Chapter 229: Chapter 229
An Ning appeared bored as she played with the purple jade interlocking rings in her hand, but in reality, through the system, she had already heard all the sounds from next door.
It had to be said, at this moment, she quite admired this Lady Zheng. When it involved her own grandson and a family scandal, setting aside other considerations, just this determination to burn one's boats wasn't something everyone could possess...
She stood up and lazily stretched.
Recently, due to frequently visiting Renshou Palace, An Ning was no longer unfamiliar with this place. Putting down the jade puzzle in her hand, An Ning had just thought about going out for a stroll to relax. Who would have thought that before she could step out the main door, she heard a rather familiar voice behind her:
Nodding with displeasure, An Ning continued looking straight ahead and turned to leave, thinking this time the other party would maintain so-called gentlemanly manners like previous times. Who would have thought that this time, Xie Heng directly blocked her path.
Fearing that the person before him would leave again, Xie Heng now spoke urgently and rapidly, completely devoid of his earlier elegant and proud demeanor. He even disregarding propriety by extending his long arm, his slender figure firmly blocking her way.
"Third Young Lady, previously I spoke carelessly and was rude. Xie Er hereby apologizes to Third Young Lady, please don't... don't..."
Don't what? At this moment, Xie Heng himself couldn't articulate what exactly.
He only felt that after not seeing her for half a month, the person before him became even more dazzling. Her golden-printed rosy cloud long dress shone more brilliantly and brightly than the spring sun.
Thinking of various rumors circulating in the palace recently, Xie Er's heart tightened, and he subconsciously gripped his folding fan tightly. Images unconsciously flashed through his mind - playful bantering, coy complaints...
Young men yearn for love, especially when reading about talented scholars and beautiful ladies in the Book of Songs. Who hasn't sketched their ideal beloved in their heart?
He was no exception. For a long time, his ideal partner had always been someone with shared interests, gentle and elegant temperament, who could appreciate snow with him in winter, admire the moon and recite poetry...
Yet although she didn't match any aspect of his ideal person, his gaze always unconsciously fell on her.
Xie Heng wasn't foolish. After much contemplation recently, he knew that day he had inexplicably lost his temper and, amid friends' teasing, said he would never admire someone empty-headed and merely beautiful - this was undoubtedly somewhat guilty and angry in some sense...
Half a year had passed since that day. Thinking of how no matter how many times he visited or how many gifts he sent over these six months, the person before him never spared him a single glance.
Staring blankly at the young girl before him whose eyes were filled entirely with annoyance, without any trace of shyness. For no reason, Xie Heng's heart sank. Before his brain could react, his slender figure had already blocked the approaching person.
"Third Young Lady, these are jade accessories I've collected recently. The palace is ultimately not a place for long stay, A-Ning you..."
Looking speechlessly at the person before her, truth be told, given that the original body was a top-tier appearance enthusiast, this Second Young Master Xie's looks were indeed quite good. He was a proper handsome scholar, carrying the innate nobility and pride of imperial aristocracy.
However, thinking of the original body's circumstances in her previous life, An Ning truly had no intention of engaging.
Actually, no need to overthink. Seeing his current appearance, based on An Ning's experience, whether past life or present, the issues between these two were actually quite simple.
Whether misunderstanding or something else, the original young girl had already departed. Now, any further explanations were meaningless. Thus, An Ning only frowned, not even looking at the wooden box the person held out:
"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Xie, but Mu Yang already sent these earlier..."
As these words fell, Xie Heng's face instantly paled.
Not bothering with the persistent gaze behind her, carrying the newly caught short-tailed little sparrow from the courtyard, An Ning returned to the side hall by noon.
Obviously, that considerable amount of time earlier had been enough for these shrewd people to reach a decision. Seeing Lady Zheng before her, whose features showed traces of weariness yet forced herself to remain spirited, An Ning wasn't particularly surprised.
When facing unknown things, no amount of caution was excessive, especially when even the expert before them was helpless.
Moreover, through the Zheng and Yang cases, they knew this "monstrous creature" could clearly choose its "host." If they simply eliminated Second Miss Yang without consideration, who knew if this "monstrous creature" might escape like a cicada leaving its shell and find the next host...
