Chapter 15 Chapter 15 It’s a pity that the Third Prince doesn’t appreciate it…
As expected, Nie Xiangyi did not get any answer from Xie Zhi.
She was not discouraged. After Han Xu's persuasion that day, she had figured out a lot of things.
Anyway, the Third Prince has such a cold and aloof personality, and it's common for him to keep people at a distance. After all, she is close to him, so she will definitely fall in love with him over time and impress him.
Thinking of this, she became full of energy again!
Since His Highness didn't say what he liked, she tried them one by one! She could always find something he liked!
It’s a pity that the only thing she is good at is the jade cake. She doesn’t know anything else and can only ask the kitchen nanny to teach her little by little.
That day she was learning to make lotus root stuffed with fragrant herbs, and she happened to hear Hanxu mention that there would be a temple fair in the capital in a few days.
"I heard that the Flower God Temple Fair is very lively and there are fireworks!"
"Really? Then let's go check it out!"
She was in high spirits when she heard a servant outside announce that the second young lady was coming.
"Which second young lady?" Nie Xiangyi raised his eyebrows in confusion. Where did the second young lady come from in this mansion?
But she understood in an instant, "Is it Nie Yuanwei? What is she doing here?"
No one comes to visit someone for no reason. Nie Xiangyi felt annoyed when she thought of her delicate face, which was similar to her mother's.
She waved her perfumed hands impatiently, "Let her go back. I don't have time to see her!"
The concierge who delivered the message looked a little hesitant. "But the Second Miss said...she wanted to see him for something important..."
Seeing this, Hanxu stepped forward and whispered, "The second young lady is very good at making trouble. She's been standing outside the door waiting. If you don't let her in, and someone sees her, I'm afraid they'll gossip about you bullying her again."
"Let her be." Nie Xiangyi sneered nonchalantly, "I'm not the one who's tired anyway."
"But His Highness is almost off duty these days..."
Hearing this, Nie Xiangyi's face instantly fell, "What a troublemaker! She always pretends to be submissive and aggrieved! Could it be that she wants His Highness to think that I bullied her? Forget it! Let her in!"
As she spoke, she carefully put the prepared fragrant and medicinal stuffed lotus root into the pot.
Nie Yuanwei waited in front of her villa for a long time before a servant came to greet her.
After all, she was a daughter of a marquis, and although the mansion was not doing well now, she had never been treated so coldly.
Although she was unhappy, she didn't say anything at the moment and just smiled gently.
Entering through the main gate, Nie Yuanwei discovered that this place, though called a "separate courtyard," was actually as spacious and exquisite as the Marquis's Mansion. Small bridges and flowing water, rockery and rockery, white cranes stretching their necks, and peacocks spreading their feathers, it was an extremely luxurious place.
It doesn't seem like they were forced to move, but rather like they came here to enjoy a comfortable life.
What she didn't expect was that the servant didn't lead her into the main house, but instead led her to the kitchen in the corner.
The smell of oil smoke made her frown slightly.
When he entered, he found that these servants were not deliberately making things difficult for him, but Nie Xiangyi was busy in the kitchen.
She was wearing a belt, and her slender hands were covered with spices, as if she even did the cooking herself.
It turned out that the furnishings outside were just showpieces that looked good but were not used. I imagine her life in the other courtyard was not easy.
This realization made her feel secretly relieved and proud for no reason.
However, her face still contained just the right amount of worry. "Why did Eldest Sister take matters into her own hands? The servants in this villa are so useless!"
Nie Xiangyi frowned as soon as he saw her and said unhappily, "If you have something to say, just say it! Can't you see I'm busy?"
"My elder sister is so pitiful." Nie Yuanwei looked at her with consideration and pity, full of a sense of superiority.
She said softly, "Since it's such hard work, why don't I go back and report to my father and ask him to send some more people over."
Seeing that she was still nagging, Nie Xiangyi impatiently swung his hand. Due to inertia, there was a "pop" sound, and the reddish-brown fragrant mud was immediately splashed on Nie Yuanwei's fair cheek, as if she had been slapped neither lightly nor heavily.
What is she doing! Nie Yuanwei showed a look of extreme disgust towards the fragrant medicinal mud, and his face suddenly became ugly. But Nie Xiangyi didn't notice it at all. While watching the fire in the pot, he made a sound of "tsk".
"Are you annoying? If you have something to say, say it. If not, just stay away!"
Nie Yuanwei took a deep breath and suppressed his dissatisfied expression.
