Chapter 120 - Was She Jealous?

Baili Anning was in a dilemma. The Ice Soul Fragrance was a gift from Ninghua. If she used it to please the Empress, it would make people feel that she was anxious to achieve quick success and get instant benefits.

Shen Ninghua did not mind at all. “What His Highness said is right. You can send some over.”

Seeing Shen Ninghua’s expression, Baili Anning felt that she really didn’t care and heaved a sigh of relief. “Alright. Ninghua, the Internal Affairs Department has sent me some jewels. Go have a look. Take whatever you like as a gift from me.”

If she declined, it would make Anning even more uneasy, so Shen Ninghua nodded. “Alright, the things you have are all precious treasures, so I won’t be polite.”

Baili Jinchuan secretly gritted his teeth. A trace of gloom flashed in his eyes. Shen Ninghua completely ignored him. Although he had made a mistake in scheming against her last time, wasn’t his flattery in these days enough to make up for it? What else did she want? Looked like a woman really can’t be spoiled too much. Thinking about it, he got up, swung his sleeves and strode out.

Glancing at his departing figure, Shen Ninghua’s eyes moved slightly and she smiled coldly. The person who used to humbly listen to her advice now became so self-righteous. In the end, he was charmed by power. He had only been the Prefectural Prince for a few months but already abandoned his cautious disposition.

After coming out of the Palace, Shen Ninghua was in a good mood. The net had already been slowly cast, and she was just waiting to collect the big fish.

A few days later, Baili Anning once again sent people to her place to ask for the Ice Soul Fragrance. It was said that several imperial concubines who were extremely favored by His Majesty also loved the incense, and even His Majesty greatly appreciated its scent.

Shen Ninghua’s reputation immediately rose to fame. Many ladies and young ladies came to learn from her how to make incense, hoping to have a chance to appreciate the wonderful Ice Soul Fragrance. The Prefectural Princess Mansion was bustling with people. Even Yang Yingxue, who was recovering in her room, had a lot of visitors. This made Yang Yingxue forget much of her previous shadow.

“Miss, the Sixth Prince of the Great Yue Kingdom sent an invitation to invite you for a meeting. He said that he wanted to discuss spices with you.”

Shen Ninghua picked up a piece of spice placed on the table and sniffed it slightly. Then, she put it aside and wrote down the characteristics of the spice. “Decline him directly. Last time, he plotted against me, and now he wanted to discuss business with me? Does he really think that my title of Prefectural Princess is a decoration? In the future, if there are similar invitations, decline them directly. There is no need show them to me.”

“Yes, Miss.” Hong Ling shook the invitation in her hand forcefully. She wished she could throw it onto the ground and step on it. This Sixth Prince was truly shameless. Wasn’t he showing extreme care to Shen Linghan a couple of days ago? He acted like he was risking his life for her and intended to fight with Miss, and now he was pretending to be a good person!

After resting for a few days, Yang Yingxue finally recovered completely.

One day, Shen Ninghua changed her clothes and was about to attend a Palace banquet when Yang Yingxue and Xia Jingqiu walked in.

“Ninghua, Yingxue has recovered and wants to walk around with you. Last time, there was a misunderstanding in the Xiao Mansion, and Yingxue has always felt guilty about it. If I didn’t pull her here, she would still be too ashamed to see you.”

Yang Yingxue lowered her head slightly and bit her lips. Then she raised her head to look at Shen Ninghua and a trace of astonishment flashed in her eyes.

Today, Shen Ninghua was dressed in an exceptionally gorgeous manner. She was dressed in a Prefectural Princess’ attire, with a delicate bead hairpin stuck in a tall lily bun, and a golden phoenix bead hanging beside her ears. With a slight movement, the phoenix seemed to flap its wings and fly out the next moment. “Cousin, I’m sorry about what happened before. I was scared out of my wits. Please forgive me.”

Shen Ninghua smiled when she heard these words and said in a completely indifferent tone, “What are you talking about? I have never blamed you. The past is the past. Don’t worry about it anymore. I only hope that there won’t be any similar incident in the future.”

“No, there won’t be a next time. Cousin, give me one more chance.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and nodded. However, she did not give her consent. She only gave people trust once. If they failed her, it would be difficult for her to offer her trust again. It was not because she was cold-blooded. The reason was if she wanted to survive in this chaotic world, she was in no position to be always kind to others.

“It just so happens that I’m going to enter the Palace today. If you are free, come with me and take a look.”

“Entering the Palace? I don’t have an invitation. If I go…” Yang Yingxue was a little embarrassed.

“It’s fine. I’ll tell Princess Anning and have her send someone to pick us up.”

Yang Yingxue’s eyes were filled with joy. “Yes, thank you, cousin.” After returning, she reflected on the event and realized how stupid she was that day. These days, she saw many people treat Shen Ninghua with courtesy and even flattery. She suddenly realized that she had to rely on Shen Ninghua. If Shen Ninghua fell, there was only harm to her.

The carriage drove all the way to the entrance of the Palace. Shen Ninghua got off with Yang Yingxue, and there were already palace maids waiting at the gate.

Yang Yingxue carefully sized up her surroundings with admiration in her eyes. Last time she was taken to the Palace as a suspect. At that time, she was so scared that she didn’t have time to see the scenery around. Today, she found that the Palace was actually so majestic.

Although she was surprised and curiously observed the surroundings, her behavior was graceful and restrained. Shen Ninghua nodded slightly in her heart. Things in the Palace changed rapidly, and the only thing she could do was to cope with the changes with discretion. No matter how big or small the matter was, if she lost her discretion, she would undoubtedly lose.

