SGEIRS -Chapter 316 Something Fishy

“How did he hurt his hand?”

“And why is there shrimp peeling involved?”

“Did you even have a meal together?”

As experienced observers, Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning exchanged a bright glance upon hearing this. Something was definitely fishy—they felt that what was going on between A-Yan and the Young Master Shen was more than just old grudges.

Meng Jinyao continued, “So you actually peeled the shrimp for him?”

Princess Jingning nodded, a bit exasperated. “I did. I almost fed it to him myself. If I hadn’t peeled the shrimp for him… a man like him, petty and grudge-holding, would have brought up old matters the next time we met. What would I have done then?”

Meng Jinyao was secretly surprised and pressed further: “How did you end up having a meal together?”

Princess Jingning was annoyed. “He said I hurt him and demanded compensation. Not only did I take him to the clinic to have his wound treated, but the man acted like a spoiled little girl, so dramatic. The doctor even said that if he had come a bit later, the wound would have already healed. But that wasn’t the end—he even managed to get a meal out of me in the end.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning exchanged a meaningful glance and smiled knowingly, then nodded.

He was willing to compromise—and even thought about meeting her again. Given his volatile temperament, these two clearly had something going on.

Normally, even if Young Master Shen had hurt his hand because of A-Yan, he wouldn’t have allowed the princess to peel shrimp for him, and A-Yan certainly wouldn’t have compromised—but the impossible had happened. They even had a meal together.

Something was definitely fishy!

Perhaps neither of them realized it, or perhaps Young Master Shen did, but A-Yan, being slow to recognize emotions, was completely unaware of her special feelings toward him.

However, regardless of the situation, it wasn’t wise for outsiders to expose it abruptly. Otherwise, they might ruin a good match. Once this relationship was uncovered, as “enemies,” they would likely instinctively avoid each other, making future meetings awkward.

Slowly letting it unfold was the best approach. Eventually, when they both fell unconsciously, the feelings would naturally follow.

Princess Jingning noticed their odd expressions, frowned, and asked, “Why are you laughing? I’ve been enslaved by him, and yet as my good sisters, you’re laughing?”

Meng Jinyao quickly shook her head, smiling: “Nothing. It’s just that the feud between you and Young Master Shen is really big.”

Princess Jingning replied, “The feud started years ago. It began when I mistook him and pushed him into the pond. Fortunately, we saved him, and that’s why he let it go. Otherwise, he would have brought it up every time we met.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s smile deepened. “I think Young Master Shen is quite reasonable. But you seem to have strong opinions about him?”

Princess Jingning chattered on, full of resentment: “It’s not that I have opinions of him—it’s that he’s petty. Last time was one thing, but before that, he gave me a rabbit. I liked braised rabbit, so I had the kitchen cook it that way. When he later asked about the rabbit, I said I had eaten it. He got so angry that he wanted the rabbit back. I was furious, too. If he gave it to me, it’s mine! Why shouldn’t I eat it?”

Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning were stunned. They had already reached the stage of giving each other live rabbits—and yet people would claim nothing happened between them? Who would believe that? The girl was just adorably naive: the rabbit was given as a pet, not for eating. If it were meant for eating, it should have been a braised rabbit from the start.

After a pause, Meng Jinyao asked, “Did you give him back the rabbit?”

Princess Jingning pouted, lightly snorting: “No way! Once something is given, it can’t be taken back. He must be dreaming. So, in front of him, I had another portion of braised rabbit and really angered him. He ignored me for a long time.”

Meng Jinyao couldn’t help but laugh: “A-Yan, so who’s more irritating—him or you?”

Without hesitation, Princess Jingning said: “That’s definitely him! How could I possibly be irritating? We’ve known each other for so long—you don’t know me yet?”

Song Xinning and Meng Jinyao smiled knowingly at each other, exchanging a glance full of unspoken understanding.

After a moment, Song Xinning asked, “He’s never shown himself in front of acquaintances before, nor has he returned home. How did you run into him?”

Princess Jingning shook her head lightly. “I don’t know. I seem to be really unlucky—ran into him several times. Haven’t you ever encountered him?”

Both Song Xinning and Meng Jinyao shook their heads. Even if they had the chance, Young Master Shen would likely avoid them. Only this naive girl could see him. If she could see him, that proved he never avoided her.

Princess Jingning pouted, half annoyed and half disdainful: “Sure enough, the unlucky one is always me. I keep running into him again and again. Forget it, let’s not talk about him. Thinking about him makes me angry. A petty guy like him… who knows which poor girl will marry him someday. That girl will be infuriated!”

Song Xinning smiled and followed her words: “Alright, alright, we won’t talk about him.” Then she spoke earnestly, “Let’s talk about your marriage. Whatever the prince and princess say, don’t worry about it. Unless absolutely necessary, never settle. Marry someone you like and who likes you back. You are the princess, the apple of the prince and princess’s eyes. Many noble sons want to marry you. Don’t rush to marry someone you don’t like.”

Princess Jingning nodded: “Don’t worry, I won’t marry someone I don’t like. The Empress Dowager said marriage is a lifetime affair, so I shouldn’t rush. I’ll choose someone I like. If I don’t meet anyone suitable, I’ll wait a couple more years.”

Meng Jinyao commented: “The Empress Dowager is quite open-minded.”

Princess Jingning smiled: “She’s the most open-minded. My father and mother aren’t as liberal as her.”

Song Xinning and Meng Jinyao exchanged a knowing smile. No wonder A-Yan was so pure. Being a little princess pampered in the palm of someone’s hand, no darkness could reach her, and no one dared plot against her.

Around noon, Song Xinning and Princess Jingning stayed for lunch. After eating and chatting for a while, they left Changxing Marquis Mansion.

In the afternoon, Gu Jingxi returned from his duties.

Meng Jinyao told him that her father, Meng Dongyuan, would marry Second Miss Dong in early April.

Gu Jingxi wasn’t surprised, only asking: “Early April, which day exactly?”

Meng Jinyao replied: “I don’t know the exact day. A-Ning told me—she just overheard gossip, didn’t get details.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly.

Meng Jinyao suddenly asked: “Husband, what kind of person do you think Young Master Shen is?”

Gu Jingxi looked at her blankly, as if he didn’t understand why she asked about an outsider, but he still answered: “Shen Yunzhou is clever. Don’t be fooled by his seemingly harmless appearance—he’s under twenty, but very calculating. He’s not a bad person, though. Why are you asking about him?”

Meng Jinyao made up an excuse: “I heard A-Ning mention Young Master Shen today. Out of curiosity, I asked you.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t suspect anything and didn’t think further.