"Second Sister!" Mingwei's eyes lit up, and she quickly took two steps forward, a smile spreading across her lips. "Second Sister, what brings you here?"
Mingwei saw that Mingqian was so happy that she forgot her body was not the same as before. She herself was fine, but Yuelin and the others were startled. Biyun went forward to help her, saying, "Your Highness, please take it easy!"
Mingxi quickly raised her voice and said, "Slow down, slow down!"
Unexpectedly, everyone reacted so strongly. Mingwei blushed slightly and smiled to cover it up: "Second sister, it's been a while since we last met. I was afraid that the old lady and madam would miss me, so I wanted you to take a good look at me. If the old lady and madam ask about me when we get back, you'll have something to say."
"You, you're still so mischievous!" Mingxi was both amused and annoyed. She took Mingwei's hand and they went into the main courtyard together. "You're about to become a mother, but you're still like a child."
The warm and intimate atmosphere between the two infected Yue Lin and the others, who couldn't help but smile. Bi Yun was especially surprised; the usually dignified and noble princess actually had such a lively side.
“I came from the Marquis of Chengping’s residence with the Prince,” Mingxi explained. “It seems the Prince had something to attend to and left first.”
Seeing Mingxi arrive, Mingwei was filled with joy. "It's been a while since I've seen you, Second Sister, you've grown even more beautiful. I have a few boxes of fine rouge here, you can try them out later."
"You're teasing your sister now!" Mingxi readily accepted the joke. "At least you have some filial piety."
As they talked, Mingwei led Mingqian to her usual place of rest and recuperation.
"How are Grandmother, Father, and Mother?" Although they hadn't spent much time together, Mingwei already considered them her true family. Upon seeing Mingqian today, she couldn't wait to ask, "Is everything alright at home?"
After Rong Zhen was imprisoned in Prince Yu's residence, she almost completely lost contact with the Marquis of Chengping's household. During her confinement in Prince Yu's residence, Rong Zhen was deposed from his position as the Crown Prince. These events, which would be terrifying enough for outsiders, happened one after another. Her beloved old lady must have been unable to eat or sleep properly as well!
"It's all good, it's all good." Mingxi said with a smile, "The old lady wasn't feeling well at first, but after the prince came to our house today to tell you the good news, she's completely recovered! The old lady was even planning to come see you, but the prince and mother persuaded her not to." Before she finished speaking, she pretended to have a bitter face and said, "I thought that after you got married, the old lady would dote on me more, but who knew that as soon as you were mentioned, she would forget about me again!"
Mingxi was serious for the first two sentences, but then she couldn't help but tease Mingwei.
"Second sister!" Mingwei gritted her teeth and said, "It's only been a few days since I last saw you, and you've become even more eloquent!"
While the two sisters were still "exposing each other's shortcomings and undermining each other," Yue Lintangli had already served hot tea. Dongyue and Biyun each carried a black lacquered tray with plum blossoms and pearls, on which were placed several exquisite candied fruits and pastries.
"Second Miss, please have some." Yue Lin first served tea to Ming Qian, then curtsied and said with a smile, "It's your favorite Xinyang Maojian."
Mingxi smiled and nodded as she accepted the teacup. She glanced at the clear, emerald-green tea in the famille rose teacup and praised, "Good girl, it's kind of you to remember."
In a short while, the room was filled with the aroma of tea, which made Mingwei's mouth water.
"Your Highness, here's your medicinal tea." Tang Li presented Ming Wei with another celadon teacup from the imperial kiln, which also looked clear and translucent. Ming Wei, however, wrinkled her nose as if by reflex.
I don't know how that doctor Zhang managed to make it; it looks exactly like ordinary tea, but the taste is completely different.
Upon hearing the words "medicinal tea," Mingxi understood immediately. She deliberately picked up the teacup in front of her, took a small sip, and then said leisurely, "Indeed, the tea from the Prince's Mansion is excellent; its aroma and taste are both superb."
Her smug, self-satisfied attitude made Mingwei grit her teeth in anger.
"Second Miss, please have some refreshments." Biyun followed the way Yuelin and the others addressed her, and she curtsied gracefully, saying, "Biyun greets Second Miss. Second Miss, you must keep an eye on our Princess Consort. The Prince has instructed that she is not allowed to eat too much of anything."
Well, even the maids around her didn't believe her; they all "contributed to the betrayal." Mingwei glared at them with a fierce but weak expression, while grinding her teeth helplessly.
Mingqian was greatly relieved. She smiled and said, "Of course, of course," while giving a wink to the maid standing beside her. The maid quickly handed Mingqian several purses. Mingqian laughed, "They're nothing, you can take them and play with them."
They accepted it with smiles, and Biyun could tell from the touch that the contents were quite substantial. Although she had grown up in the Eastern Palace and had seen many fine things, she had to admit that Mingqian was incredibly generous. She thought to herself, "The Princess's family really treats her very well."
After thanking them several times, Biyun tactfully withdrew, leaving the two sisters alone.
