She came in the morning, and Liu Boyan arrived in the afternoon.
Yu Zhi was bombarded with her mother's life wisdom that "winning by doing nothing really means winning," and her willow-leaf eyes crinkled as she said, "How could I possibly lie to my mother?" However, the princess's stamina and skills were definitely not as good as Xi Xi's; her Xi Xi was the most formidable one.
In middle age, seeking more excitement and deeper emotional connection, Ji Rong, having tasted the sweetness of success once, worked tirelessly almost every night and devoted herself to the pursuit of knowledge every day.
Upon learning that the Princess was requesting an audience at Gan Ning Palace, Yan Xiu opened her eyes from her nap.
Little did she know that Ji Rong hadn't come to ask her to play chess this time.
Facing her nominal 'sister-in-law' but actual confidante, Ji Rongren blushed before she could even speak.
She rarely acted so coy, and the Empress smiled and dismissed everyone.
As the last palace maid left the bedchamber, Ji Rong sighed, "Ah Xiu is truly understanding." After a moment's hesitation, she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud, so she went to whisper to Yan Xiu.
Within half an hour, the eldest princess was driven out by the empress.
Yes, it's urgent.
When this matter reached Ji Ying's ears in the Imperial Study, the Holy Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty was intrigued. He took a break from his busy schedule and went to Gan Ning Palace. When he arrived at the palace gate, he found that Ji Rong had not left yet. He smiled with his phoenix eyes and said, "Royal Sister."
Ji Rong looked embarrassed.
He turned and left the next moment.
In all the world, the only people who can subdue her, besides Yan'er, are undoubtedly the current emperor—her beloved younger brother.
The fourth prince fought his way out of the cold palace like the Hehuan Palace and rose to the pinnacle of imperial power, defeating his brothers who had a better chance of winning. Not only that, he also defeated her mother. Ji Rong used to feel pity for 'him', but now she feels awe.
Respect, fear.
Ji Ying stepped into Gan Ning Palace, Yan Xiu rubbed her reddened earlobes, still showing a hint of embarrassment and annoyance on her face.
"What did my elder sister do to you?"
Seeing her approach with a smile, Yan Xiu recalled the questions her best friend had asked with a blush, and a hint of unease flashed in her eyes: "Your dear elder sister, the older you get, the more improper you become..."
Born as legitimate eldest daughters, Miss Yan and Miss Yan represent two extremes in a sense.
One is rational, clear-headed, reserved, and dignified; the other is crazy, confused, dissolute, and twisted. Ji Rong has chosen the wrong person.
Even if Yan Xiu were crazy, she wouldn't answer those questions.
"Your Majesty, Princess Zhenguo has sent a message."
A thin letter was delivered to Yan Xiu. After opening it, the Empress scolded, "You little troublemaker." Ji Ying was amazed by her sudden change in mood and asked softly, "What's wrong? Why are you happy again?"
"It was all your precious daughter's bad idea."
Yan Xiu ordered a palace maid to bring out the thick book "Peach Blossom Manual" that she had used to prop up the table: "Take it to the Princess and say that it was written by the master himself and that it is genuine. This manual is very precious and should be exchanged for a box of large pearls from the East Sea."
A box contains twelve pieces, each about the size of a fist.
Ji Ren endured the painful sacrifice of his beloved in exchange for what his best friend called "the ultimate flirting manual that will guarantee you win the heart of your sweetheart," and happily stayed up late into the night, believing it to be the ultimate truth...
Liu Boyan looked at the cover and exclaimed in surprise, "Arong, there's a signature here."
"Signature? Where?"
When the princess looked at it, she saw a neatly written "sleeve" in the lower right corner of the cover.
sleeve?
master?
Could it be Master Yan Xiu?
Sigh.
I got scammed.
He got excited for nothing.
...
As night fell, Ji Pingxi climbed into bed and embraced the beauty, laughing incessantly: "Hahaha, tell me, is Aunt more capable or my mother? Asking once is fine, but who pries into someone's private affairs every day? I won't hold it against Aunt, but I can't say for sure about Mother..."
She laughed until tears streamed down her face: "I heard that Mother sent someone to deliver a peerless secret manual to Aunt. In order to obtain this manual, Aunt gave up a box of large pearls from the East Sea. I'll ask you for it another day, and we can decorate our inner room."
"Okay." It would be best to place large pearls in all four corners so that Xi Xi can see them more clearly.
They were deeply in love and affectionate. The next day, Ji Ping and Xi Zhen went to the palace to ask for the 'spoils of war' that their mother had obtained from their aunt.
Yan Xiu was not secretive; what could a dignified Empress not have? With a wave of her hand, all twelve large pearls went into the pocket of the Princess Zhenguo.
When Ji Pingxi left the palace, he brought along a "warm greeting gift package" that his mother had given to his aunt. The gift package was delivered to the Princess's residence, and Ji Rong, to avoid being tricked again, immediately opened the package.
But it's a completely new manual.
Having been tricked once before, Ji Rong learned her lesson this time and made a point of checking the signature in the bottom right corner—Ying.
