Chapter 153

Since there was suspicion that Nianxi’s death was connected to Xu Wanxin, Pei Jian was determined not to let this threat remain.

However, Father Xu, a high-ranking official and Minister of War, was known for his cautious and upright conduct. His extensive family ties and deeply rooted influence within the court made it difficult for Pei Jian to find any faults. Nevertheless, Pei Jian did not dare to take the matter lightly and assigned people to watch Xu Wanxin closely.

When his subordinates reported that Xu Wanxin had recently been frequenting King Jing’s residence, Pei Jian grew even more silent.

King Jing’s house arrest had been lifted.

Pei Jian had underestimated Lu Wensheng.

Seated at his desk, Pei Jian stared at the talisman in his palm. It was a safety charm he had obtained from the Sanqing Temple.

Perhaps it was because of his advancing age; in the past, he had never believed in gods or spirits, relying only on himself. Now, however, he had come to understand the feelings of fear, dread, and loss.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, he knelt devoutly before the Three Pure Ones, praying solely for Nianxi’s peace and safety every year.

Pei Jian knew he had made a mistake. He had been too impatient. In the battlefield of politics, a single misstep could lead to utter ruin. He was no longer the Prime Minister who could control everything with a single hand. His current strength was still too weak to shake the foundation of a prince’s power. Yet, it was all too easy to provoke a counterattack.

Pei Jian was fearless and brave and unyielding as a wall, but Nianxi was his only weakness. Even the slightest harm to her caused him unbearable pain.

After sitting quietly in his study for a long time, Pei Jian picked up his pen and wrote a letter.

…

Fusheng Banzhan.

Xiao Nanxi left the palace to visit Nianxi.

Nianxi was delighted to see her. “Did Consort Shu finally allow you to leave the palace to have fun?”

Xiao Nanxi pouted and waved her small hand dismissively. “Mother Consort has no time to bother with me right now. Father Emperor assigned her to oversee the Six Palaces, and she’s currently exchanging advice with the Empress in Changle Palace.”

Nianxi was amused by her words and handed her a drink menu. “Didn’t you always say you wanted to try these drinks to see if they’re better than the ones in the palace?”

Xiao Nanxi sat in the private room, finding everything novel and exciting. At this moment, she stood by the window, opened it, and looked outside. Without turning her head, she said, “Bring me a few of the signature drinks so this princess can evaluate them.”

Nianxi smiled and gave the orders.

Soon, the maids began serving various drinks one after another. The table was soon filled with cups, bowls, and plates. Xiao Nanxi, looking at the array of beverages and juices, exclaimed in delight, “This is way too much.”

Nianxi adored Princess Wen Shu’s personality, not to mention how many times she had helped her. Imitating the tone of those men from the stories the princess loved, Nianxi said, “This is my way of spoiling you.”

Xiao Nanxi burst into laughter. She corrected Nianxi with a demonstration, “You should say, ‘Woman, are you satisfied with what you see?'”

Nianxi improvised, “Princess, you’ve successfully caught my attention.”

The two of them laughed until they couldn’t stop.

After tasting the drinks, Xiao Nanxi sneaked a glance behind her and then leaned close to Nianxi, speaking softly but clearly, “Nianxi, I think I may have tasted the bitterness of love.”

Behind them stood Yan Qing, steady and immovable, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. On the other side, the head maid, Fu Ling, ignored the princess’s words entirely.

Nianxi played along and asked, “Is it really that bitter?”

Xiao Nanxi had expected Nianxi to ask who she was referring to, but instead, Nianxi asked if it was bitter, leaving her with no choice but to lower her head and nod: “Bitterer than Coptis root!”

Nianxi didn’t believe her. She had heard that martial artists had senses far sharper than ordinary people. The little princess’s voice wasn’t exactly soft earlier—what she called a secret was loud enough for everyone in the quiet room to hear clearly.

It was obvious whom Xiao Nanxi was speaking to. So Nianxi asked again, “What kind of bitterness have you endured?”

“Unfulfilled longing,” Xiao Nanxi replied.

This time, Xiao Nanxi had more to say: “You, Nianxi, are loved by many. You wouldn’t understand my pain. I am just a pitiful soul whom no one loves.”

Yan Qing, with sharp facial features and clean, chiseled lines, heard the princess’s complaint. He raised his eyelids and glanced at the figure in apricot-red attire standing with her back to him.

