Chapter 20

Chapter 20

On the way back, Xiao Lin asked Ye Shuang, "What did Her Highness say to you?"

Ye Shuang then recounted how the Empress had arranged for her to assist Princess Jing with the palace banquet preparations.

After listening, Xiao Lin pondered for a moment and said, "Since Her Majesty has spoken, then you should go."

Ye Shuang replied, "I'm not very good at these things. I couldn't refuse Her Highness directly. Could you speak to Prince Jing and ask him to excuse me?"

"That might not be appropriate. If you had mentioned your difficulties from the start, it would have been easier to handle. But since you've already agreed, backing out now—if it reaches Her Highness's ears—what would she think of you? Besides, women's matters are not something Prince Jing can easily interfere with."

"But..."

"Just learn the basics. It's fine if you don't master it. Her Highness means well, and anyway, you don't have much else going on at home."

Ye Shuang wanted to say more, but Xiao Lin's expression turned serious. "Don't forget what you promised me. These social obligations, you must still handle them. Say no more. If there's anything you want, write it down, and I'll have Xiao Yin and Xiao Han buy it for you."

Feeling stifled, Ye Shuang fell silent.

Xiao Lin softened his tone. "Alright, be reasonable. I'm going to be busy for a while and may not have time for you. When you're helping Princess Jing with the banquet preparations, don't overexert yourself. We can discuss anything else after this period is over."

Ye Shuang knew Xiao Lin was determined to make her go, and further argument was futile, so she stopped trying.

The next day, Ye Shuang set off early for Prince Jing’s residence. Xiao Lin, occupied with other matters, sent Xiao Yin to escort her. Since carriages were not allowed to stop outside the prince’s residence, Xiao Yin dropped her off at the gate and returned, saying he would pick her up later in the afternoon.

It seemed Xiao Lin wasn't planning to look after her these days.

Ye Shuang couldn't help feeling a little down. She and Xiao Lin had reverted to their previous dynamic. Every time she thought their relationship was growing closer, everything would snap back to how it was, as if an invisible wall stood between them—one she could never get past on her own.

What made Ye Shuang feel even more powerless was that whenever Xiao Lin began to withdraw, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get any closer to him.

She couldn't help but recall the Empress's final words: the obstacles between them needed to be overcome by *them* themselves.

Her Highness had said "they," not just her.

Just then, a servant arrived to guide her. Ye Shuang quickly composed herself, suppressing her frustration to avoid being disrespectful in front of Princess Jing.

The servant led Ye Shuang to the back garden, where Princess Jing was speaking with someone, her back turned. Ye Shuang lowered her gaze and bowed.

"Greetings, Princess Jing."

Princess Jing, engrossed in conversation, acted as if she hadn't heard.

Ye Shuang had to raise her voice and bow again. "Greetings, Princess Jing. Ye Shuang is here as ordered to learn about the palace banquet preparations."

Only then did Princess Jing turn around as if she'd just noticed her. "Ah, it's Sister Ye! I've been so busy my head is spinning—I didn't realize you were here."

Ye Shuang knew Princess Jing wasn't being truthful; if she hadn't heard, how would she know Ye Shuang had already greeted her? But she could only maintain her composure. "It was rude of Ye Shuang to disturb Princess Jing. I hope Princess Jing will not take offense."

Princess Jing smiled with satisfaction. "Don't be silly, Sister! Please rise. If others saw, they might think I'm being harsh on you."

She stepped forward, making a show of helping her up, but Ye Shuang didn't dare accept the gesture and stood up on her own.

"By the way, let me introduce you. This is Sister Liu. You must know each other."

Ye Shuang had been keeping her head down and hadn't noticed earlier. Now she saw another person beside Princess Jing, previously hidden from view—someone Ye Shuang knew all too well.

Liu Yiyi looked at her with a faint, mocking smile. "Sister Ye, what are you doing here?" Her tone implied that Ye Shuang had shamelessly come to curry favor with Princess Jing.

Princess Jing quickly interjected, "Sister Liu must not have heard. Sister Ye just said she's here by Her Majesty's order to learn about the banquet preparations."

Liu Yiyi pouted delicately, her voice tinged with coquettish complaint. "Princess Jing, you're too kind. You're already swamped with work—how could you have the energy to teach others? I truly feel for your hardship."

