Chapter 375 What, you've taken a fancy to Liu Nanshi?
Xiao Qingxi, listening to their back-and-forth flattery, finally lost her patience: "Liu Nanshi, you didn't come to see me, did you? You came to see my brother, right? Why are you chatting with him more enthusiastically than I am?"
"I'm sorry, Qingxi. It's rare for me to meet a peer as talented as your brother. I couldn't help myself and said a few more words. Please don't take offense."
Liu Nanshi looked apologetic. She praised Xiao Qingxi a few more times, and seeing that her complexion had improved slightly, she added, "Oh, by the way, I brought you gifts today!"
"You're welcome to come, but why bring any gifts? I don't care about these things. What your Liu family has, our Ning Prince's Mansion has too. And what your Liu family doesn't have, our Ning Prince's Mansion still has. So, you shouldn't bring anything in the future; it'll just gather dust there."
Xiao Qingxi, accustomed to fine things, was unconcerned about Liu Nanshi's gift, and spoke arrogantly and haughtily.
Liu Nanshi was furious, and she almost lost control of her expression.
She glanced at Xiao Qingxi's slightly protruding belly and didn't reply.
She was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary's mansion, and the most talented woman in the world. Taking the initiative to show goodwill and send gifts was already giving Xiao Qingxi face. Now that Xiao Qingxi had trampled on her face, she was naturally unwilling to try to please Xiao Qingxi anymore.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became cold and awkward.
Seeing that things were not going well, Xiao Qingyuan quickly said, "Qingxi, what are you saying? Nan Shi brought the gift because it was her way of showing her appreciation. You should thank her for everything, both out of courtesy and reason."
Xiao Qingxi scoffed, "Oh, Xiao Qingyuan, why are you suddenly so polite today? I've never seen you so eloquent before. What, have you taken a fancy to Liu Nanshi? Want to take her as a concubine?"
Xiao Qingyuan's expression changed: "Qingxi, you've gone too far! Apologize to Nan Shi right now!"
Liu Nanshi never expected Xiao Qingxi to say such insulting words to her, and her face changed: "Why does the princess humiliate me like this? I have never done anything wrong to you. I have been sincere and kind to you, and I always think of you first when I get something good. Yet you belittle me like this. I have misjudged the princess!"
As soon as Xiao Qingxi spoke, she knew it was inappropriate, but she had no choice. She had been cursing Shen Wantang so much lately that she couldn't help but react to Liu Nanshi, a daughter of a high-ranking family, without thinking. She spoke without considering the consequences.
But Liu Nanshi is not Shen Wantang. She is backed by the Liu family, which has many disciples. Grand Secretary Liu has always been trusted by the emperor and holds a high position of power. In recent years, all of the emperor's major actions have been devised by Grand Secretary Liu.
“Nan Shi, I didn’t mean to humiliate you. You know I’ve always been outspoken.”
Xiao Qingxi reluctantly apologized: "I admit I misspoke, I'm sorry. Nan Shi, you are the legitimate daughter of Minister Liu, you're more than qualified to be my brother's wife, how could you possibly be a concubine!"
"What I actually meant to say was that my brother wanted to marry you and demote Shen Wantang to a concubine, but I blurted it out and said the wrong thing. Please don't take it to heart!"
Liu Nanshi's expression softened a bit: "Qingxi, you always say such scary things. Stop talking now. Your brother and sister-in-law are so loving, I'm too busy wishing them well to think about anything else. If you keep going, not only will I be unhappy, but your brother will be unhappy too!"
Xiao Qingxi looked at Xiao Qingyuan, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Brother, are you unhappy?"
Xiao Qingyuan shook his head: "I'm not upset, but what you said was indeed inappropriate and too offensive to Nan Shi."
"What's wrong with that? I only said these things because I didn't consider Nan Shi an outsider."
Xiao Qingxi looked unconvinced: "Don't you think Nan Shi is more suitable to be your Crown Princess? You two are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, you can even chat together. That Shen Wantang, how is she worthy of you?"
"I just hit it off with Nan Shi at first sight. We chatted like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. I didn't think about anything else."
Xiao Qingyuan had never really considered making Liu Nanshi his heir's wife. After all, given Liu Nanshi's status, even if he wanted to divorce his wife and marry her, neither she nor the Liu family would agree.
He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Although Shen Wantang comes from a humble background, she is indeed a good steward. She has always managed the Prince's mansion without any trouble. Her subordinates respect her, and her father and mother trust her. So please stop saying things like she is not worthy."
Xiao Qingxi sneered: "She manages the household well? Then why haven't I seen you spend any money? I heard that Huayi in your room is pregnant with your child and wants to eat a lychee, but you can't even afford it?"
"Brother, you're already living in such dire straits, yet you're still speaking up for Shen Wantang. Has she even considered your feelings? You're a man, a dignified prince, and you don't even have any money. Don't you feel utterly pathetic?"
Xiao Qingyuan's face turned pale at her words: "Why are you saying all this? This has nothing to do with Shen Wantang. It's because my father and mother want to train me that they don't let her give me money. Besides, I don't care about the family's money. I can earn it myself. Just wait and see!"
"whispering sound!"
Xiao Qingxi said with a mocking smile, "Do you think I don't know your own limitations? You're good at spending money, but when it comes to making money, it'll probably kill you! Besides, making money is something only lowly merchants do. Nobles like us would never do such a shameful thing."
Xiao Qingyuan felt utterly humiliated by her words, especially in front of Liu Nanshi. He felt like he had lost all face and dignity.
He turned to leave, but then heard Liu Nanshi say, "I think it's quite admirable that the young master doesn't use the Prince's money and is willing to earn it himself."
"These days, which of the young masters in the capital doesn't rely on their families? The only one who relies on himself is probably the young master. Just his sincerity alone is worth a thousand pieces of gold."
“Those young noblemen spend money like water, and they all have the appearance of spendthrifts. But the young master is different from those vulgar people who are obsessed with money. The young master is ambitious and willing to work hard for the future. His future is limitless.”
"Qingxi, I'm so envious of your brother!"
Xiao Qingxi looked at Liu Nanshi suspiciously, then at Xiao Qingyuan: "Is my brother really as good as you say? If you keep going, even I'll start to believe you."
Xiao Qingyuan felt extremely comfortable. He turned around and bowed to Liu Nanshi, saying, "Thank you for your kind words, Miss Liu. When I earn some money in the future, I will definitely send you a gift to express my gratitude for your trust in me."
Liu Nanshi smiled slightly: "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you, Your Highness. I'll be waiting for your gift of thanks. However, before accepting your gift, I would like to ask you to take a look at the gift I'm giving you. I wonder if you'll find it useful."
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