What fish, what shrimp!

Even if you gave Jiang Xuening a hundred times the courage, she wouldn’t dare eat them now!

However…

The moment food was mentioned, she couldn’t help but think of those peach pastries. If it were this man before her who personally served them and told her to eat, well, that might not be unacceptable?

No, no, no—she had to quickly dismiss such dangerous thoughts!

Xie Wei was already wary of her knowing things about him that others didn’t know. If she accidentally let something slip, heaven knows where his mind would go, and if her words truly brought disaster upon herself, that would be terrible.

With this thought, Jiang Xuening’s face broke into an awkward smile. Her heart uneasy, she carefully defended herself: “Last night I slept in Grand Princess’s bedchamber. I wasn’t quite accustomed to it, so that’s why I was drowsy today…”

Xie Wei’s brow moved slightly: “At the Grand Princess’s?”

Jiang Xuening nodded with unusual sincerity, then raised her arm. The wide, exquisite palace dress sleeves unfurled as she said, “Really, look, even these clothes were found for me by the Grand Princess.”

The young woman’s gaze toward him still showed some timidity, as though she knew she had committed a grave error. But there was no intention to argue or deny it—though she did offer reasons for herself…

Xie Wei looked at her palace attire, his furrowed brow not relaxing.

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

Jiang Xuening was delighted, not expecting Xie Wei to be so reasonable. She was about to heap praise on him: “Teacher Xie is truly understanding and reasonable…”

But before she could finish, Xie Wei calmly added: “Today’s missed lesson will be made up tomorrow.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

She should have known! Someone surnamed Xie would naturally be this unforgiving! She had gotten happy too soon!

Xie Wei watched with his own eyes as the smile forming on the young woman’s lips froze, and the brightness that had just appeared on her face instantly dimmed. The gloom that had been piled up in his heart somehow dispersed a little. He said, “The fingering techniques I teach today, you must know them by tomorrow. If you don’t…”

Jiang Xuening immediately nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken: “I will, I will, I definitely will!”

Xie Wei suppressed a smile, flatly hummed an acknowledgment, and strode out of the side hall first, heading toward the Qianqing Palace together with the eunuch who had come earlier to announce his summons.

Only after watching him walk away did Jiang Xuening slowly breathe a sigh of relief: “That scared me to death!”

At this very moment in the Jiang residence, someone else had also received a fright.

This afternoon, Meng Shi was taking Jiang Xuehui to Hanshan Temple to pray for blessings.

Before departing, they sat in the room drinking tea and talking.

Meng Shi recalled how Jiang Boyou’s words had defended Jiang Xuening, and she sighed softly, saying, “Originally, the name submitted for the companion reader position from our household was yours, but somehow Ning’er ended up going instead. She follows Wanniang and has learned an intolerant temperament. I fear in the future she’ll only make things harder for you. Now that the Yongyi Marquis household has met with disaster and Prince Linzi is soon to select a consort, I only hope that today you can draw a good fortune lot and have some good luck.”

Jiang Xuehui sat below her but didn’t speak.

Her gaze lowered, falling only on the embroidered handkerchief on her lap. Even now, she couldn’t quite fathom the meaning behind Jiang Xuening’s words that day.

Just then, the household steward suddenly rushed in to announce: “Madam, a eunuch from the palace has arrived!”

Meng Shi and Jiang Xuehui both stood up almost simultaneously.

Meng Shi’s face went pale, her voice trembling: “Is it court business? Has something happened to the master? Or has Ning’er caused trouble in the palace again?”

How would the steward know?

It was just that everyone in the Jiang household knew their second young miss had experienced an extremely dangerous encounter in the palace some days ago. With recent unrest at court as well, now that someone from the palace had come, they couldn’t help but think the worst.

But unexpectedly, the eunuch who entered had a face full of smiles. He bowed and said, “Greetings, Madam. Greetings, Eldest Miss. This servant has come from the palace on Grand Princess Leyang’s orders to specifically summon Miss Jiang the Elder to enter the palace as a companion reader. Please, Eldest Miss, make some brief preparations and accompany this servant to the palace. Her Highness the Grand Princess is waiting most anxiously.”

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

However, neither Meng Shi nor Jiang Xuehui recognized him. Upon hearing these words, both were momentarily shocked and uncertain.

Meng Shi could hardly believe it: “Out of the blue, why would Her Highness the Grand Princess summon our eldest daughter to the palace?”

At this point, she was even somewhat fearful.

She only said, “Could it be that our household’s second daughter has caused some trouble?”

