Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 24.2

Chapter 24.2

Xie Ning took Xiao Zhu and Jingqiu off duty and hadn’t even stepped through the study door before Pei Shujing directly chased her out.

She had no choice but to wash up first, change clothes, and restore her original appearance.

Xie Ning hadn’t found it troublesome before, but since her identity was exposed, Pei Shujing no longer allowed her to wander in front of her looking like Xie Jing. As a result, she had to spend at least half a day transforming herself every day.

She was essentially the changeable Little Ning.

Xie Jingqiu waited outside the door and took Xie Ning’s old clothes. Who could understand the confusion she felt when her newly recognized “brother” suddenly turned into “sister”…

Since her identity was exposed, Xie Ning didn’t plan to hide it too deeply anymore.

At least her close associates should be aware.

Like Jingqiu.

Since Jingqiu called her “brother,” she would also treat Jingqiu as her younger sister.

So, after the back courtyard once again became a restricted area, Jingqiu was the only additional person allowed in.

Xie Ning was a bit helpless: “You’ve been working hard all day, too. I can wash my own clothes.”

Jingqiu pursed her lips and remained silent, tightly clutching Xie Ning’s old clothes.

Xie Ning couldn’t do anything about her, so she reluctantly handed the clothes to Jingqiu.

She also rubbed Jingqiu’s head. Her sister was just too introverted.

Xie Ning pondered all the way, wondering if there was any way to boost Jingqiu’s confidence and make her more outgoing.

But she didn’t come up with any good ideas.

When she walked into the study, Pei Shujing, sitting by the newly set dining table, was already waiting impatiently.

Xie Ning didn’t stand on ceremony. She sat down and immediately began to eat with her chopsticks.

One of them was leisurely savoring the delicacies, while the other was gulping down food in large mouthfuls.

“I had Xue Hanyan take those two memorials in. The Emperor approved them.”

Pei Shujing nodded slightly, put down her chopsticks, and said seriously: “Starting tomorrow, you will teach this Princess how to kill on the battlefield.”

“Ugh!”

Xie Ning nearly choked on a large steamed bun. She quickly grabbed the teapot and poured water into her mouth. It took her a long while to recover.

When she looked up again, Pei Shujing’s face was already turning green.

Xie Ning gave an awkward smile: “Your Highness, you’re not actually planning to go to the battlefield, are you?”

Although the Grand Princess had to lead the Southern-Pacifying Army to fight the Xiongnu, this was just the official statement. Who would actually let her go to the battlefield!

If she truly went to the battlefield, the Southern-Pacifying Army would have to be distracted to protect her. To put it bluntly, if Pei Shujing had any accident, the war wouldn’t be about conquering a state; it would immediately become a disgrace to Great Xia.

Pei Shujing shook her head: “This Princess knows her limitations and doesn’t want to be a burden to the soldiers, but this Princess does need some skills for self-defense, right?”

That much was true.

Xie Ning thought: “Then why don’t you find Xiao Yu?”

“Xiao Yu wouldn’t dare to make strict demands on me, and you…” Pei Shujing paused, “And I trust you can.”

Xie Ning was full of question marks. Why did she feel like the unspoken half of Pei Shujing’s sentence wasn’t a compliment?

“Alright then, this teacher won’t be polite.”

Pei Shujing’s eyes narrowed: “Do you want to die?”

“Do you want to die, Pei Shujing?”

“With that physique, the enemy wouldn’t even bother to kill you on the battlefield!”

“Are you planning to laugh the enemy to death!!”

“Answer me!”

“Lo-ok at m-y l-e-gs!” (Look at my legs)

Early the next morning, under the stunned gazes of Xiao Yu, Xiao Zhu, and Jingqiu, Xie Ning was conducting physical training for Pei Shujing.

She did not disappoint Pei Shujing’s expectations. Not only was she merciless in the training, but she also didn’t hold back with her words.

