Jiang Shan had no choice but to step aside and wait for Yi An to leave first.
Yi An glanced at Jiang Shan with a cold smile and said sarcastically, "Are you mute? Don't you know to kneel and pay your respects to this princess?"
Jiang Shan's expression darkened slightly. He looked up at Yi An and said calmly, "Princess Yi An, there is no law in the Great Qing Kingdom that requires me to kneel before you in this situation!"
"How dare you! I, a princess, hold a noble rank, while you are a commoner. I hereby command you to kneel and bow before me. Do you dare disobey?"
Jiang Shan frowned, glanced around, and said, "I'm not the only commoner. Are you deliberately trying to cause me trouble?"
Yi'an smiled smugly, "I did it on purpose, what can you do about it! Before, at the Grand Princess's residence, you had your great-aunt and Rong Yue backing you up, let's see who can speak up for you now!"
Cui Xiaoxiao stepped forward without making a sound, bowed to Yi'an, and said, "Princess, my young lady is the mother of Prince Huai. For both public and private reasons, you should not make things difficult for my young lady like this."
Yi An glared coldly at Cui Xiaoxiao. "Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to interrupt me? Guards, slap her!"
You can't just shout and kill at the country, but you can't teach her servants a lesson?
Yi An's servant rolled up his sleeves and walked towards Cui Xiaoxiao.
Fu Li stepped forward without making a sound and stood next to Cui Xiaoxiao.
"Stop!" A delicate shout rang out, and a figure in light pink descended from the pavilion; it was Qin Yao.
She glanced at Jiang Shan, curtsied to Yi An, and said, "Princess, Miss Jiang is a distinguished guest I invited. I hope Your Highness will grant Qin Yao this favor and not make things difficult for Miss Jiang!"
Yi An raised an eyebrow and said, "Qin Yao, I, this princess, am determined to make her kneel and kowtow to me today. Are you going to oppose me for her sake?"
Qin Yao shook her head and said firmly, "Miss Jiang is my honored guest. If the princess really wants to vent her anger, Qin Yao will kneel down and kowtow to the princess on behalf of Miss Jiang, how about that?"
"Don't bully my mother! My godmother said that I am also a prince. You want the prince's mother to kneel and kowtow to you? This is a great disrespect!" Jiang Huai's voice suddenly rang out.
Jiang Shan glanced at his son, then at the meek and submissive Cui Xiaoxiao, and understood.
Qin Yao's eyes flickered slightly, and she silently moved closer to Jiang Shan.
Yi'an glared at Jiang Huai with hatred and said through gritted teeth, "I am the niece of the current emperor and the legitimate daughter of the eldest princess. I was born into wealth and honor. How could a wild boy like you compare to me?"
Jiang Huai glanced at Cui Xiaoxiao and scratched his head.
Cui Xiaoxiao glanced at Yi'an, then lowered her eyes and said, "Princess Yi'an, are you trying to outdo me by having a stronger backer? The title of Prince Huai was personally bestowed by the Emperor. You have the Eldest Princess to back you up, and Prince Huai also has the Grand Eldest Princess to make decisions for him! Don't forget, Prince Huai also has the Rongguo Duke's Mansion behind him! Are you sure you want to compete with the Rongguo Duke's Mansion?"
Yi'an glared angrily at Cui Xiaoxiao, too angry to speak!
Her father was just a minor fourth-rank military officer in the local area, not even daring to compare himself with a renowned general like the Duke of Rong!
Cui Xiaoxiao did not stop while he was ahead; he and his young master exchanged knowing glances and coded messages that others could not understand.
Then Jiang Huai lifted his robe, sticking out his little belly, and felt around inside his clothes, pulling out a round plaque engraved with the character "容" (rong).
With a shout of "Hey!", Jiang Huai raised the bronze medal high.
Yi'an's pretty face instantly changed color.
"My mother and I never want to see you again. Get out of here!" Jiang Huai puffed out his cheeks, his tone unusually forceful and domineering.
Yi'an was furious. She glanced at the composed Jiang Shan, then at the glaring Jiang Huai, and then at the scheming servant, before turning away in a huff.
Jiang Huai and Cui Xiaoxiao exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.
Jiang Shan realized she had underestimated Cui Xiaoxiao. Usually, she felt that he was a tough guy who wouldn't say a word, and she really thought of him as a loyal follower of Jiang Huai.
It seems these two have quite a bit of interaction in private!
This was truly unexpected!
Qin Yao looked intently at Jiang Huai, curtsied, and said, "Qin Yao greets Prince Huai."
Jiang Huai looked up and grinned, "Pretty auntie, you don't need to be so polite, just call me Huai'er."
Qin Yao readily called out "Huai'er," then took Jiang Shan's hand affectionately and said, "Sister Jiang, let's go sit in the pavilion; it's quieter there!"
Jiang Shan smiled and nodded.
She didn't like joining in the fun either. She thought the trip would go smoothly, but she ran into trouble as soon as she arrived. She wondered what those noble ladies would say about the feud between her and her son and Princess Yi'an.
It seems that Jiang Huai's aura as the heir apparent can no longer be concealed!
Upon reaching the upper floor, Qin Yao's maidservant brought over exquisite and delicious pastries and fruits, setting a table in front of Jiang Huai.
The style of the desserts and the arrangement of the fruits looked somewhat familiar.
Qin Yao watched intently as Jiang Huai devoured the snacks and fruit, her eyes growing increasingly fervent.
After Jiang Huai finished eating a pastry, she asked impatiently, "How was it, Huai'er? How did the pastry taste?"
Jiang Huai smiled and said, "It's delicious, just as delicious as my mother's!"
Qin Yao stood up excitedly, "Really? Haha, it worked! It worked! Sister Jiang, I finally made it!"
Jiang Shan stared in disbelief at this young lady's utterly unconventional and unrefined manner, and asked in bewilderment, "Miss Qin, what's going on...?"
"Sister Jiang, call me Ayao! The pastries in your shop are so delicious, and they look absolutely gorgeous! I've been trying to figure them out for days and made them so many times, and I finally succeeded! I'm so happy!"
Jiang Shan chuckled and said, "If you like to eat, you can come and eat anytime. You don't necessarily have to cook for yourself."
Qin Yao sighed, her words tinged with difficulty, and said, "Sister Jiang, I have a strange habit. I especially love eating delicious pastries, and I never get tired of yours! When I come to your shop, I can't help but look at the pastries, but I also want to eat other dishes. What should I do?"
"Seeing my predicament, my mother said that I should learn to make the pastries from Jiang's Private Kitchen, so I can make them myself whenever I want! Who goes to Jiang's Private Kitchen to eat pastries like crazy? Are you crazy? People go there for the private dishes!"
As she spoke, Qin Yao pouted, her charmingly innocent expression revealing a hint of grievance.
This girl is actually a foodie!
Jiang Shan suppressed a laugh and said, "That's easy. If you like to eat, I'll teach you. But you should eat snacks in moderation, as eating too many can easily make you fat, especially cakes. The tenth of each month is my day off. Come to the Grand Tutor's mansion to find me then, and I'll teach you how to make some low-sugar, healthy, and delicious snacks."
Qin Yao was overjoyed. She grabbed Jiang Shan's hand and shook it, saying happily, "Thank you, Sister Jiang! My father was wrong. He said you are very calculating and told me not to speak carelessly, but you are clearly very easy to talk to!"
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