Chapter 24: Pride

Xiao Liju was starving, and with Shi Yuning sitting beside her, eating her meal with such relish—picking at the vegetables—the bowl of rice in front of Xiao Liju had emptied by half before she even realized it. Her empty stomach felt much better already.

She glanced up at Xie Zhaoran across the table, who was treating her like she didn’t exist. Xiao Liju’s chopsticks never stopped moving, but she hadn’t eaten much herself. Instead, she kept serving dishes to Shi Yuning.

When Xie Zhaoran finally set down her chopsticks, Xiao Liju thought the woman had finally tired of playing servant. But instead, Xie Zhaoran merely rolled up her sleeves a little.

She picked up a white porcelain bowl from nearby and ladled in a serving of thick soup—Xiao Liju had no idea what it was made from. Xie Zhaoran stirred it gently with a spoon, as if letting it cool.

After a moment, she smiled and handed it to Shi Yuning. “Have some soup. It’s just the right temperature now—not too hot.”

Shi Yuning smiled as she took it, about to offer thanks, when a loud clatter rang out. She and Xie Zhaoran both turned toward the source: Xiao Liju.

Xiao Liju snorted coldly and pointed at the white jade porcelain bowl she’d just slammed down in front of Xie Zhaoran, where it now sat still. She glared at Xie Zhaoran.

“Where’s mine?”

Xie Zhaoran gave her a light sidelong glance. “No hands?”

Xiao Liju snorted again and nodded toward Shi Yuning. “Does she have no hands?”

Neither of them bothered with full sentences, but Shi Yuning understood perfectly. She felt a bit awkward. She did have hands, and she wanted to serve herself, but Xie Zhaoran always beat her to it.

Being cared for like this made her feel uneasy.

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it.” Shi Yuning rolled up her sleeves as she spoke and reached for the empty white porcelain bowl. But suddenly, a slender hand snatched it away.

Shi Yuning followed that evenly-jointed hand with a puzzled look toward Xie Zhaoran.

Xie Zhaoran flashed her a smile. “I’ll handle it.”

With quick movements, she ladled a bowl of Yangshan mustard soup and set it before Xiao Liju. “Drink.”

Xiao Liju’s lips curved into a smirk as she looked at Xie Zhaoran, her gaze saying plainly: You’re done for.

She pointed at a plate of celery-stuffed tofu rolls and said to Shi Yuning, “Miss Shi, I don’t eat the celery in these. Could you pick it out for me?”

Shi Yuning swallowed a mouthful of soup and agreed without a second thought.

These delicately raised young ladies each had their own particular tastes when it came to food.

As Shi Yuning reached to pick out the celery, Xie Zhaoran pushed her hand away. “You eat. I’ll do it!”

The final “I’ll do it” was aimed at Xiao Liju, spat out through gritted teeth.

Shi Yuning watched as Xie Zhaoran picked at the dish with a fake smile plastered on her face, while Xiao Liju stared back with her own insincere grin. The atmosphere felt utterly bizarre.

Shi Yuning hurriedly shoveled food into her mouth. With Xie Zhaoran occupied serving and ladling for Xiao Liju, she wasn’t getting any more dishes from her. Shi Yuning finished quickly.

After swallowing her last bite, she stood at once to take her leave.

Xie Zhaoran didn’t try to keep her. Xiao Liju seemed to have business with Xie Zhaoran and said nothing more.

The two of them saw Shi Yuning off together.

It was only as Shi Yuning was leaving that she appreciated the advantages of Xie Zhaoran’s courtyard. Her own place had doors on all four sides—southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest. Open the eastern one, and you merged into the vast depths of the Duke’s Mansion; close it, and the courtyard stood alone.

The western side door led straight out to the streets beyond.

Shi Yuning thought that next time she visited, she could simply scale the wall from the west. Much more convenient.

She smiled and bid Xie Zhaoran farewell, then boarded the carriage Xie Zhaoran had prepared. Full as she was, she had no desire to move. She planned to lie down for the ride and scale the wall back into the Marquis Mansion when she arrived.

Once Shi Yuning’s carriage had vanished at the end of the alley, Xiao Liju glanced at the figures concealed on the rooftops lining the lane.

“You assigned Hidden Guards to her?” Xiao Liju turned to Xie Zhaoran, her eyes showing clear disapproval. Hidden Guards were far too precious to waste on Shi Yuning.

Qiangdi, who had arranged the carriage, turned at the sound and chuckled lightly upon hearing this.

“Replying to the Princess, the Hidden Guards around Miss Shi were personally assigned by my elder sister, Qin Xiao.”

“The Heavenly Character Battalion provides ten guards, working in five shifts a day, watching discreetly outside the Shi Mansion to protect the Shi Family. The Earth Character Battalion selected four elite Hidden Guards with years of training; they’ve replaced the four maids by Miss Shi’s side for close protection.”

“Lord Shi and Madam Shi each have two guards. When they go out, a team of five follows.”

Xiao Liju’s expression grew complicated as she listened. She looked at Xie Zhaoran with unfamiliar eyes. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Hidden Guards take a decade to train even one. The Duke gave these to you for your own protection, and you’re handing over most of them?!”

Even as she said it, she found it unbelievable. She concluded, “You’re insane!”

Xie Zhaoran had been staring after the carriage until it was out of sight and the sound of wheels faded.

She paid no mind to Xiao Liju’s exclamation and turned back toward her courtyard.

Xiao Liju snapped out of her shock and hurried after her.

Back in the room, Xie Zhaoran cut straight to it. “What do you want?”

Xiao Liju snorted. Now she asks? “Changed my mind. Not telling.”

