Chapter 11: Jealousy in the Sisters’ Boudoir

Grand Preceptor Wen did not stay long. With Princess Ning’an causing such a disruption, he could no longer pick out any talents.

Li Ning’an successfully blocked Fu Minglang from reaching the gate of the Secretariat, feeling elated, and pulled Yan Ziqi downstairs.

“Wasn’t it said that Princess Ning’an liked Vice Minister Fu? How come she seems closer to Heir Yan?”

The scholars on the first floor were gossiping as well. When they saw Princess Ning’an coming down, they had to clasp their hands and bow as courtesy demanded.

But that didn’t stop their idle chatter.

“You must not have heard about the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. Princess Ning’an has now remarried to Heir Yan.”

A scholar in a green robe shook the fan in his hand.

The man in a blue robe sitting next to him asked, “Not only that, but Princess Ning’an also sent her personal maid to Fu’s residence to demand the deeds. The scene was so grand that, if you didn’t know better, you’d think they were there to confiscate property—an entire row of eunuchs standing by.”

A neighbor of Fu Minglang, who had come to participate in the bidding, added:

“I heard that the maid left in a huff, her face full of displeasure. Who knows what happened inside?”

He really wanted to eavesdrop by the wall, but that would be unseemly for a gentleman.

“I saw people from Princess Ning’an’s side inspecting the shops previously gifted to the Fu family. Seems like they’re serious this time.”

It was still the scholar in green, who had also written a few stories about the princess and the top scholar.

He was banking on the drama between Princess Ning’an and Fu Minglang to make some profit off his stories.

If they became strangers from now on, it would really cut into his earnings.

Li Ning’an didn’t spare Fu Minglang a glance, pulling Yan Ziqi into the carriage.

Someone familiar with Fu Minglang asked, “Brother Fu, doesn’t being ignored like this feel unpleasant?”

It seemed Princess Ning’an had found a new tactic.

Or maybe she truly no longer cared about Fu Minglang.

How could she be mingling with Heir Yan?

And dressed so provocatively and recklessly.

But there was something intriguing about it.

Fu Minglang, who failed to impress Grand Preceptor Wen, also paid no mind to Princess Ning’an’s coldness.

“Princess Ning’an’s intentions are not something we common people can meddle with.”

When Fu Minglang returned home, he was met with the sight of Xing’e, a maid who often attended Princess Ning’an.

He hadn’t been present when she came to demand the deeds last time.

He only heard from his mother that they had given the deeds to the princess’s maid politely and even invited her in for tea, though she declined.

Fu Minglang thought his mother had treated the princess’s maid with great respect.

But now what he saw was his mother being forced to kneel by two eunuchs, while the steward was being slapped repeatedly.

“This is too much! You’re just a maid of Princess Ning’an, and you dare ignore the laws of the court, beating people and insulting my mother!” Fu Minglang hurried to his mother’s side, pushing the eunuchs away.

The eunuchs, following a glance from Xing’e, pretended to be pushed and let go of Lady Fu.

Xing’e raised her chin high, full of disdain, completely unmoved by Fu Minglang’s words.

Blame it on the last time, when she listened to Hongxiu’s words and left some courtesy out of fear that the princess still had feelings for Fu Minglang and might want to marry into the Fu family.

But this time, she caught them and clarified things.

Yet, Lady Fu almost tricked her again, making her narrowly avoid a trap.

In the end, she shifted the blame onto the steward of the Fu family.

So, she figured, why not just beat him up?

“This is the report of the profits from the shops and estates after His Majesty and the Empress gave the deeds to the princess. Compared to what was given to your family, the difference is more than tenfold. Even if you don’t know how to run a business, you should at least know how to keep things stable.”

“And you still have the nerve to say the Fu family added money? I’d say you’ve all pocketed it!”

“Since Lady Fu claims it was the steward’s fault, what’s wrong with a few slaps and some scolding?”

“Not sending him to the authorities shows our princess’s generosity.”

“Who are you to talk about disregarding the law?”

Upon hearing Xing’e’s explanation, Fu Minglang realized he had wrongfully blamed her.

“If it’s the steward’s fault, then he should be sent to the authorities for severe punishment. Our household will not show any leniency.”

Fu Minglang was still helping his mother when Xing’e finished her sharp words.

