An Guifei did not immediately answer Jiang Xiu Yi's words. Instead, she raised her hand and said, "Go inside and wait. After I deal with your aunt, we'll discuss matters between us."
Jiang Xiu Yi was startled. Her aunt was here?
Madam Jiang entered the tent and looked at An Guifei, asking directly, "An Guifei, what do you mean?"
"Presumptuous..."
Before the attending palace maid could finish, An Guifei stopped her. "Enough. My sister-in-law has always been arrogant. I won't hold it against her. You may all withdraw!"
"Your Highness..."
"Withdraw. Ningguo Duke's wife values face above all else. Moreover, I am An Guifei. If His Majesty learns of what she has done, can he let her go?" An Guifei said sarcastically.
Jiang Shi tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand, otherwise, she truly would lose control of her anger.
"If you have something to say, then say it. I don't believe you're here to have tea with me," An Guifei said coldly.
"Why are you taking Xiu Yi away?" Jiang Shi questioned.
"Taking her away? Jiang Shi, what you said is quite amusing. Do I need to 'take' her? Jiang Xiu Yi agreed herself. So many people were present. Jiang Shi, you cannot frame me."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shi said coldly, "How would this concubine dare to frame Your Highness? It's just that Your Highness has always acted with impunity, interfering with the Crown Prince's marriage, and now you wish to interfere with Xiu Yi's life!"
An Guifei smiled, glanced at Jiang Shi, and slowly said, "I am not as powerful as my sister-in-law claims, capable of covering the sky with one hand. After all, the Emperor is above me. If your words are overheard by the wrong people, then..."
An Guifei's gaze suddenly turned cold. "It won't just be me who suffers."
Jiang Shi trembled all over. She knew An Guifei was not wrong. After all, the Ningguo Duke's mansion was still on the same boat as An Guifei.
Seeing that Jiang Shi was silenced by her words, An Guifei said with a cold sneer, "So, I hope my sister-in-law will think before she speaks and not say anything that comes to mind. After all, if something happens to me, do you think the Ningguo Duke's mansion can escape unscathed?"
Jiang Shi gritted her teeth and said, "This concubine naturally knows the implications. However, Your Highness, Xiu Yi is this concubine's niece. She is not a pawn you can use."
An Guifei smiled as she looked at Jiang Shi and slowly said, "Jiang Shi, why don't you understand my good intentions?"
"What do you mean?" Jiang Shi asked, puzzled.
An Guifei picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued, "Does sister-in-law want everyone to know that before Princess Xing Yue was married, Jiang Ming was already secretly involved with his cousin?"
"Your Highness," Jiang Shi emphasized those words heavily.
An Guifei said, "Don't think I don't know. Many times, I simply didn't want to interfere. But this time, Jiang Ming has gone too far. If His Majesty finds out, do you think His Majesty would let her live?"
Jiang Shi's body stiffened. She knew An Guifei's words were not false. This was also why she had fainted from anger upon seeing Jiang Xiu Yi. Jiang Xiu Yi was practically trying to kill them.
"Therefore, I requested Xiu Yi to stay by my side, and no one will doubt the relationship between Jiang Ming and Xiu Yi anymore. Sister-in-law, I am helping you," An Guifei said.
Jiang Shi's anger lessened considerably. "Really?"
"Sister-in-law doesn't believe me?" An Guifei retorted.
"This concubine dares not!" Jiang Shi said, as there was no need for An Guifei to deceive her.
"Since sister-in-law understands my intentions, please leave!" An Guifei no longer looked at Jiang Shi.
"This concubine takes her leave!" Jiang Shi departed.
An Guifei watched Jiang Shi's retreating figure, a cold smile curving her lips.
She put down her teacup and said towards the interior, "Come out!"
Jiang Xiu Yi walked out. At this moment, she didn't know what to feel. She only knew that she had been abandoned by her aunt.
"Jiang Xiu Yi, you just heard that for the sake of Jiang Ming and Princess Xing Yue's marriage, Jiang Shi will absolutely not take you back at this time. Therefore, you should stay by my side with peace of mind and don't think about any tricks," An Guifei said to Jiang Xiu Yi, word by word, coldly.
"This commoner obeys!" Jiang Xiu Yi knelt on the ground, her forehead pressed against the floor, tears streaming from her eyes.
An Guifei was satisfied with Jiang Xiu Yi's current compliance. "However, you don't need to despair. I will not go back on my promise to you, but it cannot be now, at least."
Jiang Xiu Yi was startled. She raised her head, her tear-filled eyes looking at An Guifei. "Your Highness, what does this mean?"
"I don't like talkative people. You just need to remember when to do what," An Guifei said coldly.
"Yes, this commoner remembers," Jiang Xiu Yi said.
"Also, from now on, refer to yourself as 'nu bi' (a humble self-appellation for females)."
Jiang Xiu Yi trembled, bit her lower lip, and said, "Yes, this nu bi obeys!"
"You may go!" An Guifei waved her hand.
Jiang Xiu Yi retreated.
An Guifei looked at Jiang Xiu Yi's somewhat desolate back and sighed, "There are always devoted women in this world, but no devoted men."
"Your Highness, didn't you want Princess Xing Yue to be drugged..."
An Guifei interrupted the palace maid, "Do you think Jiang Xiu Yi's clumsy methods would not be discovered?"
The palace maid was startled. "Your Highness means someone found out?"
An Guifei snorted coldly. "That's why you are all a bunch of useless fools, good for nothing but failure."
"Your Highness, please forgive me, Your Highness, please forgive me." The palace maid, scared, quickly knelt and begged for mercy.
An Guifei waved her hand impatiently and said, "Get up."
"Many thanks, Your Highness!"
An Guifei sneered, "I have found a better method, which will surely leave her unable to call for help when she needs it most."
A shadow flashed in An Guifei's eyes, and a ferocious expression appeared on her face.
On the third day, the hunt began.
All who came were welcome to participate.
Xue Xing Yue, dressed in purple riding attire, was mounted on a white horse. Her beauty was pure and exquisite, her clear eyes like a gurgling spring, transparent to the bottom. Her entire being exuded a noble and cold temperament.
From a single glance, one could tell she was a proud daughter of heaven.
"Princess Xing Yue is indeed extraordinary," Zhao Yan Luo said, looking at the noble and cold Xue Xing Yue in the distance.
Meng Jiang Ming, standing beside Zhao Yan Luo, gazed at the figure in purple, feeling an indescribable surge of emotion in his heart. He felt a small joy upon hearing Zhao Yan Luo's praise.
After all, this praised person would be his future Crown Princess.
With a command from the Snow Emperor, everyone rode forward. The one who hunted the most would be the winner, receiving rewards and the right to make a wish as a prize.
"Your Highness, rest assured, everything is under control," Feng Wu whispered by her side.
Xue Xing Yue nodded. "Do not be careless."
"Your Highness, please be at ease."
As Feng Wu's words fell, a scream was heard from not far away.
Xue Xing Yue and Feng Wu exchanged glances and moved towards the source of the sound.