There were only four people at the dining table. Three of them were looking at their phones, and the successive vibrations of incoming messages turned Wen Xueyun's face livid.
If she still could not tell that they were messaging each other, then there would be no need for her brain.
But what did they mean by this?
They could clearly just speak aloud, yet they insisted on secretly sending messages. Even Ji Xu'an was doing it. Was there something she was not allowed to know?
The feeling of being excluded by everyone lodged in Wen Xueyun's throat like a fishbone. She could not even swallow her food.
She even regretted agreeing to Ji Xu'an without thinking. She had thought she could spend more time with her, yet instead she had come only to upset herself.
Fortunately, Ji Xu'an soon put down her phone. Otherwise, Wen Xueyun might not have been able to maintain even her forced smile.
The meal was almost finished. Ji Xu'an had barely touched her chopsticks. Seeing this, Wen Xueyun reached out and refilled the orange juice in her cup.
Noticing everyone looking at her, Wen Xueyun poured a glass for Ji Heyuan as well. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she alone left out Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang had not planned on letting Wen Xueyun pour her drink anyway. She turned to Ji Xu'an instead. "The orange juice is a little sour. I want to drink the sweet syrup you bought this morning."
"Wait here." Ji Xu'an stood up, picked up the phone on the table, and said to Wen Xueyun, "Excuse me for a moment."
Before leaving, she gave Jiang Jiang a meaningful look. She had likely already guessed that Jiang Jiang had deliberately sent her away.
"What sweet syrup?" Little Yuan asked curiously. "Is it good? I want some too."
She did not notice the undercurrent between Jiang Jiang and Wen Xueyun at all. Her face was filled with innocent foolishness.
Jiang Jiang gently wiped the corner of her mouth, her eyes curving slightly. "I don't know. Ji Xu'an bought it. I think it tastes very good."
Little Yuan clicked her tongue twice. "Why did my sister buy you sweet syrup?"
As soon as she said that, Wen Xueyun's heart tightened. She could already guess how Jiang Jiang would answer.
Sure enough, Jiang Jiang looked even more embarrassed. A faint blush spread across her cheeks. As she lifted her eyes and lowered them again, shyness lingered at the corners of her brows.
"At that time, I wasn't in a very good mood. She said sweet things can make people feel happy."
Of course Ji Xu'an had not actually said that. Jiang Jiang had learned it from television dramas. But it did not matter. Presumably neither of them would go ask Ji Xu'an to verify it.
Even if they truly did, Jiang Jiang was certain Ji Xu'an would never expose her lie.
Little Yuan was caught off guard and force-fed a mouthful of affection. She felt shocked and sour at the same time, mixed with a bit of inexplicable excitement. In short, her mood was complicated.
But she did not retort against Jiang Jiang like before. After a long pause, she squeezed out a sentence. "So this is what my sister is like when she dates in private."
She even coaxed people. Hmph. Even a snow-capped mountain could melt for love one day.
Wen Xueyun's palms were nearly bleeding from how hard she dug her nails into them. She suspected the two of them were doing this on purpose. Little Yuan was pretending to dislike Jiang Jiang, while Jiang Jiang seized the opportunity to flaunt her relationship in front of her.
Wen Xueyun closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she had regained her usual gentle composure.
"Little Yuan, you're one to talk. Your sister cares about you very much. She asked me to look after you more at school, in case you get deceived."
Little Yuan had been happily watching the drama until it suddenly turned on her. She instantly felt restless. "I'm not a child. It's not that easy to trick me."
Wen Xueyun's target had never been her. Almost as soon as Little Yuan finished speaking, Wen Xueyun turned to Jiang Jiang, her smile still in place. "Jiang Jiang too. Ji Xu'an was worried you're introverted and might not make friends. From what happened today, her concern was clearly unnecessary."
She was hinting that Jiang Jiang's closeness with Chu Yueqi was abnormal. What kind of feeling would make an introverted person actively add someone as a friend?
Little Yuan also found it strange. "Did you really only meet Chu Yueqi once at the station?"
Jiang Jiang looked at her. "After coming to S City, I've only been to the sanatorium and the old residence. Even if I wanted to see Sister Chu, there would have to be time."
Little Yuan thought about it and agreed. Jiang Jiang had always lived in a small town before, and Chu Yueqi clearly would not go to such a place.
