strictlysupreme Chapter 89 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
Chapter 89 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
The one who spoke was Li Yutong, the daughter of the librarian (similar to the director of the national library). She was sent by the second princess to sow discord between the two.
Zhao Jihua's words were naturally overheard by those around him. Therefore, in the eyes of others, Zhao Jihua's anxious appearance appeared to be that he was secretly filled with hatred but had to pretend to be.
The expressions of those around him changed instantly, their gazes filled with pity, disdain, or schadenfreude.
They didn't even consider that Ji Hua had been raised as the future empress since childhood. How could she possibly hold a grudge against Xia Li over such a trivial matter? Her bad expression was simply because she felt guilty towards Xia Li. However, Xia Li's identity could not be made public at the moment, and she couldn't even give herself a legitimate explanation.
The more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt.
Meanwhile, Li Yutong was still rambling on:
"I've heard that Xia Li was sent to the estate as a child and left uneducated. She's ill-mannered and vulgar, not even as good as a single hair on your head... If you ask me, Miss Zhao, you are the rightful legitimate daughter. How can you let her, an adopted daughter, bully you?"
Little did she know that Zhao Jihua only cared about her younger sister. When she heard someone say something bad about her sister, she couldn't help but slap that person!
"Shut up!"
"You..." Li Yutong covered her face, her eyes filled with resentment and venom. "I am the Second Princess's person, Zhao Jihua, how dare you hit me! You are slapping the Second Princess in the face! Just wait for the Second Princess's punishment!"
Everyone gasped in shock; the Second Princess was notorious for being vengeful.
Although Zhao Jihua was worried, she still stubbornly said, "If you dare to slander my sister again, this slap is just the least you can do."
No sooner had she finished speaking than the second princess appeared before everyone with her maid.
After Ah Li and the other two left, she lost interest in visiting the Golden Jade Hall and came to this garden party instead. Unexpectedly, she ran into them again!
It's really a narrow road for enemies!
This is perfect for me to vent my anger.
She sat in the main seat, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Miss Zhao, you have quite the nerve to touch my people."
After bowing, Zhao Jihua calmly said, "Your Highness, it was she who first spoke rudely and slandered my sister."
"Hmph, even so, you shouldn't have laid a hand on me. However, I, the princess, can spare you today, as long as you promise to distance yourself from Xia Li from now on."
Zhao Jihua shook his head resolutely, "Your Highness, that is absolutely impossible."
"Insolence! Do you believe me or not..."
"Believe it or not?" Zhao Jihua chuckled. "Nominally, the princess and I are cousins. If this really comes to the emperor's attention, whose side will the emperor favor? Why don't you guess, princess?"
Regardless of whether the Second Princess was in the wrong or not, it was common knowledge that the Emperor disliked her and the Empress Dowager, but the Prince of Jin was favored by everyone, so it was easy to guess what the outcome would be.
"Ha! If I can't capture you, can't I capture her? Guards..."
"Does the princess truly wish to accompany me to the Emperor to demand an explanation?"
"..."
The second princess stormed off in displeasure: "Hmph! I'd like to see if you can protect her for a while, or for a lifetime!"
Zhao Jihua clenched her fists tightly. Her sister was so pitiful, so why did these people always want to cause her trouble?
No, she won't be able to stay with her sister; someone will bully her!
Thinking of this, she immediately got up and planned to go find Xia Li.
On the way out, they unexpectedly encountered the Third Prince while passing by an artificial hill.
She hurriedly bowed and was about to leave when she was stopped: "Xia Li is currently living at the Prince of Jin's residence, right?"
It was obvious that the Third Prince also knew about Xia Li being considered the adopted daughter of the Prince of Jin.
Zhao Jihua had no choice but to stop and answer the question: "Yes, Your Highness."
Seeing that no one was around, the Third Prince didn't waste any words and handed her a packet of poison: "I remember our marriage hasn't been arranged yet, right? Put this in Xia Li's food, and I'll agree to marry you."
His condescending manner suggested he was certain she would agree, and he spoke in a tone of bestowal, as if it were a great favor to her.
No way, is this person out of their mind?
Ji Hua's gaze towards him grew increasingly profound...
Zhao Jihua ultimately failed to find Xia Li at the tea party; she left someone behind and hurriedly departed.
Prince Jin's Mansion, Jiyue Pavilion.
Upon hearing from a servant that the Second Miss had returned, Zhao Jihua carried a food box to Xia Li's room.
"Ah Li, I brought you some delicious food. Eat it while it's hot." Zhao Jihua placed the food box on the table.
"Sister, you seem a little downcast. You look like you have something on your mind?"
"It's nothing, come on, let me serve you the food." Zhao Jihua quickly opened the food box and took out the items one by one.
Xia Li smiled silently when she saw a plate of braised pork knuckle.
She couldn't help but recall the first night she learned etiquette, when she made many mistakes. The nanny was a highly respected etiquette nanny in the palace, very strict, and didn't give her dinner.
Unexpectedly, after everyone left, Zhao Jihua secretly came to find her with a food box: "I heard that the nanny punished you by not allowing you to eat dinner. I was afraid you would go hungry, so I specially prepared some food."
Upon opening it, there were three or four side dishes, with braised pork knuckle placed in the very center.
That night, in front of Zhao Jihua, she swore to Da Zhouzi: "I am willing to become the closest of sisters with Zhao Jihua. As long as she does not betray me, I will do everything in my power to protect her."
She did this to make her stance clear to Zhao Jihua.
Looking at the exact same dishes laid out in front of her, Xia Li couldn't stop smiling: "My sister is really the best. She even brought me my favorite braised pork knuckle."
"Then eat more."
"Mmm." After saying that, Xia Li picked up the braised pork knuckle and started munching on it.
Zhao Jihua watched her eat with great relish and couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. Her Ali trusted her so much that she ate without hesitation.
After Xia Li finished eating the braised pork knuckle and started eating other things, Zhao Jihua finally spoke:
"I have already broken off our engagement."
"!!!" Xia Li was so shocked that she almost bit her tongue.
"Phew, that was close."
While Xia Li was still feeling fortunate, Zhao Jihua had already begun to state the facts.
"I found out there were some conflicts between you two, and since I had sounded out you before, I took it upon myself to break off the engagement with him." He actually tried to poison you; I didn't punish him because I'm his cousin.
Xia Li was dumbfounded: "You, you... This is a marriage arrangement that parents decide, you..."
Seriously? Is this really her extremely rule-abiding older sister?
"Back then, it was just a casual mention between the two families' elders, and there was no formal engagement. That's why he dared to be involved with me while simultaneously proposing to Miss Xing. He had no ability but tried to be a double man... Besides, he's already engaged now... He wronged me first, so since he's so unkind, don't blame me for being unjust."
"But what will you say to the Prince of Jin if that happens?"
Ji Hua quickly replied, "It's alright, I can do it."
With a few tears still glistening in her eyes, she said, "I stole my sister's identity, and not only does she not care, but she's even worried about me. That's wonderful."
Having a sister like this, my life is complete!