Xing Xiaoya felt uneasy but unsure, so she gave Jin'er a wink.
"Granny, please tell us what happened?" Jin'er stepped forward and asked. This time, she took out a purse from her sleeve, which was bulging and obviously contained a lot of silver.
Granny Li declined, saying, "Miss Jin'er, it's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but the Princess directly invited Madam Jiang in and sent me to deliver the message. I haven't had a chance to hear it yet. But Madam Jiang came to pick us up in person, showing us great respect. She wouldn't lie to us."
Seeing that she insisted, Jin'er knew that she couldn't say anything more, so she could only turn to Xing Xiaoya and let her make the decision.
Xing Xiaoya took a light breath, trying hard to suppress the anticipation in her heart and not let herself appear too happy.
She stepped forward, took the purse from Jin'er's hand, and then somewhat forcefully stuffed it into Li Mama's arms.
"Please accept this purse, Granny. You're right. Thank you for leading the way."
Granny Li immediately beamed with joy and led the way.
"Miss Xing is indeed generous and kind. No wonder the princess and you are good friends." She couldn't help but praise her.
Xing Xiaoya followed her all the way to the main hall. All the maids beside her stayed outside to guard the entrance, and she followed the princess's maid inside.
Once she could no longer see Jin'er's back, Granny Li took the purse out of her bosom and gave it to Jin'er.
"Keep this silver for yourself."
Jin'er quickly refused, "Granny, you said it was for you, why are you sending it back?"
“I don’t need these. She’s using your purse to do favors. Anyone who doesn’t know better would think the money in here is a reward from her. If the princess gives you the money back when she returns, you can give it to me then.” A cold smile appeared on Li Mama’s face.
This time, Jin'er dared not refuse again and obediently took it back.
Granny Li was the personal attendant of the eldest princess, and her status was extraordinary.
After the princess explicitly defended Xing Xiaoya, none of the servants in the princess's residence dared to neglect this young lady. Only Granny Li still dared to show such disrespect.
Xing Xiaoya was unaware of what was happening outside. At this moment, she stood in the hall, feeling extremely nervous.
After she had bowed, the eldest princess did not tell her to get up. It was only when Madam Jiang spoke that she was able to stand up.
But no one offered her a seat; she was left standing there, like a decorative object, being looked at and scrutinized.
Although she kept her head down and didn't need to make eye contact with these people, she could still sense those gazes sweeping over her, which was driving her crazy.
“Miss Xing is indeed remarkable. The Lady of Zhongyi Marquis took an instant liking to you and wants to adopt you as her goddaughter. She specially sent the Second Madam to fetch you. Since Zhaoyang is not at home, I will escort you there. This is a congratulatory gift for you; please take it with you to the Zhongyi Marquis’s residence.”
The eldest princess spoke quickly and in an unquestionable tone, making the decision directly for her.
Xing Xiaoya had originally hoped that they would come to take her into the mansion to rekindle her romance with Brother Dazhuang, but when she heard this, she was struck dumb.
If she really accepts Jiang Chengli as her goddaughter, then her relationship with Jiang Chengli will be confirmed as brother and sister, and there will be no further possibility.
"No, let's wait until Princess Zhaoyang returns before we talk about it." Xing Xiaoya immediately became anxious and refused directly, her tone very urgent.
The princess frowned. She had never liked Xing Xiaoya, and she was even more annoyed by her tactless reply.
"Zhaoyang is staying in the palace with the Empress Dowager and won't be back for a long time. If she knew you had a bright future, she would be happy for you." Her tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of coldness, clearly brooking no refusal.
“Your Highness, I was invited to the Princess’s residence by the Princess. If I want to leave, I must tell her in advance, otherwise I’m afraid I will upset her.” Xing Xiaoya naturally noticed her displeasure and immediately changed her tone to cautiously probe.
"How do you plan to tell her in advance? Go to the palace to tell her?" The eldest princess was clearly losing patience and asked coldly.
Faced with such a powerful princess, Xing Xiaoya was also intimidated. She coughed lightly and forced herself to continue, "The palace is majestic and formidable; how could a commoner like me enter? I can wait for her here. The princess is an extremely important person to me, and if I were to become her godmother, I would like her to witness it—"
But before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the eldest princess.
"What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting that Madam Jiang should make a wasted trip?"
"Oh, Your Highness, I don't think Miss Xing meant that," Lu Ling quickly interjected, clearly trying to smooth things over.
However, the eldest princess clearly didn't buy it. She sneered and said directly, "Miss Xing, the wife of the Marquis of Zhongyi wants to recognize you as her goddaughter and even sent her second daughter-in-law to pick you up. This is enough to show how much the Jiang family values you. Not only do they feel an instant connection with you, but they also want to repay the kindness of saving Master Jiang and can't bear to see you wandering alone in Wangjing, all alone and helpless."
"Zhaoyang is on good terms with you and has arranged for you to stay at the Princess's residence, but you are, after all, a guest, which must have been inconvenient for you. You have always felt uneasy, like a floating duckweed, without a place to settle down. But now the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence is willing to extend an olive branch and is making such a grand gesture, yet you are making excuses. What is the meaning of this? Do you think the Jiang family is offering too little and want to take advantage of their kindness?" The Princess said, glancing at her lightly.
Although it was a very brief glance, its sharp aura was impossible to conceal.
Coupled with her questioning tone, which was completely aggressive, Xing Xiaoya was frozen on the spot.
A deathly silence fell over the hall. This time, Lu Ling didn't speak either. She just turned her head and stared at the teacup on the table, studying the patterns on it.
In reality, her intervention was merely for show. After all, she had come to take someone back to be recognized as a godparent, and she had to maintain a friendly demeanor.
However, Xing Xiaoya clearly didn't know when to stop. She had been spoiled by Princess Zhaoyang and thought that the Eldest Princess would also tolerate her.
In fact, this eldest princess had been favored since the time of the late emperor and was also the current emperor's younger sister. No one dared to disobey her from childhood to adulthood, and she always had the final say.
Now, Xing Xiaoya, a commoner, not only doesn't keep a low profile, but also continues to make excuses even after the princess has shown her attitude. It's inevitable that she'll be made to look bad.
"I didn't mean that, Your Highness—" Xing Xiaoya hurriedly denied.
“I didn’t mean that. Get in the carriage quickly. Don’t keep the Lady of the Marquis waiting. As a junior, you should know your manners, or you’ll just make a fool of yourself.” The Princess didn’t give her a chance to finish speaking and started lecturing her directly.
Xing Xiaoya's face flushed red. She was terrified and wished she could disappear into the ground, but she was also very indignant.
These outdated ancient people are just lucky to be born into the right family; in reality, they have very narrow-minded views and dare to laugh at her, making a fool of themselves. This princess is the biggest joke.
However she might have some reservations in her heart, she dared not delay any longer. Instead, she obediently got up, bowed to Lu Ling, and boarded the Jiang family's carriage.
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