Chapter 36: Nothing Can Be Changed

“Your lady should be standing here to greet the princess herself, not sending someone like you to deliver a message.”

Such a perfunctory attitude greatly displeased Zisu.

Xiao Yunji had always been arrogant like this. Whenever there was something, instead of going to Yilan Residence himself, he would have a maid intercept others on the road to “invite” them.

Ning Junruo, knowing her temperament, had always followed the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble and never argued with her.

Thinking of the lively atmosphere at Ning’an Inn, Ning Junruo seemed to understand something.

“How presumptuous!”

She snapped loudly, “I am going to pay respects to the Grand Dowager, where would I have time to exchange pleasantries with her? If she truly has something to discuss, let her come to Yilan Residence to see me!”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the flamboyant Xiao Yunji strutted over as usual, full of self-importance.

“Well, well, haven’t seen you for a few days and the princess’s temper has only worsened!”

Since the princess had bestowed the head ornament, Xiao Yunji had personally gone to Ning’an Inn to invite her back to the mansion.

The servants and concubines in the back courtyard whispered secretly, speculating that the princess and the secondary consort had joined forces, and that the days ahead would be difficult.

Previously, they had not paid much attention, but after Lady Changyu was stung by a bee, such rumors spread wildly, leaving the women in the back courtyard anxious and unsettled.

After Ning Junruo returned to the mansion, the servants covertly showed favor to her, and naturally, these rumors reached Yilan Residence as well.

Though her intentions were unclear, Ning Junruo seemed determined to dispel these rumors.

“My temper may have worsened, but it’s nothing compared to your arrogance!”

Ning Junruo deliberately shot a barb, “I kindly sent you the head ornament, and yet you’re ungrateful, accusing me of trying to win you over! If you continue to talk nonsense, don’t blame me for being rude!”

Xiao Yunji was not to be outdone, “You think you’re so kind to send me the head ornament? Don’t take me for some naive fool who can be bought with a trinket! Hmph! Even if the prince hands you the keys to the treasury, I’ll get them back sooner or later!”

Those passing by, as well as the maids and women cleaning the courtyard, heard this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that the restrictions on their food and clothing were not the princess’s doing after all!

Previously, they thought that the two of them—one playing the stern role, the other the gentle one—were using the opportunity of cutting expenses to thoroughly reform the Dun Prince’s mansion.

“The academy matters keep me busy enough. Do you think I care about these keys?”

Ning Junruo said coldly, “I can give you the keys, but we must clarify the situation before the Grand Dowager!”

“I just came back from her place. I won’t go!” Xiao Yunji snorted coldly and stormed off with Yingtao in a huff.

Watching them fade into the distance, Zisu cautiously asked, “Miss, what’s going on with Consort Xiao? Could it be that she’s still holding a grudge after failing to win you over last time?”

Ning Junruo looked at the newly sprouted red pomegranates on the tree and gave a bitter smile, shaking her head.

“I don’t know what she’s thinking.”

Along the way, pomegranate trees bearing small fruit were everywhere.

Pomegranates symbolize fertility and blessings. Apart from Yunmeng Pavilion, the back courtyard had the most pomegranate trees.

Looking at those trees, some tall and some short, Ning Junruo couldn’t help but smile.

Even as the wife of a prince, with the best doctors and geomancers, one could not change the destiny of difficult offspring.

Before she realized it, she had arrived at Cining Residence.

Grand Dowager Xu was sulking, leaning against the beauty couch. Upon hearing Ning Junruo’s arrival, she immediately smiled and tried to get up.

“Mother, please don’t tire yourself!”

Ning Junruo hurried to support her. “Has your headache eased? I’ve been so busy these past two days I haven’t had the time to visit you.”

“I’ve heard about the Changning Academy,” Grand Dowager Xu said, her smile fading in an instant. “Opening a school to benefit the people is a good thing, but you shouldn’t have acted without telling anyone. Although the prince was at fault last time, do husbands and wives not quarrel? The academy is opened, so be it, but you cannot abandon the affairs of the prince’s mansion…”

Fearing the Grand Dowager’s reproach, Ning Junruo was reluctant to meet her.

Finally, after she finished speaking, Ning Junruo hurriedly gave Huai Xi a glance.

Huai Xi immediately knelt before the couch, hands raised over her head, presenting the keys to the Grand Dowager.

“Reporting to the Grand Dowager: The princess does not wish to manage the household. The prince forcibly handed the keys to this servant. We humbly ask the Grand Dowager to decide and retrieve the keys.”

Grand Dowager Xu’s eyes darkened. “Since you have accepted the keys, how can you return them now?”

“I am truly incapable of this responsibility. Please, Mother, do not trouble a mere maid,” Ning Junruo bowed earnestly.

“Can’t you manage? The prince was only speaking out of anger. The princess should not be so petty,” the Dowager said sternly, showing no intention of taking back the keys.

“Whether it was out of anger, I do not know,” Ning Junruo sat down at her side. “No one would foolishly take over household affairs if there were no money in the account.”

“The mansion is out of funds, but you have money!”

Grand Dowager Xu’s eyes grew cold. “The ten-mile shop west of the city, owned by the princess, is well known. Even if the account is empty, if you are willing to sell one or two shops, the prince’s mansion can overcome this crisis.”

Ning Junruo smiled softly, her calm demeanor suggesting she had long anticipated this.

“Mother speaks wisely, but that ten-mile shop was acquired when I married into the prince’s mansion by selling the Ning family’s assets in the capital. It was meant to provide me with support in Liangzhou. Selling it off easily would go against the original purpose and might make people think our Liang Prince’s mansion is utterly destitute, forced to sell property to survive.”

The Grand Dowager was momentarily taken aback, then smiled broadly.

“The princess has thought this through well. Selling the shop is indeed unwise, but given the mansion’s current situation, you know as well as I do that as the princess, you cannot stand by and watch everyone suffer hunger.”

“Suffer hunger? How could that be?”

Ning Junruo feigned surprise, eyes wide. “Didn’t the prince tell you? I have already prepared a promissory note. If he signs it, agreeing to repay me with monthly interest, this money is not impossible to borrow.”

The prince had told her all this long ago!

Grand Dowager Xu heard this and was so furious she nearly spat blood.

“Why speak of borrowing when we are all family? How can the princess be so distant?”

“It’s not distance. It’s that my own resources are limited,” Ning Junruo replied with a faint smile. “If the Grand Dowager insists on not taking back the keys, I will keep them for now. Though the account is empty, the merchants still trust me. I will go into debt on behalf of the prince.”

“The prince’s mansion going into debt! You don’t find that shameful? I do!” Grand Dowager Xu could no longer contain herself.

“Ning Junruo, I’m giving you one last chance. Tell me, will you help or not?”

“No.”

Ning Junruo remained composed, her resolute gaze carrying the weight of unyielding certainty.

“Very well…”

Grand Dowager Xu’s eyes flashed with a terrifying sharpness.

“Are you not afraid the prince will send you away with a divorce decree? Once that paper is signed, you will be penniless, and neither the academy nor the ten-mile shop will be yours anymore!”