Everyone turned their heads simultaneously to see a small figure entering with hands clasped behind his back.
While others were still puzzling over the identity of this exceptionally noble-looking child, Qiao Shi had already stepped forward with Jiang Qiaonian to pay respects: “Greetings, Twelfth Prince.”
Upon hearing this was the Twelfth Prince, both Xu Madam and Old Madam turned pale with shock. Supported by Mammy from behind, Old Madam scrambled to her feet in flustered movements: “We pay our respects to Your Highness! We apologize for failing to properly receive you at our humble home!”
Jiang Xianian couldn’t help laughing at their stumbling, undignified manner: [Just moments ago they were putting on airs before Mother, and now they’re groveling so obsequiously. How quickly their masks change!]
Seeing Old Madam’s comical display, Xiao Bingxi nearly burst out laughing along with Jiang Xianian.
Fortunately, he managed to restrain himself.
After the formal greetings, Old Madam hurriedly said with deference: “Your Highness, please take the seat of honor!”
Without hesitation, Xiao Bingxi declined: “Just arrange a seat for me beside Jiang Madam.”
He had come specifically to see his little sister – what would be the point of his visit if he couldn’t sit beside her?
Old Madam stared in astonishment, unaware that at the Princess Manor, Xiao Bingxi had already spent half a day seated beside Qiao Shi.
Xu Madam tore at her handkerchief in frustration, utterly baffled about why the Twelfth Prince would take interest in Qiao Shi’s infant daughter who was barely over a month old.
Left with no choice, Old Madam ordered servants to bring chairs for Qiao Shi and Xiao Bingxi. Jiang Xianian thought delightedly: [The thrill of throwing one’s weight around feels wonderful! That disrespectful old woman never intended to give Mother a seat, expecting her to keep standing while holding me. Thank goodness Little Twelve came. Otherwise, how could Mother’s waist endure holding me for so long!Warmth flooded Qiao Shi’s heart – her daughter truly was her close-fitting padded jacket!
Xiao Bingxi settled beside Qiao Shi, subtly shifting closer to her before leaning in to look at Jiang Xianian.
Grateful that he had secured a seat for her mother, Jiang Xianian rewarded him with a toothless grin.
Overjoyed, Xiao Bingxi exclaimed: “Little sister smiled at me! You like me, don’t you? May I touch you?”
Jiang Xianian wondered: [Wants to touch me? I wonder if he’s washed his hands.]
Xiao Bingxi immediately extended his hands: “I’ve washed them! If you don’t believe me, little sister, smell them – they still carry the fragrance of soapberries and flowers!”
Since he’d said so, Jiang Xianian magnanimously permitted him to gently pinch her cheek.
The moment Xiao Bingxi touched Jiang Xianian’s soft cheek, he beamed with happiness: “You’re so wonderful, little sister! So generous!”
Qiao Shi felt the Twelfth Prince’s besotted expression was rather embarrassing to witness.
Watching Xiao Bingxi’s complete absorption in Jiang Xianian, Old Madam and Xu Madam wore sour expressions. Though they wished to curry favor with the Twelfth Prince, they found no opportunity to speak.
After some thought, Jiang Qiaonian spoke up: “Since Xu Madam has returned the items, we should take this opportunity to check them against the inventory list, to avoid future disputes.”
Jiang Xianian’s attention immediately shifted: [Exactly! And with Little Twelve here, he can serve as witness!]
Hearing Jiang Xianian’s thoughts, Xiao Bingxi immediately felt his importance and puffed out his chest: “Perfect timing. I’ll help bear witness here. Li Fuhai, keep an eye on things for me.”
The eunuch standing quietly behind Xiao Bingxi immediately responded, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Madam Xu’s face tightened even more, her lips pressed into a thin line, and the handkerchief in her hand was twisted tighter.
Jiang Qiaonian handed the list to her personal maid and invited Madam Xu’s personal maid to verify it together, lest the Xu family find excuses to deny it again.
Madam Xu gritted her teeth and couldn’t help but glare hatefully at Qiao Shi: This Qiao Shi, usually unnoticeable, turned out to be a silent dog that bites—today she actually intended to take things to the extreme!
Qiao Shi sensed Madam Xu’s gaze but paid it no mind.
Jiang Xianian, stared at by such a look, felt extremely uncomfortable and angrily thought: [This Madam Xu actually thinks my mother is taking things to the extreme? Giving my mother that venomous glare? Even mentally cursing that my mother is a silent dog that bites? I really want to slap her hard!]
Hearing this, Xiao Bingxi couldn’t help but look over and indeed saw Madam Xu’s eyes filled with resentment and malice. Instantly understanding why his sister was angry, he directly turned and ordered his personal eunuch, “Li Fuhai, go give Madam Xu a hard slap!”
Everyone present was greatly shocked. Both Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian looked at Xiao Bingxi in surprise—did the Twelfth Prince… just hear his sister’s inner thoughts?
What was mere suspicion before now became near certainty for the mother and daughter!
The Old Madam was startled, and Madam Xu was also frightened, quickly standing up to explain, “Your Highness, how has this humble woman offended you? Please forgive…”
But Li Fuhai walked over without a word and directly slapped Madam Xu, making her ears ring and that side of her face quickly swell red.
