The Ninth Princess Reigns Supreme [Transmigration] - Chapter 16

Ning Ziling’s expression was quite natural, as if she thought no one would refuse her for Ning Zisheng’s sake.

Ning Zisheng also turned her gaze lightly, waiting for Liu Li to make a decision.

Liu Li’s eyebrows twitched, thinking, ‘Does this even need to be said? Only a fool would curry favor with a female supporting character in front of the female lead.’ She immediately put on a straight face and said, “Fifth Princess, you’ve already reached your coming-of-age ceremony, while Ninth Princess is only twelve. It’s not right for you to compete with her, is it?”

These words were too direct, and it might seem like she was trying to make Ning Zisheng an enemy. If she had used a more tactful way of speaking, it would have been slightly more acceptable on the surface.

But a female supporting character couldn’t possibly guess what the female lead was thinking. Liu Li was afraid that she wasn’t direct enough and that Ning Zisheng would feel she wasn’t protecting her, so she decisively took sides.

Anyway, even if she made Ning Zisheng an enemy, with her luck value, nothing serious would happen.

Sure enough, Ning Ziling looked displeased and glanced at Ning Zisheng, asking in a deep voice, “Ninth Sister, is that so?”

Liu Li was usually straightforward, and Ning Zisheng was used to it, so she didn’t think Liu Li was intentionally drawing Ning Ziling’s attention to herself.

Facing Ning Ziling’s challenge, she said softly, “Fifth Sister doesn’t usually eat spicy food. Why do you want to eat it now?”

The Fifth Princess “ah-ed” and realized that the shrimp was dipped in chili sauce. She immediately lost interest and quickly told her servant to stop.

She suddenly thought of something and glanced at Ning Zisheng suspiciously: “Ninth Sister is well-informed and knows my tastes very well.”

Ning Zisheng smiled perfectly, without saying anything, and just glanced lightly at Ning Zichun.

Ning Ziling naturally followed her gaze.

Coincidentally, Ning Zichun interjected at this moment: “Fifth Sister is really precious, you can’t even eat chili.”

Ning Ziling was immediately furious.

Ning Zichun had said a lot of bad things about her behind her back, and this matter of not being able to eat spicy food was probably exaggerated by her.

This Ninth Princess usually kept to herself. It must have been Ning Zichun, the gossip, who spread rumors everywhere and let her hear it.

The Fifth Princess counterattacked angrily, and the Eighth Princess was unwilling to be outdone, so the two started a new round of verbal sparring.

Ning Zisheng stayed out of it, only raising the corners of her lips in a mocking smile.

Two idiots.

Liu Li naturally understood and took the opportunity to lean over and whisper her praise in Ning Zisheng’s ear: “Your Highness is amazing.”

Ning Zisheng wasn’t used to being so close to people. Just as she was about to turn her head away subconsciously, she smelled a familiar fragrance.

It was the scent of Liu Li’s hair.

Although she had smelled it before, she had never experienced it so closely.

She didn’t know what shampoo she usually used, but the fragrance was fresh and not overly sweet, with a hint of faint, almost undetectable floral scent.

Ning Zisheng recognized it as the scent of peach blossoms.

But peach blossoms bloomed in spring, and it was now September, long past their season. Could she have smelled it wrong?

Just as she was about to ask her, Liu Li’s smiling face came into Ning Zisheng’s view, followed by shallow dimples.

Her features were becoming more and more gentle, and her curved eyes were like a half-moon silhouette in the sky, or a pool of autumn water, occasionally rippling with waves.

Ning Zisheng lowered her eyes, knowing that she hadn’t smelled it wrong.

Autumn peach blossoms, far away in the sky, yet close at hand.

••••

The Moon Banquet had been going on for an hour, and Princess Bao’an was feeling quite tired and dizzy.

She preferred quietness and had reached her limit in such a crowded place.

Emperor Jiacheng was watching and listening in all directions and quickly noticed Bao’an’s strange condition.

Without him saying anything, the old eunuch beside him was an expert at reading people’s expressions. He quickly walked to Bao’an’s side and asked, “Your Highness, would you like to take a rest?”

“Yes.” Bao’an responded, leaning against the redwood table, listening to the various noises, feeling a splitting headache, and forcing a smile, “I’m really exhausted and need to rest.”

The old eunuch smiled: “Okay, this old servant will take you to the back hall of Hanyuan Palace.”

The front hall of Hanyuan Palace was where the court sessions were usually held, with a wide view and can accommodate thousands of people. The Moon Banquet was also held in the front hall of Hanyuan Palace.

When Bao’an heard this, her face suddenly turned pale, but since her face wasn’t very good in the first place, it wasn’t very noticeable. Her tone was pleading: “I’m really too tired and want to go back to Penglai Palace to rest. Can I? Eunuch Yao?”

“The Moon Banquet is not even halfway over. It might be against etiquette for you to leave now.”

Bao’an almost choked up as she begged him: “Eunuch…”

Eunuch Yao was an old man in the palace. He had watched Bao’an grow up and naturally had some feelings for her. He lowered his voice, his words full of reluctance: “It’s the emperor’s intention.”

Bao’an looked at Emperor Jiacheng in despair.

He had clearly seen everything, but didn’t react. The implication was self-evident. Bao’an had to close her eyes in pain: “Okay, I’ll trouble you, Eunuch.”

Eunuch Yao took Bao’an and two servants away and arranged for them to rest. Yu’er and Di’er, who were arranged there, were told to stay where they were and anxiously gave Liu Li a secret signal from afar.

Liu Li then subtly tugged at Ning Zisheng’s sleeve.

They had already reached a consensus that the person who was targeting Bao’an would definitely take action tonight.

As soon as Bao’an left, they both got up at the same time. The palace servants serving them quickly asked where they were going, and Liu Li smiled: “Changing clothes.”

She glanced at Yu’er and Di’er behind her: “Aren’t you following?”

“Changing clothes” had more than one meaning in ancient times. It could euphemistically refer to going to the toilet, or it could mean actually changing clothes. Of course, either way, it was a good excuse to leave.

The closest place to the front hall of Hanyuan Palace was naturally the other side halls of Hanyuan Palace. So, Liu Li and Ning Zisheng brought their little servants and came to the back hall.

Bao’an was resting inside, and two palace servants were standing by the ochre door frame.

They were not brought into the palace by Bao’an, but were Emperor Jiacheng’s people. Liu Li thought it would be better to get rid of them, but she couldn’t think of a way, so she was a little worried.

They hid around the corner like thieves, in a dilemma.

Ning Zisheng quietly patted Xiao Rui’s shoulder, and she immediately understood. She took out two small stones she had just picked up outside and flicked them gently. The two palace servants fell to the ground.

Liu Li: ?

Jiao’er and Yu’er were also startled. Ning Zisheng explained in a low voice: “Xiao Rui knows some acupressure.”

The original story didn’t mention this. Liu Li silently gave Xiao Rui a thumbs up and felt even more that her decision not to offend her was correct.

“You guys carry them away and guard here.” Ning Zisheng instructed, “If anyone comes, keep your heads down and don’t let them see your faces.”

Before they came, Liu Li had already reminded these girls not to ask why, just do as they were told.

Liu Li quickly walked in with Ning Zisheng and saw Bao’an resting with her eyes closed. Her health hadn’t dropped.

Just as she was relieved, Bao’an opened her eyes when she heard the movement. Seeing that it was Liu Li, she struggled to get up, looking anxious:

“You shouldn’t have come. Go away!”