latelenovela Chapter 329 The Princess's Thoughts
Chapter 329 The Princess's Thoughts
noon.
Princess Yuqing invited me to stay for dinner.
Jiang Miaomiao successfully mooched a meal.
She quite enjoyed dining with Princess Yuqing.
Because her mother wasn't around, she could eat whatever she wanted.
Princess Yuqing personally picked up a piece of lemongrass roasted chicken for the little girl, saying, "Miaomiao, this is your favorite chicken leg."
"My mother won't let me eat it." Jiang Miaomiao shook her head, but her hand honestly reached out.
Princess Yuqing couldn't help but pat the little one's head and said gently, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your mother won't know."
Jiang Miaomiao counted in her mind as she ate.
One way, two ways, three ways, four ways...
The meal consisted of more than twenty dishes, served just for her and the princess.
Thinking back to her days in Taoxi Village, and the time when so many refugees died or were injured trying to earn a single steamed bun, she suddenly didn't know how to start eating.
She knew that royalty and nobility ate extravagantly.
But with such extravagance happening every day, she still found it hard to eat.
This table of food is probably enough to feed a poor family for a year.
Just thinking about how their table alone could consume the food that an ordinary person would eat for a year.
The steaming chicken leg in front of her no longer tasted good.
Princess Yuqing noticed that her daughter was staring blankly at the dishes on the table without even touching her chopsticks, and asked curiously, "Miaomiao, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"
Jiang Miaomiao shook her head, "Princess Aunt, can I take some back for my brother?"
"Of course you can." Princess Yuqing smiled and patted her head.
What a lovely girl, she even knows to leave food for her family.
The more I look, the more I like it.
Fortunately, it's her own daughter.
With Princess Yuqing's permission, Jiang Miaomiao began to have her servants pack plates into the food box.
One dish, two dishes, three dishes...
One food box, two food boxes, three food boxes.
Install it until the very end.
There were only four dishes left on the large table.
Uh! This little guy isn't offering food, he's practically robbing us!
This is probably meant to be a late-night snack for their family.
Princess Yuqing's brows twitched.
But she only frowned for a moment before turning to instruct Granny Feng, "Go and add a few more dishes, don't let Miaomiao go hungry."
It's possible that these dishes don't suit my daughter's taste, so we need to change them.
Jiang Miaomiao shook her head repeatedly, "No more, that's enough."
"How can this little bit be enough?" Princess Yuqing looked at the dishes on the table that she didn't particularly like.
From childhood to adulthood, even when she had no appetite.
There are at least seven or eight dishes on the table, so four dishes are hardly enough.
Jiang Miaomiao didn't know how to explain to the princess that they actually lived in two different worlds.
When picking up food, the princess only takes a few bites from a dish, but she'll take more if she likes something.
There is absolutely no such thing as a CD.
Although any leftovers were given as rewards to the servants, eating like this every day was truly extravagant.
The princess, who lives a life of luxury, would never understand the meaning of the word "waste".
Because that's how she's lived since she was a child.
Her mother also used Princess Yuqing's extravagance and wastefulness as a typical example to educate her.
Therefore, I specially taught her a poem.
“Princess Aunt, let me recite a poem for you.” Miao Miao suddenly became interested in reciting poetry.
"Oh! Miao Miao can recite poetry now." Princess Yuqing didn't understand why Miao Miao was reciting poems while eating her meal.
But I'm still really looking forward to it.
“Sow a single grain in spring, reap ten thousand in autumn; though there is no idle land under heaven, farmers still starve. Hoeing the fields at midday, sweat drips onto the soil beneath the crops; who knows the hardship behind every grain of rice in the bowl?”[1]
Jiang Miaomiao shook her little head and recited it word by word.
After reciting it, she blinked her bright eyes and looked at Princess Yuqing.
As the princess listened, her smile faded, and she became somewhat embarrassed.
She actually got lectured by a little kid.
If the child wasn't her biological daughter, she would definitely drag her out and beat her up.
But then I started to feel sorry for my daughter.
This child must have had a very hard life in the past, which is why he is so frugal now.
We need to treat her even better.
Princess Yuqing turned to Feng Mama and instructed, "Mama, have someone search for all the famous chefs in the world for me. I will reward them handsomely."
Granny Feng nodded and glanced at the dumbfounded little girl.
He quietly withdrew.
What she actually wanted to say was that the young princess might not have meant it that way, as the Lu family has always valued frugality.
The little guy probably couldn't stand the princess's overly extravagant meals.
He swallowed the words back.
Her Highness is the most esteemed eldest princess of the Great Liang Dynasty, and she has been eating at this standard since she was a child.
Moreover, Her Highness is the kind of person who is always right, regardless of whether she is right or wrong, and does not tolerate any other people's opinions.
