Chapter 282: Two Alone (6)

On the other side, at the princess's residence, when the people outside informed her that Xie Jingxing had arrived, Princess Rongxin was already preparing to go to bed.

Having lived as a widow for many years, childless, she felt even more lonely during the festive season. Even though Emperor Wenhui and she were nominally siblings, they were not born from the same mother, so how could they truly be so close? Furthermore, being with the emperor in the palace was not as comfortable as staying at the princess's residence. Therefore, for many years during the Jade Rabbit Festival, Princess Rongxin neither entered the palace nor went out for fun, but remained quietly in her residence, just like she did on any other day.

Today was different. When Princess Rong Xin learned that Xie Jingxing was coming, she was a little surprised. After changing her clothes, she went out to greet him. When she walked into the hall, she saw Xie Jingxing already sitting on a chair waiting. When he saw her, he smiled slightly and said, "Aunt Rong."

Princess Rongxin's maiden name was Yurong, and she and Princess Yuqing had a deep sisterly bond, so it wasn't an exaggeration for Xie Jingxing to call her Aunt Rong.

"Why are you here today?" Princess Rongxin was puzzled upon seeing Xie Jingxing, but mostly delighted. Childless herself, she had long considered Xie Jingxing her own son. She pitied Xie Jingxing's life story. When Princess Yuqing passed away, Princess Rongxin had come to the Lin'an Marquis's residence to offer condolences and had scolded Xie Ding profusely. Although mischievous, Xie Jingxing treated Princess Rongxin with great respect, visiting the residence on every holiday. He usually came after the first day of the Lunar New Year, but this year, on Jade Rabbit Day, he came, much to Princess Rongxin's surprise.

"I missed Aunt Rong, so I came to see her. Aunt Rong wouldn't reject me, would she?" Xie Jingxing said with a smile. He was already handsome, and his half-joking, half-serious words, his handsome and charming demeanor, made all the maids in the hall blush.

Princess Rongxin tapped his forehead and said with a smile, "You even dare to tease an old man like me. You are getting bolder and bolder, you rascal."

"Missing Aunt Rong is one thing, but I came here tonight to ask Aunt Rong for help with something," he said.

Princess Rongxin was startled for a moment, then she sat up straight and said seriously, "Jingxing, are you in any trouble? If you have any problems, just tell Aunt Rong."

"Don't be nervous, Aunt Rong. It's nothing." Xie Jingxing explained with a smile, "A friend of mine got separated from her family today during the Jade Rabbit Festival and unfortunately fell into the water. Although I rescued her, it was a bit inconvenient. I also wanted Aunt Rong to send her back in the name of the Princess Mansion."

Although his words were simple, Princess Rongxin understood the underlying situation immediately. Although Mingqi was relatively open about matters between men and women, a girl's reputation was extremely sensitive. If rumors were to spread, it could be very painful. However... Princess Rongxin looked at Xie Jingxing: "Is your friend actually a girl?"

Xie Jingxing nodded.

"For so many years, I haven't seen any girl around you." Princess Rongxin suddenly said teasingly: "Jingxing, you are an adult now. I wonder how old that girl is and whether her family is married?"

"Aunt Rong," Xie Jingxing said helplessly, "She's still a little girl. I owed her a favor before, so I had to help her. Aunt Rong, you don't want to help me, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Princess Rongxin feigned anger. "When has Aunt Rong not helped you? Okay, okay, where is that girl now?"

"In the carriage outside, Aunt Rong can find her some clothes to change into." Xie Jingxing said.

Hearing this, Princess Rongxin looked at Xie Jingxing with a more meaningful look. Xie Jingxing just shook his head in amusement and didn't bother to explain. Princess Rongxin ordered the maids beside her to help Shen Miao from the carriage to the bedroom in the mansion to rest, and said to Xie Jingxing: "But you haven't told me yet, who is this girl from?"

"The Shen family in the capital, the daughter of the mighty general, Shen Miao." Xie Jingxing said lazily.

Princess Rongxin was drinking tea and nearly choked on it when she heard this. She looked at Xie Jingxing and said in disbelief, "That fool noble lady, isn't she in love with Prince Ding?"

Xie Jingxing shrugged. Princess Rongxin looked at him cautiously, choosing her words carefully: "Jingxing, there are thousands of girls in the world, and you are still young... wait a little longer."

Xie Jingxing: “…”

Two flowers bloomed, each showing its own beauty. On this side, Princess Rongxin and Xie Jingxing were having a heart-to-heart talk, while on the other side, Shen Miao was sitting in Princess Rongxin's bedroom, watching the maids coming and going to tidy her clothes and hair.

In her previous life, Princess Rongxin had never treated her with such warmth. Perhaps she looked down on her for wanting to marry someone else, or perhaps she thought her talent and knowledge were low-brow, but she always treated her coldly. Even after she became the Queen, Princess Rongxin remained indifferent to her. Furthermore, because Princess Rongxin was often absent from the palace, when she did visit, her gaze was not particularly friendly. In Shen Miao's mind, Princess Rongxin was also a difficult person to get along with.

Who knew he would be so attentive now, which made Shen Miao a little confused.