A Figure on Jade Steps in the Wind and Snow 50

Chapter 50: Relationship

The five of them sat around and had dinner. The First Imperial Princess suggested going for a walk on the street and asked who among them wanted to go.

The Seventh Imperial Princess was the first to raise her hand, but was pushed back by the First Imperial Princess, who then packed her up and handed her to her own attendant, “Send her back to the palace and tell the Pure Consort to watch her closely. She is not to go out before the New Year.”

The Seventh Imperial Princess: …Wait, what?

The little girl’s wails grew fainter and, after half a cup of tea’s time, drifted out of the manor gate and completely dissipated in the north wind.

“Anyone else want to go?” The First Imperial Princess suddenly raised an eyebrow and turned to Shen Zhishu, “Hey, General Shen, what is General Xie doing now? The General can call her out, and the three of us can go for a stroll, how about it? I heard that the lantern festival in the south of the city is very lively, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, and the Lantern King has even come out. It’s a pity not to go.”

Before Shen Zhishu could answer, the Second Imperial Princess repeated, “Lantern King?”

“You don’t know? It’s a craftsman with the surname Wang who loves to make lanterns in the shape of various birds and beasts. Last year, he made a set of the twelve zodiac signs on the street. I don’t know what the series is this year, but it won’t be disappointing. If you don’t go, I’ll go.”

Shen Zhishu waved her hand and said, “Oh,” “It’s not that this subordinate is declining, but I really have something to do at home today.”

The First Imperial Princess glanced at her, “What is it, General?”

Shen Zhishu smiled, “Your Highness has never invited me. I don’t know where the word ‘again’ comes from?”

“Tsk, do I have to invite you?” The First Imperial Princess waved her sleeve and began to count on her fingers, “The State Preceptor wanted to see the General, but was turned down by Minister Shen; so many civil and military officials lined up to send invitations to the General’s Manor, but they were burned by the General. After returning to the capital, the only people the General has taken the initiative to see are General Xie and my little aunt. All others have been turned away with the excuse of illness. It’s not surprising that you’ve turned down my invitation this time. But I would like to ask… the General and General Xie are certainly on good terms, but when did the General and my little aunt also become so harmonious?”

Shen Zhishu said casually, “We’re not very close, we just have some dealings on the matter of the Martial Hall. And this subordinate respects Her Highness Huai’an as a person. It is this subordinate’s honor to be appreciated by Her Highness Huai’an.”

As her voice fell, three pairs of eyes converged on her.

The First Imperial Princess’s gaze was full of interest, the Second Imperial Princess’s was gentle and curious, and Jiang Yu’s…

Jiang Yu’s eyes were calm, and her face was as expressionless as ever, as if what Shen Zhishu had just said was just a “the weather is so nice today” and had nothing to do with her.

The First Imperial Princess smiled, “I don’t know if what you said is true or false. If it’s true, my little aunt will probably be sad to hear it.”

“Hmm?” Shen Zhishu raised an eyebrow and asked, “Where did that come from? I don’t think Her Highness Huai’an looks sad.”

“My little aunt treats the General more affectionately than she treats me. Anyway, if I caught a cold, she probably wouldn’t invite me to sleep at her manor,” the First Imperial Princess shrugged. “The General just said ‘we’re not very close.’ Isn’t that chilling my little aunt’s sincere heart for the General?”

…This person really knew that she had stayed at the Eldest Princess’s Manor.

Shen Zhishu’s impression of this First Imperial Princess was not very good.

First of all, the matter of the assassin attendant was most likely her doing, and her motive was unknown; secondly, she seemed to be particularly concerned about her and the Eldest Princess, and had even “inadvertently” revealed to Shen Hantan that she had gone to the Eldest Princess’s Manor for her birthday…

Of course, it was not impossible that she was just a pure troublemaker who knew everyone’s movements and was afraid that the world would not be in chaos, but Shen Zhishu had a gut feeling that this person was not simple.

She still wanted to see what this person was up to.

