Chapter 654 - 657: Resemblance

Chapter 654: Chapter 657: Resemblance

After landing steadily, Hua Manman immediately put Li Xun down and told him.

"Go with Little Flower for now. It’ll lead you to a hiding place."

Li Xun asked urgently, "What about you?"

"I have to go back, or I’ll make Princess Consort Zhen suspicious. But don’t worry, your grandmother and I will be out soon. We’ll leave the palace together then."

Li Xun looked at her, reluctant to part.

"Please come out quickly."

"Okay."

Hua Manman watched Li Xun and the Three-colored Cat leave.

Once they were far in the distance, she used her Qinggong to scale the wall and return to Yufu Palace.

She carried the food box back to the dining hall, took out the freshly warmed egg yolk pastries, and placed them on the table.

Princess Consort Zhen extended her slender fingers and picked up an egg yolk pastry. But instead of eating it, she sighed.

"If Manman were here, she would have loved these egg yolk pastries."

Hearing her own name so unexpectedly, Hua Manman’s heart clenched.

She lowered her head further, trying desperately to make herself inconspicuous.

He Family thought of her deceased daughter, and her heart ached with sorrow.

Yet, she still had to force a smile.

"Manman has been gone for so long. We shouldn’t bring her up, lest it saddens you, Your Highness."

Princess Consort Zhen replied, "There are few people left in the Celestial Capital who still remember Manman. You’re the only one I can talk to about her, Mother."

With that, she placed the egg yolk pastry back on the plate, her expression still sorrowful.

He Family offered a few words of comfort.

But it was no use.

Princess Consort Zhen’s mood didn’t improve.

She had no appetite to continue her meal, but she didn’t want to waste He Family’s kind gesture. Catching sight of Hua Manman standing behind He Family, she asked casually.

"What is your name?"

Afraid of arousing suspicion, Hua Manman answered cautiously.

"This servant is named Hongdou."

Princess Consort Zhen mused, "Hongdou... that’s a rather lovely name. I’ll give these egg yolk pastries to you. Go on, eat them while they’re still warm."

Hua Manman quickly expressed her gratitude, stepped forward to take the plate of pastries, and retreated to the side, where she began to eat with her head lowered.

The warmed pastries were exceptionally fragrant and sweet, crisp to the bite, with a delightful, lingering flavor.

To avoid giving herself away, she dared not reveal her true nature. She ate in small, delicate bites, chewing carefully so as not to make a sound.

But Princess Consort Zhen couldn’t help but look at her a few more times.

He Family noticed this and asked tentatively.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

Princess Consort Zhen pointed to Hua Manman. "I finally see why you keep her by your side, Mother. She does bear some resemblance to Manman. Especially the way she eats—it’s so endearing, it almost makes me want to eat more myself."

He Family chuckled. "Yes, the resemblance is quite striking."

Hua Manman: "..."

’I’ve already made a point to eat slowly, so how can they still see a resemblance?’

Princess Consort Zhen asked her, "Are the egg yolk pastries delicious?"

Hua Manman quickly wiped the corners of her mouth and answered respectfully.

"They’re delicious."

Princess Consort Zhen smiled. "If you stay here in the palace, you can have as many egg yolk pastries as you want."

At these words, both Hua Manman and He Family were startled.

He Family quickly spoke up, "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

Princess Consort Zhen had only said it casually, not truly meaning it. But now, seeing Hongdou’s frightened expression, she was involuntarily reminded of her younger sister.

Their startled expressions were identical.

This suddenly gave Princess Consort Zhen an idea—

’Perhaps I should keep Hongdou here in the palace.’

’That way, whenever I miss my sister, I can summon Hongdou for a look, and it might bring me some small comfort.’

Princess Consort Zhen said, "Hongdou is quite charming, and I’ve taken a liking to her. I would like to keep her in the palace. She could keep me company when things are quiet. I wonder, Mother, would you be willing to part with her?"

He Family desperately wanted to say no.

But reason told her she was in no position to refuse Princess Consort Zhen.

She struggled to remain calm.

"For the Noble Consort to favor Hongdou is a blessing she must have earned in a past life. How could I possibly refuse?"

She turned to Hua Manman and said in a low voice.

"Hurry and thank the Noble Consort for her favor."

Hua Manman knelt before Princess Consort Zhen.

"Thank you for your favor, Noble Consort. This servant is honored to be able to stay and serve Your Highness. However, this servant still has parents at home. Might Your Highness grant me two days so that I may return home to be with them one last time?"

When she finished, she kowtowed deeply, her posture full of supplication.

He Family knew she was trying to buy time and chimed in to support her.

"The girl Hongdou has always been a filial child. I hope the Noble Consort will grant her request."

Princess Consort Zhen looked at Hongdou and asked, "Where do you live? I shall have someone escort you home."

Hua Manman was cursing her luck internally, but on the outside, she had to act as if she were overwhelmed by the favor.

"You mustn’t, you mustn’t!

This servant’s parents haven’t seen much of the world; they’re very timid.

If they saw people from the palace show up at our door, they would surely be terrified.

This servant appreciates the Noble Consort’s kindness, but I can go back on my own. There’s truly no need to trouble Your Highness."

Princess Consort Zhen said, "In that case, I won’t insist. Return to the palace in two days."

Hua Manman kowtowed to her again.

"Thank you, Noble Consort!"

He Family secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

’We’ve managed to bluff our way through this, at least.’

The noon meal was over.

He Family announced her intention to leave.

Princess Consort Zhen said, "Mother, you so rarely visit the palace. Why not stay a little longer?"

He Family replied, "I would love to stay and keep you company, Your Highness, but there are too many matters to attend to at home. I cannot stay away for too long. I hope you’ll forgive me."

She turned and left with Hua Manman.

As the two of them reached the doorway, they suddenly heard Princess Consort Zhen speak.

"Wait."

The hearts of both Hua Manman and He Family skipped a beat.

’Have we been found out?’

He Family, trying to act as if nothing were wrong, asked, "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

Princess Consort Zhen pointed to the unfinished plate of egg yolk pastries and reminded them.

"Take these with you. Let Hongdou’s parents have a taste."

Hua Manman put on an expression of tearful gratitude. "Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness!"

She picked up the plate of pastries, placed them in the food box, and followed He Family out.

This time, Princess Consort Zhen didn’t call out to stop them.

The two of them walked out of the gates of Yufu Palace without any further trouble.

’We finally got away!’

Both Hua Manman and He Family let out a long sigh of relief.

Just then, they saw a group of people walking toward them.

The man leading the group was none other than the Crown Prince, Li Qiong.

Although Li Qiong was only a year older than Li Xun, his temperament was far more composed.

"Grandmother, it’s been a while. Have you been well?"

He Family smiled. "I am quite well. Are you on your way to see your mother?"

Li Qiong replied, "I came this time not only to see my mother, but also to see my cousin, Li Xun."

He Family and Hua Manman immediately grew tense again.

’Of all the times for the Crown Prince to show up, why now?!’