Chapter 42 The Pipa Shop

Chapter 42 The Pipa Shop

"Shen Nanzi, you're going to argue with me over a mere guard?" Xie Yan found it unbelievable.

Shen Nanzi would never have acted like this before.

Shen Nanzi stood up and looked at him. "He's not an ordinary guard. He's been with me since he was six years old."

"He risked his life to save me countless times. In my heart, Liefeng is my family!"

Xie Yan said, "Even if he is your relative, there is still a proper order of seniority. You are the Princess Consort of Jing. How can he sit at the same table as you? He doesn't even know how to serve you food properly!"

"Xie Yan, we've called each other that since we were little, and it's impossible for it to change just because I'm marrying you."

“Shen Nanzi, it is an overstepping of your bounds for you to sit and eat with him.”

"Today is Liefeng's birthday. I know he likes the food here, so I brought him here to eat."

“Every year on his birthday, we sit together at the same table, but at this moment, I am not Princess Jing.”

Xie Yan didn't want to say that Lie Feng's feelings for her were impure, not the familial affection she described.

However, Xie Yan's mouth seemed to be welded shut; he simply couldn't bring himself to say anything that would make him lose face.

Lie Feng was still watching him intently, and his confidence stemmed from Shen Nanzi.

Xie Yan never knew that Shen Nanzi would one day confront her for the sake of a guard.

In all their previous arguments, they had been arguing about him.

Whether she's being unreasonable or ruthless, she just wants him to pay more attention to her!

But what about now?

They treated Xie Yu better than him, and the same way they treated Lie Feng!

He wasn't jealous, but he felt her behavior was inappropriate and unbecoming of a Princess Consort of Prince Jing.

Yes, that's exactly it.

"Shen Nanzi, I hope you know your place, what you should and shouldn't do!"

Shen Nanzi: "My relationship with him is completely aboveboard. It's only because your mind is dirty that you find all of this illogical."

Xie Yan was furious with her; she was truly blind.

He could see Lie Feng's affection at a glance, but she couldn't.

...

Thinking that he still had to ask her questions, he suppressed his anger.

"Whatever you want."

The private room was completely silent. Shen Nanzi felt extremely unlucky; Lie Feng's birthday had been ruined by him.

Lie Feng was blocked by him, unable to advance or retreat.

Shen Nanzi couldn't bear to see Lie Feng being abused by him and just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

What do you want with me?

Xie Yan let out a deep breath: "Why has this place changed tenants? Where did the original musical instrument shop move to?"

“This shop is no longer part of Prince Jing’s residence, how would I know where it’s moved to?” Shen Nanzi didn’t know why he suddenly became concerned about this.

"What did you say?" Xie Yan's expression changed drastically, and he grabbed her arm.

Shen Nanzi felt his grip tighten and noticed his nervousness. "Is there anything special about this shop?"

"You really sold it?" Xie Yan felt like he was about to choke on his own blood.

Shen Nanzi nodded.

"Shen Nanzi," Xie Yan's blood rushed to his head, and he gritted his teeth, "This is the property left to me by my mother. Why did you sell it off without my permission?"

"I told you to be in charge, is this how you take charge?"

"Shen Nanzi, starting tomorrow, hand over all the accounts of the Jing Prince's residence!"

Shen Nanzi was in pain from his pinch, and tears were about to stream down her face. "You're the one who made me sell it!"

"When did I say you were allowed to sell this shop?"

"That year you went to provide disaster relief and asked me to raise 200,000 taels of silver to give to Wuying. Have you forgotten?"

Xie Yan's heart skipped a beat. "So you sold this shop?"

Shen Nanzi explained, "I didn't know how important this shop was to you. At the time, you needed money urgently, so it was best to sell this shop."

"Buy it back for me immediately! I'll spend whatever it takes!" Xie Yan ordered.

Shen Nanzi only heard, "I'll spend as much money as I want."

Her mood was instantly calmed. She had actually bought the shop at a low price, and now it was in her hands.

“Okay! I promise I’ll buy it!” she said earnestly.

Xie Yan thought for a moment and realized that she couldn't be entirely blamed; he was also at fault, so he lowered his voice.

