Jing Xiyu didn’t know how to respond for a moment. Seeing Qiann Yan’s indifferent expression, he suddenly said, "Third sister-in-law, are you guarding against me?"

"What bad intentions could I possibly have?"

"Since you know, why bother approaching me?" Qiann Yan exposed, "You have quite an ambition, but there should be nothing here you want, so don’t waste your effort."

Jing Xiyu’s smile faded. He had never encountered someone who could so directly expose his thoughts, it was too straightforward.

The room quieted down, Jing Xiyu’s playful grin was gone: "Third sister-in-law, I really just want to chat with you."

"By forcing a conversation with me when I’m unwilling, you’re disturbing me." Qiann Yan pulled a silver note from her sleeve and placed it on the food box, "I’ve paid, not going to sweet-talk. Next time, don’t bother sending this food, for me it’s just about subsistence. I don’t care much for what I eat, nor do I crave so-called delicacies."

Jing Xiyu’s face turned sour, "Why keep me at a distance?"

"Then why do you pretend to act like this in front of me? I’m your third sister-in-law, and being this close is beyond the proper distance between uncle and sister-in-law. Don’t you feel it’s inappropriate?"

Jing Xiyu said, somewhat annoyed, "What about Second Brother? Isn’t he the same?"

"Him?" Qiann Yan’s voice was cold, "He barged into my courtyard few days ago and got beaten by my people. Lucky for you, this is the Imperial Palace, or you’d be beaten too."

Jing Xiyu couldn’t believe it; could she really no longer like Second Brother?

"Third sister-in-law, do you really no longer like Second Brother?" Jing Xiyu asked, "We all used to know that you and Second Brother were so well-matched. If you still like him, I can help you."

"Oh? Help me, how would you help me?" Qiann Yan grew interested, perhaps she somewhat realized Jing Xiyu’s motive for approaching her.

To be able to navigate between two men, both key figures in the struggle for the throne, Jing Xiyu must have some interest in befriending her. If not careful, he might gain some crucial information from her and muddy the waters.

None of these men are easy to deal with.

Jing Xiyu had no interaction with the original owner, probably because he couldn’t find the opportunity. Now that she’s here, many things have changed.

Jing Xiyu: "As long as Third Sister-in-law trusts me, I can make you and Second Brother fly away together."

Seeing Qiann Yan not speaking, Jing Xiyu also didn’t want to stay any longer.

She actually directly tore away his disguise, there’s no need to act as before and risk causing annoyance.

"Third Sister-in-law, I’ll see you another day, I truly didn’t mean to hurt you."

Jing Xiyu’s visit changed nothing, Qiann Yan continued her practice. The coming days seemed unlikely to be peaceful, even if she shifted responsibility to Jing Yunzhou, the things she did would eventually be brought to light.

By then, she would become the target of assassination from Chen Country.

Qiann Yan thought of those two from the Minister’s Mansion, they are likely the first who won’t be able to sit still, perhaps they would come for her first. Just right, she could handle them all at once.

...

"Miss, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been restless all day?" Bi Ye asked.

Fuh Xi touched her chest, her face pale: "I don’t know, I’ve felt uneasy all day, even sleeping isn’t restful, always having nightmares."

"Bi Ye, maybe I should go to the temple to pray. Many things have happened at the Prince Mansion lately, and speaking of it, it’s time to pray for the Prince’s blessings too."

Fuh Xi turned and went back into the room, Bi Ye saw that she actually stuffed a silver note in her sleeve: "Miss, you’re just going to pray, why take so many silver notes?"

"To donate to the temple." Fuh Xi frowned, touching the silver notes in her sleeve, finding it a bit strange, knowing donating shouldn’t require so much, yet she had no intention of taking it out.