12 – Isn’t it too passive if I don’t compete for favor?
Even so, Wen Nian obediently pushed the swing for her without a hint of complaint.
Shi Sui noticed that Wen Nian was someone who easily grew familiar with others. Though they had only known each other for a little over ten days—and on the surface, Shi Sui had married into the household as the Crown Princess—their way of interacting didn’t resemble that of a married couple at all. Instead, it was more like old friends who had known each other for years. Moreover, Wen Nian had never stayed overnight in Shi Sui’s quarters, and Shi Sui trusted him implicitly, treating him at most as a mealtime companion.
Yuan Youdao was furious. His Young Master had grown up without even the Emperor daring to order him around! How could this newly arrived Crown Princess command him so naturally? What kind of propriety was this?
Sang Yun watched the scene of Wen Nian pushing Shi Sui on the swing while munching on an apple. Wen Nian was naturally good-looking, brimming with youthful energy, and when he smiled, two little canine teeth showed. Shi Sui, too, exuded an ethereal, fairy-like aura. The two of them together made for an indescribably pleasing sight. Sang Yun remarked, “What a beautiful scene.”
Yuan Youdao snapped, “Beautiful, my foot.”
Sang Yun: “…” Is this guy out of his mind?
“Why do you have such a problem with our Crown Princess? Your Young Master clearly adores her,” Sang Yun said, taking another bite of her apple. She licked the juice from the corner of her mouth, savoring the sweetness, and smiled contentedly.
Yuan Youdao: “She’s nothing but a femme fatale.”
“Hmm…” Sang Yun lowered her gaze, lost in thought for a moment. She didn’t understand why people always blamed women for everything, as if it were some age-old tradition passed down through the centuries. But could a young woman truly wield such influence?
Sang Yun said, “But your Young Master has clearly been getting better.”
Yuan Youdao: “Which eye of yours sees our Young Master getting better?!”
“Think about it yourself,” Sang Yun retorted, her temper flaring. “Isn’t it true that the Young Master is in an especially good mood when he’s with the Crown Princess? If it weren’t for the Crown Princess always dragging him along to meals, he wouldn’t be eating so regularly, and his complexion wouldn’t have improved so much lately. He’s clearly getting better.”
Hearing this, Yuan Youdao’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly. It seemed… there was some truth to that?
Since Shi Sui’s arrival, even though she had been mischievous and often acted unreasonably, pestering Wen Nian to accompany her for meals, it had also led to Wen Nian eating more regularly lately. When he was with her, his mood was better, and he ate more heartily, visibly improving his complexion.
Moreover, to please Shi Sui, Wen Nian often racked his brains to come up with novel ideas, and he rarely mentioned the word “death” anymore.
Most importantly, before Shi Sui arrived, if Wen Nian disliked someone, he would simply drive them away. Some who happened to cross him when he was in a bad mood were even given a white silk ribbon and ordered to hang themselves from the old tree. But now things were different!
The old tree had been repurposed as a swing for the Crown Princess, and the mortality rate in the residence had plummeted!
She was clearly a blessing in disguise.
Yuan Youdao pondered this. The Crown Princess, by sheer accident, had actually done some good. So, one day when Wen Nian was away, he took the initiative to seek out Shi Sui and asked, “Crown Princess, this subordinate has a favor to ask of you.”
Shi Sui: Are you out of your mind? If you’re fine, why not go eat some preserved plums? Just a few days ago, you were rolling your eyes at me. What’s with this sudden change of attitude? Did you take some acting classes or something?
Shi Sui was someone who held grudges and never let herself be taken advantage of—not in this lifetime. So she replied decisively, “No.”
Yuan Youdao gritted his teeth. Usually, this Crown Princess put on an act of being good-tempered, able to chat with anyone. Last time he saw her out on the streets in plain clothes, she had pulled aside an old woman in her seventies or eighties and spent nearly half an hour discussing how to boil eggs to make them taste better. So why was she rejecting him so decisively now?
Yuan Youdao thought to himself, this person really holds a grudge.
So he said stubbornly, “Fine, don’t help then.”
Shi Sui: “?” Damn, this guy is so petty.
