Wait, she was actually sitting in Xie Wei’s carriage?!

After cupping her palm with its red mark and blowing on it for a long time, Jiang Xuening finally belatedly realized this. She couldn’t help shivering all over and looked up to examine her surroundings.

The carriage curtains on both sides were thick and tightly pressed down.

Even with the cold wind howling outside, it would be difficult to lift even a corner of the curtain.

It was indeed Xie Wei’s own carriage.

The only light came from the window behind her carved with water chestnut flowers, shining on the snow fox fur spread throughout the carriage, carrying both a winter pallor and revealing a soft warmth. The memorials on the small square table had already been moved away first. Not even a scrap of paper remained—completely clean and empty. Only faint traces of book ink fragrance still drifted in the air.

In the corner on the left sat a stack of books.

Jiang Xuening didn’t dare flip through them. She only looked carefully and saw they all seemed to be Buddhist scriptures and Taoist classics. The topmost one was the “Śūraṅgama Sūtra.” Probably kept in the carriage to be flipped through from time to time, the book didn’t look very new.

Reading so many Buddhist scriptures, purifying the heart and limiting desires—no wonder that although he was in the imperial court, in his previous life he had passed thirty without marrying, and there were no concubines heard of in his household either. He must be a monk or Taoist cultivating while keeping his hair in the secular world…

“Boring, tedious.”

When she saw the three characters “Śūraṅgama Sūtra,” she couldn’t help rolling her eyes. For a moment, she actually forgot her surprise at “actually sitting in Xie Wei’s carriage.” After all, Xie Wei was her teacher. When she as his student encountered an accident, Xie Wei lending her a carriage to use didn’t seem like such a big deal.

All the way to the palace gates, dusk had already fallen dimly.

Daoqin requested she disembark.

Jiang Xuening expressed her thanks. Knowing this young man appeared introverted and silent but that his excellent archery was deadly arrow by arrow, and having witnessed this more than once herself, she didn’t dare extend her hand for him to help. She simply jumped down from the carriage herself.

In the Yangzhi Studio, everyone had already arrived.

Jiang Xuening, delayed on the road, was undoubtedly the last one.

Xiao Shu sat among several study companions, wearing dignified apricot-yellow palace attire. One hand held an exquisite gilded hand warmer while the other held chess pieces, playing against Chen Shuyi across from her.

In the past, she had been richly gorgeous like a peony.

But when Jiang Xuening entered from the corridor and saw her, she felt that between her carefully painted brows and eyes lurked some indelible gloom. So she thought of the continuous good shows staged at the Duke’s Manor these past days, and couldn’t help sneering inwardly.

Chen Shuyi saw her first. A strange color flashed slightly in her eyes as she smiled: “I was just wondering when Second Young Miss Jiang’s illness would improve and whether you wouldn’t come again today. Who would have thought that just as I finished speaking, you arrived. Looking at Second Young Miss Jiang’s complexion, you’ve been recuperating quite well.”

Jiang Xuening acted as if she didn’t understand the meaning hidden in the words and smiled back equally: “Isn’t that so? Though ill at home, I didn’t have to come study this nonsense or listen to the masters prattling on endlessly all day. The days passed quite comfortably. Not only did I not lose weight, I’m afraid I even gained two catties at home.”

Zhou Baoying had originally been lying by the chess board watching eagerly, wishing she could extend two hands to help Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi play chess. Seeing Jiang Xuening enter and hearing her say this, her face that already bore some suffering puffed up her cheeks. Looking both pitiful and envious, she said: “Sister Ning must have eaten many delicious things at home, right? Alas, Sister Ning was ill, and Sister Yao is also ill at home and not coming. Why am I so able to eat and grow so sturdy that I’ve hardly ever been sick since childhood? In such cold weather, hiding under the covers to eat—how wonderful that would be…”

Everyone was immediately speechless.

Scanning with her eyes, Jiang Xuening only then discovered there was indeed one person missing. She couldn’t help raising an eyebrow: “Miss Yao isn’t here either?”

On both sides of the chess board were Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, with Zhou Baoying watching chess beside them. Sitting in the corner drinking tea was You Yue, who had always been at odds with her, only looking at her with a gaze containing cold laughter. Standing by the window frowning in thought at the shape of the window lattice was Fang Miao, not knowing what feng shui or geomancy problem she was pondering again. Timid Yao Rongrong sat across from You Yue with needlework, embroidering a handkerchief. The most serene-appearing was naturally Jiang Xuehui, holding a scroll in her hands, sitting behind that half-person-high vase filled with red plum blossoms. She glanced up at her once, then lowered her head to continue reading.

The study companions should now number nine people.

But including Jiang Xuening herself, there was still one person missing—precisely Yao Xi, daughter of the Minister of Personnel, who had had quite a few conflicts with Jiang Xuening.

