Chapter 8

Xiao Xixi casually picked a tender cucumber, wiped it with a handkerchief, and then started munching on it with a crunch.

The cucumbers grown in her own garden were especially crisp!

Next to the vegetable patch was a small wooden house where mushrooms and bean sprouts were grown.

Seeing the fresh bean sprouts, Xiao Xixi immediately called out to the outside.

"I want to eat cold bean sprout salad for lunch!"

Baoqin replied from a distance, "Alright!"

At lunchtime, Xiao Xixi got to enjoy the refreshing and delicious cold bean sprout salad, feeling greatly satisfied.

This kind of carefree life was truly wonderful!

She really hoped it could go on forever.

After eating her fill, she prepared to return to her room for a nap.

Baoqin reminded her, "His Highness the Crown Prince sent a reward. Aren't you going to thank him?"

"Didn't I already thank him?"

Baoqin was frustrated by her lack of ambition: "What I mean is, you should use the opportunity to thank him to show yourself before His Highness. Although you have the protection of the Xuan Sect, it would be even better if you could gain more of the Crown Prince's favor, wouldn't it?"

Currently, the Eastern Palace has no Crown Princess, only two secondary consorts, and over a dozen other ladies including virtuous consorts, virtuous ladies, and beauties.

While they didn't say anything openly, they were all secretly vying for the position of Crown Princess.

If Xiao Xixi were just the daughter of a fourth-rank general, she definitely wouldn't have the qualifications to become Crown Princess. However, with her identity as a member of the Xuan Sect, she also had the qualifications to compete for the position.

But Xiao Xixi collapsed onto the bed, exuding a strong aura of laziness.

"Struggling for favor is too tiring. I can't do it. I'll just take a nap first."

With that, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Baoqin: "..."

Although she was already aware of her master's lazy nature, she still felt a pang of frustration.

Xiao Xixi slept for a full hour.

While serving her to wash her face, Baoqin said, "Just now, Secondary Consort Bai sent an invitation, saying there will be a tea party at Cuiming轩 tomorrow afternoon, and she wants to invite you to drink tea and admire the flowers."

"A tea party, will there be a lot of delicious food?"

"Probably."

"In that case, I'll go!"

Baoqin, seeing her excited look, was truly worried.

"This tea party is likely a trap. You must be careful and not fall into their schemes."

None of the women in the harem are simple.

Yesterday, when Xiao Xixi was locked in the Cold Fragrance Tower, everyone thought she was done for. But in just one night, she not only moved back to Qingge Palace but also received a reward from the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince is known for his cold and distant nature. Despite the many beauties in the Eastern Palace, none of them could attract his attention.

Now that Xiao Xixi has experienced such ups and downs, it's clear she has caught the Crown Prince's attention.

How could this not make people envious?

Secondary Consort Bai sending an invitation at this time must have ulterior motives.

Baoqin could think of this, and naturally, Xiao Xixi could too. But as a lazy person, she really didn't want to get involved in the scheming of those women.

If someone invites her to eat delicious food, she'll go.

There's no reason to miss out on free food.

Besides, with her skills, all the women in the Eastern Palace combined wouldn't be a match for her.

Luo Qinghan didn't return to the Eastern Palace until evening.

As usual, he dined alone.

Despite having many beauties in the inner courtyard, he insisted on living like an ascetic, practicing self-restraint and abstinence.

After he finished his dinner, Eunuch Chang presented him with an amulet.

"Your Highness, this is from Consort Xiao, asking me to pass it to you."