Chapter 13 Whose clothes was Xie Yan carrying in his arms?
Upon hearing this, Xie Yan's doubts were instantly dispelled. Shen Nanzi cared about him so much, how could she do such a scandalous thing?
He didn't even notice Lie Feng's cold gaze, and went straight behind the screen.
On the bed, Shen Nanzi was sleeping on her side with her outer clothes still on, presumably because she was drunk and fell asleep as soon as she lay down.
Her snow-white face was partially obscured by her beautiful hair, but her stunning beauty was still undeniable.
She perfectly matches how outsiders describe her: as beautiful as a peony, a national beauty, but unfortunately, she is as venomous as a snake and is consumed by jealousy.
Xie Yan didn't want to linger, so he bent down and shook her awake.
Looking at her sleeping face unfold before me, her eyebrows were like painted flowers, her lips were red and her teeth were white, her eyes were bright and charming, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Xie Yan straightened up and slightly shifted his gaze. "Ten days from now, there will be ice skating at Hongchi Lake. Members of the royal family and important officials will all be required to participate."
Shen Nanzi was not fully awake yet. She hummed lazily, like a kitten, looking at him with a confused expression.
"Each participating household should prepare several of their signature dishes; you should prepare them in advance."
Xie Yan thought that she must have been heartbroken again last night, since it was all because of him, so his voice was not as sharp as before.
"Okay, I understand!" She reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt.
Thinking about the dream he had yesterday, in which he kept letting her hold him, the hatred in his heart lessened a bit.
He said arrogantly, "You're not allowed to leave! What you didn't do last night, you have to make up for today."
Seeing her clinging to him again, Xie Yan felt as if the beautiful sleep he had just experienced was a dream. He closed his eyes for a moment, then pried her fingers open and shook her off in annoyance.
"If you continue like this, I will forbid you from drinking."
"You dare!" Shen Nanzi came to her senses and, thinking of how she had waited for him all night like a cat that had been provoked, threatened, "If you dare to ban me from drinking, I'll smash up your wine cellar, and you won't be drinking either."
Xie Yan gritted her teeth, flung her sleeves, and walked out: "Shen Nanzi, you really know how to infuriate people. I don't even know why I married you."
Shen Nanzi stared at his retreating figure and retorted, "I'll torture you!"
As soon as he disappeared, Shen Nanzi collapsed onto the bed again.
She angrily kicked the quilt and didn't return all night. Her attempts to befriend him only resulted in this cold treatment.
*
This ice skating experience allowed her to temporarily set aside her doubts and go to the kitchen to discuss the dishes.
Cheng'er has been sullen, so this is a good opportunity to cheer him up.
Over ten days, we tasted, sampled, and purchased ingredients daily.
On the day of the ice skating, Shen Nanzi instructed the kitchen early in the morning to prepare everything, and she sat in the car with her child, ready to go.
However, they were told that Xie Yan had gotten up even earlier and had already gone to the palace.
Shen Nanzi was somewhat annoyed that Xie Yan wouldn't accompany her and the child, which disappointed Cheng'er again.
I don't know if it's related to official business or if they simply don't want to travel together.
Her aunt comforted her for a while, and she had no choice but to lead the group toward Hongchi Lake.
*
Hongchi Lake is located 20 li east of Luoyang City. To facilitate this trip, the snow on the official road has been cleared.
Once outside the city, apart from the straight official road, everything was white.
When they arrived, it was already noon. Everyone was overjoyed to see the thick, sturdy ice surface that was suitable for marching.
Each family began setting up their tents, and mushroom-shaped tents billowed up on the ice.
The Prince Jing's mansion didn't have many people with them, and Shen Nanzi was also busy, instructing her own cook to quickly prepare dinner.
She and her aunt tidied up the bed inside the tent.
My great-aunt said, "Today, you all must be harmonious and peaceful, and not quarrel."
"Hmm!" Shen Nanzi responded, glancing at Cheng'er, who seemed to be playing with ice at the door, but was actually listening inside the tent.
