In the past couple of days, Zhi’er has been unwilling to practice her calligraphy properly in the afternoons.
Qingmei saw that she was eager to go out with Su Yinling.
On this day, Su Yinling came again.
Before she even entered the palace, she was stopped by Qingmei.
"Miss Su, at this hour, it is time for our Princess to practice calligraphy. If you want to take her out to relax, please come back after she finishes."
Today, Su Yinling’s attire was quite different from a few days ago.
The perfectly tailored satin clothes wrapped around her dainty figure.
She was also wearing a couple of hairpins, which made her look especially gentle. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelꞁire.net
Previously, these were casually given as a favor by Bai Xilie.
Initially, Su Yinling didn’t wear them and kept a low profile, but these days she started dressing up.
Qingmei looked her up and down, sneering even more in her heart.
Su Yinling looked at Qingmei, her smile flawless.
"Miss Qingmei, I’ve already promised Zhi’er that I would take her to the Imperial Garden to catch butterflies today. If I don’t go, Zhi’er might think I broke my promise, don’t you think?"
"Moreover, Zhi’er is only four years old. If she’s confined to her room every day to practice calligraphy, would she really be happy?"
"As a servant attending to the Princess, your priority should be to focus on the Princess’s happiness, not just executing orders."
Qingmei’s eyebrows shot up.
Was this Su Yinling lecturing her?!
Just then, Zhi’er’s soft voice came from inside the hall—
"Is Aunt Yinling here?"
Su Yinling immediately squeezed past Qingmei: "Zhi’er is calling me, Miss Qingmei, think carefully about whether what I said makes sense."
Having said that, she walked straight into the hall, her voice gentle: "Zhi’er, I’ve come to pick you up. See what I’ve brought for you today; we’ll catch butterflies and have some snacks, okay?"
Zhi’er’s delighted little voice rang out: "Okay!"
Qingmei watched as Su Yinling led Zhi’er out by her hand.
Suppressing all her grievances, she still asked, "Princess, have you finished your calligraphy practice?"
"Master Mo is coming to the palace the day after tomorrow. He might check!"
Zhi’er’s soft little face was full of hesitation.
She blinked her big eyes and stammered, "Then... then I’ll come back to write after playing."
With that, the little one quickly walked off with Su Yinling.
This Su Yinling had led the Princess astray!
Once they left Ruizhu Palace.
Su Yinling said to Zhi’er, "Zhi’er, this maid Qingmei is really something, daring to make decisions for you."
Zhi’er blinked her big eyes and asked, "What does ’make decisions’ mean?"
"As a Princess, you should be able to do whatever you want. How can a palace servant dare to advise you? Next time, you need to assert your authority so she fears you, understand?" Su Yinling said seriously.
Zhi’er pouted, her little face full of doubt: "But Sister Qingmei treats me very well, I don’t want to punish her."
Su Yinling stopped, squatted down, and looked at the little one.
Her expression was gentle and kind.
"Silly child, I’m not teaching you to be a bad person. It’s just that I feel for Zhi’er, left without a mother’s protection, all alone in this palace, and you’re so young. You’ll always be bullied by some palace attendants."
"Your Father is so busy, and if you don’t have someone completely loyal to you, how many grievances would you have to endure."
"But don’t worry, Zhi’er, now that Aunt is here, I will make sure to protect you wherever you are."
Zhi’er blinked her innocent, round black eyes and softly replied, "Oh~ okay."