"So I'm telling you, Jiang Jiang, stay away from Chu Yueqi. She's definitely not a good person. Being that attentive after only a second meeting." Little Yuan seized the chance to speak ill of Chu Yueqi.
Jiang Jiang did not say whether she agreed or disagreed. She only smiled and said firmly, "Sister Chu and I will only be friends."
Only then did Little Yuan feel relieved. "As long as you know."
Wen Xueyun had deliberately brought this up again in front of Little Yuan precisely because she knew Little Yuan was impulsive. She had not expected Jiang Jiang to soothe her in just a few words.
Wen Xueyun could only continue stirring things up. "It feels like Miss Chu likes Jiang Jiang quite a bit. But that's normal. A well-behaved girl like Jiang Jiang—who wouldn't find it hard to refuse her?"
Jiang Jiang let out an "oh." "So Teacher Wen likes me very much too, right?"
Wen Xueyun froze. And Little Yuan looked at her with curious eyes as well, leaving Wen Xueyun unable to say no. She could only nod stiffly.
Jiang Jiang immediately appeared relieved. Her eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Wen Xueyun. "Then I'm relieved. Ji Xu'an said she would ask Teacher Wen to help look after me. I was worried Teacher Wen didn't like me and wouldn't agree."
She called her "Teacher Wen" again and again. To Wen Xueyun, it sounded especially piercing. Not long ago, she had told Little Yuan not to call her teacher.
Jiang Jiang had been standing right there at the time. Wen Xueyun did not believe she had not heard it. So she could only be doing this on purpose.
Originally, Wen Xueyun had thought that competing with a young girl was beneath her dignity. Yet she had not expected that, despite being several years older, she would fail to outtalk Jiang Jiang and instead lose all face.
The more this happened, the less willing Wen Xueyun was to let it go.
"I would never refuse Ji Xu'an's request. But she has always been cold-hearted and indifferent. This is the first time she has asked me for help." Wen Xueyun lifted her cup and took a sip of orange juice, trying to calm the agitation inside her.
But the next second she remembered Ji Xu'an had gone to buy sweet syrup for Jiang Jiang. The orange juice in her mouth instantly turned sour and bitter, impossible to swallow.
After just one sip, Wen Xueyun set the glass aside and did not touch it again.
Jiang Jiang did not miss the fleeting distortion in Wen Xueyun's expression. She guessed Wen Xueyun still had more to say and did not interrupt, only watching her quietly with a faint smile.
In Jiang Jiang's clear, dark round eyes, Wen Xueyun seemed to see an ugly version of herself. For a moment, she felt like a clown, her thoughts laid bare before Jiang Jiang.
Yet she could not stop. It was hard not to target Jiang Jiang. In just a few short days, this person had taken away the one she had liked for years.
"When Ji Xu'an said Little Yuan might choose my class, and I saw you at S University today, I was honestly surprised." Wen Xueyun seemed to say nothing, yet also everything. "Ji Xu'an only mentioned that her girlfriend was young. I only learned today that you and Little Yuan are in the same major."
So do you understand? You are not that important in Ji Xu'an's heart. She never even mentioned it to me. You were merely incidental.
"So Ji Xu'an never mentioned me?" Jiang Jiang feigned sadness. Before Wen Xueyun could savor her satisfaction, Jiang Jiang added slowly, "Then I'll have to ask her properly tonight."
Little Yuan added bluntly from the side, "Anyway, you live together now. You see my sister every day. If you have something to ask, just ask her directly. Why trouble Sister Xueyun?"
She had not realized at all how embarrassing and painful her words were for Wen Xueyun.
Jiang Jiang nearly applauded her. She suddenly realized that when Little Yuan was not directing her sharp tongue at her, what she said could actually sound quite pleasant.
"So you live together." Wen Xueyun's expression flickered. She looked at Little Yuan. "Little Yuan, you don't live with your sister?"
Little Yuan waved her hands quickly. "They're living their two-person world. What would I be doing tagging along?"
Besides, her sister was strict and had many rules. After finally entering university, Little Yuan felt like a bird freed from its cage, eager to enjoy freedom. She had no desire to live under the same roof as her sister.
Hearing this, Wen Xueyun could not smile at all.
