The Princess of Ning didn't invite Song Yihuan to sit down, so naturally she didn't dare to act rashly.
Having endured a torment last night, Song Yihuan's body was still sore. After squatting for just a short while, her legs began to feel weak, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Thankfully, she was used to being mistreated by her stepmother in the Marquis's Mansion, so she could endure this minor hardship. Despite her discomfort, she remained motionless and held on firmly.
The Princess of Ning chatted with Song Yixuan affectionately for quite a while. Then, as if she had just noticed Song Yihuan, she smiled and said, "Silly girl, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and get up. Go and sit down over there."
There was not the slightest hint of dissatisfaction on Song Yihuan's face. She replied obediently, "Yes," propped herself up, and walked over to sit in the seat on the right side of the princess.
The Princess of Ning said with a gentle smile, "I invited you here today for no other reason. I just want to ask about your situation.
"It's been about a month and a half since you came to live in the mansion. I wonder if you've been comfortable living in that small courtyard? Have you encountered any difficulties?"
Song Yihuan's heart skipped a beat.
The Princess of Ning wouldn't mention the time they had been staying in the Prince's Mansion out of the blue.
By saying this, she was indirectly reminding Song Yihuan that it was time for them to leave.
Had the princess learned something that made her ask this question?
Song Yihuan hesitated for a moment.
Of course, she wanted to leave the Prince's Mansion of Ning and gain her freedom. She didn't want to be controlled by her elder sister anymore. But she was certain that if she dared to agree to take Song Yixuan back to the Marquis's Mansion today, the Lady of Ding'an Marquis would surely tie her up and send her to the Wu family to be the eighth concubine of the second master of the Wu family. She would be tortured to death in the small courtyard of the Wu family.
Although the Prince's Mansion of Ning was also like a cage, after last night, it had become a safer place.
She wanted to leave, but she couldn't go back to the Marquis's Mansion. She needed to come up with another plan.
Song Yihuan smiled calmly and replied, "Thank you, Princess, for your concern. With my elder sister's careful care and protection, we've been living very well in the mansion. We haven't encountered any difficulties. Since everything is satisfactory, we don't want to cause you any more trouble."
When the young girl smiled, she was like a blooming peony, extremely beautiful and eye - catching.
What was most striking were her clear and bright deer - like eyes. When she looked at people, it always gave the impression that she was simple - minded, innocent, and harmless, which softened the charm of her gorgeous appearance.
The Princess of Ning picked up the teacup in her hand, took a sip, and asked with a smile, "I heard that you and your younger brother were brought here by the Crown Princess because you had a hard time in the Marquis's Mansion. Is that true?"
Song Yihuan's palms began to sweat slightly. She replied nervously, "Rumors can't be fully trusted."
On the contrary, Song Yixuan patted his stomach and said with an innocent smile,
"When the eldest sister wasn't around, I often went hungry in the Marquis's Mansion. But in the Prince's Mansion, with the eldest sister here, I can eat until my stomach is full at every meal."
The Princess of Ning might not trust Song Yihuan, but she cared a great deal about Song Yixuan.
The words of the siblings confirmed her previous speculation.
The Lady of Ding'an Marquis wasn't as kind as she seemed on the surface. She was the kind of person who would mistreat her concubine - born children.
The heir of the Marquis's Mansion had been raised with such a bad temper. He always called others "vixen" and "seductress." It must be the Lady of Ding'an Marquis who had taught him like that.
However, after today's test, in the princess's opinion, Song Yihuan knew her place very well. She didn't try to show off in front of her. When the princess asked about the Marquis's Mansion, this girl still knew how to defend the Marquis's Mansion. She was a kind - hearted girl.
The princess didn't know much about other things, but both Song Nanxin and Song Yihuan seemed to be good girls.
The Princess of Ning's expression softened, and she said, "The Crown Princess is kind - hearted towards her siblings, and you are also grateful people. This makes me very happy.
"Since you're happy living in the Prince's Mansion, you can continue to stay here. Whenever you want to leave, just send someone to Songhe Courtyard to tell me."
The Princess of Ning said gently, "If there aren't enough servants in your courtyard, you can also transfer one or two from here."
Song Yihuan didn't dare to ask for servants from Songhe Courtyard at all. She quickly said, "We wouldn't dare to trouble you, Princess. There are already two maids serving my younger brother and me. The number of servants is enough. If we really can't handle it, we'll just tell the eldest sister."
The Princess of Ning was just saying it casually. She looked at Song Yixuan and liked him more and more. She hugged him in her arms and asked Song Yihuan, "How old is he now? Has he started his schooling?"
"Xuan'er just turned four at the Lesser Fullness this year. He has learned 'Sheng Lü Qi Meng' and 'Thousand - Character Classic'. He can recite half of 'Sheng Lü Qi Meng' now, and he also knows a lot of characters. Since his health is not good, I don't dare to teach him too much. I can only take it slowly." Song Yihuan answered seriously.
"Did you teach him? Have you studied?" The Princess of Ning looked at Song Yihuan in surprise.
Song Yihuan nodded. "I've read some books and know a few characters."
"Oh?" The Princess of Ning became interested. "Write a few characters for me to see. Write a passage from 'Sheng Lü Qi Meng'."
The servants immediately prepared paper and brush for Song Yihuan. She picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and was about to write her best - known regular script. Suddenly, she remembered that she had written on the account books in Song Nanxin's room.
She was an outsider. If people found out that she had read the account books of the Prince's Mansion, the Princess of Ning would never forgive her.
Her expression tightened, and she immediately changed from regular script to cursive script.
Her cursive script was flowing and smooth, written in one breath, with a touch of elegance. The Princess of Ning liked it at first sight.
"Your calligraphy is really good." The Princess of Ning praised. But as she looked at the characters, she felt that they were somewhat familiar. Where on earth had she seen something similar?
Song Yihuan straightened up, put the brush back in its place, and said with a gentle smile, "You're overpraising me, Princess. My calligraphy is not good enough."
The Princess of Ning came back to her senses and temporarily put aside her doubts. She said, "I didn't expect you to be so talented. You've really impressed me. What books have you read? Have you ever attended a school?"
Song Yihuan clenched her palms and replied, "I've never attended a school. After my elder sister taught me, I taught myself. To be honest with you, Princess, I don't have many skills, but I'm proud of one thing: I have a photographic memory."
Song Yixuan patted his chest proudly and said, "That's right. Fourth sister is so smart! She's the smartest person I've ever seen!"
The Princess of Ning was even more surprised. A photographic memory? This was really rare.
She had been feeling gloomy recently. Suddenly, she got such a source of entertainment, so she didn't want to let it go. Her eyes shining, the Princess of Ning said, "Nanny Chen, hurry up and fetch my Buddhist scripture for this girl to have a look."
Nanny Chen went into the room and fetched a Buddhist scripture. She handed it to Song Yihuan. The Princess of Ning said, "Girl, just open a page at random and recite the content on it for me."
Song Yihuan opened a page at random and quickly scanned the content in the book. Opposite her, the Princess of Ning and Song Yixuan held their breaths and watched her, extremely curious about her photographic memory.
Before long, Song Yihuan turned the book in her hand around and handed it to the Princess of Ning. She smiled and said, "Forgive my presumption, Princess."