Mu Zixuan had been extremely kind to Yelv Nanyan and Xiao Wenyao from the day they entered the Prince's Mansion, not treating them in the least as captives.
She not only sent them delicious food every day, but also instructed the maids to take great care of them, especially to Yelv Nanyan, who almost received supplements from Mu Zixuan every morning.
Sometimes Yelv Nanyan also wondered if Mu Zixuan's gifts were due to Lu Chen visiting her so often, perhaps arousing Mu Zixuan's dissatisfaction, and thus the supplements were a reminder for her to be mindful of her own status.
However, as time went by, Yelv Nanyan realized that there was no sarcasm intended in Mu Zixuan's act of sending supplements; even the maidservants attending to her blushed as they assured her that the Princess Consort's gifts were sincerely meant.
By now, Yelv Nanyan had thoroughly accepted Mu Zixuan's kindness and had come to understand why the Princess Consort was so good to her.
Yelv Nanyan had initially thought that the harem of the Great Xia Emperor or that of the princes were full of intrigue, but such was almost non-existent in the North Prince Mansion, mainly because the master was too formidable, and no woman could withstand the love of the North Prince on her own.
If a woman were to bewitch the North Prince completely, then her death would probably not be far away.
At that moment, Xiao Wenyao whispered to Yelv Nanyan, "Nanyan, should we go over?"
Hearing this question, Yelv Nanyan reminded Xiao Wenyao, "Yaoyao, you must always remember one thing: in the North Prince Mansion, aside from the North Prince, the Princess Consort has the utmost authority. Whatever the Princess Consort asks you to do, you must do it. If the Princess Consort invites us to tea, there isn't a special reason we could refuse—do you understand?"
Hearing Yelv Nanyan's reminder, Xiao Wenyao immediately nodded, "I understand."
Afterward, Yelv Nanyan set aside her embroidery, stood up, and walked toward the door, saying as she went, "Let's go, we're heading to the north courtyard."
Yelv Nanyan and Xiao Wenyao then proceeded to the north courtyard.
When the two arrived at the north courtyard, they found that many ladies were already gathered inside the pavilion; Lu Chen's women were practically all there.
Seeing Yelv Nanyan and Xiao Wenyao arrive, Mu Zixuan greeted them warmly, "Nanyan, Yaoyao, you're here; please take a seat quickly."
Even though Mu Zixuan was enthusiastic, Yelv Nanyan still led Xiao Wenyao in a formal greeting, "We've seen the Princess Consort."
Mu Zixuan smiled faintly and then said, "Nanyan, there aren't so many formalities in the North Prince Mansion; you don't need to greet me with such ceremony."
The atmosphere in the inner courtyard of the North Prince Mansion was much more relaxed compared to the outer courtyard. There was no need for constant formalities upon meeting, perhaps influenced by Lu Chen; once inside the inner courtyard, the sense of ritual in Mu Zixuan and the others immediately lessened significantly.
After all, in the inner courtyard, the North Prince was supreme, and the others were his women.
Yelv Nanyan said nothing further; she and Xiao Wenyao sat down in the pavilion, where a maid poured each of them a cup of tea.
Mu Zixuan, smiling, said, "This is a unique tea of the Prince's Mansion. Give it a try."
Since it was the Princess Consort offering tea, it certainly had to be tried. Without a second thought, Yelv Nanyan picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip.
Seeing Yelv Nanyan lift her teacup, Xiao Wenyao hurried to do the same, tasting a sip of the tea.
Upon this first sip, both of them realized at once that their bodies felt much lighter, as if the tea could greatly relieve fatigue and anxiety.
Yelv Nanyan then said, "Thank you for the tea, Princess Consort. This tea must be quite precious, mustn't it?"
Both Yelv Nanyan and Xiao Wenyao, being martial artists, sensed immediately the effect the tea had on them. Drinking this tea while practicing martial arts would be highly beneficial for them.
This tea was certainly a priceless treasure, and they had not expected the Princess Consort to serve them with such tea.
Mu Zixuan, with a smile, replied, "The tea trees are planted right here in the mansion's garden. It's not considered precious for us. Of course, the Prince has a rule that this tea can only be drunk by his women or the Prince's most valued guests."
Yelv Nanyan responded, "I see."
Mu Zixuan continued, "If Nanyan likes this tea, you can have the maids pick leaves from the main courtyard to brew it. You are now one of the Prince's women too, so you can drink it freely."
Yelv Nanyan replied, "Thank you, Princess Consort."
Mu Zixuan then said, "Nanyan, you're still not at ease, a bit too courteous. From now on, we are all one family; there's no need for such formality."
With that, Mu Zixuan glanced at Xiao Wenyao and asked, "Yaoyao, are you getting accustomed to life in the Prince's Mansion?"
Xiao Wenyao, about to reach for the pastries on the table, withdrew her hand quickly upon Mu Zixuan's call, looking almost guilty.
"Yes... I'm getting used to it, thank you for your concern, Princess Consort."
Mu Zixuan said, "That's good to hear."
Afterward, they chatted over tea and pastries about various household matters, appearing to be particularly close.
Yelv Nanyan wasn't sure if it was just her perception, but she found the harem of the North Prince to be even more harmonious than she had imagined. The children of Mu Zixuan and those of Dazhou and Xiaozhou were reared together, even helping to look after one another's children.