After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

Xiao Ru smiled without saying a word. She seemed mysterious, but in reality, she didn't know either.

The princess told her yesterday that she was going out today, and gave no other instructions. She ate and slept as usual, and she didn't even know when this courtyard had appeared if the princess hadn't suddenly told her about it before she arrived.

However, it doesn't matter. She'll do whatever the princess tells her to do, and whatever the princess does is right.

Knowing she couldn't get an answer, Huo Xin jumped off the carriage in disappointment. Turning around, she suddenly remembered something important: "How should I find the princess in the future?"

Xiang An refused to let her into the princess's residence, instead placing her in a secluded spot, clearly indicating that he did not want to have any open dealings with her.

Xiao Ru answered methodically, "The princess will naturally go to you when she wants to. Miss Huo, there's no need to worry. Just focus on preparing for the bidding in three days."

Huo Xin chuckled lightly, hands on her hips, "I'm telling you, little girl, I've asked so many questions, and the princess hasn't even opened her eyes, yet you haven't asked any of them and have been refusing to answer. Are you deliberately trying to go against me?"

“Miss Huo, this is what the princess instructed me to do.”

Huo Xin unconsciously lowered her hands from her hips, her gaze passing over Xiao Ru by the door, and suspiciously looking at Xiang An behind her, who had her eyes closed, unsure whether she was asleep or not.

“This servant guesses that Miss Huo is still not at ease and wants some evidence.” Xiao Ru smiled and took out a uniquely shaped jade leaf pendant from her waist pouch.

Huo Xin: "…………" She really guessed right. Is the emperor's offspring really that powerful? First Xiang Xin, then Xiang An, it's as if they all knew what was going to happen in advance.

Huo Xin accepted the jade pendant with a grim expression and left without looking back.

The carriage rang, and the carriage started moving again. Xiao Ru gently exhaled, lifted the incense burner, and carefully added a little calming incense.

Last night, the princess went out of the palace under cover of darkness and did not return until almost dawn. I don't know what she did, but when she came back, she was both happy and exhausted.

A rich fragrance wafted through the carriage. The setting sun peeked in through the gaps in the curtains, and the dancing dust and calming incense smoke danced in the light, creating the shape of light.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Xiang An slowly opened her eyes. In her hazy thoughts, she thought of something, "Xiao Ru." Her voice was particularly hoarse from just waking up.

“Princess.” Xiao Ru bent down and caught the blanket that was about to slip off.

"Have you prepared everything I asked you to?"

I've been busy these past two days, and with so many things to do, I haven't even finished the crossbow bolts I promised Fu Qingbai.

"Everything's ready. All that's missing is the craftsman."

"I don't need craftsmen, I'll make some little trinkets myself."

As she stepped off the carriage on a low stool, a guard hurried over and said, "Princess, Eunuch Changfu has brought a palace maid who is waiting for you in the flower hall."

"How long have you been here?"

"A quarter of an hour ago."

"Princess." Xiao Ru nervously clung to Xiang An's arm.

Having lost a leg, Xiao Ru is now terrified of anything related to the palace.

"Don't be afraid." Xiang An gently patted Xiao Ru's hand and comforted her, "You don't need to go to the flower hall. Just go to the backyard and move your things to my room."

"That……"

"Who in this world, besides Father Emperor, would dare to touch the princess?" Xiang An said smugly. "Listen to me, we're not here to deliver an imperial decree, so there's no need for everyone to go see a eunuch."

Moreover, this old eunuch Changfu, though seemingly loyal to the emperor, actually harbors considerable ambitions.

In the previous game, after the emperor died, he continued to serve Xiang Xin, and then strangled Xiang Xin before dying himself. Otherwise, unless there were special reasons, under normal circumstances, the next emperor would never use the previous emperor's personal eunuch again, either discarding him or having him buried with the emperor.

In the flower hall, wisteria blossoms swayed, releasing a delicate fragrance.

Changfu smiled and bowed, saying, "This servant greets the princess."

“No need for such formalities, Eunuch Changfu.” Xiang An helped him up, then looked at the palace maid who was bowing with him with a puzzled expression, “Which aunt is this?”

“Her name is Fu Fang. Sun Yi died protecting the princess. His Majesty was worried that the princess would not be able to manage the princess’s residence, so he specially chose her to serve the princess.” Chang Fu pushed her with his arm, “Fu Fang, why don’t you step forward and let the princess take a good look at you?”

Fu Fang is just as her name suggests. She has a round face, a kind and friendly smile, and is not very tall, with a slightly plump figure.

"This servant greets the princess." Fu Fang knelt down and performed a grand salute. Xiang An hurriedly helped her up and looked at Chang Fu with difficulty: "Eunuch, this aunt seems to be quite extraordinary."

Changfu smiled and said, "She was His Majesty's wet nurse. She took care of His Majesty and also held the princess when she was a child."

"No wonder she looked familiar." Xiang An suddenly realized, smiled with relief, then frowned, "Aunt Fu Fang has come to the Princess's residence, what will happen to the ladies in the palace?"

Recently, a concubine in the emperor's harem was diagnosed with pregnancy. When the news spread, her family outside the palace was overjoyed and held a three-day banquet to celebrate the happy event.

“Princess, your filial piety is commendable. His Majesty will be overjoyed to hear this,” Changfu said. “Princess, you need not worry. His Majesty said that the empresses are not as important as you. There are many wet nurses in the palace to serve the empresses, but Your Majesty is worried about you living alone outside the palace.”

Xiang An's brows relaxed. "That's good. Thank you for making the trip, Father-in-law." A purse was quietly handed over.

Changfu's smile widened, and after bowing, he returned to the palace.

"Princess, where should I go to work?" Fu Fang asked impatiently.

Xiang An sat down in the chair, remained silent for a long while, and then asked in a daze, "What does Father want you to do?"

“His Majesty didn’t say.” Fu Fang deftly picked up the teapot to brew tea. “This servant can do anything, and is not afraid of hardship or fatigue. Once I’m in the Princess’s residence, I am the Princess’s person. Whatever the Princess asks me to do, this servant will do. This servant obeys the Princess.”

Steam rises, the aroma of tea fills the air, and a cup of fine tea is successfully brewed.

Xiang An couldn't help but lean closer to the teacup, taking a captivating sip. The tea's delicate fragrance was rich yet not cloying, and she exclaimed sincerely, "Auntie's tea-brewing skills are truly superb. She has managed to brew a cup of celestial tea from a pinch of ordinary tea leaves into a cup that only immortals could drink."

As she spoke, Xiang An clapped her hands and said, "That's it! Auntie's tea-making skills are so good, why don't you specialize in making tea? If guests come to visit in the future, they will definitely praise your tea after drinking it."

"Your Highness is too kind. My tea-making skills are ordinary, but this tea is extraordinary. It is the Golden Melon Tribute Tea that was sent this year. Currently, apart from His Majesty, only Your Highness can drink it."

"Oh?" Xiang An took a sip of the cup. Hmm, he didn't know much about tea and couldn't tell the difference between good and bad. It was pretty much the same as all other teas, nothing special.

"Not bad, it has a sweet aftertaste. The tea is good, and the person who brewed it is good too." Xiang An pretended to savor the tea for a while before finally finishing the cup. "If Auntie brings the maids in the mansion to brew tea, I'm sure their tea skills will improve a lot. It seems I'm in luck in the future."

"Your Highness is too kind to me." Fu Fang covered her mouth and smiled. "My tea-making skills are the worst. There is someone else who can make the best tea for His Majesty."

"Oh? Who?"