Chapter 175: Spring Water Jade
Candles burned brightly, and Ying Wuchou frowned as he looked at the vegetarian dishes on the table.
“Why aren’t you eating?” the Grand Princess asked with a smile. “They say people’s tastes change as they grow up, but yours haven’t. You’re still the same. It seems you haven’t grown up at all.”
“Aunt, you eat so plainly all year round, it can’t be good for you,” Ying Wuchou sighed. “Why don’t you just give up drinking then!”
“No!” the Grand Princess said decisively. “I only drink in winter. I’ve gotten used to plain food, and it tastes better than meat dishes. You eat meat and fish all year round, you smell.”
“You call me over and then complain I smell,” Ying Wuchou said, holding his breath. “I specifically took a bath before coming up the mountain.”
“Alright, I won’t say you smell anymore. Did you bring the wine?” When the Grand Princess spoke of wine, her eyes sparkled like a young girl’s.
“I didn’t bring any,” Ying Wuchou said irritably. “Cui Zhen, my aunt, said you’ve been hurting your spleen and stomach from drinking again. I’ve already had people smash all the wine jars.”
“I know you didn’t smash them. Hurry and bring me a bowl of soup. I’ll serve you myself. Taste it, it’s exceptionally delicious.” The Princess smiled.
Ying Wuchou sighed helplessly and took the bowl with both hands. His aunt had been able to control him since he was little, and it was still the same now.
However, the soup was indeed very good. It wasn’t bland or greasy, and it had a hint of medicinal fragrance.
“That one surnamed Wen, keep her away from you. If you like things she makes, just have someone fetch them from down the mountain regularly,” Ying Wuchou said. “She caters to your every whim, she must have an ulterior motive. How can you keep someone like that by your side?”
“She’s naturally talented and versatile, so how can you call it catering to my whims? The skills she possesses are the result of years of practice. Did she perhaps exist from birth solely to please me?” The Grand Princess gave him a huge eye-roll. “Besides, it’s normal for her to have motives, as long as they aren’t excessive.”
“This woman is not simple. I suspect her motives are significant,” Ying Wuchou said. “Aunt, you dislike conflict the most. Why would you let her disturb your peace?”
“I know you mean well and fear I’ll be deceived,” the Grand Princess sighed. “But I believe Wen Mingqian is fundamentally upright. She might use me, but she shouldn’t harm me.”
“Heh, it seems she truly has her ways,” Ying Wuchou thought, becoming even more convinced that Wen Mingqian was cunning. “She divorced the Gong Family, yet no one from the Gong Family has a single bad word to say about her. It’s the same here with you, Aunt. I truly underestimated her.”
“Why are you picking a fight with a weak woman? Moreover, one who has benefited from your kindness. You’re drinking her soup, yet you’re speaking ill of her,” the Grand Princess scoffed. “You’ve eaten too much meat and fish, and the grease has clouded your mind. Hurry and eat more vegetables to cleanse your system!”
“Mother, that Prince Changliu is so scary,” Sang Er said while helping Wen Mingqian untangle her hair. “The way he looked at me was like he was interrogating a thief.”
“Don’t mind him,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “His intention was to protect the Grand Princess, Your Highness. We should just avoid him as much as possible from now on.”
“Mother, are we going down the mountain tomorrow?” Sang Er asked, gently brushing Wen Mingqian’s hair.
“We’ve stayed on the mountain for two nights already, it’s time to go down,” Wen Mingqian said. “However, we need to let people know that the Grand Princess has kept us for the night.”
To outsiders, being able to stay overnight by the Grand Princess’s side was a great honor, and Wen Mingqian intended to leverage this prestige.
The next day, Wen Mingqian bid farewell to the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess laughed. “It would be nice if you stayed here with me, but unfortunately, I also have to go into the palace for some time. We’ll have to meet again after the New Year.”
She continued, “During this festive season, I should give you something. I like this jade pendant very much and have always been reluctant to give it away, but I’ll give it to you today!”
Jade Pot brought the jade pendant over, holding it with a silk handkerchief.
Wen Mingqian looked at it. It was a delicately carved Spring Water Jade. She quickly said, “This is too precious, how can I accept it?”
The Grand Princess smiled. “It is indeed precious, so you must wear it well.”
Wen Mingqian thanked her for the gift and accepted it with reverence.
After parting with the Grand Princess, Wen Mingqian took Sang Er down the mountain and returned to the city by horse carriage.
In the carriage, Wen Mingqian said to Sang Er, “The New Year is approaching, you should go and see your uncle.”
Sang Er said, “I don’t want to see him! He doesn’t want to see me either.”
Wen Mingqian said, “Don’t always say such things. Even if you don’t want to go, at least take the New Year’s Gift to your uncle for me.”
Upon returning to Wu Qiu Nunnery, they happened to see the Abbot, Reverend Mother Jing Xu, basking in the sun outside.
Wen Mingqian stopped and chatted with her for a while before returning to her room.
Ao Shuang smiled and greeted her. “Madam, you’re back! I’ve been waiting for you so eagerly my eyes are practically falling out.”
Sang Er heard this and teased her. “We were only gone for two days, but you make it sound like years.”
“It’s hard to bear being left alone,” Ao Shuang laughed. “Since Madam hasn’t been home for the past two days, many families have sent New Year’s Gifts. I’ve kept a record of each one.”
“I knew leaving you in charge of the house was a good idea,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “Let’s see what we have. Pick out a few, and have Sang Er take them to her uncle.”
Wen Mingqian handed Sang Er the New Year’s Gifts she had prepared earlier, and added two more from the gifts received from other families. Sang Er had no choice but to take the items and leave.
The business at Sang Ji Silk Shop was excellent. Sang Er saw the crowded shop at the entrance, so she decided to go around to the back door.
As it happened, her uncle had already seen her and went to the back courtyard.
Sang Er said irritably, “Mother gave these to you. She said you don’t need to return the favor, and I’m too lazy to carry those useless things.”
Sang Sanyang said, “Why are you so ill-behaved? Does Madam’s word mean nothing?”
Sang Er said, “You’re the one who’s ill-behaved, you’re seducing a married woman.”
“Children should mind their own business,” Sang Sanyang said, blushing.
“Is that the First Madam of the Zhou Family?” Sang Er asked, her eyes widening.
“What nonsense are you talking about?!” Sang Sanyang denied it, but his ears turned red.
“It really is! I knew it! You’re shameless!” Sang Er jumped up. “She’s pregnant now, is that child yours too?!”
“Keep your voice down! Do you want the whole world to know?!” Sang Sanyang covered her mouth. “That child is your cousin. You can’t harm him.”
Sang Er’s eyes widened. For a moment, she couldn’t think of a response, only feeling that her uncle was utterly shameless.
“The Zhou Family members treated her so harshly, of course she had to protect herself. Zhou Jing San is such a vulgar person, they long ago lost any marital affection. I truly like her and am willing to help her succeed. This is something we both willingly agreed to. Don’t get involved in this nonsense,” Sang Sanyang said. “Does she deserve to suffer so much and be kicked out? Isn’t it because her husband is incompetent and can’t even give her a son?”