She forced a smile. "Which residential complex do you live in? Ji Xu'an is usually busy with work. She probably doesn't spend much time at home, does she?"
"When we were in university, it was the same. Ji Xu'an left early and returned late every day, busy with company matters. If I wanted to treat her to a meal, I had to make an appointment in advance."
"She's the type who values work above everything. I used to suspect she only loved her job and would never fall for anyone."
Wen Xueyun spoke in rapid succession, giving Jiang Jiang and Little Yuan no chance to interject. Moreover, regarding those matters, neither of them could really respond.
When Ji Xu'an was in university, Little Yuan had still been in primary school.
As for Jiang Jiang, she had just returned to the Duke's residence then, facing her father's favoritism and her mother's cold neglect. Her grandmother treated her as if she did not exist, never speaking to her during greetings. And Xie Wanwan constantly targeted and troubled her.
At that time, Jiang Jiang had only been thinking about how to survive amid open and hidden attacks. She had never imagined that a few years later she would come to another world and live a completely different life.
So when Wen Xueyun spoke of Ji Xu'an's university years, Jiang Jiang could only remain silent.
But Jiang Jiang had her own method of dealing with things. Her past struggles had taught her one truth: never take one's pride too seriously. As long as she was shameless enough, no one could truly make things difficult for her.
Faced with veiled barbs and sarcastic praise, she only needed to pretend she did not understand.
"Teacher Wen and Ji Xu'an must have had a very good relationship in school, right?" Jiang Jiang asked with eager curiosity.
Although Wen Xueyun felt something was off, she still nodded. In truth, her relationship with Ji Xu'an had not been as good as she implied. Ji Xu'an was inherently indifferent, treating everyone with the same cold distance, rarely smiling and difficult to approach.
Moreover, when Wen Xueyun met Ji Xu'an, it had been during her sharpest, most formidable period.
Ji Xu'an had just come of age and begun taking over company affairs. Every shareholder was more experienced than she was, slippery as loaches and full of schemes, unwilling to heed her.
Ji Xu'an had been busy with both studies and work, scarcely having time to rest, let alone make friends.
At that time she had seemed covered in thorns, wary of everyone, never allowing anyone close.
Only in recent years, after fully taking control, had Ji Xu'an gradually restrained her temper. She hid all her coldness beneath a calm mask, becoming increasingly unfathomable, impossible to read.
Wen Xueyun liked her, yet was often hurt by that distance which kept people a thousand miles away.
Jiang Jiang had been waiting for that nod. Without giving Wen Xueyun time to react, she immediately continued, "Then could Teacher Wen tell me what Ji Xu'an was like in university?"
"I really want to understand her, but she only says that what's already passed isn't important and tells me to look to the future."
Neither Little Yuan nor Wen Xueyun doubted the authenticity of that sentence. It indeed sounded like something Ji Xu'an would say.
Wen Xueyun felt as if she were about to suffer a heart attack. Just moments ago she had been smugly reminiscing about the past, and in the next moment Jiang Jiang told her that Ji Xu'an herself had said the past was unimportant.
What did Ji Xu'an mean? If the past was unimportant, then was she, someone from that past, also unimportant?
Never before had Wen Xueyun felt so humiliated. Though she knew she did not occupy much place in Ji Xu'an's heart, being implicitly denied by the person she loved still tore her apart.
And yet Jiang Jiang continued to look at her with hopeful eyes, as if waiting for her to help her understand Ji Xu'an better.
Suddenly, Wen Xueyun felt exhausted. What was she even doing? She had wanted to make Jiang Jiang uncomfortable, yet in the end she was the one who felt miserable.
She forced a smile. "If you truly want to know, you should ask her yourself. She surely understands herself best."
Afraid Jiang Jiang might continue pressing, she deliberately added, "Don't worry. Ji Xu'an has an excellent memory. Even some 'unimportant' trivial matters, she would remember clearly."
She deliberately emphasized the words "unimportant." Jiang Jiang smiled as if she had not noticed.
Her tone carried regret. "Then forget it. If Teacher Wen doesn't want to say, I won't force it."
Little Yuan looked up from her phone screen, staring blankly at the two of them. Why did it feel like there was gunpowder in the air?
Come to think of it, had her sister gone to America to buy sweet syrup? How long had she been gone?
