Oh heavens! Could it be that…
The bracelet passed through many hands, and almost everyone present saw the mark on it. They all believed the bracelet belonged to Jiang Qiaonian, causing public opinion to flip instantly. Those who had accused Jiang Qiaonian earlier now turned to criticize Xu Lin twice as harshly.
Hearing those humiliating words, Xu Lin’s body swayed unsteadily, her mind consumed by a single thought: It’s over! Everything is ruined!
She had tried to frame Jiang Qiaonian, never expecting to become the villain who stole Jiang Qiaonian’s property and falsely accused her of theft.
Most young ladies had now realized they were nearly manipulated by Xu Lin into doing her dirty work.
Qu Wanting looked at Xu Lin with utter disgust: “Xu Lin, you’d better explain what’s going on!”
Hearing her close friend address her so formally by her full name felt like another heavy blow to Xu Lin. She knew this meant they all despised her now and would exclude her from their thousand gold social circle!
Not only had she lost face, but she’d also lost her friends!
“That’s right, Xu Lin! Qiaonian’s always been so good to you, sharing all her nice things only with you. How could you do this?”
“Xu Lin, you should apologize to Qiaonian right now!”
…
Utterly humiliated and helpless, Xu Lin covered her face and tried to rush out, but Jiang Qiaonian stopped her: “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I’ve lent you many things over the years, some for four or five years already. I want them back. Here’s the list – go home and find everything to return to me!”
Seeing the thickness of Jiang Qiaonian’s list, many were shocked again.
At the sight of that thick list, Xu Lin completely broke down. Casting all caution aside, she shoved Jiang Qiaonian hard aside, then ran off weeping loudly.
Jiang Xianian stared in astonishment: [What? She just ran off like that? Is she trying to weasel out of repaying?]
Jiang Qiaonian wasn’t worried though. Xu Lin couldn’t possibly avoid this debt – not only couldn’t she avoid it, but she’d have to repay double, or else the Xu family would be completely disgraced.
Now Jiang Qiaonian felt thoroughly satisfied. The frustration that had been building in her heart for days completely vanished when Xu Lin broke down.
However, she showed none of this outwardly, maintaining the appearance of a proper, dignified young lady.
The young women in the flower parlor strongly condemned Xu Lin’s actions while comforting Jiang Qiaonian. Under Jiang Qiaonian’s guidance, they soon moved on to other topics.
Noticing Jiang Xianian yawning, Jiang Qiaonian excused herself and returned her to Qiao Shi.
Qiao Shi squeezed her hand, and Jiang Qiaonian knew she was checking if she was alright. Jiang Qiaonian responded with a reassuring smile.
Princess Huimin had already learned about the incident from her Mammy and felt even more favorably disposed toward Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian.
She greatly admired Qiao Shi’s affection for her stepdaughter and Jiang Qiaonian’s cleverness and composure. Hearing Jiang Xianian’s childish voice, she thought this was indeed Qiao Shi’s biological daughter – clever and endearing.
As Jiang Xianian rested in Qiao Shi’s arms, listening to Princess Huimin occasionally chat with Qiao Shi between receiving birthday greetings from guests, she began feeling drowsy.
Just as they were talking, an announcement came from outside: “Your Highness! The Twelfth Prince has come to offer birthday wishes!”
All the officials’ wives seated in the room immediately stood up. Jiang Xianian instantly became alert and looked toward the entrance with curiosity.
Before long, a child dressed in brocade robes strode in with confident steps. Jiang Xianian couldn’t help but laugh inwardly: [Putting on such an impressive act, but you’re just a little sprout who can’t fool anyone!]
Twelfth Prince Xiao Bingxi immediately grew somewhat angry: “Who’s speaking?!”
How dare anyone talk about me like that!
Huimin Princess also heard Jiang Xianian’s thoughts and deeply agreed. However, she thought Xiao Bingxi was angry because someone had laughed out loud without restraint, so she said: “They’re just chatting casually! Little Twelve, come to your aunt quickly.”
Remembering his mission for the day, Xiao Bingxi could only set the matter aside for now. He stepped forward to pay respects to Huimin Princess, delivered a series of birthday wishes, then added: “Third Brother originally promised to come celebrate your birthday, but Father Emperor assigned him some urgent tasks, so he couldn’t make it. However, he entrusted me to bring his gifts and apologize on his behalf.”
Huimin Princess said kindly: “It would have been my honor if the Crown Prince could come, but state affairs take priority. The thought is equally appreciated.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Aunt!” Xiao Bingxi said with utmost seriousness.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xianian had been staring at this four-year-old little sprout for quite some time and couldn’t resist whistling inwardly: [So young, yet so extraordinarily beautiful, like a little celestial child!]
Xiao Bingxi fumed inside – he hated nothing more than people calling him beautiful!
He whipped his head around and saw Qiao Shi standing nearby with downcast eyes and a thoroughly respectful posture, and… the baby in her arms?
Xiao Bingxi blinked in disbelief: Had he just been teased by a swaddled infant?
Wait, how could he hear her speaking?
Driven by curiosity, Xiao Bingxi took two steps closer to Qiao Shi, standing on tiptoe to get a better look at Jiang Xianian.
Qiao Shi lowered Jiang Xianian slightly to let Xiao Bingxi see her properly.
The moment Xiao Bingxi saw the fair, tender baby in swaddling clothes, his heart immediately melted: “How adorable! Madam, is this a little sister or brother?”
Qiao Shi answered respectfully: “Your Highness, this is my daughter Niannian.”
“Niannian? What a wonderful name! She’s so fair and tender, just like New Year’s cake!”
Qiao Shi couldn’t help smiling: “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”
Xiao Bingxi couldn’t resist poking Jiang Xianian’s cheek, making her roll her eyes inwardly: [No matter how good-looking you are, you can’t just poke me like that! I hate people who can’t keep their hands to themselves!]
Hearing her daughter’s thoughts, Qiao Shi pretended to straighten up, moving Jiang Xianian away from Xiao Bingxi’s probing fingers.
Huimin Princess said with a warm smile: “Madam Jiang, please take a seat. Holding a child can’t be easy.”
Qiao Shi said gratefully: “Thank you for your consideration, Gongzhu. Thank you, Your Highness.”
By now, Xiao Bingxi was completely certain – he really could hear this baby’s thoughts!
This sparked intense curiosity in him. He waved his hand and commanded: “Place my seat next to this madam!”
Huimin Princess was quite surprised, and Qiao Shi also looked startled.
Soon a chair was brought over, and Xiao Bingxi sat down beside Qiao Shi, then stared intently at Jiang Xianian.
Jiang Xianian felt exasperated: [I’m only one month old – what’s there to look at?]
Xiao Bingxi found this utterly fascinating. He’d never encountered anything so interesting before, so he started chatting with Qiao Shi about Jiang Xianian’s daily routine. Qiao Shi had no choice but to repeat everything she had just told Huimin Princess.
Thus, Xiao Bingxi was quite satisfied to hear Jiang Xianian’s inner complaints.
This little sister is so interesting—I really want to take her into the palace to raise! Life in the palace wouldn’t be boring then!
After teasing Jiang Xianian for a while, Xiao Bingxi suddenly remembered something and secretly observed the expressions of those around him. He realized that, aside from himself, no one else seemed able to hear this little sister’s inner thoughts!
This discovery made Xiao Bingxi both excited and overjoyed: Oh my heavens, am I the most special one?
A short while later, Jiang Xianian’s inner voice grew increasingly faint, and her eyes began to droop sleepily. Qiao Shi said apologetically, “Your Highness, my daughter is a bit tired, so she’s about to fall asleep.”
“Oh, oh, that’s fine, let her sleep. I won’t speak anymore either.” As he said this, Xiao Bingxi tightly closed his mouth to show his determination.
Qiao Shi found it both amusing and helpless—she really couldn’t bring herself to send this little prince away.
Once Jiang Xianian fell asleep, Xiao Bingxi found things much duller, but he still couldn’t bear to leave. Gazing at his little sister’s sleeping face was quite nice too.
Seeing that Jiang Xianian was sound asleep and the hall was bustling with people coming and going, making it quite noisy, Huimin Princess specially instructed her Mammy to take Qiao Shi to a separate courtyard prepared for distinguished guests. There, Jiang Xianian could sleep peacefully, with only two personal maids looking after her.
After Jiang Xianian woke up, she was brought back to Qiao Shi’s side. By then, the banquet had already ended, and the opera on the stage had just begun.
Upon hearing the maid report that Jiang Xianian hadn’t cried or fussed after waking up and had only drunk some milk, Huimin Princess expressed surprise: “Little Niannian really doesn’t like to cry?”
Qiao Shi replied, “Your Highness, that’s correct. Unless she’s uncomfortable or the like, Niannian generally doesn’t cry or fuss.”
“What a well-behaved child!” Huimin Princess praised, guessing that the child must be precocious, which is why she doesn’t cry much.
Xiao Bingxi also nodded and said, “Little sister is so good! Better behaved than any other child I’ve seen!”
Jiang Qiaonian, standing nearby, felt a sense of pride—her little sister was the most well-behaved little one in the world! And the cutest, most sensible little sister too!
Just as they were speaking, a man in a long robe with a subtle bamboo pattern led Jiang Xunnian and Jiang Danian over. After paying respects to the Princess, he said, “Your Highness, Lord Jiang has asked me to inform Lady Jiang that he has already followed Marquis Weiyuan back. The two young masters are to return home with Lady Jiang.”
Qiao Shi quickly replied, “Thank you, sir. I understand.”
The man exchanged a few polite words but did not leave. Instead, he sat directly at the footrest of Huimin Princess and began massaging her legs.
At Xiao Bingxi’s invitation, Jiang Danian and Jiang Xunnian sat down at his table.
Jiang Xianian watched the man who was meekly massaging the Princess’s legs and found it a bit strange. She couldn’t help but check in the System: 【No wonder this man has such amorous peach-blossom eyes—turns out he’s the Gongzhu’s Mianshou! Although the Gongzhu gave him a position as a minor official, making him something of a half-steward, his main job is still to entertain the Gongzhu and provide her with emotional value. But that’s normal—if I had money and status, I’d also want to keep a few handsome Mianshou for my own amusement!】