Zhen Rou left Jinxiu Pavilion with a bewildered look on her face. She glanced at Changsun Hang and, seeing his displeased expression, wisely refrained from approaching him.
Changsun Hang turned and glared at the sign of Jinxiu Pavilion.
After a moment, Changsun Hang took the initiative to embrace Zhen Rou, saying, "Rourou, I’ve acquired some fine fabric recently. I’ll have someone send it to you."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhen Rou bowed her head in gratitude.
"Sorry for putting you through this."
"I don’t feel wronged." Zhen Rou leaned into Changsun Hang’s embrace; even if she felt wronged, she couldn’t admit it.
Arguing with Changsun Hang at this time would be seeking trouble.
Yet, the more Zhen Rou said this, the more Changsun Hang felt guilty.
So, he sent plenty of other things as well.
-
After that day’s events, neither Changsun Hang nor Zhen Rou appeared again, and Chuzheng enjoyed two peaceful days.
During this time, Ying Xiang’s illness also improved considerably.
"Miss." Ying Xiang, feeling better, immediately came to serve Chuzheng: "Here’s some lamb bone broth. Please have some. The weather is getting colder, and your health might suffer."
Chuzheng signaled her to put it down: "Why are you out here? Is your injury healed?"
"Miss, I’m fine now." Ying Xiang replied, "I can serve you."
Chuzheng nodded and slowly drank the soup.
Ying Xiang stood by, wanting to speak but hesitating until Chuzheng could no longer bear it: "Speak your mind."
"Miss..."
Ying Xiang bit her lip and decided to speak despite her hesitation.
"You offended His Highness previously, and he’s certainly angry... Aren’t you the one who liked him the most?"
Although Ying Xiang wasn’t present at the time, she’d heard that His Highness was terribly angry.
Miss Chuzheng was usually cautious, so how did things escalate with His Highness?
Chuzheng’s tone remained unchanged: "I don’t like him anymore."
Ying Xiang: "!!!"
Initially, she felt the Third Prince wasn’t the right match for Miss Chuzheng; he never truly liked her.
Yet Miss Chuzheng was determined to marry him, ignoring even the elders’ advice.
Therefore, hearing those words from Miss Chuzheng now left Ying Xiang utterly shocked.
But...
Ying Xiang swallowed: "Miss... you’ve changed a lot lately..."
Chuzheng: "Do you think I should remain the Prince’s Consort who doesn’t know how to resist against bullying?"
Ying Xiang shook her head vigorously.
When she first entered the residence, Miss Chuzheng was cherished and had never suffered any indignity.
But since arriving here, Miss Chuzheng has endured so much.
"That won’t do. If I don’t change, how will I avoid being bullied?" Chuzheng laid down her spoon, turning towards Ying Xiang: "To avoid being bullied, one must start changing oneself."
Although Ying Xiang felt something was off, she admitted Miss Chuzheng had a point.
"Ying Xiang only wishes for Miss’s well-being."
"Yes."
I will indeed be well.
-
Chuzheng opened the game panel.
[Main Quest: Player must become a dominant force, progress 0%]
Chuzheng pondered while stroking her chin. This dominant force... am I supposed to rebel?
Just a progress bar, nothing else was given.
How to complete the quest depended entirely on guesswork.
[Main Quest: Spend one thousand silver within two hours.]
The King’s Account’s tone seemed to say: See, isn’t my task easier to complete?
Chuzheng: "..."
Chuzheng asked Ying Xiang to prepare for going out.
"Miss?" Ying Xiang was puzzled: "Why are you going out?"
"To shop." Chuzheng paused: "Am I not allowed to go out?"
"It’s not that..."
It’s just that you rarely go out.
Suddenly wanting to leave without any preparations, how could you go out like this?
Chuzheng took only a few people with her, letting Ying Xiang accompany her, changed into civilian clothes, and went out.
-
Shuixin Pavilion.
Zhen Rou reclined on a soft couch, her delicate hand supporting her forehead as she listened to Yun Xiang’s report, a seductive smile playing on her face: "She’s still daring to go out?"
Yun Xiang: "Miss Rou, do you think her recent actions are sincere or a pretense?"
Zhen Rou scrutinized her fingertips, replying disdainfully: "She loves His Highness so much; how could she suddenly give up? She just wants to attract His Highness’s attention in this way."
Yun Xiang: "His Highness never liked her. How could he possibly be attracted now?"
Perhaps Yun Xiang’s words touched Zhen Rou’s heart, causing her to laugh happily.
"Stay in the kitchen for a while. I’ll bring you into my inner circle in a few days."
Joy spread across Yun Xiang’s face: "Thank you, Miss Rou."
Zhen Rou waved her away, sending Yun Xiang off.
Once Yun Xiang left, Zhen Rou summoned someone to dress her and then left the mansion.
"Where did she go?"
Huanhuan, Zhen Rou’s personal maid, immediately replied: "Lady Rou, the Prince’s Consort went to Cuiyu Tower."
Cuiyu Tower... a place that sells jade.
"Let’s go there too."
"Understood."
Huanhuan helped Zhen Rou onto the carriage, instructing the coachman to drive to Cuiyu Tower.
The jade pieces at Cuiyu Tower are the best in the city, and Zhen Rou owned several jade accessories from there, though she had never visited before.
She’s kept by Changsun Hang in secret, unlike other ladies who can make a public show of it.
"Lady Rou, shall we go in?"
Zhen Rou stared at the large letters of Cuiyu Tower and bit her lip: "Let’s go in."
Huanhuan immediately guided Zhen Rou inside.
Cuiyu Tower was bustling, filled with groups of noble women and young ladies inspecting jewelry.
On the second floor, curtains shielded the view from outside.
There was even tea service here, offering ladies a place to have tea while browsing jewelry, a pastime for ladies.
"Is this one beautiful?"
"Miss Zhou is naturally beautiful. This suits you perfectly."
"Oh, sister, you’re exaggerating." The complimented girl coyly responded: "Speak of natural beauty, it’s the Third Princess Consort who..."
Zhen Rou’s steps slightly faltered at hearing the young ladies’ discussion.
"I saw her before; she looked quite haggard. But today, she seemed like a different person..."
"Her aura and appearance are indeed stunning. Why haven’t I noticed the Third Princess Consort was so beautiful before?"
"She rarely went out before. Seeing her here today surprised me."
"I heard..."
"What?"
"The Third Princess Consort isn’t favored."
"Really?"
"Shh! I heard it too, but don’t go spreading rumors."
Hearing she wasn’t favored, Zhen Rou’s mood lifted slightly.
Zhen Rou composed herself and glanced around, not spotting whom she was looking for.
She looked up towards the second floor and walked upstairs.
"Miss, please wait." The shop assistant emerged from nowhere, smiling as he stopped her: "You seem unfamiliar. Is it your first time at our store?"
Zhen Rou frowned: "Yes."
Shop assistant: "Shall I give you a brief introduction?"
Zhen Rou: "I want to go upstairs."
The shop assistant apologized: "I’m sorry, Miss. The second floor isn’t open to the public. However, if you have a friend upstairs, I can announce you and take you up."