Huang Renli had just come from the palace and was completely clear about last night’s events when Jiang Xuening was kept overnight by Her Highness the Grand Princess. Hearing Meng Shi’s words, he raised his eyebrows with some surprise, and the smile on his face faded somewhat as he said, “Madam need not worry excessively. Our Highness is extremely fond of Miss Jiang the Second. She even kept Second Miss overnight in the palace last night. It’s just that this morning when Second Miss was having pastries, she mentioned thinking of the pastries made by Eldest Miss. Our Highness took this to heart, guessing that she missed her family. That’s why she sent this servant to fetch Eldest Miss to the palace, to also keep Her Highness company as a reader. This way, seeing each other daily, she won’t think about leaving the palace.”

“…”

Meng Shi choked and immediately fell silent.

Grand Princess Leyang was having Jiang Xuehui enter the palace, but it wasn’t because she liked Jiang Xuehui, nor because Jiang Xuehui’s talents were particularly outstanding—it was simply because Jiang Xuening casually mentioned something while having pastries this morning!

Jiang Xuehui was even more astonished.

She herself knew clearly how much Jiang Xuening had detested her since returning to the capital, unwilling to even give her a pleasant expression. Yet now she had actually told Grand Princess Leyang that she thought of the pastries she made…

Jiang Xuehui indeed knew how to make pastries.

But heaven knows she had once presented them to Jiang Xuening, only to have Jiang Xuening dump all the desserts she made on the ground right in front of her! Then she smiled somewhat awkwardly and said to her, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t careful and spilled them. What a waste of your kind intentions.”

But her reaction was extremely quick.

Meng Shi’s hesitation had already caused Huang Renli to furrow his brow slightly.

Jiang Xuehui immediately bowed and said, “To receive Her Highness the Grand Princess’s favor, Xuehui thanks Her Highness for this grace. I will prepare immediately and accompany the eunuch.”

Huang Renli thought to himself that this young lady was rather clever, so he nodded, his expression relaxing somewhat.

Having barely escaped disaster under Xie Wei’s hand, Jiang Xuening returned from the Fengchen Palace side hall to Yangzhi Study. Without even eating lunch, she dove straight into her bed, closed her eyes, and slept soundly.

It wasn’t until afternoon when palace servants came to wake her that she finally arose.

It turned out that Grand Princess Leyang had recently developed a playful mood and had called the palace servants from her own palace to play pitch-pot together. She had also come to Yangzhi Study to call the companion readers to join them.

Everyone had entered the palace primarily to accompany Shen Zhiyi in her studies, and secondarily to be her good playmates.

When Shen Zhiyi extended an invitation, who would dare not go?

Jiang Xuening had slept just the right amount, so she quickly got up to wash and dress, then went with everyone to Mingfeng Palace.

Shen Zhiyi was playing wildly with people, and the palace servants were rarely seeing her happy, so they were accompanying her in play.

The moment Jiang Xuening stepped into the hall, the corner of her mouth twitched.

She didn’t know where Shen Zhiyi had learned such tricks, but some palace servants had long paper strips stuck to their faces, and some even had their faces painted with ink brushes, looking rather dejected—clearly they had lost and received “punishment.”

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

Naturally, some were eager to seize this opportunity to curry favor with Shen Zhiyi, and were therefore very enthusiastic.

But not Jiang Xuening.

She hadn’t eaten at noon and was feeling somewhat hungry. Seeing that there were still some candied fruits and pastries displayed in the hall, she didn’t rush forward. Instead, she slacked off and muddled through. While everyone played and frolicked in front, she sat in the back eating first.

Shen Zhiyi naturally spotted her at a glance, but seeing her sitting there eating, she thoughtfully didn’t call her over.

Everyone first played a round of pitch-pot.

Shen Zhiyi held arrows in her hand and usually hit the target with each throw. She was quite skilled, often winning everyone’s applause. Jiang Xuening cheered along from afar.

But someone couldn’t stand seeing her so leisurely and called out to her, “Isn’t Miss Jiang the Second going to play? I heard you used to frequent the marketplaces often. Games like pitch-pot—you must be most skilled at them, right? Won’t you come show us your skills?”

Jiang Xuening looked up and saw it was Chen Shuyi.

This young lady from a great family had a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, gazing at her with meaningful eyes, her expression looking mocking no matter how you viewed it.

Jiang Xuening had just taken a small bite of the candied fruit in her hand. She gently set it down and was about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Shen Zhiyi furrowed her brow and directly said to Chen Shuyi, “Can’t you see Ningning is eating? She’ll come play when she’s finished eating. Why are you being so nosy?”

