Will my parents hear?…
Jiang Caiping, not yet four years old, felt the strange silence hanging over the room and refused to approach the unfamiliar little boy.
Zhang Shi grew frantic and pinched her daughter, urging, “Go play with the Twelfth Prince!”
Jiang Caiping, stung by the pain, opened her mouth to cry, but Zhang Shi covered it: “If you dare cry, I’ll pinch you again!”
Terrified, Jiang Caiping immediately swallowed her sobs.
“Go! Go to the Twelfth Prince!” Zhang Shi wiped her daughter’s tears haphazardly and pushed her forward.
With no other choice, Jiang Caiping slowly made her way toward Xiao Bingxi.
But when she was still several steps away, Li Fuhai stepped forward to block her: “Young lady, without the Prince’s summons, you may not approach him!”
Jiang Caiping hurriedly turned to look at her mother, only to see Zhang Shi avert her face, pretending the matter had nothing to do with her—as if she hadn’t just urged her daughter to approach the Twelfth Prince.
Panic surged in Jiang Caiping’s heart, and she felt like crying again.
Witnessing this, the Old Madam was filled with disdain and resentment toward Zhang Shi. This daughter-in-law of the fourth branch was truly unfit for decent company!
“Caiping! Pingping, come to your grandmother!” the Old Madam called out promptly.
As if seeing a lifeline, Jiang Caiping rushed over and buried herself in her grandmother’s embrace, weeping.
Jiang Xianian watched and sighed inwardly: With a mother like that, my cousin is truly pitiable! Thankfully, my mother would never stoop to such daughter-selling for glory.
Jiang Qiaonian wholeheartedly agreed. Qiao Shi treated her, an unrelated stepdaughter, better than Fourth Aunt treated her own flesh and blood.
Qiao Shi gently patted the swaddled baby in her arms. Niannian was so sensible and adorable—how could she ever bear to push her into such schemes?
Moreover, was the imperial family so easy to marry into? Never mind the complexity of a prince’s inner court; the strife and rivalry among the princes themselves were terrifying. What loving mother would willingly let her daughter fall into such danger?
The maids spent nearly an hour checking the items against the list. Those on the list were grouped together; those not on the list but bearing Jiang Qiaonian’s unique mark were separately recorded and set aside; and those neither on the list nor marked were returned to Madam Xu after Jiang Qiaonian inspected them: “These likely aren’t mine, so I won’t take them.”
Seeing the few insignificant items left in the box, Madam Xu fumed again. Leaving such paltry things behind—was it not a deliberate slap in the face?
After returning the extra items, Jiang Qiaoning held the list and said, “Madam Xu, about sixty percent of the items on this list have been returned. Let’s each press our thumbprints on the list to confirm we both acknowledge this outcome!”
Madam Xu had no desire to press her print—it felt like signing a slave contract.
But under the Twelfth Prince’s intense gaze, with her cheek still burning from the earlier strike, she dared not refuse.
Jiang Xianian, dissatisfied that only sixty percent had been returned, thought: The remaining forty percent are probably mostly lost. No, we can’t let the Xu Family get away with this! They must sign an agreement—if the rest can’t be found, they must compensate with equivalent silver!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bingxi thought his sister was truly clever—this idea was excellent. He stepped forward and said, “As for the remaining forty percent, it’s uncertain how much can be recovered. How about this: I’ll act as a witness. You draft a contract, and if you can’t fully recover the items after returning, Madam Xu, you may compensate with silver. What do you think?”
Jiang Qiaonian immediately agreed, “Wonderful! With the Twelfth Prince as our witness, I’m more than willing!”
She had overheard her sister’s thoughts and was wondering how to propose this to Madam Xu to gain her agreement. Now that Xiao Bingxi had directly suggested it, it saved her much trouble.
Madam Xu, however, felt a lump in her throat and nearly spat blood. She had originally planned to gloss over the remaining items if possible, but the Twelfth Prince’s interference ruined her scheme. Yet she couldn’t show her frustration and had to obediently reply, “Yes, yes, Your Highness speaks wisely.”
Qiao Shi watched Madam Xu’s near-fainting demeanor with great satisfaction.
Soon, all three signed their names. Xiao Bingxi’s name was written by Li Fuhai on his behalf, and he even produced his personal seal to stamp it with the prince’s insignia.
Seeing that bright red seal, Madam Xu felt the document had become as weighty as a thousand pounds compared to before.
Unable to stay a moment longer, Madam Xu hurriedly said, “Shall we conclude matters for today? Your Highness, I have affairs to attend to at my residence and must take my leave.”
When Xiao Bingxi showed no reaction, Li Fuhai declared, “You may withdraw!”Jiang Qiaonian specially escorted Madam Xu to the door, remarking, ‘Madam Xu returns what’s owed without holding back—such a straightforward person!” I must learn from you in the future!”
As Madam Xu stepped out of the main hall, she nearly glared at Jiang Qiaonian but remembered the Twelfth Prince was still present. Swallowing her anger, she hoarsely ordered, “Let’s go!”
Watching Madam Xu’s hurried retreat, Jiang Qiaonian laughed heartily.
