“Eunuch Qin, I’m married now. My husband is a descendant of the previous dynasty’s royal family.”
As Cen Xi listened to his eloquent speech, she twirled her chopsticks and uttered a cryptic remark.
"What?"
After a long pause, Eunuch Qin understood what Cen Xi had said and immediately collapsed to the ground.
"I'm telling you all this so that I can tell you that there are no rules here, only equality. I have no intention of changing your mind, but I also don't like people who keep talking about rules and imperial power all the time."
"Although I sometimes use my identity to make a big deal out of it, it's just something I do on a whim."
"So, Eunuch Qin, you should release the pressure points on the fat aunt. Let her have some fun here these few days; there might not be another chance later."
Cen Xi smiled and spoke gently, but for some reason, Eunuch Qin broke out in a cold sweat. In this situation, it was still better for the princess to show him some face.
He knew very well that if he continued to interfere in her life, he might not have the chance to return to Beijing with her.
She might give him some money, but she definitely wouldn't keep him.
Having figured this out, he got up, silently walked to the fat woman, and flicked his finger.
After being freed, the plump aunt looked at the food on the stone table, said nothing, rolled up her sleeves, and was about to tear off a duck leg from the Eight Treasures Duck dish.
Cen Xi tapped her hand with her chopsticks, and her hand reflexively recoiled in pain.
The plump woman was somewhat displeased, but the person in front of her was too fierce, so she could only mutter a curse:
"You talk so righteously, but then you won't let us eat when we're about to. What a hypocrite!"
"Eunuch Qin, go and get her a bowl and chopsticks!"
The plump aunt's dissatisfied yet timid demeanor, which successfully pleased Cen Xi, led her to casually say something to Eunuch Qin.
Eunuch Qin looked up and glanced at Cen Xi with surprise, but said nothing and went to do as she instructed.
He moved quickly and soon placed the bowls, plates, and chopsticks in front of the plump aunt.
“You should eat properly. How can others eat if you eat with your hands? You can eat now, but remember to behave properly in the future, or I won’t go easy on you.”
When Cen Xi saw the bowls and plates brought over, the plump aunt didn't touch them, so she gestured for her to eat. However, before eating, she still said a lot of things.
"I'm not eating anymore. You finish eating first, then I'll eat. The rules are ridiculously strict. Besides, Eunuch Qin is right. I'm a servant and can't eat at the same table as you. You hurry up and finish eating. What's left is mine."
That woman across from me was so fierce; I couldn't eat a single bite while sitting with her.
She can eat the leftovers; I don't mind, as long as there's something left for her.
"Tch! You don't know what's good for you! Take it or leave it. If you don't want to eat, stand aside."
Cen Xi felt that this fat woman had too many faults and really had no patience for her, so she sent her away again and picked up her chopsticks to eat herself.
Her compassion was limited, and now that the other party didn't appreciate it, why should she bother?
However, perhaps out of guilt, she ultimately left a duck leg for them.
After she finished eating, she asked Su Nianniang:
Where are the markets around here?
"We're in town. Would the princess like to visit the market?"
Su Nianniang had just stood aside and witnessed the entire meal. She knew very well that this princess had a bad temper and was not easy to mess with, so she had better not provoke her.
It's best to answer whatever she asks.
How long does it take to walk?
Cen Xi remembered that she had taken a car last time, so she really couldn't estimate the time.
"It will take about an hour to get there. If there is anything you want to buy, tell me and I will go and buy it for you first thing tomorrow morning."
Su Nianniang replied with a smile.
"Let's go together tomorrow. We can buy some New Year's goods and have a proper New Year. We'll have to go to the capital after the New Year, and we don't know when you'll be back!"
Cen Xi thought for a moment and then said.
"The princess likes to spend the New Year in the village? I heard that the New Year celebrations in the capital are very lively."
Su Nianniang said with a smile as she dried the chilies.
"It's a different atmosphere. This princess enjoys appreciating different scenery. Besides, there's nothing much to do here. Why not buy some New Year's goods and join in the festivities? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Cen Xi was in high spirits. Looking at the earthen-tiled house, she wanted to decorate it. Now that she was free of her burdens, she wanted to enjoy life. If that Yan Taizu were still alive, she wouldn't have such thoughts now.
Shen Jinchen isn't here either; it's a rare moment of freedom.
She can do whatever she wants, isn't that great?
“Alright, then we’ll go together first thing tomorrow morning. Princess, you’ve had a long and tiring journey. I’ve lit the kang (heated brick bed) so you can lie down on it for a while if you have nothing to do.”
Su Nianniang nodded and then offered her suggestion.
"Good! Seeing how capable you are, I'm even thinking of recommending you to be a lady-in-waiting in the palace."
Cen Xi smiled lazily and said casually.
Upon hearing this, Su Nianniang laughed in a clear, melodious voice, which was very pleasant to hear.
"Hehehe... Princess, you are joking. I am just a country bumpkin. How can I compare to the female officials in the palace? Please don't flatter your mother."
“Noble people like you would never have met us in our entire lives. If it weren’t for an accident that caused us to switch identities, the concubine and the princess would not have had this conversation. So, princess, you can’t make jokes like this.”
"This is fate. It means we have a deep connection. We look so alike, maybe we even have some ancestral connection. So there's no need to belittle yourself."
Cen Xi originally wanted to go inside, but seeing that the sun was out and it was nice to bask in the sun, she decided not to move.
"Hehehe... Princess, what you're saying is getting more and more outrageous. Nianniang can't take your teasing."
Su Nianniang smiled as she turned the chili peppers, her joy barely concealed in her eyes.
She was initially heartbroken over her husband's death, but now it seems her life won't be bad either, because they are quite lucky to have met someone of noble status.
They might even be able to live in the capital in the future; that would be an immense blessing.
Seeing that she was happy, Cen Xi wanted to say a few more words to liven up the atmosphere.
But before she could even open her mouth, there was a knock on the courtyard door.
Su Nianniang reacted quickly, removing the door bolt, only to find two unfamiliar men.
It is clearly a master and a servant.
The master was dressed in a blood-red robe, wearing a jade crown, and was handsome and elegant. His aura was so imposing that it inspired awe in those who looked upon him.
Su Nianniang stared blankly for a long while before stammering out a question:
Who are you looking for?
"Ah-Xi!"
Shen Jinchen grabbed her hand, but then felt something was wrong and immediately let go, staring coldly at Su Nianniang.
"You...you're looking for Her Highness the Princess, right? She...she's inside. You...you can come in."
The man's eyes were so cold that Su Nianniang was startled and stammered, but she forced herself to remain calm and opened the door wide.
Shen Jinchen coldly thanked her and walked into the courtyard, where his eyes met Cen Xi's.
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