Jiang Yueli had always been sharp-tongued, and when it came to someone like Su Xuewei, she never held back. Su Xuewei’s eyes turned red with anger. Seeing she could not win the argument, she began to feign innocence and act weak.
“Jiang Yueli, is this how your Jiang family treats guests? I only made a casual joke, yet you refuse to relent, not only taking my things but also humiliating me. If you don’t want to give away the fish, fine—but why must you say so much? We came here to celebrate Old Madam’s birthday, yet you treat guests like this. Aren’t you afraid of tarnishing the reputation of the Zhenyuan General’s Residence?”
Su Xuewei tried to bind the others to herself, hoping to put Jiang Yueli in a difficult position. But Jiang Yueli was not one to play by the rules.
“Treating guests? That’s for welcomed guests. As for you, Miss Su, our Zhenyuan General’s Residence is modest and cannot accommodate such a Buddha as yourself. The young ladies here today are here to celebrate a birthday, not to be your tools. Don’t treat everyone else as fools.”
Jiang Yueli’s biting sarcasm left the other noble girls embarrassed. Although she was speaking to Su Xuewei, they were all present, so they naturally felt Jiang Yueli’s words applied to them as well. However, Jiang Yueli’s following remarks made them secretly nod in agreement. They realized that Su Xuewei had almost used them as her tools, and fortunately, they had not intervened.
Seeing the other girls instinctively step back and distance themselves, Su Xuewei’s chest heaved in frustration. Though only a year older than Jiang Yueli, her figure was noticeably fuller, with a pronounced bust that Jiang Yueli could not help but notice. Truly, the saying “big chest, small brain” was not without basis.
“Jiang Yueli… you…”
Su Xuewei was speechless with anger. Jiang Yueli, however, pressed forward, her tone serious:
“Su Xuewei, you seem to have forgotten that I am the emperor-appointed Linghui County Lady. Not only have you failed to show proper respect, but you also dared to address me by name directly. Do you know what your father, Censor Su, would do if he knew?”
At Jiang Yueli’s words, Su Xuewei’s face changed, and the others lowered their heads, realizing they had forgotten to bow as well.
Biting her lip in reluctant submission, Su Xuewei could only kneel and say, “Greetings, Linghui County Lady.”
Jiang Yueli did not even spare her a glance. Su Xuewei, humiliated in public, seethed with hatred. She could not touch Jiang Yueli, and in the end, had no choice but to leave—though she did not forget to reclaim her hairpin.
Had she known the Crown Prince would also attend Old Madam Jiang’s birthday, she would never have come. That little brat Jiang Yueli—once she became Crown Princess, Su Xuewei swore she would make her pay.
With Su Xuewei gone, the other noble girls finally relaxed. The tense atmosphere dissipated, and they felt much more at ease.
Li Mengru and Liu Yiyi, who had been watching from the side, only dared approach Jiang Yueli after Su Xuewei left.
“Clap, clap, clap!”
“Sister Jiang, you’re amazing!”
“You said it perfectly!”
They applauded and walked over with expressions of admiration. Su Xuewei was always pretentious, yet unaware of it. She liked to show off in public, but because of her father’s status, no one dared to challenge her openly.
Seeing Li Mengru and Liu Yiyi, Jiang Yueli smiled and nodded lightly. The other noble girls, seeing her approachable manner, soon grew familiar with her.
When Gu Xiangling arrived, Jiang Yueli was chatting happily with the noble girls. These were sheltered young ladies, accustomed to following the strict rules of propriety and proper behavior. They had never seen someone like Jiang Yueli—so lively, carefree, and open-minded.
Her spirited demeanor and her free-spirited approach to friendship and rivalry were qualities they admired. But their upbringing and families constrained them—they could not act so unconventionally or disregard societal opinions.
Jiang Yueli, for her part, found the little girls boring. Their days were filled with needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Their education and etiquette were ingrained in their bones. A few casual jokes from her could make them blush. Cute, yes—but missing the mischievousness and vitality that should come with their age.
“Ali, I heard from my brother that you made some super delicious pastries. Is there any for me?”
Gu Xiangling asked immediately after pulling Jiang Yueli aside. Jiang Yueli smiled helplessly.
“Yes, you’ll definitely get a piece.”
Fortunately, the cake she made was large. While it couldn’t be shared with everyone, her own family’s portion was enough. Along with Xiangling, Gu Huaizhao, and Fu Qingchen, there was plenty. Later, when she officially sold cakes in her shop, each of them would get one as well.
Gu Xiangling raised an eyebrow.
“Good enough. By the way, I saw Su Xuewei’s carriage outside earlier. Why didn’t I see her?”
Gu Xiangling did not have a good impression of Su Xuewei either, but the two had never clashed. After all, Gu Xiangling was a princess. No matter how bold Su Xuewei was, she would not dare act out in front of her.
“She was here, but I sent her away,” Jiang Yueli replied, surprised that Su Xuewei had lingered at the gate. She had no idea what mischief she had been planning.
“What happened? Did she cause trouble again?” Gu Xiangling’s expression was full of curiosity. Jiang Yueli recounted the incident, which made Gu Xiangling furious.
“That woman, never resting. Your koi are valuable now, yet she dared to give them away without permission. It’s infuriating. Sending her away was even too kind. I heard from my father that the Crown Prince will also attend Old Madam’s birthday. Su Xuewei must be angling for him. You must be careful not to let her latch onto the Crown Prince as a supporter.”
Jiang Yueli paused and murmured, “Nangong Jin?”
She knew Nangong Jin fairly well. For a time, he often visited the General’s Residence to consult her father on military strategy and troop deployment. Though he might never have the chance to apply it practically, as the heir of Nangyao, he had to understand these things.
Many generals served in the court, but Nangong Jin respected her father most. In Nangyao, while her father was not the strongest in battle, among young generals he was the most courageous and skillful. Guiding the Crown Prince was more than adequate.
Nangong Jin was not arrogant. After her father agreed to guide him, he did not demand daily instruction at the palace. Instead, he often visited, claiming he only came to ask questions when he encountered difficulties. Seeing his eagerness and humility, her father taught him thoroughly. Unfortunately, he stayed at home only half a year before leaving for the border, so the Crown Prince did not return until now. Yet now, for her grandmother’s sixtieth birthday, the Crown Prince would personally come—a reward for her father’s instruction.
“The Crown Prince is extraordinarily wise. He is not someone Su Xuewei could scheme against,” Jiang Yueli thought. Nangong Jin’s intelligence, both in strategy and insight, far exceeded a shallow-minded woman like Su Xuewei.
Gu Xiangling shook her head in disagreement.
“Not necessarily. Su Xuewei may be foolish, but her father is powerful. Once the Crown Prince ascends, the fastest way to secure the court is through marriage. Su Xuewei is his only legitimate daughter. If he wants to bring her into the palace, she will be the first choice. Moreover, Su Xuewei has long admired the Crown Prince. If she lingers outside your house, she may be plotting something.”