Yun Jinnian helped the eldest Princess with acupuncture, and after that, Yuwen Ming massaged the Princess. Watching Yun Jinnian standing nearby with a gentle, soft smile, the eldest Princess grew fonder of her.
She couldn’t help but ask.
As for her childhood experiences, Yun Jinnian never mentioned them.
Talking about them wouldn’t make people think she had had a tough time, nor would not talking about them erase the hardships she had endured.
Having suffered in those years was good in a way, as it made her cherish the happiness that wasn’t easy to come by all the more.
The eldest Princess was having chicken congee, while Yun Jinnian and Yuwen Ming sat by her side, enjoying delectable dishes.
"Girl, is it tasty?" the eldest Princess asked Yun Jinnian.
"Delicious!" Yun Jinnian replied.
When the eldest Princess said this, Madame Song hurriedly picked up some dishes for Yun Jinnian with her chopsticks.
"Thank you, Madame Song!"
Yun Jinnian graciously thanked her, continuing to eat little by little.
While they were eating, a guard walked in from outside, "Reporting to the Princess, Prince Rui has arrived!"
Yun Jinnian was taken aback.
This guy, why has he come to Huaixi County too?
The eldest Princess paused slightly, "Why has he come?" She then asked Madame Song, "Is it the second day of May today?"
The eldest Princess smiled and said, "Quick, invite the Prince in. Song, you go to the kitchen yourself and bring a bowl of longevity noodles!"
Yun Jinnian was even more surprised.
Was today Chu Yu’s birthday?
Holding her chopsticks, she paused, and suddenly remembered that last year, a few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, Chu Yu always lingered around her, asking her to develop several more kinds of poison powder. It turned out that was his birthday.
She lowered her head to look at the purse at her waist. Inside the purse, there was another purse made with a piece of red cloth and gold thread given to her by the abbot. Since there wasn’t much fabric to begin with, and it had been venerated in Huguo Temple for over a hundred years, making it extremely precious, Yun Jinnian thought it had the effect of warding off evil. Therefore, she cut a corner to make a purse. Because she had to copy Sutras during the day, she didn’t have much time, and it was only now that she had finished one. She hadn’t decided yet who to give it to.
But now, Yun Jinnian decided to give it to Chu Yu as a birthday present. Although it was light, the gesture was what counted!
Seeing Yuwen Ming put down his chopsticks, Yun Jinnian also put hers down.
Then she saw a tall, purple figure stride in swiftly, soon accompanied by a faint scent of cold bamboo.
Yun Jinnian looked toward Chu Yu and saw his eyes and brows filled with laughter, his eyebrows arching into his temples, his high and straight nose, and his slightly red lips parting in a smile to reveal white teeth—all of it made him somewhat dazzling today.
Yun Jinnian lowered her gaze.
As soon as Chu Yu entered the room, he glanced at Yun Jinnian, then turned his head to walk toward the eldest Princess. He clasped his fists in a salute, respectful and cordial, "I greet my aunt!"
The eldest Princess smiled and beckoned, "Come here, come to your aunt and let me have a good look at you!"
Chu Yu sat next to the eldest Princess and took her hand, "Aunt, it’s been over a year, have you been well?"
"Aunt is fibbing!" Chu Yu said, then added, "But seeing you in good health now, I can rest assured!" He quickly extended his hand toward the eldest Princess again, "Aunt, hand it over!"
The eldest Princess slapped his palm lightly, "You’re so grown up, yet still asking your aunt for birthday gifts!"
"In front of aunt, I will always be a child!" Chu Yu declared unashamedly, as though it were only right.
The eldest Princess laughed, "Indeed. Even if you live to be ninety-nine, as long as your aunt is here, you would still be a child!"
Turning her head toward Madame Song, Madame Song immediately went to fetch something.