Chapter 73: The Princess’ Manor

After half a month of traveling by boat, they finally arrived in the bustling capital. The city was lively and vibrant, with people thronging the streets on both sides of the river. However, the dock where they disembarked was solemn and heavily guarded by soldiers.

Prince Ding’s return had drawn an honor guard of soldiers to the riverside.

Without Tian Mi needing to lift a finger, her belongings were swiftly transported to the Princess’ Manor in the capital.

Chun Yi and Chun Er were playing with the children outside, while Chun San supervised the servants moving items into the rooms. In her suite, Tian Mi was in her bedroom reviewing the content she had copied—a collection of short articles, a poem, a novella, and a full-length novel.

Tian Mi had written everything in modern, straightforward language, ensuring that anyone who could read would understand it, and even those who couldn’t read could easily follow along if it were read aloud. This significantly expanded the book’s audience. Its compelling and relatable storytelling made it appealing not only to the ancient folk who lacked entertainment but also to modern readers accustomed to refined tastes.

Her life as a wealthy woman was about to begin! Tian Mi thought happily.

Suddenly, Bai Mucheng entered her suite with a cold and stern expression, startling her.

His mood had been sour ever since Tian Mi started maintaining her distance from him. It unsettled him deeply, even making him question himself. Was he still the admired Bai Mucheng he always thought he was?

Tian Mi, keeping to her strategy of polite detachment, was about to bow respectfully and greet him.

Before she could, Bai Mucheng grabbed her, his grip on her arm so strong it hurt.

His gaze was dangerous, and his voice was icy. “Are you playing games with this prince?”

Tian Mi felt like breaking down. She had known from the start that royalty was off-limits. Yet the original host of her body had dared to act recklessly without even knowing who she was dealing with!

Trying to free herself from his grip, she protested, “You’re hurting my arm!”

Bai Mucheng loosened his hold but pulled her into a tight embrace instead.

“Tian Mi, think carefully before you answer me,” he said, his voice carrying an ominous edge.

His arms tightened around her, as if he wanted to fuse her into his body.

Tian Mi had no idea how to explain the actions of her predecessor. Even as someone who had read countless stories, she couldn’t come up with a plausible excuse.

All she could do was mutter softly, “I’m sorry!”

Bai Mucheng released her and asked, “Have you fallen for someone else?”

“No, no!” Tian Mi hurriedly denied it. Her dream of a life as a wealthy woman hadn’t even started yet!

Seeing her stunned, silly expression, Bai Mucheng felt a wave of relief. As long as she hadn’t fallen for someone else, all was well.

“You are the fated match Heaven prepared for this prince!” he thought to himself. “If you’re going to love someone, it can only be me.”

From outside, Chun Yi called out, “Princess, everything has been moved, and the carriage has arrived.”

The carriage, arranged by Bai Mucheng, took them to the Princess’ Manor.

Tian Mi couldn’t quite figure out Bai Mucheng’s intentions. Had he accepted her apology? Was this incident behind them now?

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The Princess’ Manor was enormous. Recently renovated, it was fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy.

Tian Dabiao, Tian Mi’s grandmother, and the rest of her family were all astonished. They had never seen such a grand place before—it was as large as a small county!

Even the four little lambs and Yanzu, the bird, were delighted. The place wasn’t just big; it was beautiful.

Tian Mi took a quick tour. There was a garden, a pond, artificial hills, pavilions, and towers—so much that it seemed she’d need a horse just to explore the entire property.

She instructed her grandmother’s family, her younger uncle, Xu Yunfei, and Xu Feiyan to choose their own courtyards within the estate. Since the place was so large, she suggested staying close to each other. Chun Yi and Qiu Yi were also tasked with familiarizing themselves with the layout and organizing everyone’s accommodations to ensure proximity to the main house.

Tian Mi chose a courtyard near the garden, with Xu Feiyan taking the one next to hers. Chen Miaomiao and her grandmother also picked nearby courtyards so they could all live close together.

