Chapter 1008: Chapter 1002: Temple Fair (Part 2)
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, took Fourth Master Xiao’s hand and walked back to the table to sit down, smiling, "Back then, Fourth Master was Fourth Master, and I was myself. I can’t control matters that far away, so why mind them." After saying this, she playfully asked, "Did Fourth Master ever come back again afterwards?"
Fourth Master Xiao was taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter, pinching her nose, he said, "You little devil!"
Xiqiu also pursed her lips and smiled.
After some commotion, there was suddenly a knock on the door from outside: "Fourth Master!" Hearing it was Tianjing’s voice, Xiqiu did not avoid it, and Fourth Master Xiao replied, "Come in!"
Tianjing came in and reported, "News came from the palace that there was a lantern-shooting competition tonight in the palace, and His Highness won the first prize!" He paused and then continued, "The Emperor was very pleased and bestowed the residence of the Seventh Prince on West Chang’an Street to His Highness."
Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "He only rewarded him alone?" Tianjing nodded and said, "Yes, only His Highness!"
"Understood." Fourth Master Xiao nodded and said, "You may go." Tianjing acknowledged and left.
The earlier jubilation gradually faded away. Xiqiu frowned, pondering the Emperor’s intentions. Currently, in the palace, there were only three Princes who mattered, yet the Emperor rewarded Min alone... She appeared anxious, glancing sideways at Fourth Master Xiao.
However, Fourth Master Xiao was much calmer, with a semblance of a smile on his face. Looking at Xiqiu, he said, "Do you know the stories about the Seventh Prince?"
Xiqiu shook her head, and Fourth Master Xiao continued, "When the late Emperor was reigning, the Eighth Prince conspired to create chaos. At that time, the situation was unstable, and the late Emperor couldn’t spare attention for both fronts. The Seventh Prince managed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, solving many court affairs for the late Emperor, so that the matter concerning the Eighth Prince was settled within just half a year. The Seventh Prince’s contributions were invaluable. However, the Seventh Prince was frail since childhood and passed away four years after the late Emperor ascended to the throne. The late Emperor kept the residence until now, never bestowing it upon anyone." He paused and continued, "When the Emperor set up his own residence, it was temporarily put together, only half the size of the Seventh Prince’s residence... It is said that His Highness secretly tried to make arrangements, hoping the late Emperor would grant him the Seventh Prince’s residence, but he never achieved this wish..."
Xiqiu finally understood what Fourth Master Xiao meant and said, "So, the Emperor is having Min fulfill the wishes he never could himself back then?"
Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly and replied, "You don’t need to overthink. The Emperor is in the prime of his life. Even if he had other intentions, it wouldn’t be at this time." He added, "Min is still young; even if he were to establish his own residence and leave the palace, it would take a few more years. Having the residence means having a safety net."
Perhaps she was overthinking things, Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, "Recently, Consort Le said the Emperor’s cough, has it gotten any better these days?"
Fourth Master Xiao pursed his lips and replied, "Much better, he rarely coughs at night now." He squeezed Xiqiu’s hand, "I have it under control, don’t let your mind wander."
Xiqiu nodded just as Bihuai and Lyuzhi returned, and they dropped the topic. Bihuai entered cheerfully holding a big paper bag, and Xiqiu asked, "What did you buy to carry so much?"
"This is for Madame," Bihuai said with a smile, "though it’s a bit cheap," looking slightly embarrassed.
Xiqiu saw that it was a delicately made box. Upon opening, she discovered it was a small dressing mirror. The reflection wasn’t as clear as the one at home, but the design was rather childlike, with two layers where small items like earrings could be stored. She smiled and said, "It’s very amusing, keep it safe for me later."
Bihuai blushed, smiled, wrapping up the item, and set it aside. Lyuzhi handed something over as well, "Madame, please try this; a servant saw they were selling cotton candy downstairs..." she said, looking a bit nervous.
"Thank you," Xiqiu replied. The soft cotton candy was clinging to a long, smoothly polished bamboo stick. Like a child, she took a lick and her mouth was filled with sweetness. She smiled and nodded, "I haven’t had this in ages; so sweet!"
Seeing her enjoyment, Lyuzhi relaxed and continued, "There’s also pink and yellow, the vendor said they were made with ground petals. I thought they looked nice but didn’t dare buy them, so I picked the common white ones."
Xiqiu chuckled, nodding, and took another bite, feeling her face getting sticky. Bihuai laughed, taking a cloth to wipe her face...
Fourth Master Xiao watched her childlike demeanor, amusement filling his eyes.
"Did you see Zhi and Seventh Master?" Xiqiu took the cloth to wipe her own face, as Bihuai put the cotton candy on a plate and replied, "We went separate ways after stepping out, but right now there’s a performance happening at the front, with several circles of people watching, they might be among the crowd."
