Princess Ningde had been in her room, reading.
Truthfully, she didn't care what book it was.
Nor could she focus on reading. From the moment she learned that His Highness the Prince of Jin had entered the Prince Pingyang's mansion, her heart had been unable to calm down.
Her joyful heart had been beating non-stop.
She waited until Lü Qiao returned, then she put down her book and listened to Lü Qiao finish speaking.
Then, she unhurriedly stood up, "Let's go for a stroll in the garden. I ate a little too much pastry just now."
"If you ate a lot, then you should definitely go for a walk to digest it!" Lü Qiao nodded repeatedly.
In fact, she had seen with the corner of her eye that the princess hadn't touched a single pastry on the plate on the table.
It was true, no one would have any appetite in this situation.
Suddenly, those heading towards the garden of the Prince Pingyang's mansion became busy.
Yun Yueyin was the first to arrive in the garden. She rarely came here. Although the Prince Pingyang's mansion had a beautifully landscaped garden, she didn't like to visit because she disliked the pollen floating in the air. If it landed on her skin, it would cause itching.
She hadn't noticed it before, but ever since she came to the Western Xia Kingdom, and then...
Yun Yueyin quickly withdrew her thoughts. Some things were best not to dwell on!
She looked around, growing impatient, "Why haven't they shown up yet?"
Hong Ling craned her neck, looking around, "Perhaps His Highness the Prince of Jin and the Heir are still discussing matters? Logically, as this is His Highness the Prince of Jin's first visit to the Prince Pingyang's mansion, the Heir, as the host, should take His Highness the Prince of Jin to see around the Prince Pingyang's mansion."
Besides, if they didn't walk around, they wouldn't bump into the princess. After all, as a woman, she couldn't go and meet His Highness the Prince of Jin proactively.
But if it was an accidental encounter within the mansion, that would be different! There would be no gossip!
Yun Yueyin suddenly felt that she wasn't even as patient as her maid. She tugged at the corner of her mouth and smiled, "Yes, there's no need to rush. Let's wait here. They will come eventually."
"Yes, Madam." Hong Ling immediately nodded.
The mistress and maid waited quietly.
Suddenly, they saw two figures walking towards them from not far away.
Hong Ling immediately whispered to Yun Yueyin, "Madam, it seems to be the princess and Lü Qiao beside her."
Yun Yueyin followed Hong Ling's gaze and saw Princess Ningde and Lü Qiao approaching.
Although she didn't often encounter Princess Ningde in the mansion, she could tell that Princess Ningde was exceptionally well-dressed today, very different from her usual appearance.
Heh!
It seemed that His Highness the Prince of Jin was indeed an extraordinary man, capable of making the proud Princess Ningde so meticulous.
Look at the grace in every step she took.
Even she, a woman, couldn't help but be moved upon seeing her.
"If Madam hadn't come, the princess would certainly have been very eye-catching today. But with Madam here, the princess can never compare to Madam!" Hong Ling meticulously observed Princess Ningde walking towards them and then said her genuine thoughts in a low voice.
Yun Yueyin was naturally pleased to hear Hong Ling's words. She let out a soft chuckle, "There is no comparison between her and me."
To outsiders, it might seem like Yun Yueyin was feeling inferior, believing she couldn't compare to Princess Ningde in any way.
But only Yun Yueyin knew in her heart that she simply looked down on Princess Ningde!
What everyone was displaying were just tactics.
If she had been more ruthless towards Yun Shu back then, she would have soared in the Eastern Ning Kingdom by now. How could Princess Ningde possibly compare to her?
As the mistress and maid were speaking, Princess Ningde had already arrived.
When Princess Ningde saw the beautiful Yun Yueyin was also there, her gaze suddenly darkened.
Why was Yun Yueyin here?
She understood in an instant.
Princess Ningde's expression turned cold, and she asked sternly, "Why are you here?"
Yun Yueyin chuckled and said, "Why can't I be here? This is the Prince Pingyang's mansion. I am the Second Young Madam of this mansion. Although I rarely leave my courtyard, the weather is fine today, perfect for a stroll around."
Princess Ningde, standing opposite her, was not a foolish person. In fact, she was quite intelligent.
When two intelligent people met, and their thoughts sometimes aligned, they understood each other's intentions in the brief exchange of words.
Princess Ningde narrowed her eyes, a hint of killing intent appearing in them.
It seemed she needed to intervene in some matters.
Yun Yueyin suddenly didn't know what Princess Ningde was thinking. She still looked at Princess Ningde somewhat smugly, then pulled a smile and said, "Princess, you are dressed so elegantly today. Are you planning to go somewhere?"
"Where the princess wants to go has nothing to do with the Second Young Madam, right? Moreover, the Second Young Madam is also dressed up today," Lü Qiao quickly defended the princess, retorting with a cold sneer.
How dare the Second Young Madam ask the princess!
Look at her attire, one would think she was a courtesan from some house!
Seeing the contempt in Lü Qiao's eyes, Yun Yueyin's expression instantly turned cold. How dare a mere maid mock her!
"I am dressed up because my husband will be returning home tonight. I am dressed up to welcome him. As for the princess... I heard that His Highness the Prince of Jin is visiting today. Although His Highness the Prince of Jin is here to see the Heir, judging by your appearance, does the princess also wish to meet His Highness the Prince of Jin? Has the Heir told you that as a woman, it's sometimes best not to be too conspicuous in public, especially since the princess and His Highness the Prince of Jin are not yet married?"
Yun Yueyin smiled at Princess Ningde. Since their mistress and maid had shown her no respect and dared to look down on her, she shouldn't be blamed for speaking plainly to put them in their place.
"You!" Lü Qiao's eyes immediately reddened. The Second Young Madam was too detestable!
Princess Ningde looked at Yun Yueyin meaningfully and threatened, "I advise you to return to your courtyard now. If you continue to stay here, I guarantee you will regret your rash actions today."
Yun Yueyin hesitated. She had to admit, for a moment there, she truly felt as if Princess Ningde's threat could actually harm her.
She almost wanted to just let it go for today.
But the next moment, she became alert. What could a mere princess do?
She was still trying to capture the Prince of Jin's heart, and it was uncertain if she could even do that! Wasn't Qin Linglong also in the way?
Therefore, this threat seemed somewhat childish.
"Princess, why are you suddenly issuing threats while we are having a conversation? No matter what, I am your second sister-in-law. What I said just now was merely a kind reminder," Yun Yueyin said with a fake smile.
The mention of "second sister-in-law" reminded Princess Ningde that her father had an illicit affair with Zhen Xu's mother long ago, and they had a child, Zhen Xu, who was actually only half a year younger than her own brother!
Yun Yueyin felt a chill run down her spine. Was it because of Princess Ningde's words just now? Unlikely!
Suddenly, she saw two male figures approaching not far away and changed the subject, "Oh, look who's here. Are those the Heir and His Highness the Prince of Jin?"