Seeing Madam Xu’s head knocked sideways and hearing that crisp slap sound, Jiang Xianian immediately felt completely satisfied: [Returning borrowed items is only right and proper. I hope Madam Xu remembers this lesson! But Little Twelve is really like the worm in my belly. Having such a friend would be quite nice.]
Xiao Bingxi immediately grinned—his sister thought he could be a friend!
Encouraged, Xiao Bingxi declared with full vigor, “Madam Xu, your family borrowed from the Jiang family—you should have honestly returned the items proactively. What did you mean by glaring at Madam Jiang with hatred? This lesson today is to make you remember: returning what you owe is only right and proper!”
Hearing this, Madam Xu’s face turned ashen.
Li Fuhai added in a shrill voice, “Aren’t you going to thank His Highness the Twelfth Prince for his instructive grace?!”
Madam Xu performed a bow with great humiliation, “This humble woman thanks His Highness the Twelfth Prince for his instructive grace.”
Seeing Madam Xu’s pitiful state, even Qiao Shi felt some pity. If this matter spread, not only Madam Xu and Xu Lin’s reputations would be affected, but even her husband Official Xu’s standing would suffer.
Jiang Xianian felt no pity at all: [She brought this upon herself, hmph! If she had honestly returned the items earlier, directly sending them to my mother and sister, how would she have received such a lesson?]
Qiao Shi reconsidered and felt this was true—Madam Xu’s misfortune was entirely her own fault. The Xu family was in the wrong, yet she couldn’t swallow her pride and had to make trouble with such malicious intent. She deserved to suffer some hardship.
Unlike Qiao Shi, Jiang Qiaonian had far fewer complicated feelings—she simply felt immensely satisfied. Xu Lin had schemed against her countless times, and she had long wished to give Xu Lin a good beating to vent her anger. Now, it was as if Xu Lin’s mother had taken the punishment on her behalf.
The Old Madam, who had earlier joined forces with Madam Xu to embarrass Qiao Shi, now remained completely silent. She was stunned by the Twelfth Prince’s sudden appearance in her Ruian Hall and even more shocked by his abrupt order to have Madam Xu slapped by a eunuch.
This Twelfth Prince clearly had a domineering streak—it was best not to provoke him.
So the Old Madam pretended to be as tight-lipped as a clam, not uttering a single sound.
As for Madam Xu, she stood where she was, not daring to sit without the Twelfth Prince’s permission, nor did she dare to leave. Since the prince had ordered the inventory to be completed, she had no choice but to stand there obediently. She didn’t even dare to glare at Qiao Shi anymore—after all, her earlier glare had earned her that slap, and she had no desire to receive a second one.
Ruian Hall fell into sudden silence, broken only by the sound of maids checking items against the list.
Xiao Bingxi paid no attention to any of this. Seated beside Qiao Shi, his eyes were fixed on Jiang Xianian, thinking how utterly beautiful and adorable this little sister was.
Just as the Old Madam and Madam Xu were stewing in anxiety, laughter and chatter could be heard from outside.
Soon after, a young eunuch entered and reported, “Your Highness, a lady has arrived outside with a young girl. She claims to be the Fourth Madam of the Weiyuan Marquis Estate. Shall I allow them in?”
Xiao Bingxi waved his hand dismissively, looking entirely unconcerned.
A short while later, Fourth Madam Zhang Shi entered, pulling along a little girl of about three or four years old.
The two came forward to pay their respects to Xiao Bingxi, but he completely ignored them. Jiang Xianian, however, watched with keen interest. Ew! So this Fourth Aunt rushed over after hearing that Little Twelve is here, even dressing up her daughter for the occasion. She… she wants her daughter to become a Prince Consort?!
Jiang Xianian glanced at Xiao Bingxi. It was true that this little bean came from a noble background and was quite good-looking, but he was only four years old! Only four! And she was already thinking about making him a Prince Consort?! Wasn’t that utterly insane?
Hearing this, Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian couldn’t help but look at Zhang Shi and her daughter. Sure enough, they noticed that both mother and daughter were dressed up. The little girl, in particular, wore an overly intricate hairstyle adorned with numerous hairpins and jewels. Her already sparse hair looked even thinner under the weight of the ornaments, making her head resemble a “money tree” laden with decorations.
Jiang Qiaonian quickly averted her eyes, afraid she might accidentally burst out laughing.
Qiao Shi also found it absurd. If adults wanted to curry favor with the powerful, that was one thing, but why drag an innocent, clueless child into it?
Xiao Bingxi snorted inwardly. Prince Consort? That’s the last thing on my mind! All I want right now is to play with my little sister!
After entering, Zhang Shi tried to find an opportunity to speak with Xiao Bingxi, but when she and her daughter bowed to him, the Twelfth Prince didn’t even spare them a glance. She thought of asking the Old Madam for help, but the latter seemed lost in her own thoughts, as if completely unaware of her surroundings.
Zhang Shi felt furious. That old hag is probably worried that if our Fourth Branch gains any advantage, the Fifth Branch might suffer. Hmph!
Seeing that neither approach worked, Zhang Shi decided she had to rely on herself.
So she nudged her daughter, urging her to approach Xiao Bingxi on her own.
She pondered that the Twelfth Prince was only four years old, closest in age to her own daughter. Both children were at the age where they could run and jump around—wasn’t her own daughter far more fun to play with than that swaddled infant from the Dafang family?