“Aunt Rongrong, I’m thirsty. I want some water,” Yuanbao called out from the muddy ground, waving to Rongrong.

Rongrong had long since lost interest in talking to Xie Yuanrui.

When Yuanbao spoke, she gave a slight nod to Xie Yuanrui and Liang Muchen before heading over to Yuanbao.

“Miss Liang, let’s go sit over there for a while,” Xie Yuanrui said, retracting her gaze and linking arms with Liang Muchen again.

They found an empty tent nearby and sat down.

“Try this almond cake. Don’t be fooled by its ordinary appearance; the imperial kitchen makes it far better than any local cooks.”

Liang Muchen’s gaze remained on the muddy ground.

With the crown prince joining, the three children were having even more fun.

Seeing Liang Muchen staring at the crown prince, Xie Yuanrui’s expression became a bit complex.

After a moment, she said softly, “The crown prince is truly a good father.”

Liang Muchen realized her mistake upon hearing Xie Yuanrui mention the crown prince.

She blushed and lowered her head, mumbling, “It’s surprising that such a divine person like the crown prince would play in the mud with the children.”

“Miss Liang, you don’t know this, but the crown prince values Little Yuanbao more than his own eyes. Whether it’s playing in the mud or rolling around in it, he wouldn’t blink an eye.”

Liang Muchen’s lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn’t seem very genuine.

Xie Yuanrui, seemingly unaware, continued, “But there are exceptions.”

“Exceptions?” Liang Muchen couldn’t help asking.

“Back when Little Yuanbao played at my family’s hot spring estate, he didn’t get along with my maid Rongrong.

But the crown prince liked her, so even though Little Yuanbao didn’t like her, he insisted on bringing Rongrong to the Eastern Palace.”

“Is that the girl just now?” Liang Muchen’s gaze drifted away.

From her side, she could only see Rongrong’s slender back.

The brief encounter had already left a deep impression on her.

Liang Muchen had always been confident in her appearance, but compared to that girl…

if only looks were considered, Liang Muchen felt they were about equal.

However, in terms of grace, she seemed a bit less refined.

Liang Muchen’s skin was like the finest jade, while Rongrong’s face was pale and slightly translucent, like a delicate snowflake on a winter morning—pure and fragile, making one want to protect it from being tainted.

Xie Yuanrui noticed Liang Muchen’s expression and her smile grew lighter. “Yes, that’s her. She was originally my brother’s personal maid and served him for many years. If it weren’t for the crown prince’s interest, she wouldn’t have ended up in the Eastern Palace.”

“That girl is indeed very beautiful,” Liang Muchen said, her eyes darkening.

“She is beautiful, otherwise my brother wouldn’t have kept her around for so many years.”

Liang Muchen felt a bit puzzled and asked, “Can someone who served in the marquis’s residence still go to the Eastern Palace to serve the crown prince’s grandson?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. The Crown Prince personally came to our residence to pick her up, which shows how much he cares for her.”

Liang Muchen, listening to this, gradually lowered her head.

“Miss Muchen, so you’re here!” Anru lifted the curtain.

Seeing Xie Yuanrui and Liang Muchen sitting together, she was a bit surprised but didn’t show it.

When Xie Yuanrui saw Anru, she quickly stood up and sweetly greeted her: “Nanny is here.”

Liang Muchen got up a bit later.

After Xie Yuanrui greeted Anru, she also gave a respectful bow to her: “Nanny, do you need something from me? Please don’t be so formal. Just call me Muchen.”

“The Empress has been talking with the Lady of the Marquis’s residence,” Anru said. “I heard you’re good at playing chess. The Empress also loves chess, so she wanted me to bring you to her to talk about it.” Anru’s words didn’t mention Xie Yuanrui at all, so Xie Yuanrui could only smile and watch as Anru led Liang Muchen away.

When they were a little further from the curtain, Anru asked softly, “How do you know Miss Xie?”

“Just now, I was talking with Princess Zhaoyang, and Sister Xie came over and invited me to admire the flowers.”

Anru asked again, “I saw you chatting warmly when I arrived. What were you talking about?”

Even though Liang Muchen had just entered the capital, she knew it was inappropriate to gossip about the Crown Prince.

However, Anru had a certain authority that made her reluctant to lie.

She lowered her head and spoke softly, “Sister Xie mentioned that a maid of the Crown Prince was once working in her home.”

Having been by the Empress’s side for many years, Anru was used to the palace intrigues.

With just one sentence, she understood Xie Yuanrui’s intention.

Of course, she was reluctant to expose Xie Yuanrui immediately, as she had seen her grow up.

“Are you talking about Miss Rongrong?”

“Nanny knows her too?” Liang Muchen felt even more troubled.

Anru took her hand, “Yes, the little prince likes the dishes she makes. Children can be picky, and the Crown Prince, being considerate, invited Miss Rongrong to the East Palace to take care of the little prince’s diet and daily needs.”

