Zi Yuan poured her a cup of tea. "The mistress has been doing too much lately, so it's normal to be a little negligent."
This was an admission.
Su Yun Mo sat on a chair and looked up at the bronze mirror on the table.
The bronze mirror reflected a small, delicate face the size of a palm, with large, watery eyes and rosy cheeks, looking very cute.
However, the face exuded a maturity that did not belong to her age, and her eyes were sharp and radiant, creating a slight dissonance.
Su Yun Mo sighed. "Now that more people know my true identity, I'm a bit overwhelmed."
Lu Luo was carefree. Even if she knew some things, she wouldn't speculate carelessly. Now, speaking in front of her, Su Yun Mo wasn't guarded.
But over time, it was inevitable that she would become more demanding. She might not be careful in front of others.
Her brothers, father, and mother treated her as an ordinary child. She would have to be more vigilant in the future.
Zi Yuan said, "It's a bit difficult for you to pretend to be a child, but think about what you were like when you were five or six. If you act like that, it should suffice."
She imagined that when the mistress was young, she must have been a cute little glutinous rice ball in the Marquis's mansion.
Su Yun Mo fell silent.
Five years old... What was she doing then?
She had long forgotten those things. She only vaguely remembered that not long after her mother died, her wet nurse, who was the only one protecting her, also died.
After that, she lived alone in the vast mansion. Her father was often away and never saw her.
The third concubine always bullied her, and she had been struggling to survive, trying to please and curry favor, and then learning to resist amidst beatings.
"Heh~ If I really became like that, I'm afraid I'd be exposed even faster."
Zi Yuan was stunned and pursed her lips tightly, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "Mistress, did I say something wrong?"
She had only been by the mistress's side for a few years and had not seen her childhood. Perhaps the mistress had not had a good childhood.
"It's not your fault." Su Yun Mo stood up and patted the dust off her clothes. "Never mind, I'll pay attention to this matter in the future. The water should be ready, go take a bath."
Zi Yuan suppressed the words she wanted to say and took out a new set of clothes.
"This was made for you by the madam. Try it on after your bath to see if it fits. You need to wear it to the palace tonight."
Su Yun Mo's footsteps paused. "To the palace?"
Zi Yuan replied, "The former Emperor's youngest princess is getting married, and His Majesty is hosting a banquet for her."
Su Yun Mo recalled that there was indeed such an event. That Yun Yi King had also returned for this matter.
A thought of the girl in the imperial carriage that day flashed through her mind.
For some reason, Su Yun Mo's heart skipped a beat. A thought flashed by but she couldn't grasp it.
"Miss, the hot water is ready," Lu Luo came to call her.
Su Yun Mo temporarily suppressed her thoughts and went to bathe.
After bathing, she changed into the new clothes.
Su Yun Mo slept for a while, and someone came from the front hall.
"Fourth Miss, the carriage is ready. The madam wants you to go with her to the palace for the banquet."
"I know." Su Yun Mo tidied her clothes and went out.
Zhou Wan You was already waiting in the carriage. "Your second brother is going out with friends tonight, so it's just you and Mother going to the palace."
Su Yun Mo was carried into the carriage, acting very obediently. "Okay~"
The carriage traveled all the way to the imperial palace.
Zhou Wan You held the little dumpling's hand and led her to the main hall.
By this time, most of the guests had arrived. Everyone was congratulating Princess Hua Cheng and her consort.
Su Qing Tian sat in his seat and beckoned to the mother and daughter.
As soon as Su Yun Mo was seated, he handed her a piece of pastry. "It's going to be late today, Mo Mo. Eat something to tide you over."
The little dumpling didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed the pastry, stuffing it into her mouth. "Thank you, Daddy, this is delicious~"
"Good girl, eat more if you like it." Su Qing Tian's eyes were full of doting.
It wasn't like some bastard outside saying that Mo Mo was unusual and could even defeat a snow wolf, which was very strange.
Were they all blind? How could his daughter, who was so cute and well-behaved, be strange? Even if she saved someone today, it was a moment of inspiration, showing her intelligence.
General Su snorted inwardly, dismissing the words he had heard at noon.
"His Majesty arrives~"
Eunuch Jiao's voice came from outside, and everyone quieted down and returned to their seats.
Ye Yao Emperor entered from outside.
Many maids and guards followed him.
He walked step by step towards the throne, his every move exuding kingly demeanor.
When Ye Yao Emperor was seated, everyone bowed together. After hearing the command to 'rise,' they took their seats.
Ye Yao Emperor said, "Today, I have invited all the officials to a banquet for my family matters. Firstly, it is to wish Princess Hua Cheng a good marriage, and secondly, it is to welcome Yun Yi King."
"My brother has been guarding the border for many years and has worked hard. This time, I intend to keep him in the capital for a few more days, so that all my dear ministers can also interact with him."
Everyone's gaze fell on Yun Yi King.
Since ancient times, rulers have been wary of princes interacting too closely with their subjects, fearing factionalism.
However, Ye Yao Emperor openly expressed his hope for ministers to interact with him, indicating his sincere trust and favor.
Su Yun Mo also looked over.
Yun Yi King was wearing an official robe embroidered with a dragon chasing a pearl today, looking heroic and extraordinary.
He stood up and bowed. "Thank you, Imperial Brother, for your favor."
His every move exuded the demeanor of a general, yet he was very respectful and self-possessed.
Ye Ning Yuan sat beside him, fiddling with a pastry in her hand, not eating it, but slowly crushing it, letting the crumbs fall onto the plate.
Su Yun Mo raised an eyebrow, finding it a bit wasteful.
Suddenly, Ye Ning Yuan looked up abruptly and met Su Yun Mo's gaze, a curve forming on her lips.
Su Yun Mo's heart skipped a beat. Her gaze was very oppressive, as if it held a hint of playfulness, but it was certainly not something a child should possess.
"My brother, please sit down. There's no need to be so formal. I am happy today and am about to introduce Princess Danyang to all my dear ministers." Ye Yao Emperor's words interrupted their gaze.
Everyone was surprised.
They heard that this princess was not yet ten years old. Generally, princess titles were inherited through family business, marriage, or the mother's rank.
And the title 'Danyang' was a glorious honor, and it should not have been bestowed so easily.
"It seems His Majesty truly dotes on this little princess."
To be personally enfeoffed by His Majesty on such an occasion was a favor not easily granted to anyone.
"It's also possible. Yun Yi King has led troops for many years and has made great military contributions. His military power on the border is now greater than the imperial power. His Majesty's current favor might be to suppress him with imperial authority."
Everyone had their own thoughts and said all sorts of things.
Ye Ning Yuan slowly stood up as if she hadn't heard anything. "Yuan'er knows her talents are shallow. Thank you, Imperial Uncle, for your care and for bestowing this title upon Yuan'er."
Her voice was clear, and her smile was pure and untainted.
Su Yun Mo frowned, feeling that what she had just seen was an illusion.
Ye Yao Emperor smiled dotingly twice. "Why are you being so polite with Imperial Uncle? You are new to the capital and may not be accustomed to its prosperity. I was thinking of finding you some playmates."
"It's a pity that I have many imperial sons, and my only princess is also young, so I can't play with you. Coincidentally, many dear ministers have brought their children today. If you like any child, you can get to know them better later."