Marrying the Crown Prince

Unfortunately, Zhou Zhou was too hungry and exhausted, so he had no interest in food. He only ate a bowl of shredded chicken noodles and barely touched anything else.

The kitchen in the East Palace is quite good at cooking. The noodles are as thin as hair, and the chicken used is a pheasant that has been raised for three months. The meat is firm, and when paired with pickled cabbage, it is incredibly appetizing.

The soup was made by simmering pheasant over low heat for more than an hour, and it was so delicious that Zhou Zhou almost swallowed his tongue.

She quickly finished the bowl of noodles and put down her chopsticks with some regret—the noodles were delicious, the soup was tasty, and she was full in no time; she hadn't even touched the rest of the food yet!

"You can divide these among yourselves," Zhou Zhou said to the four people in the room.

The host family's gifts of food showed their appreciation, so Zhibei and Donghe both showed joy on their faces—the Crown Princess had accepted them faster than expected.

They quickly cleared away the food, then asked Zhou Zhou for permission. Donghe stayed to keep Zhou Zhou company, while the rest of them went to the side room to eat. They would come back to relieve Donghe after they had finished eating.

They had already made contact with Zhibei, but they still didn't know Donghe's background. Therefore, Zhou Zhou was satisfied with the result they came up with: "Go on, eat well. If you're not full, take some silver and ask the kitchen to make more."

In truth, it was the Crown Prince's wedding day, and the Eastern Palace would never be absent, no matter what. However, they couldn't refuse the Crown Princess's kindness, so they agreed, "Yes."

After everyone left, Donghe brewed a cup of flower tea with hot water and brought it over. "Your Majesty, this is tea made with chrysanthemum petals picked and dried last year, along with honeysuckle and goji berries. It's for improving eyesight and beautifying the skin."

Zhou Zhou gestured for her to put it on the table, looked kindly at Dong He, and said, "You've been busy all day, so stop working. There are no outsiders here, so don't be shy. Find a seat."

Being busy isn't the point, nor is asking her to sit down; finding her a seat is the point. No matter where you are, you should know your place.

Donghe subconsciously wanted to say she wasn't tired, but looking at Zhou Zhou's smiling face, she changed her mind and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After saying that, Donghe brought over a small stool and sat down to Zhou Zhou's right.

"What did you do before you came here?" Zhou Zhou picked up the tea lid with his hand, gently skimming the foam, and chatted with her casually.

“This servant used to serve His Highness the Crown Prince in Changding Palace. Three years ago, when Granny Kang got old, His Highness sent this servant here to take care of her.” Donghe knew that this was to investigate her background.

She was supposedly there to take care of the old nanny, but in reality, she was there to take over the work at Changxin Palace. Once the old nanny was retired, she would become the head of Changxin Palace.

Zhou Zhou stopped, put the lid back on with a crisp sound, but the smile on her face did not disappear. "Who is this Granny Kang?"

“Granny Kang was His Highness’s wet nurse. Last year, her health was really not good, so His Highness sent her out of the palace.” Donghe lowered her eyes and spoke even more respectfully, thinking of Granny Kang’s fate.

Despite Kang Mama's special status, His Highness the Crown Prince showed no mercy and sent her away directly. If it were me... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhou Zhou raised an eyebrow—meaning that Dong He is now the head female official of Changxin Palace.

"So, you've been in charge of Changxin Palace for the past year?"

"This servant is foolish and dull, but fortunately Your Highness values ​​her." Donghe felt somewhat uneasy, after all, such important work was usually given to trusted confidants. If she could not satisfy the Crown Princess in serving her recently, she was afraid that this position would be replaced in a few months.

"Ahem!" Zhou Zhou touched his earlobe, his eyes sweeping over Dong He with interest. "You don't need to belittle yourself. You must have some extraordinary qualities to make His Highness value you so much."

Donghe's eyelashes trembled as she pondered how to answer, when she heard Zhou Zhou continue—

"Since His Highness values ​​and trusts you, I will naturally trust you as well."

Upon hearing this, Donghe reacted faster than she could think, immediately kneeling on the ground with a thud, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty's words, this servant will certainly keep in mind and live up to your expectations."

After she finished speaking, she straightened her posture and gave a deep bow.

As for Zhou Zhou, after saying those words, she picked up the cup of flower tea in front of her, took a small sip, and found it to be slightly bitter and not very pleasant.

So, Zhou Zhou quickly put the cup back on the table, looked at Dong He who was still kneeling on the ground and kowtowing, and smiled innocently, "Look at you, what are you doing? Get up."

Donghe hesitated, then the Crown Princess spoke again—

"On such an important day, you kowtow to me, so shouldn't I reward you with something?"

"Slave..."

I'm not asking for a reward.

Unfortunately, before she could finish speaking, Zhou Zhou pulled the hairpin from her hair and put it on her head. "Alright, it's already on. Are you going to get up?"

Now that things have come to this, Donghe could only accept her fate. "This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward."

She had barely sat down on the stool when she heard Changyi at the door say, "Oh, Your Highness, how come you've drunk so much?"

His Highness the Crown Prince has returned!

Dong He stood up quickly, and Zhou Zhou followed suit.

The moment she stood up, the door was pushed open, and Chang Yi helped Li Ziyan in. The air was instantly filled with the smell of alcohol.

Zhou Zhou pursed her lips, but still went to meet her.

Li Ziyan, who was drunk, was very well-behaved. When she saw Zhou Zhou coming over, she immediately let go of Chang Yi's hand and clung to Zhou Zhou.

Zhou Zhou, feeling so overwhelmed she wanted to roll her eyes: "..."

Li Ziyan looks thin, but she weighs quite a bit!

She helped the person to the bedside, then threw them onto the bed.

Fortunately, the bed was covered with layers of blankets and quilts, so it was soft and fluffy. The fall didn't hurt much, but it was still a terrifying sight for Changyi.

"Donghe, go fetch a basin of water," Zhou Zhou turned around and instructed, "Eunuch Changyi, I'll trouble you to cook a bowl of hangover soup."

The two men who received the order quickly left, and as soon as they left, Li Ziyan, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them instantly. His eyes were clear and bright, and there was no trace of drunkenness left.

Zhou Zhou waved her hand in front of him, and then Li Ziyan grasped it precisely.

I don't know if it was because he had been drinking, but his hands were much hotter than mine, as if they were on fire.

"Not drunk?" Zhou Zhou tried to ignore her shyness, leaned closer, and carefully observed the expression on his face. Finally, she confirmed one thing—he really didn't seem to be drunk.

Zhou Zhou's face suddenly came closer, magnifying in front of him.

Li Ziyan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his eyes, replying in a muffled voice, "Yes, I was faking it."

If I weren't pretending, how could I have come back so early?