After saying that, Jiang Yuwei left without looking back. She couldn't understand why Ning Huaizhi, who knew that Qinglan had feelings for him, was now involved with her again.
Moreover, in public, and witnessed by so many prominent families, who knows what kind of rumors would spread if word got out: a man and a woman drinking together and then hugging and cuddling as they left – what kind of behavior is that?
Jiang Yuwei became increasingly agitated as she thought about it, so she decided to stop thinking about it and ask Ning Huaizhi what was going on first thing tomorrow morning. With that thought, she fell into a deep sleep.
The next day,
Jiang Yuwei got up early and went into Ning Huaizhi's room. Seeing Tiezhu helping him change his clothes, she said:
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Tie Zhu had already informed Ning Huaizhi, and Ning Huaizhi assumed that Jiang Yuwei was coming to confront him, so he gave Tie Zhu a look, signaling him to go out first.
After Tie Zhu left, Ning Huaizhi walked up to Jiang Yuwei, took her hand, and said:
“Madam, I didn’t want to get drunk last night, but Lin Feng and the others kept urging me to drink. The Jingweifang restaurant was also strange yesterday; they gave us only strong liquor on our table. I only drank a few jars before I got drunk.”
As he spoke, Ning Huaizhi scratched his head and looked at Jiang Yuwei somewhat timidly:
"As for when Qinglan went there, I have no idea! You must believe me, Madam. I only found out today from Tiezhu's words that Qinglan also went to Jingweifang yesterday, and... she came out with me..."
After Ning Huai finished speaking, he swallowed hard and stole a glance at Jiang Yuwei.
Now that Ning Huaizhi had explained it this way, Jiang Yuwei felt much more relieved, so she raised her hand and slapped his shoulder:
"Since what you're saying is true, what are you feeling guilty about?"
Ning Huaizhi coughed a few times, his ears turning red, and said:
"I... I was just afraid you'd get angry or jealous."
Seeing his expression, Jiang Yuwei stopped keeping a straight face and simply smiled faintly:
"If I get angry about everything, wouldn't I be driven crazy by you and Qinglan?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Huaizhi quickly waved his hand and said:
"Please don't drag us into this. I promise I won't drink recklessly anymore, and I won't go to parties unless absolutely necessary!"
Jiang Yuwei frowned and said:
“As a general, you naturally have to socialize a lot. I have never said that you are not allowed to have gatherings with your colleagues. It’s just that there are many eyes watching you when you go out. You should keep a clean record.”
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Ning Huaizhi quickly raised three fingers and said:
"Madam, I swear to heaven, I am absolutely chaste. I... I only have you in my heart, and you know that..."
Jiang Yuwei straightened Ning Huaizhi's clothes.
"I know, it seems you're about to get into trouble."
Ning Huaizhi frowned upon hearing this, and reached out to grasp Jiang Yuwei's hand.
"Madam, what do you mean by that?"
Jiang Yuwei withdrew her hand and sat down in the chair.
"Do you think Qinglan would go to that Jingweifang restaurant for no reason? Do you think a young lady from a general's mansion, a princess who grew up in the palace, wouldn't even understand the principle of the difference between men and women?"
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei turned her head and looked at Ning Huaizhi with a deep gaze.
"She has ulterior motives, or you could say she deliberately wants others to see you two being affectionate. As for what she's going to do next, I can't figure it out either. For now, we can only play it by ear. You should be more careful when you go out these days."
Ning Huaizhi frowned upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words.
"Qinglan, she... she wouldn't be such a complicated person, would she..."
Jiang Yuwei shook her head with a wry smile.
"Do you think any person in the capital is simple-minded? Don't be fooled by appearances."
Ning Huaizhi pondered for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Thank you for the reminder, Madam. I will be careful. It's getting late, I should go to court now."
Jiang Yuwei got up and saw Ning Huaizhi and Ning Zhao out of the courtyard before returning to her room for dinner.
After breakfast, Jiang Yuwei took Ning Wan to the Princess's courtyard. This time, they immediately saw Ning Xin waiting outside the courtyard.
"Why are you here again? You're always disturbing my grandmother's rest. You have no shame!"
Ning Xin glared at Ning Wan and said impatiently.
Jiang Yuwei snorted coldly upon seeing this.
"If you haven't had enough of being beaten, I'll slap you a few more times to teach you a lesson on behalf of your mother!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Xin quickly covered her face with her hands, glared angrily at Jiang Yuwei, and shouted:
"Hmph, I'm going back right now and telling my mother that you bullied me!"
With that, he turned and ran outside without looking back.
Jiang Yuwei went inside after Ning Xin left.
"Yuwei, you're here! Come quickly, I hear some noise outside, what's going on?"
Jiang Yuwei pulled Ning Wan to the princess's bedside and smiled:
"It was Ning Xin. She was waiting outside, but I sent her away. She's gone back to find her mother now."
Upon hearing this, the princess couldn't help but pinch the space between her eyebrows.
"I felt really annoyed just looking at that child, thank goodness you got rid of her."
As she spoke, the princess reached out and pulled Ning Wan to sit on the edge of her bed, smiling as she said:
"Our Wan'er is still the most lovable."
Jiang Yuwei smiled and poured a cup of spiritual spring water for the princess, handing it to her.
"The Thousand Autumns Banquet is coming soon. I think the Empress wouldn't care about ordinary gifts. Why don't I prepare a program for Yunqing to perform? That way, the Empress will be happy."
The princess smiled faintly.
"I won't interfere with these matters. You can handle it yourself, but you'll be the one taking care of everything in the future anyway."
Seeing that the princess trusted her so much, Jiang Yuwei felt that the burden on her shoulders was even heavier.
At this moment, Wang Ma came in from outside with a list in her hand.
"Your Highness, I just went to the kitchen and gave the order. This is the menu for tonight's banquet. Please take a look."
The princess waved her hand and said:
"Let Yuwei see, I can't be bothered with these things."
Wang Ma nodded and handed the list to Jiang Yuwei, saying:
"Since the princess has been recuperating well these past few days, she has instructed the kitchen to prepare a banquet. All the masters of the manor will be attending. Here is the menu; please take a look, Madam."
Jiang Yuwei nodded, took the list, and glanced at it. The menu from the kitchen was accurate and complete. After all, the Prince's Mansion had hosted countless dignitaries, so a small family banquet was naturally no problem for them.
Thinking this, Jiang Yuwei handed the form to Wang Ma.
"There's nothing wrong with the menu. Have you informed everyone in the manor?"
Wang Ma nodded.
"I have already sent maids to inform each courtyard."
Seeing that everything was arranged, Jiang Yuwei went to the princess's bedside to administer acupuncture.
“You’ve just started to recover, and now you’re going to come out and have dinner with this whole family? I’m worried that you might…”
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