So Shen Zhishu changed the subject, “Her Highness Huai’an is as bright as the moon and has a noble character. She will naturally not be sad over such a small matter. But I just remembered that my matter is not very important, but I have been intrigued by the lantern festival by Your Highness. I’m definitely going, and I’ll send someone to ask if Xie Jin is willing to go—does Her Highness the Eldest Princess want to go with us?”

As she spoke, she turned to Jiang Yu and asked.

In her heart, she hoped that Jiang Yu would agree.

She was not familiar with the First Imperial Princess, and it would definitely be a little awkward to walk together. But fortunately, she had Xie Jin with her, and if another acquaintance came along, the awkward atmosphere would probably disappear.

After all, she could establish a connection with the First Imperial Princess through Jiang Yu—Jiang Yu was the First Imperial Princess’s little aunt, and also her… friend.

Shen Zhishu had actually never been able to find a suitable position for the Eldest Princess.

If they were just ordinary friends, they were clearly familiar with each other’s bodies and had already fully participated in each other’s joys, sorrows, and past years; but if they were very good friends—

They had only known each other for less than half a month.

In half a month’s time, could two strangers who had never met before really become very close friends?

Shen Zhishu was doubtful about the answer to this question.

The only thing she was sure of was that Jiang Yu was the most special person she had met in her twenty-odd years of life.

Her thoughts returned, and Shen Zhishu saw Jiang Yu nod lightly and heavily.

This meant she had agreed to go.

“What about the Second Highness?” Shen Zhishu’s voice was filled with a smile, and she turned to the Second Imperial Princess.

“Me?” The Second Imperial Princess shook her head and said in a gentle voice, “I really have something to do. The Fifth Sister has invited me for tea.”

The First Imperial Princess, upon hearing this, said, “Oh my,” and gritted her teeth, “She invited you? I’ve called her many times, but she wouldn’t come out. Forget it, with my little aunt and the generals for company, this trip will surely be interesting. If you don’t go, then don’t go. Just don’t complain that I didn’t call you.”

“Of course,” the Second Imperial Princess cupped her hands at the First Imperial Princess. “I wish the Imperial Eldest Sister, my little aunt, and the generals a good time.”

**

When Xie Jin was dragged out of the manor by Shen Zhishu’s attendant, she still couldn’t believe it.

She stared and asked, “You said Shen Zhishu took the initiative to go to the Eldest Princess’s Manor?”

The attendant: “That’s right.”

“And then the First Imperial Princess invited the Eldest Princess and Shen Zhishu, and me, who was not there, to go to the lantern festival??”

“Mm-hmm.”

“And Shen Zhishu even agreed???”

“Yes,” the attendant said. “That’s how it is. I also can’t believe it. But if you don’t go, I can’t complete my task. If I can’t complete my task, my master will take it out on me. If she takes it out on me, I won’t have my monthly salary this month. If I don’t have my monthly salary, I’ll be so poor I’ll have to beg for food, and then the people outside will say that the General’s Manor mistreats its servants. For the sake of the General’s Manor’s reputation, please go.”

Xie Jin: …

Xie Jin muttered, “What is the relationship between the three of them now? I feel like I’ve missed a lot of things in just a few days,” and ordered someone to get her horse, and galloped towards the Eldest Princess’s Manor.

Xie Jin hadn’t seen Shen Zhishu for two full days, and as soon as she saw her, she frowned.

Shen Zhishu was baffled, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Jin circled around her twice and hissed, “Why do I feel that you’ve changed?”

“Hmm?” Shen Zhishu smiled. “I’m not the moon, I’m not different every day for 30 days. It’s only been two days since we’ve seen each other, where have I changed?”

“I can’t say…” Xie Jin pondered for a while and had a sudden realization, “You look much better! You must have been in a good mood these past two days.”

Shen Zhishu said frankly, “It’s alright, I haven’t encountered any troubles.”

