Chapter 19: Duke Pei, Jiang Shiyuan Says She Likes You!

The Next Day, Morning—

Jiang Shiyuan woke up.

Yesterday, she had been disliked, but this morning, as she was preparing to leave the palace, Empress Jiang reluctantly let her go.

Empress Jiang had hoped to keep Jiang Shiyuan in the palace for another day, but with the marriage matters urgent, it was more important for Jiang Shiyuan to return home and prepare for the wedding. Moreover, since Jiang Shiyuan was marrying Duke Pei, obtaining her official title was only a matter of time, and there would be plenty of opportunities to enter the palace in the future.

After breakfast, Empress Jiang sent two palace maids, along with the previously prepared gifts, to escort Jiang Shiyuan out of the palace and back to her residence.

As Jiang Shiyuan left the Zhuangxia Palace, she walked at a leisurely pace toward the palace gates. Just as she was about to exit the Imperial Garden, a figure popped up in her path like a dog darting from the roadside, blocking her way.

“Jiang Shiyuan, why don’t you salute when you see me?” Princess Xie Ruoruo stood with her hands on her hips, chin raised in a commanding manner.

Xie Ruoruo’s mother had died early, and she had been raised in the palace of Consort Lan since she was young. At seventeen, she was one year younger than Jiang Shiyuan.

Jiang Shiyuan didn’t like Xie Ruoruo. When she first entered the palace as a child, Xie Ruoruo, using her status as a princess, often made Jiang Shiyuan yield to her, even making her stand on the ground while she climbed walls and trees, just to be her stepping stool. When Consort Lan caught them, Xie Ruoruo pushed her out to take the blame.

This led to her aunt being forced to apologize to Consort Lan on multiple occasions.

Xie Ruoruo had even been the one who had made it impossible for Jiang Shiyuan to enter the palace for a while. When Xie Ruoruo insisted on visiting the Jinluan Hall to see the newly appointed Scholar, she was caught and reprimanded by the emperor. Yet, she pushed herself out, accusing Jiang Shiyuan of leading her astray, of disrespecting the royal hierarchy, and treating the palace as her own backyard.

Although the emperor did not criticize her too harshly, the royal dignity had been damaged, leading to Consort Lan’s statement that “respect and rank must be distinguished.” As a result, Jiang Shiyuan lost the right to freely enter the palace.

Xie Ruoruo had been the one who initially suggested Jiang Shiyuan accompany her to the palace. In short, Xie Ruoruo was a spoiled and irresponsible brat!

They were close to the palace gates, far from Xie Ruoruo’s palace, so it was impossible for her to have been casually wandering about, likely waiting here on purpose to make trouble for Jiang Shiyuan.

“Greetings, Your Highness. Long time no see, Your Highness truly becomes more radiant with each passing day.” Jiang Shiyuan curtsied and gave two compliments Xie Ruoruo loved to hear.

“Of course!” Xie Ruoruo raised her chin, adjusting the colorful gemstone hairpin on her head, a gift from her father for her birthday last month.

She was about to boast, but noticed that Jiang Shiyuan had not looked up at her once.

This woman was ignoring her!!

What infuriated Xie Ruoruo even more was that Jiang Shiyuan kept her head lowered, her black hair flowing like clouds, with only her delicate neck visible, her pearl earrings gleaming, exuding an inexplicable elegance despite doing nothing.

Xie Ruoruo puffed up her cheeks in frustration.

Last night, upon hearing that Jiang Shiyuan had entered the palace, Xie Ruoruo stayed up all night, trying on one outfit after another, pairing it with various jewelry, all in preparation for the next day to accidentally “bump into” Jiang Shiyuan, looking dazzling to make her feel inferior.

But despite walking past Jiang Shiyuan several times in her most splendid attire, wearing her most dazzling hairpin, this woman acted as if she were blind, ignoring her completely, forcing Xie Ruoruo to run up and block her path!

This made her absolutely furious!

Who told Jiang Shiyuan to be so stunning?!

She wanted so badly to tear her face apart!

Jiang Shiyuan, still with her head lowered, was about to listen patiently to Xie Ruoruo’s boasting when she suddenly looked up, puzzled by the silence. She found Xie Ruoruo glaring at her like a cow.

Jiang Shiyuan: “???”

Their eyes met, each staring at the other.

Xie Ruoruo, being a princess, recovered her composure, her puffed-up cheeks returning to normal, and she said, “Jiang Shiyuan, yesterday, the Princess of Wenhe came to visit my mother. Guess what she said?”

