“A string of Bixi Necklace, one Mana Bracelet, one Feicui Jade Pendant…”
While having Hong Qu collect the gifts, Xie Yuantang flipped open her small notebook to record the accounts.
After finishing the entries, she lifted her head and gazed eagerly at Situ Feng, as if asking: Is there more? Is there more?
Situ Feng automatically interpreted her expression and instantly flushed crimson with frustration: “I… didn’t bring any money when I went out today.”
In truth, she never intended to bring money at all!
Who could have imagined that she, a dignified princess, would ultimately be bested by Xie Yuantang, this nine-year-old bean sprout!
In Situ Feng’s imagination, she should have made a grand, imposing entrance, then thoroughly disciplined Xie Yuantang, finally watching her kneel in painful repentance!
To this day, Situ Feng still couldn’t figure out how things had turned out this way!
Xie Yuantang couldn’t care less about that. Since you dared to come looking for trouble, she dared to plant that trouble right back on you!
Hearing Situ Feng say she had no money, Xie Yuantang immediately put on an “understanding” smile, sweetly saying: “It’s alright, Third Sister, why be so polite with your sister-in-law?”
“Would I, your sister-in-law, really covet your little contribution?”
Her repeated use of “sister-in-law” made Situ Feng feel like she was about to spit blood.
Especially when she saw Xie Yuantang using a charcoal pencil to draw a circle in the small notebook, Situ Feng’s indomitable pride instantly ignited!
“What are you drawing?”
Situ Feng glared at the charcoal pencil in her hand.
Xie Yuantang blinked, her long lashes casting a row of pale gray shadows on her eyelids, lively as a mountain sprite: “Nothing much, just keeping clear accounts to show to my husband later.”
Situ Feng’s face darkened, unable to stop her mind from racing.
Show it to Si Tu Yan? What would that fool even look at?
Could it be…
Remembering that Xie Yuantang had mentioned showing the Warm Jade to Father Emperor, Situ Feng wondered if Xie Yuantang would also show the account book to Father Emperor.
If she ended up giving the least amount in this account book, wouldn’t she be disgraced all the way to her grandmother’s house!
Thinking of this, Situ Feng hardened her heart and gritted her teeth, glaring at Xie Yuantang: “Stop drawing! This princess merely didn’t bring money, it’s not like I’m not giving you anything else.”
“Here, this is the Foyin Pavilion’s Member Thumb Ring Seal, I’m giving it to you!”
As she spoke, Situ Feng took off an exquisite white jade thumb ring from her finger and tossed it to Xie Yuantang.
Seeing her even give this away, Lu Zi Shan beside her gasped in surprise: “Princess, that’s…”
“Say no more.” Situ Feng snorted coldly, looking down at Xie Yuantang, “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and record it!”
Xie Yuantang: “…”
She could tell the thumb ring was probably a top-notch item; otherwise, Situ Feng wouldn’t have such a pained expression.
“Um…” Xie Yuantang said softly, “It’s really not necessary, Third Sister. The contribution you’ve given is already more than enough. I, your sister-in-law, and your Fifth Brother…”
“Shut up!”
Situ Feng couldn’t stand her calling herself “sister-in-law”; it felt even more insulting than having her skirt pulled: “If it’s given to you, just take it. Say one more word, and I’ll beat you to death!”
Xie Yuantang pouted, muttering under her breath: “Hmph~ Fine, I’ll take it then. So fierce!”
Situ Feng: “…”
She regretted it. She never should have come to find Xie Yuantang in the first place.
Not an ounce of revenge was achieved, but she suffered no less anger!
Truly paying money to buy rage!
Situ Feng snorted coldly and turned to leave, but before she could take a step, she suddenly saw Xie Yuantang bouncing over to Lu Zishan, clutching that damned little notebook of hers.
Lu Zishan: “???”
Without saying a word, Xie Yuantang held up her notebook, tilted her head, and stared at Lu Zishan with her pitch-black eyes.
Lu Zishan: “!!!”
She really didn’t want to understand what this meant!
Was it too late for her to run now?
Situ Feng raised an eyebrow, no longer in a hurry to leave.
Psychology says that when you’re having a bad day, seeing someone worse off than you can bring a strange sense of balance—even a perverse satisfaction.
That’s exactly how Situ Feng felt now, especially since Lu Zishan had just offended her. She had no problem making the other party pay dearly.
Thinking this, Situ Feng crossed her arms calmly, a smirk curling her lips as she said, “Zishan, I recall you have a Moyu Chess Set, said to be a rare treasure even the palace doesn’t possess, gifted by Abbot Tianjue.”
Xie Yuantang’s eyes lit up: “Wow~ My husband loves playing chess!”
Lu Zishan: “…” Si Tu Yan likes chess? Who are you trying to fool!
He probably doesn’t even know chess pieces come in black and white!
In the end, Situ Feng and Lu Zishan slunk away in defeat.
Xie Yuantang happily hugged her notebook and headed home!
“Hong Qu, tell me about this Foyin Pavilion ring—what is it?”
Xie Yuantang asked. She’d found it strange earlier; a mere ring, no matter how valuable, couldn’t compare to Situ Xu’s Warm Jade or Situ Ye’s Wu Zhui Horse. Yet both Lu Zishan and Hong Qu had reacted so oddly.
As soon as Xie Yuantang asked, Hong Qu exclaimed, “Imperial Consort, you don’t know about Foyin Pavilion?”
“No, is it famous?” Xie Yuantang shook her head. There were plenty of things she didn’t know.
Hong Qu swallowed hard and began explaining: “Foyin Pavilion is the wealthiest establishment in Jing Cheng! And they have a rule: anyone who possesses a Foyin Pavilion signet ring can ask them to do one thing unconditionally, no matter what it is.”
Xie Yuantang raised an eyebrow slightly, amused. “No matter what? What if someone wants to be emperor… mmm!”
Before she could finish, Hong Qu clamped a hand over her mouth.
Hong Qu’s face turned pale with fear as she nervously glanced around. “Good heavens, keep your voice down! If anyone heard that, it would be disastrous!”
Xie Yuantang shrugged and tucked the ring away indifferently.
She didn’t believe in free lunches. This Foyin Pavilion… sounded suspicious.
“Let’s go find my husband. With all these treasures, he’s sure to be happy.”
So saying, Xie Yuantang led Hong Qu back.
But when they reached the door, they found it ajar. Xie Yuantang paused. “Hong Qu, did we leave the door open when we went out?”
“I remember closing it,” Hong Qu frowned in confusion.
Xie Yuantang’s expression darkened as she hurried inside.
The room was quiet and undisturbed, just as they’d left it.
The only difference was that the bed was empty.
Si Tu Yan was gone!
“Your Highness!”
Hong Qu, who had followed Xie Yuantang in, widened her eyes in shock. “How… we were just outside… how could His Highness possibly…”
Xie Yuantang’s face turned grim. “Search for him. Get the guards at the gate to help. We must find him!”
“Yes.”
Hong Qu immediately rushed out to carry out the order.
Xie Yuantang didn’t rush out the door. She glanced around, finally letting her gaze settle by the bedside.
Si Tu Yan’s shoes were still neatly placed there.
Would a normal person go out without wearing shoes?