Chapter 3: The Princess Consort Meets a Stranger for the First Time

Yilan Juli, Huai Xi was still muttering in dissatisfaction.

"What’s so great about being pregnant? She’s just an actress, how could she possibly surpass the officially wedded Princess of Liang! Miss is far too lenient, actually letting her have such a wonderful place like Yunmeng Pavilion..."

Ning Junruo, who was resting with her eyes closed and massaging her temples, heard this and said coldly, "Chang Yuniang is no good. Don’t say things like that again."

"So what if she’s no good? Should Miss keep protecting her? If you ask me, rules should be set to put her in her place, to curb her arrogance so she doesn’t get too big for her britches!"

In the previous life, relying on her status as the Princess of Liang, she looked down on and neglected Chang Yuniang at every turn, which allowed her to play the victim and win everyone’s sympathy, later scheming to seize control of the Liang residence.

Back then, because she refused to let her in, Chang Yuniang knelt and sobbed, recounting her hardships, saying that as long as the child was born in the prince’s residence, she’d be willing to serve even as a lowly maid.

The Grand Dowager was blinded by her tears and felt cold-hearted herself.

"The princess is too cold. Regardless of whether the child in her womb carries the royal bloodline, even if she were a helpless stranger, we should lend a hand. The Liang residence is so vast; it’s not as if it’s short of mouths to feed..."

Because of her doubts and opposition, Huai Xi ended up despised by everyone, inadvertently helping the silver-tongued Chang Yuniang win the Grand Dowager’s sympathy.

This time, Ning Junruo had come to understand—no matter how much she opposed, she couldn't stop her from entering.

Fragile things break easily; it’s better to go along with them. That way, the Grand Dowager would have no grounds to complain.

As for why she let Chang Yuniang have Yunmeng Pavilion, Ning Junruo had her own plan.

Doing so would make the Grand Dowager think she was magnanimous and make Chang Yuniang overconfident.

Chang Yuniang really didn’t disappoint her. Just thinking of the Grand Dowager’s expression brightened Ning Junruo’s mood.

Not only did she get to live in Yunmeng Pavilion, but she also lost the Grand Dowager’s pity. Could her days still go smoothly as in her previous life?

At that thought, Ning Junruo couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t worry. I don’t need to act; someone will naturally put out her arrogance.”

Huai Xi finally relaxed. “So Miss had a plan all along. I worried for nothing.”

“There’s no plan. I’m just watching the tiger fight from the mountain,” Ning Junruo replied calmly.

“Um...”

Huai Xi was dumbfounded, unsure what to say, when Zisu came in holding a letter.

“Miss, Young Master Xu has returned from the capital and brought a letter from the young master.”

Xu Mingyi?

In the previous life, both the Ning and Chang families were sentenced to extermination. The emperor was furious, declaring it a matter of royal blood and honor—no one was allowed to plead for mercy, or they would be flogged fifty times.

It was said the entire court fell silent except for Xu Mingyi, who stood up repeatedly to advise the emperor.

But how could the emperor listen in his anger?

This was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Xu Mingyi was beaten so badly in court that palace attendants had to carry him out.

It’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to send charcoal in snowy weather. Yet Xu Mingyi, who had only known Junyuan for two years as classmates, showed such loyalty.

Ning Junruo’s heart fluttered. “Is Young Master Xu still in the residence? I want to see him and invite him to the main hall.”

“He should still be in Xu Bo’s quarters.”

Zisu was a little surprised. The princess never took the initiative to see guests—why now invite the son of the household guard?

Xu Bo was a skilled security officer hired by the residence; his family didn’t live there. His son, Xu Mingyi, had once studied with the heir and was one of Liangzhou’s top talents.

At twenty, Xu Mingyi passed the provincial exam. His family spared no effort to send him to the Bailu Academy in the capital, hoping he would top the metropolitan exam.

Ning Junruo’s brother, Ning Junyuan, was also studying at Bailu Academy. The two were not only classmates but kindred spirits.

In the previous life, although Junyuan’s letters mentioned these things, she never met Xu Mingyi privately, respecting the decorum between men and women.

This time, for her future, she decided to take a gamble.

Huai Xi was surprised. “Miss wants to see him?”

“He came all this way with Junyuan’s letter; I have to thank him in person, right?” Ning Junruo smiled. “Go to the storeroom and bring Mr. Yi Shao’s rare manuscript.”

After Huai Xi left, Ning Junruo immediately picked up her brush and began writing on the flower-patterned letter paper on the desk.

They said the Princess of Liang was known for being poised and proper, never lightly meeting strangers—why summon him today?

Xu Mingyi, tall and graceful, blushed slightly recalling their fleeting glance in the past.

In the main hall, Xu Mingyi was deep in thought when the sound of jade pendants jingling came. Behind the screen, a lovely figure with hems swaying approached him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Young Master Xu,” Ning Junruo said from behind the screen.

“Thank you for bringing the family letter all this way. Please accept this book as my humble thanks. Don’t stand on ceremony.”

While she spoke, the maid placed the wrapped book before him. Xu Mingyi wanted to refuse but had to accept with a respectful bow.

After asking about Junyuan’s studies and inquiring about the Ning and Chang families, she reminded him not to forget his reading and then took her leave.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air. Watching the figure beyond the screen and recalling Junyuan’s words, Xu Mingyi sighed softly.

On the way back, Huai Xi asked curiously, “Miss, that rare manuscript is priceless. Why did you give it to Young Master Xu so easily?”

Noticing no one else around, Ning Junruo lowered her voice. “If you want someone to help you, you have to be generous.”

Huai Xi seemed to understand but was about to ask more when Consort Xiao stormed over.

She was the prince’s childhood playmate. Though headstrong, with her mother being the Grand Dowager’s sister and the prince’s backing, she never respected anyone.

Consort Xiao reluctantly bowed before her and half-joked, half-questioned, “I heard the princess allowed that actress to live in Yunmeng Pavilion? The child isn’t even born yet, and we don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. Isn’t this inappropriate?”

Everyone in the residence knew the Grand Dowager had promised Xiao Yunji that as soon as she conceived, she could move into Yunmeng Pavilion.

If it weren’t for her uncooperative womb, she would have moved in long ago. Now, this Chang Yuniang, a latecomer, had beaten her to it—how could she be happy?

Looking at her bright face and recalling how in the previous life Xiao Yunji was completely outwitted by Chang Yuniang, becoming a weapon against herself and ultimately schemed to death, Ning Junruo suddenly felt less hatred.

“The Grand Dowager said she’s carrying the prince’s child and asked me to settle her well. Yunmeng Pavilion is the best courtyard in the residence; only by living there can one be properly settled,” Ning Junruo said with a faint smile. “If you think my actions are inappropriate, you can discuss it with the Grand Dowager.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yunji clenched her teeth in anger and immediately went to argue with the Grand Dowager, but the latter said the prince was nearly thirty without an heir, and since Chang Yuniang was finally pregnant, she shouldn’t be so jealous.

Ha, always claiming to be the prince’s confidante, yet now an actress has surpassed her!

Xiao Yunji thought bitterly that as long as Chang Yuniang didn’t give birth to a child, no woman in this residence would have one—not even Chang Yuniang herself!