It won't change just because of a few words from the young princess.
Even her own daughter probably wouldn't work.
Jiang Miaomiao opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Her Highness probably has no idea what the hardships of ordinary people are like; isn't hiring a famous chef just making an even bigger fuss?
What she wanted was not a famous chef.
After thinking about it, I realized it wasn't a bad deal.
What does my mother do?
He owns a restaurant; what a coincidence!
It just so happens that Yipinju also needs a renowned chef.
Before Jiang Miaomiao could even deliver the groceries she had packed for her family, her second brother showed up at her door.
Jiang Ziyan followed Granny Feng into the house.
This was the first time he had ever met his sister's biological mother.
I was very curious before, my sister is so beautiful, what kind of woman was her mother?
See you today.
I felt it was only natural that my younger sister was so beautiful.
At first glance, only the phoenix eyes seem most similar, but upon closer inspection, the eyebrows and eyes do resemble each other by about 50%. After all, a four or five-year-old child hasn't fully developed yet and hasn't reached the final stage of growth.
But it still looks just as good.
If it weren't for her mother noticing the princess's strange behavior and seeing the same hat as her younger sister's when she was an infant...
No one would connect them.
After all, the idea of daring to change the royal bloodline is too shocking.
Moreover, the perpetrator was none other than a member of a collateral branch of the Empress's maternal family.
By all accounts, Cao, the Imperial Son-in-Law, could be considered Princess Yuqing's cousin.
It's hard to say whether to call Cao and her son foolish or stupid. They probably underestimated the princess's methods, which is why they dared to act so recklessly.
Little did they know that once this matter got out, the Cao family would suffer as a result.
The Cao family, mother and son, will be the first targets.
Despite her seemingly harmless appearance, Princess Yuqing is actually decisive and ruthless in her actions.
He avenged his daughter's abandonment, resolved the Cao family's troubles, and silenced the censors.
He's not someone to be trifled with.
Fortunately, she was Miaomiao's biological mother, a friend, not an enemy.
As Jiang Ziyan was still in a daze, she saw her younger sister rush towards her, "Second brother, are you here to take me to Aunt's house?"
She actually really wanted to visit her fiancé, Aunt Qianxue.
I haven't seen her since the marriage was arranged, and I don't know if she was willing to accept it.
However, it seems that whether she is willing or not is not up to her.
Although the two clearly liked each other, there were many complicated and intertwined interests involved.
This mixing changes the essence.
During my time as Aunt Qianxue's student, I discovered that she never revealed her feelings to Prince Jing. Even if she had a thousand thoughts in her heart, she remained indifferent to Uncle Prince Jing, always making her unpredictable.
I felt that Aunt Xue was a very clear-headed and insightful person.
Jiang Ziyan shook his head and smiled, "Brother will take you to see someone."
After saying this, he took his younger sister's hand and went to pay his respects to Princess Yuqing, explaining his purpose: "Your Highness, may my sister come with me to the Cui family?"
His tone of voice didn't sound like he was speaking to a high and mighty princess, but rather like he was asking for the opinion of an elder.
"The Cui family? To see Cui Yan?" Princess Yuqing paused slightly, raising her eyes to examine the young man.
He looks very much like Minister Jiang, but his temperament is completely different from his appearance.
He was equally gentle and refined, but his gaze was exceptionally clear, his eyes bright and piercing, even somewhat sharp.
They were all neither humble nor arrogant in her presence.
In this respect, he is quite like his mother.
Judging from the way the boy's eyes were lingering on her and Miaomiao, he must have known about her relationship with Miaomiao.
But why did he take Miaomiao to see Cui Yan for no reason?
Moreover, Cui Yan actually made time out of his busy schedule to see the two children.
She looked at Jiang Ziyan and asked, "Do you have something to discuss with Prime Minister Cui?"
"No, it's nothing. I'm just going to visit Lord Cui before I leave and pass on a message to my teacher and his wife," Jiang Ziyan replied truthfully.
Even though Jiangzhou didn't say anything, he knew that his teacher's wife missed her son and grandson.
Previously, he didn't understand why his teacher and his wife, who were both quite old, would choose to live far away from the capital and hide from the world.
After returning to the capital, he gradually understood.
It's not that they don't like having their children and grandchildren around them, but they are forced by circumstances.
The Lu family had received many favors and care from the Cui family, so it was only right for them to pay a visit before returning to Jiangzhou.
I don't know why Princess Yuqing was so surprised?
He carefully observed the changes in the princess's expression.
Princess Yuqing was clearly surprised to hear that she was going to the Cui family, but she was even more nervous.
His hand, gripping the fan handle tightly, was trembling slightly.
Is Prime Minister Cui so terrifying that my sister cannot see him?