Under Shi Sui’s gaze, Yuan Youdao turned his back and headed toward the door. He walked very slowly, as if deliberately waiting for someone. Shi Sui pulled over a stool, crossed her arms, and watched his retreating figure, occasionally taking a bite of the dried fruit Zhuye had just delivered. She watched with great interest as Yuan Youdao moved at a snail’s pace, not saying a word.
When Yuan Youdao finally reached the door and still hadn’t heard Shi Sui speak, he couldn’t hold back anymore. He suddenly turned around and said angrily, “Why didn’t you stop me?”
Shi Sui: Are you serious? How can you be so righteous about it? You’re the one asking me for a favor!
“Just get out if you’re going to. I’m not going to indulge you,” Shi Sui said, taking another bite of dried fruit, appearing completely unmoved.
“You!!!” Yuan Youdao was furious. He realized that although the Crown Princess usually seemed innocent and lively, she really knew how to infuriate people. No wonder even the arrogant and domineering Consort Li had been so angered that she fell ill for several days. Then he remembered that he really did need her help now, so why make her unhappy?
So Yuan Youdao softened his tone, half-kneeling as he said, “Crown Princess, I came to ask for your help regarding the Young Master.”
Shi Sui: Hmph, listen to you talk nonsense. Don’t think mentioning Wen Nian will make me help you. Go back to where you came from and stay there.
However, Shi Sui’s words didn’t match her actions. After a long standoff, perhaps out of curiosity, she finally said, “Let’s hear it.”
“Our Young Master has been spending all his time with you these past few days,” Yuan Youdao sighed helplessly. “He hasn’t even been attending court. I’m afraid if this continues, His Majesty will…”
Shi Sui: “?”
Damn it. She had only wanted to fatten him up a bit, so she had persuaded him to eat with her. But somehow, things had taken a turn, and now he seemed even more neglectful of his duties.
He hadn’t even been attending court.
Alright, no need to say more.
Shi Sui sighed and rubbed her forehead. She really was playing the role of a seductive concubine who could bring ruin to the country!
Is this little black flower out of his mind? No wonder he’s been so idle lately! Turns out he hasn’t even been attending court!
Originally, given Yuan Youdao’s attitude, Shi Sui had wanted to kick him out. But this matter with Wen Nian was indeed related to her, and she felt somewhat helpless. She still had to deal with it.
Truth be told, Shi Sui was a very laid-back and easygoing person. As long as others didn’t challenge her bottom line or principles, she rarely got angry and seemed almost without a temper, very approachable. And to be honest, she really didn’t dislike Wen Nian because she felt that he was genuinely good to her.
So, regardless of her motives, Shi Sui didn’t want Wen Nian to end up like he did in the novel’s conclusion.
It was as if she felt that a youth like Wen Nian should be spirited and passionate, living life to the fullest, not meeting such a tragic end.
So Shi Sui wanted to help him, to try and change his fate.
But as for Yuan Youdao… he really hadn’t been doing anything decent these past few days.
After pondering for a long while, Shi Sui lazily leaned back into her chair, chewing on candied fruit, and blinked with a smile. “Helping you isn’t impossible, but from now on, you’ll have to tell me everything about Wen Nian.”
Otherwise, she wouldn’t know anything and wouldn’t have a chance to help Wen Nian anyway.
Yuan Youdao flared up at once, his eyes wide with anger. “What you mean is—you want me to be your spy? To keep an eye on our Young Master?”
“Ah? Guard Yuan, you should watch your words. I never said that,” Shi Sui replied. “After all, I am the Crown Princess. Wouldn’t it seem too passive if I didn’t compete for favor?”
Yuan Youdao: “…”
“And I’m not asking about anything else. I just want to know about the Young Master’s emotional state or if there are any unusual behaviors.”
Yuan Youdao: “…Why are you asking about that?”
“To compete for favor!” Shi Sui blinked, speaking earnestly. “When the Young Master is feeling down or disappointed, I’ll appear out of nowhere to comfort him and make him fall in love with me.”
Yuan Youdao: “…” This person is a bit unhinged.
Seeing Yuan Youdao’s face flushed red, unable to utter a word, Shi Sui simply waved her hand and sighed. “You’re unwilling? Fine, forget it then.”
“Go ask Consort Li for help. Have her cry, make a scene, or threaten suicide in front of Wen Nian, or even perform stabbing a doll with his portrait on the spot. See if Wen Nian will change his mind about attending court just because she cries with a certain rhythm?”