SGEIRS -Chapter 147 A-Yan Is So Nice

Taking advantage of the mild sunlight, Meng Jinyao took Princess Jingning for a stroll around the residence.

However, Princess Jingning seemed familiar with the mansion’s layout—she knew where the bridges were, where the pavilions stood, and which spots by the ponds were cooler.

Meng Jinyao was a little surprised. “A-Yan, you seem to know the Marquis’ residence quite well.”

Princess Jingning answered truthfully, “I’ve visited the Changxing Marquis’ residence several times, whenever there was a banquet for the old madam’s birthday, so I’m somewhat familiar with the place.” She then glanced at Meng Jinyao. “Oh, and when you got married, I was there too—I came with my mother to attend the wedding feast.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding. “I see.”

Princess Jingning continued, “I came over so suddenly today that I haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to the old madam yet.”

When visiting someone else’s home, it’s basic etiquette to greet the elders.

Meng Jinyao replied, “Then your timing isn’t quite right. My mother-in-law went to the temple yesterday for a short stay; she probably won’t be back for another two or three days.”

Princess Jingning wasn’t surprised and just nodded. “The old madam is devout; she visits the temple periodically. It seems today’s visit is just unlucky on my part.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao was a little taken aback—she hadn’t expected Princess Jingning to know so much.

Sensing her confusion, Princess Jingning explained, “My maternal grandmother and the old madam are friends. If I’m not mistaken, my grandmother is probably at the temple now too.”

Meng Jinyao’s eyes lit up, and she asked with a smile, “So by seniority, am I still your elder?”

Princess Jingning was momentarily dumbfounded, staring at her in disbelief. Irritated, she said, “Do you mean you want me to call you Third Aunt? Forget it—you can’t even think about it!”

Meng Jinyao let out a faint sigh, a little regretful. Seeing Princess Jingning’s wide eyes, she guessed that if she said anything unpleasant, Princess Jingning would explode. So she smiled and said, “But, even though I’ve lost a niece, I’ve gained a friend—and that’s pretty nice too.”

Princess Jingning snorted lightly. “As long as you know.”

During their casual conversation, Princess Jingning suddenly asked, “Jinyao, what do you usually do?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “I entertain myself at home, find small diversions, or go out for a walk.”

Princess Jingning frowned. “That sounds boring. Don’t you have friends to play with?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly and smiled. “I do. There’s Song Xinning, the daughter of the Director at the National Academy, but she’ll be getting married at the end of the year. Plus, her future mother-in-law is unwell and needs her company, so she’s busy and doesn’t have much time to meet me.”

“Miss Song?” Princess Jingning paused. “The day we left the theater, I was escorting your second sister to the clinic and ran into her. She scolded your second sister pretty badly.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at her. “And did you scold her too?”

Princess Jingning cleared her throat awkwardly. “I accidentally hit the wrong person. I didn’t know your second sister was actually the one causing the problem.”

Meng Jinyao laughed. “Don’t worry. A-Ning won’t mind. She knows you were deceived.”

Hearing this, Princess Jingning fell silent. Everyone who hadn’t witnessed the incident knew she had been tricked by Meng Jinyu—she was the only one unaware of it.

Meng Jinyao then said, “It’s almost noon. Why don’t you stay for lunch?”

Princess Jingning agreed and stayed for the meal before returning to her residence.

The next morning,

Princess Jingning returned, bringing a few pounds of lychees.

Meng Jinyao was a little surprised. She had only mentioned liking them yesterday, and today the princess came with lychees, showing she remembered her preference.

Looking at the lychees, Meng Jinyao felt touched. She only had two friends: A-Ning and the princess. Both treated her sincerely and kindly.

Seeing Meng Jinyao staring blankly at the lychees, Princess Jingning, a bit puzzled, explained, “You said you liked them, right? I got them yesterday afternoon from the Empress Dowager. They’re all for you.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled. No wonder she had hurried off after lunch yesterday—she had gone to the palace to ask the Empress Dowager for lychees. These four or five pounds were very precious, considering the emperor only rewarded officials with a little over a pound.

Meng Jinyao looked at the young girl before her, feeling a warm glow in her heart. Softly, she asked, “A-Yan, all these are for me? What will you eat then?”

Princess Jingning waved it off. “I eat some every year. I had a few this year to satisfy my craving. Now I’m not really interested, and since you like them, I brought them to you.”

Meng Jinyao pressed her lips and smiled. “Thank you, A-Yan.”

Princess Jingning blushed slightly. “You’re welcome. I even kept them fresh with ice before bringing them. Have someone get some ice; otherwise, they might spoil in this heat.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and immediately instructed her maid to do so.

After a moment, Meng Jinyao said, “A-Yan, four or five pounds is a lot. I can’t finish it all. How about I make some lychee syrup? We can send some to the households of the first and second branches too.”

Princess Jingning had no objection. “Since you gave them to me, it’s up to you.”

Meng Jinyao said warmly, “These are your heartfelt gift, so I should ask you first.”

Princess Jingning was momentarily struck and remarked, “You’re very different from your sister. I never noticed before, but seeing the contrast now, I do.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao looked at her with a gaze as if looking at a little innocent soul. She guessed that Princess Jingning had probably been fooled many times before, handing over money naively when sold—just like Meng Jinyu, who appeared gentle and harmless, which made it easy for her to believe her lies.

Princess Jingning sensed Meng Jinyao’s odd gaze and glared at her. After a while, she sighed, “Alright, let’s not talk about her. Bad luck!”

“Okay, we won’t mention her,” Meng Jinyao replied with a smile, then continued playing chess with Princess Jingning.

Though Princess Jingning was simple, that had its benefits. Someone like Meng Jinyao, cautious in everything, could learn a thing or two from her.

Simple people don’t overthink. When playing chess, Princess Jingning seized opportunities and attacked decisively.

Meng Jinyao, on the other hand, overthought everything, always waiting for absolute certainty before making a move, unknowingly missing opportunities and steadily losing ground.

In the end, Meng Jinyao lost the game.

Losing to Gu Jingxi was due to his superior skill. Losing to Princess Jingning, however, was purely because she overthought things—the princess’s skill was only intermediate.

At that moment, Meng Jinyao also realized her own flaw.

Princess Jingning looked at the chessboard without much thought, assuming Meng Jinyao was letting her win. She asked, a little puzzled, “Jinyao, you clearly had the chance to win. Why did you hold back?”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily at a loss, then replied, “I used to think you were a little naive, but now I see you’re quite clever.”

Princess Jingning rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who’s naive.”

Meng Jinyao quickly agreed. “Yes, A-Yan, you’re right—it’s me who’s naive. Shall we play another round?”

Princess Jingning nodded. “Alright, but this time, no holding back. If you do, it’ll be boring.”

Meng Jinyao: “…”

She hadn’t been holding back—it was just her overthinking that caused her to lose.