CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 76: BIRTHDAY BANQUET!

When Yu Nianzhao returned to Prince Su Mansion, Xie Jiuxiao had already come back.

He changed into casual clothes, although his stern face showed no expression, his brows and eyes softened upon seeing Yu Nianzhao.

"When I entered the palace just now, Mother Consort sent over a basket of seafood. Do you like it?"

"Seafood? I love it, whether it’s steamed, garlic boiled, or seafood porridge, I like it so fresh that the eyebrows are about to fall off." Yu Nianzhao’s eyes lit up; how long had it been since she last tasted seafood?

"Good, I’ve already instructed someone to tell the kitchen to prepare it."

"Prince, do you know what happened today? After we saw the Buddha statue..."

Dongfang Chenyuan really had no sense, completely oblivious to Xie Jiuxiao wanting to be alone with Yu Nianzhao, narrating the events at the General’s Mansion right by his ear.

"Is your cousin better now?"

"Yes, she has recovered, she can soon jump around again, no longer affected by the cold illness."

"That’s good, thank you, Zhaozhao." The General’s Mansion is their maternal family, so helping the General’s Mansion is like helping them.

"Oh, no need to thank me, I did take payment."

Yu Nianzhao waved her hand carelessly, "Next time, if you need help getting rid of evil for a fee, you can call me. I rely entirely on their offerings for incense."

"You’re really becoming more and more of a little money grubber." Xie Jiuxiao teased with a smile, without a hint of dislike.

When the seafood was served, Yu Nianzhao couldn’t stop eating.

Garlic crab, salted baked shrimp, seafood porridge, sea cucumber soup...

Everything was there!

Yu Nianzhao ate so much that her stomach swelled.

"So much seafood, it feels so satisfying to eat." Yu Nianzhao held her stomach, feeling content.

"If you like it, I’ll tell mother consort that when there’s more seafood, she’ll send some over again."

"Sure, sure!"

It’s said that people become docile after eating, so after Yu Nianzhao ate well, she happily returned to her room to start drawing talismans.

"What’s this...scribbles?"

Xie Jiuxiao, freshly bathed with a lingering scent of bamboo, walked to Yu Nianzhao’s side and casually picked up a talisman, which to his eyes looked like scribbles.

It recognized him, but he couldn’t recognize it.

"This is a Beauty Talisman, don’t disturb me, it embodies my energy and spirit." Yu Nianzhao seriously continued drawing talismans.

Xie Jiuxiao just watched quietly.

Once Yu Nianzhao finished drawing, she folded it up, "Tomorrow, have Ms Jiang deliver it to the palace."

"For whom?"

"Of course for the Dowager Consort, the seafood she brought tasted really great, after eating her items, naturally, it’s polite to reciprocate."

"No need to be so formal with mother consort, she likes you and cares for you, which is why she brings you food."

"Tut tut, you don’t understand, naturally one shouldn’t just receive things without reciprocating. It’s impolite, and besides, by giving in return, you’ll receive more gifts in the future."

Yu Nianzhao wiggled her finger with a ’you don’t understand’ expression.

Xie Jiuxiao couldn’t help but laugh, "Yes, your reasoning does seem valid."

"Of course, I get along well in both realms." Yu Nianzhao murmured with a small hint of pride.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

Yu Nianzhao grew tired of drawing talismans and leaned against Xie Jiuxiao, absorbing his Evil Qi, feeling vitality returning to her.

Indeed, he was quite the supplement.

Seeing her carefree little head resting against his arm, Xie Jiuxiao’s mindset had long since changed, from initial stiffness and discomfort to calm composure, occasionally even adjusting when the posture became uncomfortable.

"In ten days, it’s Princess An Nan’s birthday. Traditionally, she would invite the Shangjing ladies to the banquet. Even though we haven’t officially married, the imperial decree has been issued, and Prince Su Mansion has received the invitation! Of course, if you don’t like going to such events, you can refuse."

As she was about to drift into sleep, Xie Jiuxiao’s cool voice rang in her ear.

Yu Nianzhao jolted awake, yawning, "Ten days? Isn’t that convenient? What a great day."

"Hmm?"

"No need to decline for me, Prince, I want to go, it’s a great opportunity to earn some money."

That red jade earring concealing a soul was still with her; she certainly had to visit An Nan Royal Mansion.

"Making money? Zhaozhao, you’re quite diligent when it comes to earning money."

"Of course, who doesn’t love money?"

"..." Xie Jiuxiao was speechless.

Indeed, who doesn’t love money?

"Ever since Shangyuan Gambling House was confiscated and Chu Wenjia died, although there’s no movement from Duke Luu Mansion, some mysterious deaths have occurred in Shangjing."

Xie Jiuxiao pondered for a moment, still telling her, "I will be quite busy soon, the deceased aren’t distinguished officials and nobles, but the circumstances of their deaths are mysterious, I suspect they are related to Duke Luu Mansion, if you have anything, you can have Mu Hongxuan find me at the Imperial Prison."

"Mm-hmm... Okay." Yu Nianzhao was already very sleepy, she gave a casual response and fell asleep leaning on his arm.

Xie Jiuxiao looked at her defenseless sleeping face with helplessness, depths of his eyes dark.

With Yu Nianzhao relied beside him, the cold illness seemed much improved; in the past during winter, despite the room filled with hot stoves, it felt like being in the icy snow.

Now with only one warming stove in the room, he strangely felt hints of warmth.

Almost as if the Evil Qi...was reducing!

"Zhaozhao..." His voice raspy, muttering her name, as he closed his eyes and also entered dreamland.

Indeed, Xie Jiuxiao was genuinely busy as he said, continuously busy except for coming to accompany Yu Nianzhao to sleep every night; she couldn’t see Xie Jiuxiao’s figure otherwise.

Sometimes, Yu Nianzhao was already asleep when he returned.

Were it not for feeling the Evil Qi subdued by next day, she’d start suspecting if Xie Jiuxiao was out all night.

Ten days flew by, Yu Nianzhao changed into a new dress sent by He Xiu Workshop, casually applied makeup, then left the house.

An Nan Royal Mansion was bustling, ladies with standing in Shangjing came with gifts.

"Princess Consort Su?" The An Nan Royal Mansion’s steward paused upon seeing the invitation.

After all, although the imperial marriage decree was given, the wedding banquet hadn’t been held yet; calling her Princess Consort Su was somewhat premature.

But the steward knew his duty, instructing someone to lead them inside.

"Princess, should we give the gift to the steward?" Zhixi followed closely, holding a box.

"Since it’s a gift, naturally it should be personally given to the host to truly count as a gift, otherwise there’s no meaning." Yu Nianzhao said matter-of-factly.

"Oh! I wondered who it was, heard someone calling out ’Princess Consort Su’ at the door from afar, sneer, it’s laughable, the marriage hasn’t even consummated yet, but she’s shamelessly accepting the title and living in Prince Su Mansion, absolutely disgraceful." Before even entering the banquet, a woman’s mocking voice, full of malice, greeted Yu Nianzhao.