Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Belated Affection Is Worth Less Than Grass

Shadows flickered, light shifted, revealing the entire face of the approaching person.

His features were sharp and cold, his eyes radiated a keen gleam, and his gaze fell coldly and hostilely on Tang Xiaobai.

“Prince Consort!” The guard recognized him and saluted.

Tang Xiaobai immediately donned a rather insincere expression of surprise: “So it’s General Zhao!” He pretended to breathe a sigh of relief, “General Zhao sneaking in so quietly, I almost thought you were the assassin who visited our home, I nearly suspected someone was going to abduct the Princess!”

Zhao Jing’s face changed slightly.

He naturally knew what was behind the assassin incident at Duke Yan Mansion. To liken him to that assassin—what a vicious motive!

How could a nine-year-old child be so ruthless? Could it be—

Just as Zhao Jing’s eyes turned somber, he was confronted by Pingyang Princess in a cold voice: “What are you doing here?”

The princess remained as proud as ever, but even with her brow furrowed and a cold face, there was an unmistakable hint of guilt.

The proud and favored Pingyang Princess was always somewhat lacking in confidence before him.

Zhao Jing softened his tone and said, “I’ve heard that the Princess is hosting a banquet, so—”

“The Princess is hosting a banquet, inviting scholars and talents,” Tang Jiaojiao interrupted him coolly, nudging an inexplicably agitated Pingyang Princess, “Is General Zhao here to write poetry? Or paint a picture?”

Zhao Jing’s face darkened, he cast a cold glance at her, and instead of answering, he asked back: “Is Miss Tang writing poetry or painting today?”

Daring to mock Miss Tang for being unlearned?

At this, Tang Xiaobai wanted to roll up his sleeves and go forth, reciting the Three Hundred Tang Poems to defend Miss Tang.

Just as he moved forward, Tang Jiaojiao pressed him down.

“I neither write poetry nor paint, but I am the eldest daughter of Duke Yan Mansion!” Tang Jiaojiao raised her chin, adopting a disdainful stance.

“And I am the Prince Consort.” Zhao Jing said indifferently.

Tang Jiaojiao sneered: “Finally, you remember you’re the Prince Consort!”

Originally, Pingyang Princess appeared somewhat dazed facing Zhao Jing, but upon hearing this, her gaze sharpened, and she coldly said: “If General Zhao has no business here, please leave. I haven’t reserved a seat for General Zhao tonight!”

Zhao Jing stared at her for a moment, then suddenly said warmly: “I’ve heard the Princess is hosting estimable guests, and I’m a simple man, unable to contribute much. So, I’ve brought a little gift to liven up the occasion.”

This tone, this attitude…

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but assess him.

Zhao Jing was having an attendant bring forth a wooden box in front of Pingyang Princess and open it. His eyes were deep and complicated as he gazed at Pingyang Princess.

Under his scrutiny, Pingyang Princess felt uneasy all over, glanced at the contents of the box, and her expression became ever more uncertain: “What do you mean by this?”

Tang Jiaojiao also glanced inside, her face showed mockery, yet she said nothing.

If it weren’t to maintain the atmosphere, Tang Xiaobai truly wanted to run over and see what was inside the box.

Zhao Jing didn’t answer, gave Pingyang Princess one last deep look, and said: “The Princess has guests; I won’t disturb any longer.” After a bow, he left just like that.

Only then did Tang Xiaobai run over to see the gift.

It was a jade-carved lotus, lustrous and smooth, intricately crafted, quite fitting for the occasion.

“The Prince Consort is really considerate!”

“The Prince Consort made a special trip to see the Princess!”

“The Prince Consort is so kind to the Princess!”

There are always some blind fools who can utter anything.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at Pingyang Princess but saw turmoil between her brows, an indecisive gaze, and felt rather disinterested.

It turned out the two sisters had been scheming in vain, as the couple reconciled in mere moments?

Tang Jiaojiao chuckled and said: “I’m not good with alcohol, I’ll head back first.”

Tang Xiaobai immediately retracted his hand from the jade to cooperate.