Hearing their conversation, their faces showed anticipation.
Shen Nanzi was also looking forward to it, as the whole family would sleep together, something that had never happened before.
Cheng'er will be overjoyed.
Then he took out the dried fruit that Xie Yan liked to eat and put it on the table.
The tent was also decorated warmly, with fur on the bed and felt carpet on the floor, all according to Xie Yan's preferences.
After tidying up the tent, Shen Nanzi went to check on her family's dishes.
But then he met Lin Ruyi, and every time they met, there was bound to be friction.
Besides, it seems they came specifically for her. Shen Nanzi said, "Did you enjoy my show last time?"
Lin Ruyi took out a handkerchief, covered her mouth and laughed, "Princess Jing is indeed brave, her madness is admirable."
"I am the madman in the open, and you are the madman in the dark. Don't think you can hide anything from me about what's going on in your household!"
Lin Ruyi was hit where it hurt. She put down her handkerchief, crumpled it between her fingers, and retorted, "You dress up so flamboyantly, but if a man's heart doesn't belong to you, it's all for nothing."
Shen Nanzi said seemingly unconcernedly, "It's a pity you don't even have the thought of dressing up for others."
The two went back and forth, each infuriating the other to the point of near death.
"You still don't know who that child is, do you?" Lin Ruyi paused for a moment, then pulled out her trump card, "I know."
Shen Nanzi's eyes widened, and her hands clenched tightly. "Just say it, why keep me in suspense!"
"I'm not going to tell you, so you'll be itching to see what happens." Lin Ruyi loved seeing her make a fool of herself.
Shen Nanzi said, "I'm not upset. I'm the only woman living in the Prince Jing's mansion. I don't have to serve my parents-in-law, I don't have to be subservient to anyone, and I don't have to be forced to kneel as punishment. But what about you?"
Shen Nanzi was always good at hitting her sore spots, which made Lin Ruyi's face turn pale with anger. "What are you so smug about? Your man is with the one he loves!"
Shen Nanzi's heart skipped a beat, as she still hadn't seen Xie Yan.
Thinking back to the incident with the handkerchief Xie Yan Nuan had that day, could it be that he had been accompanying that woman all along?
Just imagining that scene made Shen Nanzi feel as if her heart was being torn apart, her face turned pale, sweat beaded on her forehead, and she was filled with hatred.
Seeing her frustration, Lin Ru remained silent. Having succeeded on this trip, she happily waved her handkerchief and left.
After Lin Ruyi left, Shen Nanzi arrived at her family's temporary kitchen.
Everything was in perfect order.
She stared blankly at the cutting board. No, there were so many people here, Xie Yan wouldn't do that.
But it's almost dark, and where is he?
Just as she was lost in thought, her aunt rushed over in a panic, "Your Highness didn't see him. This old servant turned around and when I turned back, he was nowhere to be seen."
Seeing her aunt blaming herself, Shen Nanzi comforted her, "There are many children today, he must have gone to play with them! It's alright, I'll go look for him."
"Okay, okay!" Auntie nodded hurriedly.
"Send Liefeng to find Prince Jing, so he doesn't know about our tent."
After giving the instructions, Shen Nanzi went to find Cheng'er.
Hongchi Lake is packed with people; in the most crowded places, you can't even squeeze past them.
Just as she was getting anxious, someone approached from opposite her.
After being married to him for so many years, I can always spot him at a glance in a sea of people.
She quickly took a few steps, wanting to tell Xie Yan which direction the tents of Prince Jing's residence were in.
But I caught a glimpse of apricot color peeking out from under his cloak.
The apricot color with patterns is clearly the color of a woman's clothing, and the thickness and pattern are also the fabric of an outer robe or jacket.
But she didn't have an outer robe of that color.
Whose clothes is he holding? And he's tucking them into his clothes in this freezing weather. Is he warming someone's clothes?
Shen Nanzi's mind went blank for a moment, her chest tightened, and she suddenly found it hard to breathe.
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