Princess Jing smiled, pleased. "But I have you, don't I?"

Liu Yiyi replied, "What help could I possibly be? At most, I can only keep you company and help pass the time."

"With the banquet approaching and so many tasks at hand, having you here makes it more bearable."

Only then did Princess Jing seem to remember Ye Shuang again and turned to her. "I didn't know Her Majesty would send you here. I've already asked Sister Liu to assist. Sister Ye, you don't mind, do you?"

Princess Jing was merely being polite, and Ye Shuang knew it. She bowed her head and replied, "Of course not."

Princess Jing nodded. "In that case, both of you can assist me. When Her Majesty inquires later, I will report truthfully."

This implied she would put in a good word for Liu Yiyi to the Empress. Liu Yiyi naturally feigned modesty, while Princess Jing insisted earnestly, until Liu Yiyi reluctantly agreed.

Watching this, Ye Shuang felt drained even before the banquet preparations had begun.

"We shouldn't stand around talking. Come sit with me for a while." Princess Jing led them to a pavilion where servants served tea and snacks. A maid presented a prepared booklet, which Princess Jing reviewed before explaining the banquet arrangements.

"The year-end banquet hosted by His Majesty for the court officials is a grand affair, with numerous details to manage. Preparations began half a month ago. Though His Majesty calls it a family banquet, we cannot be careless—protocol and etiquette must be strictly observed. Gold, jade, and stoneware are mostly used, with Ru and Ding kiln porcelain being the finest. Porcelain takes time to produce, so it must be prepared early. The procedures have been confirmed with the palace officials, and ingredients are being selected and purchased. Specialized personnel handle these matters, so we don't need to worry about that."

"What remains undecided are the seating arrangements for the consorts and ladies, and the furnishings for the day must be inspected one by one. Any damaged items must be replaced promptly, and gifts for bestowal need to be prepared. The entertainment program for the day is still undecided. Once finalized in a few days, we'll visit the Music Bureau to observe rehearsals. That's basically it."

Ye Shuang listened carefully. She had initially thought Princess Jing wouldn't actually teach her anything, so this came as a surprise.

Princess Jing paused and looked at her for a moment. "Sister Ye, did you remember all that?"

Ye Shuang was startled but quickly nodded. "Yes, I remember."

"Then repeat what I just said."

Ye Shuang hesitated, her eyes shifting between Princess Jing and Liu Yiyi. "I..."

Princess Jing’s expression turned displeased. "Could it be that you cannot answer?"

Ye Shuang had no choice but to stammer out a few points, but Princess Jing had said much more than she could recall.

Princess Jing seemed dissatisfied and cut her off before she could finish.

"Enough, no need to continue. Since you're here by order, you must take this seriously. Otherwise, I've been wasting my breath."

Ye Shuang quickly knelt to apologize. "You're right to scold me, Princess Jing. But you only said it once—it was hard to remember everything after just one hearing."

Liu Yiyi also rose and knelt beside Ye Shuang. "Princess Jing, please don't be angry. Give Sister Ye another chance."

Suppressing her anger, Princess Jing asked Liu Yiyi if she had remembered.

Liu Yiyi hesitated but, under Princess Jing’s insistence, admitted she had.

This only made Princess Jing even angrier.

"Since Sister Ye cannot remember, copy down what I said ten times until you've memorized it." As soon as Princess Jing spoke, servants brought out writing brushes and ink, clearly prepared in advance.

Princess Jing also had a servant hand Ye Shuang a page filled with writing. "What I said is roughly recorded here. Copy from this page."

Ye Shuang said "Yes" and prepared to rise to begin copying.

Princess Jing, however, said, "Just kneel and copy. It's not that much."

Ye Shuang's heart jumped in shock. She looked up in disbelief, but Princess Jing merely lowered her gaze and sipped her tea, paying her no attention.

Since Princess Jing had given the command, she had no choice but to obey.

At that moment, Princess Jing also told Liu Yiyi to rise, "You there, why are you kneeling too? These flagstones are freezing!"

Liu Yiyi complied, but as she stood up, she stumbled and stepped on the hem of Ye Shuang’s skirt.

Ye Shuang glared at her angrily, biting back her anger, while Liu Yiyi’s eyes were full of provocation.

If Ye Shuang hadn't reacted quickly, it would have been her hand that Liu Yiyi stepped on.