The servants around her acted as if they hadn't noticed, and none of them came forward to help her. She could only pick up the silk and wipe her cheeks bit by bit. Then she acted timidly, wanting to say something but stopping herself, as if she was afraid of touching Nie Xiangyi's sore spot.
"I wonder if my elder sister has heard the gossip in the streets..."
At this moment, Nie Xiangyi, under the guidance of the nanny, had just taken the lotus root stuffed with herbs out of the pot. The pot was so hot that she grimaced and shook her hands.
I don't know if she was listening.
Nie Yuanwei could only speak to herself, "Although my eldest sister has moved to a separate courtyard, my father and mother still care about her. It's only because of feng shui that they've allowed her to stay here temporarily. We sisters are of the same blood, so even though there are some rumors out there, my eldest sister must not take them to heart."
What a high-sounding statement.
"You're still pretending in front of me." Nie Xiangyi sneered and squinted at her. "Do you think I, Nie Xiangyi, am a big fool?"
If the Marquis' Mansion had intended to conceal this matter, it wouldn't have been a big deal at all, let alone making it known to everyone.
It's just someone's intention.
"Why do you take your anger out on me, elder sister?" Nie Yuanwei was so offended by her that he paused in his words and thought she was just angry and throwing a tantrum.
She pursed her lips, revealing her usual aggrieved expression, "If you really can't think of a solution, why not ask mother to think of a solution for you? It's better than cooking here by yourself."
She was so sarcastic, afraid that others wouldn't hear that she was showing off.
"I'll go and beg her?" Nie Xiangyi looked like she'd just heard some ridiculous joke. "I'm going to make this clear today. Even if Jiang Yun'e comes to beg me to return to the Nie Mansion someday, I won't even look at her."
Seeing her so arrogant and shameless, Nie Yuanwei couldn't help but change his expression.
"It seems that Eldest Sister has made up her mind to be the abandoned daughter of the Nie family?"
As long as she carries this title, Nie Xiangyi will never be able to marry into a wealthy family.
She wanted to see how tough Nie Xiangyi was.
Nie Xiangyi sneered upon hearing this, "Then you might as well guess first, will my grandfather be furious about this next time he returns to the capital?"
Nie Yuanwei was stunned, then gritted his teeth secretly.
She forgot that this was her greatest reliance, General Anxi.
However, Shanzhou is out of reach, but there is still a long way to go and they will always have a chance.
Nie Yuanwei said nothing more.
At this moment, Han Xu whispered in Nie Xiangyi's ear, "Miss, His Highness is back."
Nie Xiangyi's eyes brightened instantly, and she no longer cared about Nie Yuanwei.
She quickly washed her hands and put the fragrant stuffed lotus root into the food box. Just as she was about to go out, she saw Nie Yuanwei still standing there, looking at him with disgust.
"Don't show me what you and your mother are thinking about."
There was a hint of threat in her tone, "Otherwise, next time it will be a venomous snake."
After saying that, he ignored her, took the lunch box and went out.
Nie Yuanwei’s eyes widened when he heard that. It was indeed her!
That strange snake scene was such a coincidence! She was so bold! She acted so recklessly!
She took a deep breath, followed Nie Xiangyi not too far away, and walked out of the house with her.
She saw Nie Xiangyi standing at the door, looking eagerly, as if waiting for someone.
"Eldest sister, I'll take my leave first." She didn't care that Nie Xiangyi didn't look at her, and just performed her duties with full courtesy in front of outsiders.
He immediately got on the Nie Mansion's carriage and was about to leave.
Suddenly, she heard the maidservant beside her whisper to her, "Look, young lady! The person you are waiting for seems to be the Third Prince?"
Nie Yuanwei was startled when he heard this, and he lifted the curtain of the carriage to take a look.
I saw a four-horse carriage drawn entirely in pitch black stopped at the door of the house opposite, and a man slowly walked down from it. He was handsome, with a clear mind and a slender figure.
When Nie Xiangyi saw him, she greeted him happily, the breeze lifting the hem of her skirt, like a fluttering butterfly in spring.
"The person living across the street is actually the Third Prince?" Nie Yuanwei's tone was filled with shock.
She paused for a moment, as if thinking of Nie Xiangyi. "This is too inappropriate. A single man and a single woman living together. If word gets out, it'll damage my eldest sister's reputation. Why did mother choose this villa for me?"
"The Marquis's Mansion has declined over the years, and this is the only villa left in the capital. It wasn't originally under Madam's name, so I'm afraid Madam isn't very familiar with it..."
The maid hesitated, "Young lady... wouldn't you be secretly having an affair with the Third Prince?"
Nie Yuanwei's face suddenly turned cold. "What do you think of the Third Prince? He's such a pure man, why would he care about that unruly fool Nie Xiangyi?"
