The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

The Seventeenth Princess listened, her eyes wide, and instinctively shook her head, realizing it was so tough. Breaking skin to see blood, just the sound of it was terrifying!

She said, "Since it’s so hard, how did you manage to keep going?"

Xia Wenjin replied calmly, "Growing up in the countryside, we’re half-Jianghu folks, this kind of hardship is nothing."

The Seventeenth Princess saw her speak so lightly, and her gaze towards her became even more bright, with a hint of admiration in it.

Such hardship, yet she could practice so well, how much effort that must have taken!

She remembered sneaking out of the palace last time and seeing the street performers, reportedly Jianghu people, they were clearly not well-dressed, and the environment was poor, yet each of them was full of spirit.

It’s just like when she was young, seeing the demeanor of her Fifth Imperial Brother and Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law.

It’s said that the Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law was a Jianghu person, and the Fifth Imperial Brother was considered half a Jianghu person too. She heard the palace maids and eunuchs whispering about how colorful and fun Jianghu life was, full of interesting events and people.

But being a Royal Princess, she was destined never to experience such a life.

Yet those snippets of novelty, those half-understood legends, those Jianghu tales seen in storybooks, indeed made one yearn for them. Deep down, she has always had a Jianghu dream.

She couldn’t help but take two steps forward, grabbing Xia Wenjin’s hand warmly and saying, "Miss Xia, you said you’re half a Jianghu person, have you traveled to many places and seen many interesting things? Tell me about them!"

Xia Wenjin didn’t expect the Seventeenth Princess to be so curious; she wanted to pull her into storytelling.

This Seventeenth Princess seemed devoid of the arrogance typical of a Royal Princess, instead appearing pure and straightforward. After all, if she were skilled at intrigue and full of sinister calculations, how could she marry into East Tang for a union, only to have news of her death come from East Tang years later?

At that time, Xia Wenjin didn’t pay much attention, after all, it was a princess she had never met, and at that time Huangfu Yuxuan’s great cause was at a critical juncture, she was exhausting every effort for it, who had time to focus on these things?

But she hadn’t expected her to be quite a lovely young girl.

Thinking of the timeline, East Tang sent an envoy delegation led by a prince over, just in time for the Emperor’s birthday. And it was at this birthday celebration that the envoy from East Tang expressed their intentions, not just to offer congratulations, but also hope for a marriage alliance.

The intended bride was to marry the prince from East Tang, requesting a Nanxia Princess.

But currently, the Seventeenth Princess apparently did not know that her good days were soon to end, and she would soon leave her home country to step onto foreign lands!

Yet Xia Wenjin thought, in this lifetime, some things with small deviations and slight changes might lead to a different trajectory than in her past life?

Over there, the Seventeenth Princess was still enthusiastically wanting to hear Jianghu stories, when Yi Zixuan interrupted her with a smile, "If the Princess really wants to hear Miss Xia tell Jianghu stories, that’s simple. Later, you can visit the Right Minister’s Mansion a few more times and have Miss Xia tell them to you alone, you can enjoy it fully. Today, I’m afraid the Princess doesn’t have time for stories!"

There are so many things, even if the main host, the Seventeenth Princess, has many subordinates to use, there are some places she still needs to show her face.

Right now, several noble ladies have already walked over to greet the Seventeenth Princess, each speaking with more grace than the last, each mouth overflowing with pearls.

Even though the Seventeenth Princess is of noble status and can choose not to entertain if she doesn’t want to, she is still the hostess and cannot ignore everyone.

Yi Zixuan smiled at her, as if saying, "See, I’m right, aren’t I?"

The Seventeenth Princess said helplessly, "I understand, Princess!"

She still held Xia Wenjin’s hand, reluctantly saying, "Although I can’t hear stories now, I find you quite pleasing to the eye, so later at the banquet, you can sit at my table!"

Xia Wenjin didn’t show any particular reaction, simply nodded and replied, "Alright!"

In fact, it didn’t matter to her where she sat, but including Yi Zixuan and the noble ladies nearby, they were all taken aback. Being able to sit at the same table as the Seventeenth Princess, regardless of her status, others would have to regard her highly in the future.

If encountered by those flashy types, this one thing will be enough to boast about for a lifetime.

Another wave of envious, jealous, and resentful looks followed, but throughout the day, Xia Wenjin had seen such looks many times and was long used to them.

Wei Shanshan had just walked over and hadn’t even said a word to the Seventeenth Princess when she heard this sentence. She narrowed her eyes and took a good look at Xia Wenjin, evidently wondering why the Seventeenth Princess was being so kind to this mysterious person.

Yi Zixuan softly laughed, saying, "Speaking of the banquet, I do feel a bit hungry, why don’t we walk to the banquet hall first?"

Before the Seventeenth Princess could speak, a bright voice said, "Imperial Aunt!"

Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Huangfu Yuxuan, graceful and charming, standing not far away, cupping his hands in salute.

Though the seniority is present, the Seventeenth Princess is only sixteen or seventeen, while Huangfu Yuxuan is already twenty-one. However, Huangfu Yuxuan felt no embarrassment whatsoever.

The Seventeenth Princess giggled, "Didn’t you already greet me earlier? Why do you still have business now?"

Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes were fixed on Xia Wenjin, a smile on his face, anyone could see the special meaning in his gaze. The Seventeenth Princess looked at Huangfu Yuxuan, then at Xia Wenjin, blinked, and with a look of sudden realization, said, "Oh, I understand, you..."

She pointed at Huangfu Yuxuan, then pointed at Xia Wenjin, about to speak, but didn’t see Xia Wenjin, for in front of her stood a handsome and upright man, noble and ethereal, with dragon-like grace. He cupped his hands towards the Seventeenth Princess and said, "Imperial Aunt!"

Xia Wenjin felt Huangfu Jingchen’s protective intentions. She wasn’t actually afraid of Huangfu Yuxuan; despite meeting him in such circumstances, given his status, he wouldn’t do anything inappropriate in front of so many people.

But Huangfu Jingchen worried for her and protected her, which warmed her heart nonetheless.

The Seventeenth Princess’ words were interrupted, she joked, "Why are you all running to me one by one?"

Huangfu Yuxuan cast a cold glance over Huangfu Jingchen, he obviously saw that Huangfu Jingchen deliberately stood in front of Xia Wenjin.

If he wanted to compete with him for a woman, he should see if he had the ability!

Huangfu Yuxuan said, "Reporting to Imperial Aunt, I’m here to find Wenjin!"

During the conversation just now, the Seventeenth Princess had learned Xia Wenjin’s name. Hearing Huangfu Yuxuan address her so familiarly, she was curious, "You know Miss Xia too?"

Huangfu Yuxuan looked provocatively at Huangfu Jingchen and said, "Of course, we’ve known each other for a long time. Wenjin is my wife-to-be!"