The winter sun blazed.
It wasn't particularly hot.
But seeing sunlight always made one's mood better.
Standing at a high point, Mianmian took out her little tree from her bag, wanting to place it on the railing so it could also enjoy the view before them...
Speaking of which, after keeping it for so long, Mianmian still wasn't quite sure if the little tree recognized her by her scent or by sight. Humans tend to think from their own perspective, so she unconsciously assumed the little tree used sight too.
However, she discovered that the cross-section of the palace railings had a slippery feeling, making it difficult to place anything on them.
No wonder birds flying in the sky rarely landed there to rest.
Mianmian held the little tree in her hand, facing outward.
Eunuch Yan's usually composed face twitched slightly when he saw the giant ant in Mianmian's hand.
"What is this creature?"
"Oh, Mother said it's a household deity. I've had it since we were in Kan'er Village. It grew up with me, though it grows very slowly - after all this time, it's only as big as my palm."
Eunuch Yan looked at its black shell, gleaming in the sunlight, with its thin waist and large pincers. The more he looked, the more he shuddered.
He had heard that Princess Huiyun's beloved pet was once a small snake, initially as thin as a finger, but later grew so large it took two people to carry it...
Indeed, she was Princess Huiyun's granddaughter - their tastes were so similar.
He watched as she let the giant ant sunbathe for a while, chattering away with it.
She showed it the palace.
Then she put the ant down, and Eunuch Yan took out his handkerchief to wipe her hands thoroughly.
"Disease enters through the mouth. Keep your hands clean, especially in the palace. Don't eat or drink carelessly," Eunuch Yan advised while wiping.
After finishing, he couldn't help but ruffle her head.
Time was cruel, yet also magical.
That baby in swaddling clothes had grown into a beautiful young lady.
Pretty, free-spirited, with a bright and warm smile.
Somehow, despite watching Elder Sister Yu and Feng grow up,
He felt closest to this youngest one.
It felt like she was truly his own child.
Perhaps because Elder Sister Yu and Feng were grown now.
One already had two children, the other about to be married.
He felt less involved in their lives now.
Only this little one was still small, still mischievous beyond measure.
When Eunuch Yan looked at her, he felt like he was seeing Jiang Er's body with Sister Xia's heart.
Sister was actually quite a bold girl.
She had many excellent qualities.
Looking at Mianmian really felt like looking at his own child.
At this moment, Eunuch Yan understood how some of his palace colleagues could indulge their adopted sons' mischief outside.
Because he felt that if she wanted to be mischievous outside, he would indulge her too.
Though in reality, she was now a princess's granddaughter and didn't need his indulgence.
But although the young lady appeared proud, her upbringing was excellent.
She called him "Godfather" naturally and frequently.
Mianmian discovered that her godfather was very clean and ahead of his time. He could even say "disease enters through the mouth" - a simple phrase loaded with meaning, used as a slogan even in modern times.
It seemed palace food really shouldn't be eaten carelessly. What served as modern slogans here were lessons learned through lives lost.
The winter wind was cool.
It made their cheeks feel frozen.
After Godfather helped Mianmian wipe her hands,
Mianmian suspected that if there were wet wipes or alcohol, he would have used those on her too.
"It's too cold, let's go down after a short while."
"Alright."
Mianmian, about to drip from her nose, couldn't help but sniffle.
Hearing this sound, Eunuch Yan's lips couldn't help but curl upward.
Village children always had runny noses in winter, little Yu was the same when young.
Seeing the usually neat and clean Mianmian like this.
His steps became lighter than usual.
They slowly strolled around.
Eunuch Yan didn't take Mianmian to the concubines' residences.
Because when multiple women compete for one man in one place, and that man doesn't appear, the entire back palace becomes an even stranger place.
When life loses direction and falls into despair, it becomes terrifying.
Even more frightening than their eunuch circle.
Though cruel, at least they still struggled upward strongly, having hope.
The palace was small, yet also vast.
Countless people struggled and drifted here for their entire lives.
There were few elderly in the palace, as young lives rarely lived to old age here.
Beautiful, glamorous, yet cruel.
Now, walking with Mianmian in the palace, she earnestly admired the pillars, steps, and stones on the ground. Though he was supposed to be showing her around, it was actually Mianmian showing him how to appreciate it.
He walked here daily but had never stopped to admire the scenery.
It was truly beautiful, but habit made him always feel there were more important things, never stopping.
Mianmian examined each building carefully, and Eunuch Yan, with his tour guide qualities, explained well, citing classics and history.
His voice was pleasant, his logic clear, his narration interesting.
In modern times, he could at least be a renowned tour guide.
...
The palace was very lively today.
Speak of the Seventh Prince, and he appears.
Just as Princess Huiyun finished complaining, the Seventh Prince arrived.
Upon seeing his father's condition, the Seventh Prince burst into tears.
He cried very sorrowfully.
Perhaps because the Emperor was ill, even children he previously disliked could soften his heart when seeing them like this.
Princess Huiyun felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She had actually thought well of both the Seventh Prince and Yu Luan, but never expected Zhou Rongrong to do such things. She had taken special care of the Seventh Prince and Jiang Yuluan - otherwise, a prince despised by the Emperor, whose mother had died, couldn't have survived so smoothly in the palace until now, given how many princes had died young here.
This was one of her rare interventions in others' affairs.
But the result left her deeply disturbed.
Thinking of how tirelessly she had cared for them, even if they suffered, they had never gone hungry, but her Tian Er...
When Princess Huiyun saw the Seventh Prince arrive, she directly took her leave.
The Seventh Prince showed a pitiful, sorrowful expression.
Previously, whenever Princess Huiyun saw this child's expression, she couldn't help but feel sympathy.
But now when she saw him, she thought of Tian Er. Tian Er never deliberately acted pitiful; he always showed his strong side, yet Princess Huiyun still felt heartbroken for him.
In comparison, the Seventh Prince was too fake.
His hypocrisy was disgusting.
"Royal Brother, I'm going to fetch Mianmian. You father and son have a good talk, you rest well," Princess Huiyun said as she left.
The Emperor was both reluctant to see her go and slightly displeased.
The Seventh Prince lowered his gaze.
Not far from there, she encountered Mianmian.
She was watching fish by the pond.
It was rare to see her so quiet, sitting in the pavilion by the pond, swinging her feet, admiring the fish, and occasionally throwing them food.
Eunuch Yan stood beside her, keeping her company.
Princess Huiyun felt the air become sweeter, and her heart lightened.
As she approached, she heard the young lady ask: "Godfather, can we eat that white one? Have you tried it? Can I take some fish with me when I leave the palace?"
Princess Huiyun: ...
