1024 Perplexed and Smitten 84

Jing Shui covered his ears and hollered, \"Are you trying to make me deaf? It's so loud!\"

\"I don't find it loud, maybe your ears are just weak,\" he said nonchalantly.

Jing Shui left in the end.

He was utterly disgusted by Xiao Chenyang.

However, the latter was not at all bothered and went on to do what he should.

Fang Erlan closed the door and entered. She then said to Xiao Chenyang, who was sitting on the couch, \"Do you know what he said to me? He asked me why I had gotten a lunatic to become my bodyguard. He also said that you're seriously ill in the head.\"

Xiao Chenyang picked up the remote and switched off the television. He stood up and said, \"From now on, refrain from letting those men who love ogling you and keeping their eyes fixed on you enter the house. I'll just feel like killing them.\"

\"…\"

—

\"Miss… Miss, wake up…\"

An Xiaoning struggled to open her eyes, only to be greeted with the sight of Mei Yangyang who had two pigtails. \"Yu… Jiao…\"

\"I'm here. Miss, the Princess Consort wants you to go to her.\"

She supported herself up and asked, \"What's the matter?\"

\"She didn't specify. She just wants you to make a trip to her place.\"

\"Alright, let's go then.\" She got out of bed and tried to leave immediately. Yu Jiao quickly grabbed her to stop her. \"Miss, you've yet to wash up and tidy your appearance, how can you just go there straight? I've brought some water for you to wash your face with,\" said Yu Jiao.

After washing her face, An Xiaoning changed into a fresh set of clothes while Yu Jiao applied some makeup on her face. She then sat down in front of the dressing table to allow Yu Jiao to comb her hair.

She initially thought that she would not dream about her previous lifetime again since she had already found out about most of it from Xiao Chenyang. However, it seemed that that was not the case.

After making sure she looked neat and tidy, An Xiaoning and Yu Jiao left their residence.

She knew where the Princess Consort's residence was and thus headed there.

They arrived to see that the Princess Consort was sitting by a round table and fanning herself while having some tea.

\"Take a seat, I have something to say to you, Sister.\"

\"I'm not fit to be called your sister.\" An Xiaoning sat down.

The Princess Consort Tian smiled sarcastically and answered, \"Why so? His Highness treats you so well and dotes on you like you're his precious gem despite not giving you a proper status. Your status makes no difference to him anyway. Don't tell me, you think I'm unfit to call you 'Sister'?\"

An Xiaoning smiled and said, \"You may address me in whichever way you'd like, Princess Consort. Look how big of a reaction I've gotten out of you just by saying such a simple sentence. I'm not as sharp-tongued and I can't outargue you, Princess Consort.\"

Princess Consort Tian dropped the subject and said, \"Tomorrow is the day that His Highness marries the princess of Chi Dan. I heard that she's haughty and arrogant, I wonder if you've heard about that too?\"

\"Never have.\"

\"I need to give you a reminder, then, Sister. At the end of the day, I'm still the lawful wife of His Highness and my father is the current Grand Chancellor, unlike you, Sister. Your maternal family had been executed, leaving just you behind. Yet, you're His Highness' most beloved woman. I'm afraid that that princess is going to show you her authority.\"

An Xiaoning was rather displeased to hear that her family had been executed.

Instead of beating around the bush, An Xiaoning said, \"So? Just get straight to the point if there's anything you'd like to say. There are no outsiders here.\"

\"So, I hope we can stand together on the same side. That'll be beneficial for all of us, including His Highness. What do you think, Sister?\"

An Xiaoning naturally understood what she meant as her intentions were more than obvious.

\"How do you plan for us to stand on the same side? What do you want me to do?\"

\"There are plenty that I want you to do. Are you going to agree?\"

\"Since you've said that, wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to turn you down?\"

\"Exactly! From now on, you and I shall be each other's backing in this residence,\" said the Princess Consort, who was grinning widely from ear to ear.

In other words, supporting each other simply meant they would be using each other to obtain equal benefits.

They both knew that clearly.

An Xiaoning finally noticed that the servants in the Prince's residence were all extremely busy preparing for something, which she now knew was the upcoming wedding.

Yu Jiao asked, \"Miss, did the Princess Consort say something to you?\"

\"She wants to forge an alliance with me to fend off an intruder.\"

Yu Jiao immediately understood what she meant. \"Seems like the Princess Consort is feeling uncertain and insecure as well, and that's why she wanted to rope you in to get your help.\"

\"The enemy of your enemy is your friend. It's always better to have one more friend and one less enemy. Where did His Highness go early in the morning?\"

\"I have no idea. I'll ask around later.\"

\"Okay. Are we armed with daggers?\"

\"Daggers? No,\" Yu Jiao answered, shaking her head.

\"Forget it, I'm hungry.\"

\"I was planning to ask you to eat. If it weren't because of the Princess Consort's request to see you, we would've already had breakfast by now.\"

Once they returned to the residence, Yu Jiao began preparing breakfast while An Xiaoning paced back and forth alone in the yard.

The temperatures were cooler in the morning and felt much more refreshing.

There was a stone table and stone chairs below the tree.

Yu Jiao placed the food onto the stone table and slowly began eating.

The food was bland and not oily at all. Breakfast consisted of porridge paired with some side dishes — an absolute perfect match.

\"Miss, don't be too upset. Feel free to share your woes with me.\"

\"What's there for me to be upset about? I'm in high spirits. His Highness is going to enjoy a blissful marriage.\"

\"Are you hearing yourself, Miss? You're obviously unhappy.\" Yu Jiao took a seat on the stone chair and continued, \"Everyone in the residence knows that you're the only person His Highness loves. Don't doubt his feelings for you.\"

She looked at Yu Jiao earnestly and said, \"I was just joking. Even though he's a prince, there's still a greater power above him and he has no choice but to comply. He must be feeling upset enough. How can I add on to his troubles?\"

Staring at her in astonishment, Yu Jiao said, \"Ah, why does it seem like you've become an entirely different person?\"

She smiled without answering. A while later, the Princess Consort's maid, Xiao Liu, arrived with a tray in her hands.

\"Xiao Liu, what's that?\" Yu Jiao asked.

\"What else could it be? It's some bird's nest soup that the Princess Consort wants Miss Jin to have to nourish herself.\"

\"We ought to thank the Princess Consort, then.\" Yu Jiao took it from her.

Smiling, Xiao Liu said, \"Please tell Miss Jin to finish all of it. It's good for her health and would improve her complexion.\"

\"Okay.\"

\"I'll take my leave, then.\"

\"Alright.\" Yu Jiao entered the house and said to An Xiaoning, \"Miss, the Princess Consort sent Xiao Liu to deliver this to you. It's bird's nest soup.\"

An Xiaoning grabbed the bowl, took a look at its contents, and poured it into a flower pot.

Yu Jiao asked in astonishment, \"Miss, why did you pour it away? It's very expensive.\"

\"I can't eat it regardless of how expensive it may be.\" An Xiaoning handed the empty bowl to her and said, \"Just tell her that I've finished it.\"

\"Alright.\" Yu Jiao exited with the bowl.

An Xiaoning lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the bed curtains.