These words were far too impolite!

Everyone was stunned!

Chen Shuyi herself completely hadn’t expected this. Her mouth opened slightly, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

One must know that Chen Shuyi was, after all, the precious daughter of Grand Scholar Chen. Her status was quite noble, and she usually played with Xiao Shu. Who in the palace wouldn’t give her some face?

Even Shen Zhiyi had always been pleasant and agreeable toward her in the past.

Yet now, just for asking Jiang Xuening one question, she was directly reprimanded?

Chen Shuyi’s face couldn’t maintain its composure, turning red then white. She hesitantly tried to defend herself: “Your Highness, I didn’t…”

Shen Zhiyi’s face showed no expression, coldly saying: “If that wasn’t your intention, then shut your mouth.”

The hall instantly fell silent.

Jiang Xuening also stared at Shen Zhiyi in a daze.

Anyone with eyes could see that Grand Princess Leyang’s mood didn’t seem very good, and her words were completely defending Jiang Xuening. She wasn’t willing to give even half a face to someone like Chen Shuyi, a young lady from such a distinguished family.

Just what ability did Jiang Xuening possess to bewitch people like this?

You Yue had formed a great enmity with Jiang Xuening during the rest period and hated her to the bone. But she no longer dared speak out or make any moves, fearing she would fall into Jiang Xuening’s trap. So at this moment, she could only use her eyes to express her contempt and indignation toward Jiang Xuening.

Then…

Before she could even think about what expression she should make when Jiang Xuening turned her gaze over—what look would provoke the other party’s displeasure and anger—Shen Zhiyi had already caught her eye.

Shen Zhiyi stared at her for a moment, then raised her eyebrow: “What do you mean by looking at Ningning with that kind of expression?”

You Yue: ??????

She was completely dumbfounded.

Not daring to speak was one thing, not being able to act was another, but now she couldn’t even use her eyes?!

You Yue was so frightened she immediately withdrew her gaze, trembling: “I, I…”

Shen Zhiyi didn’t listen at all: “If you look at Ningning with that kind of expression again, I’ll have someone gouge out your eyeballs!”

You Yue shuddered, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. Her face instantly turned deathly pale. She was practically ready to kneel on the ground to beg forgiveness. Now she didn’t even dare raise her head once, only repeatedly saying, “Yes, yes.”

First Chen Shuyi was immediately scolded for doing nothing, then You Yue received a terrifying threat for just one glance. The other companion readers all sensed something was wrong with the atmosphere.

Most people didn’t dare speak.

But Yao Xi glanced at Chen Shuyi, then at You Yue, and gently spoke, trying to mediate: “Sister Shuyi probably meant no harm, and Miss You the Second only glanced once. Perhaps Your Highness the Grand Princess has misunderstood?”

“Misunderstood?”

Shen Zhiyi hadn’t truly wanted to play pitch-pot today when she called them here. This morning’s words from Jiang Xuening about “these days here haven’t been comfortable”—she hadn’t forgotten. Previously she hadn’t paid close attention, but now secretly observing with care, she had seen many telltale signs.

She let out a cold laugh.

She was still holding the brush used earlier to paint the faces of palace servants who had lost. She slowly paced over to Yao Xi and looked her up and down, saying, “Miss Yao is quite compassionate toward heaven and merciful toward people. How about I report to my imperial brother and simply send you to Baiyun Convent to become a nun, so that your compassionate heart can have some place to be useful?”

Yao Xi hadn’t shown any malice toward Jiang Xuening at all—she had merely stood up to speak a word on behalf of Chen Shuyi and You Yue!

Yet she was threatened with being sent to become a nun!

What young lady could face such a thing?

Everyone gasped.

Yao Xi even less expected that speaking a word of fairness would get her rebuked. A mix of hatred and fear rose in her heart. The fingers hanging at her side quietly clenched. Her situation became extremely awkward, yet she didn’t dare say another word.

The candied fruit was still in Jiang Xuening’s mouth, carrying a sweet-and-sour taste.

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

Her gaze wandered among everyone, then fell back on Shen Zhiyi. She had no idea what madness this noble princess was exhibiting, attacking everyone she saw.

Although she felt…

This was absolutely satisfying!

As Shen Zhiyi turned her eyes and caught her gaze, which held a trace of admiration, a flush of red immediately flew across her face. She felt as if she were floating on clouds, about to fly away. So she pretended to casually avoid that gaze.

