The four people sat facing each other. Song Ning remained silent, while Tang Xinghuai sat opposite her, no longer acting like a spoiled brat.

Xia Shiyang glanced at the two of them, then lowered his voice and said to Jiang Shuyue, "Your Highness, don't you think there's something wrong with these two?"

Jiang Shuyue nodded; even a fool could see that.

The two clearly know each other.

"Er Ya, are you hungry? Shall we get something to eat?"

"No, it's getting late, and I have things to do. I'll head back soon."

Tang Xinghuai paused in his grip on the cup, glanced at Song Ning casually, and said nothing.

Jiang Shuyue glared at the person next to her, annoyed. He really was a jinx; even a cute and lively girl like Er Ya wouldn't say a word when she saw him.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be leaving?"

Tang Xinghuai forced a smile and actually stood up: "I forgot that I have important matters to attend to, so it is indeed time for me to go."

Tang Xinghuai was indeed acting strangely today; he wasn't usually this easy to talk to.

However, none of the three people present welcomed him, so it wasn't a good idea to keep him around.

As an ordinary citizen, Song Ning still stood up and bowed when Tang Xinghuai got up to leave.

It would have been better if he hadn't offered the proper greeting; the moment he did, Tang Xinghuai's expression turned even uglier.

Song Ning doesn't have many friends in this world besides his family; Tang Xinghuai used to be one of them.

She used to think that Tang Xinghuai was the kind of person she could share secrets with, the kind of person who would help her come up with ideas even if she told him something huge, and the kind of person she could confide in.

But she misjudged the situation.

Later I realized that he was just hiding his true feelings; there was no way he could open his heart to me.

If Tang Xinghuai had come to her shortly after that incident, she would have broken his legs.

But after so much time, the resentment in her heart gradually subsided, and she felt it was meaningless.

Even if you're really angry, what can you do?

He's a prince now, a nobleman of the imperial court, so his status and position are naturally extraordinary.

Even if he weren't a prince, they would never be friends again.

As the old saying goes, only friends have the chance to stab you in the back.

Consider it as my sincere heart being wasted on dogs.

She had no romantic feelings for Tang Xinghuai; she simply felt that he could become a good friend.

It's a pity that Tang Xing had his own ambitions and was ultimately not on the same path as them.

But what was that saying again?

Everyone encounters a few idiots when they're young, right?

Fortunately, she is still alive and well.

Thinking of this, Song Ning felt that she really should kowtow to Xie Linzhou. Given her previous crimes, shouldn't her entire family have been executed?

I used to think Xie Linzhou wasn't as sensible as Tang Xinghuai, but now that I think about it, she really doesn't know what's good for her.

Such a big thing, Xie Linzhou said it was nothing and that it was nothing. Although she made amends later, Xie Linzhou was truly a gentleman with great magnanimity.

If we run into them again next time, we should still treat them better.

Turning her head, she saw Jiang Shuyue and Xia Shiyang staring at her with curious expressions.

"What's wrong?"

"Er Ya, you still say you two don't know each other? You didn't see how ugly Tang Xinghuai's face was when he left."

Xia Shiyang knew Xie Linzhou's thoughts, and immediately became vigilant.

"Miss Song, you two weren't... " she hesitated, but the meaning was clear.

Song Ning sighed, "Lord Xia, it's not what you think."

What is it?

Just from their expressions, they could easily imagine a scene of a lovesick man and a resentful woman.

Judging from their expressions, if she didn't speak up today, she probably wouldn't be able to leave this room.

Song Ning sighed slightly. Why are a vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue and a princess so gossipy?

"We really don't have anything going on, we just know each other, and we used to be friends."

"We used to be friends? And now?"

Now? It was so obvious just now, couldn't you see it?

Jiang Shuyue patted her shoulder and nodded very seriously: "Er Ya, well done. You can't be friends with someone like that."

Jiang Shuyue knew this all too well; Tang Xinghuai was a man of habit, and he might just trap you at any time.

"Er Ya, don't be sad. I'll be your best friend from now on."

Song Ning wasn't heartbroken, just a little sentimental. Friends can be found again, but life is gone forever.

Xia Shiyang silently observed Song Ning's expression, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging from Song Ning's appearance, the two of them should be fine, and Xie Linzhou still has a chance.

Xia Shiyang sat for a while, then got up to say goodbye. Song Ning wandered around the shop and, seeing that business was booming, also said goodbye and left.

As soon as Song Ning left, someone came in and whispered something in Jiang Shuyue's ear. Jiang Shuyue's expression immediately turned sour.

Where is he?

"It's right here in the princess's residence."

Jiang Shuyue was no longer the innocent and carefree girl she had been in front of Song Ning.

His eyes hardened with frost, and he said coldly, "Go back."

The princess's residence was completely silent at this moment.

The servants stood trembling to one side, watching the person in the main seat with utmost caution.

"Has the princess not returned yet?" the elegant and dignified woman in the main seat asked calmly.

The maidservant beside him quickly knelt down: "Your Highness, we have already sent someone to fetch him. His Highness should be back soon. Please wait a little longer."

Consort Shu gently lifted her eyelids, pursing her lips in obvious displeasure.

The maidservant beside her understood and stepped forward to slap her: "You lowly servant, who is the Imperial Concubine? Why are you making her wait? Hurry up and urge her!"

The maid, her face swollen, quickly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant will go right away."

The old nanny stepped forward to massage Consort Shu's back, saying ingratiatingly, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. The princess has always been filial, and she must be on her way back by now. Please don't worry."

Consort Shu's face turned cold: "Shu Yue has grown up, her wings have hardened, and she's become unruly."

"Your Highness, you flatter me. Her Highness is just young and has an unstable temperament. Please teach her more."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone came to report: "Your Highness, His Highness has returned."

"Let her in."

Jiang Shuyue walked in unhurriedly, and before she could speak, she was greeted by a cold voice.

"Kneel down."

Jiang Shuyue stood still, without even a hint of fear on her face.

It was this indifferent attitude that Consort Shu found most repulsive.

She didn't know when it started, but the respect and fear in Jiang Shuyue's eyes were gone.

Instead, indifference and alienation prevailed.

"Just say what you need to say. Let's not play those palace games here. This is the princess's residence."

"presumptuous!"

The old woman quickly stepped forward to soothe her: "Your Highness, don't upset yourself."

He turned to Jiang Shuyue and said, "Your Highness, please have a good talk with the Empress and don't let things get out of hand."

Jiang Shuyue sneered: "Father bestowed a mansion upon me two years ago. Is this Mother's first visit today? Let me guess, what brings you here this time? Could it be that your good-for-nothing son has caused trouble again?"