Chapter 122 Surprise

This proposal was beyond Jiang Qingning's expectations.

Jiang Qingning pondered for a moment and decided to meet the Lady of Duke Qin, who was so respected by Li Youwei. Perhaps she could understand Qin Xiu a little better.

Besides, she couldn't refuse Li Youwei's frankness.

"My princess is so kind, it would be disrespectful for Qingning to refuse."

Jiang Qingning stood up and bowed solemnly.

Li Youwei seemed relieved when she saw her agree, and a hint of relief flashed across her eyes: "Then let's go."

"Princess, please wait a moment."

Jiang Qingning called her and whispered a few instructions to Zi Su.

Zi Su immediately took the order and went out.

Not long after, Zi Su came back with an exquisite food box and several gift boxes.

"What is this?" Li Youwei was a little confused.

"For Qingxi and Yuerou."

Jiang Qingning smiled slightly and explained, "Children are always happy when they eat something sweet. Besides, when visiting the Duke's wife, you should always bring some gifts for the elders."

She opened the food box, picked up a string of candied haws and a small bag of exquisite lotus cakes, and handed them to the maid behind Li Youwei.

"If you don't mind, you can try some. Although the snacks at Guixiangzhai in the west of the city are not as exquisite as the imperial cuisine, they are better because of the quality of the ingredients. The freshly baked lotus cakes are crispy and sweet, and the candied haws are also a specialty in Beijing."

Li Youwei's eyes fell on the strings of bright red and shiny candied haws, with a barely perceptible desire in her eyes.

As a princess, she has strict rules for her diet and daily life. It is absolutely forbidden for her to touch these street snacks in front of others.

But at this moment, looking at the tempting red color and smelling the sweet and sour aroma faintly coming from the air, she couldn't help but swallow her saliva quietly.

The maid looked at the princess with some embarrassment, then at Jiang Qingning.

Jiang Qingning took in Li Youwei's fleeting expression, and understood it. He smiled and said, "It's okay for Princess to try it. It's a refined pleasure to do it occasionally."

Her tone was natural and had a convincing affinity.

Li Youwei hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation and nodded imperceptibly to the maid.

The maid then took it and carefully held it with a clean handkerchief.

Watching Jiang Qingning carefully preparing snacks for her sisters.

Li Youwei's eyes revealed undisguised envy as she whispered, "You two sisters have such a great relationship."

There was a hint of loneliness in her voice.

She was the only daughter in the palace. Although she was the apple of everyone's eye, she had no brothers or sisters to accompany her. The liveliness and intimacy were something she had never experienced before.

The carriage traveled smoothly on the way back.

The cabin is spacious and luxuriously and comfortably furnished.

Li Youwei couldn't help it after all. Taking advantage of the fact that Jiang Qingning was the only one in the carriage, she raised her hand to peel off the oil paper wrapping the candied haws and carefully took a small bite.

The sweet and sour, cool sugar coating mixed with the slightly sour taste of hawthorn melted in her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish.

"Is it delicious?" Jiang Qingning's voice was filled with smile.

Li Youwei was startled and hurriedly put away the remaining candied haws. She snorted with forced composure, "It's OK! Just... a little worse than the candied fruits in the palace!"

Jiang Qingning chuckled and did not expose her duplicity.

The carriage was silent for a moment, with only the crisp sound of horse hooves stepping on the bluestone slabs.

Li Youwei calmed down, watching the street scene passing by outside the window, and suddenly spoke, her voice was very soft, but very clear:

"Jiang Qingning, I admit that I like Qin Xiu very much and have liked him for many years."

Her tone was frank, "But I, Li Youwei, also have my pride. Liking someone is my own business. I treat him and Madam Qin well because I am willing to do so, not to blackmail him."

"If he likes me, I am happy. If he has someone else in his heart,"

She paused, then glanced sideways at Jiang Qingning, her eyes clear. "Although I'll be sad, I won't pester him, and I certainly won't make things difficult for the person he likes because of this. That would be too cheap, and it would also insult my feelings."

Jiang Qingning was stunned and looked at Li Youwei with respect.

Li Youwei seems to be a spoiled princess, but her heart is so clear and open-minded, and she possesses a temperament and character far beyond that of ordinary people.

When it comes to emotions, she is more open and honest than many men who claim to be affectionate.

"Princess..." Jiang Qingning didn't know what to say for a moment. Thousands of words finally turned into a heartfelt admiration, "You are so kind and righteous, and your mind is so broad that Qingning is ashamed of herself."

"Stop flattering me!"

Li Youwei felt a little uncomfortable with her serious look, and turned her head away, but her ears became even redder.

He muttered softly, "I just don't want to make myself look hideous."

"If it weren't for him, Jiang Qingning, I think we could have become very good friends."

Jiang Qingning's heart was touched by Li Youwei again.

She smiled warmly, "Princess, it's not maybe."

Li Youwei turned her head suddenly with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Aren't we already friends now?"

Jiang Qingning met her gaze with a sincere and bright smile, "It is Qingning's honor to have the princess as a friend."

Li Youwei looked at her steadily, her bright eyes full of joy.

She pursed her lips, wanting to say something arrogant, but in the end she just snorted softly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve up in a happy arc.

The atmosphere in the carriage became more relaxed and harmonious than ever before because of this frank conversation.

"Hello, Jiang Qingning,"

Li Youwei's curiosity was piqued again, and she took the initiative to break the silence, "What kind of books do you usually read?"

"Those from 'The Instructions for Women' and 'Inner Training'? What kind of clothes, jewelry, and makeup do you like to wear?"

It was really hard for her to imagine that a woman like Jiang Qingning, who could run a shop, fight against a shrew, and was admired by Qin Xiu, would hold the rules and regulations for women like an ordinary lady.

Jiang Qingning smiled slightly and said frankly, "I also read "Nujie" and "Nei Xun" when I was young, but I read "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, "Wu Zi", "Liu Tao" and "Wei Liao Zi" more often. These are military books and strategies."

"In my spare time, I also like to read books like 'Annotations to the Classic of Waterways', 'Essential Techniques for the People of Qi' and 'Dream Pool Essays'. I am also quite interested in geography, farming, and unusual events."

She paused and said, "Makeup is for daily use. After all, I run a cosmetics shop. As for clothing, I prefer simple and elegant styles, focusing on comfort and appropriateness. I choose mostly plain and calm colors.

There are also colors like moon white, sky blue, purple, blue, and pink, but not many. My clothing styles are mainly based on the popular styles in the clothing stores I have. Merchants are more concerned with profit."

"I prefer the softness of jade or the elegance of silver jewelry. Gold is too ostentatious and should be used sparingly. A simple jade or silver hairpin is enough to tie my hair. I don't like complicated or cluttered jewelry."

She answered Li Youwei's questions seriously, without a trace of perfunctory tone in her words.

Li Youwei was stunned, her lips slightly parted, and it took her a long time to find her voice.

Pointing at Jiang Qingning, he exclaimed, "If you were a man, would you still be planning to fight in battle, or take the imperial examination to become the top scholar?!"