Chapter 552 Whatever She Says, I, the Crown Princess, Must Tolerate It?

Chapter 552: So I'm supposed to just tolerate whatever she says?

Xingxing instinctively looked at Mu Rujun.

Mu Rujun showed no change in expression and even smiled slightly: "So that's how it is. Miss Pang is truly diligent."

She seemed completely unbothered.

However, Prime Minister Pang made a solemn bow to Mu Rujun: "But since we happen to meet the Crown Princess, this old minister has some unpleasant things to say."

Mu Rujun raised her hand with a smile: "Oh? Since Prime Minister Pang already knows they're unpleasant, there's no need to say them."

Prime Minister Pang was left flustered, his aged face frozen for a long moment.

Instead, his youngest daughter, Pang Xinyue, dropped to her knees and said softly, "Your Highness, please forgive my father. He is getting old and sometimes becomes stubborn. We, his children, cannot dissuade him."

Mu Rujun studied Pang Xinyue carefully: "Miss Pang means that even if I refuse to let your father speak, he will insist on saying it anyway? ...Are you making excuses for him?"

Pang Xinyue wouldn't dare.

Prime Minister Pang interjected: "Your Highness, please do not trouble my daughter. She's lived a sheltered life and speaks without thinking."

Mu Rujun chuckled leisurely: "Prime Minister Pang, you and your daughter are quite the pair—the daughter makes excuses for the father, and the father in turn makes excuses for the daughter. Prime Minister Pang is a senior minister of the court, and if you wish to offer loyal advice, I naturally wouldn’t object. As for Miss Pang... you claim she's simple-minded and speaks without thinking, meaning that whatever she says, I, the Crown Princess, must tolerate it?"

Prime Minister Pang's expression shifted slightly.

Pang Xinyue immediately dropped to her knees, her fair and slender neck bowed under the sunlight, the picture of reverent submission: "I wouldn't dare."

Mu Rujun took Xingxing's hand: "Since you wouldn't dare, then those Pangs need not say anything more. This is getting tedious."

With that, Mu Rujun calmly led Xingxing away.

Once they were alone, Mu Rujun released Xingxing's hand and asked with a smile: "Did I come across too harsh just now?"

Xingxing shook her head seriously: "Those Pangs were clearly trying to cause trouble for Your Highness. If others seek to trouble us, why should we still consider their feelings?"

Mu Rujun studied Xingxing carefully, then suddenly smiled and reached out to touch Xingxing’s hair.

The little girl's hair was soft, and the sunlight cast a warm glow upon it.

At this moment, the girl looked like a little fairy glowing with warmth.

Mu Rujun couldn’t help softening her voice, her voice warm with amusement: "Township Lady, I've grown quite fond of you. May I call you Xingxing from now on?"

Xingxing nodded eagerly: "Of course! I'm very fond of Your Highness too. From now on, I’ll call you..."

She paused, then tentatively said, "Sister?"

Mu Rujun looked utterly delighted and responded: "Yes!"

She smiled: "My name is Rujun. You may call me Sister Rujun."

Xingxing called out cheerfully: "Sister Rujun!"

Mu Rujun grew even happier and, beaming, took Xingxing straight to her private stash: "Sister will take you to pick out some jewelry."

She opened the private stash and had the palace maids unlock the jewelry cases, helping Xingxing try on piece after piece.

"Hmm, this suits Xingxing perfectly."

"That looks gorgeous on you too, Xingxing."

"This one is also nice."

Mu Rujun got more and more into it as she kept trying accessories on Xingxing. Soon, the jewelry she thought looked good on her had piled up on a tray.

Xingxing was getting overwhelmed by the lavish pieces and quickly stopped her. "...Sister Rujun, I've only got one head—I can't wear so many. My folks have already gotten me plenty of jewelry."

She carefully picked her favorite piece. "Just this one is perfect. Thank you, sister."

The more time Mu Rujun spent with Xingxing, the fonder she grew of her.

She considered that since it was Xingxing’s first visit to the Eastern Palace, going overboard with gifts might be too much. Mu Rujun nodded. "Very well."

Still, she set aside all those pieces she had tried on Xingxing, intending to gift them to her at a more suitable time later.

Turning around, Mu Rujun spotted several rolls of peach-blossom brocade and smiled. "These are tributes from Southern Shu. But I’m older now and never cared much for such delicate colors. It’d be a waste to leave them here—I’ll have them sent to your residence later."

Xingxing couldn’t refuse again and quietly agreed.

Then, Mu Rujun noticed the newly arrived top-grade bird's nest and chuckled. "I don’t particularly enjoy this superior bird’s nest, and there’s far too much here. It’d be wasteful to keep it—I’ll have some sent to you as well."

Xingxing was speechless.

Seeing how excited Mu Rujun was getting as she looked around for more things to give, Xingxing quickly hugged her. "Enough, enough, Sister Rujun! Really, that’s enough—no more!"

At this point, it seemed like she was trying to empty the Eastern Palace!

Mu Rujun was still reluctant but, seeing Xingxing’s firm refusal, decided not to overwhelm her and finally stopped.

Even so, when Xingxing left the Eastern Palace, she ended up with several cartloads of gifts.

Xingxing: "..."

Mu Rujun grinned. "Xingxing deserves it."

Xingxing hugged her tightly and said earnestly, "I hope all your dreams come true!"

Mu Rujun’s heart warmed, and she patted Xingxing’s arm. "I'll take that good luck."

When Nie Lvming and Nie Yuke left the Eastern Palace, they caught sight of Mu Rujun personally escorting Xingxing out. Watching their affectionate farewell, Nie Yuke's face immediately fell.

Nie Lvming, clueless as ever, said brightly, "Huh, it seems Her Highness the Crown Princess and Lady of Blessed Peace get along really well... Hmm, should I remind Lady of Blessed Peace again to help me test and adjust my bow later?"

He thought out loud.

Nie Yuke gave her clueless brother the side-eye, said nothing, and turned to leave.

"...Speaking of which, Lady of Blessed Peace is the best shot I’ve ever seen among young ladies. I wonder how she trained so well at such a young age. Right, Fourth Sister? ...Fourth Sister?"

Nie Lvming blinked, only to find Nie Yuke already gone. He took off after her.

When Wei Shiqing finished his duties and went to find Mu Rujun, he discovered her humming to herself while carefully oiling an old whip of hers.

Wei Shiqing sat beside her with a smile. "Rujun, you're in a good mood. It seems Lady of Blessed Peace really clicked with you."

Mu Rujun didn’t hide her feelings. "Xingxing is absolutely adorable—I adore her. If she and Shiyan don’t end up together in the future, I’ll take her in as my little sister. Someday everything I own will go to her."