Free Web NovelChapter 379: Chapter 381: You Wish
A flash of lightning streaked across the horizon, followed by the rumbling of thunder.
Princess Rouwan was alone in her bedroom, carefully folding clothes.
The doors and windows were shut tight. With no lamps lit, the room was very dim.
It wasn’t until Nanny Zhang came in and lit the candlestick that the room brightened a little.
She saw the Commandery Princess folding clothes again and couldn’t help but sigh.
For the past six years, the thing the Commandery Princess did most often was fold clothes.
She would take out the clothes Duke Zhen used to wear and fold them piece by piece. Then she would put them back in the wardrobe, only to take them out again after a while and refold them in an endless cycle.
No matter how others tried to persuade her, it was useless. She was completely immersed in her own world.
Nanny Zhang reminded her gently, "Commandery Princess, it’s time for lunch."
Princess Rouwan smoothed out a tiny wrinkle on the garment, replying without looking up.
"I have no appetite. I don’t want to eat."
Nanny Zhang tried persuading her a few more times, but it was no use. Princess Rouwan wouldn’t listen to reason.
Helpless, Nanny Zhang could only step aside, praying for Princess Consort Zhao to hurry over.
These days, only Princess Consort Zhao could get the Commandery Princess to eat properly.
However, Nanny Zhang waited for a long time, but Princess Consort Zhao did not appear.
She couldn’t resist pushing open a window to look outside.
A stuffy, hot breeze gusted in. The next moment, raindrops as large as beans began to fall.
It was raining.
The plants in the courtyard RATTLED as the rain beat down on them, and the once-stuffy wind turned damp and cold.
’Normally, Princess Consort Zhao would bring people to cook delicious food right outside the Commandery Princess’s bedroom at mealtimes. But with it raining so heavily today, she probably won’t be coming.’
Nanny Zhang closed the window in disappointment.
As she turned, her gaze met Princess Rouwan’s.
Princess Rouwan quickly looked away and continued to fold clothes with her head down.
Nanny Zhang froze for a moment before it dawned on her.
’The Commandery Princess must have been looking out the window just now.’
’If she just wanted to see the view outside, her reaction wouldn’t have been so strong.’
Nanny Zhang couldn’t help but glance back at the now-closed window.
’Princess Consort Zhao often stayed outside that window to cook, and sometimes she would even tell stories in the courtyard.’
’Anyone in the room could see what was happening outside just by opening the window.’
’Nanny Zhang herself had occasionally caught Princess Rouwan standing behind the window, secretly peeking out.’
’Could it be... was the Commandery Princess looking to see if Princess Consort Zhao had arrived?’
’If that’s true, it means Princess Consort Zhao has managed to pry open a small crack in the Commandery Princess’s tightly sealed heart.’
At this thought, Nanny Zhang’s heart filled with delighted surprise.
She had served the Commandery Princess for so many years, watching her grow from a little child into a graceful young woman. In her heart, she already saw the Commandery Princess as her own daughter.
Seeing the Commandery Princess shut off her heart and live like a walking corpse pained her more than anyone.
She hoped the Commandery Princess would open her heart again. She hoped she could be loved, and she hoped she could learn to love others again.
Nanny Zhang remarked, as if unintentionally.
"It’s raining outside."
Princess Rouwan kept her head down, folding clothes, and did not respond.
Nanny Zhang continued as if talking to herself, "With it raining so hard, the weather is sure to get cold. Princess Consort Zhao didn’t bring many clothes with her this time. I wonder if she’ll be cold?"
Princess Rouwan’s hands, which were folding clothes, paused for a fraction of a second.
But she quickly resumed folding the clothes diligently, as if nothing had happened.
Her reaction, witnessed by Nanny Zhang, only served to confirm the nanny’s suspicions.
’Just as I thought. The Commandery Princess isn’t as cold as she appears.’
’She actually does care about Princess Consort Zhao, even if just a little.’
Nanny Zhang asked, "Should we prepare a couple of warm garments for Princess Consort Zhao?"
Princess Rouwan placed the folded clothes into the wardrobe and said coldly.
"If she has no clothes to wear, she can get lost and go back to the Prince Zhao Mansion. There are plenty of clothes there."
Nanny Zhang quickly said, "But it’s raining so hard outside! Even if the Princess Consort wanted to go back, she couldn’t."
Princess Rouwan immediately fell silent.
Princess Rouwan closed the wardrobe door and said expressionlessly.
"You may leave. I’m going to rest."
Nanny Zhang said, "But you haven’t had your lunch yet."
Princess Rouwan replied, "I told you I have no appetite."
"How can you not eat? What will you do if you starve yourself and ruin your health?"
Princess Rouwan said nonchalantly, "The worst that can happen is death."
Nanny Zhang’s heart tightened.
’Lately, the Commandery Princess had been eating her three meals a day on time. I thought she had given up the idea of taking her own life, but I never expected her to suddenly refuse to eat properly again.’
Nanny Zhang began to quietly plot in her mind. She would have to go find Princess Consort Zhao later and beg her to come over.
Perhaps the heavens heard Nanny Zhang’s prayers, because the next moment, she heard a knock on the door.
Hua Manman’s voice came through the door.
"Commandery Princess, have you had lunch? If you haven’t, come eat with us."
Her voice sounded cheerful, a stark contrast to the gloomy weather outside.
Nanny Zhang was instantly overjoyed.
’Princess Consort Zhao is finally here!’
Just as Princess Rouwan was about to tell the person outside to get lost, Nanny Zhang spoke first.
"The Commandery Princess hasn’t eaten yet!"
As she spoke, she hurried to the door, opened it swiftly, and put on an eager smile.
Hua Manman was taken aback by Nanny Zhang’s enthusiastic demeanor.
’Nanny Zhang seems very happy to see me.’
’But I don’t remember having any special relationship with Nanny Zhang?’
Nanny Zhang stepped aside. "Princess Consort, please come in."
Hua Manman swaggered in.
Following behind her were Feihua Zhenren, Si Yun, and Qing Huan.
Feihua Zhenren clasped his hands in a salute toward Princess Rouwan, smiling genially. "Pardon the intrusion."
Si Yun and Qing Huan were each carrying two heavy food containers.
After entering, Hua Manman made herself right at home, sitting down at the table and directing Si Yun and Qing Huan to place all the dishes on it. At the same time, she didn’t forget to say to Feihua Zhenren.
"Zhenren, sit wherever you like."
Her attitude could be described as extremely casual.
Princess Rouwan was so infuriated by her shameless, entitled behavior that she tossed the clothes aside, shot to her feet, and roared.
"This is my room!"
Hua Manman retorted, "I never said it was my room."
Princess Rouwan said, "You are not welcome in my room! Please leave immediately!"
Nanny Zhang couldn’t help but grow tense, worried that Princess Consort Zhao would be thrown out.
Hua Manman leaned back brazenly and said like a scoundrel.
"I’m not leaving. I’m going to eat right here."
Princess Rouwan’s chest heaved with anger. "You won’t leave, is that it? Fine, I’ll leave!"
Nanny Zhang quickly grabbed the Commandery Princess’s arm, urging her not to be impulsive.
Hua Manman laughed triumphantly.
"It’s perfect if you leave. Once you’re gone, this room will be mine. I’m going to sleep here tonight."
Princess Rouwan swiftly pulled back the foot she had started to step forward with, glaring furiously at the other woman.
"In your dreams!"