The little princess spoke enthusiastically, “It’s not like I lack experience. The storybooks say that when a man loves a woman, he’s passionate, wishing for seven rounds in a night, tangled together until dawn!”

“But I don’t have that!”

“Every night, I just sleep when it’s dark and wake up at the rooster’s crow—no joy at all!”

If Nianxi were truly sixteen years old, hearing such words would likely leave her blushing furiously, too embarrassed to lift her head. But she wasn’t. Hearing the princess’s words, she only felt a mix of awkwardness and amusement. Despite being purer than anyone else, the princess insisted on saying such risqué things.

Fortunately, the two people around her were already used to it.

As expected, Fu Ling pretended to be fascinated by the incense burner on the table while Yan Qing simply lowered his gaze, feigning indifference.

Xiao Nanxi grew even more frustrated. Pouting so much that she could hang an oil bottle from her lips, she huffed, “This princess will never get to kiss a man in her lifetime!”

Nianxi initially found it amusing, but seeing the genuine sadness on the princess’s face, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

A lonely little princess, sheltered in the deep palace and unfamiliar with the world—her joys and sorrows were, in truth, quite simple.

So, Nianxi began telling Xiao Nanxi the story of Cui Lian. The little princess was utterly captivated, repeatedly asking, “And then what happened?”

“And then Cui Lian returned and divorced her husband. Now, there’s someone else in their village, a woman named Xiao Mei, who has also sought her out to help her divorce her husband.”

Xiao Nanxi clapped her hands and exclaimed, “How wonderful. Rotten men are all the same!”

Yan Qing slightly lowered his head, his deep, tranquil eyes as calm as an ancient well.

Nianxi, not entirely clear on the dynamics between the little princess and her guard, could only tell her new, interesting stories to keep her entertained. When Xiao Nanxi returned to the palace, her mood had improved significantly.

As they were leaving, at the entrance of Fusheng Banzhan, they happened to encounter a young man just about to enter.

The shop attendant stepped forward, half-blocking him and politely saying, “Sir, our shop caters exclusively to female guests. It is a ladies’ establishment; I’m afraid we cannot accommodate you.”

The young man, dressed in fine brocade, appeared impatient and slightly indifferent. Pointing to Yan Qing, who was standing behind Xiao Nanxi, he said, “If this is a women-only establishment, then why is he allowed inside? Is he a woman or something?”

The attendant glanced back at Yan Qing and was suddenly at a loss for words. These individuals were esteemed guests personally invited by Miss Wen, naturally different from ordinary patrons. However, this wasn’t something they could openly explain to the customer.

So, the attendant could only continue with polite persuasion.

Yan Qing paid no attention to the young man’s rude comments, gripping the hilt of his sword as he silently followed behind Xiao Nanxi.

Xiao Nanxi, however, had a peculiar temperament. Although she was frustrated with Yan Qing for failing to understand or reciprocate her ardent and full-hearted affections, she wouldn’t tolerate others insulting or belittling him either.

Xiao Nanxi tilted her small face and said mockingly, “Can’t tell the difference between a women’s shop and a men’s shop, or between women and men? If your eyesight is so bad, you shouldn’t wander around.”

At first, the young man hadn’t paid much attention to her, but upon hearing her sarcastic remarks, he was about to get angry. However, when he saw her face, his expression changed, and a smirk appeared on his lips. “The young lady’s words naturally carry their own reasoning,” he said.

He spoke in formal official language but with a distinct accent, suggesting he wasn’t from the capital.

Xiao Nanxi cast him a sideways glance, snorted lightly, and didn’t bother to respond.

Fu Ling lifted the curtain as Xiao Nanxi prepared to leave.

The young man followed a few steps behind, and just as he was about to speak, Nianxi arrived. Since they were outside, Nianxi refrained from directly addressing the princess’s title and instead said, “These are some new pastries from the shop. Take them back and try them.”

The young man thought Xiao Nanxi was very beautiful. He had been sent to the capital by his father for an arranged marriage and felt quite annoyed about it. But unexpectedly, the young women in the capital were so stunning. Having encountered one, he thought it would be a pity not to get to know them better.

What surprised him even more was that this small teahouse was full of surprises. Nianxi’s arrival made his eyes light up even more.