Chapter 81: Treat Them with Sincerity

81. Chapter 81: Treat Them with Sincerity

Sincerity is the ultimate move in human interaction!

Before her are two people: one is a princess adored by countless admirers, the other is the Empress who governs the realm, and Shen Yunyao, facing them, is naturally at a disadvantage in status.

All she can do is treat them with sincerity.

As for playing tricks on their hearts?

Perhaps Princess Huanxi is not good at that, but Xie Zixian is an Empress; even though Emperor Xihe's harem is relatively simple, without some skill, how could one secure the Empress position?

"You've seen that stinky kid!"

Xie Zixian thought of her younger brother's appearance and laughed instantly.

It must be admitted that the stinky kid's looks truly appeal to girls.

Why do the prominent ladies of Jingcheng keep thinking of him? It's simply because of his looks!

"Qi Jiejie, how did you know that was Xie Zian?"

"Just guessed!"

Facing Princess Huanxi's question, Shen Yunyao answered very directly.

"When I was first rejected for marriage, I wondered what my future would be like. Then Cuiyu told me that an official media house came to propose!"

"I also thought at the time, who could be so extraordinary!"

"After all, I was rejected by the Newly Appointed Top Scholar. Marrying me would mean offending the Newly Appointed Top Scholar, wouldn't it?"

"Later, I heard it was the Xie Family's young master, also the younger uncle of the Top Scholar's fiancée, and I thought, this marriage looks good!"

"What's good about it?"

Princess Huanxi protested for Shen Yunyao, "You don't know how despicable that Xie Zian fellow is. I'm telling you, Qi Jiejie... ah, sister-in-law, should I stop now?"

Before she could finish, she was violently struck by her own sister-in-law, and Princess Huanxi promptly backed down.

Xie Zixian, both laughing and crying, slapped Princess Huanxi, "Now we're the audience; stop interrupting!"

"Oh, oh!"

Princess Huanxi nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"My thoughts back then were actually quite fun!"

"Xie Zian is the younger uncle of the Top Scholar's fiancée; if I marry him, then when Zheng Si Que sees me, he must properly call me 'Auntie'!"

"So, I think this marriage looks good!"

Shen Yunyao did not say how satisfied she was with Xie Zian, after all she didn't know him well.

But she expressed her thoughts.

First, Xie Zian is handsome and elegant, at least his appearance pleases her. Second, his status gives her a sense of vengeful satisfaction.

These words shouldn't have been spoken so bluntly, perhaps not said at all.

After all, women at this time value modesty, restraint, and virtuous propriety.

But Shen Yunyao said it anyway.

Having heard Shen Yunyao's words, Xie Zixian was unexpectedly pleased with this future sister-in-law.

She actually didn't care much about what family her brother married, as long as he was happy, but now Xie Zixian is especially pleased.

"I also think this marriage looks good!"

"Yunyao, if that stinky Xie Zian treats you badly, tell me and I'll teach him a lesson!"

Such an earnest sister-in-law has earned Xie Zixian's favor.

"Sister-in-law, Xie Zian has always bullied me, and you never said you'd help punish him!"

Princess Huanxi declared she was jealous!

Xie Zixian gave her a glance and said, "You can stop that!"

"Isn't it just that Xie Zian stole your fresh flower candy when he was a child? Do you really need to remember it for so many years?"

"How could it not?"

"Hmph, I'll remember it for a lifetime!"

Princess Huanxi, angry, said, "That was specially saved for me by the Empress; I couldn't bear to eat it, and he ate it. Those flowers were so beautiful!"

"I've already thought it out: when he has a child, I'll specifically snatch the child's treats!"

"Um..."

Shen Yunyao suddenly cleared her throat and said, "Alright, sister, are you sure you want to snatch your little nephew's treats?"

Xie Zian's child, isn't that Shen Yunyao's child?

You're an aunt, how can you have the nerve to fight a little kid over food?

Princess Huanxi was stunned the moment she heard Shen Yunyao's words.

Seeing this, Xie Zixian couldn't help but laugh heartily, saying, "Little sister-in-law, I noted what you just said; later I'll see whether you actually snatch or not."

"Wuwu... Qi Jiejie, how about we cut off contact for a few days then?"

"That won't do!"

Shen Yunyao held Princess Huanxi's hand, "We swore an oath under Heaven and Earth; how can we treat this lightly?"

"Then, when you make tasty food for your little kid, make a bit extra; I can share some!"

"You glutton!"

Xie Zixian raised her hand and tapped Princess Huanxi's forehead, "Is it really necessary?"

"How could it not be?"

Princess Huanxi lifted her head, "Who ever said life is short, and we must not fail beautiful food and beautiful women!"

"Who said that?"

Xie Zixian was hearing this for the first time.

Princess Huanxi shook her head decisively and said, "I don't remember; anyway, someone said it."

"You're the one with the most twisted arguments!"

……

The three kept talking, and the whole‑fish banquet in the kitchen was also ready.

Spicy Chili Fish Head!

Fish Soup!

Tofu Braised Fish!

Fish Broth!

Red‑Braised Fish!

Grilled Fish Slices!

Steamed Fish!

……

Because the same fish was large enough, they managed to prepare it in many different ways.

Even so, less than a quarter of the meat on that fish was used.

"Take care of the remaining fish; I, the princess, will take it away!"

Knowing there was still plenty of fish meat, Princess Huanxi immediately spoke up.

She planned to bring this huge fish back to the palace, have the royal kitchen chefs prepare it, and share it with her own father the Emperor, mother the Empress, and the Grand Empress Dowager.

Hmm, she could also send some over to her imperial brother.

As for the other brothers and sisters, if they're lucky enough to get some, they can eat a bit; after all, there are many fish, but there are too many of our family, and if everyone eats, it's probably not enough.

"You're certainly not being modest!"

After tasting the fish meat, which was indeed quite fresh, Xie Zixian thought of having Shen Yunyao send some to the Xie Family, but she didn't expect Princess Huanxi to speak up much sooner.

Fortunately, Shen Yunyao had already given instructions earlier.

When the big black fish was first divided, she had someone send a portion of fish meat to the Xie Family.

They don't lack that bit of meat, but it's a gesture of goodwill.

As the saying goes, a light gift carries deep sentiment!

It's the same principle as the fruit smoothies before.

After all, she caught such a huge fish, invited Princess Huanxi to the whole‑fish banquet, and even the Empress followed, so the news was bound to spread.

Of course, Shen Yunyao had no intention of keeping it hidden.

……

Xie Family.

At dinner with the Cui family, Xie Zizheng found an extra fish dish; the meat was visible, but there were no bones, nor any fish heads or tails.

"Now that's thoughtful!"

Realizing this was fish meat from the big fish Shen Yunyao had caught in the large pond at Qinyuan Ju, Xie Zizheng nodded pensively.

"I think this sister‑in‑law is probably a good person!"

Receiving such a comment from the Cui family is truly hard to come by.