"From now on, you will have to ask me about all matters, big and small, within the household."

"That's too much trouble! Once the shop transaction is complete, I'll hand over the management of the household, and then there won't be any more big or small matters to deal with!" Shen Nanzi said nonchalantly.

Xie Yan felt uncomfortable looking at her indifferent expression.

Previously, she had tried every means to get her hands on the management of the Jingwang Mansion.

Now, it's because he didn't understand the situation that he said he would revoke her right to manage the household affairs.

He had already given her a way out, so why was she pretending not to understand?

He didn't want to talk to her anymore; he was bound to be driven crazy by her sooner or later.

"Where did the original musical instrument shop move to?" he had to ask again.

"I don't know." There was someone at that shop, but Shen Nanzi didn't want him to know.

"The shopkeeper said you knew!" Xie Yan knew she was lying again.

Shen Nanzi sneered and remained silent.

Xie Yan really wanted to strangle her; she always managed to make him angry.

"Thank you, Yan!"

Xue Yubai's voice came from outside.

Xie Yan shook off her arm and replied firmly, "Here."

The door to the private room was pushed open, and Xue Yubai and Xue Qingning walked in one after the other.

"Princess Jing!"

"Nanzi?"

The two were somewhat surprised, as if they hadn't expected Xie Yan to be with her.

Shen Nanzi glanced at Xue Qingning. No wonder she lowered herself to come to the private room to ask questions; it turned out it was for Xue Qingning's sake.

He instantly understood why he insisted on finding a musical instrument shop.

It's all for the sake of his beloved!

Ha! That's hilarious!

In order to get rid of them as soon as possible, he kindly pointed them in the right direction, "I don't know where the previous family moved to, but I know another one, which is on West Street."

She even kindly gave me the detailed location.

Xue Qingning looked at the situation in the private room, with two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and said apologetically, "You're having a meal! I'm sorry to have disturbed you because of my business!"

“I’m sorry for disturbing you. You should leave as soon as you know!” Shen Nanzi had no intention of being polite with her.

Upon hearing her words, Xie Yan put his hand to his forehead and left first.

Xue Yubai gave Shen Nanzi an awkward smile, "Princess Jing, please enjoy your meal."

Xue Qingning nodded awkwardly at her and left with Xue Yubai.

Lie Feng stared at the wide-open door to the private room, his fists clenched tightly, hating himself for being utterly useless in this situation.

"Liefeng, ignore them, let's continue eating."

Shen Nanzi was in a good mood, as she could make a small profit.

“Miss, I’d better change how I address you now that he’s here!” Lie Feng didn’t want his young lady to suffer.

“No need, he won’t really do anything to you over such a small matter.” Shen Nanzi sat down and gestured for Lie Feng to sit down as well.

She knew Xie Yan to some extent.

"Today is supposed to be your birthday celebration, but actually it's just that you're having dinner with me."

“Miss, please don’t say that.” Lie Feng lowered his head.

"Don't blame yourself for what he said. In my heart, you are more important than him."

Lie Feng's eyes lit up instantly, and his stiff lips curled into a smile. "Miss is also one of my closest relatives."

＊

The streets of Luoyang are bustling with activity.

Xie Yan and the other two walked out of the restaurant, habitually expecting Shen Nanzi to follow them out.

They either make a huge scene or embarrass people.

They immediately mounted their horses and prepared to head to the place Shen Nanzi had mentioned.

Xue Qingning walked to his side and said, "We found out that the musical instrument shop has moved to East Street."

Xue Yubai also mounted his horse and said, "Let's go to East Street."

"Okay! Let's go!" Xie Yan turned his horse around and glanced at the entrance of the restaurant out of the corner of his eye.

Shen Nanzi did not come out.

Thinking of the biting wind beside her, he felt a lump in his throat.

It's like something that originally belonged to him is now being coveted by others.

Xue Qingning boarded the carriage and lifted the curtain, saying, "Take it easy."

Then he lifted the curtain on the left side of the carriage and looked at the restaurant, his eyes revealing an ambiguous look.