Since my arrival in South Rui, she had received less attention and seemed more relaxed, often inviting me to play with Yuan Xiang and Xiao Huang in her residence among the animals.
Yuan Xiang quickly became friends with several foxes and dogs in the princess’s residence, spending entire days playing and reluctant to return home. Xiao Huang fell in love with Jiang Yun Qiao’s favorite white peacock, constantly following its tail feathers and bringing fruits to curry favor—a bootlicking attitude that made me cringe.
I returned home and earnestly educated Xiao Huang. The next time we visited the princess’s residence, it initially restrained itself, casting plaintive glances toward the white peacock Snow Encounter. Just as I felt relieved, the peacock shook its feathers, and Xiao Huang disregarded my obstruction, scampering after it. Unexpectedly, the peacock completely ignored it, walking away proudly without a glance.
Xiao Huang flew back dejectedly to Yuan Xiang’s head, listless. This scene was fully observed by Jiang Yun Qiao, who sighed with emotion: “No wonder Xiao Huang would like her. Xue Yu is indeed beautiful. For it, perhaps Xue Yu is an unattainable divine bird, knowing it cannot be obtained, yet still deeply infatuated.”
Her tone and expression were somewhat unusual.
As I was puzzled and about to ask, I heard a soft, tender call: “Mother, Aunt.”
Yun Qiao’s six-year-old son A Fu ran over, diving into her arms, hugging her arm and kissing her face. “Mother, A Fu wants tea too.”
The child wore a bright red wool cloak and a deep red tiger-head hat, looking like a red fruit. The imperial consort, followed by a wet nurse, caught up from behind and helplessly smiled at Jiang Yun Qiao: “This child insisted on finding you, so I had to bring him. We didn’t disturb you, did we?”
Jiang Yun Qiao smiled softly, “It’s fine.”
I also smiled at the imperial consort to indicate no problem. The couple, married for so many years, were still so polite.
I took a tea cake from the table and offered it to A Fu, who obediently caught it, giving me a silly grin, revealing a dimple on one side, incredibly adorable. “Thank you, Aunt.”
