Chapter 284: Closeness (2)

"It's too expensive," Shen Miao declined. The bracelet was a sandblasted peony jadeite double ring, with five interlocking gold rings. It had been a dowry from the late Empress Dowager, Princess Rongxin's biological mother, and was later given to Princess Rongxin when she married. Shen Miao had seen Princess Rongxin use this double ring in her previous life, which showed how much she treasured it.

"Just wear it." Princess Rongxin said with a smile, "It's just a small thing, gold, silver, jewelry, etc. I think your Shen family has it. Don't despise it."

“How dare a minister despise the Empress Dowager’s bracelet?” Shen Miao said, “But it’s still too valuable…”

Princess Rongxin was stunned: "How do you know this is the Empress Dowager's bracelet?"

Shen Miao also paused, thinking to herself, "Oh no!" In her previous life, she was the head of the six palaces, so naturally she knew everything about the women in the palace. However, in this life, she was just the daughter of a minister, so naturally, she would not know about such private matters of the royal family.

Seeing Princess Rong Xin's suspicious look, Shen Miao suddenly had an idea and said with a smile, "I've heard Young Marquis Xie mention that he and Her Royal Highness have a very good relationship and he often mentions Her Royal Highness."

“So that’s how it is.” Princess Rong Xin’s expression softened instantly, and she was relieved: “I have treated him as my own child all these years. It’s amazing that he still has a conscience.” At this point, she looked at Shen Miao with a different look: “However, he actually told you all this…”

Shen Miao's body stiffened as she heard Princess Rong Xin say, "It seems he truly considers you a 'friend.'" Princess Rong Xin sighed, "Although Jingxing may seem a bit naughty, he's a good kid. In all these years, I've never seen him so attentive to any girl." She smiled at Shen Miao with satisfaction and said, "You're the first."

Shen Miao thought to herself that Princess Rongxin was acting just like Xie Jingxing's biological mother. However, Xie Jingxing's interest in her wasn't due to any romantic interests. She was afraid that Xie Jingxing might have become suspicious of her. Dealing with such a clever person was truly a headache.

Just then, a maid brought in some brewed ginger tea. Princess Rongxin chatted with Shen Miao while she drank the tea. The more she chatted with Shen Miao, the more she liked her. She found that Shen Miao was not the foolish and stupid person as rumored, but rather knowledgeable and generous. Even in simple conversations, she did not seem rigid. She wondered where a daughter raised in seclusion could have such broad horizons. Remembering Shen Miao's previous love for Prince Ding, Princess Rongxin felt a little worried. Although Prince Ding was also her nephew, Princess Rongxin's heart naturally leaned more towards Xie Jingxing than Fu Xiuyi. Princess Rongxin did not want her nephew to miss out on such an outstanding girl, so she kept praising Xie Jingxing during their conversation.

Princess Rongxin was cold and old-fashioned. Not to mention outsiders, even relatives, she was cold in front of Emperor Wenhui. But today, she had a very pleasant conversation with a strange girl, which almost shocked the servants in the princess's mansion.

Little did they know that in her previous life, Shen Miao had married Fu Xiuyi, eager to please all of Fu Xiuyi's relatives. She had also inquired extensively about Princess Rongxin, naturally knowing how to cater to her preferences. However, her previous life had little success, and now, simply because of her relationship with Xie Jingxing, she had perfectly suited Princess Rongxin's taste. Had she known Princess Rongxin was so easy to please, wouldn't she have simply managed her relationship with Xie Jingxing in her previous life? There was no need for such intensive efforts.

Princess Rongxin talked until the incense stick was almost burned out. She stood up reluctantly and said, "It's getting late. If I don't send you back home soon, I'm sure General Shen and Madam Shen will be very worried. I have asked someone to prepare a carriage and will take you back right away." After that, she stood up and gave instructions to the person who came.