Chapter 67

“Your Highness, are you really not going to help me?” In the Qingyuan Courtyard of the palace, Jiang Yuan clung to Princess Xinchang Xiao Nanyi and cried miserably, “Your Highness, are you just going to watch me lose all my dignity while that little wretch Wen Nianxi steals the spotlight?”

“My second brother dotes on me the most. If he knew of my grievances, he would certainly not stand idly by.”

Next spring, Princess Xinchang was set to marry, and the groom was none other than Jiang Yuan’s biological second brother, Jiang Yanqing.

Xiao Nanyi and Jiang Yuan would soon become sisters-in-law.

“Did you see with your own eyes that Miss Wen interfered?” Xiao Nanyi, after being entangled by Jiang Yuan for several days, finally relented and asked.

“If not her, then who?!” Jiang Yuan immediately stood up and declared righteously, “At that time, only she was closest to me. My horse was perfectly fine—how could it suddenly go wild and throw me off? It must have been her doing. When we played pitch-pot the day before, I targeted her in every way. She must have sought revenge!”

“To make me lose face in front of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager—Your Highness, I can’t swallow this indignation!”

Xiao Nanyi took a leisurely sip of tea and said unhurriedly, “You targeted her—was it not because of that person?”

“Your Highness,” Jiang Yuan sat back in her original seat, tugging at Xiao Nanyi’s sleeve, her face genuinely showing sorrow this time. “Ever since she arrived, Cousin seems bewitched by her and no longer sees me. Even Cousin Sister and Aunt don’t treat me the same as before.”

“I truly wish she had never appeared.”

How could Xiao Nanyi not understand the wistful thoughts of a young woman? Seeing Jiang Yuan cry pitifully, her heart softened, and she gave a hint, “That day at the hunting grounds, I noticed that Cousin Han seemed quite fixated on Miss Wen.”

The Cousin Han Xiao Nanyi referred to was Han Gaojie, the son of Marquis Anjing and Princess Pingyang. This man had a flat nose, thin eyes, a broad and square face, dark skin, and was considered downright unattractive. His personality was even more reckless and coarse. The ladies of the capital avoided him at all costs.

After hearing this, Jiang Yuan’s eyes lit up, “Heir Han truly has good taste. If Wen Nianxi could climb such a high branch, she’d be set for life!”

By the midpoint of the journey at Qu Zuo Hunting Grounds, the initial excitement had worn off. Even Xiao Nanxi no longer clamored to go horseback riding every day.

On the first day of the hunt, Xiao Nanxi’s group had the most success among the women. Not only did they receive praise from the Empress, but even His Majesty rewarded them generously.

Among the men, the Crown Prince and Prince Jing were the most accomplished, hunting a variety of animals such as rabbits, lynxes, elk, and wolves.

Prince Jing, in particular, encountered a leopard when he returned with his guards in the evening. Under coordinated efforts, he successfully shot the leopard and presented its pelt to His Majesty. The Emperor was delighted, and a grand feast continued late into the night.

Because Nianxi had impressed the Emperor and Empress, she kept a low profile for the following days. She simply spent time leisurely at the stables each day, enjoying the peace.

The only disharmony was that the Princess was obsessed with stories of “cold and aloof bodyguards” and couldn’t extricate herself from them. These days, she constantly searches the hunting grounds for suitable candidates. Not only did she search on her own, but she also dragged Nianxi along with her. However, she was extremely picky, finding fault in every choice—this one was too muscular, that one was too short or plump, and others had dark skin or were too dull. She always managed to identify some flaws.

What was amusing was that whenever the Princess came up empty-handed, Nianxi could always catch a hint of a smile on the face of the aloof and taciturn guard named Yan Qing. She silently noted this in her heart.

That day, again, yielded nothing.

Xiao Nanxi wasn’t attached either; when the time came, she straightened her posture, stretched her waist, and was about to head back to Western Garden for lunch with Nianxi. At that moment, the head maidservant beside Princess Xinchang delivered a message, “Her Highness has arranged a banquet and invites Third Princess and Miss Wen to grace it with their presence at Qingyuan.”

The autumn hunt was still ongoing. While the men engaged in hunting, the ladies, including the noblewomen, didn’t always go to the grounds. The Empress often hosted banquets to entertain the womenfolk. With the Empress presiding, no one dared to behave improperly. Everyone had polite conversations, exchanged compliments, and got along peacefully.

During yesterday’s feast, Empress Lu laughed, saying she would have lunch with His Majesty today. The group eagerly flattered the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress. It was expected that they would dine in their respective residences today, but unexpectedly, Princess Xinchang still arranged a banquet.