It's no longer Master Yan, it's Master Ji now.
However, thinking about how hard the fourth prince had pursued Ah Xiu back then, Ji Rong accepted the manual with the intention of "giving it a try" and planned to read the two books together.
There was also a small note written by Yan Xiu herself.
Unfolding the small note, the Empress, with her keen insight, saw through it all: "Arong, you didn't just taste the pleasure of being on top, did you? Look how excited you are. How embarrassing."
The humiliated Ji Rong: "..."
Chapter 101 Hibiscus Blooms in the Heart
In this vast world, everyone has their own way of living, and everyone has their own way of dying. Emerald walked briskly along the straight cobblestone path, just as the Princess Zhenguo and her consort were leisurely admiring the flowers.
Yu Zhi stayed indoors for over a month, and her hard work paid off. Her fair complexion finally returned, and everyone who saw her praised her natural beauty. Anyone else who had endured three years of hardship and tanned would have needed to stay indoors for at least a summer, autumn, and winter to regain their original fair skin.
The sunlight wasn't scorching, and in the spring breeze, Ji Pingxi broke off a flower and tucked it into his beloved woman's hair.
"Is it good-looking?"
"nice."
Some time ago, Princess Changyang was personally bestowed the title of Princess Zhenguo by His Majesty, and for a time, countless women came to seek refuge with her, like willow catkins in May.
Yu Zhi didn't say anything to her face, but she was secretly seething with jealousy.
Fortunately, Ji Pingxi is a kind and caring person. After being moved by Xinming's feelings, he stopped flirting with others and made a graceful rejection of her.
Regardless of how Yu Zhi felt about her actions, at least Liu Boyan and Princess Yunzhang were extremely satisfied with this 'son-in-law'.
Ji Pingxi also thought the flowers in her hair looked nice. Before long, Yu Zhi was wearing brightly colored flowers on her head. Yu Zhi had a good temper and let her play around with them.
Princess Zhenguo has never had a proper, fun-filled childhood in both her lives. Growing up, she only ever showed her childlike side in front of the princesses, concubines, and empress.
Her bright eyes sparkled with a smile, her brows revealing a hint of smugness and the arrogance of someone who had succeeded in their mischief: "Zhizhi, you're really not angry?"
Yu Zhi chuckled: "How could I possibly stay angry with you?"
"That's not how you put it." She touched her nose. "So, I'm always the one bullying you and making you angry?"
For some unknown reason, Yu Zhi blushed slightly and turned her head away, refusing to speak to her.
She had witnessed firsthand how Xi Xi cared for her and treated her with utmost tenderness during their years of marriage. He was a man who had never changed his mind or been unfaithful, a perfect match that was hard to find even with a lantern.
Of all the good points, there was one thing that made Yu Zhi both love and hate: the Princess Zhenguo was truly a bit of a scoundrel in bed.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Ji Pingxi smiled and picked the bright and beautiful flowers for her.
Suddenly feeling a lightness on her head, Yu Zhi reached out and gave the princess a light pinch on the side of her waist—a trick she must have learned from someone.
The young couple were playfully teasing each other, enjoying the bright spring sunshine. Jade rushed over, but seeing the smiles on her two masters' faces, she hesitated, wondering whether she should speak.
"What's wrong? Speak your mind."
Emerald gritted her teeth: "Your Highness, the one in the water dungeon... is gone."
Yan Qing died at the end of spring.
He died quietly.
Even on his deathbed, he never went mad, shouting that he wanted to see this person or that person.
As the spring breeze swept by, Ji Pingxi stood there stunned for a long time, while Yu Zhi gripped her hand tightly, worried.
"I'm fine." She smiled.
Upon learning of Yan Qing's death, she felt a pang of sorrow. The second young lady of the Yan family, the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor, the eldest sister of the Empress, and the beloved wife of the Marquis of Yiyang, was born with the best advantages, the best support, and the most affection, yet in the end, she lived a life that was hated by everyone.
She called her "Mother" for eighteen years; she was once her only warmth and support.
Springtime is beautiful; the past is not worth reminiscing about, for it is all embarrassing and cannot be brought to light.
Therefore, Yan Qing died quietly.
This can be considered a final act of kindness for everyone.
"Do you think... she regretted it?"
She asked Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi pursed her lips.
She had absolutely no goodwill towards Madam Wei.
It is said that even the most hateful person has a pitiable side, but Lady Wei's "pitiability" was the beginning of all the grievances.
One person's "pity" has caused unrest for several families.
She deeply loved Ji Pingxi and could not forgive Madam Wei for the sins she had committed.
But once someone dies, there's no need to dwell on the past.
She said casually, "Perhaps."
Perhaps she regrets it, but what's the use of regretting it?
Her Xi Xi died in her previous life from the poison of forgetfulness. She was in so much pain that she wished she were dead, and her intestines were ruptured. She then ended her own life with a dagger.
Just thinking about it makes her heart tremble.
Where is her body?
"Your Highness, the body has been returned to the Yan family by the Emperor and Empress."