Inside, Qiao Shi rose with Jiang Xianian in her arms and said, “Thank you for serving as witness today, Mother. Fourth Sister-in-law has been waiting for some time and likely has urgent matters to discuss with you. I won’t disturb you further.”
She then instructed her maids to carry the chests away.
Xiao Bingxi glanced at Li Fuhai, who promptly said, “No need to trouble yourself, Madam. We servants will handle it.”
Qiao Shi was both surprised and honored.
Jiang Xianian chirped happily: [Little Twelve’s attendants are so perceptive! Now Old Madam won’t have the face to demand anything.]
Xiao Bingxi immediately puffed with pride.
Qiao Shi couldn’t resist glancing back and saw Old Madam deep in thought while Fourth Sister-in-law’s eyes were glued to the chests.
Turning away, Qiao Shi carried Jiang Xianian, followed by Jiang Qiaonian and Xiao Bingxi, as they departed with a crowd of eunuchs and maids in tow.
Zhang Shi watched their retreating figures resentfully. “Mother, are we just letting them leave like this?!”
Old Madam shot her a glare. “What? Do you want to detain them?”
Zhang Shi pointed ahead. “They have so many things—shouldn’t they offer some to you? This is unfilial!”
Old Madam grew angrier. “If you have the nerve, go demand it yourself! I certainly won’t dare ask in front of the Twelfth Prince! Now get out!”
Zhang Shi glanced at the fading figures outside, then at Old Madam, but ultimately didn’t dare pursue them.
On the other side, Qiao Shi and her party returned to Zhaiyun Courtyard, and Xiao Bingxi couldn’t wait to say, “Madam Jiang, may I speak with my sister for a while?”
After hesitating for a moment, Qiao Shi nodded and said, “If anything happens, please summon me promptly, Your Highness.”
Xiao Bingxi readily agreed.
Qiao Shi placed Jiang Xianian on the small bed in the inner room and then withdrew. Li Fuhai was about to follow her in, but Xiao Bingxi said, “You stay and guard the door!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
In the small rocking bed, Jiang Xianian yawned. Having been awake for over two hours, she was feeling a bit sleepy again.
Xiao Bingxi hurried to the bedside and whispered, “Sister, I have something to tell you!”
Jiang Xianian blinked her eyes: [Could it be that you’re going to tell me you can hear my thoughts?]
Xiao Bingxi was astonished: “How did you know?”
Jiang Xianian felt a little disdainful: [Back at Ruian Hall, you kept mimicking my words. Even a fool could tell!]
Xiao Bingxi chuckled: “Sister, you’re so clever! Are you angry that I mimicked you?”
[I was a bit upset at first, but thinking about it now, you spoke my mind today and even put Lady Xu in her place. It’s actually not bad—you’re like my spokesperson.] Jiang Xianian said generously.
After all, she couldn’t speak or move freely right now. Having someone she could direct and rely on in critical moments was quite useful.
Moreover, Xiao Bingxi couldn’t possibly live in the Marquis Manor permanently, so they wouldn’t be together day and night. There was still some assurance of confidentiality.
Jiang Xianian quickly reasoned it out and stopped dwelling on the matter.
“I’m glad you’re not angry, sister,” Xiao Bingxi immediately felt delighted. “Don’t worry, sister, I’ll keep your secret! I won’t tell anyone about the things you know!”
Xiao Bingxi patted his chest as a promise.
Jiang Xianian showed no fear: [Even if you tell others, no one would believe you!]
“That’s even better! This matter should only be between you and me.”
Jiang Xianian could tell—this kid was practically hoping no one else would find out, making it their little secret.
Xiao Bingxi chattered excitedly for a while, expressing his enthusiasm and repeatedly emphasizing his determination to keep the secret. When he turned back, however, he found Jiang Xianian had already fallen asleep.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Bingxi gently pinched Jiang Xianian’s cheek and placed a white jade horse paperweight beside her pillow. “Sister, this is for you. I didn’t get to ask what you like… Ah, I’ll ask next time!”
After bidding farewell to Qiao Shi, Xiao Bingxi felt somewhat melancholy.
“Li Fuhai, do you think I could live outside the palace? It’s so inconvenient staying in the palace!”
Li Fuhai was startled and hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, when you grow up, you can leave the palace and establish your own residence. There’s no need to rush.”
“But I’m quite anxious right now,” Xiao Bingxi lamented.
When Qiao Shi returned to the room to check on her daughter, she immediately noticed the white jade horse paperweight. Picking it up, she saw the imperial workshop mark and knew it was a gift from Xiao Bingxi. After a moment’s thought, she placed it back by her daughter’s pillow.
By now, both Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian were certain that the Twelfth Prince could indeed hear Niannian’s thoughts. This situation was truly quite troublesome.
That evening, before Qiao Shi could even mention the matter to Jiang Yucheng upon his return, Jiang Xianian had already woken up, held tightly in her father’s arms as he couldn’t bear to let her go.
While being teased by Jiang Yucheng’s playful words, Jiang Xianian couldn’t help but wonder: 【Little Twelve can hear my inner thoughts—I wonder if Father and Mother can hear them too?】
Author’s Note:
Author: Niannian has some wariness, but not much.