Chapter 551 They Should Know More Than My Cousin

Mu Rujun also smiled and said, "Miss Xingxing, you must come keep me company when you have time. Spending time with you really cheers me up."

She then instructed a palace maid to fetch a waist token and handed it to Xingxing: "Keep this token on you. You can come anytime to visit, and no one will stop you."

Xingxing also liked Mu Rujun and agreed with a cheerful smile: "Sounds great!"

Nie Yuke's hands trembled uncontrollably, her heart screaming with silent fury: *You shameless hussy! Like the whole world doesn’t see you’re trying to seduce the Crown Prince!*

She glared daggers at Mu Rujun.

*Weren’t you the one who clung to the Crown Prince, refusing to let him take any concubines? How come you’re suddenly so lenient now, letting that little slut come and go as she pleases in the Eastern Palace?!*

Nie Yuke’s entire body shook with barely contained fury.

Xingxing glanced over: "Miss Nie, are you alright? You don’t look well."

Nie Yuke forced a smile: "It’s nothing. I didn’t dress warmly enough today and feel a bit cold."

Mu Rujun gave Nie Yuke a look and told the palace maids to close the open windows in the hall.

Wei Shiqing, however, interjected: "Don’t close them. The royal doctor said the hall needs regular ventilation. You’ve just been sitting too long. Luming, take your sister out for a walk."

Nie Yuke’s face turned even paler.

Nie Luming hesitated.

He hadn’t even had a chance to speak with Xingxing yet.

After a moment’s thought, Nie Luming said, "Your Highness, hold on—I have a few words for Miss Xingxing."

Wei Shiqing frowned slightly but couldn’t outright forbid Nie Luming from speaking to Xingxing. He said impatiently, "Spit it out."

Nie Luming seized the opportunity: "Miss Xingxing, after seeing your exceptional archery skills last time, I was blown away. I’ve crafted several bows suitable for women. Could you swing by our residence and test them for me, to help with adjustments?"

Wei Shiqing’s expression darkened, and he nearly blurted out: "No way!"

*You little punk, trying to steal my second brother’s girl!*

Xingxing, unfazed, also nodded: "Yeah, that wouldn’t work."

Nie Yuke watched as Wei Shiqing so openly protected and cared for Xingxing. Her fingernails dug into her palms, nearly drawing blood!

Nie Luming quickly nodded: "My bad, I wasn’t thinking. Miss Xingxing is, after all, a young lady. What if I brought the bows to your residence instead?"

Xingxing considered it and agreed: "That might work."

However, she added: "We’re swamped at home with the Palace Examinations coming up. Maybe after the exams, you could visit?"

Nie Luming eagerly nodded: "Of course, of course! Deal, Miss Xingxing."

Thrilled, Nie Luming stood and reached for his sister’s hand: "Come, Fourth Sister, I’ll accompany you for a walk in the courtyard."

Nie Yuke was fed up with her foolish brother—and furious on top of it!

"You’re squeezing too hard!" Nie Yuke snapped, shaking off his hand and stomping out angrily.

Nie Yuke wore a sullen expression, clearly unhappy with her brother's rough handling.

Nie Lvming, unaware that his sister was using this as an excuse to vent, glanced awkwardly at his hand. "...I suppose I did use too much force."

He cupped his hands toward the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. "Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, I’ll go after Fourth Sister."

Mu Rujun waved dismissively. "Go on, then."

With the Nie siblings gone, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed further.

The Crown Prince figured that, given Mu Rujun's temperament, she had likely already explained the situation to Xingxing. He spoke directly to her as well. "...You needn’t worry about Her Majesty the Empress. It’s just for show—don’t stress over it."

Xingxing nodded, her heart swelling with warmth. The Crown Prince’s nose and mouth bore such a resemblance to Brother Yan’s that it made her feel instantly at ease!

The three chatted away, the atmosphere easy and cheerful. After a while, Nie Lvming returned with Nie Yuke, now composed again. The Crown Prince then stood. "I have matters to attend to. Crown Princess, would you mind entertaining..."

Wei Shiqing had initially intended to have Mu Rujun host the Nie siblings, but he hesitated mid-sentence.

He thought Nie Lvming, with his good looks and upstanding demeanor, might just charm the naive Xingxing into leaving. What would he say to his second brother when he got back?

So Wei Shiqing changed his words. "Sister-in-law, keep my cousin company. Lvming, come with me—I have something to discuss with you."

"Ah?... Oh, alright." Nie Lvming agreed.

Nie Yuke was caught off guard when her cousin left right after her return. Though disappointed, she hid it well and obediently bowed with her brother to see the Crown Prince off.

Now it was just Xingxing, Nie Yuke, and Mu Rujun.

Mu Rujun ordered a meal to be served, inviting Xingxing and Nie Yuke to dine.

Nie Yuke, every inch the well-bred Nie family miss, observed the 'no talking during meals' rule. It wasn’t until the palace maids brought out a dessert—almond tofu—that she gently set down her chopsticks. After a pause, she ventured softly, "Sister-in-law?"

Mu Rujun also put down her chopsticks and looked at Nie Yuke with patience. "What is it?"

Nie Yuke hesitated. "Sister-in-law, almonds can harm a pregnancy. Though you aren’t expecting now, the East Palace’s meals should still be cautious..."

She spoke reasonably, appearing concerned for Mu Rujun’s well-being.

But for Mu Rujun, who had struggled to conceive, the comment landed like an accidental barb.

The head serving matron dropped to her knees at once.

Mu Rujun’s expression remained indifferent. "It’s fine. There’s barely any almond in this tofu. Besides, the East Palace menu rotates every half-month—such a small quantity shouldn’t pose any harm."

She then turned to Xingxing. "Lady Township, with your medical expertise, am I correct?"

Xingxing nodded. "Her Highness is right."

Only then did Mu Rujun smile faintly at Nie Yuke. "...Thank you for your concern, cousin. However, the imperial physicians approve all East Palace menus. They probably know more about food safety than you. Don’t you agree?"

Nie Yuke tensed, recognizing the veiled reprimand. She lowered her head. "My apologies for overstepping, Sister-in-law. I only worried for your health."

Mu Rujun said nothing more but lifted her wrist to scoop a spoonful of almond tofu into her bowl.

She took a delicate bite and remarked, "The kitchen did well. Reward them."

It was a slap in the face to Nie Yuke, adding salt to the wound especially in front of Xingxing.

Nie Yuke's eyes welled up with tears.

After the meal, she hastily took her leave, as if fleeing from humiliation.

Mu Rujun barely noticed, merely asking Xingxing if she would accompany her for a stroll in the courtyard to aid digestion.

Xingxing agreed.

However, just as they had completed one circuit around the Eastern Palace, they had a so-called 'coincidental' encounter with Prime Minister Pang, who had brought his daughter to pay respects to the Crown Prince.

Prime Minister Pang remained composed and said to Mu Rujun, "My daughter previously requested His Highness's calligraphy work. She has been practicing it daily and has made remarkable progress in her penmanship. This time, she specially accompanied me to express her gratitude to His Highness."