Marrying the Crown Prince

Zhou Zhou has no interest or experience in teaching people; he has always been taught by others. Although the people he teaches are not bad-tempered, they are all aloof.

For example, when the Empress Dowager was teaching Zhou Zhou, she would just throw a book at her, tell her to read it herself, and then ask her a few questions. She would answer them, and that was how the matter was settled.

However, when facing Fang, Zhou Zhou felt that if he really threw a book at her, it would probably scare her to death, making her think that she had done something wrong!

Zhou Zhou reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, cursing inwardly—why did I have to take on this hot potato?

But what can we do now that we've already accepted the calls?

After Zhou Zhou woke Fang up, he didn't rush to teach her anything. Instead, he called Dong He over and said, "Go ask the small kitchen if they've made any snacks today."

After saying that, she looked at Jufang and said, "Go and prepare tea leaves, teaware, and hot water."

"Yes." Donghe and Jufang left together.

Today, guests came to Changxin Palace, and the snacks were prepared early in the morning. So as soon as Donghe arrived at the small kitchen, the cook greeted her with a smile.

“Miss Donghe, why did you go all the way here yourself? It’s freezing cold, you could have just had us deliver it to you.”

"Alright, stop joking around. Have the snacks Her Majesty ordered been prepared?"

"It's just taken out of the pot."

As she spoke, the cook instructed her apprentice to take the pastries out of the pot, arrange them on plates, and serve them properly.

“Miss Donghe, this food box is a bit heavy. Why don’t you have my apprentice carry it over?” the cook suggested, rubbing her hands together.

Donghe noticed that the apprentice she was referring to was the little palace maid who came to announce the menu on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

In her memory, Zhou Zhou quite liked this little palace maid.

That being the case...

"Okay!" Donghe nodded in agreement.

Sometimes, doing things convenient for others is doing things convenient for yourself.

"Good, good, good." The cook beamed with joy, her aged face showing even more pronounced wrinkles.

Donghe sighed silently and looked at the little palace maid. "Come here."

The young palace maid glanced at her master, hesitated, and was met with a glare and a vicious curse, "You brat, aren't you going to follow? Do you think Donghe is waiting for you?"

"Understood." The little palace maid hurriedly picked up the food box and followed behind Donghe.

The cook watched their figures recede into the distance, let out a heavy sigh, and with her back hunched, returned to the small kitchen.

She's old and doesn't have many years left to live, let alone how much longer she can stay in the palace.

After entering the palace, she witnessed far too many partings and deaths, and thought she had long since developed a heart of stone. Who knew that the soft, delicate little girl who would only lie by her bedside wiping away tears would move her heart?

That’s all.

That girl had been with me for six years after all. Before she left, why not make plans for her and make her journey easier?

Inside Changxin Hall, Zhou Zhou's fingers flew across the table. The teacup seemed like an extension of her body; her movements were light and graceful, like autumn leaves fluttering in the wind, swirling and dancing in the air.

Fang's eyes widened in disbelief, after all...

After entering the Duke's mansion, she also learned the art of tea ceremony, so she naturally knew the difficulty of these movements. I'm afraid... even the Crown Princess must have studied for a long time to learn to this level.

Sure enough, this position looks glamorous, but in reality, you have to pay many times more than the average person!

For a moment, Fang's expression was a mixture of envy and complexity.

Zhou Zhou: "..."

I don't know what you're imagining, but the host personally brewing tea is the greatest courtesy to a guest.

Zhou Zhou simply wanted her to relax.

She poured a cup of tea for Madam Fang, "Madam Fang, please—!"

"Ah," Madam Fang seemed to wake from a dream, and took the teacup. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Just then, Donghe entered with a young palace maid.

"This servant greets Her Highness the Crown Princess." The young palace maid, carrying a food box, curtsied.

Zhou Zhou's gaze shifted from Fang Shi, and he instantly recognized who this little girl was.

“It’s you.” she said loudly.

There was no way around it; the two dishes that the little palace maid recommended that day were indeed quite delicious.

Although Zhou Zhou's tone was kind, the little palace maid still lowered her eyebrows and head, remembering all the words her master had said and taught her.

Seeing her composure at such a young age, Zhou Zhou became even more curious. "Raise your head."

Fang listened from the side, and subconsciously raised her face, then stiffened and turned her gaze to the little palace maid's face.

The young palace maid was quite old, with chubby cheeks and a bit of baby fat. When she saw Zhou Zhou looking her over, she gave him a sweet smile.

When she smiles, dimples appear at the corners of her lips, making her look even more cheerful and adorable.

"What is your name?"

"This servant is Xiangyang."

"Born towards the sun, with dreams as your steeds, living up to your youth." Zhou Zhou's lips parted slightly. "It's a good name, but did your family choose it for you?"

"No, no." The little palace maid shook her head. "It was Aunt Feng from the small kitchen who named it for me."

After saying that, she cautiously glanced at Zhou Zhou, and after confirming that the Crown Princess still had a gentle expression, she added, "My aunt said that she hopes that I will grow strong and healthy like wild grass in the mountains, facing the sun."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhou's brow twitched slightly. "Hmm, she's quite articulate."

Upon hearing Zhou Zhou's words, Xiang Yang's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he dared not speak again.

Little did she know, her little actions had not been noticed by Zhou Zhou.

Zhou Zhou maintained his smile and asked, "How long have you been working in the small kitchen? What do you usually do?"

“I’ve been with my aunt for six years. My daily routine is to help her with the fire and watch the stove.”

"Your nanny is very strict, and you've been able to stay by her side for so many years, which shows you're a well-behaved person."

“My aunt is very kind to me,” Xiangyang replied.

"Hmm, she's someone who knows how to be grateful, I like that very much." Zhou Zhou's hand gently stroked the edge of the teacup lid, her eyebrows slightly raised. "Would you be willing to serve at Changxin Palace?"

The small kitchen in the Eastern Palace was not a remote or harsh place, but being able to enter the Changxin Hall was something many palace servants longed for.

However, Xiangyang hesitated for only a few seconds before kneeling down and refusing.

"It is my greatest blessing to serve Your Highness, and I should not refuse."

"However, Aunt is getting old and will be leaving the palace to retire in a few years. I want to stay by Aunt's side and serve her as much as possible while she is still serving in the palace."

After Xiangyang finished speaking, his body trembled uncontrollably, and his heart pounded as if it were about to jump out of his throat.