A Warning
Nanny Wan walked alongside the sedan chair, sighing inwardly.
She was an elder of the Cen Family, and even after arriving at the Prince of An's Residence, she was still able to serve as an internal steward, which made her extremely capable.
She could tell at a glance that Zhao Ruxi was different from what they had imagined.
Upon hearing that Zhao Ruxi had returned to the capital, Prince of An instructed his daughter to invite Zhao Ruxi to his home. As for the purpose, everyone knew very well: he wanted to use Zhao Ruxi to win over Prince of Qi and get Prince of Qi to wholeheartedly assist him.
However, her own daughter came from the Cen Family and had been betrothed to Prince of An since childhood. She had been pampered in her maternal home and was inevitably somewhat arrogant. Zhao Ruxi came from the Earl of Suiping's Residence, which was a declining family, and she herself had grown up in the countryside. Even if she was talented, in Cen Peixuan's eyes, there was nothing to be proud of.
Take Mister Kumu, for example. Even if his paintings are exceptional, if he weren't related to royalty and had a good relationship with the previous and current emperors, which truly powerful family would take a painter seriously? Aren't there plenty of talented people among their retainers?
If Zhao Ruxi hadn't been betrothed to the Prince of Qi, her daughter probably wouldn't have even bothered to look at her.
In their minds, people like Zhao Ruxi, even if intelligent, would always be timid and lacking in class. Even if they put on a brave face, they would be insecure inside. They felt that Zhao Ruxi wouldn't have the confidence to challenge someone like their daughter, who was already a princess and carrying the emperor's child.
Therefore, giving her a hard time at this point, making her fearful, is more effective than being kind and affectionate towards her.
At her prompting, the young woman also subtly inquired whether Prince of An should give Zhao Ruxi a hard time, to which Prince of An remained noncommittal. This noncommittal implied that he did not object and could allow the young woman to act as she pleased.
This was their original idea.
But after just meeting Zhao Ruxi, even though they hadn't exchanged more than a few words, Nanny Wan felt that Zhao Ruxi wasn't the person they had imagined.
Only those with inner strength can speak and act with such composure and calmness. Moreover, Zhao Ruxi is more beautiful than her own daughter, possesses a better temperament, and seems to have a stronger presence. Could such a person be insecure and docile?
Nanny Wan was worried that her proud young lady would lose her composure and do something impolite when she met Zhao Ruxi.
Amidst Nanny Wan's wandering thoughts, the sedan chair entered the second house through the main gate, where four more old women took over carrying it. The group walked a little further in and then stopped in front of a hall.
"Miss Zhao, please alight from your sedan chair." Nanny Wan hurriedly went to greet her.
After Zhao Ruxi got out of the sedan chair, Nanny Wan invited her into the hall.
Only after Zhao Ruxi reached the top of the steps did a maidservant come out, bow to Zhao Ruxi, and say, "Miss Zhao, you've arrived? My princess has been waiting for you for a long time."
Zhao Ruxi nodded slightly to her, stepped across the threshold, and saw a woman with a head full of pearls and jade sitting at the head of the table. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pretty face, but her expression was somewhat arrogant, and she made no attempt to hide her gaze as she looked at Zhao Ruxi.
Upon seeing this, Qingfeng grew even more disliked Prince of An's Consort.
Zhao Ruxi used to be an official in the government office, and having too many servants around would have a bad influence. Now that she's back in the capital preparing for her marriage, her status is different, so in addition to taking Lady Luo and Lu Yun with her, she also brings Qingfeng along.
Of course, she also brought quite a few male guards. She brought the two bestowed by the Emperor and the two given to her by Xiao Lingyan, as well as Ma Sheng.
Now, those who have entered the Prince of An's Residence with Zhao Ruxi include Qingfeng, Lu Yun, and Lady Luo.
"Zhiwei greets Prince of An's Consort." Zhao Ruxi bowed to Cen Peixuan.
"Please rise quickly." Cen Peixuan didn't get up, but simply raised her hand. Nanny Wan, who was standing behind her, quickly stepped forward to help Zhao Ruxi up.
Nanny Wan was anxious and wanted to remind her young lady. But if she left the guest behind at this time and went inside with Cen Peixuan to have a private conversation, it would only seem more disrespectful and rude.
She could only pray in her heart that her daughter had some discernment and could see that Zhao Ruxi was not someone she could suppress at will; she also prayed that Zhao Ruxi, despite her tough exterior, was actually as insecure, fragile, and easily controlled as they imagined.
Unfortunately, Cen Peixuan did not receive the brainwaves of her own head maid.
After Zhao Ruxi sat down, she chuckled and said, "I thought you would return to the capital immediately after receiving the imperial decree of marriage. I didn't expect you to stay in Nanyang. Not to mention that place is shabby, you spend all your time working with those men. Aren't you afraid that Prince of Qi Gao Xing?"
"His Highness Prince of Qi wasn't Gao Xing. He said he respected me and let me do what I like," Zhao Ruxi said.
Cen Peixuan choked, and the faint smile on her face gradually disappeared.
Nanny Wan inwardly cried out in alarm, but quickly smiled and said, "The Emperor has praised the improved farming tools that Miss Zhao created. This benefits the masses, and Miss Zhao's future blessings are sure to be abundant. My princess has always wanted to congratulate Miss Zhao."
Her words reminded Cen Peixuan that Zhao Ruxi had improved agricultural tools while staying in Nanyang, and even the Emperor had praised her. Now, you're saying she shouldn't stay in Nanyang but should return to the capital to prepare for her marriage? Doesn't that imply the Emperor is wrong?
If Cen Peixuan had changed her tune and congratulated Zhao Ruxi, their relationship wouldn't have become strained.
Unfortunately, Cen Peixuan was used to being flattered since childhood, and no one ever dared to contradict her, especially after she became a princess.
She said, "Even so, if you don't improve the farm tools, other officials will. We women should stay in the inner quarters and be good wives and mothers. Since the Imperial Concubine can't come out of the palace, I, as her sister-in-law and cousin, have to remind Miss Zhao a few things."
"I only hope that Miss Zhao will spend less time outside and have less contact with men in the future. If you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about Prince of Qi, right? You are not only the daughter of the Earl of Suiping's Residence now, but also the future Consort of the Prince of Qi, representing the face of the royal family. Not to mention the royal family, our Cen Family also has its pride. You don't want to provoke the elders of the Cen Family to come out and reprimand you, do you?"
At this point, Zhao Ruxi's patience had run out.
If she weren't a time traveler like Xiao Lingyan, but simply married an ancient prince out of mutual affection; and if she didn't know about the relationship between Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Lingpu, she could have easily gotten along with Cen Peixuan without causing any trouble.
Who can't be evasive? Pretending to agree, then going about one's business as usual, living life according to one's own ideas—this avoids hurting feelings and prevents interference from the other party. This is the preferred approach for most people.
Cen Peixuan was clearly using her Cen Family to bully her, wanting her to always be mindful of her feelings. She couldn't go along with her wishes, otherwise she would be constantly being bossed around.
Xiao Lingyan doesn't rely on the Cen Family for support, nor on his elder brother. On the contrary, Xiao Lingpu wants Xiao Lingyan's support; and if Xiao Lingyan Xiao Lingpu still alive, the Cen Family would be his first obstacle if he wanted to seize the throne.
Why should she give these people face?