Looking at their mistress, covered in sweat, yet still gritting her teeth and persisting, Xiao Yu poked Xiao Zhu: “Is she really not afraid of death?”

Xiao Zhu considered: “Perhaps… she just wants to have a blast before she dies.”

Xiao Yu: ???

What kind of audacious talk is that?

Jingqiu didn’t dare to even lift her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s: “Why don’t we leave? I feel like our presence here is not good.”

“Makes sense. We might even get implicated.”

But as soon as the words left their mouths, Xie Ning tapped the ground with her wooden stick: “No one is allowed to leave!”

“Pei Shujing, everyone is watching you. Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhu are laughing at you. Don’t you want to prove them wrong!”

Xiao Yu & Xiao Zhu: We’re not, we didn’t!

Jingqiu: Older sister loves me!

Pei Shujing, however, was dizzy and couldn’t clearly hear what Xie Ning was saying. Every squat and stand was accompanied by intense muscle soreness in her legs. Every equipment exercise required focusing all her strength. Her arms were already trembling, and sweat kept pouring from her forehead. Towards the end, her body started swaying, and she could only complete the exercises through sheer willpower.

Xie Ning swallowed. Feeling that the time was right, she waved her hand: “Two irrelevant people, quickly go take care of your mistress. Remember, don’t let her lie down or sit down immediately. Slowly help her walk for a while, and then go loosen her muscles. That way, it won’t hurt as much tomorrow.”

“Also, remember not to take a bath too quickly. Just smooth out her breathing first.”

“That’s it. I’m going to work now. Jingqiu, let’s go!”

With that, Xie Ning and Jingqiu quickly darted away.

Pei Shujing was supported by Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhu. She slowly lifted her head, her blurred vision fixed on Xie Ning’s retreating figure.

She opened her mouth, but her throat felt like it was on fire, and she couldn’t speak.

Xiao Yu quickly brought a bowl of tea: “Your Highness, drink slowly.”

After downing two large bowls of water, Pei Shujing felt much better.

She quietly asked: “Did she run away?”

Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhu nodded vigorously.

“Heh…”

Meanwhile.

Xie Ning took Jingqiu but didn’t go straight to work. The two wandered the streets.

Jingqiu looked at her “brother” all the way, wanting to speak but holding back.

“Brother, is everything really alright?”

Xie Ning confidently patted her chest: “I have my ways!”

With that, Xie Ning took Jingqiu to the Ministry of Works.

The Ministry of Works was thrown into chaos.

“Sir, this is bad, this is bad.”

The Minister of Works was leisurely sipping his tea. Hearing this, he slammed the table.

“What’s bad, Sir? I’m perfectly fine!”

The person who came was out of breath and pointed outside: “Sir, the Imperial Son-in-Law is here!”

“What?!!!”

The Minister of Works felt the sky had fallen.

What is this person doing at the Ministry of Works?!

Which fool in the Ministry of Works offended him?

Logically speaking, as a Minister of the Six Boards, he shouldn’t have such a reaction.

But early this morning, after a certain unknown Grand Secretary Wang spread the news, everyone knew what Xue Hanyan had experienced yesterday.

Perhaps some people were indignant about it, but at least these people would only gloat. Xue Hanyan had been too arrogant lately. Whenever a court official made a mistake, Xue Hanyan dared to hit them in the face with a document in plain sight.

Don’t people care about their reputation?

Does he really think he’s the Emperor?

It could only be said that the Imperial Son-in-Law did something they had all wanted to do.

However, this incident also made them realize that the Imperial Son-in-Law was indeed somewhat tyrannical.

Now that this person had come to the Ministry of Works, how could he not be alarmed?

From a distance, the Minister of Works, with a thick-skinned smile, waited for Xie Ning’s arrival.

The Minister of Works was named Xia. Xie Ning shouted: “Minister Xia.”

The two happily patted each other’s shoulders, then both paused.

The act of patting the shoulder in Great Xia was a form of encouragement from a superior to a subordinate. Xie Ning hadn’t known this at first, nor could she remember who first patted her shoulder, and she had wondered why people in Great Xia loved patting shoulders so much.

