“Second Princess?” Xiao Yinxue furrowed her brow slightly.
The Second Princess, Xiao Ningxin, was the Third Prince’s full sister, both born to the Empress.
However, Xiao Ningxin had a quiet nature and was always known for not making enemies. She had never shown any malice towards her either, so Xiao Yinxue held no ill will towards Xiao Ningxin, but their relationship was only that—acquaintances.
It was strange that Xiao Ningxin would come to see her.
“The Second Princess went to the Empress Dowager’s courtyard to enjoy flowers a few days ago, and heard that the most prized black chrysanthemum is here with the Princess, so she developed a desire to come and admire it,” Luoxiang explained.
Xiao Ningxin enjoyed playing the qin and playing chess, and had never shown interest in tending to flowers and plants. Her visit today must have an ulterior motive.
Thinking this, Xiao Yinxue had a plan in mind. She looked at Di Shengyue and asked, “Is it related to you?”
“How is the Princess so clever?” Di Shengyue smiled and pinched Xiao Yinxue’s pale, delicate cheek.
Xiao Yinxue’s cheek was soft and smooth, with skin as fine and smooth as a shelled egg—perfectly pinchable.
Di Shengyue couldn’t help but pinch it a few more times, successfully earning a dissatisfied glare from Xiao Yinxue. Xiao Yinxue firmly slapped away Di Shengyue’s mischievous hand.
Di Shengyue laughed; Xiao Yinxue looked quite adorable in this state.
Her lips curved upwards slightly.
Seeing this, Xiao Yinxue was not to be outdone and also pinched Di Shengyue’s cheek, twisting it fiercely. She said, “You’ve really become more and more presumptuous lately.”
Di Shengyue caressed the hand on her cheek, smiled softly, and said, “I am only presumptuous with the Princess.”
Xiao Yinxue’s cheek flushed rapidly with a light pink. She quickly withdrew her hand, turned her head, and said to Luoxiang, “Please invite the Second Princess in.”
Luoxiang nodded and arranged for Xiao Ningxin to be admitted.
Although Xiao Ningxin did not possess the bright and striking beauty of Xiao Yinxue, she exuded a sense of pure elegance that made people feel very comfortable.
Di Shengyue looked at Xiao Ningxin, a hint of deep thought flashing in her eyes.
In her previous life, she knew very little about Xiao Ningxin, only that she was a refined and otherworldly woman.
It was just that Xiao Ningxin was not destined for a good life and eventually married the wrong person, passing away from illness after barely a month.
Counting back, it seemed to be within the last few years. She vaguely remembered that the husband was the good-for-nothing legitimate son of a certain minister at court.
This marriage seemed to have been arranged by the Empress?
“Imperial Sister, long time no see.” Xiao Ningxin greeted Xiao Yinxue softly, then her gaze shifted to Di Shengyue. “Presumably, this is Imperial Sister’s husband.”
Noticing that Xiao Ningxin was staring at Di Shengyue, a very faint hint of displeasure crossed Xiao Yinxue’s eyes. She secretly gave Di Shengyue’s waist a fierce pinch.
The man, however, had no soft flesh on his waist; it was quite firm, making it difficult for her to pinch!
Xiao Yinxue angrily pinched him a few more times.
Di Shengyue blinked, looking back at Xiao Yinxue with a slight air of innocence.
Xiao Ningxin took in their interaction and chuckled softly. She said, “Imperial Sister and the General’s relationship is much better than the rumors suggest. It seems that the external gossip about the General not being fond of Imperial Sister is all untrue.”
“The Princess truly has discerning eyes,” Di Shengyue smiled, the corners of her eyes slightly curved.
“Who has a good relationship with her?” Although Xiao Yinxue grumbled softly, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but turn upwards.
Xiao Yinxue had Youtao pour a cup of tea for Xiao Ningxin and said, “Second Sister, I believe your visit today is not truly about the black chrysanthemum.”
