Chapter 2587: Xiao Jiu

The steward took the reins and said, "I’ll immediately instruct the kitchen to stew some tonics for the Prince, to build him up a bit."

Long Yi: "Mm! First get hot water ready for Master, let him bathe before anything else!"

Steward: "Yes!"

Xiao Jiu squatted on the eaves, its beady little eyes rolling as it watched.

The Prince has come back, hurry and go tell Master—maybe once Master’s happy, it’ll reward me with a piece of meat; just thinking about it is wonderful!

Xiao Jiu flapped its wings and flew inside.

Rain Listening Courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, pink walls encircled it, green willows drooped all around, three hanging-flower gatehouses stood in a row, inside the yard winding paths linked up, with rocks dotted here and there. The whole compound was splendid and imposing, full of stately elegance; the rear courtyard was covered with trellises of roses, exceptionally beautiful.

The Second Prince and Third Prince went out on campaign today, and Xuexue had gone outside to watch as well; she had just come back in.

As soon as she sat down, Zi Xia presented a cup of hot tea: "Young Miss, have some hot tea to warm yourself up."

"Mm." Xuexue took it, and lightly sipped a small mouthful. The tea was especially fragrant; it was a bit bitter going in, but as it slid down her throat, a hint of sweetness rose up.

Xuexue couldn’t help but feel her spirits lift. She asked, "What tea is this? Why is it so fragrant?"

"The Princess Consort forgot? This is the Da Hong Pao tea the Prince sent over."

With the Young Miss’s current wealth and means, drinking a cup of Da Hong Pao is nothing extravagant. Besides, this Da Hong Pao didn’t cost her a thing—it was given by the Prince.

"Oh." Xuexue took another sip, then slowly set the cup down on the table.

This time Long Rui had been gone for several days in a row; she hadn’t seen him come back. She had no idea whether something had happened, and he hadn’t even sent back a single word.

"Young Miss, what’s wrong? Worried about the Prince?"

"Of course I am. He’s been gone for days, and not only has he not come back, even Long Yi hasn’t returned. I don’t know what’s happened."

"Exactly! No matter how busy the Prince is, he ought to send someone back with a message at least."

At that, Zi Xia started blaming Long Yi again: "Long Yi too—if the Prince is so busy, how can he not know to send someone back with a message?"

Xuexue gave her a sidelong, half-smiling glance and said, "You’re worried about him, aren’t you?"

Zi Xia lowered her head, her face flushing red, and answered softly, "Mm."

It was rare to see this tough girl show such a shy side. Xuexue laughed, and her mood brightened at once.

"Young Miss, you’re awful, laughing at your maid like that. Don’t you miss the Prince too?" Zi Xia pouted, stomping her foot in protest; in that moment, a little woman’s shy charm was on full display.

"So what if I do? Missing him is useless—whether I miss him or not, he still doesn’t come back." Xuexue lowered her voice and stared at her own fingers as she spoke.

"Chu-chu-chu...! He’s back, he’s back!"

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out.

Zi Xia lifted her head and said, "What kind of fit is Xiao Jiu throwing now?"

Xiao Jiu screeched back, "You’re the one throwing a fit—you’re so crazed from missing a man!"

"Why you stinking bird, you dare talk back to me?" Zi Xia instantly turned fierce again, planting her hands on her hips and shouting viciously up at Xiao Jiu in midair.

"You’re just a tigress no one will marry—what man would dare like you? Cluck cluck cluck...!" Right after, Xiao Jiu let out a string of hateful cackles.

"Young Miss, look at that—even a bird dares bully your maid." Zi Xia felt about ready to collapse from being roasted.

Xiao Jiu retorted, unconvinced, "What’s wrong with being a bird? Even a bird’s more useful than you."

Zi Xia: "Useful how? All you do every day is eat and poop—it’s either bugs or meat all the time."

"I’m not wasting breath on a vulgar woman like you. I have something to say to Master." Flap flap—Birdy flew down from midair and landed on Xuexue’s shoulder, standing there steadily.