he walked inside did he realize that he hadn't asked the girl's identity and didn't know how to announce her.
When Sheng Jinyu heard the junior official's report, he was quite curious. The junior official couldn't say anything clearly. Flushing red, he just said that a celestial beauty had come to find him. When asked which family the girl was from, he had no answer.
The Minister of Rites, who was sitting opposite Sheng Jinyu, had a sly smile on his face, "Since Your Highness is busy, we won't disturb you. We'll go and arrange the matters regarding the envoys from Dayu first. We'll wait for Your Highness to come back and make a decision."
Sheng Jinyu didn't say anything. He went to the reception room next to him and saw the girl from yesterday sitting at the table, curiously staring at the flower - cakes on it. The reception room was not inside the Ministry of Rites compound. These flower - cakes were probably some snacks that the junior officials had gone to great lengths to buy. But how could a princess like her be used to such simple food?
He coughed lightly, "Princess Zhaoyang, what can I do for you?"
Hearing his voice, Lu Wanning immediately looked up and gave a bright smile. The junior official behind her felt as if his soul was about to fly out of his body. He was so excited that he could hardly contain himself.
For some reason, Sheng Jinyu felt annoyed. He waved his hand to signal the junior official to leave. Then he slowly sat down opposite Lu Wanning and sized her up with a sidelong glance. Compared to yesterday, Lu Wanning's attire was simpler today. Without the elaborate ornaments and makeup, she reminded him of a saying:
"Whether richly adorned or lightly made up, she is always appropriate."
Lu Wanning picked up the teapot and poured tea for Sheng Jinyu. With a beaming smile, she said, "I remember that when I was a child, I was playing around in the palace and fell from a tree. Fortunately, my cousin happened to pass by and saved me, so I was spared from harm. I was too young to understand at that time and never had the chance to express my gratitude. Every time I think about it, I feel really guilty."
Sheng Jinyu looked at her suspiciously. Was she crazy? When he saved her, she was only seven or eight years old. Now, nine years had passed, and she suddenly came to talk about gratitude. Wasn't this too strange?
Moreover, from yesterday to today, he couldn't figure out why she called him "cousin" so naturally. It was true that the Empress Dowager came from the Zhennan Prince's Mansion. According to the family relationship, it was okay to call him "cousin". But this young girl had always been proud. Among the princes in the palace, except for the Crown Prince, she didn't put any of them in her eyes. Usually, just calling them "prince" or "highness" was already a big deal.
Lu Wanning motioned for Jiyue to put the jade flute box on the table and continued, "Cousin, I was ignorant before. Now that I've grown up and can tell right from wrong, I don't know how to play this jade flute. It's better to give it to someone who can appreciate it."
Sheng Jinyu's face darkened. How could he not know this jade flute? When he was traveling in a neighboring country, Brother Nanfeng had specifically asked him to find this wonderful item. Brother Nanfeng had said that it was for his younger sister. He had thought it was for He Chan from the He family, but unexpectedly, it had ended up in the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.
But now, it was actually being returned.
But who was the Princess Zhaoyang? She was not the kind of person who would give away things so generously. If the person sitting opposite her was Fu Rongxuan, Sheng Jinyu wouldn't be surprised at all. But now it was him...
This woman really seemed to fall in love with every good - looking man she met. Did she think that he was as easily tempted by such vulgar things as Fu Rongxuan?
Sheng Jinyu took a deep breath and stood up to leave.
Lu Wanning looked blank and quickly blocked his way, "Hey, cousin, why are you...?"