Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: “Kill Him, Kill Him!!!”…

“When will you be able to get the Grand Princess’s military power?”

Xie Ning had been pondering this sentence on the way back. She had previously thought that only the Xie family knew Xie Jing’s true identity, but now it seemed the Emperor was also involved.

The Emperor, on the surface, appeared intimate and a good younger brother to the Grand Princess, but secretly, he was coveting his own sister’s military authority.

She wondered if the Grand Princess knew the Emperor was scheming against her in the dark.

She probably didn’t, otherwise why would she agree to the marriage with Xie Jing? Should she warn the Grand Princess?

Xie Ning thought for a moment and decided it was better not to say anything yet.

She was currently posing as Xie Jing; would the Grand Princess believe her words?

It was highly likely the Grand Princess would think she was intentionally trying to sow discord in the royal family, and the Emperor would not let her off either.

Besides, her sister-in-law didn’t look like a simple person; she might already have some precautions.

“Hiss!”

Xie Ning inhaled sharply. Her head felt itchy; she must be growing a brain.

The carriage entered the Princess’s Residence, and Xie Ning followed Pei Shujing into a study room.

As soon as they entered, the study door was closed by Xiao Zhu, and Xie Ning immediately had a bad premonition.

Sure enough, Xiao Zhu kicked her knee, forcefully pressing Xie Ning onto the floor.

Pei Shujing tapped the desk with her slender fingers and asked Xie Ning expressionlessly, “Speak, why did the Emperor ask that question?”

“I…” Xie Ning fell silent. She knew the Grand Princess was already suspicious of her relationship with the Emperor, otherwise, how would the Emperor know she had lost weight?

If the Emperor wasn’t an idiot, he was treating the Grand Princess like one, asking that question right in front of her, putting her, the undercover agent, in a dangerous situation!

“This Princess does not like to wait,” Pei Shujing said.

Since she knew Xie Jing’s identity yet still did this, it was naturally to teach Xie Jing a lesson.

“Perhaps, the Emperor was just making conversation?”

Helpless, Xie Ning could only crack a joke to test the Grand Princess’s reaction.

“So that’s it.” Pei Shujing waved her hand gently, and Xiao Zhu walked over. Before Xie Ning could see the movement clearly, she was kicked again.

“How dare you! You openly criticize His Majesty!”

Xie Ning’s heart sank. Seeing the Grand Princess defend the Emperor like this, she probably hadn’t discovered the Emperor’s little scheme. But if she hadn’t discovered the Emperor’s questioning, why was she forcing her to reveal the connection between Xie Jing and the Emperor?

Xiao Zhu had somehow pulled out a dagger and held it against her neck.

Xie Ning’s hair stood on end. This woman was ready to kill at the slightest provocation.

“I truly do not know why His Majesty would ask that question. Before today, I had never met the Emperor. If I am lying, may I, Xie Jing, be condemned forever!”

Xie Ning hastily swore an oath. She wasn’t wrong; had she met the Emperor before today?

No, she had only transmigrated to this world yesterday.

Besides, if there was any consequence, the one condemned forever would be Xie Jing; what did it have to do with her, Xie Ning?

Pei Shujing on the other side didn’t think that way. She only felt that Xie Jing was taking such a poisonous oath just to collude with the Emperor.

He wished to be condemned forever? Then she would grant Xie Jing his wish.

“This Princess’s patience is limited. I will give you one last chance. Tell this Princess your identity and your purpose.” Pei Shujing propped her head up with one hand, issuing her final ultimatum.

Xie Ning took a deep breath. Fine, fine, if that’s the case, don’t blame her for telling the truth.

“Your Highness, actually, I am not Xie Jing. I am from another planet, do you understand ‘planet’? I came from another world. But who knew that as soon as I arrived, I was kidnapped? Luckily, I was more cunning and killed my kidnapper, so I took his identity and came to your side!”

