Chapter 68 – One Against Three, Complete Victory!

Shen Nian estimated that Xia Tian should have rested enough, so he left Lingyun Pavilion and headed to Jinglan Courtyard.

When Xia Tian saw Shen Nian coming, she pulled the quilt from the warm pavilion and gestured for him to sit.

“Brother Shen, Miss Hu told me today that you refused the Emperor’s arranged marriage?”

Arranged marriage? Shen Nian froze for a moment, then remembered the time when the Emperor had mentioned he wanted to arrange a marriage for him during his first visit to the palace. He now understood.

“There was no arranged marriage. The Emperor only casually mentioned it, but seeing that I’m already engaged, he didn’t continue.”

“Oh, I thought it was because you rejected the marriage with Miss Wen, so that’s why they came to cause trouble for me today.” Xia Tian recalled Hu Mengyao’s aggressive manner and Wen Jin’s inexplicable hostility, making it seem as if she had truly done something to break up a couple.

“It was because of you,” Shen Nian added.

Huh? Xia Tian’s heart skipped a beat. What did Brother Shen mean? Could it be that he really liked her?

Maybe she should ask directly!

“Brother Shen, you don’t actually like me, do you?” Xia Tian blinked her big eyes, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

“Mm!” Shen Nian didn’t hesitate and nodded seriously.

A rush of joy surged through Xia Tian’s head, and she blurted out, “Then, between me and Miss Wen, who do you like more?”

Only after saying it did she realize how silly the question was. She felt embarrassed and couldn’t help but facepalm. How could she ask such a stupid thing?

“I only like you!” Shen Nian said firmly.

Xia Tian covered her face, mortified.

She raised her eyes and glanced at Shen Nian, who was grinning from ear to ear, feeling a bit embarrassed and angry, “Don’t laugh.”

“I’m not laughing, I mean it!” Shen Nian pulled her hand away from her face.

“Oh, you’re still saying that!” Xia Tian pouted in mock anger.

She was really becoming more and more embarrassed!

After the initial embarrassment passed, she shamelessly asked again, “Brother Shen, you like me because I’m good-looking, right?”

Hmph! If he dares to say “no,” she would flip out!

“Yes!” Shen Nian nodded, holding back his laughter.

Xia Tian looked at him and grinned proudly, “Then, if anyone asks you what’s so good about me, you should say I’m good-looking. Remember, okay?”

“Got it.” Shen Nian nodded sincerely. If you ignored the ever-growing grin on his face, it would be much more convincing.

The two of them exchanged glances and couldn’t help but burst out laughing!

Xia Tian sighed. She hadn’t expected herself to get so far! She came all the way here and managed to charm a super handsome guy!

Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, having brewed the tea and served it, quietly withdrew after Shen Nian entered the room.

The maidservants, who were waiting in the outer room, overheard the conversation inside and couldn’t help but blush. Only their young lady dared to speak to the young master like this.

This must be the way the young master liked the lady!

The few maidservants quietly moved away, but the laughter from inside spread throughout Jinglan Courtyard.

Xia Tian and Shen Nian spent the time chatting and playing chess, and after dinner, Shen Nian finally returned to Lingyun Pavilion.

Coincidentally, it was the day the Marquis of Wu’an distributed monthly allowances, and Xia Tian, in a good mood, took out some of her private savings and gave everyone in Jinglan Courtyard an extra month’s allowance. The mood in the courtyard was as festive as the New Year!

Everyone’s steps seemed a little lighter, too!

When Shen Nian heard that she had given the extra allowance to everyone in Jinglan Courtyard, he couldn’t help but laugh. He had Ning Yue send another box of small silver ingots to Xia Tian, telling her to keep them as rewards for the maidservants.

Xia Tian’s eyes widened. Wow, who’s the boss that’s so thoughtful? Oh right, it’s my family’s!

Now, not only did she have more silver, but she even earned a bit. She was feeling quite pleased.

After giving out the silver, Shen Nian followed suit and gave everyone at Lingyun Pavilion an extra month’s allowance.

Now, the status of the young mistress in Lingyun Pavilion’s servants’ hearts had risen significantly!

Both courtyards were in high spirits, and other servants who heard the news could only secretly envy and feel a bit jealous.

On the third day of the Ice Play, Xia Tian went with Cuiyun.

Cuiyun was observant and clever!

Xia Tian, initially feeling a bit of back pain from sitting in the stands, walked around the skating rink with Cuiyun. They didn’t go too far, and she could still see the people on the stands clearly.

However, it wasn’t long before the trio of women arrived again.

“I say, Misses, what exactly do you want?”

Cuiyun, sensing their unfriendly intent, subtly stepped in front of Xia Tian and asked, “What do you ladies need with our madam?”

“Shut up, you servant!” Hu Mengyao snapped, glaring at her.

Xia Tian tugged at Cuiyun and had her stand behind her, then asked with a hint of irritation, “Miss Hu, is it really necessary to speak so rudely? I don’t think I’ve offended you, have I?”

“Hmph, by just standing here, you’ve offended me.” Hu Mengyao began to make unreasonable trouble.

“Then I’m sorry. The Emperor and Empress didn’t say anything about me standing here. If you have a problem, you’ll just have to keep it to yourself,” Xia Tian retorted.

“You, a country bumpkin, have no right to stand here!” Hu Mengyao sneered.

“I am a proud citizen of the Great Qian Dynasty. Why wouldn’t I have the right to stand here?” Xia Tian shot back without hesitation.

“You come from a lowly background. You should go back to your countryside and stop embarrassing yourself here,” Hu Mengyao said arrogantly, lifting her chin.

“Oh, I come from a lowly background? Where exactly am I lowly? As a farmer, did we not pay taxes? Or did we not contribute to defending the country?” Xia Tian asked calmly, no longer angry, “And Miss Hu comes from a noble family. What exactly has she contributed to the Great Qian Dynasty? Tell me, I’d love to hear it.”

“Stop twisting my words!” Hu Mengyao stomped her foot, clearly flustered.

“Am I twisting your words? Didn’t what you said earlier show you look down on farmers?” Xia Tian wasn’t polite at all, “The Emperor loves his people like his own children. If he heard Miss Hu looking down on his people, what would he think?”

“Miss Xia, you’re going too far with your words,” Wen Jin said, stepping forward with a hint of annoyance.

“Miss Wen finally decided to speak.” Xia Tian’s tone was cool. “I thought Miss Hu’s front-runner wouldn’t sacrifice herself, and you wouldn’t speak up.”

“Yao was just speaking on my behalf. Miss Xia, don’t try to stir up trouble between us.”

“Stir up trouble? Wasn’t it because of you that Miss Hu came to cause trouble for me?” Xia Tian said, growing impatient, “Also, from now on, please call me Madam Shen.”

She couldn’t stand people who always pushed others forward to take the heat for them.

“You haven’t married Brother Nian yet, and your name isn’t even registered in the Marquis of Wu’an’s family records,” Wen Jin mocked.

“Hey, Miss Wen, you know a lot, huh? But so what? Shen Nian clearly said he only likes me! Besides, have you seen us marry?” Xia Tian responded unflinchingly.

Wen Jin’s face turned pale with anger.

Standing beside her, Lin Sayu, the fourth young lady of the General’s residence, reached out and steadied her, “Miss Xia, even if that’s the case, you don’t need to be so rude, right?”

Xia Tian, who had some respect for the young lady, softened her tone a bit, “If you’re polite to me, I’ll be polite back. Don’t you agree, Miss Lin?”

Lin Sayu was momentarily speechless. This round, one against three, complete victory!