Chapter 35 : The Fierce and Powerful Xue Qingyin

The incident with the missing mop didn’t concern Xue Qingyin much.

After all, it was rather useless.

On the day of the boat trip, Xue Qingyin wore a water-red dress and a set of crystal jewelry, topped with a moon-white cloak.

It was the same one worn earlier by Princess Jinque.

What was different today, though, was that it wasn’t just Xue Qingyin who was going out.

Xue Qinghe had also been invited.

Madam Xue furrowed her brows, thought for a moment, and then asked a few more questions, “If there aren’t any suitable clothes or accessories…”

Xue Qinghe lowered her head and quickly replied, “Mother, I have them all.”

Madam Xue didn’t say anything more.

As she turned to look at Xue Qingyin, she thought of reminding her to take care of her younger sister Qinghe while outside, but then decided against it, realizing it would sound hypocritical, so she swallowed the words.

After all, they weren’t really family, so why pretend?

“Go ahead,” Madam Xue said.

Xue Qingyin responded quickly and smoothly walked out with her servant.

Xue Qinghe followed, somewhat surprised. “Sister… bringing so many people?”

Xue Qingyin nodded. “Yes.”

Xue Qinghe’s maid couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“Pretending to be something!”

After stepping out of the Xue family’s door, the two women boarded the same carriage.

Madam Xue, being considerate, had prepared food for Xue Qingyin, afraid she would get hungry or bored.

Once seated, Xue Qingyin opened the food box and took out a piece of flower-folded goose cake, taking a bite. The aroma of meat and rice blended together.

The background music of “A Bite of China” started playing in her mind.

So comfortable.

Xue Qingyin squinted happily, then met the shocked eyes of Xue Qinghe and her servant.

Xue Qingyin raised a brow.

What? What’s wrong?

She felt quite conflicted about her feelings for Xue Qinghe.

Before, when she read about the main character, she naturally felt sympathy for her. But Xue Qinghe was so helpless, always getting bullied by the supporting characters. Every time He Songning disappointed her, she’d just forgive him after a little coaxing.

She was so frustrated with her!

Now that she had become Xue Qingyin, she could understand Madam Xue’s dislike for Xue Qinghe. As for her own feelings, she didn’t hate her, but didn’t plan on being particularly close to her either.

That would only hurt Madam Xue’s feelings.

From a fellow woman’s perspective, she just needed to offer a little bit of care.

So, Xue Qingyin asked, “Do you want some?”

Xue Qinghe’s expression grew more strange.

Her maid even showed a look of suppressed anger.

Xue Qingyin was confused. “Are you allergic? Can’t eat?”

If not, then fine. She could finish the whole box herself.

With such a bad start, neither of them spoke much during the journey.

Eventually, the carriage arrived at the lakeside.

Xue Qingyin was the first to jump out, and immediately, several people followed her.

Maid Qiuxin couldn’t help but complain, “What’s all this? Bringing so many people, aren’t you afraid of others gossiping about our Xue family?”

At the same time, Xue Qingyin’s maid was tugging at her sleeve, whispering, “Miss, you shouldn’t have asked her to eat with you. She probably thinks you’re trying to embarrass her on purpose.”

Xue Qingyin didn’t understand. “Embarrass her? How?”

“Miss, think about it. After eating, where will she wash her mouth? If she runs into a noble, and opens her mouth with crumbs still on her gums, what will that look like?”

Xue Qingyin: “…” So that’s why?

“Also, if she eats too much and gets uncomfortable, what if she needs to relieve herself later? That’s not very graceful.”

Xue Qingyin thought, even if she were a fairy, she’d still need to use the bathroom.

What’s graceful about it?

“Generally, when noble young ladies go out, they drink less water and eat less, to avoid making a fool of themselves. Also, they should never eat food like spring onions!” the maid sighed.

Xue Qingyin couldn’t help asking, “What if you’re hungry or thirsty?”

The maid replied, “…You just endure it. What’s so hard about that?”

Only I can’t endure it, right?

Xue Qingyin thought that these rules, which totally ignored normal human needs, were really dehumanizing.

Why must women always be burdened with so much unnecessary shame?

Sighing, she was glad that she was frail, and Madam Xue indulged her a lot.

“Miss Xue.”

A voice suddenly called from ahead.

Xue Qingyin didn’t turn around, since she knew her social standing wasn’t great.

Xue Qinghe, on the other hand, turned her head, unsure which “Miss Xue” was being addressed.

“Miss Xue.” The voice grew closer until it stopped right in front of Xue Qingyin.

Xue Qingyin turned her head.

Who was this?

She really didn’t know.

Seeing she didn’t respond, the woman thought she was being aloof.

But she smiled nonetheless. “Princess Jinque hasn’t arrived yet. I was chatting with some young ladies from the Lin and Zhou families over there. Miss Xue, would you like to join us?”

At this moment, Qiuxin quietly whispered to Xue Qinghe’s ear, “I think that’s the daughter of the Lu family.”

Qiuxin had a great memory.

Years ago, she had accompanied Xue Qinghe to a banquet hosted by the wife of the prime minister. She remembered some people from that event.

“The Lu family?” Xue Qinghe murmured.

Comparatively, Xue Qinghe didn’t remember much. Or rather, she didn’t care about such things.

Qiuxin nodded. “About six or seven years ago, her father was promoted to the position of Zhongshu Shilang. He must have been quite an influential official.”

Zhongshu Province was the central administrative office.

Xue Qinghe, being well-read, immediately recognized, “That’s quite impressive.”

She vaguely recalled the proud demeanor of Miss Lu from years ago.

Now, this Miss Lu was smiling sweetly and talking to Xue Qingyin.

Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe heard Xue Qingyin calmly decline. “I won’t go.”

Xue Qingyin refused Miss Lu’s invitation.

Qiuxin was surprised.

She wondered if Xue Qingyin had failed to recognize the person’s identity.

Miss Lu was taken aback as well.

Before she could ask why, Xue Qingyin cheerfully looked toward the distance. “Fourth Princess, you’re here. I was just thinking about you.”

So, she had wanted to play with the princess.

Miss Lu secretly rolled her eyes, but she knew there was nothing to criticize. She too longed for the favor of the princesses, but never got picked.

At this moment, the Fourth Princess stood frozen, then looked at Xue Qingyin with a complicated expression.

Last time, I was so nice to her… Why does she seem to miss me so much?

Previously, Xue Qingyin had truly disliked the Fourth Princess.

But now, seeing a certain kind of naive foolishness in her eyes, Xue Qingyin felt a bit sorry for her.

It was rare to see a supporting character so openly evil.

It was easier to stay with the Fourth Princess than with the others who spoke in roundabout ways.

Moreover, the Fourth Princess was good at complaining to King Xuan.

So, Xue Qingyin boldly stepped forward.

The Fourth Princess leaned in and whispered, gritting her teeth, “Do I not look scary enough?”

Xue Qingyin replied, “You’re average. Far worse than your second brother.”

The Fourth Princess thought for a moment… actually, that’s a good point! She had no rebuttal!

Xue Qingyin added, “I’m not afraid of your second brother. Why would I be afraid of you?”

The Fourth Princess agreed, “That makes even more sense!”

Xue Qingyin continued, “You’re still far from Empress Wan.”

The Fourth Princess’ expression darkened.

Naturally.

But soon, she remembered something else, her face changing. She lowered her voice, asking, “What happened that day? Why was Empress Wan suddenly confined?”

Xue Qingyin tilted her head, smiling. “What do you think, Princess?”

The Fourth Princess turned pale. “It was… you! You actually…”

She had defeated even Empress Wan!

Xue Qingyin was so formidable!

Such ruthless methods and schemes!

The Fourth Princess suddenly felt absurd, thinking “I thought I was scary,” but now, it seemed I was nothing.

Far in the distance.

Princess Jinque couldn’t help but sigh. “She managed to scare the Fourth Princess like this… This Miss Xue is quite interesting. King Xuan, what do you think?”