But when she turned to face the others, her face was completely ice-cold.

She actually proclaimed loudly: “I’ve said before that whoever dares offend Ningning shouldn’t blame me for being impolite. I never thought some people would treat my words as wind passing by their ears. Don’t think I called you here today to have fun. I called you here precisely to warn you all—as long as it’s something this Princess can manage, whoever makes Ningning uncomfortable, I will make her ten times, a hundred times more uncomfortable!”

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

The palace servants’ faces still had paper strips stuck to them, painted with ink marks.

But the earlier playfulness and laughter had been completely swept away.

All the companion readers finally understood at this point—today’s summons was to establish authority!

All for Jiang Xuening alone!

For a moment, everyone harbored their own thoughts, but after hearing Shen Zhiyi’s earlier rebukes, not a single person dared open their mouth to object or speak up for anyone. Without exception, all were trembling with fear.

Xiao Shu remained relatively composed.

She merely quietly withdrew her gaze from Jiang Xuening. When she lowered her head, she couldn’t help but feel additional wariness and displeasure. Because Shen Zhiyi’s warning undoubtedly included her as well.

However, her status was different after all.

With Empress Dowager Xiao present, she didn’t particularly fear Shen Zhiyi’s words, nor was she as foolish as those other few.

“Reporting to Your Highness, the person has been brought.”

Just at this moment, Huang Renli entered the hall with a joyful smile on his face, holding his whisk. He bowed and paid respects to Shen Zhiyi, reporting thus.

Everyone couldn’t help but look at him.

They were quite puzzled for a moment: A person has been brought—who?

Shen Zhiyi’s expression immediately relaxed, as if she too became happy. She actually walked to Jiang Xuening’s side and said to Huang Renli, “Have the person come in and give Ningning a surprise!”

Huang Renli then waved his hand.

Jiang Xuehui, who had been waiting outside, collected her thoughts, bowed, and stepped in from outside the hall. Her eyes looked straight ahead without glancing sideways. She didn’t dare look around. Her hands, clasping an embroidered handkerchief, folded in front of her body. She walked straight forward and bowed in greeting: “Subject woman Jiang Xuehui pays respects to Your Highness the Grand Princess. May Your Highness enjoy golden peace!”

It was actually Jiang Xuening’s elder sister, the Jiang family’s eldest miss, Jiang Xuehui!

Everyone was immediately shocked.

But Shen Zhiyi waved her hand: “Rise. From today onward, you too will be one of this Princess’s companion readers. You are Ningning’s elder sister. With you accompanying Ningning, she can be happier.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone’s eyes widened: One Jiang family household had produced two companion readers? And listening to the Grand Princess’s meaning, she had specially called this person to accompany Jiang Xuening!

For a moment, all kinds of expressions appeared.

Unlike Jiang Xuening, who had only returned to the capital at nearly fourteen or fifteen years old, Jiang Xuehui was a proper young lady educated in the great households of the capital. Her words, actions, and bearing were elegant, dignified, proper, and steady. Her features were clear, pale, and graceful—completely different from the bright, almost captivating feeling Jiang Xuening gave people.

However, no one could be happy about this.

Jiang Xuehui thanked Grand Princess Leyang for her grace, only then rising.

The embroidered handkerchief had originally been in her fingers. With the motion of standing, it also gently fell and unfolded. As it swayed, it revealed a corner of snow-white fabric embroidered with a red ginger flower.

Initially, when Xiao Shu saw the person, she only frowned.

But when this embroidered handkerchief, along with that red ginger flower, fell into her sight, the tranquility that had originally shown no ripples, the transcendent detachment that seemingly placed her above everyone else—all suddenly shattered. Her complexion had already changed dramatically in hidden ways!

Shen Zhiyi pulled Jiang Xuening’s hand and smiled as if seeking credit: “How about it, Ningning? Are you satisfied now?”

Jiang Xuening’s gaze lightly drifted toward Xiao Shu. Their eyes met directly, and seeing her expression, she suddenly realized that Xiao Shu at this age was only so much.

You dare use underhanded methods to harm me, and I dare place the person you truly fear right under your nose!

Making you unable to eat or sleep in peace, restless whether sitting or lying down!

This elder sister of hers might not necessarily be an easy lamp to tend. Just you watch!

A benevolent smile bloomed at the corners of her lips. When Jiang Xuening looked back at Shen Zhiyi, she was already beaming with genuine joy from the heart, sweetly saying, “Thank you for Your Highness’s thoughtfulness. Now I’m truly satisfied!”