“Your Highness, this commoner…”
“Princess Jingan, there is no need for further words. It seems I have interrupted your conversation with Young Marquis Ji. I shall leave.” With that, Xue Xingyue stood up and walked towards the exit.
“Your Highness.” Meng Jiangming watched Xingyue Princess, who had already disappeared from sight, feeling helpless. It had taken so much effort to invite her, only for it to be ruined like this. Honestly, he felt somewhat displeased.
However, Princess Jingan was still present. He glanced at Ji Wuran and said, “Wuran, you have truly wronged me.”
“Young Master Meng, this is not Young Marquis Ji’s fault. It is all my fault. I did not know Princess Xingyue was here,” Princess Jingan said with a look of guilt.
Meng Jiangming quickly replied, “This has nothing to do with you, Princess Jingan. If anything, it is my fault for choosing this location. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t. Please do not overthink it, Princess Jingan.”
Upon hearing this, Princess Jingan looked up at Ji Wuran and then softly asked, “Young Marquis Ji, what do you say?”
Ji Wuran did not even look at Princess Jingan, merely stating coldly, “How would I know what you, Princess Jingan, are thinking?”
Princess Jingan faltered, her previously joyous gaze suddenly dimming. She bit her lower lip lightly.
Seeing this, Meng Jiangming gently nudged Ji Wuran and said, “Why are you speaking to Princess Jingan like that? Why don’t you hurry and appease her?”
Ji Wuran glanced at Meng Jiangming and said indifferently, “Princess Xingyue has already left. Are you sure you aren’t going to pursue her?”
Reminded by Ji Wuran, Meng Jiangming finally recalled that Princess Xingyue had already departed. What was he still doing here?
With this thought, he said to Princess Jingan, “Princess Jingan, I shall take my leave. You and Wuran have a good talk.”
Princess Jingan nodded, “Farewell, Young Master Meng!”
After Meng Jiangming left, the surroundings became much quieter. Princess Jingan looked up slightly and saw the side profile of Ji Wuran. Even that half-profile stirred her heart.
“Young Marquis Ji, shall we continue?” Princess Jingan said, mustering her courage.
Ji Wuran cast a cold glance at Princess Jingan and said, “Princess Jingan has achieved the effect she desired. Therefore, I will not be accompanying you further. Farewell!”
With that, Ji Wuran left without giving Princess Jingan any chance to respond, walking directly towards the outside.
Princess Jingan watched Ji Wuran’s retreating back, her hand tearing at the handkerchief she held.
Even if she knew Princess Xingyue was here, even if she deliberately came here to be seen by Princess Xingyue, what of it?
She simply wanted Princess Xingyue to know that although she did not possess Princess Xingyue’s favored status, her husband would be a hundred times superior to Princess Xingyue.
When she learned that Princess Xingyue was betrothed to the heir of the Duke of Ning, Meng Shizi, she knew she had to find someone stronger than Meng Jiangming.
Among the many individuals in the capital, Ji Wuran of the Marquis of An residence was the most suitable.
Although Ji Wuran’s title as a young marquis was slightly inferior to a heir, she did not mind, as titles could always be elevated. The Duke of Ning’s residence, being the maternal family of Consort An, could not be further elevated.
After all, she understood that the current Emperor, while appearing weak, was not so inwardly and acted decisively.
However, she had not expected Meng Jiangming’s position as heir to be revoked so soon. This was all the more gratifying to her.
Therefore, upon learning that Meng Jiangming would bring Princess Xingyue to Wanjun Restaurant, she had invited Ji Wuran to the same establishment, entering a private room that had already been prepared.
She wanted Princess Xingyue to see that the person who once slighted her was now living much better, even better than Princess Xingyue.
The plan had succeeded. She had successfully made Princess Xingyue see. However, Ji Wuran’s reaction was entirely unexpected. Could the information she had gathered be baseless?
Did Ji Wuran have feelings for Princess Xingyue?
With this thought, Princess Jingan fiercely tore the handkerchief, gritting her teeth and stating each word, “What is mine, no one shall touch.”
Feng Tian noticed that His Highness seemed to be in a bad mood since returning. However, being a man, he couldn’t probe. He thought that if Feng Wu were here, His Highness wouldn’t have to endure being alone.
“Master Feng Tian.” A servant from the residence approached Feng Tian and bowed.
“What is it?” Feng Tian asked.
The servant said, “Young Master Meng wishes to see His Highness. What do you think…”
“Wait a moment, I will go ask the Princess.” Feng Tian said.
The servant was taken aback and couldn’t help but say, “Your Excellency, since when did you change your ways? Don’t you always tell me to drive him away?”
Feng Tian heard this and felt as if facing a formidable enemy. He quickly covered the servant’s mouth and whispered, “Can’t you speak more quietly? Do you want the Princess to know?”
The servant chuckled a few times and said, “Isn’t it out of habit?”
“Habit about what? I’m telling you, keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything you shouldn’t.” Feng Tian said.
The servant quickly replied, “Your Excellency, rest assured, I will be careful next time.”
Feng Tian went to the door of Princess Xingyue’s chambers and asked, “Your Highness, Young Master Meng wishes to see you. Will you receive him?”
“I am tired today. Please ask Young Master Meng to come another day!”
“Yes, I will report this to Young Master Meng. Goodbye.” Feng Tian left.
Xue Xingyue curled herself up in the covers and sighed. Truthfully, she was not easily angered.
However, today, she was truly provoked by Princess Jingan.
Thinking back to the past, Princess Jingan would occasionally provoke her, but she had always regarded her as a clown and paid no attention.
For some reason, today she felt so affected. What was happening to her? It shouldn’t be like this.
She rubbed her hair and buried her head in the covers. Just as she closed her eyes, the image of those clear yet star-like eyes flashed in her mind, looking at her.
Xue Xingyue’s eyes snapped open, her heart beating slightly. Could it be that today she was so provoked by Princess Jingan because of Ji Wuran?
It shouldn’t be. Why would she be provoked by Princess Jingan because of Ji Wuran?
Why?
It seemed that it was only when she saw Ji Wuran with Princess Jingan that she became provoked.
So, was she truly angry because of Ji Wuran?
What was she thinking? Why would she care about Ji Wuran?
Why should she pay special attention to Ji Wuran, whose whereabouts were elusive and whose conduct was erratic?
No, it couldn’t be. She was simply feeling distressed because of her imperial brother’s health.
However, she suddenly thought of something. Why was Princess Jingan with Ji Wuran?
Could it be that the Marquis of An residence was planning a marriage alliance with the Earl of Changsheng residence?
“Feng Tian.” She called out to the outside.
Feng Tian quickly appeared outside the door, “Your Highness, your subordinate is here.”
“I want you to send someone to investigate whether the Marquis of An residence and the Earl of Changsheng residence have had any contact recently.”