Zhao Pei, wearing a red shirt with a phoenix pattern and a simple bun, sat quietly in a pavilion by the pond. Her eyes were fixed on the quiet beauty in front of her, who was looking down and not knowing what to think. Zhen Er in her arms twisted her soft body impatiently, stretched out her chubby hands to touch the wide golden piping on Zhao Pei's collar, stroking it and giggling, as if she liked this color very much. She also touched her neck and her hanging black hair.
But she didn't tease her like she used to. She gently held her hand and placed it beside her so that Zhen'er couldn't play tricks on her anymore. Zhao Pei's eyes never left the woman in front of him, and he looked her up and down for a long time.
The woman was wearing a smoky blue skirt, with a moon-colored ribbon around her waist that accentuated her slender waist. Her black and shiny black hair was tied into a flowing cloud-like bun. Her plump and slender figure, white teeth, and star-like eyes were so gentle and charming that I felt pity for her. She sat there quietly with her eyes downcast, allowing Zhao Pei to look her up and down. Sometimes she would quietly raise her eyes to meet her gaze, and then quickly lower them again.
Shui Niang stood aside and felt that the silent atmosphere was really bad, so she coughed dryly to smooth things over: "Princess, this is..."
Zhao Pei asked with a smile before she finished speaking: "Once you enter this mansion, your identity will be clear to me. What's your name?" Although she asked the woman gently with a smile, Shui Niang knew that Zhao Pei must be very upset and somewhat annoyed at the moment. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said every word so firmly, nor would she have deliberately emphasized the three words "my princess".
She raised her head, her voice was as light as a feather but gentle and pleasant: "Princess, my name is Yuan Ming."
"Yuan Ming?" Zhao Pei glanced at him and repeated it. Zhen'er in her arms suddenly clapped her hands and kept babbling. Zhao Pei ignored her and just smiled: "Sister, your name is nice, and you are beautiful. I guess you must be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting."
Yuan Ming replied with a little shyness: "Princess, you are joking. I only know a few things. How dare I show off my skills in front of you?" She spoke very sincerely, without any affectation.
Zhao Pei was a soft-tempered person, and she couldn't keep her stern face after a long time. She was about to smile softly, but then she thought about the identity of this person. No matter how good this person was, she had to keep a stern face. Yuan Ming was smart and knew that the princess would not like her too much. Her ears turned red and she was a little nervous.
"Since we have entered the palace, we are a family. There is no need to be so distant. If you don't mind Sister Ming, just call me sister. From now on, the two of us sisters must be good to each other..." She suddenly couldn't finish her words, her throat choked. What should she say? That the two of us sisters should live a good life from now on and not have conflicts? Serve the prince well? If she said these polite words, she would not be Zhao Pei.
She cleared her throat to disguise herself and took a sip of tea. Zhen'er tried to grab the teacup in her hand, but missed several times and pouted with dissatisfaction. Zhaopei looked at her, and a smile appeared in her eyes, completely forgetting the embarrassed Yuan Ming. Ruhua came over from a distance and whispered, "Princess, the third lady is here."
Zhao Pei then smiled, put down the teacup and looked at her with a little apology: "Sister Ming, my sister is here to visit Zhen'er and me. I'll leave first. Shuiniang, you take Sister Ming around to get familiar with her." After that, without waiting for Shuiniang to reply or for Yuan Ming to bow, she left with Zhen'er in her arms.
Shui Niang kept watching her leaving, obviously suppressing her anger. (To be continued)