Xiang Zhile nodded, “I understand.”
Since Chu Shan was so conflicted, Yan Junnuo must still be in the residence without having eaten.
You understand?
What do you understand?
Amid Chu Shan’s utter confusion, Xiang Zhile sent him away.
After Chu Shan had gone far enough, Xiang Zhile instructed Chun Chou to fetch the food container and neatly arranged the freshly prepared dishes inside.
Then, carrying the food container and accompanied by Chun Chou, she headed toward the study.
Although both Chun Chou and Qiu Si were Anwei, their personalities were completely different. Qiu Si was taciturn and meticulous, while Chun Chou was straightforward and loved to talk.
For instance, at this moment, she was carrying the food container and closely following behind Xiang Zhile.
“Wangfei, since you knew Wangye might be in the study, why didn’t you let Guard Chu take the food container to Wangye directly?”
Xiang Zhile glanced at the food container, “Chu Shan is afraid I might poison the food. He’d definitely throw it away midway.”
Her image in Chu Shan’s mind had long since completely crumbled.
In her previous life, after Yan Junnuo’s grave was desecrated, Chu Shan went astray, was manipulated by Yan Beimo to assassinate Yan Beiqi. In the end, Yan Beiqi died, and Chu Shan met a tragic, heroic death, allowing Yan Beimo to profit from the conflict between others, succeed his brother, and ascend the throne.
In this life, she would absolutely not allow such things to happen again.
Chun Chou really wanted to ask: Then if you take it over personally, wouldn’t others still suspect you?
But remembering Qiu Si’s warning to her, she decided to keep her mouth shut.
Just then, Xiang Zhile stopped, her eyes fixed on the pond not far away.
Chun Chou also stopped and followed Xiang Zhile’s gaze.
Yan Junnuo was tugging back and forth with a pretty woman by the lake.
To be precise, the woman kept tugging at Yan Junnuo, while he remained completely unmoved, looking at her as if she were already dead.
Xiang Zhile recognized that woman.
Zhong Xiuxiu, Taihou’s niece, Yan Beimo’s cousin, the original candidate for Regent Princess.
Later, she found out that this woman had always been close friends with Xiang Tiange.
In her previous life, because she was infatuated with Yan Beimo, she constantly humbled herself to please Zhong Xiuxiu.
She was often egged on by Zhong Xiuxiu to do foolish things that disgusted Yan Junnuo.
For example, buying a large group of dancing girls and sending them all to his bed, then mocking him as less than a man when he ordered the dancers thrown out of the residence.
Or, for instance, stealing all the famous paintings and calligraphy he had treasured for so long and selling them off at low prices overnight.
He couldn’t bring himself to vent his anger on her, so he punished the servants instead, only to be mocked by her for being a brute with only brute courage, unworthy of such fine artworks.
With all these things, even Xiang Zhile wanted to strangle her past self.
Seeing Yan Junnuo being pestered by Zhong Xiuxiu and recalling what happened at this time in her previous life, Xiang Zhile strode forward without another word and pulled the two apart before Zhong Xiuxiu could react.
“Are all the servants in this residence dead? Or do you all think I’m dead?”
Yan Junnuo’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Just as he was about to speak, Xiang Zhile took the lead, linking her arm with his and smiling at him tenderly.
“Wangye, didn’t Qieshen say she would prepare a few light dishes for you? How come you disappeared as soon as you turned around?”
Hearing her mention cooking in such a gentle voice, Yan Junnuo’s face instantly darkened.
He tried to withdraw his hand, but Xiang Zhile was determined to oppose him. When he lowered his head and met her stubborn gaze, Yan Junnuo froze, unable to proceed further.
Zhong Xiuxiu seemed not to have expected Xiang Zhile to suddenly cling affectionately to Yan Junnuo’s arm.
She immediately shrieked, “Xiang Zhile, what are you doing in broad daylight?”
“I’m holding my husband’s arm, what’s wrong with that?”
Xiang Zhile gave Zhong Xiuxiu a fake smile. “I haven’t even asked you yet—what do you think you’re doing, coming here to pull and tug at my husband the day after our wedding?”
“I… I…” Zhong Xiuxiu’s mind raced.
“Are you here to persuade my husband to take you in as a concubine?” Xiang Zhile deliberately misinterpreted her intentions.
Of course, she knew why Zhong Xiuxiu had come—to emotionally appeal to Yan Junnuo, explaining how deeply devoted she was to Yan Beimo, and urging him to let her go, or else she would eventually betray him.
It was always the same old story.
The ideas in Zhong Xiuxiu’s head were mostly taught to her by Xiang Tiange. Given Xiang Tiange’s selfishness, where even friends and family were tools to be used, what good could she possibly have taught her best friend?
“That’s not it!” Zhong Xiuxiu snapped in shame and anger. “You fickle and greedy woman, you like Qing Wang yet cling to the Regent Prince. I came to expose your true nature to His Highness!”
“Come on, don’t bother looking for my husband. Say whatever you have to say right in front of me, the rightful wife,” Xiang Zhile stood on her tiptoes and leaned leisurely against Yan Junnuo’s shoulder. “My husband and I share a bond stronger than gold. I’m not afraid of your attempts to drive a wedge between us.”
“You filthy woman, get away from here! Don’t touch His Highness!” Zhong Xiuxiu immediately stepped forward, trying to pull Xiang Zhile away.
Xiang Zhile gave her a provoking smile, then without another word, lifted her head, pulled Yan Junnuo’s face down, and planted a loud, resounding kiss on his cheek.
“Sorry, I couldn’t quite hear what you said.”
Zhong Xiuxiu trembled with rage, pointing at her. “You… you shameless woman!”
His Highness was like a god in her heart. How could she… how could she kiss him like that, and with such a loud “smack”?