As the two of them walked forward, Shen Ninghua noticed a person in front of them, as if she was waiting for them. When they got closer, the person actually turned out to be the Xiao family’s Eldest Young Lady, Xiao Huanxi!

Yang Yingxue’s heart trembled. She couldn’t help but recall the scene from that day and involuntarily slowed down.

Shen Ninghua walked forward unhurriedly, and the smile on her face did not change in the slightest. “I felt from afar that the person in front of me was Miss Xiao. I didn’t expect that it was really you. Have you recovered?”

Xiao Huanxi’s face was still very pale. Although she had applied some rouge carefully, she still looked haggard and weak. “Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern. I am in good health now. Speaking of which, I need to thank Brother Junyi for helping me find the Ice Mountain Lotus. Without this medicinal ingredient, I would be in real danger this time. I’m so sad to hear that Brother Junyi was injured when looking for Ice Mountain Lotus…”

Shen Ninghua curled her lips and said, “Master Chu has done his best to treat you.” He did find the Ice Mountain Lotus, but he had sent it to her. He really betrayed Xiao Huanxi’s wonderful performance.

Xiao Huanxi’s eyes flashed with pride but she calmly said, “Brother Junyi and I are not related by blood, but we grew up together. In the future…this feeling will naturally become extraordinary, and no one else could become more intimate to him than me.”

“That’s true. Although you are not siblings, there is a stronger bond between the two of you, which is very rare in the world.”

Xiao Huanxi choked. She clearly hinted that Chu Junyi had a unique affection for her, but Shen Ninghua twisted it into a kinship, and she could not openly refute it. It was truly irritating!

Shen Ninghua didn’t seem to notice her slightly gloomy expression. “It’s getting late. My cousin and I will go first. Miss Xiao, you have just recovered from illness, so take your time.”

Xiao Huanxi had just slowed down in order to show off Chu Junyi’s special affection for her. She had no interest in listening to her story anymore.

As they walked farther, Yang Yingxue asked with a certain degree of embarrassment, “Ninghua, did Miss Xiao have a crush on her foster brother?”

“You noticed that?” Xiao Huanxi always thought that she hid her thoughts very well, but she didn’t know that her thoughts were already known to everyone. As for Xiao Jingran, he must be happy to see her succeed. Otherwise, he would have stopped her long ago. After all, this was a matter that concerned the reputation of a girl.

“Yes, then why did you refute her? Just follow her so as not to create enmity.”

Shen Ninghua smiled coldly. “Cousin, you should have seen clearly what happened last time. You and Miss Xiao have never had any enmity, but she did not hesitate to plot against you. Have you ever thought that if she succeeded and I was out of luck, what good would you have? Besides, after the incident last time, do you think we can get along? This isn’t Jiangnan. Cousin, you should take a closer look.”

Xiao Huanxi kept saying that Chu Junyi had feelings for her. Well, she just had to awake her from her fantasies. Chu Junyi was reserved by her for the time being. Although she was not certain that he would be her final choice, not everyone could touch him now.

After entering the Chengqian Palace where the banquet was held, Xiao Huanxi’s expression was still sullen. However, she was very beautiful. Coupled with her pale complexion, even though her face was sullen, people still found her pretty.

Baili Anning walked to Shen Ninghua and said, “Ninghua, do you know that the threshold of my palace was almost worn out by visitors in the past few days? The imperial concubines kept visiting me to ask for Ice Soul Incense. My last bit has been given out. You must give me some more.”

Shen Ninghua blinked her eyes. “The Ice Soul Fragrance needs high-grade plum blossoms that have been covered in snow. Fortunately, I have collected some and put them away. Otherwise, I really won’t be able to supply you with it.”

Baili Anning was very happy. “I have received a lot of gifts in the past few days. Go and take a look later. If you like any of them, just take it away directly. Even if the imperial concubines find out, they won’t blame you.”

“Keep those gifts for yourself. When you get married, they will be your dowry.”

Baili Anning glared at her. “Who taught you to tease me with this?”

Shen Ninghua chuckled softly. She sat down to the side and took a sip of tea. Her face was calm, but she had already scolded Chu Junyi many times in her heart. She blamed him for nagging in her ear so frequently that she would immediately relate to dowry whenever she thought of silver or jewelry. That was why she unconsciously teased Anning with the dowry joke. Fortunately, Princess Anning did not continue the topic.

As soon as Chu Junyi walked in with Xiao Fengjue, he felt Shen Ninghua’s gaze. He was puzzled in his heart. He believed he did not provoke this black-hearted girl, but why was her gaze so woeful? Did Xiao Huanxi say something that made her jealous?

Thinking of this possibility, his mood instantly brightened and he revealed an extremely charming smile in Shen Ninghua’s direction.

Shen Ninghua choked and turned her head to the side.

Baili Qingcang and Zhao Huiying walked into the hall hand in hand, and everyone hurriedly stood up to greet them.

Baili Qingcang waved his hand as a signal for everyone to stand up. “As you were. Today’s banquet is to strengthen the ties between the two countries. Just do as you please. Sixth Prince, I heard from the official in charge of ceremony that you had some special thoughts?”

Bu Jinglan walked out and said, “Your Majesty, I do have some thoughts. Before I came to Da’an, my father told me to learn from your people with modesty. I brought ten warriors and ten beauties with me. I hope they can have a chance to learn from people in Da’an.”