Xie Ruoruo intentionally left a dramatic pause, but when Jiang Shiyuan didn’t respond, she grew frustrated.

This Jiang Shiyuan really was becoming more oblivious!

Sighing, Xie Ruoruo continued, “Jiang Shiyuan, you’re done for! The Princess of Wenhe said that the Wenyuan Marquis’s house is already negotiating with the Minister of Rites for marriage. The two families have agreed, and next spring, Shen Luchu will marry Su Liluo!”

It was well-known that Jiang Shiyuan liked Shen Luchu. Hearing that Shen Luchu was going to marry someone else, Xie Ruoruo expected Jiang Shiyuan’s heart to be torn apart.

After finishing, Xie Ruoruo looked at Jiang Shiyuan smugly, eagerly waiting for her to show signs of distress.

But—

“Oh.” Jiang Shiyuan replied with a flat expression.

“Oh?”

Just an “oh”?

No sadness? No anger? No embarrassment?

Why was Jiang Shiyuan so calm?

Xie Ruoruo was furious! She wanted to see her cry, to see her humiliated!

“Hey! Jiang Shiyuan, are you dumb? I told you Shen Luchu is marrying someone else, and you’re done for. Aren’t you upset?” Xie Ruoruo repeated, hoping for a reaction.

Jiang Shiyuan raised her head and looked at her, a little taken aback.

To say all this just to mess with her, she was honestly surprised that Xie Ruoruo had gotten up so early to dress up.

She remembered how much Xie Ruoruo loved sleeping in, how hard it was to wake her up in the morning, and how she would throw tantrums when she did get up.

Typical princess behavior.

Jiang Shiyuan shook her head and said, “I’m not upset.”

Rather than being upset, she was more concerned about something else.

Yesterday, Princess Wenhe had gone to visit Consort Lan, and she wouldn’t have brought up Shen Luchu’s marriage for no reason. Did this mean the Shen family was aligning with Consort Lan and the Fifth Prince? If Shen Luchu married Su Liluo, would the Minister of Rites also side with the Fifth Prince?

Consort Lan’s family held military power, and now with support from the Wenyuan Marquis’s house and the Minister of Rites, she was becoming stronger. Was that enough for her cousin, Duke Pei?

Jiang Shiyuan frowned slightly.

Xie Ruoruo saw her frown and immediately thought she had found a weakness, laughing, “Don’t pretend! Everyone knows you like Shen Luchu. You’ve been chasing him for years, and now he’s going to marry someone else. How can you not be upset?”

“Hmph! You can’t blame anyone else. Who told you to overestimate yourself! Young Master Shen has such a distinguished status, and he’s such an outstanding person, yet you dared to covet him. You’re just humiliating yourself!” Xie Ruoruo mocked.

Jiang Shiyuan found her words grating and interrupted, “What do you want to hear? Do you want me to admit I’m upset? To cry in front of you? No, I’m really not upset. I—”

Jiang Shiyuan wanted to explain but realized it wasn’t necessary to explain herself to someone like Xie Ruoruo. Still, fearing Xie Ruoruo would persist, she quickly changed her strategy and gave her a sharp rebuttal.

“I don’t like Shen Luchu anymore. I’ve fallen for someone else.”

“I don’t believe it,” Xie Ruoruo sneered. “You’re just trying to cover up your embarrassment!”

Jiang Shiyuan’s calmness only made her more eager to tear her down.

Xie Ruoruo crossed her arms and pressed, “Who do you like then? I bet you’re just talking big!”

Jiang Shiyuan sighed. She didn’t want to engage with Xie Ruoruo, but she was blocking her path with no intention of letting her go. So, Jiang Shiyuan said bluntly, “I don’t like Shen Luchu anymore. I like Pei Che now. Happy?”

“Huh?”*

Xie Ruoruo was stunned for a moment, then opened her mouth, looking completely dumbfounded.

“You really dare to say that!”

Jiang Shiyuan raised an eyebrow, a little irritated, “What’s wrong with that? The person I like, of course, has to be the most dazzling man in the world. Duke Pei is pure and noble. I like him. Do you think he’s inferior to Shen Luchu?”

Xie Ruoruo’s mouth hung open as she nodded, eyes flashing with a sharp light, “Of course he’s comparable. But Jiang Shiyuan, you’re done for!”

Jiang Shiyuan didn’t understand and watched as Xie Ruoruo cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting loudly toward someone behind her, “Duke Pei, Jiang Shiyuan says she likes you!”