When only Mingwei and Mingqian remained in the room, Mingqian, who had been all smiles, scrutinized Mingwei from head to toe. After a long while, she said, "Silly girl, why are you still so silly! You look a bit haggard and thinner!"
Before her marriage, Mingwei's face was still somewhat chubby, but now her chin was noticeably pointed. Although she looked alright, there was a faint trace of fatigue and weariness on her face that makeup couldn't conceal. Thinking about how Mingwei had lived in constant fear and anxiety ever since Rongzhen's accident, Mingqian felt a pang of heartache.
She knew that beneath Mingwei's dignified and noble exterior lay a tender heart, one who would give her all to those she cared about, even to the point of being somewhat foolish. Back then, the galloping carriage was so dangerous; to protect her, Mingwei had jumped off without a second thought.
Mingwei was risking her life at the time! But she still did it, decisively and without hesitation.
From that moment on, she made up her mind to treat Mingwei like her own younger sister, to protect her and treat her well. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, Mingwei married into the royal family and became the Crown Prince's consort. Their concern was ultimately limited; the news of Rong Zhen's imprisonment was like a bolt from the blue. During those days, Mingxi was also constantly anxious, unable to eat or sleep properly.
Fortunately, Heaven had eyes and allowed Rong Zhen to escape the struggle for the throne safely. From then on, he could live as a wealthy and leisurely prince, which was also a good thing for Mingwei.
Dressed in scarlet robes, with her hair styled in a high bun and adorned with several dazzling phoenix hairpins… Mingxi gazed at the dignified Mingwei before her, her heart filled with complex emotions. Ultimately, Mingwei was still a person of deep feeling and strong principles. After all, it took courage to unhesitatingly and voluntarily follow the imprisoned and uncertain Crown Prince out of the Eastern Palace.
"...How can we trust you when you're always acting so foolishly!"
Upon hearing this, Mingwei's eyes were already red-rimmed, glistening with a thin layer of tears. Mingqian's lively performance just now made Mingwei feel as if she had returned to the most carefree days in the Chengping Marquis's mansion, and now her emotional appearance made Mingwei's heart ache.
"Second Sister, don't forget what Grandma always says." Mingwei blinked, trying to hold back her tears. "Grandma says I'm most like Second Sister. If Second Sister says I'm stupid..." Mingwei chuckled, "Then wouldn't you be too..."
Mingxi, who was just getting into the mood, had her sadness dissipate considerably after Mingwei interrupted her like that. "When it comes to being eloquent, I'm nowhere near as good as you!"
The two sisters couldn't help but smile at each other.
"Alright, alright, I'm relieved to see you're doing well today." Mingxi put away her playful expression and looked around the room. She said seriously, "You are a lucky person, because the Prince treats you very well."
The furnishings in the room weren't particularly luxurious, but they possessed an indescribable sense of comfort and refined elegance. From the moment Mingxi entered, she took in everything. From the embroidered peony branches on the large cushion to the set of famille rose porcelain in front of her, she could sense Rong Zhen's high regard for Mingwei.
Everything was clearly arranged according to Mingwei's preferences. The chess manual casually half-open on the kang (heated brick bed) by the window, along with several items that indicated they belonged to the male head of the household, showed that Rongzhen and Mingwei had a very good relationship. The warm and cozy atmosphere exuded by the furniture made Mingxi feel that it was all the more precious.
Most importantly, the respectful attitude of the maids in the mansion towards Mingwei also reflects the master's high regard for the mistress. The maid named Biyun, judging from her appearance and attire, should be Rong Zhen's head maid, yet she showed Mingwei both respect and closeness, which was definitely due to Rong Zhen's influence.
And then there were the gifts Rong Zhen brought to the Chengping Marquis's residence this morning… Ming Qian glanced at the gift list, and even the old lady couldn't help but nod in approval. The gifts Rong Zhen prepared were neither excessively expensive to make one feel uncomfortable, nor casual to make one feel slighted; it was clear at a glance that he had put a lot of thought into them. He went to such lengths all because of Ming Wei!
Rong Zhen was born into an extremely noble family, yet he did not show the slightest disrespect to Ming Wei because of her background.
Then she recalled that Rong Zhen had gone to the Chengping Marquis's residence early that morning to tell the old lady the good news. Although he was as mature and composed as ever, his eyes and brows revealed an undisguised joy. He hadn't even noticed that she had repeated the good news several times in a rambling manner.
Mingxi was secretly happy for Mingwei; Mingwei had finally found a good home.
Upon hearing Rong Zhen's name, a fleeting shyness crossed Mingwei's face. But thinking of Rong Zhen's gentleness, kindness, and thoughtfulness, she nodded earnestly and said, "The Prince treats me extremely well."
"Then take good care of yourself and give the Prince a little prince." Mingxi thought of Mingwei's pregnancy and didn't want to upset her. So Mingxi glanced at Mingwei's still flat stomach and teased, "No, you should give birth to several little princes, little princesses!"