Pingyang Princess’s expression changed, and she ordered: “Take down the screens, everyone get to writing poetry!”

After saying this, she pulled Tang Jiaojiao by the arm, and then dragged Tang Xiaobai back to the seat by the water’s edge: “You’ve only had one cup, where’s the drunkenness?” Then she instructed others to bring more wine and dishes.

“Princess, about this gift…” A maid asked for directions, holding the wooden box.

Pingyang Princess hesitated for a moment, then waved irritably: “Take it over there and let them fight over it!”

Another servant came to report: “The Prince Consort is in the front courtyard, saying he’ll wait for the Princess to return to the Palace!”

Tang Jiaojiao chuckled lightly: “The Prince Consort is truly devoted…”

Tang Xiaobai snorted: “Belated affection is worth less than grass!”

Tang Jiaojiao laughed: “No matter what it’s worth, if it didn’t exist, he wouldn’t be able to remain the Prince Consort.”

Tang Xiaobai solemnly said: “Elder sister, mind your words, spare the Princess’ dignity!”

Pingyang Princess: …

“Make him leave!” Pingyang Princess was finally incited to anger and shame by the two sisters, “Do not allow Zhao Jing entrance again!”

Tang Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said: “The Prince Consort might wait outside to escort the Princess back to the Palace?”

“Send someone to inform the Palace; I’m staying at Princess Mansion tonight, not returning!”

“With such devotion, the Prince Consort will surely wait outside the door until morning—”

“Enough!” Pingyang Princess shot her a glare, then complained to Tang Jiaojiao, “I told you she’s sneakily knowledgeable of everything!”

“She knows everything, how about you?” Tang Jiaojiao promptly retorted the Princess.

However, after the banquet dispersed, she grabbed Tang Xiaobai to question him: “Who taught you to say those things?”

“Which things?”

“Belated affection is worth less than grass.”

Tang Xiaobai “oh” and casually deflected, “Didn’t I learn it from you?”

“I said such things?” Tang Jiaojiao was bewildered.

“If not you, then who?” Tang Xiaobai swiftly shifted the topic after deflecting, “Elder sister, do you think Zhao Jing is acting weird today?”

Actually, not just today, last time I felt it was odd when seeing him outside Diligence Academy.

The attitude Zhao Jing previously had towards Pingyang Princess was nearly dismissive, but now the sudden and complete switch is too abrupt.

Last time and now, Zhao Jing’s gaze at Pingyang Princess is so complex, it defies analysis even if plotted on a pie chart.

Tang Jiaojiao dismissed it: “Isn’t it just fear of losing his status? I’ve said before, the Princess likes him, he’s the highly esteemed Prince Consort. If not, who do you see him as?”

A flash of insight hit Tang Xiaobai, and he suddenly understood!

An ever-persistent fiancée unexpectedly disappoints and gives up, isn’t this the start of a “wife-chasing funeral march”?

Ha! Men!

The thought alone makes my hands itch, can’t help but ask: “Elder sister, if Zhao Jing really waits outside, can we beat him up?”

No sooner had the words been spoken, than the carriage came to a sudden stop—

“Miss Tang, it’s Prince Consort Zhao.” A servant reported from outside the carriage.

Zhao Jing?

Tang Xiaobai looked at Tang Jiaojiao expectantly.

Tang Jiaojiao glanced at her, sneered, and said: “Why bother with him? Proceed!” Then lowered her voice, “As long as he’s the Prince Consort, we cannot initiate!”

“Then how to be passive?” Tang Xiaobai asked in a hushed voice.

Tang Jiaojiao: “Ha!” Her gaze coldly pierced forward through the curtain, “Aren’t we passive now?”

The servants of Duke Yan Mansion were all trained by Miss Tang personally; without her direct command to detour, they would never lower themselves, brazenly heading straight towards Zhao Jing, as if he were invisible.

“Miss Tang’s temper…tsk tsk tsk!” Under the shadows by the wall, one person shook his head.

An observer glanced at him and couldn’t help but ask: “Did the Princely Heir come out at this late hour just to watch Miss Tang?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep