Chapter 150: Longevity Noodles

Just by looking at the expressions of those around, one could guess how shocked everyone was. Jiang Xuening’s forced smile was already showing faint cracks.

She did want to respond.

But thinking of Xie Wei, thinking of the cost of responding, Jiang Xuening didn’t dare to even give a half-hearted smile. She politely distanced herself: “I am not familiar with the heir, so please do not joke.”

A joke?

A woman’s change of face is indeed faster than flipping a book.

Just a while ago, she was saying, “I’ll stand by you when you arrive in the capital.”

Xiao Dingfei rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, but he knew there must be a reason behind this. Besides, Jiang Xuening would be foolish to collude with him in such a public setting. 

So, he knowingly switched back to his familiar shameless and rogue persona, murmuring, “The beauties in the capital are indeed proud and hard to tame!”

Someone behind him changed their expression.

Prince Linzi, Shen Jie, stood at the back. Having been instructed by Yan Lin to look after Jiang Xuening, and unaware of the details, he thought Xiao Dingfei was taking advantage of her with his words. 

His brows furrowed, showing rare sternness, and he said in a slightly cold voice, “Second Miss Jiang is the most favored companion of my royal sister, and the second daughter of Minister Jiang. Heir Dingfei, do not overstep. Ladies, if you need to pay respects to the Empress, please proceed quickly.”

Today, Shen Jie wore a yellow brocade robe with a gold crown and jade belt, appearing elegant and handsome.

Jiang Xuening’s gaze moved past Xiao Dingfei and landed on him, meeting his eyes.

He was also startled, then slightly nodded to her.

Jiang Xuening’s heart skipped a beat.

It wasn’t that there was any deep meaning in that look, but seeing that once familiar face before her, even knowing that in this life she had nothing to do with him, she couldn’t help but be pulled back to memories of her past life by his gaze, feeling a twinge of melancholy.

In her past life, Consort Wen had a miscarriage, and Shen Lang had no heir, ultimately passing the throne to his full brother Shen Jie.

In this life, Consort Wen avoided disaster, and if she successfully gave birth to a prince, Shen Lang would have an heir, likely excluding Shen Jie from the succession.

Did this Prince Linzi in front of her know?

His fate had already, without his knowledge, been gently altered by others, taking a winding turn with a soft breath?

Jiang Xuening lowered her gaze in time, not showing any unusual expression. She followed the others in bowing and paying respects, passing by these noble scions as they made their way back towards Kunning Palace.

Shen Jie was taken aback.

He couldn’t help but look back at Jiang Xuening. Despite having only met her a few times, he could easily distinguish her slender figure from the crowd. His eyes gradually filled with a hint of confusion.

He felt that in that one glance, there was a profound sadness.

Was it just his imagination, a fleeting mistake?

Xiao Shu walked away not far, her face still flushed with anger. She turned her head as if to say something to Jiang Xuening.

However, Jiang Xuening had anticipated this.

At the moment Xiao Shu turned to face her, Jiang Xuening had already donned a faintly mocking smile and preemptively attacked, “I once heard that the young heir of the Duke’s Mansion, Xiao Dingfei, had a photographic memory as a child and was considered a prodigy. Who would’ve thought that now, upon returning to the capital, he’d become a frivolous and lecherous playboy? Why doesn’t the Duke’s Mansion discipline him properly?”

Everyone: “…”

Xiao Shu: “…”

She was so stunned that whatever she had intended to say was completely forgotten.

Having not seen her for nearly a month, upon her return, Jiang Xuening was still the same infuriating person who made others gnash their teeth in helpless anger!

*

Jiang Xuening had expected to see Shen Zhiyi at Kunning Palace. However, when she followed the others inside to pay their respects, she didn’t see her by the Empress Dowager’s side.

The old Empress Dowager, recently recovered from a severe illness, appeared somewhat lethargic.

After accepting their greetings, she only asked Xiao Shu a few questions, uncharacteristically not mentioning Shen Zhiyi, nor did she urge them to be good companions to the Princess. She simply waved them away.

Upon leaving Kunning Palace, Jiang Xuening frowned.

It was evident that she wasn’t the only one puzzled.

Zhou Baoying, the chubby little bun, was also puzzled, “Why didn’t we see the Princess today?”

Xiao Shu didn’t answer.

Chen Shuyi, however, smiled meaningfully, “There’s a grand celebration in the palace. The Princess is soon to marry into the Tatars, and she’s been preparing for nearly half a month without leaving the palace, so naturally, she couldn’t come to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Zhou Baoying covered her mouth and exclaimed, “Ah.”

Yao Rongrong blinked, whether genuinely confused or feigning ignorance, and softly said, “Even if she’s preparing to marry, shouldn’t she still come to pay respects to the Empress Dowager? Isn’t it somewhat inappropriate…”

Jiang Xuening coldly glanced at her.

