Seeing the three of them frozen there, ignoring his command, Sima Hao’s face immediately darkened.
Sima Zhu secretly chuckled, but rebuked aloud, “Why are you all stunned? Have you not paid your respects to the Grand Tutor?”
Hearing Sima Zhu say this, and seeing Yi Zhiye’s composed demeanor, the three realized it was true.
Although they were somewhat reluctant to greet someone who looked like a mere child, they had no choice but to defy the two great deities above. They could only stand up, cup their hands towards Yi Zhiye, and greet him.
The imperial second son, Sima Lu, raised his wine cup and gestured remotely towards Yi Zhiye.
“Greetings, Grand Tutor. I have always heard of your reputation but never had the chance to meet you. To meet you now is truly a fortune of three lifetimes.”
“You are too kind, Imperial Second Son,” Yi Zhiye said, lifting his wine cup and smiling back at Sima Lu. “In fact, we have met before.”
Sima Lu raised an eyebrow in surprise. “When? How did I not know?”
Yi Zhiye laughed heartily and then said, “When you were just born.”
Sima Lu: …
He was clearly a handsome youth who looked to be in his teens, appearing much younger than Sima Lu himself. Yet now, he was earnestly saying he had seen him at his birth.
Shen Xiaoyan, even without experiencing it personally, felt a flush of embarrassment.
The imperial third son, Sima Jing, scoffed, thinking this child might be an imposter.
What a pity, he mused, that their imperial father had become senile and believed such a thing.
As Sima Jing thought this, he glanced at Sima Zhu, only to find him lost in his own thoughts.
For the rest of the time, Shen Xiaoyan and the others remained silent, merely listening.
Looking at the fine wine and delicacies before her, Shen Xiaoyan felt extremely restless.
It seemed that this kind of life was truly not suited for her.
She was more suited to farming, tending flowers, or picking fruits.
When the banquet finally ended, it was still possible to leave the palace. However, the Grand Emperor made no mention of letting them depart.
Jiang Yubao led them back to the small courtyard where they had stayed during the day. It was then that Shen Xiaoyan noticed Zheng Xiang was not with them.
Jiang Yubao happened to turn his head and, seeing Shen Xiaoyan’s expression, smiled and said, “Prince Duan has already left the palace and returned to his residence.”
Shen Xiaoyan understood after a moment’s thought. Prince Duan, after all, was an external minister, and it was indeed inappropriate for him to stay within the Forbidden City.
That night, Shen Xiaoyan returned to check on the children again in the middle of the night. Seeing that they were sleeping soundly under the care of the wet nurses, she was reassured and returned to the Forbidden City.
The night passed without incident. The next day, after breakfast, they went to see the Grand Emperor again. There, they encountered Grand Princess Zande.
Not only Grand Princess Zande, but Baili Ziyun was also present.
Behind Baili Ziyun, Shen Xiaoyan also saw Lin Xiaowei dressed as a maid.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan felt a little surprised. For Lin Xiaowei to stay by Baili Ziyun's side and be brought into the palace by her, it was surely more than just seeking a stable life.
As they entered, Sima Hao and Grand Princess Zande were chatting and laughing. It seemed Grand Princess Zande had said something that made Sima Hao exceptionally happy.
Upon seeing them enter, the smile on Grand Princess Zande’s face stiffened for a moment before returning to normal.
“A Han…”
Grand Princess Zande said, then walked to Sima Han’s side and patted his shoulder. “It’s good that you’re back. The Grand Emperor can finally rest easy.”
Sima Han glanced at Grand Princess Zande, but had no intention of paying her any mind.
He walked directly to the Grand Emperor, bowed, and said, “Imperial Father, we will be leaving the palace today. Otherwise, the children at home will cause a ruckus.”
Sima Hao was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. “Yes, I had forgotten. You are a father yourself now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Sima Hao suddenly asked, “Where are you staying? You used to live in the palace, but it’s not suitable to stay in the palace now. If we were to renovate a prince’s mansion, it wouldn’t be finished anytime soon…”
“Imperial Father need not worry. Sima Han is currently living with the Grand Tutor. It’s a residence the Grand Tutor bought previously.”
Hearing this, Sima Hao looked towards Yi Zhiye. “When did the Grand Tutor buy a residence? I had no idea.”
Yi Zhiye curled his lips into a smile. “It was my horse farm.”
“Oh?” Sima Hao exclaimed, frowning as if still unsure where it was.
After a moment of thought, he said, “Have Jiang Yubao send you back.”
The group bowed to Sima Hao and then left the hall with Jiang Yubao.
Walking all the way to the city gates of the Forbidden City, they saw the several carriages that had brought them earlier were already waiting there.