Just as Little Yuan was muttering to herself, the private room door was pushed open from outside. Ji Xu'an walked in carrying three cups of milk tea.
She handed one to Little Yuan first, then to Wen Xueyun. The last cup she personally inserted the straw into before giving it to Jiang Jiang.
"You're not feeling well. I specifically asked for it hot," Ji Xu'an said to Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang froze slightly, then her cheeks flushed deep red. She gave a soft "mm" and lowered her eyes, avoiding Ji Xu'an's gaze.
This time it was not an act.
Jiang Jiang truly had not expected that Ji Xu'an knew she was on her period. So the hot milk tea that morning had not only been because her fingers were cold?
She thought to herself, indeed—if Ji Xu'an wished to, even the most trivial matters would be kept in her heart.
If she did not know Ji Xu'an was acting, she might truly have believed Ji Xu'an cared for her a little.
Beside them, Wen Xueyun drank the iced milk tea Ji Xu'an had bought, her expression numb. So Ji Xu'an had only considered that Jiang Jiang was unwell, but had not thought she might also be on her period?
Her lower abdomen ached dully, yet Wen Xueyun drank the entire cup as if punishing herself. Perhaps only she felt miserable. Little Yuan drank hers quite happily, troubled by only one matter.
"Why does her cup have more toppings than mine?" Little Yuan pointed at Jiang Jiang.
Ji Xu'an glanced at her. "If you don't want it, put it down."
Little Yuan immediately caved. "I'll drink it! It's fine! I was born not liking toppings anyway. I just like plain milk tea. Not even a single pearl!"
Jiang Jiang could not help curling her lips into a smile.
After finishing the milk tea, they prepared to leave.
Jiang Jiang had drunk too much water and wanted to use the restroom. Little Yuan glanced at Ji Xu'an's expression and hurried after her.
"Jiang Jiang, wait for me!"
The two figures disappeared at the end of the corridor. Ji Xu'an had already paid the bill earlier when she went to buy milk tea. Now she and Wen Xueyun walked outside side by side at a slow pace.
This milk tea shop occupied an entire floor of the commercial building. Upon entering was a small artificial pond, complete with rockery and potted plants. Several red koi swam leisurely inside.
Ji Xu'an stood by the pond waiting for Jiang Jiang and Little Yuan. Wen Xueyun stood beside her, staring intently at Ji Xu'an's profile, feeling increasingly sorrowful.
"Ji Xu'an, are you really going to marry Jiang Jiang?"
Ji Xu'an had long expected this question. She was not surprised. Instead of answering directly, she asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Her evasion reignited a trace of hope in Wen Xueyun's heart. "I think she's not worthy of you."
"She's still just an immature child. What help can she bring you? Not only can she not help you, she needs you to take care of her everywhere."
If others heard someone belittling their fiancée like this, they would more or less feel displeased. But Ji Xu'an's expression remained indifferent. She did not look at Wen Xueyun. Her gaze idly followed the koi in the water.
"Whether she's worthy or not isn't for outsiders to decide. It's enough that I know in my own heart."
Yes. She was merely an outsider.
Wen Xueyun let out a self-mocking laugh. "Yes, I have no right to interfere."
"But Xu'an." Her eyes slowly reddened. "I hope you can live happily. If you truly like her, then fine—but I can feel it. You don't like her."
"If you don't like her, why force yourself to be with her?"
Ji Xu'an finally granted her a glance, though that look was exceptionally faint. "Among the couples in this world, how many truly choose to be together because they deeply admire one another?"
"I thought such naïve words wouldn't come from your mouth. In a person's long life, love is originally the most dispensable thing."
Her words were almost ruthless. "Liking someone can disappear. Even the most devoted lover will one day change her heart. Why stake everything on something uncertain and full of risk?"
Wen Xueyun was left speechless, her expression even somewhat dazed.
Ji Xu'an gave her final summary, which also answered Wen Xueyun's earlier doubt. "Whether I like her or not isn't important to me. As long as we're suitable."
Wen Xueyun didn't know what to say anymore. She felt she shouldn't be surprised—Ji Xu'an had always been this rational and clear-headed to the extreme—but she still felt a chill in her heart.
