Xi Ning never expected that the first person to come to the shop and cause trouble would be one of Pei Zhao’s admirers. That man truly was a walking disaster.
Before Xi Ning could even approach, the young maid by Princess Changle’s side spotted her.
“Your Highness, look! Isn’t that woman Pei Sanlang’s mistress?”
Having served the princess for so many years, she had seen all kinds of women, but this was the first time she had encountered one so beautiful—even Consort Xi, the most favored consort in the palace, paled in comparison.
Princess Changle followed the sound and immediately noticed the woman outside the shop.
Dressed in plain clothes, wearing no makeup, her hair loosely tied up with a single golden hairpin—this extremely simple attire did nothing to diminish her beauty. Instead, it gave her an air of effortless grace and charm.
Princess Changle’s meticulously manicured nails suddenly clenched, her palms turning red from the pressure, yet she felt no pain.
Today, she had dressed up specifically to see Pei Zhao, only to be outshone by a lowly mistress who didn’t even deserve to be seen in public. Princess Changle felt like vomiting blood.
“So you’re Zhao-gege’s mistress?”
Princess Changle stepped out, leaning on her maid’s arm, standing high on the steps as she looked down at Xi Ning with contempt.
She had assumed that upon seeing her, Xi Ning would tremble in fear, not daring to lift her head.
Yet Xi Ning showed no trace of timidity. Instead, her presence seemed to subtly overpower the princess’s.
Princess Changle dug her nails into her maid’s flesh, jealousy burning fiercely within her.
“And who might you be?” Xi Ning retorted.
She stood there delicately, as if an untainted fairy amidst the grime and disorder of the northern city, evoking pity in those who saw her.
Princess Changle’s grip tightened even more, causing her maid to shed tears in pain, yet she dared not make a sound, fearing it would tarnish her mistress’s reputation.
“You want to know who I am? Fine! I’ll tell you—I am the legitimate daughter of Prince Xian, personally bestowed the title of Princess Changle by the Emperor. Zhao-gege and I grew up together, a perfect match in status and background. How could someone like you, a shameless mistress, dare to act so brazenly here? If you know what’s good for you, leave now! Otherwise, once I marry Zhao-gege, I’ll have you sold off. After all, you came from that filthy place—who knows how many men have slept with you!”
Princess Changle raised her chin, spewing venomous words, showing not a trace of the grace expected of a noblewoman of the royal family.
Xi Ning suppressed the coldness in her eyes. The original host had indeed come from Misty Rain Pavilion, but she had been trained as a Flower Queen. When Pei Zhao bought her, she was still pure—she had never entertained clients, nor had she even seen many men.
A rare treasure like the original host, with such beauty—what Brothel Matron would easily allow her to sell her body?
But one’s origins were an unforgivable sin. Even if the original host was pure, coming from such a place carried a taint of sensuality. Princess Changle’s slander was crude but effective.
Seeing Xi Ning lower her head in silence, the princess’s smugness grew.
“If you’re smart, you’ll leave now. Otherwise, your fate will be far worse than you can imagine.”
A lowly creature like her wasn’t worth getting worked up over. What use was beauty if she had been slept with by countless men? How could she compare to a dignified princess like herself?
Princess Changle’s words drew a crowd. It was rare for nobility to set foot in the northern city, and Xi’s Shop had been thriving lately. For Xi Ning to be confronted by a noblewoman was an unusual spectacle.
“What? Miss Xi is Pei Sanlang’s mistress and comes from a brothel? This…”
“No wonder a woman is out here running a business—she must be used to entertaining clients.””Hahaha, you all might not believe it, but Miss Xi’s business is truly thriving.”
In this world, women have always faced injustice, especially someone like Xi Ning, whose stunning beauty and origins from the Blue Pavilion made even the men who once admired her culinary skills now resort to slander.
The moment Princess Changle appeared, Xi Ning had already anticipated the scene unfolding before her.
She sneered, her face showing not a trace of fear.
“If Your Highness is so noble, why bother competing with a lowly woman like me for a man? Or is it that you simply can’t win him over?”
Her eyes swept over Princess Changle, lingering for a moment on her flat chest—the implication was clear.
Xi Ning had never intended to compete with anyone for a man. If someone could be taken away, they were never truly hers to begin with, let alone the fact that she had no feelings for Pei Zhao.
But since Princess Changle had insulted her over a man, there was no need for her to hold back any longer.
“You! You shameless wretch!”
Princess Changle never expected Xi Ning to talk back, and what was that look in her eyes? Was she mocking her for having a small chest?
In this dynasty, slimness was considered the ideal of beauty, especially since the previous emperor favored slender waists. Women starved themselves to achieve a delicate, almost fragile figure.
Princess Changle had a naturally larger frame and a hearty appetite, making it difficult for her to endure hunger. To avoid gaining weight, she ate only one meal a day, yet she remained barely slim.
Years of starvation had stunted her development, leaving her chest flat. She had agonized over this, consuming countless snow frogs in vain attempts to remedy it, but to no avail.
As a princess, no one dared to comment on her appearance—Xi Ning was the first.
And Xi Ning, with her full chest, slender waist, and long legs, was flawless in every way. Compared to her, Princess Changle felt like a speck of mud carelessly flung aside.
Consumed by jealousy, Princess Changle decided this woman could not be allowed to remain.
“Xiu Tao, slap her face!”
“Yes!”
The young maid finally had the chance to release Princess Changle’s hand and strode over, raising her hand to strike Xi Ning.
“Miss!”
“Get away!”
Before Ren Dong could shield Xi Ning, a figure suddenly rushed out from behind.
The maid was kicked hard and sent flying, landing in a puddle of filthy water.
Princess Changle was splashed in the face and let out a piercing scream.
“Ah! Who dares to strike my servant? I will have you all killed!”
Never in her life had she suffered such humiliation. The filthy water stung her eyes, preventing her from immediately recognizing the person before her.
“Prince Xian has raised his household well, allowing his womenfolk to bully commoners. I’d like to see how Your Highness plans to act!”
Pei Zhao firmly shielded Xi Ning in his arms. Had he not arrived in time, Xiu Tao’s slap would have already landed on Xi Ning’s face.
His expression was dark, a fire burning in his heart, his pent-up frustration with no outlet.
“Zhao… Brother Zhao?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Princess Changle froze.
How could Pei Zhao be here?
Had that little wretch gone to tattle on her?
Princess Changle ignored the filthy water in her eyes and glared fiercely at Xi Ning, who was now nestled in Pei Zhao’s arms, looking delicate and pitiful. The sight fueled her rage, making her wish she could tear Xi Ning away and take her place.
“Brother Zhao, let me explain. It was this wretch who provoked me first. She… mocked me, and I had no choice but to retaliate.”Princess Changle quickly stepped forward, wanting to grab the hem of Pei Zhao’s robe. She had finally managed to get close to him—how could she let this incident ruin her image in his eyes?
Pei Zhao held Xi Ning and stepped back, avoiding her as if she were a venomous snake. Princess Changle’s face turned extremely unpleasant. In front of so many commoners, Pei Zhao had openly humiliated her—how could she accept this?
“Brother Zhao, must you treat me this way? All because of an outsider?”
Pei Zhao spoke coldly.
“Princess Changle, you have overstepped. Lady Xi is my woman. You are the outsider.”