She’d come with good intentions to deliver a message, only to suffer cold shoulders all evening. The bond from growing up together apparently meant less than some newcomer. It hurt.

In all these years, she’d never seen Xie Zhaoran fuss over anyone like this—doting, attentive. She’d even ladled soup for her without checking if it was too hot.

Xie Zhaoran looked Xiao Liju up and down. “Fine. See yourself out. I’m off to bed.”

Xiao Liju swung a palm strike at her. Xie Zhaoran deflected it casually with a push, and the two began sparring in the room.

Xiao Liju had roughhoused with Xie Zhaoran since childhood and knew her rules: They could fight, but nothing in the room could be damaged.

It made for awkward, half-hearted blows—pointless. After a few exchanges, Xiao Liju retreated.

“Your skills haven’t dulled. But alone, even at your best, you’ve only got two hands. You still need more guards.”

Xie Zhaoran poured them each a cup of cool tea, sliding one to Xiao Liju before sipping her own.

“What’s happening in the palace?” Xie Zhaoran asked softly, her throat soothed by the tea.

Xiao Liju had come precisely to relay the message. Seeing Xie Zhaoran get serious, she dropped the joking.

“The Empress Mother listened to your royal uncle. She’s taking the palace ladies to Crane Cry Temple to chant sutras and pray for blessings. The date’s set for the day the Imperial Father’s coffin is sent to the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“That day, Prince Yu enters the mausoleum by imperial decree. If he’s not reconciled, it’ll be his last chance.” Xiao Liju looked at Xie Zhaoran with worry. “Even a cornered rabbit bites, and a desperate man fights like a beast at bay.”

Xie Zhaoran nodded. “Got it.”

Crisis could be opportunity. If Prince Yu tried anything in plain view, it would aid Xiao Liju’s future ascension.

“Protect yourself,” Xie Zhaoran cautioned her.

Xiao Liju snorted. “Then why not give some Hidden Guards to me?”

Xie Zhaoran shot her a sidelong glance. “I gave you the entire Forbidden Army. If you still manage to get yourself in danger, just die. Living would be too embarrassing.”

Xiao Liju hadn’t felt the sting of Xie Zhaoran’s sharp tongue in ages, not since the borderlands. Her talent for infuriating people had only sharpened.

“You talk to your little sweetheart like that? Can she even take it?”

Xie Zhaoran looked at her like a fool. “Why would I talk to her like that? She’s not annoying.”

Xiao Liju took a deep breath, seething. Great—insulted again. Xie Zhaoran was calling her annoying!

What made her any less exceptional than Shi Yuning? Infuriating!

Xie Zhaoran eyed her flushed face and thought of something, a meaningful smile spreading across her features.

“What’s the point of me liking you? I’m not the little princess of the Northern Frontier.”

Xiao Liju’s brows shot up, surprise flashing in her eyes. “What nonsense is that?”

“What, the Seventh Princess of the North—you don’t like her? If you don’t, why leave the Hidden Guards for her?”

Xie Zhaoran found it amusing that Xiao Liju had the nerve to ask why she wasn’t getting Hidden Guards. Back when Xiao Liju had gone to the border, the Xie Family had given half theirs to her.

And Xiao Liju, ever generous, had left them all with the little princess of the North.

“Aren’t you afraid of someone grabbing that handle? Accusing you of consorting with foreign enemies.”

Xiao Liju hurriedly explained, “Nonsense! The North wants nothing more than good relations with Great Ye. It’s the treacherous officials in court stirring provocations at the border.”

Xie Zhaoran raised a brow. “Why not deny the first part?”

She’d ignored the bit about liking the Northern Princess but jumped to defend her.

Xiao Liju’s face stiffened. She jutted her chin stubbornly. “That’s too ridiculous to bother denying.”

Xie Zhaoran nodded. “Good, know it’s ridiculous. Look at the current situation—be realistic. Don’t indulge in pipe dreams.”

Xiao Liju scowled. “You saying that isn’t laughable? Have you ever considered reality?”

Xie Zhaoran laughed—freely, confidently. “That’s because I know I can change reality, make what I want real.”

Xiao Liju bristled. “How do you know I can’t?”

Xie Zhaoran gave her an appraising look and smiled faintly.

“Now I know you can. Good luck. I’m off to bed.”

They’d grown up together—who didn’t know whom? But Xiao Liju’s path would be even harder than hers.

So what? Their grandmother’s most repeated lesson had been: Do the impossible anyway.

If Xiao Liju had decided, no matter how tough the road, Xie Zhaoran would cheer her on. That was it—no more.

“I need to sleep early. Someone just called me haggard. She seems quite taken with this fine skin of mine—always staring in a daze. I’ve got to take good care of it.”

No need to ask who “she” was. Xiao Liju knew it was Shi Yuning.

Seeing Xie Zhaoran suddenly care about her looks, Xiao Liju sneered inwardly.

“She only likes your face, and you’re proud of it?”

Xie Zhaoran glanced at her, utterly matter-of-fact. “Of course I’m proud. I’ve got it to be proud of!”

She even tsk-tsked twice, as if pitying Xiao Liju for lacking it.

Xiao Liju drew a deep breath. She really wanted to hack this pair of infuriating lovebirds to pieces!

“I’m leaving. Watch yourself!”

Xiao Liju stormed out without a backward glance, vaulting over the wall in a single leap.

She missed Xie Zhaoran’s expression changing the instant she turned away.

“Qiangdi, summon Qin Xiao.”

That night, one corner of the Duke’s Mansion burned lamps through till dawn.