It wasn't only because of her own unfulfilled secret crush. She also felt sorrow for Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang liked Ji Xu'an so much. Whenever she mentioned Ji Xu'an, her eyes lit up.
But did she know that in Ji Xu'an's heart, she was merely a fairly good choice?
It had nothing to do with love—only whether they were suitable or not.
All of a sudden, Wen Xueyun stopped envying Jiang Jiang. Because she realized Jiang Jiang was far more pitiful than she was. At least she herself now knew Ji Xu'an's true thoughts. But Jiang Jiang? She was still immersed in the false tenderness Ji Xu'an gave her, unable to extricate herself.
Wen Xueyun looked deeply at Ji Xu'an. "Xu'an, I hope you can always hold on to these beliefs. Don't waver."
Otherwise, sooner or later, Ji Xu'an would be pierced all over by the thorns she herself had planted.
Wen Xueyun pitied Jiang Jiang in her heart.
What she didn't know was that Jiang Jiang was standing only a few meters away, having heard every single word Ji Xu'an said without missing one.
She didn't feel the hurt and disappointment Wen Xueyun imagined. She even let out a very faint sigh of relief.
So Ji Xu'an held the same view as she did—that between husband and wife, it was enough to treat each other with courtesy and respect.
That was truly wonderful.
Jiang Jiang thought to herself that she would no longer need to feel guilty for failing to return someone else's feelings.
Because Ji Xu'an would never fall in love with anyone.
Without feelings, how could there be betrayal?
Leaning against the wall, Jiang Jiang even had a trace of a smile on her lips.
Behind her, Ji Heyuan walked over. "What are you standing here for?"
Jiang Jiang smiled at her. "Ji Xu'an and Teacher Wen are talking. I don't want to disturb them."
"Tsk." Little Yuan craned her neck to glance at the two in the distance, then pulled back. "Let them wait a bit longer. Perfect timing—I have something to say to you too."
Jiang Jiang followed her to the other side. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder against the railing. Little Yuan lowered her voice. "Did Chu Yueqi message you?"
Jiang Jiang nodded and didn't hide it. "She did."
"Hmph!" Little Yuan snorted coldly. "I knew she had bad intentions."
She nudged Jiang Jiang's arm. "My sister and Teacher Wen were there earlier, so it wasn't convenient for me to say this. Jiang Jiang, you absolutely can't do anything that wrongs my sister."
Curiosity flickered in Jiang Jiang's eyes. "Such as?"
Little Yuan gritted her teeth. "Such as getting dazzled by the big promises that woman surnamed Chu paints for you and actually believing her nonsense."
She reminded her earnestly, "Sweet talk is the least trustworthy thing. Chu Yueqi looks like she's very good at coaxing women. People like that don't know how to live a steady life. If you're getting married, you should choose someone down-to-earth and reliable."
For example, her sister—who always did more than she said, so pragmatic and capable.
Jiang Jiang felt like laughing. "Little Yuan, you seem very experienced."
Little Yuan lifted her chin proudly. "Of course."
Jiang Jiang let out a meaningful chuckle, thinking that might not be true. If Little Yuan were really as clear-headed as she claimed, how could she have been so thoroughly dazzled by Zheng Zhouzhou?
She coaxed her gently. "Don't worry, Little Yuan. I won't betray Ji Xu'an. Besides, isn't it true that nowadays you can only marry one wife and not take concubines?"
This wasn't Great Zhao. One could only have one wife—no concubines, no bedchamber maids.
Little Yuan froze. "Take—take what?!"
Jiang Jiang thought she hadn't heard clearly. "Take concubines."
Little Yuan snapped back to her senses and looked at Jiang Jiang with a complicated expression. "Jiang Jiang, you really are an old antique. That feudal thinking is too much, okay? You can actually say something like taking concubines."
She quickly reacted again. "Wait, don't tell me you're even thinking about taking concubines?! Jiang Jiang! Don't you even think about it!"
"If you dare put a green hat on my sister, I won't spare you!"
Jiang Jiang explained softly, "I didn't think about it."
Little Yuan was furious. "You'd better not!"
She let out a disdainful cold laugh. "What taking concubines? In ancient times, concubines—like honored concubines or proper concubines—were formally brought into the household and recorded in the family genealogy. Even maid concubines of low status were at least acknowledged by the main wife."