He thought this to himself, but didn't dare to ask it aloud.
Princess Yuqing tightened her grip on the fan, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.
But it quickly returned to calm.
He took a sip of tea before speaking, "Go ahead, and come back soon so your mother won't worry."
Seeing the two children turn to leave, she quickly called them back, "Let Granny Feng go with you."
Jiang Ziyan assumed that the princess was worried about her younger sister, so he didn't think much of it and took his sister, along with Granny Feng and Xi'er, to the Cui residence.
Jiang Miaomiao was very much looking forward to meeting this favorite of the emperor.
Jiujiu told her that these days, there have been many people peeking around at the entrance of Lu Garden.
It followed them all the way and discovered that they were actually sent by their scumbag father.
Later, the man was beaten up by his aunt and never dared to come back.
But this feeling is really unpleasant.
It's like a weasel is watching your chickens, and it might suddenly jump out and snatch them away when you're not looking.
So after much deliberation, she decided to find a reliable stepfather for her brothers.
Otherwise, Jiang Yunze would keep trying to take advantage of his mother.
Originally, the godfather was the most suitable candidate, as Grandma Mu almost treated her mother as half a daughter.
There will be no conflicts between mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and sisters-in-law after my mother marries into the Mu family.
It's simply a match made in heaven.
However, the reality doesn't allow it.
My godfather doesn't seem to be interested in women, nor does he know how to talk to them. In front of my mother, he's like a gourd with its mouth sawed off, silent and taciturn.
Moreover, being away at war for years on end, sometimes not seeing each other for three to five years, makes it extremely difficult to develop a relationship.
The most important point is the responsibility of continuing the Mu family line.
She had overheard her mother and aunt chatting.
Her mother said that when she was born, the Lu family was going through a disaster, and she didn't have a proper postpartum period, which damaged her health.
It seems she will no longer be able to have children.
In ancient times, this was a very important event.
The Duke's family has a title to inherit, and the family line must not end with the godfather.
So even if the godfather wanted to marry the mother, once the door was opened, Old Madam Mu would probably have to give him a few concubines to continue the family line.
They're going to inexplicably stir up some more infighting within the household.
Thinking about it this way, it feels like trying to matchmake my mother and godfather is a terrible idea.
Xiao Miaomiao shook her head unconsciously.
Inappropriate or inappropriate.
Then she set her sights on the Cui family.
It was quite obvious that Mr. and Mrs. Cui valued their mother very much.
Even Old Lady Cui once lamented to Princess Liang that Jiang Yunze was blind and incompetent, rejecting pearls and insisting on treasuring fish eyes.
If he had a son like that and a daughter-in-law like that, he would definitely have to teach his son a lesson.
Anyway, Madam Cui liked her mother no matter how she looked at her.
Even though we're separated by distance, we've never stopped exchanging letters.
So Xiao Miaomiao decided to go and find out what was going on for her mother first.
After a few people left.
Princess Yuqing was filled with sorrow, but had no one to confide in.
I paced around the room.
I walked back and forth several times.
She sent Granny Feng to see how Cui Yan and Miao Miao got along, and whether Cui Yan liked the child.
She didn't want her father and daughter to meet without recognizing each other, and she wanted to tell him about Miaomiao's existence.
I wanted to tell him that they had a daughter.
But she wasn't sure if Cui Yan could accept having such a child.
That person's heart was harder than stone.
She was only using a fake identity when she started dating Cui Yan, but when he found out, he distanced himself from her.
They even severed all contact.
As the eldest princess, a member of the imperial family, it was impossible for her to ask Cui Yan to give up everything to marry her and become her consort.
She knew that even if she begged, the man would not give up his official position to become an unknown scion of a prominent family.
Therefore, she was unwilling to wait, and could not wait any longer.
She turned around and married the prince consort her mother had found for her.
Apart from Cao and her son, she resented and hated no one.
Miaomiao was a treasure to her, more important than her own life.
However, for Cui Yan and the Cui family, this was a hidden danger.
Because this is tantamount to deceiving the emperor.
I dare not imagine what my father would do if he found out.
She dared not take that risk.
She dared not mention this to anyone, not even her mother and fifth brother.
Because they were not only his own relatives, but also the Empress and princes of the Great Liang Dynasty.
What lay before them was not only kinship, but also imperial power and family interests.
She didn't dare to gamble.
She was unsure whether her mother would use the child to control Cui Yan once she learned that Miao Miao was Cui Yan's daughter.
Even if she never acknowledges Miaomiao again, she will not let her child get involved in this mess.
But she also wanted Cui Yan to know that their daughter was intelligent, clever, and very well-behaved.
Princess Yuqing was restless all afternoon.
He barely ate any dinner.
……
Note [1] is from "Two Poems on Pitying the Farmers" by Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty.