The snow in the capital had been falling in great flurries for more than half a month.
It usually started snowing in the middle of the night and cleared up by dawn. The snow would melt and then fall again, repeating this cycle.
As a result, the snow on the ground was not very thick.
Only the eaves and steps were covered with a thin layer of dirty snow.
However, the entrance of the Prince's Mansion was spotlessly clean, not even a bit damp.
It was because Nanny Wang and Steward Zhou cleaned it themselves every day, waiting for Yan Zhao and Ning Ywan to return so that their feet would not get wet or dirty.
Every morning, Nanny Wang would eagerly wait for the carriage to return. She would lift the corner of her skirt and mutter, "It's already been seven days. Why aren't they back yet?"
When Yan Zhao and Ning Ywan went to Fangshan this time, most of the young people in the mansion went with them.
For example, the four brothers A Da and A Er, and the well-behaved and quiet Lian Zi and Lian Ye.
The once bustling mansion became even quieter.
Nanny Wang often looked at Steward Zhou and sighed, "I'm really sick of looking at this old face!"
The days passed slowly and boringly without the Prince and his Princess in the mansion.
When on earth would they come back!
Steward Zhou: …
You didn't dislike me like this when we got married.
But he was never good at expressing himself. He moved his lips for a long time trying to say something, but Nanny Wang had already stopped looking at him.
She was imagining the peerless beauty of the Princess in her mind. If only …
If only she hadn't stayed at home and had gone with the Princess instead.
She wondered what the Princess had been eating outside.
Had she lost weight?
Nanny Wang stared blankly in the direction of the small kitchen. The Princess hadn't eaten her noodles for several days.
Suddenly, a big face appeared in her hazy vision. The bright eyes were full of smiles.
"Why are you sighing, Nanny Wang!"
There was a bit of moisture in Nanny Wang's eyes. She thought it was Steward Zhou and felt a bit ashamed to be seen in such a state.
She immediately lowered her eyes and pretended to thread a needle, saying, "I don't know when Young Master Zhao and the Princess will be back. The Laba Festival is the day after tomorrow."
The Laba Festival should be celebrated by the whole family together, lively and joyfully!
"The Princess was urgently recalled to the capital, so the snow - viewing banquet in Fangshan was cancelled. The Prince and the Princess will be back today!"
A Si scratched his head. "I think they've just passed through the city gate."
Nanny Wang was suddenly stunned. The person talking to her wasn't Steward Zhou. Instead, the voice was clear and full of youth.
A Si!
She looked up but only saw a huge bamboo basket filled with fresh fruits that were rarely seen in the capital.
Behind the basket was A Si's smiling face.
"Does Nanny Wang only think about the Prince and the Princess? I've been thinking about you so much, A Si, and I specially brought back a lot of things from Fangshan."
The fruits were picked from the trees in the South Courtyard of Fangshan.
At the bottom of the basket were also several skinned rabbits and chickens.
Fangshan used to be the territory of Emperor Chu. There were already many rare things there.
Later, it was given to Chu Nian'an, and she arranged people to carefully plant fruit trees and raise some small prey.
But since she didn't go there often, many fragrant and sweet fruits would rot on the trees, and the rabbits and pheasants reproduced so fast that it was easy to take out two hundred for the hunting activity.
When they were away from home, the young ones naturally thought of Nanny Wang.
They specially asked for Yan Zhao's permission and brought back a lot.
Now, A Si pouted deliberately, took a fragrant pear from the basket, took a big bite with satisfaction, and exaggerated his expression to attract Nanny Wang. "It's so sweet!"
Nanny Wang's eyes lit up. "Little A Si, you're back!"
She slapped A Si on the back. "Stinky boy, of course Nanny Wang misses …"
But she stopped halfway through her words.
She exchanged a surprised look with Lian Ye. "The Prince and the Princess are also coming back?"
She couldn't hold back her laughter and ran out, leaving A Si who was still munching on half a pear.
"Nanny Wang!"
A Si was stunned. He was the most considerate and sensible one. He came back to the mansion early just to give Nanny Wang a surprise.
Of course, he also had a little selfish thought that he was afraid Nanny Wang wouldn't notice him if there were too many people.
But it seemed that Nanny Wang didn't even see him!
He finished the fragrant pear aggrievedly and snorted angrily, "I'm so angry that I can't eat dinner today!"
The main gate of the Prince's Mansion was already wide open. Nanny Wang patted the dust off her sleeves and carefully tidied up her clothes. Then she walked arm - in - arm with Steward Zhou and waited for the carriage.
The two of them stood on tiptoe and waited. It took a long time before they saw a luxurious carriage slowly approaching.
There were golden bells hanging around the carriage. The wind made them tinkle.
It was just like Nanny Wang's heart, beating up and down with excitement.
A few snowflakes slowly fell in the cold air.
"Giddyap!"
"Nanny Wang!"
In the snow, several teenagers on horses waved and greeted.
They were A Da, A Er and the others. But there was also a strange and handsome young man at the end, smiling shyly.
"Hey! You're finally back!"
Nanny Wang was worried. "Why didn't you wear more clothes on the way!"
She knew in her heart that the martial - arts - trained teenagers weren't afraid of the cold, but she was always worried that if anyone caught a cold, it would be a big problem.
A Da got off his horse and walked closer affectionately. "It's so cold. I should have brought the thick cotton - padded jacket that Nanny Wang sewed for me a few days ago."
"Next time, Nanny Wang will make a few more for you. You can take them all with you."
Nanny Wang patted his shoulder and shook off the thin layer of snow on him.
A Er and A San also quietly walked closer. They didn't say a word but just stared at Nanny Wang intently.
Nanny Wang looked around with a smile. "Everyone will have one!"
As she was speaking, a beautiful couple got off the carriage. They looked cold and elegant in the snow.
"Zhao'er, Princess, you're finally back!"
The most important people were back.
Nanny Wang naturally left the young ones behind and walked towards them happily. "Why did it take you so long this time?"
In previous years, the banquets never lasted this long.
At most, it would be two or three days, and then everyone would go back to their own homes.
If Nanny Wang hadn't sent someone to inquire about the other noble young ladies and gentlemen in the capital and heard that none of them had returned, she wouldn't have been able to calm down a bit.
She looked anxious. A large snowflake landed on her forehead, but she didn't even have time to brush it off.
A gentle smile gradually appeared in Yan Zhao's cold eyes. "We were delayed by some small matters."
He didn't intend to tell Nanny Wang about the incident of falling into the water in Fangshan for fear that the old lady would worry.
Yan Zhao was always cold - hearted, but he only showed a bit of tenderness to those close to him.
Nanny Wang knew his personality well. She carefully examined him and was relieved when she saw that he was safe and sound.
"Nanny Wang."
Ning Ywan brushed the snowflake off Nanny Wang's forehead. Her charming smile was heart - stirring. "I miss the noodles you make."
Nanny Wang happily replied, "Okay, okay, okay. I'll go and make some noodles for the Princess right away!"
Just as she turned around, a strange voice came from behind. "Nanny Wang, make one more portion for this young master!"
Young master?
Who in the Prince's Mansion would talk to Nanny Wang like this!
Nanny Wang only needed to listen for a moment to know that the person had a big temper. She replied while turning around, "There are many people today. This old servant will make a few more portions. Everyone will have some."
Then she saw a man on a maroon horse behind the carriage.
He showed his big white teeth and smiled brightly. "It's been a long time since I ate Nanny Wang's noodles. I must eat my fill today!"
"Who are you?"
Nanny Wang stared blankly as the man walked closer. His smile grew bigger in her eyes and caused ripples in her heart. "Young Prince Gu?"
Gu Xiao dismounted from his horse. His pupils were bright. "Nanny Wang, I haven't seen you for five years. I miss you so much!"