Chapter 508: The Yong'an Princess Consort's Peculiarity

The princess of Yong'an Wang Fu—whoever dares to wag their tongue in front of her will have their tongue cut out.

She actually wanted to see whose tongue was tougher, or whether their Wang Fu's blade was sharper.

Jiang Yun Chu brought Ning Yue Xue; mother and daughter walked hand in hand as they waited.

"Regent's Consort, this is our first meeting; I don't know what you like, so I brought some snacks and local specialties from my fief." The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu hadn't left the manor in years, yet she wasn't unfamiliar with outside news.

This princess consort before them had always been a prominent figure.

She fought the Cao clan, went to Jiangnan, entered the Barracks, founded an academy—each and every one of these feats were things contemporary women could only hope for but never attain.

Yet, somehow, she accomplished them all.

The gaze of everyone in the Regent Prince's Manor, that respect springing from the heart, cannot be faked.

"Princess Consort, you're being polite; I'm already happy you could come as a guest to the Regent Prince's Manor." Jiang Yun Chu isn't one for excessive pleasantries, but she hasn't neglected the proper etiquette.

The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu blinked, then laughed and shook her head.

This Regent's Consort is actually quite an interesting person.

Just…

"Ning Yue Xue has greeted the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu and greeted Guo Guo elder sister." Ning Yue Xue's etiquette left nothing to fault; she stood beside Jiang Yun Chu, poised and graceful, bearing the gentle grace of a young lady from a respectable family, her eyes steady, not wandering.

But the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu didn't notice these; instead, that face struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her rooted to the spot.

Jiang Yun Chu's eyes flickered slightly.

She thought of everything related to Yong'an Wang Fu, of how Yue Yue and An Guo Guo were both allergic to apples, of An Guo Guo's startled exclamation over her birthmark, and of the strange look Yong'an Wang had given her before.

Could it be that Yue Yue's origins have some connection to Yong'an Wang Fu?

"May I call you Yue Yue?" the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu blinked, then slowly came to her senses, wanting to reach out and take Ning Yue Xue's hand, but as if touching something, she hastily withdrew.

An Guo Guo looked at Yue Yue, then at her mother, saying, "Mother, let's not stand; you're silent, and everyone is standing with you."

The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu, as if just coming to her senses, said, "Look at me, I'm old—I've made the Regent's Consort laugh."

Jiang Yun Chu shook her head, saying, "My side kitchen has prepared some nourishing soups; the taste is still decent—Princess Consort, you can try a bowl."

Then she reached out and led the person into the Courtyard.

"How old are you, Yue Yue?" the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu looked at the girl before her, whose somewhat familiar face and lively eyes made her unable to resist drawing close.

"Replying to the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu, I'm already eleven." Ning Yue Xue smiled gently, then poured a cup of Seven-Qi tea for the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu.

"This tea isn't really tea; it's some herbs, very good for a woman's body—Princess Consort, you can try it." Ning Yue Xue felt this princess consort was perhaps overly enthusiastic.

But since the visitor is a guest, she kept smiling; inwardly she didn't dislike it—rather, she felt a secret delight.

Over the years, she had never felt this before.

"Hmm? No wonder Guo Guo always beams and praises nonstop whenever she mentions the princess consort." The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu took a sip of tea, its sweet-and-sour flavor warming her body after she finished.

"If I had tasted this earlier, I couldn't help but visit every day."

Jiang Yun Chu laughed and said, "Then I feel deeply honored."

The four chatted casually, sharing some amusing childhood anecdotes of Yue Yue, some of her studies, and An Guo Guo's longing for food.

The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu knew it was time to get down to business.

"Princess Consort, Guo Guo almost fell into the abyss this time; it was your reminder that prompted the Wang Fu to investigate the Han household's details, allowing Guo Guo to escape disaster."

"It's also my fault as a mother—I nearly got my own daughter killed."

"To our Yong'an Wang Fu, you are a lifesaving grace; no matter what we give, it cannot fully express our gratitude, but wherever you need help, Yong'an Wang Fu will never refuse."

This is the confidence of her as the lady of the house; Yong'an Wang Fu's sole female master, her words represent the manor's stance.

Jiang Yun Chu shook her head, saying, "I really like An Guo Guo's straightforward and sincere nature; Princess Consort, you're overpraising—since we're friends, naturally we won't let her jump into a fire pit."

Whether facing An Guo Guo or meeting the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu for the first time, Jiang Yun Chu's impressions were favorable.

The Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu nodded and waved her hand, saying, "These are just small gifts to express my feelings; Princess Consort, please don't refuse."

One by one, the silk brocade boxes were held up by the maids of Yong'an Wang Fu, but they weren't opened; instead, they were placed to the side.

Seeing this situation, Jiang Yun Chu realized refusal was impossible.

"Then Yun chu will obey rather than merely show respect." Jiang Yun Chu agreed, then turned to look behind her at Zi Su, saying, "Zi Su."

"Yes."

"Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu, our Princess Consort has prepared some pastries and drinks, all liked by Lady An Guo Guo." One by one, the food boxes were brought out by the maids of the side kitchen.

Six full food boxes—An Guo Guo stared wide-eyed with her round eyes; seeing this, Jiang Yun Chu's eyes flickered.

After the Yong'an Wang Fu carriage departed, Jiang Yun Chu immediately summoned the dark hall, saying, "Investigate Yong'an Wang Fu… investigate… that Young Master of Yong'an Wang Fu."

Before, I hadn't noticed; now thinking back, is everything just such a coincidence?

An Guo Guo's abnormality, the Princess Consort of Yong'an Wang Fu's oddity—both rang alarm bells.

If…

She glanced at her daughter reading on the side, merely gave a light smile, and respected her daughter's choice in everything.

"Mother?" Ning Yue Xue felt the gaze, looked toward her mother, her eyes carrying a hint of bewilderment.

Her mother rarely zones out; she seems to have endless energy, making it hard to see her looking fatigued.

But just now, her mother actually zoned out.

"It's fine, my Yue Yue has grown up; does she want to practice martial arts?" In Jiang Yun Chu's space, two Spirit-transforming pills were placed.

These two pills were specially prepared for Yue Yue and Zhidong.

Even back during the Xijiang battlefield, she had already prepared them.

Yue Yue's eyes widened; those round eyes were exactly like when An Guo Guo had stared just moments before.

"Can I?"

Jiang Yun Chu nodded, then walked to Ning Yue Xue's side, saying, "Of course—my Yue Yue can do whatever she wants."

"Silly girl, Mother will always be behind you."

Guarding you, protecting you; no one can bully you.

This is the girl she raised since childhood; how could she allow her to suffer any harm?

Mother, I'm learning martial arts.

She was already grown up; she had always thought her mother didn't want her to practice martial arts, so she gradually gave up the idea and began to focus on reading.

But she never expected her mother to actually propose letting her learn martial arts—how could she not be happy?