Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 255 Reluctance and Expectation

The lively atmosphere of the spring banquet still lingered in the palace air, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the carved window lattices, casting a warm orange veil over the banquet hall. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao stood in a corner of the hall, with the still excited Snowball and Lightning beside them. Xiao Nanyi gently adjusted the collar of his dark blue brocade robe, turned to look at Xiao Yao, his eyes full of elder brotherly concern: "Yao'er, did you have fun today?"

Xiao Yao's cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling, and she nodded vigorously, "I'm so happy, brother! Snowball and Lightning were the stars of the day today, everyone said they were so cute." As she spoke, she crouched down, affectionately picked up Snowball, and gently kissed its fluffy head. Snowball comfortably closed its eyes, letting out a soft purr.

Meanwhile, the other princes, princesses, and children of ministers who had attended the banquet were also packing up their belongings, accompanied by their attendants, preparing to go home. Li Ming stood not far away, waving to Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Yao with a bright smile: "Your Highness, Your Highness, today was so much fun!"

Xiao Nanyi replied with a smile, "Yes, let's play together again next time. Remember to tell your family about the fun things that happened today when you get home."

Sun Hao also came over, his gaze falling on Snowball and Lightning, full of envy: "Your little foxes are so interesting, I want to play with them again next time."

Xiao Yao generously replied, "No problem, you're welcome to come anytime. We'll take them to the Imperial Garden together next time."

The children chatted for a while longer, until the servants urged them to leave, at which point they reluctantly said goodbye.

Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao watched their friends leave, their hearts filled with reluctance.

"Brother, I really wish today could be a little longer, so I could play with everyone a little longer."

Xiao Yao was a little disappointed and muttered softly.

Xiao Nanyi patted her head and comforted her, "Don't be sad, there will be many more opportunities like this in the future, and we still have Snowball and Lightning with us."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Yao led Snowball and Lightning out of the banquet hall and slowly walked along the long corridor of the palace.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows of them.

Snowballs and lightning bolts ran merrily around their feet, occasionally stopping to sniff the roadside flowers and grass.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Yao's carriage was already waiting there.

The coachman respectfully opened the carriage door. Xiao Nanyi first picked up Lightning and carefully placed it into the carriage. Then he turned around and took Snowball from Xiao Yao's arms, and settled it in as well.

With the help of her attendants, Xiao Yao boarded the carriage.

The carriage slowly started moving. Xiao Yao leaned against the window, watching the palace gradually disappear into the distance, her heart filled with longing: "Brother, when do you think the next banquet will be?"

Xiao Nanyi leaned back in his car seat, thought for a moment, and said, "It shouldn't be too long. We'll invite everyone to join us at the next banquet."

The carriage moved slowly through the streets of the capital, where shops lined the streets, bustling with people.

Snowball and Lightning curiously peered out the car window at the novel sights, occasionally letting out "whoosh" sounds.

"Snowball, Lightning, come back quickly, don't fall." Xiao Yao quickly picked them up and put them back on their seats, her eyes full of concern.

Looking at Xiao Yao and the little foxes, Xiao Nanyi smiled and said, "Yao'er, you and Snowball and Lightning were really the focus of attention today. Everyone was attracted by your cuteness."

Xiao Yao smiled shyly: "No, it's just that Snowball and Lightning are too cute."

"Oh, right, brother, let's make them a little nest when we get back, and put it in our room."

Xiao Nanyi nodded in agreement: "Good idea, that way they can stay with us forever."

Before long, the carriage arrived at their lodgings.

Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao got out of the car with Xueqiu and Shandian. As soon as they entered the yard, Xiao Yao couldn't wait to pull Xiao Nanyi to the storage room to find materials to build a small nest.

"Brother, what do you think of this wooden plank? We can use it to make the frame for our little nest," Xiao Yao said excitedly, picking up a plank.

Xiao Nanyi took the wooden board, examined it carefully, and said, "Hmm, not bad. Find some soft cloth to line their nest; that will make them more comfortable."

So, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao got busy.

Xiao Nanyi was in charge of building the framework, while Xiao Yao helped by handing over tools and occasionally offering her own ideas.

Snowball and Lightning weren't idle either; they circled around the two's feet, occasionally scratching at the plank with their claws, as if they also wanted to participate in this interesting "project".

After some effort, the little nest was finally finished. Xiao Yao laid soft fabric inside and then carried Snowball and Lightning inside.

"Snowball, Lightning, look at your new home, do you like it?" Xiao Yao asked gently.

Snowball and Lightning circled around in their nest a few times, then lay down comfortably, their eyes narrowed to slits, looking quite satisfied.

"They seem to like it very much," Xiao Nanyi said with a smile.

Xiao Yao clapped her hands happily: "Great! This will be their little world from now on!"

As night fell, twinkling lights illuminated the courtyard.

Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Yao sat on the stone bench in the yard, watching Snowball and Lightning sleep peacefully in their little nest, their hearts filled with happiness and contentment.

When Li Ming returned home, he found the Vice Minister of Justice, Lord Li, sitting in his study reviewing official documents. Hearing his son's voice, he put down the documents and got up to leave the study.

"Father, I'm back!" Li Ming ran over excitedly and grabbed Lord Li's hand.

Seeing his son's beaming face, Lord Li smiled as well: "How was your time at the palace today?"

Li Ming began to speak at length: "Father, today's banquet was so lively! I saw His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Princess, and I also saw their little foxes, one named Snowball and the other named Lightning. Snowball was very white, like a fluffy snowball, and Lightning was very fast and clever."

Lord Li listened with great interest: "Oh? Did you play with His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Princess?"

Li Ming nodded vigorously: "We played! We watched the little fox play together. The little fox was so interesting, and it even listened to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Princess. Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Princess were so brave. A peacock got startled and ran around, almost hurting a princess. They rushed over to protect her, and I helped out too!"

Lord Li said approvingly, "You did a great job protecting others alongside His Highness the Crown Prince and the others. You should learn more from His Highness the Crown Prince and the Princess in the palace."

Li Ming nodded earnestly: "I understand, Father. Today is really a happy day. I have never seen such a fun banquet before."