Chapter 257 Is Lu Chi looking for a new mortal enemy?

Xie Yunjia was somewhat surprised that someone else had beaten her to it.

Xie Yunjia said with dissatisfaction, "I just heard that Lu Chi's relationship with my fifth brother has improved. Is he planning to find a new mortal enemy?"

"ah?"

Sheng Sheng didn't quite understand, so Xie Yunjia tapped her on the head and said with exasperation, "Are you stupid? You and your second brother just came back from Haijin City. Putting aside whether Father Emperor will invite you to dine with us, even your elder sister might invite you along, right?"

I listened intently, seemingly understanding but not quite. Whether I understood or not is unknown, but I was certainly paying close attention.

Xie Yunjia looked at her younger sister's innocent appearance and felt both annoyed and amused.

“You’ve probably eaten at my place five out of ten times during this period. Lu Chi knows we often eat together. You just got back, and if he had any sense, he would know that I would definitely invite you to eat with us.”

Xie Yunjia crossed her arms and snorted coldly, "But it's obvious he didn't even consider it. So it's clear he doesn't take me, the eldest princess, seriously at all. Isn't he just looking for a new nemesis to oppose me?"

"ah??"

Sheng Sheng was both amused and exasperated, completely baffled by Xie Yunjia's "twisted logic."

What does this have to do with anything?

"Elder sister, where did you get this idea?"

Xie Yunjia was extremely unhappy and didn't care whether she was right or wrong.

They'll say they're right whether they're right or wrong, and they'll insist they are either: "Don't worry about where this comes from, just tell me if it makes sense or not."

"No, no, Your Highness, you've misunderstood Brother Lu Chi. Actually, I couldn't resist the temptation of the food, that's why I agreed." Sheng Sheng scratched her head sheepishly. "Besides, Brother Lu Chi is a really nice person; he probably didn't think much of it."

When Xie Yunjia saw that the little dumpling was even speaking up for others, she became even angrier and called Sheng Sheng a little rascal, just like the stone in her arms.

"Well, Lu Chi, that little brat, really does hang out with Xie Yunqi, just as annoying as Xie Yunqi!"

Xie Yunjia's temper flared up again. Shengsheng knew she was a stubborn person, so he went along with her and said, "Yes, yes, don't be angry, Your Highness. How about I go find Your Highness for a late-night snack later?"

Xie Yunjia's temper flares up quickly but also subsides just as fast.

Xie Yunjia was already a bit too proud of herself, but after being coaxed by Sheng Sheng, she immediately calmed down.

"Alright, what would you like for a late-night snack? I'll have someone prepare it."

Sheng Sheng smiled and ordered a few light dishes, and repeatedly promised to come find her as soon as he finished dinner, before Xie Yunjia let him go.

Sheng Sheng quickly took the dirty stone in her arms and went back to clean it.

Xie Yunjia watched the little dumpling walk away, but the resentment she felt towards Lu Chi still lingered.

"What? The little dumpling's first meal back should of course be eaten with me, his royal older sister. What's the point of eating with him?"

Xie Yunjia kicked at the pebbles at her feet, muttering, "That Lu Chi is really annoying."

Xiao Tao, standing behind her, hesitated before speaking, "Princess... actually, this servant thinks that you're being a bit too stubborn about this."

"What?" Xie Yunjia looked at Xiao Tao in disbelief. "Whose side are you on? Why aren't you speaking up for your princess?!"

Xiao Tao sighed and said, "Princess, it's the Second Princess's freedom to agree to have dinner with whomever she wants. Similarly, there's no rule that the Second Princess must have dinner with you. The friendship between children is indeed different from familial affection. Since Young Master Lu invited the Second Princess to dinner, it means that Young Master Lu truly considers the Second Princess a friend. Didn't you say before that you didn't have many friends when you were young and know how unpleasant that feeling is, and you hoped that the Second Princess could make more friends? You should be happy that the Second Princess has made friends."

Xie Yunjia's expression froze, a hint of confusion flashing across her face, but her temper subsided.

"I... I am happy," Xie Yunjia said doubtfully. "Now that you mention it, it does seem to make some sense."

She understood the reasoning behind it all, but sometimes she would feel a strange possessiveness towards Shengsheng, as if Shengsheng were her exclusive friend.

Xie Yunjia was shocked. Could it be that she had fallen in love with her own sister?!

"ah?"

Xiao Tao was completely bewildered.

Xiao Tao originally wanted to guide Xie Yunjia to face her own dependence on Sheng Sheng, which she had never noticed before. Heaven knows how Xie Yunjia's brain worked, that she could actually think of this.

Xiao Tao smiled wryly. Sure enough, her princess was as "surprising" as ever.

*

That morning, the group returned to Beijing from the Shanglin Hunting Grounds.

Having spent so much time in Shanglin Weichang, Sheng Sheng was quite reluctant to leave. After all, it was here that her connection with the stones began, and she still really liked Shanglin Weichang.

Xie Yunyang rode his horse alongside Shengsheng's carriage. Seeing Shengsheng constantly leaning out of the window to look back, he couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to part with him?"

"Yes, of course! Once we get back to the palace, we won't be able to go out and play as much as we want. And there are so many people here that Sheng Sheng can play with, and she's having so much fun!"

Xie Yunyang chuckled and comforted her, "It's alright. After we get back to Beijing, I'll find another opportunity to take you to Yunshan Farm, okay?"

"Really?" Sheng Sheng's eyes lit up immediately. "Great! Thank you, Prince!"

Xie Yun-yang smiled and nodded. Xie Yun-qi suddenly rode up from behind on horseback. Seeing that they were both smiling, he asked curiously.

"What are you chatting about that makes you so happy? Why didn't you include me?"

Sheng Sheng asked in confusion, "Hey, Fifth Brother, why are you riding a horse? Didn't you just say you were too sleepy and wanted to sleep in the carriage?"

Xie Yunqi waved his hand, looking annoyed: "Ugh, don't even mention it. I don't know what's wrong with my carriage, there are always things jumping around on the roof, sparrows or other birds, even squirrels. They're making so much noise that I can't get any peace and quiet, I can't sleep at all. Sigh, it's better to get down and ride some horses, that will clear my head. I can just go to bed early tonight."

"bird?"

Xie Yun was also puzzled: "Why does this bird keep jumping onto your carriage?"

"You'll have to ask those birds," Xie Yunqi said resentfully. "They always hop around on the roof of my carriage a couple of times, then stick their heads out to look down, and then fly away." "Who knows what those birds are doing? It's like they're looking for someone."

Looking for someone?

Sheng Sheng blinked and suddenly remembered the woodpecker she had met before.

What did that bird say again? Something about spreading the word that she could speak "bird language".

Could it be that...