Chapter 22 I'm Not Like My Father, I'm Like My Mother

Chapter 22 I'm Not Like My Father, I'm Like My Mother

"You said last time that Xie Yan was with his sweetheart. What do you mean by that?" Shen Nanzi had previously thought she was trying to sow discord.

However, after these incidents, Shen Nanzi knew that this time was different from the past.

The suspicion that Lin Ruyi's words were not unfounded is not unfounded.

Xie Yan had never explained this to her before, let alone explained it in detail.

Or they could say, "What's it to you?"

He either ignores her completely and turns away.

As for Xue Qingning, contrary to his usual behavior, although extremely unwilling, he still suppressed the disgust in his eyes and explained to her.

The body's instincts don't lie. When the ice sculpture fell, the panic and tension in his eyes were not something an imperial uncle should have shown.

Even if Xie Yan resented her for forcing him into marriage, he wouldn't treat his own sister-in-law like that.

He could have used other women from prominent families to annoy her, but he didn't need to use his own sister-in-law to provoke her. If this matter escalated, the consequences would be extremely serious.

He is Prince Jing; he couldn't possibly be unaware. The only possibility is that he truly harbors ulterior motives towards the Second Princess.

Thinking back to the answer he had just given, Shen Nanzi decided to try her luck here.

Lin Ruyi's smile was quite intriguing. She crossed her arms and looked at Shen Nanzi with a look of pure delight.

"I'm just talking nonsense, so what? Don't get any ideas. I won't say anything that would damage the royal family's reputation. Don't try to harm me."

"You! Just enjoy your time with your Prince Jing!"

Shen Nanzi: "Lin Ruyi, you must know something, right?"

Lin Ruyi looked at her and chuckled dryly, "I really don't know why seeing you so dejected makes me feel so bored."

Shen Nanzi didn't know whether she was unwilling to talk or deliberately kept quiet, so she turned and left.

Seeing her about to leave, Lin Ruyi craned her neck and teased, "Hey! Are you going ice skating tonight?"

"Oh! By the way, Prince Jing has injured his back. If you, as his legal wife, disregard your husband and go out to play, the Emperor will surely reprimand you. You'd better stay in the tent!"

"How pitiful! He injured his back for another woman and child, and now you have to take care of him. No woman could swallow that."

"However, you're not like everyone else. You can swallow this, hahaha!" Lin Ruyi stirred up trouble, trying to make Shen Nanzi feel better.

Shen Nanzi raised an eyebrow and turned around with a light laugh: "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I still have to go ice skating tonight, because there's a good show to watch."

"Then I'll be waiting for you. There's an ice skating competition tonight, you'd better participate!"

Shen Nanzi glanced at her again, "Say sorry and I'll let you off the hook."

"What do you mean, spare me?" Lin Ruyi asked, confused.

"Stop pretending. Who else could have done this if not you? Don't think that just because I can't find evidence, I don't know it was you."

"Don't blame me, I don't do such despicable things."

"Who else but you would love to see me make a fool of myself?"

"Hmph! You think things are so simple. I may not be very magnanimous, but I do have principles. You just want to know about their affairs, right? I'm just talking nonsense."

Shen Nanzi knew she couldn't get anything out of her, and that her trip had been in vain, so she said nothing more and turned to leave.

Back in the tent, Auntie called Xie Chengze to have dinner.

On the octagonal table, there were two food plates, one of which was clearly reserved for Xie Yan.

Upon seeing her return, her aunt said, "Your Highness, did you know that Prince Jing injured his back?"

Shen Nanzi walked to the octagonal table, knelt down, and ate one of the dishes from the plate.

He took a moment to reply, "I know."

"You have to go and take care of it."

"I'm not going."

"It would be bad if the Emperor blamed us. Even if the couple quarrels, they still have to live their lives."

"He doesn't want me to go either. What would I do there? Just cause trouble?"

"You still have to put on a show, so that you'll have a reason to stand up if the Emperor blames you."

"Back pain isn't a serious injury."

“Go and send some food,” my aunt said earnestly. “You’re a woman, so you’re always going to suffer some losses in marriage. There’s nothing we can do about it; it’s just that men are in power in this world.”

"You've made quite a scene, and even Grand Commandant Shen feels sorry for you!"

Hearing this, Shen Nanzi's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, humming in response.

He then stuffed food into his mouth with all his might.

Seeing this scene, the aunt sighed softly and turned to serve Xie Chengze, whose face was expressionless.

After finishing her meal, Shen Nanzi stared blankly at the food on her plate for a while, then bent down, picked it up, and went out.

Lie Feng stood guard outside, ready to take over.

Shen Nanzi: "It's alright, it's just a few steps."

As the two footsteps faded into the distance, the aunt finished feeding the child the last bite of food.

Looking at the silent child, one might think, "This child is becoming more and more like Prince Jing."

“I’m nothing like him,” Xie Chengze retorted, brandishing the small wooden sword in his hand.

The aunt laughed and scolded, "Your Highness, you are Prince Jing's son, how could you not resemble him?"

“I resemble my mother and great-aunt. Be careful what you say in the future, I don’t like hearing it.”

His great-aunt seemed to have figured something out, and, in his favor, coaxed him, "Good, Your Highness resembles the Princess."

*

Upon arriving at Xie Yan's tent, Wu Ying's eyes held the same wariness as someone who had been waiting for half a day and had finally caught sight of the newcomer.

His hands were on the sword at his waist.

"How come he's just like his master?" Shen Nanzi asked Lie Feng, tilting her head.

"He's probably doing something wrong!"

“That makes sense.” Shen Nanzi walked over and said to Wuying, “This isn’t the Jingwang Mansion, you can’t stop me.”

Wu Ying pursed her lips, her voice filled with helplessness, "Your Highness..."

"This meal must be delivered today," Shen Nanzi emphasized again.

"Let her in," Xie Yan's voice came from inside.

Wuying had no choice but to let them pass.

Shen Nanzi entered the tent, while Lie Feng stood guard outside the door, holding his sword.

Wuying glanced at him, and Liefeng immediately glared at him.

Wuying's lips twitched. "Aren't you bored? Why are you glaring at me?"

"Let's fight!" Lie Feng said with a stern face, as if someone owed him money.

Why?

"You know what I mean."

"Because I disrespected the princess?"

"Not stupid."

"That's a matter between the masters."

"Whoever bullies my young lady, I'll beat them up. If you have any grievances, blame your master!"

Wu Ying was utterly speechless. "You... are just like the princess, making a fuss over nothing."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Where did I praise you?

Lie Feng remained silent, only a slight smile appeared on his grumpy face.

*

Shen Nanzi entered the room and saw Xie Yan eating.