You Yue, observing Jiang Xuening’s expression, couldn’t help but gloat, “It’s said she’s preparing for marriage, but who doesn’t know the Princess’s temper? She’s probably sulking with the Empress Dowager. But matters of the state and family are not to be trifled with, even for the Princess. Sigh.”

She feigned a sigh.

Jiang Xuening only felt an itch in her palm, wanting to slap that vile mouth twice to feel better.

But it was indeed a different time now.

She suppressed her anger, sneered, and looked at Xiao Shu: “After all, we are the Crown Princess’s companions. Now that the new year has begun and we’ve entered the palace, we should go and pay our respects to the Crown Prince, right?”

In the past, with Xiao Shu’s ability to navigate situations, she would have agreed with Jiang Xuening’s suggestion.

However, the imperial decree for Shen Zhiyi to marry into the Tatar clan had already been issued.

For a princess who was about to leave the palace and had almost fallen out with both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, even if they were once close, Xiao Shu weighed the situation and finally smiled faintly: “The Princess is currently upset, even refusing to see the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Why should we disturb her?”

This meticulous behavior made Jiang Xuening detest her, so she stopped pretending and said coldly, “What excuse is this? Miss Xiao is excellent at seeking advantages and avoiding harm. If you’re not going, then forget it. Does anyone else want to come with me?”

She turned her gaze to the others.

Chen Shuyi, who always sided with Xiao Shu, remained silent; Yao Rongrong lowered her head in fear; Zhou Baoying frowned, glancing between Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, looking puzzled and very troubled; You Yue snorted coldly, not moving at all; but Fang Miao quickly took out a copper coin from her sleeve, held it in her palm, shook it, and closed her eyes, muttering to herself.

Jiang Xuehui moved slightly, but after glancing at Jiang Xuening and thinking of the princess’s close relationship with her, she feared she was not well-liked and decided against stepping forward.

After considering for a moment, she said, “I’m not very close to the Princess and dare not go recklessly. If sister Ning sees the Princess, please send my regards.”

Jiang Xuening glanced at her but did not respond.

After waiting for a moment, since no one stepped forward or responded, she sneered, flicked her sleeve, and left.

She had walked quite a distance when an urgent shout came from behind: “Ah, it came out, the auspicious sign from the east! Wait, Second Miss Jiang, please wait for me!”

She turned her head and saw it was indeed Fang Miao.

This girl, dressed appropriately but full of superstitious habits, lifted her skirt and hurriedly ran towards her, raising the copper coin she had just held, slightly out of breath but smiling mysteriously: “The omen told me I should go with you.”

Among the companions in Yangzhi Zhai, only Fang Miao seemed the most unreliable, always seeking divine guidance before making any decision.

Jiang Xuening had always had a rather subtle view of her.

Was it truly that a person’s fate and luck could be calculated, or was it just an excuse to find seemingly harmless reasons for her decisions?

She looked at Fang Miao for a moment, finally smiled slightly at her without asking more, and headed straight to Mingfeng Palace.

*

Jiang Xuening was really worried about Shen Zhiyi.

During her time in the palace, it was Shen Zhiyi who took care of her and treated her well.

She was not heartless, how could she be at ease?

As the sky darkened, by the time she and Fang Miao reached Mingfeng Palace, the lanterns outside had already been lit.

In the light, they saw a female official standing outside the sleeping quarters, quietly wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. She looked much more haggard than a month ago. Who else could it be but Su Shangyi, who had always been close to Shen Zhiyi?

Jiang Xuening’s heart sank further. She stepped forward and saluted: “Su Shangyi, is the Princess in the palace?”

Su Shangyi’s eyes were still a bit red. Seeing her, she was somewhat surprised: “Second Miss Jiang, what brings you here?”

Jiang Xuening said, “We entered the palace today to pay our respects to the Crown Prince.”

Su Shangyi, usually stern and expressionless, almost shed tears at these words. She led them into the palace, even choking up a bit: “The Princess was just thinking about you during the New Year. It’s so good that you came to see her.”

Back then, when the Tatars proposed an alliance through marriage, they sent an envoy with a map of their territory to Shen Lang, as an offering. In the central plains, it had been a tradition since ancient times that presenting a map was equivalent to offering the lands and territories depicted on it.

Shen Lang was an ambitious ruler.

Sacrificing a mere imperial princess to secure the submission of the Tatars was a small price to pay and a worthy exchange.

Unfortunately, the alliance with the Tatars was like seeking skin from a tiger. Within a few years, the Tatars broke the treaty and launched an invasion. Princess Shen Zhiyi, who bore the bloodline of the Daqian imperial family, naturally fell victim to the power struggle…

Jiang Xuening wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

Shen Zhiyi smiled faintly, “I thought you would come to comfort me, but instead, you started crying as soon as you saw me, making me console you instead. I’ve heard that today is your birthday, and crying like this is not acceptable. You’ll bring bad luck to all the good things. This princess won’t allow it.”