Though Lady Fu had indeed pocketed some silver, wasn’t it because Princess Ning’an liked her son and still intended to marry into the Fu family?

The daughter-in-law’s money was also considered a form of filial respect to the mother-in-law.

Who could have predicted that Princess Ning’an would take it back and even audit the old ledgers for comparison?

Not wanting to lose face, she let the steward take the blame.

The steward had taken some bribes, but if he were really taken to the authorities, he wouldn’t survive.

If he were found guilty, it would be considered embezzling his master’s wealth.

If Princess Ning’an wanted to take back what was hers, it would become a case of misappropriating royal funds.
That could easily result in a sentence of exile.

Lady Fu clung to her son’s sleeve, pleading, “It won’t come to that, it won’t come to that. I’ll repay the princess.”

“She’s been with us for so long, surely she’ll remember the ties we’ve had.”

But Xing’e had no interest in their personal affairs.

The silver that had been embezzled was difficult to calculate without access to their account books.

She could only estimate a sum of ten thousand taels based on previous records.

“Don’t give it to me. Scatter it among the beggars in the capital. It’s a gift from the princess to them.”

The princess wouldn’t even want such dirty money.

Who knew what shady business had been done behind closed doors?

Fu Minglang, raised by his mother, understood her temperament.
If it weren’t for the high costs of living in the capital and the family’s limited assets, how could his mother bring herself to do such a thing?

She only tampered with the money because she thought Princess Ning’an would ultimately marry into their family.

Fu Minglang sent his attendants to his private vault to fetch the owed silver, which was then distributed to the beggars as Xing’e instructed.

Of course, it had to be said that the money was from Princess Ning’an.

As a result, Princess Ning’an gained a reputation as a kind and benevolent deity among the beggars.

On May 15th, the weather was clear with not a cloud in the sky.

A report arrived from the border: the forces of Northern Yue had violated the empire’s frontier. General Tong had led his troops into battle, achieving a minor victory, but Northern Yue continued to harass the border.

Li Ning’an lay on the soft couch by the window, eyes half-closed, lightly tapping her fingers on her leg. Xing’e returned with news she had gathered.

“Princess, they say General Tong is holding back a secret weapon and will thoroughly defeat the enemy when the time comes.”

Because of this, Consort Tong had received quite a few rewards from His Majesty.

The Fourth Princess would probably come soon to flaunt them.

Li Ning’an responded with a simple “Mm.”
Northern Yue was merely probing General Tong for now.

When they came back in full force, they wouldn’t fight a battle without preparation.

It had been three days since she last saw Yan Ziqi.

Rather than waiting for the inevitable defeat of Da Qi, it would be better to send him over now.

How could the soldiers of Da Qi be sacrificed for the Tong family’s power struggles?

“Third Sister, are you in?”

Outside the hall, the Fourth Princess, Li Ningyi, entered gracefully, wearing a ruby hairpin with pearls and jade, a gift from their father to her mother.

She couldn’t immediately have the robes made from Shu brocade tailored by the Imperial Wardrobe, but the hairpin could still be shown off.

When Li Ningyi entered the inner chamber, she saw her Third Sister leisurely reclining on a soft couch.

She was dressed in a lake-blue ruqun embroidered with Suzhou-style phoenixes carrying flowers, along with a jade rabbit and turquoise pendant.

Everything in her Third Sister’s quarters was of the finest quality.

Even the lotus-patterned porcelain vase in the courtyard held a few koi fish.

On the table, there were white porcelain dishes filled with lychees from the southern provinces.

Compared to this, the ruby hairpin with pearls and jade on her head seemed less impressive.

When Li Ningyi approached, Li Ning’an could no longer remain lounging on the couch. She joined her at the low table.

The tea, pastries, fruits, and snacks were all freshly served and placed on the table.

Li Ning’an waited for her to speak, watching her gaze settle on the jade chess set tucked away in the low table.

It seemed she had won without a fight.

Li Ning’an smiled and said, “Fourth Sister, your hairpin is truly lovely. I’m so envious!”

She even blinked, staring at the hairpin on her sister’s head.

As if she truly admired it but couldn’t have it.

Regret.

Jealousy.

Longing.

Li Ning’an thought she could make a career on stage with her performance.