Liang Muchen was confused as Anru’s explanation seemed different from Xie Yuanrui’s.

“Miss Muchen, you have great potential. You should have a broader perspective,” Anru said meaningfully.

Liang Muchen was slightly stunned, looking at Anru.

Anru nodded at her, and Liang Muchen’s face quickly turned red.

She lowered her gaze again and said, “Nanny, I… I don’t know if I can.”

“If the Empress herself says you can, then of course you can,” Anru said, patting Liang Muchen’s shoulder. “Although both you and Miss Rongrong are rare beauties, your destinies were different from birth. Why should you compare yourself with her?”

Liang Muchen didn’t expect that her simple comment would be so thoroughly understood by An Ru.

Although she felt reassured, she became even more embarrassed.

An Ru, sensing this, decided not to say more and led Liang Muchen back to the tent.

The Empress had been chatting with the wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan all day.

When she saw Liang Muchen return, she waved for her to sit beside her.

“Why are you alone? Where is Zhaoyang?” the Empress asked.

Liang Muchen lowered her head and didn’t answer.

An Ru explained, “The young ladies outside were having fun. When I went over, Miss Muchen was having tea with Miss Xie Yuanrui from the Jingning Marquis’s residence.”

The Empress smiled and nodded. “Yuanrui is a good-natured girl. You must get along well with her.”

Then the Empress pointed to the side. “Your mother mentioned that you are good at chess. I thought Liu Zhen is also good at chess, so why not invite him over for a match between you two?” Liang Muchen followed the Empress’s gesture and saw a chessboard set up in the pavilion.

“I’m not very skilled at chess; I’m afraid I won’t be a good match for the Crown Prince,” Liang Muchen said.

“Oh, this child,” the Empress turned to praise the wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan. “She is so beautiful and well-mannered! Chess is meant for enjoyment, not for winning or losing. Just give it a try.”

The wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan understood the Empress’s intent and smiled. “Since the Empress has given the order, you should give it a try.”

Feeling reassured by her mother’s words, Liang Muchen finally relaxed.

“Where is Liu Zhen? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?” the Empress asked.

“Xiao Dezi has been sent to fetch him. He was with Little Yuanbao for a long time, so he must be changing his clothes,” An Ru replied.

The Empress nodded and told the wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan, “My son might seem grumpy, but he is very patient with family.”

The wife of the Marquis of Weiyuan smiled politely and agreed.

…

“Prince, the Empress is waiting for you!” Xiao Dezi stood by the muddy ground, looking troubled as he watched the Crown Prince busy in the mud.

Earlier, Liu Yu and Yuanbao built a tower out of mud.

It was just a rough, vague shape of a pagoda.

Now, the Crown Prince had stopped there, doubled the height of the tower, and used several pieces of gilded iron to outline the eaves and windows.

He was very meticulous, and the mud seemed to cooperate perfectly, transforming into a pagoda that looked just like a real one.

Initially, Rongrong found it amusing to see him playing with Yuanbao, but now she couldn’t laugh anymore.

The gap between people is really significant.

Even when playing with mud, he did it better than anyone else.

The mud was beside the Imperial Garden.

Since the Crown Prince was there, many palace attendants surrounded the area, but there were only a few noble ladies watching from the garden.

Rongrong felt sorry for them; it was a rare opportunity to be in the palace, yet they didn’t see the Crown Prince playing with mud.

Once he finished the top of the tower, he put down his tools, clapped his hands, and turned to Xiao Dezi, asking softly, “Did the Empress call for me?”

“Yes, yes, Her Majesty is waiting for you!” Xiao Dezi, seeing that he was finally done, quickly motioned for the people behind him to step forward.

As soon as the Crown Prince left the mud pit, someone came forward with a basin to clean his face and hands.

“Your Highness, do you need to change clothes?” Xiao Dezi asked.

“No need, just change my shoes.”

“Understood.” As soon as the Crown Prince spoke, someone immediately squatted down to change his boots.

After everything was arranged, the Crown Prince followed Xiao Dezi toward the pavilion.

“Someone, I also need to wash my hands and change clothes.” Seeing the Crown Prince leave, Yuanbao suddenly remembered something and hurriedly ran outside.

Liu Yu, seeing him run so quickly, looked up in confusion and asked, “Yuanbao, aren’t you playing anymore?”

“I want to go see.” The palace attendants brought clothes, but Yuanbao didn’t even have time to change and rushed forward.

Rongrong followed him, and when he stopped for a moment, she looked in the direction he was gazing.

She saw the Empress and a lady in court attire coming out of the pavilion in the middle of the Imperial Garden.

In the pavilion, only the Crown Prince and Liang Muchen were left, playing chess.

Even through the curtain, Rongrong could tell that the man and woman inside were exceptional and looked particularly well-matched.