Later, she figured it out, and she also became a member of the shoulder-patting army.

Just like why Xue Hanyan was furious yesterday, it wasn’t just because of her words, but also because her action of patting Xue Hanyan’s shoulder made him feel insulted.

“What important matter brings the Imperial Son-in-Law here?”

Minister Xia ushered Xie Ning inside, not even stopping Jingqiu, who was following behind.

Xie Ning sighed: “Old Xia!”

Minister Xia’s mouth twitched. He was just called Minister Xia, and now he was Old Xia inside the room?

However, Minister Xia was somewhat relieved that this guy hadn’t shouted it in public.

“Old Xia, the capital hasn’t been peaceful lately!”

Old Xia stroked his beard: “That is absolutely true.”

But he muttered inwardly: Doesn’t anyone know who the source of the trouble is?

“Old Xia, I won’t beat around the bush. I’m here because I want you to help me design a weapon. Look, here are the blueprints.”

Minister Xia took them and examined them closely: “Imperial Son-in-Law, if this old man is not mistaken, isn’t this a crossbow (nu)?”

“We have plenty of crossbows in the Ministry of Works. You can pick as many as you like.”

Xie Ning shook her head: “Old Xia, look closer. It’s a bit different from an ordinary crossbow.”

Minister Xia suddenly realized: “Why can this crossbow hold so many bolts?”

“Exactly. It’s the repeating crossbow, the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow.”

“Repeating?!”

Minister Xia’s pupils contracted. He instantly realized the value of this item. His lips trembled: “Is… is the Imperial Son-in-Law serious?!”

“Serious.”

Xie Ning nodded: “This item was developed by a Mr. Zhuge from my hometown.”

“Great talent, great talent! This person should join our Ministry of Works!”

Xie Ning smiled: “He is not in this world.”

“What a pity…” Minister Xia sighed, but then regained his spirits: “Did this gentleman leave a physical object behind?”

Xie Ning glanced at him: “If he left a physical object, would I need to come to you?”

Minister Xia coughed awkwardly.

“Old Xia, I’m not giving you empty words. The capital hasn’t been peaceful lately. My Mistress needs this item for self-defense.”

Minister Xia immediately patted his chest: “Guaranteed to complete the mission!”

Xie Ning almost choked on her tea. Such a familiar phrase.

“Old Xia, you’re a wonderful person.”

Old Xia refilled Xie Ning’s tea: “Wonderful, but not as wonderful as the Imperial Son-in-Law.”

Xie Ning felt that the compliment was a bit strange, but she didn’t pursue it: “I trust you to produce this item, but I have one request: the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow sent to the Mistress must not have any problems.”

Old Xia immediately looked solemn: “Imperial Son-in-Law, rest assured. This old man will personally supervise the one for Her Highness.”

Xie Ning nodded in satisfaction: “Oh, I have one small request. The one for Her Highness should be exquisitely made, and a single character must be engraved in the corner: Ning.”

Minister Xia was puzzled: “What is the meaning of this character?”

“Just listen to me!”

Xie Ning waved her hand impatiently: “I’m leaving.”

Old Xia bowed and escorted her to the door. Looking at Xie Ning’s retreating figure, he couldn’t help but exclaim: “A good person, a good person!”

“It must all be Xue Hanyan’s fault!”

Late at night.

Xie Ning deliberately waited until now to return to the residence. She had asked Jingqiu to go back earlier and tell the Grand Princess that she was working late today and not to wait for her for dinner.

So, the Grand Princess’s Residence was dark, without a single candlelight.

This made Xie Ning breathe a sigh of relief.

She finished washing up and lay in bed. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, two people suddenly entered, pulled her up, put clothes on her, and then carried her away.

Xie Ning opened her eyes, looking utterly confused.

The night sky was clear, with stars and moon hanging low.

Was she really not dreaming…?

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