Turning hostile faster than flipping a book—no complaints there; but threatening to leave, and then refusing to go after a spat, now that’s something.

Princess Jing Mountain, clutching her belongings, walked back.

Miss Zhao, worried she might leave, snatched the bundle from her and said as they headed back inside, "You’re staying here just fine, how can you just up and leave?"

"If you can’t stand my brother, just give him a thrashing."

Saying this, she opened the bundle to pack Princess Jing Mountain’s clothes back in the cabinet.

The Princess, sitting there brooding, glanced over and saw a flash of bright yellow fall from Miss Zhao’s grasp. Startled, she quickly stood up.

She swiftly snatched the clothes back, stuffed them in the bundle, tied it up in a few quick motions, and threw it into the cabinet, locking it securely.

Her cheeks flushed, her whole face burning as if about to smoke.

She almost lost all face, ah.

After all, she had filled out Zhao Xu’s name on the royal decree, even though she only wrote "Zhao."

If someone saw, how embarrassing would that be?

Should she bundle her things and leave again now?

But she didn’t have a penny to her name and feared she might starve to death before even reaching Beimo.

Princess Jing Mountain dared not turn around.

Miss Zhao was a bit confused; why was her reaction so intense?

And what exactly was that just now? Bright yellow silk...

Wasn’t that kind of silk only used by the Royal Family?

Even though Princess Jing Mountain had been staying with the Zhao family for several days, no one actually knew her true identity.

The cousin of the eldest brother’s close cousin had brought her here to be saved, so she couldn’t be a bad person.

Ever since Prime Minister Zhao resigned, Miss Zhao hadn’t mingled with the young ladies of the Capital; life had become dull and flavorless. With Zhao Xu bringing back Princess Jing Mountain, she was overjoyed.

No matter if it was reading, painting, playing the zither, or shopping, she had someone to accompany her.

But the more time she spent with Princess Jing Mountain, the more she found her peculiar, as Princess Jing Mountain was the first person she’d met who couldn’t tell the value of money.

Buying a sugar-coated hawthorns skewer could see her handing over an ounce of Silver, and then just walking away.

After spending a hundred ounces, the maid could follow and recover ninety-five ounces with ease...

Everything seemed new to her, sometimes thinking she was a noblewoman hidden away, elegant in speech and knowledgeable, while other times she seemed like she came down from the mountains—crude and uncouth.

Take the incident where she hit her brother; what kind of noblewoman could do such a thing?

Miss Zhao, who got along well with Princess Jing Mountain, even had reservations about it, let alone Mrs. Zhao.

Although Zhao Xu wasn’t her biological son, she had raised him since he was little, treating him as her own; what mother could bear her son being hit, especially by a girl?

Mrs. Zhao had witnessed Princess Jing Mountain stepping on Zhao Xu’s foot, hitting Zhao Xu with a bundle; Mrs. Zhao was upset, but unable to express it, turned and left.

Miss Zhao was chatting with Princess Jing Mountain when a maid came over and said, "Miss, Madam wants you to see her briefly."

Miss Zhao quickly got up and said to Princess Jing Mountain, "Wait for a moment."

Mrs. Zhao was in the study, and Miss Zhao went directly to the study.

Prime Minister Zhao was drinking tea, while Mrs. Zhao still hadn’t calmed her anger. Miss Zhao said quickly, "Mother, what did you want to see me for?"

Mrs. Zhao looked at her and said, "Is Miss Zhao leaving?"

"She’s not leaving," Miss Zhao said.

"..."

"Why suddenly stay?" Mrs. Zhao asked.

"Isn’t it good that she’s not leaving? Didn’t you want me to persuade her to stay?" Miss Zhao said.

Prime Minister Zhao couldn’t help but cough a few times.

Mrs. Zhao glared at him twice, "You didn’t see Miss Zhao’s temper—I’ve raised Xuxu for so long, I’ve never even scolded him, and she just lashes out. Our Zhao family can’t have such a daughter-in-law."

Prime Minister Zhao indeed hadn’t seen Princess Jing Mountain’s altercation, he said, "Xuxu must have provoked Miss Zhao; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so furious."

