Chapter 98: A Show of Power

Ju Qian bit her lip. The princess ate the same amount of food today as she had eaten in the previous seven days, but she was still hungry. Was it really just because of the change in climate and soil?

Ju Qian looked at the princess's face again. It was rosy and much better than a few days ago.

She also reported this to the guards who came over to ask about the situation. Prime Minister Chu was such a wise man, but he didn't think there was anything unusual. Was she overthinking it?

Without thinking any more, Ju Qian took a bite of the dish on her table. It was truly awful. How could the princess, who was usually so picky about food, eat it?

Qingping finished the last plate of snacks, hummed comfortably, and said he was tired and went back to his room to rest.

Juqian and Juping followed Princess Qingping and found that the princess's belly was a little bulging.

Ju Qian deliberately took a few slow steps and said, "Ju Ping, have you noticed that the princess's belly is a little bulging?"

"You've eaten so much and haven't had a bowel movement yet, it would be strange if your stomach isn't bloated." Ju Ping said coldly and took a few quick steps to catch up with the princess.

Juqian sighed. She didn't know what she had done to offend Juping. Juping was cold all day, completely different from the chattering Juping in the past.

It was Juqian who was supposed to be on duty last night, but she was so sleepy that she fell asleep while on duty. It was Juping who woke her up. After that, Juping said she would take over the duty for her. At that time, Juping's attitude was still very good!

Was it because she froze last night that Juping is in a bad mood?

Without thinking any more, Juqian quickened her pace to catch up with Qingping Juping.

Princess Qingping returned to her room and fell asleep without taking a shower.

Ju Qian sighed. The princess has always been a clean freak. What happened today? Why does it feel like nothing is right?

Before going to bed, the guard sent by Chu Zhenxuan to inquire about the situation came again.

"I still think there is something wrong with the princess. Not only does she eat too much, but she also doesn't wash before going to bed." Kikuchi said.

The guard's face flashed with impatience, "Miss Juqian, please don't bother to report such trivial matters!"

Kikuasa: ...

Isn't the Prime Minister asking whether there is anything unusual?

Isn't this all abnormal?

The guard ignored him and went back to report.

Juqian was also preparing to go back to her room. When she looked up, she saw Juping. Juping hummed with a half-smile and went back to her room as well.

Why is Ju Ping acting strange? Is she really overthinking?

Xia Xue here is taking a comfortable bath in the room. Xiao Fang is adding hot water and massaging Xia Xue's shoulders in the back.

Xia Xue closed her eyes and rested comfortably.

This journey has been really tiring. Today, we have finally arrived in a city with relatively good conditions, so of course we need to relax.

If we go further from Ningzhou, we will reach the southern border. Then we will have to be on guard day and night.

At this time, a tall figure slowly came in from behind.

Xiaofang looked up and was startled. It was Chu Zhenxuan with a raised smile on his face.

Just as Xiaofang was about to open her mouth, Chu Zhenxuan put his finger to her lips and said, "Hmph."

Xiaofang nodded and stepped aside.

Chu Zhenxuan placed his fingertips on Xia Xue's shoulders and kneaded them gently.

Xia Xue's shoulders shrank. "Why are your hands so cold?"

Chu Zhenxuan said nothing and increased his strength slightly.

Xia Xue uttered a whimper, "Well, a little lower, a little lower."

Xiaofang saw that the situation was not right and quietly retreated.

Chu Zhenxuan continued to press...

The further down I go, the more the palms touch. Why doesn't this hand look like Xiaofang's hand?

Xia Xue grabbed the big hand on her back and turned around suddenly.

Xia Xue: ...

The next second, Chu Zhenxuan's warm lips fell.

One night, warm.

Xia Xue originally had something to say to Chu Zhenxuan, but in the end, nothing was said that night, and Chu Zhenxuan went out early the next morning.

Every time he goes to a new place, Chu Zhenxuan is very busy.

Xia Xue was very tired last night and didn't want to get up, but she had to because guests from the South were coming.

It is really cold in Ningzhou in the morning. As soon as I got out of the quilt, I was immediately hit by a gust of cold air.

Xia Xue put on another piece of clothing.

After hurriedly finishing her breakfast and preparing to dress up, Meng Ya came in to report that the Prime Minister had sent someone to say that the Prince of Dingbei Marquis from the Southern Kingdom would not be coming today and would be coming tomorrow.

Xia Xue frowned. The date was an auspicious time chosen in advance. They hurried and did not dare to delay on the way. However, when they arrived at the Southern Kingdom, the prince changed his mind at the last minute. It was obvious that he was trying to intimidate Princess Qingping.

But Princess Qingping represents Da'an, and this is a slap in the face of Da'an.

Xia Xue sighed. The emperor was there, so she didn't have to worry about getting slapped in the face.

"Since you're not coming, just sleep a little longer."

"Miss, why don't you go out for a walk? Although it's cold in Ningzhou, the flowers outside are blooming." Meng Ya was a little excited.

"Then you and Xiaofang should go for a walk."

"Miss, it would be better for me not to go either!" Meng Ya murmured.

"I won't go either!"

Xia Xue ignored him and slept for a while. Her back and waist ached from lying down so much that she packed up and decided to go out for a walk.

Xia Xue combed her hair into a simple flowing bun, put on some rouge, and took Meng Ya and Xiao Fang out.

Although Ningzhou is not considered wealthy, and the governor's mansion is not shabby, it is not grand either. However, the garden of this governor's mansion is quite nice.

The lotus pond occupies half of the mansion, and has several small wooden bridges on both sides, adding a poetic touch of the Jiangnan style of small bridges, flowing water and people's homes.

"Miss, look, is that Princess Qingping?"

Not far away, a woman in green sat sideways in a pavilion in the middle of the lotus pond, looking indifferently into the distance, with two maids standing beside her.

"Judging from the way he dresses, he does look like her." Xia Xue said calmly.

"The maid in pink is Sister Juqian who serves Princess Qingping. She spoke to me a few days ago." Xiaofang said.

"Yeah." Xia Xue nodded. It must be Princess Qingping.

"Miss, do you want to go and say hello?" Meng Ya asked.

"Forget it. We're not very familiar with each other, and the distance is not close. It would be weird to run over there on purpose." Xia Xue said softly.

The identities of Xia Xue and Princess Qingping are actually quite subtle. The princess is a royal daughter and represents Da'an's marriage, so her identity is also very noble.

As for Xia Xue, although the Xia family has been officials for generations, there is still a distinction between the monarch and his subjects. But now that Chu Zhenxuan is highly valued, her status is naturally incomparable to that of other ladies of the next grade, so they can be considered equal.

The most appropriate thing to do in today's encounter is to nod to each other.

While they were thinking, Ju Qian over there must have discovered them, and lowered her head to whisper a few words in Princess Qingping's ear.

Princess Qingping stood up suddenly and looked over here.

Xia Xue nodded and smiled at her.

Princess Qingping was stunned for a moment, then she lifted her skirt and ran towards the wooden steps behind her.

Xia Xue: ???

The two maids behind him obviously didn't react.

"Juping, please clean up." After leaving these words, Juqian followed Qingping and ran over.

Xia Xue looked at the figures one in front and one behind, feeling a little confused.

"Miss, are they running towards us?"