"What is a mistress? At most she's a kept woman. Someone who has to be hidden, who can't be seen in public."
Jiang Jiang pondered. "So that's how it is."
"So you can't take concubines here—but you can keep a mistress?"
Hearing that, Little Yuan nearly exploded. "Jiang Jiang! What do you mean?! You're absolutely not allowed to learn from those idiots and find a mistress outside. That's something you'll be despised for your whole life. You won't be able to hold your head up anywhere!"
Jiang Jiang nodded obediently. "I was just asking. I definitely wouldn't do that."
So keeping a mistress was indeed possible—just looked down upon.
With Ji Xu'an's personality, she probably wouldn't do such a thing.
Little Yuan reluctantly believed her. "Those bad women outside are all so good at deceiving people. How could any of them compare to my sister? My sister never messes around."
Jiang Jiang: "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm."
Her tone was extremely perfunctory.
Of course Ji Xu'an didn't mess around. Because she looked down on everyone equally—except herself. In other words, Ji Xu'an simply had no such worldly desires.
Little Yuan had no idea what Jiang Jiang was thinking. She thought Jiang Jiang had truly taken her words to heart and patted her shoulder. "Anyway, just behave yourself. My sister definitely won't treat you badly."
Jiang Jiang: "Oh."
Little Yuan had nothing more to say. "Let's go. Don't keep them waiting too long."
Perhaps Ji Xu'an had guessed that Little Yuan would say something to Jiang Jiang. Even though the two had taken so long to come back, she didn't comment on it. Even Wen Xueyun didn't ask any questions.
Seeing Wen Xueyun looking somewhat absent-minded, Little Yuan was puzzled. Jiang Jiang, however, knew exactly why.
Wen Xueyun had been struck by Ji Xu'an's indifference.
But Jiang Jiang showed no sign of knowing. Even after Ji Xu'an sent Wen Xueyun and Little Yuan away and only the two of them were left in the car, Jiang Jiang pretended to be uneasy.
"Teacher Wen seems to have believed that Ji Xu'an and I are deeply in love. She doesn't seem able to accept that fact."
"Ji Xu'an, if Teacher Wen comes to tutor me later, will she deliberately make things difficult for me?"
Ji Xu'an knew very well that Wen Xueyun's dejection wasn't merely because of Jiang Jiang's earlier words. That was only a small part. The greater reason was that Wen Xueyun had been hurt by her own words.
But she didn't explain anything to Jiang Jiang. She simply replied lightly, "She won't."
Even without those words from Ji Xu'an, Wen Xueyun wouldn't take personal revenge in public matters, because she wasn't that kind of person.
In private meetings, Wen Xueyun might allow herself to target Jiang Jiang. But once she stood on the podium as a teacher, she would never deliberately make things difficult for her.
If Wen Xueyun knew that Ji Xu'an trusted her character this much, she would probably be very happy, Jiang Jiang thought.
She let out a relieved breath. "That's good. I was being petty."
Ji Xu'an kept her eyes on the road, glancing at Jiang Jiang only from the corner of her eye. "She deliberately used words to provoke you. You're not angry?"
Jiang Jiang's expression was clear, her tone earnest and sincere. "There's nothing for me to be angry about. Teacher Wen dislikes me only because she admires Ji Xu'an."
Ji Xu'an understood.
Jiang Jiang wasn't angry—not because she understood Wen Xueyun, but because she didn't like her.
Because she didn't care, she could remain calm.
And that was exactly what Ji Xu'an wanted.
So she said nothing more. Even her suspicion toward Jiang Jiang lessened slightly.
After dropping Jiang Jiang off downstairs at the apartment, Ji Xu'an didn't get out of the car. "I'm not coming back tonight. Lock the door yourself."
"I understand."
Jiang Jiang watched as Ji Xu'an started the car and merged into traffic. Only after it had driven far away did she take out her elevator card and swipe herself home.
A lot had happened in the past two days. With outsiders constantly around, Jiang Jiang hadn't been able to properly talk with Xie Xie. Only now did she finally have some free time.
Returning to her room, she took out the White Jade Exquisite Mirror from the locked cabinet. Not bothering with appearances, she sat cross-legged directly on the carpet, leaning her upper body against the sofa as she focused intently on the figure in the mirror.
"Xie Xiao!"
