Chapter 081: Satisfaction

“What fish, what shrimp!”

Even if you gave Jiang Xuening a hundred more shrimps, she wouldn’t dare eat it!

However…

As soon as she thought of food, she couldn’t help but think of peach blossom cakes. If the man in front of her personally offered it, she might just eat it?

No, no, no, she quickly dismissed such a dangerous thought!

Xie Wei was already wary of her knowing things that others didn’t. If she accidentally let something slip, who knows what he would think, and it would truly be a case of disaster coming from the mouth.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xuening showed an embarrassed smile, feeling anxious, and carefully explained, “Last night, I slept in the Princess’s palace. I’m not used to it, so I’m tired today…”

Xie Wei’s eyebrows moved slightly, “At the Princess’s place?”

Jiang Xuening nodded sincerely and even raised her arm, letting the wide and exquisite palace robe sleeve unfold, saying, “Really, look, even the clothes were given to me by the Princess.”

The girl’s gaze at him was still somewhat timid, as if she knew she had made a big mistake, but she didn’t try to argue or deny it, although she did give a reason…

Xie Wei looked at her palace attire, his frown not easing.

But when he spoke, his voice was much calmer than before, “If you didn’t sleep well, go back and take a nap. I have things to do today anyway.”

Jiang Xuening was delighted, not expecting Xie Wei to be so understanding, and wanted to praise him, “Master Xie is really considerate…”

But before she could finish, Xie Wei added lightly, “Make up the missed lessons tomorrow.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

She should have known! People with the surname Xie are always so unforgiving! She was happy too soon!

Xie Wei saw the smile on the girl’s lips freeze, and the brightness on her face instantly dimmed. The cloud of gloom in his heart also seemed to dissipate a little for some reason. He said, “If you don’t master the finger technique I teach today by tomorrow…”

Jiang Xuening immediately nodded vigorously, “I will, I will, I definitely will!”

Xie Wei suppressed a smile, responded with a flat “Hmm,” and walked out of the side hall, heading towards Qianqing Palace with the eunuch who had come to deliver the message.

Seeing him walk away, Jiang Xuening finally breathed a sigh of relief, “That scared me to death!”

*

At this moment, someone else was also frightened in the Jiang residence.

This afternoon, Madam Meng was planning to take Jiang Xuehui to Hanyan Temple to pray for blessings.

Before leaving, they were sitting in the room, drinking tea and chatting.

Madam Meng recalled how Jiang Boyou had defended Jiang Xuening in his words, sighed lightly, and said, “Originally, the name submitted for the companion reader from our residence was yours, but somehow Ning’er got in. She has learned an intolerant nature from Wanniang, and I’m afraid she will make your life even harder in the future. Now that the Yongyi Marquis’s residence is in trouble, and Prince Linzi is about to choose a consort, I only hope you can get a good fortune slip today and have some good luck.”

Jiang Xuehui sat below her, not speaking.

Her gaze was lowered, only falling on the embroidered handkerchief on her lap, still unable to understand the meaning behind Jiang Xuening’s words that day.

At this moment, the steward suddenly rushed in to report, “Madam, an eunuch from the palace has arrived!”

Madam Meng and Jiang Xuehui stood up almost simultaneously.

Madam Meng’s face turned pale, and her voice trembled, “Is it a matter of the court? Has something happened to the master? Or has Ning’er caused trouble in the palace again?”

How could the steward know?

Everyone in the Jiang residence knew that their second young lady had a very dangerous encounter in the palace a few days ago, and with the current unrest in the court, the arrival of someone from the palace inevitably made them think of bad news.

But unexpectedly, the eunuch who entered was all smiles, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Madam, greetings, young lady. I have come on the orders of Princess Leyang to escort the eldest young lady to the palace to be a companion reader. Please prepare quickly, as the princess is waiting anxiously.”

The visitor was Huang Renli, who served by Shen Zhiyi’s side.

However, neither Madam Meng nor Jiang Xuehui recognized him, and they were momentarily stunned by his words.

Madam Meng found it hard to believe, “Why would the princess suddenly summon our eldest young lady to the palace?”

She even felt a bit fearful.

She said, “Could it be that our second young lady has caused trouble?”

Huang Renli, who had just come from the palace, was well aware of Jiang Xuening being kept overnight by the princess. Hearing Madam Meng’s words, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, and his smile faded a bit. He said, “Madam, there’s no need to worry. Our princess is very fond of the second young lady and even kept her in the palace last night. This morning, while having pastries, the second young lady mentioned the pastries made by the eldest young lady. The princess remembered this and guessed she missed her family, so she sent me to bring the eldest young lady to the palace to accompany the princess as a companion reader. This way, seeing each other every day, she won’t think about leaving the palace.”

“……”

Madam Meng was speechless.

Princess Leyang summoned Jiang Xuehui to the palace, not because she liked her or because of her outstanding talents, but simply because Jiang Xuening casually mentioned her pastries this morning!

Jiang Xuehui was even more surprised.

She knew very well how much Jiang Xuening had disliked her since returning to the capital, not even willing to give her a good look. Now, she had actually mentioned her pastries to Princess Leyang…

Jiang Xuehui indeed knew how to make pastries.

Heaven knows she had once served Jiang Xuening, but Jiang Xuening had dumped the pastries she made right in front of her! Then, smiling apologetically, she said, “Sorry, I accidentally spilled them and wasted your effort.”

But her reaction was quick.

Madam Meng’s hesitation made Huang Renli frown slightly.

Jiang Xuehui quickly bowed and said, “I am grateful for the Princess’s favor. Thank you for the Princess’s grace. I will pack up and go with you.”

Huang Renli thought this girl was quite clever and nodded, his expression easing a bit.

*

Jiang Xuening, who had narrowly escaped from Xie Wei, returned to Yangzhi Zhai from the side hall of Fengchen Hall. She didn’t even have lunch and just threw herself into bed, covering her head and falling asleep.

She slept until the afternoon when a palace maid came to wake her.

It turned out that Princess Leyang was in a playful mood and had called her palace maids to play pitch-pot. She even came to Yangzhi Zhai to invite the companion readers to join.

Everyone entered the palace to accompany Shen Zhiyi in her studies and to be her playmates.

When Shen Zhiyi invited, who dared not to go?

Jiang Xuening had just had a good sleep, so she quickly got up to wash and went to Mingfeng Palace with everyone.

Shen Zhiyi was playing wildly with her people, and the palace maids were happily accompanying her.

As soon as Jiang Xuening stepped into the hall, she twitched her mouth.

Who knows where Shen Zhiyi learned these tricks? Some palace maids had long strips of paper stuck to their faces, and some had their faces painted with ink, looking quite dejected, obviously having lost and been “punished.”

As soon as the companion readers arrived, they were immediately pulled into the game.

Some people naturally took this opportunity to curry favor with Shen Zhiyi and were very enthusiastic.

But not Jiang Xuening.

She hadn’t eaten at noon and was quite hungry. Seeing the candied fruits and pastries in the hall, she didn’t rush to join the game but instead sat in the back, eating.

Shen Zhiyi, of course, saw her immediately but considerately didn’t call her.

Everyone played a round of pitch-pot.

Shen Zhiyi, holding an arrow, often hit the target, winning applause from everyone. Jiang Xuening cheered from afar.

But someone couldn’t stand her idleness and called out, “Second Miss Jiang, aren’t you going to play? I heard you often mingled in the market and were good at these games. Why not show us your skills?”

Jiang Xuening looked up and saw it was Chen Shuyi.

This young lady had a faint smile on her lips, looking at her with a meaningful gaze, her expression full of mockery.

Jiang Xuening had just taken a small bite of the candied fruit and gently put it down, about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Shen Zhiyi frowned and directly said to Chen Shuyi, “Can’t you see Ningning is eating? She’ll come to play after she’s done. Why are you talking so much?”

These words were so blunt!

Everyone was stunned!

Chen Shuyi herself was completely taken aback, her mouth slightly open, momentarily at a loss.

You must know, Chen Shuyi was the cherished daughter of Grand Scholar Chen, with a respectable status, often playing with Xiao Shu. Who in the palace wouldn’t give her face?

Even Shen Zhiyi had always been kind to her before.

Now, just for asking Jiang Xuening a question, she directly lashed out?

Chen Shuyi’s face turned red and white, stammering to defend herself, “Your Highness, I didn’t…”

Shen Zhiyi’s face was expressionless, coldly saying, “If you didn’t mean it, then shut up.”

The hall instantly fell silent.

Jiang Xuening also stared at Shen Zhiyi in a daze.

It was clear to everyone that Princess Leyang was in a bad mood and was completely defending Jiang Xuening, not giving any face to someone like Chen Shuyi.

What kind of charm did Jiang Xuening have to enchant people like this?

You Yue, who had a deep grudge against Jiang Xuening during the break, hated her to the core but didn’t dare to say anything or make any moves, fearing to fall into Jiang Xuening’s trap. At this moment, she could only express her disdain and anger through her eyes.

Then…

She hadn’t even figured out what kind of expression to make when Jiang Xuening looked over to provoke her displeasure and anger, but Shen Zhiyi had already noticed her gaze.

Shen Zhiyi stared at her for a moment, raising her eyebrows, “What do you mean by looking at Ningning like that?”

You Yue: ?????

She was completely stunned.

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t act, and now she couldn’t even use her eyes?

You Yue was dumbfounded, quickly retracting her gaze, “I, I…”

Shen Zhiyi didn’t listen, “If you look at Ningning like that again, I’ll have your eyes gouged out!”

You Yue shivered, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead, her face instantly pale, almost kneeling to apologize, not daring to lift her head, repeatedly saying, “Yes, yes.”

First, Chen Shuyi was scolded for doing nothing, then You Yue was threatened for a look. The other companions sensed the tense atmosphere.

Most didn’t dare to speak.

Yao Xi glanced at Chen Shuyi and You Yue, gently trying to mediate, “Sister Shuyi probably didn’t mean any harm, and Second Miss You just glanced over. Perhaps Your Highness misunderstood?”

“Misunderstood?”

Shen Zhiyi hadn’t really wanted to play pitch-pot today. She hadn’t forgotten Jiang Xuening’s morning complaint about not enjoying her time here. Observing closely, she noticed many things.

She sneered.

Holding the brush used to paint the faces of the losing palace maids, she slowly walked to Yao Xi, looking her up and down, “Miss Yao, you seem compassionate. Should I inform my brother to send you to Baiyun Nunnery to become a nun, so your kind heart can be put to good use?”

Yao Xi hadn’t shown any malice towards Jiang Xuening, merely speaking up for Chen Shuyi and You Yue!

And she was threatened with becoming a nun!

Which young lady could face such a situation?

Everyone gasped.

Yao Xi didn’t expect to be rebuked for saying a fair word. She felt both angry and scared, her fingers clenched tightly at her sides, feeling extremely embarrassed but not daring to say a word.

Jiang Xuening still had the candied fruit in her mouth, its sweet and sour taste lingering.

But now, she was so shocked she couldn’t swallow it.

Her gaze wandered among the crowd and finally returned to Shen Zhiyi, completely clueless about why this noble princess was lashing out at everyone.

Although she thought…

It was incredibly satisfying!

When Shen Zhiyi caught her slightly admiring gaze, a blush spread across her face, feeling as if she was floating on clouds, almost flying. She pretended to avoid the gaze nonchalantly.

Turning to the others, her face turned cold.

She loudly declared, “I’ve said before, anyone who dares to offend Ningning will face my wrath. I didn’t expect some to take it lightly. Don’t think I called you here to play. I called you to warn you—if anyone makes Ningning unhappy, I’ll make them a hundred times more miserable!”

The arrows for pitch-pot were still on the table.

The palace maids still had paper strips stuck to their faces, ink marks drawn on them.

But the previous laughter and fun had vanished.

The companions finally understood that today’s gathering was to establish authority!

For Jiang Xuening alone!

Everyone had their own thoughts, but after hearing Shen Zhiyi’s harsh words, no one dared to speak up or defend anyone, all trembling with fear.

Xiao Shu remained relatively calm.

She quietly withdrew her gaze from Jiang Xuening, lowering her head, feeling a mix of apprehension and displeasure. Shen Zhiyi’s warning undoubtedly included her as well.

However, her status was different.

With Empress Dowager Xiao backing her, she didn’t take Shen Zhiyi’s words too seriously and wasn’t as foolish as the others.

“Your Highness, the person has arrived.”

At this moment, Huang Renli entered the hall with a joyful smile, holding a duster, and bowed to Shen Zhiyi, reporting.

Everyone looked at him.

They were puzzled: who had arrived?

Shen Zhiyi’s expression relaxed, and she seemed genuinely happy. She walked over to Jiang Xuening and said to Huang Renli, “Bring them in and give Ningning a surprise!”

Huang Renli waved his hand.

Jiang Xuehui, who had been waiting outside, composed herself and entered the hall with a bow, not looking around, her hands clasped in front of her holding an embroidered handkerchief. She bowed deeply and said, “Your humble servant Jiang Xuehui greets Princess Leyang. May the Princess be blessed with good health!”

It was Jiang Xuening’s elder sister, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Xuehui!

Everyone was extremely surprised.

Shen Zhiyi waved her hand and said, “Rise. From today, you will also be one of my companion readers. You are Ningning’s sister, and having you accompany her will make her happier.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at this: two companion readers from the Jiang family? And it seemed the Princess had specifically called her to accompany Jiang Xuening!

There were various reactions.

Unlike Jiang Xuening, who had only returned to the capital at almost fifteen, Jiang Xuehui was a well-educated girl from a prominent family in the capital. Her demeanor was elegant and composed, with a gentle and refined appearance, completely different from Jiang Xuening’s striking and captivating presence.

However, no one was pleased by this.

Jiang Xuehui thanked Princess Leyang for her grace and then stood up.

As she rose, the embroidered handkerchief in her fingers gently unfolded, revealing a white corner with a red ginger flower.

Xiao Shu initially just frowned at her.

But when the handkerchief and the red ginger flower caught her eye, her previously calm and detached demeanor shattered, and her expression subtly changed!

Shen Zhiyi, holding Jiang Xuening’s hand, smiled triumphantly, “How about it, Ningning? Are you happy now?”

Jiang Xuening glanced at Xiao Shu, meeting her gaze, and suddenly realized that Xiao Shu at this age was not so formidable.

If you dare to harm me, I’ll place someone you truly fear right under your nose!

Making you restless and uneasy!

Her sister might not be easy to deal with, so watch out!

With a kind smile, Jiang Xuening turned back to Shen Zhiyi, genuinely smiling and sweetly saying, “Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. Now I am very happy!”