Unknown things were always more frightening than known ones.
However, after all this time, aside from the fake master Wuxiang, such a vast court didn't have a single truly capable person, showing how depleted spiritual energy and Dao methods were in this era.
It had to be said, An Ning felt a tiny bit disappointed.
But overall, it wasn't without benefits - at least she herself was safer.
"Sigh, but , didn't we scheme all this for nothing!"
With teammates so incompetent, the system couldn't help feeling disappointed.
In the swaying carriage, what answered it was An Ning's casual light hum:
In the swaying carriage, what answered it was An Ning's casual light hum:
Looking at the carriage behind filled with "generous rewards," An Ning couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
Not bothering further with the still puzzled system, An Ning once again returned home with great fanfare and a large wave of rewards, among which the poor Master Wuxiang contributed particularly much. Seemingly afraid she would repeat her grandson's mistakes, or perhaps unwilling to let the monstrous creature succeed, Lady Zheng was exceptionally generous. When leaving, she held An Ning's small hand with utmost reluctance:
Not bothering further with the still puzzled system, An Ning once again returned home with great fanfare and a large wave of rewards, among which the poor Master Wuxiang contributed particularly much. Seemingly afraid she might repeat her grandson's mistakes, or perhaps unwilling to let the monstrous creature succeed, Lady Zheng was exceptionally generous. When leaving, she held An Ning's small hand with utmost reluctance:
"This old body has lived so long but never seen such an open and bright young lady. Coincidentally, next month is this old body's sixtieth birthday. Third Young Lady must definitely come then..."
"You're too kind, Old Matriarch. Being able to share in your good fortune is something this young girl could only wish for!"
Only when the carriage returned to familiar grounds did they see Yu and Little Brother Yang waiting nearby in the main hall.
Seeing An Ning return safely with good spirits, showing she hadn't suffered any grievances in the palace, they finally felt relieved.
Then they quickly directed servants to store away the entire cartload of rewards into the treasury. Among them were not only various famous silks and satins, antiques and paintings, but also exquisitely crafted jewelry of all kinds - recently An Ning's dressing table could barely contain them all.
Of course, the beautiful mother needed filial devotion too. Carefully inserting the kingfisher feather phoenix butterfly hairpin she had been collecting into her beautiful mother's hair.
The ancients truly didn't deceive. An Ning squinted with satisfaction - indeed, such large areas of bright and beautiful colors suited her mother best. Especially recently, using maintenance recipes from the palace, both mother and daughter, particularly her mother, had become increasingly radiant and dazzling.
"Third Sister, is this what noble people in the imperial palace are like? The Empress Dowager is truly generous!"
"Hmph, can't be helped. Who made your sister have peerless, irresistible charm that makes everyone love her!"
Before her mother and younger brother, An Ning proudly akimbo.
Before her mother and younger brother, An Ning proudly akimbo.
Soon, the room filled with the clear, joyful laughter of the three family members.
"Ah, all of you be careful, be careful! This jade Buddha was personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager and specially consecrated at Guardian Temple earlier!"
"And this - this glass bowl is precious to begin with. Who told you to handle it like that!"
As the saying goes, some rejoice while others worry. Amid continuous scolding sounds.
In the west wing, First Miss Yang's hand trembled, and the previously embroidered mandarin duck butterfly handkerchief instantly became stained with some crimson...
Not far away, Second Miss Yang saw this and subconsciously wanted to help, but the moment she approached, the involved party Yang Wan instinctively avoided her.
"Eldest... Eldest Sister..."
Staring blankly at her empty hand, as if not understanding why, Yang Yuan subconsciously frowned, her tone obscure and difficult: "Eldest Sister surely doesn't actually believe such rumors!"
Without speaking, what answered her was the other's evasive gaze. With her good eyesight, Yang Yuan could even see the pendant tightly tied around the other's wrist...
And the symbols on it were exactly the same as that day - she couldn't be more familiar with them.
Yang Yuan's gaze subconsciously trembled. For some reason, at this moment, she suddenly had a bad premonition.