"Still here?" Yu Mingyue frowned, lowering her voice.
"This servant said that the young lady went to soak in the hot springs with the wives of the Gu and Mo families. The eunuch drank a cup of tea and left. He said the Seventh Prince hunted a small deer today to give to the young lady to play with, and has already sent someone back to the Duke's mansion."
"..."
Yu Mingyue rolled her eyes. The Seventh Prince was just like his mother, flamboyant and ostentatious in his actions.
Sending it back to the Yu family so conspicuously meant that by tomorrow, the entire capital would know.
Yu Mingyue's guess was correct. Cui Shi was already worried about the small deer sent by the Seventh Prince.
This deer was not raised from a young age and could not tolerate confinement. If it accidentally died, they would be punished by the palace.
"Madam, you don't need to worry. After some time, I will send the little deer to the separate estate and have people specially raise it."
"The Seventh Prince didn't just send a deer; he sent an ancestor."
The mother and son's high-profile actions of being good to Yue'er were nothing more than letting people know they valued Yue'er, thereby winning over the hearts of Cui Shi's disciples and scholars from all over the world.
With such deep scheming, it was no wonder the Noble Consort had been favored for so many years, forcing the Empress Wang to leave the palace for many years.
"Madam, please calm down. I will handle this matter," Yu Zeyan comforted her.
He knew his wife was unhappy with the Emperor's arranged marriage, and he also did not want his daughter to enter the palace, but the Emperor's words were final, and how could they dare to disobey?
Cui Shi flicked the handkerchief in her hand. Complaining was useless.
Fortunately, Yue'er was still young, only thirteen years old after the New Year. The Seventh Prince was almost eighteen. There were still several years until Yue'er came of age, and he might not be able to wait.
The next morning, after everyone had breakfast, they were to return to the city. Gu Tingjun had already ordered his men to pack their respective game from yesterday for easy transport.
Consort Yao sent someone to pick them up. The carriage was parked at the entrance of the separate estate. The palace carriage was luxurious and spacious, and the two horses pulling it were of excellent breed.
The guards and maids who came to pick them up numbered over fifty, all showcasing supreme power.
Xiao Che looked at Yu Mingyue, who was standing on the side, trying her best to minimize her presence, and said, "Yue'er, come here!"
He felt that this little girl seemed a bit resistant to getting close to him this time.
Yu Mingyue clenched and unclenched her hand under her sleeve. She naturally dared not disobey the Seventh Prince's words.
"Your Highness!" Yu Mingyue curtsied.
Her curtsy was graceful and composed, even more so than a princess in the palace.
"Return with me in my carriage. My mother has instructed me to take good care of you," Xiao Che said.
Next February would be the spring examination. Scholars respected the Five Great Clans, and the Five Great Clans were intermarried, prospering together. The attitude of the Cui family was very important.
"This subject thanks Your Highness for your kindness, but..." Yu Mingyue curtsied again: "I fear it would be improper."
Everyone was surprised that Yu Mingyue publicly refused the Seventh Prince's kindness, thinking she was young and ungrateful. However, when she said it was improper, everyone understood.
Only imperial consorts of the second rank or higher were qualified to ride in this carriage. Although the Emperor had designated Yu Mingyue as the future Seventh Prince's consort, he had not formally betrothed her, nor had she been granted any rank. It was indeed improper.
Although Xiao Che was refused, he was very pleased to see that Yu Mingyue knew her boundaries. This was the demeanor a daughter of a noble family should have. She was indeed worthy of being raised by the Cui family, proud yet not arrogant, with proper conduct.
Xiao Che nodded, then assigned several guards to personally escort Yu Mingyue back to her mansion. "I will visit you again in a few days. Take care of yourself."
Yu Mingyue did not refuse this time. "This subject thanks Your Highness!"
Everyone saw the Seventh Prince off, breathed a sigh of relief, and relaxed. The atmosphere became much lighter.
Xu Zijun held her handkerchief, unwilling to withdraw her gaze even after the carriage disappeared from sight.