Xie Ning rattled off a lot, but Pei Shujing didn’t quite understand.

“So you mean you are an immortal?”

Xie Ning thought for a moment and nodded: “You could say that.”

“Can an immortal be knocked unconscious by a jade pillow?”

“That was Your Highness’s sneak attack; I was careless and didn’t dodge.”

“Might as well just kill you,” Pei Shujing’s tone suddenly turned icy, and her expression became extremely terrifying.

Sweat trickled down Xie Ning’s temples. She told the truth, but you don’t believe it. What else does she want?

Pei Shujing felt great satisfaction seeing Xie Ning’s face pale with fear.

“I will spare you this time. However, if you dare to mess with this Princess again, I will cut out your tongue, leaving you speechless for the rest of your life. Understand?”

With that, Pei Shujing impatiently waved her hand: “Serve me my medicated bath.”

Xie Ning was stunned. Medicated bath?

At this moment, the maid named Xiao Yu brought in a wooden tub and placed it at Pei Shujing’s feet.

Xie Ning felt a bit disappointed for some reason. She reluctantly walked over and squatted on the ground, looking puzzled.

Shouldn’t the Grand Princess despise her? Why would she let her help with a foot soak?

Was this another way to torment her…

Xie Ning secretly remained vigilant. She delicately held Pei Shujing’s sock between her thumb and index finger, carefully taking it off.

Pei Shujing narrowed her eyes: “Are you disgusted with this Princess?”

Hearing the unconcealed coldness in the Grand Princess’s voice, Xie Ning frantically nodded, immediately shook her head, and then, realizing her mistake, nodded again.

“Not at all! I love it! Super like!”

“Really?” Pei Shujing maintained her posture, propping her head up with one hand.

“I love socks the most! Especially Your Highness’s!”

“I believe you.” Pei Shujing smiled beautifully, then pointed at the sock in Xie Ning’s hand and said, “Put it in your mouth.”

“…Wh-what?” Xie Ning suspected she had misheard.

“It seems you don’t love it enough.”

Clang! Pei Shujing suddenly drew a long sword from under the desk and held it horizontally against Xie Ning’s neck. Xie Ning could clearly see the patterns on the sword.

Just then, Xiao Zhu, standing by, advised expressionlessly, “Your Highness, you shouldn’t reward him.”

Xie Ning: ???

Wait, are all of you crazy?

Pei Shujing actually pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Xiao Zhu was right. Xie Jing was such a shameless person, who knew if he was secretly rejoicing?

When Pei Shujing moved the long sword away, Xie Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

This sister-in-law seemed to be on the verge of insanity. Staying by her side was too dangerous.

Xie Ning felt like a human target with an apple on her head, and the other person was holding a bow, with no one knowing where her next arrow would land.

“Forget it, get out.”

Hearing this, Xie Ning immediately got up and retreated without even saying goodbye.

But after leaving the Princess’s Residence, Xie Ning didn’t know where to go. She stood blankly on the street, at a loss.

“Brother Jing, Brother Jing!”

Just then, someone clapped her on the shoulder: “Brother Jing, I’ve called you several times, why didn’t you respond?”

Only then did Xie Ning realize that “Brother Jing” was calling her.

The man was in his early twenties, twirling a jade pendant in his hand, and was dressed very luxuriously, clearly a rich young master.

Xie Ning didn’t know his name, so she laughed it off: “I was thinking about something else, didn’t pay attention.”

The man waved his hand carelessly: “Oh, right, I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on your wedding day before my father dragged me away.”

Xie Ning shook her head: “It’s nothing.”

“You’ve been busy lately, and no one has asked me out for fun. I was planning to wander around alone, but I didn’t expect to run into you here. How about it, want to go to our usual spot and have some fun?”

Xie Ning hesitated. This person’s words clearly indicated a familiarity with Xie Jing, but she didn’t even know his name! And what “usual spot”? What if she gave herself away?

