Chang Er was still rather young, so it didn’t start a fight with the new Persian cat upon sight. The only indication of having a reaction was its tail swinging around in curiosity. The Persian cat however, didn’t even bother to react as it just licked its paws rather elegantly.
Lin Feilu was squatting next to Lin Zhanyuan to discuss a name for the new kitten when Songyu walked over and said, “Princess, the palace staff have delivered a request. They said that Master Xiao and Madam Xiao are requesting a meeting. “
Lin Feilu has long learned from Xiao Lan about the Xiao family’s indifferent attitude after her mother fell out of imperial favour. Not mentioning the fact that she wasn’t the actual granddaughter of the Xiao family; as a matter of fact even if she was, the assumption of theirs that expected her to welcome them with open arms despite the long years of being ignored didn’t make sense to her at all.
Xiao Lan attended the banquet today as well. The little girl was far too young to drink alcohol, so Xiao Lan drank some in her stead. Her tolerance for alcohol was pretty low, so Qingyan had led her straight to bed for a brief rest.
She also saw her parents at the banquet today and guessed that they would probably come over to the Mingyue Palace once the banquet ended. Because of that prediction of hers, she even gave Lin Feilu a few pointers on how to handle things.
Upon hearing that they have indeed shown up, Lin Feilu glanced at Lin Zhanyuan who was trying to think of a name for the Persian cat. She remained silent as she raised her eyes and signalled for Songyu to take action.
Songyu had been by her side for a very long time, so she naturally knew what the princess meant. With that small sign, she simply nodded before excusing herself. She went out and told the palace staff, “The Honourable Lady has retired due to her previous alcohol consumption in the banquet. Please tell them to visit on another day.”
The palace staff accepted the order and walked towards the older couple, but he came back soon after. As they were Xiao Lan’s parents, he didn’t dare to irk the elders, which led him to relay their intentions word by word, “Song Yu, Master Xiao and Madam Xiao said that they rarely ever get a chance to enter the palace. Since the Honourable Lady is asleep, they want to see the princess.”
Songyu smiled at him, “The princess is not in the palace and only His Highness is here. Go and ask Master Xiao and Madam Xiao if they want to see him.”
How could a palace staff ever know whether or not the princess was in the palace? Upon hearing of this reply, he knew instantly that the mother-daughter-duo had no intention of meeting the elders. He quickly exited and relayed the message to both of the elders who were waiting outside, “Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, as today is the birthday of the Fifth Princess, every other palace had invited her over to play. Currently, she is not in the palace and this humble servant does not have a clue when she will return. If the two elders have to enter no matter what, His Highness is in the palace and I can relay your intentions to him.”
His Highness?
That foolish prince?
Master Xiao and Madam Xiao looked at each other. They came this time just to clear up their suspicions with their daughter and even prepared to recite an entire speech for her. After raising their daughter for a little less than 20 years, they knew of her behaviour very well— even if her heart resented them immensely, she would become soft-hearted once she met her parents and listened to their ‘regretful and pained’ wails.