TFSRITA Chapter 169

Furthermore, Yan Qing knew that they would still become rivals in the future, but she didn’t want someone constantly watching her. So, she remained calm and had a few peaceful words with Yan Yue, maintaining the proper face, before sending her off.

As she left, Yan Yue’s expression was still odd.

When she first arrived, she had been like a protective mother beast, fiercely seeking justice for the original owner. However, there was one difference: her methods were far harsher than Yan Qing’s, which led to the current situation.

Yan Qing had merely engaged in small skirmishes, while Yan Yue truly intended to send someone to their ruin.

Fortunately, in ancient times, once a woman was married, her involvement in the power struggles between women would usually pause for a while. After all, they lived in the inner chambers, without actual authority, and couldn’t engage in the same deadly rivalries as men.

Therefore, Yan Qing’s considerate hospitality made it hard for Yan Yue, who was planning to stir up more trouble, to find a reason to continue her actions.

Upon returning to the Yan household, Yan Yue suddenly realized: was she attempting to reconcile?

Her emotions were complex. The disdain and fighting spirit she had felt for Yan Qing had diminished considerably.

Indeed, before today, she had been entertained by the thought of seeing Yan Qing suffer for the rest of her life. But after visiting the Princess’s residence, seeing how Yan Qing interacted with Ji Jiahun, and hearing her words, her expectations were completely overturned. She saw a side of Yan Qing that she had never witnessed before.

The enjoyment she had once felt about Yan Qing’s downfall suddenly seemed pointless.

She thought about herself.

What would it be like for her after marriage?

Would she, like the women of this world, live a life of supporting her husband and raising children, forever a subordinate to a man?

Or would she be like Yan Qing? At least from this meeting, she realized that being able to have a man beneath her feet—especially in an era dominated by male authority—meant she held a strong position in her in-laws’ house.

Yan Yue’s mind drifted to Xu Chengxiao. His fair face came to her thoughts, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Yet, in the depths of her eyes, there was a subtle but undeniable sense of disappointment. She couldn’t treat him as just any ordinary man. He was too elevated, too distant. Even after many encounters, she still couldn’t relax, and still kept a tense distance. Perhaps… it had something to do with their first meeting.

All her secrets were in his hands, and it felt as though her life hung by a thread, with him holding the power to decide her fate. Anyone in her shoes would feel too uneasy to relax around someone who could destroy them.

“Miss, this was sent by the Third Prince,” the maid, who had been held by Xu Chengxiao, said, waking her up.

Yan Yue was startled. She smiled faintly as she looked at the maid’s respectful hands, holding a box. A thought crossed her mind, and she asked, a bit puzzled, “What is it?”

The maid opened it to reveal a delicate piece of jewelry, clearly worth a lot.

Yan Yue smiled again. Normally, she refused such gifts because of the vast difference between her and him, but now, she accepted it with a smile, playfully saying, “I prefer silver jewelry. Tell him that next time. By the way, this is a recipe I’ve written, you can send it to him.”

The maid nodded, took the items, and left.

The recipe Yan Yue had written was a secret, one she’d created with ingredients from the 21st century. It involved products for cosmetics, food-related items, and the like, things that needed strong connections and support—things she couldn’t handle, so she left them to Xu Chengxiao.

…

Meanwhile, Xu Chengxiao, upon receiving the message, looked at the kneeling maid with some surprise. His stern brows furrowed slightly. He didn’t seem pleased. He asked in a low voice, “Did she say that herself?”

The maid carefully nodded, cautiously responding, “Miss seems to like that hairpin, but she also mentioned she prefers silver jewelry.”

Xu Chengxiao lowered his gaze. A hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes, but when his gaze fell on the densely written paper in his hands, he patiently replied, “Understood.”

Soon after, a carefully chosen silver ornament was sent to her.

The maid took it, bowed, and left.

As soon as she left, the maid let out a deep breath, as if escaping death. Her face had drained of color, and her eyes were wide with fear.

The more ominous the aura around His Highness became, the more she felt like she was about to be killed. She clutched her chest, regretting taking the job.

What she had thought was a good deed had turned out to be far from it… after all, he was still His Highness.

At the Grand Princess’s residence.

In the study, a young man in fine clothes was lazily lying on a couch, a book covering his face. One of his long legs was bent, while the other dangled, occasionally swaying. A muffled voice came from beneath the book: “This is so boring!”

Xiao Liuzi, with a forced smile, offered, “Young Master, how about eating something? You haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“No!” Ji Jiahun snapped, irritated. “Stop talking. I don’t want to see you right now.”

Xiao Liuzi shut up, relieved that he wasn’t being punished.

After about a quarter of an hour, he heard footsteps.

Ji Jiahun immediately sat up, his books falling to the floor. He hastily picked them up and straightened himself, adjusting his clothes.

Just as he finished, the door to the study opened.

A woman in a light red dress walked in, her fair skin and stunning features brightening up the small room. Her long, ink-black hair seemed to bring color to the place.

“Um… you’ve already punished me, can I go now?” Ji Jiahun asked with a forced smile, setting down his book and eagerly walking up to her, eyes pleading.

Xiao Liuzi already knew that his master had completely given in, and wasn’t at all surprised by this fawning behavior. He lowered his head, avoiding the scene.

Yan Qing, however, was a little surprised. Seeing how thoroughly he had surrendered put her in a good mood. She gently ruffled his hair and said softly, “You can go, but it will come at a price.”

Ji Jiahun recoiled slightly, his voice low, “What kind of price?”