Сhарtеr 19: Рei Zhao’s Fаvоritism
Xi Ning nevеr exресtеd thаt thе first pеrsоn tо сause trоuble at her shoр wоuld be оnе оf Реi Zhaо’s аdmirеrs. That mаn trulу was а walking disaster.
Вefоre Xi Ning cоuld evеn aррroaсh, the young mаid bеsidе Рrincess Сhаng Lе sрotted hеr.
“Your Нighness, loоk—isn’t that womаn Third Mаster Pei’s mistrеss?”
Наving servеd thе princess fоr so mаnу yeаrs, she had sеen аll kinds оf wоmen, but this wаs the first time shе had enсоuntеred someone so beautiful. Еvеn Consort Xi, thе mоst favored соnsort in the palace, paled in comparison.
Hearing this, Princess Chang Le looked over and immediately caught sight of the woman outside the shop.
Dressed in plain clothes, wearing no makeup, and with her hair loosely tied up with a single golden hairpin, this extremely simple attire did nothing to diminish her beauty. Instead, it gave her an air of effortless grace and elegance.
Princess Chang Le’s meticulously manicured nails suddenly clenched, her palms turning red from the pressure, yet she felt no pain.
She had dressed up meticulously today to see Pei Zhao, only to be outshone by a lowly mistress who didn’t even deserve to be seen in public. Princess Chang Le felt like vomiting blood.
“So you’re Zhao-gege’s mistress?”
Princess Chang Le stepped out, supported by her maid, standing haughtily on the steps as she looked down at Xi Ning with disdain.
She had assumed that upon seeing her, Xi Ning would tremble in fear, not daring to lift her head.
Yet Xi Ning showed no trace of timidity. In fact, her presence seemed to overshadow the princess’s own.
Princess Chang Le dug her nails deeper into her maid’s flesh, her heart burning with jealousy.
“And who might you be?” Xi Ning retorted.
Standing there delicately and gracefully, she seemed like an ethereal fairy untouched by the grime of the northern city, evoking pity in those who saw her.
Princess Chang Le’s grip tightened even more, causing her maid’s tears to fall silently, afraid to make a sound and tarnish her mistress’s reputation.
“You want to know who I am? Fine! I’ll tell you—I am the legitimate daughter of the Eighth Prince, personally bestowed the title of Princess Chang Le by the emperor. Zhao-gege and I grew up together, a perfect match in status and background. How could someone like you, a shameless mistress, dare to act so presumptuously here? If you know what’s good for you, leave now. Otherwise, once I marry Zhao-gege, I’ll have you sold off. After all, you came from that filthy place—who knows how many men have slept with you!”
Princess Chang Le raised her chin, spewing venomous words without a trace of the dignity befitting a royal noblewoman.
Xi Ning suppressed the coldness in her eyes. The original host had indeed come from Misty Rain Pavilion, but she had been groomed as the Flower Queen. When Pei Zhao bought her, she was still pure and untouched—she had never even entertained clients, let alone been with men.
A rare treasure like the original host, with such beauty—what Madam would easily let her sell her body?
But her origins were her original sin. Even if the original host was pure, coming from such a place carried a taint of scandal. Princess Chang Le’s slander was crude but effective.
Seeing Xi Ning lower her head in silence, the princess’s smugness grew.
“If you’re smart, you’ll leave now. Otherwise, your fate will be far worse than you can imagine.”
A lowly creature like her wasn’t worth getting worked up over. What use was beauty if she had been slept with by countless men? How could she compare to a dignified princess like herself?
Princess Chang Le’s words drew a crowd. It was rare for nobility to set foot in the northern city, and Xi’s Shop had been thriving lately. For Xi Ning to be confronted by a noble was an unusual spectacle.
“What? Miss Xi is Third Master Pei’s mistress and comes from a brothel? This…”
“No wonder a woman is out here running a business—she’s used to entertaining clients.””Hahaha, you all have to admit, Miss Xi’s business is really booming.”
In this world, women have always been treated unfairly. Especially someone like Xi Ning, with her stunning beauty and background from a brothel—even men who had once been won over by her culinary skills began to speak ill of her.
The moment Princess Changle appeared, Xi Ning had already anticipated this scene.
She sneered, her face showing not a trace of fear.
“If Your Highness is so noble, why bother competing with a lowly woman like me for a man? Or is it that you simply can’t win him over?”
Her eyes swept over Princess Changle, lingering for a moment on her flat chest—the implication was clear.
Xi Ning had never wanted to compete with anyone for a man. If someone could be taken away, he was never truly hers to begin with, let alone the fact that she had no feelings for Pei Zhao.
But since Princess Changle had insulted her over a man, there was no need for her to hold back any longer.
“You! How shameless!”
Princess Changle never expected Xi Ning to talk back, and what was with that look? Was she mocking her for having a small chest?
In this dynasty, slimness was considered beautiful. Especially since the previous emperor favored slender waists, women starved themselves to achieve a delicate, almost fragile figure.
Princess Changle had a naturally larger frame, and she had a big appetite—she couldn’t bear hunger. To avoid gaining weight, she ate only one meal a day, yet she remained barely slim.
But due to years of starvation, her development had been stunted, and her chest remained flat. She had agonized over this, consuming countless Snow Frogs, but to no avail.
As a princess, no one dared to comment on her appearance—Xi Ning was the first.
Especially since Xi Ning seemed to have been blessed with a perfect figure—full chest, slender waist, long legs—every feature was flawless. Compared to her, Princess Changle felt like a speck of mud tossed aside.
Jealousy burned within Princess Changle—this woman could not be allowed to stay.
“Xiutao, slap her!”
“Yes!”
The maid finally had a chance to release Princess Changle’s hand and strode over, raising her hand to strike Xi Ning.
“Miss!”
“Get away!”
Before Rendong could shield Xi Ning, a figure suddenly rushed out from behind.
The maid was kicked hard and sent flying, landing in a puddle of filthy water.
Princess Changle was splashed in the face and let out a piercing scream.
“Ah! Who dares to strike my servant? I will have you all killed!”
She had never suffered such humiliation in her life. The filthy water stung her eyes, preventing her from immediately recognizing who stood before her.
“The Eighth Prince certainly has fine manners, allowing the women of his household to bully commoners. Let’s see how Your Highness plans to act!”
Pei Zhao firmly shielded Xi Ning in his arms. If he hadn’t arrived in time, Xiutao’s slap would have already landed on Xi Ning’s face.
His expression was dark, a fire burning in his heart, his frustration with nowhere to vent.
“Zhao… Brother Zhao?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Princess Changle froze.
Why was Pei Zhao here?
Had that little wretch gone to tattle on her?
Princess Changle ignored the filthy water in her eyes and glared fiercely at Xi Ning, who was now nestled in Pei Zhao’s arms, looking delicate and pitiful. The sight fueled her rage, making her wish she could drag Xi Ning out and take her place.
“Brother Zhao, let me explain. It was this wretch who provoked me first. She… mocked me, and I had no choice but to retaliate.”Princess Changle quickly stepped forward, wanting to grab the hem of Pei Zhao’s robe. She had finally managed to get close to him—how could she let this incident ruin her image in his eyes?
Pei Zhao held Xi Ning and stepped back, avoiding her as if she were a venomous snake. Princess Changle’s face turned extremely unpleasant. In front of so many commoners, Pei Zhao had directly humiliated her—how could she accept this?
“Brother Zhao, must you treat me this way? All because of an outsider?”
Pei Zhao spoke coldly.
“Princess Changle has overstepped. The Xi Clan is my woman. You are the outsider.”