Chapter 45 45. Palace banquet, the couple are shocked! 2

After Xiao Yezhu left, Ning Jia sat alone in front of the window, staring blankly at the pink and flower-filled crabapple tree in the courtyard at night.

More than ten years ago, Ning Jia was only three years old.

The third prince Xiyuan, who often played with him, suddenly died of illness.

Ning Jia waited for him for a long time, but he never appeared again.

She had been sitting under the crabapple tree in the garden and waiting.

"Ning Jia, we will still be here to see the little ants tomorrow. You wait for me here." Xiyuan smiled brightly at her.

"Okay." Ning Jia also nodded with a smile.

However, he never came.

My father also did not allow me to go to his palace to play with him.

At dusk, the night breeze is slightly cool.

"Third Princess, come inside, it's cold outside." Fang Qi put on her cloak and said softly.

"Why hasn't Third Brother come yet?" Ning Jia asked Fang Qi.

"The Third Prince has other matters," Fang Qi said.

The next day, she was still waiting for him here.

He still hasn't come.

But another person came.

"Third Princess, here you go." He handed her a paper butterfly kite.

"Did you do it?" Ning Jia took over.

"The third prince made it. He asked me to give it to you." He smiled at her.

"Why doesn't Third Brother come?" Ning Jia said.

"He had some important things to do and went to a far away place," he said.

"Why didn't you accompany him? Don't you always accompany him?" Ning Jia said.

"I also have some things to do." He said.

"What do you want to do?" Ning Jia said.

"Today, shall I watch the little ants with you?" he said with a smile.

…

Five years old.

"Third Princess, today the princes are competing in archery at the school grounds. Let's go and have a look too." Xiao Yezhu said to Ning Jia.

"I haven't studied today's book yet," Ning Jia said.

"We'll study again tomorrow, it doesn't matter." Xiao Yezhu said, "Chi Lin is also on campus. Let's go quickly."

Many people have gathered around the school grounds.

The eldest prince exits first.

The arrow feathers are like stars, shooting steadily towards the target.

"The eldest prince is so awesome, everything hits the target!" Xiao Yezhu praised.

Emperor Yongping also nodded in approval.

The second prince was a little worse, only two of the three arrows were hit.

"It's time for Chi Lin." Xiao Yezhu quickly pulled Ning Jia forward and said, "Look!"

Chi Lin raised his arms, drawing the bow like the full moon, and shooting arrows like the wind.

Two arrows hit the bullseye, and the third arrow missed slightly.

"Chi Lin, you still need to practice hard." Emperor Yongping said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chi Lin replied.

…

Seven years old.

Royal Garden.

"Third Princess, come quickly, the crabapple flowers here are blooming so beautifully." Xiao Yezhu turned around and waved to Ning Jia.

Light pink crabapples bloom on the branches, and a faint fragrance spreads in the garden.

"Yes, it's really pretty." Ning Jia also smiled.

"Slave, please let them pick some and put them in the princess's room." Fang Qi said.

"Okay." Ning Jia nodded.

Fangqi summoned several palace servants, took a ladder, and picked a few blooming crabapple flowers.

"Third Princess, look, she's so beautiful." Fang Rong hugged an arm full of begonia flowers and said with a happy smile.

"Oh, such a beautiful begonia." Ning Yang came over with several palace maids and said to Ning Jia, "Third sister, you already have a begonia in your garden. Give these branches to me."

The flowers came up to fetch begonia flowers from Fangrong's arms.

"If you want, you can pick it yourself." Fangrong said.

Ning Yang stepped forward, slapped Fang Rong on the face, and said, "I want it when I say it, but you, a cheap servant, dare to talk back."

"Second sister, take it if you like." Ning Jia said.

"Third Princess!" Fang Rong held an armful of begonias in her arms and refused to let go.

"Second Princess, there are still many on this tree, why not let them pick a few more branches for you." Xiao Yezhu said.

"This princess likes these branches." Ning Yang raised his chin and said, "Flowers."

"Yes." Fanhua responded and took Begonia Flower from Fangrong's arms.

"Second sister, third sister." The second prince Xichang came with a few people and greeted them.

"Second brother." The two of them bowed to him.

"Second Prince." Xiao Yezhu and other maids also saluted Xichang.

Several others saluted the two princesses.

Chi Lin was wearing a lake blue martial arts shirt and seemed to be taller than when we last saw him.

"This begonia flower is blooming so beautifully. Second sister, haven't you always disliked begonias?" Xichang said.

"Who says I don't like it? I've liked it since today." Ning Yang said.

"Third Princess, haven't you picked it yet?" Chi Lin saluted Ning Jia.

"Not yet..." Ning Jia said softly with a slight blush.

"Yes, Chi Lin, can you help us pick a few branches?" Xiao Yezhu looked at him with a smile and said.

As expected, Chi Lin jumped onto the begonia tree, looked at the blooming begonias, and picked two branches.

The light pink begonias reflected his fair face, and his face was filled with the unique brilliance of spring.

Chi Lin climbed down from the treetops and handed the begonia flowers to Fang Rong.

"It's really, really amazing." Xiao Yezhu exclaimed in surprise, "When did you practice so well?"

"Thank you, Mr. Chi." Fangrong thanked him and took the crabapple.

Ning Yang glared at Fang Rong, but Fang Rong turned away.

…

On the day of Weifu Festival, new palace lanterns were hung up early in the morning and realgar water was sprinkled in the palace.

Each palace is bathed in moxa, hung with moxa branches and calamus.

Queen Yizhuang presented sachets to the concubines, princesses, and princes.

Ning Jia, however, didn't care how noisy it was outside. She sat in front of the window, concentrating on embroidering a snow-white fox without raising her head.

Yu'er lay on her lap, eyes slightly closed, occasionally wagging its furry tail gently.

Fang Qi said angrily: "You were injured just yesterday, why don't you have a good rest?"

Ning Jia only said softly: "It's okay on both sides."

Fangqi had no choice but to say to Fangrong: "Go and prepare for the third princess to take a bath. Put more mugwort in it."

"Okay." Fangrong responded and went out to prepare.

"Third princess, do you want to take a bath now?" Fang Qi asked Ning Jia.
To be continued...