She clenched the curtain in her hand and stared at Nie Xiangyi not far away.
Seeing her eager and expectant expression towards the Third Prince, she was like a young girl in love, with her thoughts written all over her face.
"Your Highness, I made lotus root stuffed with fragrant herbs today! I wonder if Your Highness likes it!"
The Third Prince opposite him still had his usual cold and aloof demeanor and coldly refused, "I don't like it."
Nie Yuanwei finally seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He lowered the carriage curtains and sneered, "Mother's schemes have actually benefited my eldest sister. Look! She's truly enjoying herself so much that she doesn't want to leave."
Nie Xiangyi's slightly gloomy expression after being rejected just now made her feel strangely happy. She raised her lips and smiled softly, "It's a pity that the Third Prince doesn't appreciate it."
So she told the maid, "Let's go back."
Then he warned meaningfully, "Don't let outsiders know about this."
The carriage then set off.
Being rejected so directly by Xie Zhi, Nie Xiangyi was not annoyed. She just pursed her lips and muttered softly, "How can I know I don't like it if I haven't tried it..."
She handed the food box to Xie Zhi, her eyes full of anticipation, "Your Highness, please try it! I just learned this!"
The pair of fingers as white as scallions held the food box, and the round fingertips revealed an abnormal crimson color, as if they had been scalded.
Xie Zhi frowned.
Well, he knew that she was good at acting coquettishly and clinging to him.
"Don't do this again." Xie Zhi's voice was cold and hard. "This is the last time."
Nie Xiangyi curled her lips and uttered a low "oh", as if responding obediently.
However, she thought in her heart that this was the last time she gave the fragrant and stuffed lotus root, and next time she would just give it as a farewell gift!
She was almost impressed by her own cleverness.
Seeing Xie Zhiyu turning around to go back to the mansion, she seemed to remember something and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness! Will you go to the East City Temple Fair in a few days? I heard it's very lively."
"temple fair?"
Nie Xiangyi's cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I heard that the fireworks at the temple fair in the capital are extremely beautiful. I... I would like to invite Your Highness to watch them with me..."
"Do I look free?" Xie Zhi rejected him coldly, "I'm not free."
Guessing he would refuse, Nie Xiangyi said hastily, "I can wait until His Highness gets off duty!"
Xie Zhi ignored her and turned to go into the house. The girl's voice behind him was still not discouraged.
"I'm waiting for Your Highness at the Moon Viewing Tower in the east of the city!"
Nie Xiangyi returned home feeling a little nervous. "This is my first time making lotus root stuffed with herbs. I don't know how it will taste. What if it doesn't taste good?"
"Didn't the girl taste it just now?"
"Nie Yuanwei just came here to show off his power! I didn't have time to pay attention to him!" Nie Xiangyi showed a look of regret and indignation.
"I wonder if His Highness threw it away like the jade crumb cake, or ate it. I really want to go and take a look!" Nie Xiangyi said as he began to wander around the house, "But it's not dark yet, someone will definitely find us!"
Thinking of this, she felt conflicted.
I was afraid that he wouldn't eat it and would neglect my kindness, and I was also afraid that he would eat it but find it tasted bad.
Hanxu could only console her by saying, "Miss, the Jade Dust Cake is so delicious, so the Herbal Stir-fried Lotus Root won't be bad either!"
"That's true." Nie Xiangyi nodded.
Ling Zhu followed Xie Zhi into the mansion and looked at the food box in his hand, but he was a little undecided, "Your Highness, this food..."
Or should we just dump it out as usual? But if that's the case, why would Your Highness bother accepting it?
Ling Zhu couldn't figure it out.
Xie Zhi glanced at the exquisite food box and wanted to tell him to continue as usual.
But for no reason, Nie Xiangyi's scalded fingertips appeared in his mind. She never mentioned it, nor did she complain. She just happily presented the snack to him.
Xie Zhi frowned slightly and just ordered, "Put it there."
Ling Zhu retreated in response.
With the book in hand, Xie Zhi always felt as if the fragrance of gardenia was lingering around him, disturbing his peace.
He looked at the dish of lotus root stuffed with fragrant herbs and picked up the chopsticks as if possessed.
After the brief fragrance of lotus root, a sour and bitter taste rushes into the head, almost making people dizzy.
Even though Xie Zhi was always calm and composed, he couldn't help but frown.
"Ling Zhu." He swallowed hard, and then called the people outside.
"Come and see if there's any poison in this."
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Xiao Xie: Is she trying to poison me? (Thinking
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