"Jiang Jiang!" Xie Xie was equally excited.
Though they had only not seen each other for two days, she felt as if a very long time had passed.
"How have you been lately? Ji Xu'an didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"
Xie Xiao still remembered that before Jiang Jiang left, she had said she was going to accomplish something important. She didn't know whether it had gone smoothly.
"Everything went as expected."
Jiang Jiang told her the outcome first, so Xie Xiao wouldn't worry.
"Quick, tell me what happened!" Xie Xiao urged excitedly.
So Jiang Jiang recounted everything that had happened over the past two days in detail. She seemed to have a natural gift for storytelling. Though her tone was calm, Xie Xiao could still feel the tension of the events.
Xie Xiao's expressions were vivid—shocked one moment, nervous the next, then clenching her fists in anger.
When Jiang Jiang finally finished, Xie Xiao let out a long sigh. "Oh my god!"
"Jiang Jiang, you're incredible!"
Xie Xiao had met Ji Xu'an once before. The cold, inhuman indifference in Ji Xu'an's eyes had left a deep impression on her.
Thinking about how Jiang Jiang had to act under such an oppressive gaze made Xie Xiao break into a sweat for her.
But from another angle, Jiang Jiang had truly managed to deceive Ji Xu'an without being discovered. That alone proved her acting skills and psychological resilience were far beyond ordinary people.
Xie Xiao only wanted to give her a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, Sister Jiang!"
Jiang Jiang said modestly, "She probably doesn't fully believe me yet. But that's not important."
Ji Xu'an would never truly expose her. Because even if Jiang Jiang was deceiving her, the development of events still benefited Ji Xu'an. For that reason alone, Ji Xu'an wouldn't reject the proposal.
Xie Xiao clicked her tongue. "That's exactly why I say you're amazing. You calculated everyone's thoughts and choices."
Jiang Jiang was clearly doing something beneficial to herself, yet she still made both Ji Xu'an and Old Madam Ji feel as if they had gained the advantage. If that wasn't flawless calculation, what was?
Xie Xiao was practically in awe. "Jiang Jiang, you're really so smart. No matter where you are, you'll live well."
As she said this, she deflated and slumped onto the table. "I'm completely hopeless. You were right—I'm not a match for Princess Huaining at all."
Jiang Jiang's expression grew serious. "You met Princess Huaining?"
Xie Xiao nodded. "I did. Just yesterday."
She briefly described how, after following Jiang Jiang's suggestion, she had been wandering daily around the shops under Princess Huaining's name until she finally managed to intercept her.
"At our first meeting, I didn't dare tell her my true intentions. I could only use that dog Crown Prince as an excuse." Xie Xiao sounded weak. "I told her my wedding date with that dog Crown Prince is approaching, but I still don't understand him, so I hoped she could help me."
Jiang Jiang blinked. "And then?"
Xie Xiao ground her teeth. "She said she didn't have time and told me to go directly to the dog Crown Prince."
"I said I was shy and embarrassed to approach him. Princess Huaining actually said that was my problem and had nothing to do with her."
Jiang Jiang looked thoughtful. "What else did she say?"
There had to be more, otherwise Xie Xiao wouldn't be this furious.
Xie Xiao slammed her fist hard on the table. "This is the worst part!"
"My attitude was so humble. I begged her to help."
But Princess Huaining silently sized her up from head to toe, then curved her lips into a mocking smile.
"I once heard that Miss Xie of the Duke of Zhen's residence was intelligent and quick-witted, proper and well-mannered. Now that I see you, the ancients were right: 'Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.'"
Then she mounted her horse and rode off, not even giving Xie Xiao a chance to retort.
Xie Xiao had nearly fainted from anger on the spot. That cold tone of Princess Huaining's was exactly the same as Ji Xu'an's!
Even now, recounting it, Xie Xiao looked as though she wanted to punch Princess Huaining twice.
"Doesn't that basically mean the rumors were wrong and imply that I'm stupid and don't understand propriety?!"
"The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I shouldn't have spoken to her like that at the time!"
She hadn't argued well, and it kept her awake all night, replaying how she should have responded.
Jiang Jiang understood. Princess Huaining truly had a sharp tongue. She had once heard that Princess Huaining was particularly skilled at interrogating suspects.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Jiang said, "From now on, you don't need to disguise yourself everywhere. You can appropriately reveal some differences between you and me."
