The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at Duoduo's expression, feeling quite puzzled.
"Why not? Isn't Lüdou your favorite?"
"Mother sees that she is extremely loyal to you, and the two of you have a very good relationship. Wouldn't it be better to transfer her back to your side?"
Duoduo hung her little head, her eyebrows and the corners of her mouth drooping as if she were about to cry.
Seeing Duoduo looking so dejected, the Princess Consort of Pingyang felt very confused.
"Lianxin, it's about time, isn't it? Take it off."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang did not press the matter further. Instead, she extended her hand toward Lianxin.
The two maids snapped back to attention, and Lianxin hurriedly stepped forward.
"It is time, Your Highness. This servant will take it off right now."
As the strips of cloth were peeled away layer by layer, the Princess Consort of Pingyang's slender, jade-like fingers were revealed.
Lianxin carefully removed all the crushed carmine dye.
Baihe brought over a basin for the Princess Consort of Pingyang to wash her hands clean.
Lianxin then used a soft cloth to dry her fingers, one by one.
The dyed nails were a rosy red, looking exceptionally beautiful.
"Your Highness, this carmine dye really turned out beautiful this time."
"The Princess has a good eye. This servant didn't even think to pick carmine flowers to dye Your Highness's nails."
Lianxin smiled brightly, helping to smooth things over for Duoduo.
"Exactly. If it weren't for the Princess, this servant would have completely forgotten about the carmine flowers in the courtyard."
Baihe echoed in agreement.
Hearing what the two maids said, Duoduo lifted her head and looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang's spread hands.
"Wow! Mother, your hands are so pretty!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's dyed nails were a dazzling red, making her hands look even more delicate and white as porcelain.
"Your hands are pretty, too."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang praised her.
Duoduo spread her own little hands and placed them next to the Princess Consort of Pingyang's.
"Mhm! Ours are both pretty!"
"Mother only has such pretty hands thanks to Duoduo. Mother thanks Duoduo."
Duoduo smiled and waved her hands, "You're welcome!"
The atmosphere in the room finally relaxed.
Lianxin and Baihe ushered all the serving staff out of the room.
Only the mother and daughter were left inside.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pulled Duoduo into her embrace.
"Just now you said it wouldn't work. Is it because Lüdou doesn't want to return to your side?"
Duoduo shook her head, "No!"
"Is it because Lüdou has some hidden ailment and can't serve you?"
Duoduo shook her head again.
She looked around, seeing that only she and her mother were left in the room.
"Mother, Lüdou said she wants to save up enough money to buy her freedom, and then go out and open a shop."
"She also said that once she makes money, she'll buy a small house, and I can go live there anytime."
"I think that if she is transferred to my side, I definitely won't be able to bear letting her go."
After Duoduo finished speaking, she played with the Princess Consort of Pingyang's fingers, looking a bit gloomy.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang thought for a moment and somewhat understood Lüdou's intentions.
"How about this: Mother will have Lüdou come over, and Mother will ask Lüdou what she thinks."
"If she doesn't want to be transferred back to your side, Mother won't force her. How does that sound?"
Duoduo lifted her head and looked earnestly at the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"Mother won't force her and won't make things difficult for her?"
"Of course. She is good to you, so why would Mother make things difficult for her?"
"Alright then."
In her heart, Duoduo actually still wanted Lüdou by her side.
Soon, Lüdou was called over.
Lüdou was very anxious.
She thought the Princess Consort of Pingyang had found out about her giving Duoduo a pig-slaughtering knife.
On her way there, she had already figured out how to respond so as not to implicate her master.
As soon as Lüdou entered the room, she walked to the center with her head bowed and knelt down.
"This servant pays her respects to Your Highness and the Princess."
"Lüdou, I am transferring you back to serve by the Princess's side. Are you willing?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang did not waste words.
"Ah?" Lüdou raised her head in surprise.
She saw the Princess Consort of Pingyang looking at her with a gentle expression.
And Duoduo was also looking at her with a face full of anticipation.
Lüdou hurriedly lowered her head.
"Don't worry. If you are unwilling, you can continue to go back to the main kitchen and follow Li Da's wife. I won't make things difficult for you."
"The reason I am transferring you back to the Princess's side is that the Princess will soon be entering the palace."
"The palace is not a peaceful place, and the Princess is still young. I fear there are many things she won't be able to handle."
"I hope to have someone fiercely loyal to protect the Princess!"
"And you are exactly that person!"
As the Princess Consort of Pingyang spoke, she observed Lüdou's expression.
She could clearly see that Lüdou was very conflicted.
When she heard the words "the palace is not a peaceful place," Lüdou even looked as though she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
However, after she finished speaking, Lüdou still gave no reply.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang thought for a moment and added another sentence.
"Because this trip to the capital is for His Majesty's birthday."
"Therefore, the Second Prince will also bring his wife and daughter into the palace."
"I heard that his recently adopted daughter is Song Shuyu, the young miss of the Song family."
Lüdou raised her head in astonishment.
Then, she resolutely kowtowed loudly to the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"Answering Your Highness, this servant is willing!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang smiled.
She had guessed it; Lüdou still valued Duoduo's safety more than her own.
"You can think it over before answering. I promised the Princess that I wouldn't force you."
"If you are willing, once Nanny Li returns, you will have to undergo training with her."
"If you are not willing, you can still continue to follow Li Da's wife. It doesn't matter."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was afraid she hadn't made herself clear and might cause Lüdou to feel dissatisfied.
She wanted someone who would wholeheartedly protect Duoduo, not a maid who harbored resentment.
Lüdou kowtowed without hesitation.
"This servant has already thought it through! This servant voluntarily returns to serve by the Princess's side. I beg Your Highness to agree!"
Duoduo scratched her palm.
"Lüdou, didn't you want to open a shop?"
Lüdou was startled. She raised her head and looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
She saw the Princess Consort of Pingyang smiling and nodding at her.
Lüdou understood; Duoduo must have told the Princess Consort.
Looking at the very guilty-looking Duoduo, Lüdou revealed a smile.
"Princess, this servant is still young. Have you ever seen a shopkeeper as young as this servant?"
Duoduo tilted her head and thought for a moment.
It seemed like she really hadn't!
Shopkeepers were all very old adults.
Only then did Duoduo break into a happy smile. She rushed over to Lüdou.
"Lüdou, are you really willing to come back?"
Lüdou nodded happily at her.
"Of course this servant is willing. It is this servant's honor. I couldn't be happier!"
Duoduo held Lüdou's hands, jumping and skipping with joy.
This was great!
She could be together with Lüdou again!
After the two finished rejoicing, the Princess Consort of Pingyang spoke again.
"Rest assured, when you come of age, I will naturally return your deed of sale to you."
"At that time, I will also give you a sum of silver to help you open your shop."
"The Pingyang Prince's Mansion will also be your biggest backer."
"I say all this with only one requirement: before you leave the mansion, you must protect the Princess as carefully as you would your own eyes!"
Lüdou knelt down.
"Your Highness, everything this servant does has always been for the Princess!"
"If the Princess lives, this servant lives! If the Princess is no more, this servant will absolutely not live on alone!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was somewhat surprised.
