Duoduo lowered her head and continued learning to split the thread.
It wasn't until almost dinnertime that she carefully put the thread away, placing it in the embroidery basket.
She gently knocked on Nanny Li's door. "Nanny, I'm going to fetch the evening meal."
"Mhm." Nanny Li's voice came from inside.
Duoduo placed the embroidery basket properly on the cabinet before heading out.
She missed Lüdou, so she practically jogged all the way to the kitchen.
The other maids pointed and whispered at the sight of Duoduo running.
After all, the rules in the Prince's mansion were strict; running was not allowed unless absolutely necessary.
Duoduo paid no mind to their stares, her heart set solely on seeing Lüdou.
Catching sight of the kitchen in the distance, Duoduo's heart began to flutter with joy.
"Lüdou! Lüdou!"
As soon as she reached the kitchen, Duoduo started calling out.
Hearing Duoduo's voice from inside the kitchen, Lüdou hurriedly put down what she was holding and ran out.
"Duoduo!"
"Yes! Lüdou!"
Duoduo immediately threw herself into Lüdou's arms.
The two hugged, crying and laughing. They had been apart for less than a day, yet it felt like an eternity.
Lüdou wiped Duoduo's tears. "Alright, Duoduo, why are you here?"
Duoduo beamed at Lüdou. "I came to get dinner."
Lüdou took Duoduo's hand and led her to sit down by the side.
She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and unfolded it.
"Duoduo, your favorite peach blossom pastry. I learned to make it from the cook."
"So pretty!"
Duoduo picked up a pastry from the handkerchief and took a small bite.
"Wow! It's delicious!"
Duoduo's eyes crinkled with happiness.
"Lüdou, you have some too." Duoduo held the pastry up to Lüdou's mouth.
Lüdou took a small bite. "Mmm, you eat it, Duoduo."
Duoduo nodded, took another small bite, and swung her feet back and forth.
She ate in tiny bites, smiling at Lüdou from time to time.
She would take a bite, then offer one to Lüdou.
Sitting by the flower bed, the two shared the peach blossom pastry, bite for bite.
They smiled at each other, one smile after another, as if they were back in the old days at the Song residence.
After finishing the pastry, Duoduo patted her little hands clean.
Lüdou took out her handkerchief and wiped Duoduo's hands.
"Someday when I have time, I'll make you a few handkerchiefs. Remember to use one to wipe your hands then."
Duoduo tilted her head, thinking. The words sounded so familiar.
Suddenly, she remembered.
Duoduo began searching in her sleeve pocket and finally pulled out a handkerchief.
Lüdou was stunned. "Is this a handkerchief Nanny gave you?"
Duoduo shook her head and carefully folded the handkerchief.
Then, she leaned close to Lüdou's ear, lowering her voice.
"This belongs to His Highness the Prince."
Lüdou was so startled she jumped to her feet.
"Miss! Where did you pick this up? Return it to His Highness immediately!"
Duoduo pulled Lüdou back down to sit.
"I didn't pick it up. I was crying, and His Highness gave it to me to wipe my nose."
Lüdou's mouth fell open. She must have heard wrong!
"I told His Highness then that I'd wash it clean before giving it back."
"Duoduo, are you sure His Highness gave it to you to wipe your nose?" Lüdou couldn't quite believe it.
Duoduo nodded vigorously and put the handkerchief back into her sleeve pocket.
"Oh, right, Lüdou, I brought this especially for you."
Duoduo took out a folded piece of rice paper from her sleeve pocket.
"These are the brushstrokes Nanny taught today. This is 'one'. Look, you start the stroke here..."
Duoduo picked up a twig from the ground and showed Lüdou on the dirt how to start the stroke, turn, and finish.
Lüdou listened very attentively, then took the twig from Duoduo's hand.
She began to practice, stroke by stroke, exactly as Duoduo had taught.
"Lüdou! Where have you run off to!"
A head suddenly popped out from the kitchen.
"What are you doing? Get in here and help!" The person said and ducked back inside.
Duoduo looked at Lüdou worriedly. "She sounds so mean! Will she punish you?"
Lüdou shook her head. "No, Li Da's wife is actually very kind, she just has a harsh way of speaking."
"By the way, Duoduo, you should take the dinner and head back."
"Leave this paper with me. I'll practice more after I finish my work."
Duoduo nodded.
"Mhm, Nanny said you just need to practice as instructed, it doesn't have to look exactly like mine."
"She said everyone has their own understanding, so the handwriting won't be the same either."
Duoduo suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Lüdou, someday I'll try to ask Nanny for a brush and some ink."
"That way, you can practice writing properly."
Lüdou carefully folded the rice paper and tucked it inside her clothes, close to her chest.
"No need. Where I sleep now is a large shared bunk. It's not convenient to keep those things."
"Besides, there's a lot of varied work in the kitchen, and not much free time."
"I think practicing with this twig is just fine."
"Whenever I have a moment, I can practice a few strokes. Maybe I'll be able to write a hundred characters soon."
Lüdou spoke lightly.
Duoduo thought Lüdou made sense and nodded.
"Alright then. If you want them later, just tell me."
"Aha! Caught you slacking off!" A smug voice came from behind them.
Duoduo and Lüdou paled.
Pangya stepped out from behind them.
"Duoduo, you've been here for ages. Why haven't you taken Nanny's meal back yet?"
"Nanny is angry! She specifically sent me to fetch you!"
Lüdou gave Duoduo a gentle push. "Go get it. The meal box for Bamboo Lodge was prepared long ago."
Duoduo gave Lüdou a reluctant look.
Lüdou headed towards the kitchen. "I need to get back to work too. You can come in with me to get the meal box."
Duoduo immediately brightened up, skipping along as she followed Lüdou into the kitchen.
Their disregard made Pangya stomp her feet in anger right where she stood.
"Stinky Duoduo, just you wait! I'll definitely tell on you when I get back! How dare you slack off and come to the kitchen to play!"
Everything Pangya had just said was a lie to Duoduo.
Nanny Li hadn't sent her to look for Duoduo at all.
She had been idling around the mansion and only remembered to come when she saw others going to the kitchen to fetch their meals.
However, when she arrived, she happened to see Duoduo teaching Lüdou to write.
She didn't approach immediately but hid to the side instead.
She tried to overhear Duoduo saying something improper, so she could report it later.
But all she heard them discussing was writing.
She grew impatient listening and finally jumped out.
Still, she had overheard some things.
Pangya's eyes darted around. She would go back and tell Nanny Li that Duoduo had presumptuously taught others what Nanny had taught her!
Yes!
Nanny Li would surely be furious then!
She would definitely punish that wretched girl severely!
Thinking this, Pangya didn't wait for Duoduo and sprinted off towards Bamboo Lodge.
