The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 208 - The Villa

The carriage traveled at a leisurely pace, and by the time they reached the suburban villa, lunchtime had already passed.

Having nibbled on a few snacks during the ride, they weren't particularly hungry.

With the sun blazing, the carriage didn't stop outside. Instead, it entered the villa through a side gate.

The main gate was paved with bluestone slabs for pedestrians, unsuitable for carriages.

So when Fang Yun got out, she was already under the shade of the trees inside the villa.

The Second Young Lady, who had fallen asleep from the carriage's gentle rocking, woke up as soon as the carriage stopped.

She refused to be held by her nurse, clinging to Fang Yun instead, so Fang Yun carried the child as she got out.

He Liangdi and Song Shuren also alighted from their carriages, with He Liangdi trying to get close to Pei Yao.

"Your Highness, it's past lunchtime. You must be hungry. I remember the reed chicken here is delicious. Shall we have some prepared for us?"

"It's too hot, and I don't have much of an appetite. If you want to eat, have the kitchen prepare it," Pei Yao replied kindly, though his eyes were on Fang Yun.

Seeing Fang Yun carrying the child out of the carriage, he walked over.

"Where's the nurse? Aren't you afraid of dropping her?" Pei Yao half-shielded them with his hand.

Fang Yun stepped down carefully, explaining, "She just woke up and is a bit cranky. She insisted I carry her."

"Is that so?" Pei Yao's expression softened as he looked at the Second Young Lady in Fang Yun's arms. "So clingy?"

The little girl didn't understand the word "clingy," but she hugged Fang Yun's neck, her face pressed against her shoulder, and looked at Pei Yao with her big, dark eyes.

A fair, tender little girl is naturally adorable, especially when held by such a charming beauty.

Pei Yao reached out, "Come, let Father hold you. Your mother is weak and might get tired carrying you back."

The Second Young Lady looked at Fang Yun, hesitating.

But Fang Yun smiled and gently handed her over. The little girl obediently reached out to Pei Yao.

Pei Yao took her with a smile, and the three of them stood together, looking like a family.

It was clear Pei Yao would be spending time with Fang Yun.

Under the watchful eyes of the maids and servants, they walked to Fang Yun's courtyard.

Song Shuren, pleased, went to her own quarters without delay.

He Liangdi, however, was furious, stomping her foot in frustration.

"She's not even her real mother, pretending to be so caring, using the child to seduce His Highness. It's disgraceful!"

Her outburst startled the maid leading her, who glanced up in surprise.

He Liangdi snapped, "What are you looking at? Didn't the steward teach you manners? Look again, and I'll gouge your eyes out."

"I wouldn't dare!" The maid, frightened, quickly lowered her head.

Ying Xia and Pan Chun hurriedly calmed He Liangdi and led her away.

Meanwhile, Pei Yao and Fang Yun reached their quarters, and the meal was soon brought in.

Having been prepared in advance, it arrived quickly with Pei Yao present.

The child was handed to the nurse, and the two of them had a simple lunch.

The villa's cook, different from the palace chefs, had a fresher style.

Using ingredients from the villa, the meal was delightful for Fang Yun.

"The lotus root tips are excellent, stir-fried with a tangy, fresh flavor. Perfect with rice."

"If you like it, have the kitchen prepare more for dinner," Pei Yao suggested.

Pei Yao casually sipped his tea.

Once outside the palace and at the villa, everyone seemed to relax. The invisible pressures and strict rules of the palace faded away, making them all feel more at ease.

Fang Yun lazily toyed with a bamboo ornament on the table.

"The villa is much cooler. We don't even need ice basins inside, and it doesn't feel hot."

"We're halfway up the mountain, surrounded by dense forest, so naturally, it's cooler," Pei Yao responded, taking another sip of tea. "A little further up, about half an hour's walk, there's a temple called Xiao Yin Temple. It doesn't have many monks, but their vegetarian meals are excellent."

"Xiao Yin Temple?"

Fang Yun repeated, smiling.

"The name is interesting. 'Great Hermits live in the city; small hermits live in the wilderness.' The person who named the temple must be quite intriguing."

As she spoke, Pei Yao seemed to recall something, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"If you don't want to take a nap, have some tea and rest a bit. I'll take you up to see it, and we can have dinner there."

Having slept a lot on the carriage, Fang Yun wasn't tired and nodded eagerly.

They changed into more suitable clothes for hiking and, after about half an hour, set off.

With the sun no longer scorching, the shaded path flanked by trees and the gentle mountain breeze made the walk quite pleasant.

"This stone path seems quite old. Does it lead all the way to the temple?" Fang Yun asked, lifting her skirt as she stepped onto a stone, turning to Pei Yao with a playful smile.

"Yes, the abbot and his disciples built it, but I funded it. The abbot said it counted as their spiritual practice," Pei Yao explained, pointing to a side path. "Listen carefully, there's a mountain spring over there. I had a pool and pavilion built on a flat area. I'll take you there another day."

"It seems Your Highness is quite fond of this villa. I find it wonderful, too. The lush forest, isolated from the world's noise, feels like a paradise," Fang Yun said, smiling as she looked up at the sunlight filtering through the leaves, feeling utterly content.

Seeing her relaxed and lazy demeanor, Pei Yao's mood brightened, and he reached out to take her hand, leading her slowly up the mountain.

They hadn't gone far when they heard a woman's impatient voice behind them.

"Are you sure His Highness took Fang Yun up the mountain? It's so hot, why would he go out in this weather? If he's not there, this trip was a waste!"

"Liangdi, I found out that the Crown Prince is indeed taking Fang Liangdi to the temple on the mountain. It seems they plan to have a vegetarian meal there."

"This villa isn't new to me. The servants said it's just a small temple with only a handful of monks. I bet that wretch Fang Yun used some seductive trick to lure him to a temple. It's shameless!"

Recognizing He Liangdi's voice, it was clear she hadn't expected Pei Yao and Fang Yun to walk so slowly, enjoying the scenery.

She complained loudly, assuming they were already far ahead.

Her accompanying maid, nervous, quickly urged caution.

"He Liangdi, please lower your voice. If someone hears, it will be troublesome."

"What could they hear? There's no one else around. His Highness and Fang Yun have been gone for a while. They're probably at the top by now, they wouldn't..."

As He Liangdi, holding Pan Chun's hand, continued grumbling, she turned a corner only to find Pei Yao and Fang Yun standing there, looking down at her.

"Your Highness..."

He Liangdi froze, realizing they had heard everything.