Her elder uncle chose a courtyard near the pond, with his two sons staying in the adjacent courtyard. Tian Dabiao picked one beside the artificial hills. This area was conveniently located on one side of the rear garden.

Meanwhile, her younger uncle and Xu Yunfei opted for courtyards on the other side of the pond. They needed quiet spaces to study and prepare for the imperial examinations.

Chun Yi, Er, and San all stayed directly in the side rooms of Tian Mi’s courtyard, specifically to care for the two babies. Chun Yi was responsible for managing all the affairs of the Junzhu’s mansion.

The gatekeeper, Autumn Liu, came over and announced, “Junzhu, someone from the palace is here.”

Tian Dabiao accompanied Tian Mi to the front hall to receive the guests.

The visitor was Chief Eunuch Wang, followed by a group of attendants. He entered with a radiant smile.

“Your humble servant greets the Junzhu!”

Tian Mi quickly helped him up, saying, “Eunuch Wang, you’re too courteous. Please rise.”

One must never underestimate eunuchs like him; their power and influence were far from ordinary.

Tian Mi asked warmly, “What brings you here today, Eunuch Wang?”

Eunuch Wang smiled and replied, “Junzhu, I’ve come to deliver a nanny and maids to your residence.”

With that, an elderly nanny led four maids forward to greet Tian Mi with a bow.

Eunuch Wang explained, “Every noble with a title is granted a ceremonial nanny and serving maids by the palace. For the Junzhu, the allotment is one nanny and four maids.”

Tian Mi nodded and expressed her gratitude to Eunuch Wang, then instructed Autumn Yi to present a pouch of money.

This was customary. When someone of Eunuch Wang’s rank visited your residence, it was standard practice to prepare a gratuity. Though he initially declined, Tian Mi insisted, and he accepted with a smile.

He then said, “Junzhu, the real treasures in your residence are not these people but the delicacies you have!”

Tian Mi immediately understood and smiled. “Please wait a moment, Eunuch Wang.”

She went to her courtyard and retrieved a box containing butter cookies, milk candies, honey, as well as oranges and lemons for him. Other fruits were left out, as they wouldn’t remain fresh long enough.

She also added some of her personal beauty products: three types of soap, floral foundation liquid, brow pomade, lipstick balm, and specially designed bamboo eyebrow pencils. The pencils featured twin ultra-fine tips made from bamboo skin, capable of creating realistic, hair-like strokes for natural-looking eyebrows—a product that could drive beauty-conscious women wild.

She carefully packed these items into a box for Eunuch Wang and specifically reminded him to squeeze the lemon juice into honey water, emphasizing how delicious and beautifying it was.

This delighted Eunuch Wang immensely. The Junzhu’s items were always well-received by the Emperor and Empress. His task was now exceptionally rewarding.

After bidding farewell to Tian Mi, he instructed the guards to carry the items carefully, calling out dramatically, “Be gentle! These are treasures!”

Tian Mi turned her attention to the newly arrived group. They were upright, composed, and well-trained.

She decided to take them to her courtyard first.

Back in the courtyard, Chun Yi, Er, and San observed the new maids. They appeared pretty and capable, but their origins were unclear.

Tian Mi smiled and said, “Go and pour some water. These are the people sent from the palace; from now on, we’re all one family.”

Palace personnel required careful attention; one could never be sure of their background.

Tian Mi asked them to introduce themselves.

The nanny stepped forward and bowed. “Reporting to the Junzhu, this servant’s surname is Xiao. I’m a teaching nanny from the palace.”

Her tone was neutral, revealing little, but it hinted that the palace was unlikely a haven of joy.

In truth, the palace was relatively straightforward now, given that the Emperor and his family had only returned from the borderlands last year.

During the transition of power, many incidents had occurred, with numerous deaths. By the time the new Emperor formally took the throne, those who were supposed to die had already met their ends, leaving little for him to deal with.