They boarded the carriages, with Jiang Yubao riding his horse at the forefront.
Their speed was not fast, but this was relative to their speed the previous day.
The carriages had traveled for less than half an hour when they heard a carriage rushing from behind, seemingly heading towards them.
Shen Xiaoyan was resting with her eyes closed, leaning on Zheng Wei’s shoulder. When she felt the carriage suddenly stop, she immediately opened her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
Zheng Wei patted Shen Xiaoyan’s shoulder reassuringly. “It’s nothing. I’ll go and see.”
Before Zheng Wei could get out of the carriage, he heard Grand Princess Zande’s voice from outside. “A Han, the Grand Emperor and Aunt were just saying they want Aunt to visit your residence to see if you are lacking anything, so that they can add it quickly. If it’s truly not suitable, then find a courtyard to arrange as soon as possible. It’s better than living at a horse farm, no matter what.”
Hearing Grand Princess Zande’s words, Shen Xiaoyan in the carriage curled her lips into a smirk.
She spoke in such a dignified manner, but her words were, by any measure, a mockery.
Mockery of what?
Because Yi Zhiye said they were living at a horse farm?
“If the Princess wishes to visit, then by all means, follow,” Sima Han’s calm voice came, followed by a moment of silence.
After a long pause with no one speaking, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Jiang Yubao, waiting at the front, saw that no one was breaking the tension. However, they couldn’t just stop in the middle of the road. He could only brace himself and say, “Then let’s proceed.”
With someone breaking the ice, Grand Princess Zande naturally wouldn't put herself in further discomfort. She gave a soft hum, withdrew her hand, and lowered the carriage curtain.
The carriages began to move again. Before long, they entered the bustling market, passed through it, and arrived at the residential area, finally reaching their gate.
The gate was very grand, and they had not opened it during their half-month stay.
The gate did not have a plaque like ordinary homes, but its grandeur was evident at a glance.
Jiang Yubao looked at the gate for a moment, then dismounted his horse and told a young eunuch to go and knock.
After only a few knocks, the gate was opened a crack from the inside.
Huo Si’s head poked out from the gap. Upon seeing Jiang Yubao standing outside, Huo Si’s face instantly turned pale with alarm.
What should he do? The masters were all absent, and why was Steward Jiang here?
Just as Huo Si was contemplating what to do, he saw Sima Han and the others disembark from the carriages.
Huo Si’s heart instantly settled. Since the masters were back, there was nothing to worry about.
He withdrew his head and called for the servants to open both large doors, standing to the sides to await Shen Xiaoyan and the others’ entry.
Sima Han walked over to Jiang Yubao. “Eunuch, you’ve had a long journey. Please come in for a cup of tea. You can also take back the gifts I prepared for the Grand Emperor.”
Sima Hao had instructed Jiang Yubao to visit. Hearing Sima Han’s invitation, he naturally agreed with a smile.
The group walked through the gate, but not a single word was mentioned about Grand Princess Zande, as if they had all forgotten her.
Grand Princess Zande sat in her carriage, originally waiting for Sima Han to invite her down. However, upon hearing the footsteps outside gradually fading away, she lifted the carriage curtain. Seeing that everyone had already entered the gate, her face darkened.
These people were doing it deliberately.
However, it was impossible for them to make her retreat.
“Get out,” Grand Princess Zande said in a low voice and then stood up to dismount.
Baili Ziyun’s lips twitched as she saw this. She wanted to say something, but seeing Grand Princess Zande had already dismounted, she dared not speak.
Lin Xiaowei dismounted from the maid’s carriage behind and quickly walked to Baili Ziyun’s back.
“Miss, why don’t you hurry and follow?” Lin Xiaowei asked cautiously.
Baili Ziyun bit her lip and said softly, “I just don’t understand why Mother insists on being at odds with them. Clearly…”
“Clearly what?” Lin Xiaowei asked in confusion.
Hearing Lin Xiaowei’s question, Baili Ziyun suddenly realized she had said too much. She shook her head and stopped talking.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
Lin Xiaowei had long suspected that there was some conflict between Grand Princess Zande and Shen Xiaoyan’s group.
Furthermore, it was highly possible that Grand Princess Zande and Baili Ziyun had something on Shen Xiaoyan’s group. Otherwise, how could a dignified princess repeatedly suffer at their hands?
Lin Xiaowei had been quietly investigating what this leverage was, but unfortunately, she hadn’t found anything yet.
However, there was still plenty of time, and she would eventually find something useful.
At that time, she would no longer tolerate being bullied or berated.
Recalling the pain inflicted upon her by Baili Ziyun over this period, flames ignited in Lin Xiaowei’s eyes.