Chapter 157: Teasing

Chapter 157

Teasing

The events at Elder Wen Furen’s birthday banquet became the talk of the town in the capital. People began digging into the engagement between Chen Yuelan and Song Ren, and when they discovered it was true, they could piece together the rest of the story. It was just like the plot in the opera.

Those present at the event all recounted the same details: during the performance, it was Chen Yuelan who initiated the confrontation with Nie Shuang. Even though Wen Furen, the hostess, explained that the opera was a gift from the royal court, it seemed Young Miss Chen was convinced it was orchestrated by her rival, Nie Shuang. The more people shared the story, the more entertaining it became, especially since prominent figures like the Hou and General Song were involved. However, when they got to the part where Chen Yuelan pushed the pregnant Young Furen, everyone was quick to condemn Young Miss Chen for her cruelty and lack of morals.

There was no sympathy for her. Even after it became known that she was seriously injured, people only expressed schadenfreude. Not even the prominent families who had been close to her family, or Chen Yuelan’s friends, came to visit. The Han family, far from paying a visit, even sent someone to request the engagement contract back.

After the incident, the opera troupe became so popular that they were hired non-stop for performances. Commoners and noble families alike were intrigued to see the play that had caused Young Miss Chen to act out. In the end, the story of a failed engagement with the elder brother leading to marriage with the younger brother spread far and wide, along with harsh criticisms of Young Miss Chen’s inappropriate behavior. Some even called for the Yong An Hou Manor to sue her for defaming and assaulting the pregnant Young Furen.

The day after the incident, Princess An Le came to visit Nie Shuang at Yong An Hou Manor out of concern. She had heard that Chen Yuelan had pushed Sister Nie, almost causing her to fall, and it was fortunate that General Song managed to catch his wife. The princess, unconcerned with formalities, rushed directly to Xu Yang Quarters upon entering the manor.

Nie Shuang came out to greet the princess with her children. Upon seeing the princess, the children bowed politely, their cuteness on full display. Da Ge, overjoyed to see the princess, grabbed her hand and invited her to play with him as if they were close friends. The princess lifted him into her arms and planted a kiss on his chubby, soft cheeks, delighted by his charm. Seeing that she liked him so much, Bao Bao kissed her back, eliciting laughter from everyone around them.

“This kid! If he weren’t so young, I’d think he was quite the flirt.”

Nie Shuang joked as she laughed, but An Le disagreed.

“Bao Bao is the sweetest. He knows I like him, so he’s showing me that he likes me back. Don’t tease him like that, Sister Nie.”

“Ai!”

Bao Bao, with a serious expression, echoed the princess’s support, drawing another round of smiles from her. Whoever was around Bao Bao couldn’t help but find him both amusing and endearing. If he weren’t Sister Nie’s son, An Le would’ve loved to take him back to the palace herself. After playing with the children for a while, the princess finally remembered the serious reason for her visit.

"Sister Nie, I heard that Chen Yuelan attacked you at the banquet yesterday?"

When An Le turned serious, Nie Shuang had the children carried out of the room.

"It seems that your plan worked perfectly, Sister Nie. She couldn’t even control herself. But if I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have sent the opera troupe. It was my fault for putting you in danger."

“It’s not your fault. She harbored a grudge against me already, so don’t trouble yourself about it, Your Highness.”

"I’m thinking of having the Da Li Court investigate and charge her. The evidence and witnesses are clear. What do you think, Sister Nie?"

“She’s gravely injured now. I’ve heard that her internal injuries are so severe she’ll need at least a year to recover. Master Chen and the Hou are old friends who have supported each other for many years. If we press charges now, it would only add to Master Chen’s hardship during this difficult time.”

"Sister Nie, you’re too kind. Someone like Chen Yuelan doesn’t deserve an ounce of mercy."

Nie Shuang laughed.

"You’re mistaken, Your Highness. I’m not being kind at all. It’s just that dealing with her wouldn’t benefit me in any way. I’d rather spend my time focusing on other things. After all, she’s no longer a threat to me.”

“Well, it seems she’s already facing the consequences of her actions. It will be hard for her to show her face in the capital again. I’ve also heard that the Han family has sent someone to annul the engagement. If she doesn’t marry out by the end of the year, her chances will become even slimmer.”

Seeing that Nie Shuang truly wasn’t bothered, the princess decided to drop the subject. She glanced around and asked,

"Is the Second Young Master not home today? He should be back from the ministry by now."

Nie Shuang laughed again in good spirits. This young couple was so endearing. The princess openly asked about her betrothed without holding back, while Second Brother remained reserved. If Nie Shuang hadn’t caught sight of his robe peeking out, she wouldn’t have known he had been secretly watching from the garden for some time.

“Someone should fetch him. He’s been standing in the cold for a while. A cup of hot tea would do him good.”

Xiao San obeyed and left to fetch him. An Le widened her eyes in surprise, then furrowed her brow and spoke angrily,

“I came all the way here, and he still refuses to show himself to me?”

“Your Highness, according to custom, men and women who have not yet married should avoid meeting too frequently. Second Brother is probably mindful of this, which is why he didn’t come forward.”

An Le crossed her arms.

“Who am I? I’m no ordinary girl who cares about that. If I want to see him, he should come. It’s not difficult at all.”

A short while later, Xiao San returned with the second young master. He had changed out of his official robes into a simple blue outfit, with his hair tied back in the same color. His handsome face bore a gentle smile, radiating a calm that made everyone around him want to smile. His eyes lingered on An Le briefly before turning away.

“Song Ren greets the Princess,”

He said, bowing respectfully. The princess, who had been fuming just moments ago, found herself staring at him in a daze. Once she regained her composure, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she questioned him with a threatening tone.

“I heard you’ve been here for a while. Why didn’t you come to see me?”

Second Brother smiled softly, his eyes lowering to the ground as he replied,

“I saw you were speaking with my sister-in-law and didn’t dare interrupt.”

“Don’t act so formal. We’re not strangers. We’re getting married soon anyway.”

The princess spoke about the matter so casually that it made the young man like Second Brother blush deeply. Seeing him flustered, she couldn’t resist teasing him further.

"Second Young Master, your face is turning red. Others who don’t know would surely think I’m flirting with you."

She burst into hearty laughter, her bright white teeth showing, a rare sight among noble ladies. Song Ren, who had been looking down shyly, couldn’t help but glance at her. Her laughter and radiant smile made him feel refreshed. If his sister-in-law weren’t present, he might have been tempted to pinch those chubby cheeks of hers. Nie Shuang laughed along and spoke on his behalf.

"Your Highness, please don’t tease him. He’s gentle and polite; how could he possibly keep up with your banter?"

What she didn’t say out loud was that her Second Brother wasn’t as thick-skinned as the princess. Of course, the princess picked up on the unspoken meaning and laughed even harder, her eyes sparkling. She played along, reaching out to lift his chin, acting as if she were admiring a handsome man.

"Don’t be shy, Second Young Master. I’ll take good care of you."

The princess’s fingertips brushed against the slight stubble on his chin, feeling the warmth of his skin. Her eyes lingered on his smooth jawline and well-shaped lips. Suddenly, her throat felt dry. As her gaze met his, she saw a deep spark in his eyes that she didn’t understand but stirred something inside her. Startled, she quickly withdrew her hand as if she’d touched something hot.

"It’s getting late. I should return to the palace,"The princess announced abruptly and hurriedly bid farewell to Nie Shuang without much ceremony. The palace maids, well accustomed to the princess’s impulsive nature, weren’t surprised. Only Song Ren stood smiling, his eyes twinkling as he watched the little princess rush away as if she were fleeing from something.