But going back to see the Grand Princess was even less appealing to Xie Ning.

Fine. Since she was taking Xie Jing’s identity, she would eventually have to interact with Xie Jing’s circle of friends. There was no avoiding it. She might as well go and see.

Along the way, Xie Ning kept half a shoulder’s distance behind the man until he led her to a lake.

“Brother Jing, you timed your outing perfectly this time. Miss Wanjiang happens to be in the mood to play a new tune today. Let’s hurry over, or we won’t get a spot.”

Xie Ning looked at a boat docked by the shore with a strange expression. Wasn’t this the legendary pleasure boat?

And “Miss Wanjiang”? Was this person taking her to a brothel for drinks?

And calling it their “usual spot”…

Xie Jing, you are too depraved!

“Oh, Li Jing, why are you here? Didn’t the Marquis ground you?”

“Li Xiao’er, how dare you bring the Imperial Son-in-Law here? Aren’t you afraid your father will skin you alive?”

As soon as Xie Ning and the man entered, they were surrounded by people. Through their teasing, Xie Ning finally learned his identity.

His surname was Li, and his father was a Marquis. That could only be one person: Li Jing, the second son of the Marquis Zhenbei, Li Qi.

Xie Ning cupped her hands and said, “Gentlemen, please don’t misunderstand. It was I who suggested to Brother Li that we come here for a tour.”

Li Jing was indeed touched. He patted Xie Ning’s shoulder. Good brother!

Someone in the crowd sneered: “Isn’t the Imperial Son-in-Law afraid of the Grand Princess?”

To this loaded question, Xie Ning shook her head and smiled: “I don’t believe there is anything inappropriate about coming here. All of you are young talents. I think even Her Highness would support my interactions with you all, unless someone deep down believes this place is not a good place and that the people present are not young talents.”

The person choked, gave a cold hmph, and walked away with a flick of his sleeve.

Li Jing secretly whispered in Xie Ning’s ear: “Don’t pay attention to him. He’s just jealous of you.”

Xie Ning nodded, understanding.

A love rival, it turns out.

Xie Ning followed Li Jing and sat down at a square table. The area was surrounded by carved screens, with famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. Small partitioned rooms were also separated on the side, furnished with soft couches, and there were antique shelves nearby displaying porcelain vases, jade artifacts, and other items for appreciation.

“Miss Wanjiang will come out to pay respects later. What are you planning to give her?”

Xie Ning was stunned. She had to give a gift just for meeting?

She didn’t have anything on her!

She had a few banknotes before, but she gave them all to Eunuch Yan.

Xie Ning patted herself down and suddenly froze.

Oh no, how did she bring that out?

At this moment, Pei Shujing was struggling to walk, her face filled with pain, and even her eyelashes were constantly fluttering.

She tightly grasped Xiao Yu’s arm, her abdomen tensed and rigid. With the slightest movement, the muscles in her legs felt like they were being ripped apart.

After walking less than ten meters, cold sweat dripped down her chin, and her clothes were already soaked, but she didn’t stop. Even when she fell to the ground, her hands trembling as they touched the cold floor, she would grit her teeth, stand up little by little, and continue moving forward.

Xiao Zhu came in and saw this scene, pursing her lips. Xiao Yu shook her head slightly, full of worry.

But Pei Shujing opened her throat and rasped, “Speak!”

“Your Highness, the Imperial Son-in-Law… has gone to the South Lake Pleasure Boat.”

Pei Shujing froze. Her head, dizzy with pain, gradually cleared, and after realizing what the South Lake Pleasure Boat was, she laughed “heh heh heh.”

Her hands were clenched tightly, her knuckles white to the point of being almost transparent, and a faint “creaking” sound came from her joints. Her arms trembled uncontrollably.

“Tell him to roll back here! Tell him to roll back here!”

“Kill him!”

“Kill him!!!”

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