Chapter 14 "Why be so picky in my northern frontier..."

"This humble woman, Yuan Jixue, greets Your Highness, the Princess." After exchanging greetings with the Princess with great familiarity, the young woman looked at Feng Mian with a slight puzzlement, then put on a gentle smile and bowed to her.

"You recognize me?" Feng Mian looked at her with some curiosity, scrutinizing her closely. She was a rare beauty, and her simple clothes accentuated her elegant temperament.

Judging from her attire and the way she followed the maids of the Prince's residence with her head bowed respectfully, it was clear that she was not a daughter of an official, yet she seemed quite close to the Princess. Who is she, then?

Behind her, Liu Ying was even more vigilant. Having read many storybooks, she knew that someone who suddenly appeared at the male protagonist's residence at this time was probably involved in some unspeakable emotional entanglement with him.

Last night, Liu Ying was so nervous about entering the Prince's mansion the next day that she didn't sleep well and was sleepy the whole way. But now she was wide awake and stared at the beautiful woman in front of her.

Yuan Jixue smiled, her eyes crinkling, her demeanor neither humble nor arrogant. "I have never had the honor of meeting the Princess. It was only upon arriving at the Prince's residence today that I heard Her Highness's entourage had arrived, and that's when I dared to guess. It seems I was right."

She's clever and bold, isn't she? Feng Mian smiled slightly, but Liu Ying's eyes widened again: Everyone knows the princess has entered the manor today, why not come another day instead of bumping into us? Something's definitely fishy!

The princess asked, "Now that Ji Xue has arrived, why didn't you let the servants announce your arrival? If you hadn't happened to run into her, were you planning to leave quietly like this?"

“The princess has just arrived, and the princess consort is probably too busy to entertain guests. As a humble person, it is truly inconvenient for me to disturb her.” Yuan Jixue lowered her eyes for a moment, speaking with a hint of embarrassment. She raised her arm to show everyone the small bamboo basket hanging on her wrist. “I just wanted to put down the newly made medicine packet before I left.”

The princess smiled and said, "You are also a child I watched grow up, so there's no need to be so formal."

As if afraid that Feng Mian might misunderstand something, the princess turned her head and briefly introduced Yuan Jixue to her, "The Yuan family's courtyard is right next to the Prince's Mansion. Jixue's father is away doing business and doesn't come back often. My two children are also rarely home, so Jixue often comes to talk to me."

Feng Mian nodded: "So you're neighbors, that's really fate."

Liu Ying gasped: Childhood sweethearts! Neighbors! The worst has finally happened! Princess, what kind of fate is this? You should be more careful!

Liu Ying couldn't help but tug at Feng Mian's sleeve. Feng Mian turned around and looked at her, asking curiously, "What's wrong, Liu Ying? Are your eyes bothering you?"

The princess and Yuan Jixue also cast concerned glances at them.

Yuan Jixue: "Where do you feel unwell? I have some medical knowledge and can help take a look."

Liu Ying quickly waved her hand: "I'm fine, it's just some sand in my eyes. Wu Liu, you can take a look at me."

Liu Ying pulled Wu Liu closer, and Wu Liu leaned in and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Firefly: "Protect the princess!"

Wuliu: ?

Firefly: "Forget it, I can't explain this to the two of you. I'll talk about it later."

Yuan Jixue, standing nearby, asked Feng Mian with concern, "The wind and sand are strong in the north. Is the princess feeling unwell?"

"To my shame, I've been sitting in the carriage the whole way and haven't really had a chance to see the scenery of the Northern Frontier," Feng Mian said regretfully.

The boatman led the way through many desolate places, perhaps intentionally to let her experience the hardships of the northern frontier, as she didn't really see any scenery.

"I observe that the princess's complexion is pale, the bridge of her nose is dark, and she appears somewhat tired and her eyes are half-closed. It is clear that she has not rested well on the journey and must have been ill several times. Once settled, she must take good care of herself."

"Thank you. I've been in poor health since childhood, and I'm used to it." Feng Mian's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of curiosity appeared in his dark eyes. "You can glean so much information just from observation. Do you only have a basic understanding of medicine?"

Before Yuan Jixue could speak, the princess said with a smile, "This child is so modest. She has been studying medical books on her own since she was a child and has read almost all of the palace's collection."

"It's all just theoretical talk. I've never actually treated a patient. I just use pharmacology to prepare some medicine packets to kill time." Yuan Jixue spoke slowly and deliberately, and it was as pleasant to listen to as a spring breeze.

The princess tapped Yuan Jixue's forehead helplessly, looking every bit like an elder in the family, and then praised Feng Mian, "Jixue's medicine pouches are indeed excellent. When I can't sleep well, I rely entirely on her medicine pouches to calm my nerves and help me sleep." As she spoke, the princess took a plain silk pouch embroidered with a crabapple branch from Yuan Jixue's hand and handed it to Feng Mian to look at.

"Miss Yuan's embroidery skills are truly exquisite." Feng Mian leaned closer to smell it. The faint medicinal fragrance was overpowered by a sweet floral scent, not at all pungent. Even though she disliked the smell of medicine, she didn't find the medicine packet unpleasant. "The smell of this medicine packet is also quite unique."

"Your Highness is too kind. It's just a small skill, and I'm afraid it can't compare to that of Shengjing."

"What can't compare to Shengjing?" Baili Xunzhou and the Prince of Dingbei finally caught up slowly. The father and son never liked strolling in the garden, and as they lagged behind, they started talking about the defense of the northern frontier and the matters of Langgu Ridge. They walked slower and slower, arguing for a while before finally remembering to catch up with the Princess.

Yuan Jixue bowed to the two men: "This humble woman greets Your Highness and Your Highness, Brother Heir."

Crown Prince, brother?

Liu Ying and Wu Liu, who were following behind Feng Mian, turned around and looked at each other in shock.

My initial wariness had eased, but I became alert again towards the fireflies, pricking up my ears to listen for their next sniff.

Feng Mian was also taken aback. He blinked, glanced at Yuan Jixue, and then at Baili Xunzhou.

What kind of "good brother and good sister" drama is this?

Baili Xunzhou simply nodded in return, and Yuan Jixue, without any of the delicate, peach-blossom-like demeanor, naturally handed the small bamboo basket in her hand to Baili Xunzhou.

“We were just talking about this. Coincidentally, these two are for the Prince and his brother, the Crown Prince. They have added peppermint and borneol to refresh them and fight fatigue. They can be carried with them when they are on a forced march.”

Baili Xunzhou seemed to have misunderstood something. He glanced at Feng Mian and, upon taking the bamboo basket, praised loudly, "Miss Yuan's craftsmanship is excellent. There's no need to listen to others' criticisms. If you like things from Shengjing, then go back to Shengjing. Why bother being picky in my northern border region?"

This is a blatant attempt to undermine Fengmian's resolve.

Why is the young master like this? Could this Miss Yuan be doing this on purpose? Liu Ying seized the opportunity and was about to defend her master in a huff when a female voice preemptively explained, "Young master, you misunderstand. The princess was actually praising my skills just now, so I was just being modest."

As Yuan Jixue spoke, she looked at Feng Mian with a hint of apology, "It was my fault for speaking carelessly. My brother, the Crown Prince, is straightforward and spoke a bit hastily. I hope the Princess will not be offended."

Anyone who saw it would think that Yuan Jixue was sincerely apologizing, but Liu Ying cried out in her heart, "What is your relationship with the prince? Ask the princess for forgiveness on his behalf. Doesn't that immediately show how close or distant you are?"

She wished she could shout into her own princess's ear.

However, Feng Mian was not stupid; he had only read a few storybooks. Having spent so many years in the palace, he could see that Yuan Jixue was secretly trying to show her closeness to Baili Xunzhou.

However, she still possessed a certain girlish pride. She wanted to act like a green tea bitch, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She seemed even more reluctant to show this side of herself in front of the princess. Therefore, she was awkward and hesitant, which, in Feng Mian's eyes, was really not very threatening.

Baili Xunzhou was unaware of these intricate details. He only knew that he had misunderstood Feng Mian due to his preconceived notions, and how could he allow someone else to apologize on his behalf? He immediately walked up to Feng Mian, solemnly clasped his hands in apology, and said, "I'm sorry, I was unaware of the cause and effect and made a judgment without knowing what happened. It was my fault."

"Alright, alright, it was just a misunderstanding, why do you two have to apologize so repeatedly?" Feng Mian quickly stepped aside to avoid Baili Xunzhou's deep bow. Doing so would make her seem petty.

Princess Consort embraced Feng Mian and glared at Baili Xunzhou, "He deserves to apologize. He's easily swayed by rumors; to put it nicely, he's straightforward, but to put it bluntly, he's brainless."

Baili Xunzhou opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say a word. He could only look at his mother with suppressed anger and silently accept the scolding.

Seeing this, Yuan Jixue took her leave to help him out of the predicament, saying, "Now that the things have been delivered, I'll head back first."

As she spoke, she looked at Feng Mian, her beautiful peach blossom eyes showing great sincerity, "I did not expect to see the princess here today. The medicine packet I prepared for the princess is still missing some materials and will take two days to be ready. I hope the princess will not blame me for being negligent today."

Why is she apologizing again? She apologizes way too much. Feng Mian has received more apologies in the more than ten years she's been in the palace than she has today. After all, Chu Jinglian, the only one who always seems to provoke her, isn't the type to apologize easily.

“Miss Yuan, there’s really no need to be so polite. It’s still early, and you’re the first girl of similar age I’ve met since I came to the Northern Frontier. Why don’t you stay and chat with me?”

After all, she's been a neighbor of the Prince's Mansion for over a decade, so she's definitely more familiar with the mansion than she is with someone who's just arrived. Maybe she can get more information from her.

Liu Ying couldn't understand why the princess wanted to keep Yuan Jixue; she couldn't wait for Yuan Jixue to leave.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but my father and brothers have returned home today, and I really cannot stay outside for long." Yuan Jixue said with some difficulty.

Upon hearing Yuan Jixue say that her father and brothers had returned, Baili Xunzhou's brows furrowed slightly. "How can I let you go back alone?"

"It's just going home, what's wrong with being alone?" Liu Ying's heart skipped a beat. Did the prince mean he was going to personally escort her home? What kind of behavior was that? If the people on the street found out that the prince was sending another woman home on the very first day the princess arrived in the northern frontier, wouldn't the princess's situation become even more difficult?

She quickly and quietly nudged Feng Mian's lower back, signaling her to speak up and stop the prince.

"The princess has just arrived today, so there's no need for you to be so polite, Your Highness..."

"Shanyi, go and escort Miss Yuan." Baili Xunzhou turned around and gave the order briskly, then noticed that Yuan Jixue had spoken, "Miss Yuan, what did you just say?"

Firefly: "..."

You worried for nothing.

Feng Mian subtly turned her head to the side, pursing her lips to suppress the urge to smile. She knew that this prince hadn't understood the young lady's hints and feigned reluctance.

Yuan Jixue: "..."

Yuan Jixue awkwardly clenched her handkerchief, pursed her lips, and shook her head: "It's nothing, thank you, Your Highness."

She turned and left with Shanyi, their graceful figures quickly disappearing into the crisscrossing corridors.