"But she shouldn’t use her fists, especially not in front of others," Mrs. Zhao said.

Miss Zhao covered her mouth, laughing, "Mother means if she beats Brother in private, you won’t mind?"

Prime Minister Zhao couldn’t suppress his laughter.

Mrs. Zhao glared at him again and then at her daughter.

Miss Zhao quickly closed her mouth, saying nothing.

Mrs. Zhao said, "You find out where her family lives, and I’ll send someone to take her back."

She tossed out that statement and walked off.

Prime Minister Zhao put down his teacup and said, "Don’t mind your mother."

No matter what Princess Jing Mountain’s background was, she was entrusted to Zhao Xu by Xie Jingchen to take care of.

How could they discard someone entrusted to them over a small issue?

Miss Zhao looked at Prime Minister Zhao, "Father, I just discovered a piece of bright yellow silk in Miss Zhao’s bundle."

Prime Minister Zhao’s brow furrowed, "Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?"

Miss Zhao said, "How could I mistake it? She didn’t want me to see it and shoved the bundle into the cabinet."

"I understand," Prime Minister Zhao said.

Miss Zhao turned and walked out.

Prime Minister Zhao sat at the desk for a while and then called a hidden guard, whispering some instructions.

Before Xie Jingchen came to take Princess Jing Mountain, the Zhao family must ensure her safety, but any suspicions also needed to be clarified.

Even if rifling through someone’s things might not be proper, it had to be done.

Before finishing a cup of tea, the hidden guard returned.

He leaned into Prime Minister Zhao’s ear, whispering a few words, leaving Prime Minister Zhao stunned.

After the hidden guard withdrew, Prime Minister Zhao left the study.

Inside, Mrs. Zhao was flipping through a book of paintings, while Prime Minister Zhao wore an expression of "I suspected this all along." He stepped inside, waving his hand, "Everyone, leave us."

Mrs. Zhao said, "Why are you dismissing everyone?"

Prime Minister Zhao sat beside her, "The truth is now clear. Miss Zhao hitting Xuxu was justifiable."

Mrs. Zhao looked at him, "Why was it justifiable for Xuxu to be hit?"

"I saw everything; Xuxu didn’t say anything inappropriate," Mrs. Zhao defended her son.

Though she loved her son, she was also fair.

If Zhao Xu really deserved it, she wouldn’t hold it against anyone else.

Prime Minister Zhao said, "What did you hear him say?"

"He didn’t really say anything at all, which is why I’m angry," Mrs. Zhao said.

Prime Minister Zhao looked at her.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Xuxu only said he wouldn’t marry Princess Jing Mountain from Beimo."

"That sentence was it," Prime Minister Zhao said.

"What’s wrong with that sentence?" Mrs. Zhao asked.

"Miss Zhao is Princess Jing Mountain from Beimo."

"...!!!"

Mrs. Zhao stood up in shock.

This... how could this be possible?!

Prime Minister Zhao pulled her back down, "Xuxu has a good cousin; this is him helping Xuxu."

"They discussed entering the Capital to kill Princess Jing Mountain, of course she would be angry."

"If this were you, you’d probably be reaching for a knife by now."

Mrs. Zhao was so angry her eyes sparked.

Who helps someone by speaking ill of them like that?!

Angry, Mrs. Zhao was nonetheless confused, "If the Heir of Prince Zhenbei is helping Xuxu, why didn’t he just say so plainly?"

Prime Minister Zhao couldn’t figure that out either.

"Perhaps he wants to match Princess Jing Mountain and Xuxu together," Prime Minister Zhao speculated.

"If this marriage alliance succeeds, it indeed benefits Xuxu greatly."

"Since Princess Jing Mountain won’t disclose her true identity, we should just pretend not to know and carry on as usual."

Prime Minister Zhao maintained a clear perspective, but Mrs. Zhao was not as relaxed, "If we don’t tell Xuxu, he might end up saying he won’t marry Princess Jing Mountain again."

Prime Minister Zhao chuckled, "Even if Xuxu says it a few more times, it’ll only result in a few hits, surely nothing that could wound him?"

"We mustn’t let the brilliant intentions of the Heir of Prince Zhenbei go to waste."