She ordered the palace attendants to bring in food and wine.

Holding Jiang Xuening’s hand, she glanced at Fang Miao, who had not spoken much. Shen Zhiyi didn’t ask why others hadn’t come, simply saying, “Since you’re here, let’s have a few drinks to celebrate your birthday tonight.”

Fang Miao had never been close to Shen Zhiyi. In the Yanzhi Zhai, there were many more influential companions, and she never stood a chance to get close to Shen Zhiyi. Therefore, although Shen Zhiyi didn’t pay much attention to her, Fang Miao didn’t mind.

The palace attendants set the table with food and wine.

Shen Zhiyi, Jiang Xuening, and Fang Miao sat down together to drink. Knowing the somber atmosphere, Fang Miao tried to say some amusing things to cheer them up, occasionally making them smile.

After a few rounds of drinks, all worries were forgotten.

All three of them became quite tipsy.

Fang Miao, who had the lowest tolerance, was the first to slump over the table.

Shen Zhiyi, also drunk, saw Fang Miao fall and laughed heartily. Then, she pulled Jiang Xuening to go outside and look at the full moon on the sixteenth night, but she stumbled on the steps and sat down.

The night was deep, and the steps were wet with dew.

Jiang Xuening had drunk quite a bit, and after a moment of dizziness, she became more sober as she drank more. She sat on the steps with Shen Zhiyi, looking up at the cold, frosty moon in the sky.

Shen Zhiyi seemed to feel cold and gently hugged Jiang Xuening’s arm.

She murmured softly, “Ning Ning…”

Jiang Xuening didn’t dare to look back, fearing to meet tearful eyes, and simply said, “Your Highness, I’m here.”

Shen Zhiyi whispered, “I’m afraid I won’t see you if I leave.”

Jiang Xuening looked at the pale moon, letting its light flood her wine-flushed cheeks, and remained silent for a long time.

Tears wet her neck.

Shen Zhiyi sighed with a smile, “Sometimes I truly hate being born into the imperial family…”

Jiang Xuening trembled, but at this moment, a great courage surged in her heart, bringing forth a wild idea. She spoke, “Your Highness, don’t go through with the marriage alliance. I will help you escape, far away.”

Shen Zhiyi, leaning against her neck, seemed drunk and murmured a laugh, “Yes, Ning Ning, take me far away.”

Her shoulder grew heavier.

Shen Zhiyi had fallen asleep, just like Fang Miao.

Jiang Xuening sat rigidly on the steps for a long time, until the cold dew soaked her eyelashes. Su Shangyi came to lift the drunk Shen Zhiyi. Only then did Jiang Xuening take the hand of a palace attendant, rise, drink half a bowl of sobering soup with the awakened Fang Miao, and return to Yanzhi Zhai with the palace attendants holding lanterns.

Fang Miao, barely conscious, immediately fell asleep upon reaching her room.

Jiang Xuening entered her room, feeling unusually clear-headed.

She lit a lamp, washed her face, and stood before the now still water in the copper basin, staring at her reflection for a long time.

A gentle knock on the door finally broke her trance.

“Knock, knock.”

In the middle of the night, someone stood outside her door, asking in a low voice, “Miss Jiang, are you asleep?”

The voice was sharp and thin, unmistakably that of an eunuch from the palace.

Jiang Xuening’s face was still wet with water droplets, her pupils suddenly contracted, “Who is it?”

The eunuch outside replied, “Bringing you longevity noodles.”

Jiang Xuening was momentarily stunned.

Longevity noodles?

Suspicious, she stepped forward and opened the door, finding a young eunuch. He was unfamiliar, dressed in the attire of the imperial kitchen, and holding a food box typical of the imperial kitchen.

Who could mobilize the imperial kitchen in the middle of the night?

And who in the deep palace knew it was her birthday today?

She took the food box from the young eunuch, feeling a warmth in her eyes, and lowered her gaze, “Thank you. I appreciate the princess’s kindness.”

The young eunuch had been timidly bowing his head. Hearing this, he looked up in surprise, seemed to want to say something, but then tightly closed his mouth.

Without a word, he quietly retreated.

Jiang Xuening didn’t notice this detail and didn’t think much of it. She closed the door, sat down at the table, and opened the food box.

Inside was a simple bowl of noodles. The broth was made from simmered chicken soup, with a poached egg on the side, garnished with fresh green scallions and finely shredded meat mixed in.

Steam rose, carrying a fragrant aroma.

Jiang Xuening picked up the silver chopsticks from the food box and took a few bites, but she couldn’t taste anything. Tears started falling into the bowl, mixing with the broth, making it saltier with each bite.

Finally, holding the empty bowl, she broke down and cried.

But even her crying was silent.

She sat in the cold, quiet night, listening to the water clock outside marking the passage of the third watch, ushering in a new day.

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