Only then did Xiao Shu raise her eyes indifferently. As if seeing her confusion, with a somewhat mocking yet non-mocking tone, she reminded her: “Didn’t Sister Yao get punished and sent home long ago because of Consort Wen Zhaoyi’s matter? She’s been ill for many days, unable to get up from bed. For Second Young Miss Jiang to seem to be looking for her now—truly the noble forget things easily.”

Who didn’t know that Jiang Xuening’s dispute with Yao Xi originally arose because of Zhang Zhe?

At first, it was Yao Xi who wanted to break the engagement.

Later, during the jade ruyi case at Cining Palace when she saw Zhang Zhe in person, she changed her mind and no longer wanted to break the engagement. But unexpectedly, Zhang Zhe took the initiative to break the engagement. Though his wording was quite cautious, Yao Xi had always been face-conscious and only felt this person didn’t know what was good for him.

The grudge with Jiang Xuening was thus firmly established.

Now in the previous court, Zhang Zhe had been promoted one grade, was quite favored by His Majesty, and enjoyed considerable reputation among the common people. If Yao Xi herself were here, would her face hurt or not?

Jiang Xuening found Xiao Shu’s words rather interesting. Though curious about why she had fallen ill, thinking of this person’s bad ending, she was too lazy to pursue the cause and only said: “It is indeed somewhat disappointing, but there’s plenty of time ahead—there will always be occasions to meet.”

Seeing her tranquil demeanor, Xiao Shu inexplicably thought of Xiao Dingfei.

She had heard that this “elder brother” of hers had not long ago sent most of the many precious playthings bestowed by His Majesty in one go to the Jiang Manor to please Jiang Xuening. Thinking again of what father and younger brother said about seeing Jiang Xuening in Tongzhou, she already sneered coldly in her heart.

Her fingers holding the chess piece applied slight force, forcibly suppressing the anger accumulated over these past days. She laughed casually as if nothing was wrong: “Since Second Young Miss Jiang has arrived, we have everyone together. Let’s go to Cining and Kunning Palaces to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress.”

It had been five days since the Start of Spring, yet the northern lands still had howling cold winds.

When the group of eight emerged from Yangzhi Studio, all wore thick cloaks, either tucking their hands in hand muffs or holding hand warmers, walking along beneath the vermilion palace walls.

The solemn and magnificent palace had a kind of overly regular constriction.

Having seen the rugged natural mountains, rivers, and peaks outside, having experienced thrilling adventures, seeing these glazed tiles and carved beams again, Jiang Xuening inevitably felt somewhat oppressed in her heart, her steps somewhat distracted.

You Yue had been riding high these past days.

First, the shares of the Ren Salt Works in her hands had skyrocketed. Seeing the situation was excellent, she had already specifically dispatched a person to rush to Shu—nominally someone the Earl’s Manor sent to help and look after You Fangying, but actually to keep watch and monitor the Ren Salt Works situation, allowing herself to secretly obtain more dividends so the shares in her hands could sell for a good price.

Second, without Jiang Xuening causing her trouble, her luck had improved again. She had managed to get her name registered for Prince Linzi’s selection of a consort. She had heard Prince Linzi loved music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—a refined person. When selection day came, she only needed to properly display her skills, then spend big money hiring people to dress her up beautifully. She might not fail to catch Shen Jie’s eye and ascend to heaven in one step to become princess consort.

Looking back now at Jiang Xuening’s expression, which didn’t seem as brilliant and dazzling as in the past, she inevitably felt somewhat superior—

In the past, everyone knew Jiang Xuening was protected by Yongyi Marquis heir Yan Lin, but the marquis manor had collapsed last year.

Later, Prince Linzi had known her and shown care for her in his words, but unfortunately now that Shen Jie was selecting a consort, the Jiang Manor had submitted Jiang Xuehui’s name—there was simply no place for her, Jiang Xuening.

Grand Princess Leyang indeed favored Jiang Xuening, but times were different now. Shen Zhiyi would soon go to marry the Tartars. Even if she could protect Jiang Xuening, how many more days could she protect her?

Wasn’t the current Jiang Xuening just an autumn grasshopper that couldn’t hop for many more days?

You Yue was someone who forgot the pain once the wound healed, completely forgetting the lessons learned from Jiang Xuening in the past. With strange sarcasm, she sighed and said: “We’re about to meet the Empress Dowager. Why must Second Young Miss Jiang wear such a worried and distressed expression?”

Jiang Xuening looked at her as she came back to her senses.

You Yue wore a brightly colored cloak and smiled: “The Empress Dowager some days ago heard the news of Dingfei heir’s return. In her excitement and joy, she fainted. She was confined to her sickbed for many days before recovering. I wonder whose misfortune you’re seeking with that expression. Now there’s no one who can protect you. I also heard that Dingfei heir is especially filial to the Empress Dowager and comes to the palace daily these past days to pay respects, and his temper isn’t too good either. If he sees Second Young Miss Jiang with this attitude, tsk…”

Her words were originally meant to mock Jiang Xuening. After all, not knowing the inside details of matters related to the Duke’s Manor and Dingfei heir, her tone was especially sour.

