Chapter 642: Chapter 641: 641: Breakfast for Three People

The elaborate and heavy ceremonial costumes required at least two people’s assistance to dress properly.

Li Hongyuan, dressed in a black robe adorned with dark gold embroidery, matched with cloud boots, a golden crown on his head, his narrow waist and broad shoulders, and his slender figure, unparalleled in his grace.

After he dressed up, he turned to see Jiang Ning sitting in front of the mirror, starting to comb her hair.

Usually, she found the process tedious and the hair bun heavy. When she didn’t go out, she let her hair down, only tying up half of it.

However, for her to wear the crown, she must tie up all her long hair.

Moreover, the Phoenix coronet, inlaid with gold, gemstones, and pearls, would make her head extremely heavy.

Watching Huang Ying and Xiachu tying her hair layer by layer, and seeing the palace maid bringing the Phoenix coronet, Li Hongyuan spoke, “Huang Ying, let the Princess Consort have breakfast first. She can put on the coronet later.”

Huang Ying looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning watched him through the mirror.

Li Hongyuan said, “I am hungry.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ning nodded at Huang Ying, who quickly left to arrange breakfast from the kitchen.

Li Yuanyuan came to pay respects and ran into a palace maid carrying the meal box on the way. Hearing the reason, she sighed without uttering a word.

The palace maid laughingly asked, “Why did Concubine Li sigh?”

“Our His Highness is not hungry himself. It’s clear that he is worried that the Princess Consort will find the Phoenix coronet heavy and won’t be able to eat well.”

“Indeed.” The palace maid chuckled, “The Crown Prince treats the Princess Consort so well.”

“Last night, did His Highness stay in the Princess Consort’s room?”

“To reply to Concubine Li, yes, he did.”

“I see, let’s go in.”

Li Yuanyuan followed the palace maid in and saw the Crown Prince, resplendent in his black clothing and golden crown, standing with the Princess Consort. Their beauty was such that she couldn’t help feeling inferior at the sight of them.

“This concubine greets the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort.” Li Yuanyuan genuflected and curtsied accordingly.

Seeing her, Li Hongyuan frowned, “Didn’t I tell you not to come here again?”

With her head bowed, Li Yuanyuan replied, “This concubine knows that the Princess’s illness has improved significantly, and that she is not in this room. Hence I dared to come and greet the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort.”

Jiang Ning said, “A child falling ill is not Concubine Li’s fault. Why are you being so hard on her? Has Concubine Li eaten breakfast? If not, come and sit down and eat something.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Li Yuanyuan glanced at Li Hongyuan but didn’t dare to move.

“Come on, don’t you love Yuanxiao soup? This bowl is for you.” Jiang Ning invited her, then turned to Li Hongyuan with a smile, “Your Highness, Concubine Li is, after all, a favorite of yours. Cool your temper and let her eat something warm.”

Only then did Li Hongyuan say, “If the Princess Consort invites you, you should accept.”

Li Yuanyuan obediently walked over and sat down.

A small round table separated the three of them.

Jiang Ning preferred a light breakfast – a bowl of porridge, an egg, some side dishes – this was enough for her.

Li Yuanyuan was eating Yuanxiao with a small spoon, while Li Hongyuan seemed to lose his appetite after a few bites and put down his chopsticks, “I’ll wait for you outside.”

His words were addressed to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning nodded, asking Huang Ying to put the Phoenix coronet on her.

Li Yuanyuan didn’t dare to sit and eat anymore, quickly getting up to help.

Jiang Ning said, “Concubine Li, the Crown Prince and I will be busy outside these two days. Please take care of the three children at home.”

With her lips pressed together, Li Yuanyuan softly said, “The Princess Consort’s command is an order I dare not disobey. But, the Crown Prince does not trust this concubine… Does the Princess Consort trust me?”

Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Jiang Ning laughed, “Do I have any reason not to trust you?”

Suddenly, Li Yuanyuan knelt down, “For the Princess Consort’s trust, this concubine has nothing to repay with. I will take care of the young Highnesses.”