Naturally, they went to pick grapes.

The Ninth Princess ran as fast as she could.

When they stood under the date tree just now, they saw a bunch of grape vines. When they walked closer, they realized that it was a large wild grape forest. Yu Wan’s experience on the mountain told her that these grapes were good-looking, but their taste was very likely ordinary. However, she thought of the wine brewed in the Xiao Manor. Wild grape wine was the most fragrant. With such a big forest, she could pick hundreds of bunches to make wine.

The Ninth Princess had a small bamboo basket on her. Fu Ling was carrying a big one on her back. The two of them still had cloth bags hanging from their waists in case of emergencies.

“So many, so many!” The Ninth Princess could not wait to pluck it. However, when she looked at the nearby grape forest, there was a ditch covered in thorns in front of her. If she wanted to walk to the other side, she had to go around it.

Yu Wan estimated and said, “Let’s go east. There’s a small wooden bridge at that end.”

“Yes! I saw it!” The Ninth Princess ran towards the distant wooden bridge.

The Ninth Princess was chattering. The forest was filled with her voice. Shangguan Yan was not worried that Xiao Zhenting would not be able to find them.

Xiao Zhenting had indeed heard the Ninth Princess’s cry. She was in the southeast, heading east. He got off the ground, carried the basket, and was about to chase after the Ninth Princess and the others when a gentle voice suddenly appeared behind the tree.

“Big Brother Xiao.”

Xiao Zhenting stopped in his tracks.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment walked around the date tree and towards him.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment was still dressed in plain clothes, but it was not made of gray material in the meditation room. Instead, she was dressed in a plain white dress and a light blue transparent veil. At a glance, she looked elegant, refreshing, and beautiful. She took off her luxurious pearl hairpin and tied it into a simple bun. She only had a white jade bud in her hair. She was graceful but elegant.

Of course, Xiao Zhenting did not notice this. He only took a quick look at her. After recognizing her, he cupped his hands and bowed obediently. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment said, “Big Brother Xiao, stand up. There’s no Lady Wan of Bright Deportment today, nor is there Grand Marshal Xiao. The two of us are just benefactors who went up the mountain to pray to Buddha.”

Xiao Zhenting opened his mouth.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment interrupted him in time. “There’s no need to be polite. Didn’t His Majesty say the same?”

After the Emperor entered the Dajue Temple, he no longer considered himself the Emperor. This was something that everyone could see. Lady Wan of Bright Deportment made rules with these words, so Xiao Zhenting could not refute them. He could only agree. Then, he did not say anything else to Lady Wan of Bright Deportment.

The Ninth Princess’s laughter echoed in the mountains. Xiao Zhenting missed his wife in the forest.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment’s gaze landed on the basket on his back and she asked with a smile, “Big Brother Xiao, what’s in the basket?”

Xiao Zhenting looked straight ahead and said, “It’s dates.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment seemed to be a little surprised. “So Big Brother Xiao likes dates too?”

Xiao Zhenting replied, “The Ninth Princess likes it, so I picked some.”

“I like it too,” Lady Wan of Bright Deportment said with a smile.

Xiao Zhenting took down the basket and handed it to Lady Wan of Bright Deportment. “The dates during this season aren’t very delicious. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, take some over first. If it’s not enough to eat, I’ll pick them for you later.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment reached out her fair hand and picked unhurriedly in the basket. Xiao Zhenting was concerned about Shangguan Yan and the children and could not help but look anxious.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment smiled and chose two green dates. She wiped them with a handkerchief and handed one to him. “Big Brother Xiao, try it too.”

Xiao Zhenting said, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I don’t like dates.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment took back the date.

Xiao Zhenting looked in the direction where the Ninth Princess and the others had left and said to Lady Wan of Bright Deportment, “If Your Highness doesn’t have any instructions…”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportmentsighed and interrupted him. “I got separated from Emissary Wang. Please send me back, Big Brother Xiao.”

Xiao Zhenting paused.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment said in embarrassment, “I heard from the monk that there was a garden behind and that they planted a lot of fruits. Who knew that there were too few fruits in the garden, so I entered the forest with Emissary Wang to take a look. For some reason, we got separated. I couldn’t find my way back for a while.”

The back garden of the Dajue Temple was not far from here, but it was not close either. Although they would not encounter jackals, tigers, and leopards, there were many poisonous insects and snakes. Yu Wan was experienced and knew how to avoid them. Lady Wan of Bright Deportment did not have the ability.

Xiao Zhenting cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness, please forgive me. My wife and daughter-in-law are right in front. I can’t leave them behind. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, you can go with me to look for them. I’ll send you back to the meditation room after.”