Xie Xiao froze. "What if someone discovers it?"
"That's exactly what we want," Jiang Jiang explained. "When you met Princess Huaining yesterday, your words must have already aroused her suspicion. Based on my understanding of her, she will most likely send someone to monitor you."
If she hadn't suspected Xie Xiao, she wouldn't have said those words before leaving.
Only then did Xie Xiao realize that those words yesterday weren't merely mockery—they were also a test.
A cold sweat broke out belatedly. "Th-then if she discovers something off about me, won't she arrest me and kill me?"
"She won't." Jiang Jiang was certain. "His Majesty granted me to the Crown Prince because of my status as the Duke of Zhen's legitimate daughter, not because of me as a person."
"If the imperial family still wants to win over the Duke of Zhen's residence, Princess Huaining will absolutely not expose you. Not only that, she will secretly help you."
After all, compared to a Crown Princess who was shrewd and full of schemes, Princess Huaining would certainly prefer a naive and simple-minded sister-in-law who wasn't skilled in political maneuvering.
"If she discovers something off about you, it's equivalent to holding your weakness. If she threatens you with it and makes you serve her, then you'll have boarded her ship—you'll be hers."
In that case, even if Princess Huaining looked down on Xie Xiao in her heart, at least on the surface Xie Xiao would have a reason to approach her.
"After that, you can use the excuse of delivering information to seek her out. Out of ten times, at least six will succeed."
Xie Xiao was stunned. It sounded feasible, yet also like seeking a tiger's skin. "I—I can't do that! How can I be a spy? What if she thinks I'm too useless and doesn't even want me on her ship?"
"She will." Jiang Jiang looked directly into her eyes. "Xie Xiao, remember this—you are the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhen's residence. That status is your confidence."
"The late emperor was benevolent and overly forgiving to his brothers, allowing the feudal princes to grow powerful. The current emperor has long intended to reduce their power, but the princes hold heavy military forces and cannot be moved easily for now."
"The Duke of Zhen comes from a military background and has always held influence in the army. He commands one hundred fifty thousand soldiers. On the surface he is neutral, but privately he leans toward His Majesty. So His Majesty's strategy toward him is to win him over, not suppress him."
"The Duke of Zhen wishes to pledge allegiance to His Majesty. You, his legitimate daughter, are the chess piece he has pushed forward. Your marriage to the Crown Prince is proof of the alliance between the two sides. Therefore, whether it's His Majesty or the Duke of Zhen, they not only won't harm you—they will protect you, lest you fall victim to the feudal princes."
That was also why, even though the Duke of Zhen didn't like her, he still gave her the treatment due to a legitimate daughter.
Jiang Jiang explained everything clearly. Xie Xiao understood.
In other words, no matter what kind of person she was, Princess Huaining wouldn't kill her. On the contrary, Princess Huaining might even be pleased that she was a foolish impostor.
"Go ahead and let her discover it. Within five days, she will come to you on her own."
Finally, Jiang Jiang reminded her, "You can reveal a bit of your extraordinary side—but don't display all your methods at once."
Xie Xiao nodded. "Reveal it little by little, so she's always curious about me, right?"
Jiang Jiang inclined her head. "When the time comes, Princess Huaining may deliberately threaten or intimidate you. Don't be afraid. She won't lay a hand on you."
Hearing this, Xie Xiao felt much more at ease. "I understand. I'll just be like a dead pig that isn't afraid of boiling water—no matter what she says, I'll stay firm that I'm useful."
Jiang Jiang smiled in satisfaction. "Exactly. Xie Xiao, you're ready to graduate."
Xie Xiao grinned foolishly. "Then you work hard too, Jiang Jiang. Capture Ji Xu'an soon and make her pay for today's arrogance!"
Jiang Jiang only smiled without responding.
As the two were chatting, Jiang Jiang's phone on the side suddenly chimed with a new WeChat notification.
Xie Xiao's eyes lit up. "Could it be from Ji Xu'an?"
Jiang Jiang currently had five WeChat contacts:
Ji Xu'an, Ji Heyuan, Secretary Zhao, Wen Xueyun, and Chu Yueqi.
At this hour, who would be messaging her?
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