Qu Zuo Hunting Grounds’s climate was significantly colder than the capital’s. Over the past few days, much game had been hunted. Xiao Nanxi and Nianxi had originally planned to enjoy a hotpot meal today, but that plan had to be abandoned.

Upon arriving at Qingyuan, the others had already taken their seats, and the food and drinks had been served, awaiting the two of them.

As soon as Jiang Yuan met them, she spoke sarcastically, “What a grand air, making all of us wait like this.” She intended to mock Nianxi, but she spoke without thinking, implicating even the Princess.

Xiao Nanxi had always had a peculiar temper. If you sided with her, she might let things slide. But if you offended her first, she would undoubtedly leave you with no way out. Like now, she didn’t care whether Jiang Yuan’s words were aimed at her or Nianxi.

Fixing her gaze on Jiang Yuan, she let out a cold laugh. “Reincarnated from a starving ghost? Can’t wait for a moment longer?”

“If you’re so resentful, why don’t you just leave?”

Jiang Yuan’s face turned crimson, her lips quivered, but she couldn’t come up with a retort.

Several people had already started laughing quietly.

In the past, Xiao Nanxi had been overly sheltered by the Consort Shu and rarely participated in such banquets or gatherings. As a result, many were unaware of her straightforward and forthright personality.

Jiang Yuan, who valued her reputation above all else, was on the verge of tears as she saw herself becoming the object of ridicule. Her eyes brimmed with tears, leaving her at a loss for what to do.

Eventually, Princess Xinchang, Xiao Nanyi, stepped in to mediate. “Sister Yuan is just straightforward and speaks without much thought. Third Sister, please don’t take it to heart. She didn’t mean anything by it.”

Ordinarily, the host’s intercession would have been enough to smooth things over. Still, Xiao Nanxi, oblivious to social conventions, was convinced Jiang Yuan’s actions were intentional and refused to let it go. “I think she’s deliberately upset because this princess and Nian’er were late.”

Xiao Nanyi had no choice. If she couldn’t calm the headstrong Third Princess, the banquet couldn’t proceed. She summoned Jiang Yuan, calling out, “Sister Yuan.”

Under the weight of imperial authority, no matter how aggrieved Jiang Yuan felt, she had to bow and offer a sincere apology. “This subject spoke without restraint. I beg Your Highness’s mercy to forgive me this once.”

“Fine, fine. What a mood killer,” Xiao Nanxi remarked, only letting Jiang Yuan go after she completed the formal courtesies. Then, with a casual hand wave, she led Nianxi to their seats.

In a low voice, she said, “Since she made things difficult for you back then, let’s return the favor.”

Only then did Nianxi realize that the Princess was not entirely without reason. She was doing it on purpose!

The seating at the banquet was divided, and Princess Xinchang considerately placed Nianxi’s table alongside Xiao Nanxi’s. Otherwise, given Nianxi’s status, she wouldn’t have been seated so close to the front.

This was an ordinary, smaller banquet attended solely by young ladies. There were fewer formalities. After two rounds of drinking games and several changes of dishes, the banquet was nearing its end. Usually, a few glasses of fruit wine were nothing to Nianxi. However, for some reason today, she felt tipsy from the start, her head spinning. Midway through the banquet, the alcohol overwhelmed her, forcing her to excuse herself to freshen up. When she returned, her condition hadn’t improved—she was even more intoxicated.

Sitting by her side, Xiao Nanxi noticed her state and asked with concern, “Do you want to take a rest?”

Nianxi was about to decline, but another wave of dizziness struck. Princess Deqing, seated at the head, observed the scene and remarked with a laugh, “She’s drunk.”

Princess Deqing was kind and gentle. Over the past few days in the palace, she and Nianxi had spent time together and gotten along well. “Poor child, let her rest quickly,” she said compassionately.

Having also noticed the situation, Princess Xinchang joined in with a smile. “I have a spare room here. Miss Wen, why not rest for a while to sober up?”

As the host, her suggestion was naturally appropriate.

However, Nianxi wasn’t willing to rest in Qingyuan. It was an unfamiliar place, and she found it hard to feel at ease—especially considering Princess Xinchang’s close relationship with Jiang Yuan. Thus, she mustered her remaining clarity and stood. “I’ll just step outside for some fresh air.”

Princess Xinchang didn’t insist and smiled in agreement.

Xiao Nanxi asked with concern, “Shall I go with you?”

The Princess, who loved lively occasions, saw Nianxi glance at Fu Ling and smile. “It’s probably because I drank too quickly in the first few rounds. Some fresh air will do the trick.”

Xiao Nanxi didn’t press further.

Nianxi left the main hall of Qingyuan, supporting herself on Xing Yue’s hand as she walked slowly. When they passed a centuries-old ginkgo tree, a man suddenly appeared from behind it, startling Nianxi and her maid.