Chapter 665: Chapter 664: 664: Chestnuts and Candied Mountain Yam

Xuan’er watched Jiang Ning’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but be a little envious: “Yes, I thought all the women in the palace were like that… I never imagined there would be someone like the Princess Consort. But why can she leave the palace so freely? I thought there were many rules for the Chang’an royal family?”

“I heard that the Princess Consort’s family is very powerful, so maybe that’s the reason she has such a high status in the palace.”

“It’s nice to have a strong family supporting you,” Xuan’er sincerely admired, “if our Princess’s maternal family could be like that, the Side Concubine and the Princess wouldn’t have to suffer so much.”

“I’m alright here, but I wish my mother could be better off at home.”

“True, the Side Concubine is always hoping for the Princess to succeed.”

“I’m just afraid I won’t be able to become what my mother hopes.”

“Princess, don’t think too much about it. Take good care of yourself these two days and attend the palace banquet the day after tomorrow. That’s the important thing.” Xuan’er covered her with a quilt, pulled down the curtains, and lowered her voice, “The Crown Prince left early this morning, saying he would be back late. He must be out in the city. Princess, sleep peacefully, your handmaidens will keep watch.”

Upon hearing Xuan’er’s words, Princess Zhenming couldn’t help but relax a little and closed her eyes.

…

When Jiang Ning went back, she saw the beautiful snow scene and decided to walk a little. She knew the importance of exercise very well. Although she appeared delicate, she didn’t want to be a weak person.

Being in good health is the foundation of everything else.

After walking for a while, she felt slightly sweaty and handed the handwarmer to Xiachu. Guying followed behind her, keeping a certain distance.

He seemed to be naturally immune to the cold, always dressed lightly. However, Yun Dai wouldn’t allow anyone around her to freeze and ordered him to wear a jacket.

The young man’s typically pale face now had a healthy flush.

The streets at the end of the year were filled with vendors selling various food and trinkets.

Jiang Ning smelled the aroma of chestnuts and bought a bag, asking Xiachu to hold it while she peeled one and popped it in her mouth, then peeled another to feed Xiachu.

Xiachu smiled, “This is so delicious.”

In the palace, concubines often grew long fingernails, and there were people to attend to their daily needs. However, Jiang Ning never kept her nails long.

She felt that long nails could easily harbor dirt and were unhygienic. She often held her children and didn’t want her long nails to scratch their delicate skin.

Moreover, she sometimes had to wash her hands and cook herself. If she broke a nail while doing something, she would be the one hurt.

As for things like cracking sunflower seeds or peeling chestnuts, there were plenty of people willing to help her, but she still felt that doing it herself was the true joy of eating snacks.

With short, healthy nails, peeling chestnuts was easy.

She turned her head to call Gucheng: “Come here, I’ve got something tasty for you.”

Gucheng walked over, and a handful of peeled chestnuts was placed in his hand. They were warm and exuded a unique aroma.

Gucheng looked down at the chestnuts.

Jiang Ning asked, “There’s candied yam over there. Do you want some, Gucheng?”

Gucheng shook his head, “I’m not used to eating these.”

“My uncle is too hard on you. Not being used to something doesn’t mean you don’t like it. What child doesn’t like snacks?”

“Yes, at least we handmaidens love to eat.” Xiachu grinned, “Master, walk slowly. I’ll go buy some.”

“Go ahead. Buy more and take some back for Huang Ying and Chunlai to try.”

“Alright!”

Xiachu happily ran over, holding the money bag, bargaining with the vendor.

Jiang Ning looked at Guying: “Why aren’t you eating? Chestnuts are best when they’re hot. They’ll harden when they cool.”