“Indeed, it’s not about the black chrysanthemum,” Xiao Ningxin smiled, sitting down opposite Xiao Yinxue. “I have come here entrusted by someone.”
“Is it the Third Highness?” Di Shengyue raised an eyebrow.
“Precisely. General is indeed worthy of the title; you guessed it right away.” Xiao Ningxin nodded and laughed. “My younger brother has been very concerned about Imperial Sister’s affairs lately. He heard that Imperial Sister has been acquiring shops in the capital, so he specifically asked the Ministry of Revenue to process the documents for Imperial Sister’s shops, making things convenient. Here are the documents.”
As Xiao Ningxin spoke, she produced the documents from the Ministry of Revenue.
Di Shengyue looked at the documents in Xiao Yinxue’s hands, a glint of sharpness flashing in her eyes.
She had originally planned to have Xiao Yinxue go to the Ministry of Revenue to first transfer the shops and then obtain the documents.
She hadn’t expected Xiao Jinteng to be a step ahead of her.
With this set of documents, opening these shops would be much more convenient.
For example, future purchases of fragrant powders from the State of Wei could bypass the complicated layers of review and approval.
She hadn’t expected this Xiao Jinteng to be quite clever, offering her such a generous gift right away.
Di Shengyue was about to reach for the documents, but Xiao Ningxin retrieved them first.
“I have shown my sincerity, but I wonder what the General intends to do,” Xiao Ningxin asked, a shallow smile playing on her lips, looking at Di Shengyue.
“Currently, the Fourth Highness is falling out of favor with the Emperor. I’m afraid in a few days, he will have absolutely no say in front of the Emperor. At that point, the Third Highness can recommend his own people, which will be entirely beneficial without any harm.” Di Shengyue took out a silk pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Ningxin. She said, “Everything the Highness seeks is in this pouch.”
Xiao Ningxin slightly raised her eyebrows, then smiled. “It seems the General anticipated my visit today. The General is truly worthy of the title. No wonder my younger brother speaks so highly of you.”
Xiao Ningxin accepted the silk pouch and placed the documents on the table.
“In that case, I shall take my leave. I won’t disturb the General and Imperial Sister from strengthening your relationship,” Xiao Ningxin said, giving Di Shengyue a wink before turning and leaving.
Di Shengyue’s lips curved into a very faint smile. This Xiao Ningxin was intelligent and insightful. From the beginning to the end, she hadn’t said a single unnecessary word, making her impossible to dislike.
Considering her tragic fate in the previous life, if there was an opportunity in the future, she could perhaps lend her a hand.
Noticing that Di Shengyue had been staring at Xiao Ningxin’s retreating figure for a long time, a quick flash of displeasure crossed Xiao Yinxue’s eyes.
“The Second Princess is very beautiful, isn’t she?” Xiao Yinxue scoffed lightly, speaking coldly, and placing the teacup heavily on the table with a muffled sound.
“However, the Second Princess is the Empress’s legitimate daughter, very favored in the palace, and her nature is quiet and gentle; there are many who seek to marry her,” Xiao Yinxue stated plainly.
Hearing Xiao Yinxue’s tone, Di Shengyue couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Was Xiao Yinxue… jealous?
Di Shengyue’s lips curved up slightly, finding Xiao Yinxue’s jealous look incredibly adorable.
“The Second Princess is indeed unique,” Di Shengyue said slowly, sharply catching the faint annoyance in Xiao Yinxue’s eyes.
Suddenly, Di Shengyue changed her tone: “However…”
“In my eyes, no one can compare to you, Princess.”
“Princess.” Di Shengyue looked at Xiao Yinxue, a wave of tenderness rising in her deep pupils. “Don’t you know my feelings?”
Xiao Yinxue’s cheeks felt hot under the scrutiny, and her heart thumped rapidly.
She quickly grabbed the documents on the table, pretending to examine them seriously.
However, the heat on her face simply wouldn’t fade.