The Supporting Female Character Enters the Game, the Crazy Crown Prince Slowly Falls Deeply in Love - Chapter 71

The autumn sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting a warm hue upon the desk.

Jiang Yao held a brush, standing before the desk, intently staring at the rice paper in front of her.

“What is Ya’er drawing?” Jiang Ying entered, carrying newly made osmanthus cakes. Noticing her focused look, she leaned in to ask.

Hearing the voice, Jiang Yao hastily tried to cover the drawing with her sleeve, but it was too late.

The person in the painting was dressed in a dark black riding outfit, astride a fine horse with its front hooves raised high. The background was the boundless mountains unique to Shuobei.

Where the ink was still wet, the tassel of the person’s waist-sword could vaguely be seen fluttering in the wind.

“N-nothing at all…”

Jiang Yao felt a little embarrassed and was also afraid Jiang Ying would suspect she had changed souls.

“Oh,” Jiang Ying acted as if she hadn’t noticed anything, leaning in for a closer look. “The horse is drawn really well.”

She picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and handed it to Jiang Yao, looking thoughtful. “I remember you loved drawing horses when you were little. Once, you copied the entire Eight Steeds Picture in Grandfather’s study, making the old man stamp his feet in anger.”

“It’s just a pity that the Eight Steeds Picture was buried with him, or we could compare them now.”

“Elder Sister!” Jiang Yao chided softly. “What level is the Eight Steeds Picture? How can I compare my drawings to that?”

A doting sister is so scary…

Fortunately, she hadn’t given herself away. It seemed the original owner also loved to draw when she was young.

Jiang Yao took a bite of the osmanthus cake, and the smile on her face instantly froze.

This taste…

She forced herself to swallow, feeling her tongue tremble.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Ying rushed closer. “I didn’t use salt instead of sugar this time, did I?”

She picked up a piece herself and was about to taste it, but Jiang Yao stopped her.

“Elder Sister, you’d better not taste it…”

It was sweet with bitterness, and the bitterness was accompanied by an inexplicable, burnt smell.

She wondered what was wrong with her sister recently; she had suddenly become obsessed with making pastries, but the taste was truly…

…Indescribable.

Jiang Yao felt that culinary skills definitely had a special way about them.

However, if this stuff were used for poisoning, its delicate appearance alone could surely fool anyone.

Jiang Ying looked a little disheartened, a few flecks of flour clinging to her cool, elegant face, adding a touch of domestic warmth. “Why can’t I even make a pastry properly?”

Jiang Yao, who was rolling up the drawing on the desk, looked up at her upon hearing this. “It’s just a plate of pastries. Why are you blaming yourself?”

“This pastry of yours, you weren’t planning to send it to His Royal Highness Prince Jin, were you?”

In this recent period, Jiang Ying’s relationship with Xiao Wuheng had progressed quickly. Every few days, things from Xiao Wuheng would be delivered to the manor.

Sometimes there were gifts for her as well.

A blush rose on Jiang Ying’s face. “Mm, the Imperial Hunt is coming soon. I wanted to make some to take on the road, so he could… taste them.”

Jiang Yao waved her hand. “Then, Elder Sister, why don’t you start with something you are already good at?”

Jiang Ying was momentarily stunned. “Should I present the Prince with two poetry prompts for him to solve on the road to relieve boredom?”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

Jiang Yao sighed. “What I mean is, just be yourself.”

She walked around to face Jiang Ying and wiped the flour from her face. “You don’t need to deliberately try to please His Royal Highness Prince Jin. I believe that as long as the Prince sees you at the Imperial Hunt, the joy on his face will be impossible to hide.”

“You, what nonsense are you talking about!” Jiang Ying’s blush intensified.

Jiang Yao lightly raised Jiang Ying’s chin, forcing her to look her in the eye, and then said, “As long as Miss Jiang is happy.”

It was clearly an imitation of Xiao Wuheng.

Jiang Ying couldn’t help but laugh out loud, gently swatting her hand away and chiding, “You naughty girl! You’re getting less and less respectful, even daring to tease me.”

Jiang Yao pulled her hand back with a cheeky smile, blinking. “Every time the Prince sees you, his eyes are so gentle they could rival the spring lake water. I think following your own heart is the best approach.”

Jiang Ying was stunned for a moment, then a look of understanding dawned in her eyes. “You’re right, you’re right. Everything my Ya’er says is right.”

As she spoke, she recalled something else. “However, you must be careful during this Imperial Hunt, Ya’er. Since it’s being presided over by the Regent King, I’m afraid he might still try to do something to you…”

“What?” Jiang Yao froze. “The Imperial Hunt is being presided over by the Regent King?”

Even if her memory was fuzzy, she wouldn’t mix up something like this, would she?

Jiang Yao was slightly confused and asked, “Doesn’t the Ancestral Rites take place before the Imperial Hunt? Shouldn’t it be His Majesty…”

“His Majesty is in poor health now, so it’s normal for the Regent King to preside over the Rites on his behalf,” Jiang Ying didn’t understand why she was reacting so strongly. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid?”

“N-no,” Jiang Yao managed to steady herself.

Does this mean everything is different from the book now?

Actually, upon closer inspection, many things have already changed.

Especially… after she met Xie Yunian.

Could these changes be related to Xie Yunian?

“Miss!” Chunlan’s voice rang out in the courtyard, tinged with joy. “Young Master Xie is here!”

Huh?

She didn’t even call for him?

Why does speaking of Cao Cao always bring Cao Cao here?

Jiang Ying glanced outside. “Young Master Xie is probably here because of the Imperial Hunt, wanting to invite you to go with him!”

“I’ll leave first then, and not disturb you and Young Master Xie.”

Since the two were about to get engaged, there was no need for avoidance.

After seeing Jiang Ying off, Jiang Yao quickly pushed the rolled-up drawing scroll on the desk inward and swiftly covered it with a book of stories, afraid of revealing any trace.

When she turned around, her eyes met Xie Yunian’s gaze right at the doorway.

His figure was tall and slender. Standing there, he must have seen quite a bit.

Jiang Yao took a deep breath. “What a coincidence, hehe…”

“…No coincidence,” Xie Yunian stepped in. “I came specifically to find you.”

Well, that killed the conversation.

Jiang Yao gave an ingratiating smile. “Then what did Xie Lang come to find me for?”

“The Imperial Hunt is approaching. I thought A-Yao might be interested in going along, so I came,” Xie Yunian chuckled softly, seating himself in a chair without invitation.

After saying that, he looked up at Jiang Yao and raised an eyebrow.

The implication was, feel free to sit, don’t mind me.

“Sounds good,” Jiang Yao nodded. She was just worried about how to avoid the Regent King. If she stayed close to Xie Yunian, her sense of security would be much higher.

Xie Yunian nodded, his gaze falling on the desk behind her, seemingly noticing something.

Jiang Yao’s heart tightened. She subconsciously moved to block the view.

“It’s just that my riding skills aren’t great. I’m afraid I’ll hold Young Master Xie back.”

Xie Yunian gave Jiang Yao an amused look. “Do I look like someone with excellent riding skills in my current state?”

As he spoke, he suddenly paused, as if a thought had struck him. “But, did I never teach you before?”

He asked sincerely, but Jiang Yao felt a panic inside. “Haha! Xie Lang’s riding skills are superb, of course you taught me! It’s just that I didn’t learn well at the time…”