Rebirth and Marriage: I am the Mistress of the Palace

Shen Wantang sat at the top, looking at Huayi with dark shadows in her eyes, as if she had not slept all night, and knew that she really felt sorry for Xiao Qingyuan.

This reminded her of the expression on the princess' face when she went to greet her in the early morning.

The weather was cold at the moment, and a place like the woodshed was not a place for people to stay. Xiao Qingyuan was locked up there the whole night. Although the princess didn't say anything, she felt distressed in her heart.

She even specifically asked Nanny Quan whether Xiao Qingyuan had eaten.

When Nanny Quan said "not a drop of water", she was obviously stunned for a moment.

Shen Wantang touched the warm teacup and nodded: "Qinxin, accompany Huayi to the kitchen to get some hot food and chicken soup. Tell Yancheng that it was me who asked Huayi to bring some food to the prince, and also a thicker cloak."

"Yes."

Hua thought that she agreed and was very happy: "Thank you, Crown Princess! Crown Princess loves you so much, I will tell you the truth, so that you will know that Crown Princess is the best person for you!"

Shen Wantang smiled without saying anything, waved her hand and told her to leave.

Qinxin accompanied Huayi to the kitchen. After getting some food, they went to the woodshed together.

When Yan Cheng learned that it was the Crown Prince's wife who asked Huayi to deliver food and clothes, he did not dare to neglect it. He asked his men to look after the Crown Prince while he went to report to Prince Ning himself.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince's wife sent a maid to bring hot meals and dishes to the Crown Prince, and also sent a warm cloak. Can you let the maid in?"

Prince Ning certainly felt sorry for his son. He himself said he wanted to lock his son in the woodshed, so it was not right for him to bring food to his son. Now that Shen Wantang came forward to intercede, he naturally went down the stairs: "Only the Crown Prince's Consort feels sorry for that bastard. Well, we can't really let him starve or freeze to death, so just let the maid go in."

"Yes!"

Yan Cheng took the order and left. When he arrived at the woodshed, he put Hua Yi inside.

Xiao Qingyuan was locked up for a night and felt cold, hungry and thirsty. When he saw Huayi coming in to bring him food, his eyes were moved and red: "Huayi, my love for you is not in vain. You are so kind to me and remember to bring me food. Without you, I would have starved to death in this woodshed."

Huayi put down the food box and put the cloak on Xiao Qingyuan. Her face was full of heartache: "Your Highness has suffered. You are so precious, how could you live in such a place? It's my fault that I am useless. I should have brought food to your Highness last night, but Yancheng refused to let me in. I begged him for a long time today, and he finally agreed."

As she spoke, she handed the small hand warmer in her hand to Xiao Qingyuan.

When she touched Xiao Qingyuan's hand, she found it was ice cold and tears began to fall.

She held Xiao Qingyuan's hands with both hands and warmed them up: "Your Highness is so cruel. You locked the prince up here. Aren't you afraid that he will get sick from the cold? I will not leave. I will stay here with the prince and warm his hands and feet."

Xiao Qingyuan was even more moved. He handed the small hand warmer to Huayi again, wiped her tears, and said gently: "You are weak. You will get sick if you stay with me in the woodshed for one night. Go back, don't worry. In two days, my father will calm down and let me go."

"But, the prince is locked up here alone, and there is no one to talk to. If I accompany you, you will at least have something to entertain yourself."

No one is talking, and that's really a big problem.

But Xiao Qingyuan was reluctant to let Huayi suffer here with him: "No need to entertain me, I just want to sleep a little longer here. Bring out the food first, it smells so good, are you making it for me?"

"Yes, I made them all. Your Highness, please try them and see if they suit your taste."

Xiao Qingyuan was so hungry at the moment that he even wanted to gnaw on the wood in the woodshed. How could he find the hot meals and chicken soup unappetizing?

After a while, he was full and the stiffness in his body finally eased.

He held Huayi's hand, his eyes full of tenderness: "You've suffered a lot since you followed me, but you never complained. I was locked up in the woodshed by my father, and you were the only one who cared about me. I know how old-fashioned and difficult Yan Cheng is to talk to. You must have said so many nice things and asked so many favors to persuade him to let you in. It's hard for you."

Huayi's cheeks flushed as he held her hand: "This is what I should do. I just said a few nice words. It's nothing. I am the prince's person. I should give everything for him."

Xiao Qingyuan had been tormented by Chu Yanluo's arrogance and cold face before, but now that he met a gentle and considerate maid who was willing to give everything for him, he felt very happy.

He even felt that he was strange. Why did he like to flatter those who didn't treat him well and those who were aloof and looked down upon him?

It is obvious that it would be more comfortable to be served by a woman like Huayi.

He promised without thinking: "When I get out of here, I will promote you. I'm sorry that you have been treated like a maid."

Huayi was surprised and delighted. She had never expected that the status of concubine that she had always wanted would be obtained just because she delivered a meal to Xiao Qingyuan!

She thanked him again and again with a red face, then reluctantly went out with the food box.

Qin Xin had been waiting outside the woodshed for quite a while. Seeing Hua Yi finally come out, she asked her, "Did the prince eat anything? Are you cold?"

"Don't worry, Sister Qinxin. The prince is not cold and has eaten his food. He even praised the food prepared by the kitchen this time for being to his liking!"

"Did you tell the prince that the food and clothes were sent by the prince's wife?"

"I told you."

"Well, that's good. You can go back now. I should also report to the Crown Prince's Consort."

"Sister Qinxin, take care."

Huayi lowered her head and bent her waist, looking submissive and gentle. After Qinxin left, she carried the food box back to Xingheyuan.

When she thought about the prince's promise to take her as a concubine, she couldn't suppress the joy in her heart, and the corners of her lips curled up.

"Hey, Huayi, what great news is this? You are so happy, but the prince is still locked up in the woodshed. It's not a good idea for you to be secretly happy in his yard, right?"

When Huayi heard this voice, her smile disappeared instantly.

She raised her head and looked at Chu Yanluo who came in: "Why is Aunt Chu here? Aren't you feeling unwell? It's so cold, and you're wandering around. You'll get sick easily. You should go back to Qingwu Courtyard and continue recuperating!"

Chu Yanluo heard the sting in her words, and she sneered: "I haven't seen you for a few days, and you have become much more sharp-tongued. Who gave you the courage to talk to me like this? You are just a lowly maid, and I am the concubine of the prince. How dare you not bow to me? Kneel down!"

Huayi had just received Xiao Qingyuan's promise and felt that she was now the same as Chu Yanluo, so of course she refused to kneel down to her.

She smiled softly: "Did Aunt Chu deliberately come here to bully me while the prince is away? But the prince said that I don't need to kneel to anyone except the master!"