But who would have thought the first person whose expression changed was actually Xiao Shu.

Jiang Xuening hadn’t yet figured out how to respond when she looked up and saw a group of people actually turning out from the direction of Cining Palace ahead. She couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.

Xiao Dingfei had indeed been frequently entering the palace recently to visit Empress Dowager Xiao. After all, when this old woman heard he was still alive, she was so “pleasantly surprised” she fainted. Of course, he had to occasionally appear before the old hag. Incidentally, he mingled with several sons of nobles and officials who could enter and exit the palace, also building his connections in the capital.

At this moment, he had already paid respects at Cining Palace and was coming out with Prince Linzi, Prince Yanping, and others.

Perfect—they ran right into Xiao Shu and her group.

Among the study companions at Yangzhi Studio, Xiao Shu was already a bright pearl. Everyone followed her lead. Now going to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, naturally she walked in front of everyone.

Xiao Dingfei saw her at a glance.

Immediately, that distinctly outlined chin lifted up, assuming an arrogant and contemptuous attitude of not putting Xiao Shu in his eyes at all. With hands behind his back, he strolled forward and gave a frivolous scoffing laugh, sizing up Xiao Shu’s luxurious palace attire: “A wild pheasant sticks on a few picked-up feathers and can also bluff people into thinking it’s a phoenix!”

The people on Yangzhi Studio’s side were momentarily somewhat dumbfounded—first, they hadn’t expected this Dingfei heir would actually speak such foul language; second, they hadn’t expected he would be so disrespectful to Xiao Shu, who shared Xiao clan blood!

You Yue’s heart almost immediately skipped a beat.

Xiao Shu’s face had already turned iron blue. Ever since gaining favoritism from the Emperor, Xiao Dingfei’s behavior at the Duke’s Manor had become increasingly arrogant—already utterly lawless, directly trampling the Xiao clan’s face into the ground! Even though she had been heaven’s pampered daughter in the past, encountering such a person, she was actually helpless and appeared inadequate!

In front of so many people, she naturally couldn’t retreat. Opening her mouth, she was about to rebuke: “You speak nonsense elsewhere—that’s one thing. But now in the palace’s forbidden interior, you dare speak so wildly—”

But before she could finish speaking, Xiao Dingfei’s eyes suddenly brightened.

His eyes shifted, and he suddenly caught sight of Jiang Xuening behind them.

Immediately, both shocked and delighted, he called out: “Second Young Miss!”

In an instant, all eyes converged on Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening’s scalp tingled and went numb. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly as she thought, “This is bad!”

Sure enough, the next moment, this troublemaker Xiao Dingfei had already walked directly before her, looking jubilant—just like a wandering exile meeting family in a foreign land. Where could even half a trace of his previous arrogance be seen?

Raising one hand, he made a bow to her.

He said: “I never expected to encounter Second Young Miss Jiang in the palace too. What great fate this is! Those things I had people carry to your noble manor last time—are you satisfied with using them?”

The gazes of everyone around had already become incredulous, including Prince Linzi Shen Jie and the still-young Prince Yanping on the other side. Their eyes couldn’t help widening somewhat, as if seeing some rarely witnessed spectacle in the world.

But Jiang Xuening remembered Xie Wei’s warning.

She forcibly restrained seven-tenths of the smile she had put on, showing some coolness. After returning the courtesy, she said: “The heir’s generous gifts—to accept them without merit truly makes me uneasy. Please take them back another day, heir.”

Xiao Dingfei’s romantically handsome face immediately fell. He simply couldn’t believe what she had said, also perceiving her caution and distance. In his heart, he cursed “not knowing which bastard was secretly interfering to obstruct him from clinging to Jiang Xuening’s coattails,” but his face instantly changed to a pitiful expression.

He said quietly: “Second Young Miss doesn’t want to acknowledge me anymore.”

His voice wasn’t loud, hiding small grievance. Though his build was tall and large, standing before Jiang Xuening he was quite obedient—just like a well-behaved little dog. Compared to when facing Xiao Shu just now, it was like he had changed into a different person!

Jiang Xuening’s whole person instantly felt terrible.

Prince Yanping almost had his jaw drop to the ground.

Even Prince Linzi Shen Jie couldn’t help changing to an examining gaze, sizing up Xiao Dingfei and Jiang Xuening.

On Yangzhi Studio’s side, You Yue was simply dumbfounded: How could this be possible…

She had just mocked Jiang Xuening that times were different now!

Yan Lin was gone, she wasn’t selected for Prince Linzi’s consort, even Grand Princess Leyang who had always protected her unruly behavior was going to marry the barbarians! She had thought that from now on, Jiang Xuening would have to tuck her tail between her legs and live depending on others’ moods.

But who would have thought that the Duke heir Xiao Dingfei, recently at the height of his power in the capital, would eagerly sidle up to her!

This woman…

This woman!

What kind of bewitching demonic methods did she possess?!