Chapter 289 Testing
Princess Pingyuan did not linger; she summoned a few people and then left.
Princess Shanmin did not walk with them, ignoring the gazes around her, and went straight to the tea table where Xu Jinnian was.
She glanced disdainfully at the low tea table, then pointed her index finger at the clueless Lord Meng and ordered him imperiously, "Get out of here!"
This was the first time Lord Meng had ever been treated like this in his old age, and he was so anxious and angry that his face turned red.
However, he knew very well that Princess Shanmin was someone he, a nobody, could not afford to offend, so he could only hide his resentment, bow, and leave.
After walking a few steps, Lord Meng glanced at the two people left behind with concern, then helplessly went to another table.
Princess Shanmin looked at Song Zhihang with an unfriendly expression, raising her chin and urging him to get lost.
Song Zhihang made no move, and said with a smile, "Mingyu and I are inseparable brothers. The princess wouldn't be so cruel as to insist on separating us, would she?"
Hmph, don't think he didn't realize that this woman was lusting after his good brother's good looks.
In order to be able to freeload meals at his good brother's house every now and then, and to ensure that his unborn godson has both parents, he was willing to risk his identity as the second young master of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion to protect his good brother's innocence and resolutely prevent her from succeeding!
Princess Shanmin was unaware of Song Zhihang's ulterior motives. Seeing that he was showing her no respect, her beautiful face instantly darkened.
But knowing that the person she longed for was also there, she didn't want to leave a bad impression on him, so she had to maintain a fake smile: "Then let's sit down and have some tea together."
As he spoke, he sat down first at the low tea table and asked the maid to change the tea set and brew tea again.
Seeing that Xu Jinnian was standing still, Song Zhihang tugged at his sleeve and pulled him to sit down, asking Princess Shanmin in an exaggeratedly loud voice:
"I heard that a runaway slave came from the princess's residence before the New Year. The princess sent all her guards to track him down. I wonder if they have caught him yet."
Princess Shanmin said smugly, "Of course we caught them. I will not let a traitor get away with this."
After saying that, she looked up at Xu Jinnian.
He was the only exception.
That vile woman surnamed Sheng got him first, became his lawfully wedded wife, and is about to bear him a child. She is utterly unforgivable!
Princess Shanmin was consumed by intense jealousy and wished she could immediately have Sheng An and the unborn child executed by slow slicing.
Noticing two sticky, disgusting gazes, Xu Jinnian picked up his teacup to conceal the murderous intent in his eyes.
Seeing that he completely ignored her, Princess Shanmin suppressed her dissatisfaction and took the initiative to speak to Xu Jinnian: "Lord Xu, what do you think is the best way to punish traitors as a warning to others?"
Xu Jinnian said coldly, "It is not appropriate for me to comment on matters concerning the Princess's residence."
Seeing that he was willing to speak to her, Princess Shanmin's mood visibly improved: "I don't mind, just say it."
A fleeting sneer crossed Xu Jinnian's lips as he put down his teacup and asked, "Why did this man betray the princess?"
Princess Shanmin frowned slightly: "Is this important?"
Fearing that his friend might say the wrong thing, Song Zhihang spoke up before Xu Jinnian could, saying, "Of course! When the Jingzhao Prefecture tries a murder case, it must understand the cause and effect before it can make a fair judgment!"
Princess Shanmin was very displeased with Song Zhihang's interruption. She gave him a sinister look and said arrogantly, "The Jingzhao Prefecture judges cases according to the laws of the Great Wei. This princess has no need to punish traitors!"
Such lawless remarks would have been reported directly to the emperor by the censor if spoken by anyone else, but none of the other guests present were surprised.
Xu Jinnian loathed Princess Shanmin to the extreme, and his already indifferent eyes became even colder: "Since the princess has her own rules of punishment, I don't need to show off my limited skills in front of her."
Seeing that he wouldn't respond to her, Princess Shanmin was a little angry, but she couldn't bear to vent her anger on him. She raised her hand and slapped the maid who was bending down to pour tea for Xu Jinnian: "You eyesore, get out!"
The maid was slapped so hard she staggered and fell to one side, losing her balance.
Song Zhihang reacted quickly and caught the person in time, preventing them from falling into his arms.
The maid's cheeks swelled up at a visible speed, and a trace of bright red blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
Song Zhihang seemed unable to tolerate Princess Shanmin's unreasonable behavior, and the smile on his face vanished.
"Princess, please calm down. Mingyu and I are here for the Spring Banquet, not to watch you show off your power!"
After saying that, he grabbed Xu Jinnian's arm and said, "Come on, let's go upstream and take a look. There are many exotic flowers and plants there, and it's the perfect time to enjoy them."
Xu Jinnian readily agreed and stood up, then followed Song Zhihang.
"You, you all!"
Princess Shanmin stared incredulously at the two men's retreating figures, completely unprepared for their audacity in abandoning her.
But the person had already gone far away, and she would lose face in public if she chased after them, so she could only suppress the impulse and slap the maid across the face again: "Useless lowly servant!"
The surrounding guests, seeing this scene, all looked away, not daring to linger, for fear of incurring Princess Shanmin's wrath.
Having gotten rid of Princess Shanmin, Song Zhihang breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Jinnian asked, "Aren't you afraid that she'll hold a grudge against you and cause trouble for you and the Marquis's mansion by doing this?"
Song Zhihang said nonchalantly, "It's alright, my old man can handle it."
After saying that, he put his arm around Xu Jinnian's neck and winked at her, saying:
"I helped you just now, shouldn't you show your appreciation?"
Xu Jinnian appreciated the gesture and asked, "What does Brother Yuanli want?"
Song Zhihang pretended to think for a moment, then said loudly, "I want to be your son's godfather!"
Xu Jinnian uttered two words: "Dream on."
Seeing that he refused without hesitation, Song Zhihang punched him in the chest: "You're so stingy!"
Despite his scolding, he stopped and said seriously, "You've already been targeted by Princess Shanmin. She's too infatuated to do anything to you right now, but it's hard to say what will happen to your sister-in-law. You must protect her."
The smile vanished from Xu Jinnian's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "I will."
In the afternoon, the spring banquet at the Chengen Duke's Mansion ended, and the guests left one after another.
On her way back, Xu Jinnian deliberately took a detour to another street and entered an inconspicuous pastry shop.
When they came out, an hour had passed, and they were carrying several bags of steaming hot pastries, which looked fresh out of the oven.
The snacks were still warm when I brought them home.
Sheng An opened a package of jujube paste cakes and smelled the familiar sweet aroma. Her mouth watered, and she picked up a piece to savor it: "Delicious!"
It tastes even better than what she made.
Seeing that she was enjoying her meal, Xu Jinnian's unhappiness at the Duke's mansion vanished: "Eat slowly, I'll buy you more next time."
Sheng An ate two pieces and then put the jujube paste cake away.
Xu Jinnian wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth and brought her a damp cloth to wipe her hands.
After wiping himself, Sheng An glanced at the man's face and asked, "Did something unpleasant happen at the banquet today?"
After sharing a bed for several years, no matter how well he hid it, she could still sense his subtle emotional changes.
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