Chapter 147 Ah Yan is so good
Taking advantage of the cool sunlight, Meng Jinyao led Princess Jingning on a stroll around the mansion.
However, Princess Jingning seemed to be familiar with the environment of the mansion, and knew where the bridge was, where the pavilion was, and where it was cooler by the pond.
Meng Jinyao was a little surprised: "Ayan, you seem to be quite familiar with the Marquis's residence."
Princess Jingning replied truthfully, "I've been to the Marquis of Changxing's residence several times, during the old lady's birthday banquet, so I'm a bit familiar with the place." As she spoke, she turned to look at Meng Jinyao, "By the way, I was there when you got married, accompanying my mother to the wedding feast."
Meng Jinyao understood: "I see."
Princess Jingning added, "I came here abruptly today and haven't yet paid my respects to the old lady."
When visiting someone's home, it is basic etiquette to greet the elders.
Meng Jinyao replied, "Then you've come at an inopportune time. My mother-in-law went to stay at the temple yesterday and won't be back for another two or three days."
Princess Jingning was not surprised and simply nodded: "The old lady is a Buddhist and goes to the temple every now and then. I'm just unlucky to have come today."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was somewhat surprised, not expecting that she knew so much.
Princess Jingning noticed her confusion and explained, "My maternal grandmother and the old lady were friends. If I'm not mistaken, my maternal grandmother is also at the temple now."
Meng Jinyao's eyes lit up, and she asked with a smile, "So, according to seniority, I'm still your elder?"
Princess Jingning was stunned upon hearing this, staring at her incredulously and saying irritably, "Do you expect me to call you Third Aunt? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"
Meng Jinyao sighed with a hint of regret. She saw that her eyes widened, and she knew that if she said something unpleasant, she would definitely explode. She then smiled and said, "However, although I lost a niece, it's good to have gained a friend."
Princess Jingning gave a light snort: "It's good that you know."
During their conversation, Princess Jingning suddenly asked, "Ayao, what do you usually do?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "I'll entertain myself at home, or find something to do to pass the time, or go out for a stroll."
Princess Jingning frowned: "How boring! Don't you have any friends to play with?"
Meng Jinyao gently shook her head and said with a smile, "Yes, there is Song Xinning, the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. However, she is getting married at the end of the year, and her future mother-in-law is ill, so she has to go and accompany her. She is very busy and doesn't have much time to make plans with me."
“Miss Song?” Princess Jingning was taken aback. “That day, after leaving the theater, I ran into her while taking your second sister to the clinic. She scolded your second sister.”
Meng Jinyao glanced at her: "And then you scolded her too?"
Princess Jingning coughed twice to ease the awkwardness, and said sheepishly, "I accidentally hurt an innocent person. How was I supposed to know that the real problem was with your second sister?"
Meng Jinyao laughed and said, "Don't worry, Aning won't hold it against you. She knows you've been deceived."
Upon hearing this, Princess Jingning fell silent. Everyone who hadn't witnessed the events knew she had been deceived by Meng Jinyu, but she herself was unaware of it.
Meng Jinyao then said, "It's almost noon, why don't you stay for lunch?"
Princess Jingning agreed and stayed for lunch before heading back to her residence.
-
The next morning.
Princess Jingning has come again, and she brought several catties of lychees with her.
Meng Jinyao was somewhat surprised. Yesterday she had said she liked it, and today the princess brought lychees to her door. This proved that the princess remembered her preferences.
Looking at the lychees, Meng Jinyao felt touched. She only had two friends, one was A Ning, and the other was the princess. Both friends treated her well and were sincere.
Princess Jingning, seeing her staring blankly at the lychees and somewhat puzzled, said to herself, "Didn't you say you liked them? I got them from the Empress Dowager yesterday afternoon, so they're all yours."
Meng Jinyao was slightly taken aback. No wonder she left in a hurry after lunch yesterday. It turned out she went to the palace to ask the Empress Dowager for lychees. These lychees looked like they weighed four or five pounds. The Emperor only gave his ministers a little over a pound each, so these four or five pounds were very precious.
Meng Jinyao stared blankly at the girl in front of her, her heart enveloped in warmth. Feeling cozy, she asked gently, "Ayan, you've given me everything. What do you want to eat?"
Princess Jingning said nonchalantly, "I eat them every year. I ate a few this year to satisfy my craving, but I'm not that interested now. Since you like them, I brought them over for you."
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Thank you, Ayan."
Princess Jingning smiled shyly: "You're welcome. I kept it fresh with ice before I brought it over. Have someone bring some ice, otherwise it will spoil easily in this hot weather."
Meng Jinyao nodded and immediately instructed her maid to do so.
After a moment, Meng Jinyao said again, "Ayan, four or five catties is too much for me to eat. Why don't I have someone make some lychee syrup? We can send some to the first and second wives' families."
Princess Jingning had no objection: "I've given them all to you. You can decide for yourself."
Meng Jinyao said gently, "What you gave me was a token of your goodwill, so I should at least ask you about it."
Princess Jingning was taken aback for a moment, then sighed, "You and your sister are very different. I didn't notice it before, but I did after comparing you."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao looked at her with the same gaze one would give a pitiful child. It seemed that she had been sold out many times before and had foolishly counted the money for the seller. It was no wonder that she would believe Meng Jinyu's lies, given that someone like Meng Jinyu appeared gentle, weak, and harmless in public.
Princess Jingning sensed something was off about her gaze, glared at her, and after a long while deflated: "Ugh, let's not talk about her anymore, it's bad luck!"
"Okay, let's not talk about it anymore."
Meng Jinyao nodded with a smile, and then played chess with Princess Jingning.
Although Princess Jingning is naive, it's not without its advantages. People like Meng Jinyao, who are cautious and meticulous in their actions, should sometimes learn from Princess Jingning.
Simple-minded people sometimes don't think too much before acting, and this is also true when playing chess, so they always seize the opportunity to launch an attack.
Meng Jinyao, on the other hand, overthinks things, always wanting to be absolutely certain before making a move. Little does she know that this leads to missed opportunities and a series of defeats.
In the end, Meng Jinyao lost because she made a wrong move.
She lost to Gu Jingxi because Gu Jingxi was a highly skilled chess player, but she lost to Princess Jingning entirely because she was too hesitant and indecisive. In fact, Princess Jingning's chess skills were not high; they were only at an average level.
At this point, Meng Jinyao also realized her own shortcomings.
Princess Jingning looked at the chessboard, not thinking too much about it, assuming that she was letting her win, and was somewhat bewildered: "Ayao, you clearly had a chance to win, why are you letting me win?"
Meng Jinyao choked for a moment, then replied, "I used to think you were a bit silly, but now I realize you're quite smart."
Princess Jingning rolled her eyes at her: "You're the stupid one."
Meng Jinyao responded immediately, "Yes, Ayan is right, I was silly, shall we play another round?"
Princess Jingning nodded: "Alright, but this time you can't go easy on me. If you do, I'll find it boring."
Meng Jinyao: "..."
She didn't give way; she was hesitant and overthinking things.
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