Si Zheng was taken aback.
She clearly hadn't expected that a three-year-old little child would have her own ideas?
She bowed and lowered her head: "Your Highness Princess, I am doing this for your good, there are no rules and no standards in the palace."
"Moreover," Si Zheng paused: "The Emperor surely wouldn't be at ease with such a person staying by your side."
Bai Zhi'er extended a soft finger and waved it.
Her big eyes were clear and glistening, looking bright and lively.
"How Daddy thinks isn't your place to guess, I want to keep her, and Daddy wouldn't disallow it."
Si Zheng was about to argue: "But..."
Bai Zhi'er straightened her little body and asked fiercely: "What, this Princess's words don't hold sway?"
Si Zheng hurriedly said: "I wouldn't dare."
"If you wouldn't dare, then let go of Sister Qingmei! Be careful, or else you'll all be sent outside to get spanked!"
The little one didn't forget to extend four fingers, pouting her pink cheeks to emphasize: "Spanked into eight pieces!"
At Bai Zhi'er's command, the several palace maids holding Qingmei hurriedly released her.
Qingmei quickly ran behind Bai Zhi'er, looking warily at Si Zheng.
Si Zheng now understood, the little one may appear young, but she truly knows how to make her own decisions.
She pressed her lips tight, respectfully said a goodbye, and then left with her people.
After Si Zheng left, Qingmei immediately knelt to thank Bai Zhi'er for her kindness.
"This servant is grateful for Your Highness Princess's trust."
The little one waved her chubby white hand: "Get up, since Sister Qingmei is mine now, Zhi'er will surely protect you."
After all, that Si Zheng from before, she looked fierce!
She doesn't like fierce people!
Qingmei stood up, leading Bai Zhi'er to the side hall to look at the gifts given by the princes and ministers.
The only Princess of Great Chu has been found, and although some have yet to meet Bai Zhi'er, the gifts have already been sent in advance.
A variety of treasures, each rare and precious.
Opening the door, Bai Zhi'er saw brocade boxes of various sizes, some half-human tall Purple Gold Coral Trees, a money tree made of pure gold, and screens hung with Eternal Life Jade.
These things almost filled the side hall.
Qingmei picked up a list handed by an eunuch and introduced them one by one.
"Fifty pieces of thousand-year-old ginseng were sent by Prince Rui, who is your Uncle Wang, and the Purple Gold Coral Tree was sent by Prince Kang, your third uncle."
Qingmei pointed to two Bright Pearls that were as big as Bai Zhi'er's head.
"These two are said to be the legendary Dinghai Divine Pearls from the East Sea, sent by Prince Qing, your little uncle."
Gazing at these dazzling treasures, Bai Zhi'er's dark and lively eyes quickly swept over them.
Upon seeing the shiny and rare treasures, the little one only extended her soft fingertip to touch them before moving on.
Qingmei thought to herself: Perhaps the Princess doesn't like them?
Indeed, at her age, children usually don't understand the importance of silver coins.
Bai Zhi'er looked back, tilting her dainty little face, and asked in a sweet voice: "Sister Qingmei, the clothes I changed out of earlier, where are they?"
"Is the Princess asking about the ones you wore when you entered the palace? I asked the Clothes Cleaning Bureau to wash them clean and store them in the cabinet."
Bai Zhi'er blinked: "As long as they aren't thrown away, that's good, I sometimes still want to wear them!"
Listening to this, Qingmei thought that although the clothes looked ordinary, they felt smooth and soft to the touch.
Despite her many years serving in the palace, she didn't even know what material it was made from.
She tentatively asked: "Does Your Highness Princess like those clothes?"
Bai Zhi'er walked slowly forward with her little feet, looking at the gold and silver jewelry along the way.
The little one nodded: "Yes! Those were given to me by my mother."