“I thought so too,” Xie Jin said. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so happy in the Eldest Princess’s Manor that you’ve forgotten to go home. I’ve been to the General’s Manor twice and came up empty.”

Shen Zhishu was surprised to hear this, “Even the attendants in my manor don’t know my whereabouts. How did you know?”

“The First Imperial Princess told me. I went to the General’s Manor to find you yesterday but couldn’t find you. I ran into her on the way back, and she told me you were at the Eldest Princess’s Manor,” Xie Jin put her arm around her shoulder. “I was thinking that you had always been ‘trying to avoid the Eldest Princess at all costs,’ and besides, the First Imperial Princess clearly had no good intentions, so I didn’t completely believe her. I came to ask you now. But looking at your attitude just now… could it be that you’ve really been at her manor all day?”

Shen Zhishu smiled and gave her a punch, “What are you talking about? What do you mean by ‘at her manor all day’? I only came because I had something to find her for.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“To discuss the details of the Martial Hall.”

Xie Jin shook her head with an old-fashioned air and said mysteriously, “You can fool others with that excuse, but you can’t fool me. I know you. You’re always not in a hurry until the last minute. The Martial Hall won’t be completed for another month, and you’re already so eager to take the initiative to come and discuss it with someone. You’re lying to a ghost.”

Shen Zhishu glanced at her, “Believe it or not, that’s my story. If you want any more explanations, you can’t have them.”

“Hey now, look at you,” Xie Jin smiled. “Forget it, forget it. Now that you’re close to the Eldest Princess and have someone to support you, you don’t care about this old friend of yours anymore.”

A vein throbbed on Shen Zhishu’s forehead, “…If you say one more word, I’ll sew your mouth shut.”

Xie Jin clicked her tongue, “You’re capable, alright. By the way, does Minister Shen know your whereabouts? What is her attitude—”

Before Xie Jin could finish her sentence, her back was slapped hard, which was quite unexpected and gave her a scare.

The First Imperial Princess’s deep voice sounded, “The two generals have so many heart-to-heart talks to say. You’ve been talking for two cups of tea’s time and there’s no sign of you finishing.”

…Did she hear what she and Xie Jin were talking about just now?

Shen Zhishu looked the First Imperial Princess up and down impassively, but couldn’t see anything.

But the Eldest Princess, who was standing behind her, looked over faintly. Her gaze seemed to be on Xie Jin’s hand, which was on her shoulder, and her expression was unclear.

And when she followed her gaze and met Jiang Yu’s emotionless pupils, she looked at her intently for two eyes, then looked away again and said something to the Second Imperial Princess.

Xie Jin was completely oblivious. She removed her arm, cupped her hands, and replied cheerfully, “We have a lot to talk about every day. I’ve neglected Your Highness, I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”

“Oh, we’re all family, why be so polite,” the First Imperial Princess waved her hand nonchalantly, turned to Shen Zhishu, and as if she had suddenly remembered something, she raised an eyebrow, “I heard something today, about the General. Does the General want to hear it?”

“Oh? What is it?” Shen Zhishu smiled. “Your Highness, please speak freely.”

“This matter is quite absurd—” the First Imperial Princess narrowed her eyes. “This afternoon, did the General go to see the second daughter of the Zhang family?”

“Indeed.”

“Then this news is seven or eight parts accurate, after all, it came from the Second Miss Zhang’s mouth. She said—”

The First Imperial Princess, having said this, as if deliberately keeping her in suspense, paused and swallowed.

The Second Imperial Princess had also come over at some unknown time and was urging her from the side, “What did she say? Imperial Eldest Sister, you’re really good at keeping people in suspense.”

“Don’t be anxious, don’t be anxious. I’ve been talking for half a day, aren’t I a little thirsty?” The First Imperial Princess took a teacup from an attendant by her side, moistened her tongue, and continued, “She said that she was originally going on a blind date with the General, but as soon as the General opened her mouth, she was scared away.”

“Why?”

“Because I heard the General say—” the First Imperial Princess blinked at Shen Zhishu, “You want ten children.”