in2ebook Chapter 146 It's better to weave a net than to stand by the water and envy the fish.
Chapter 146 It's better to weave a net than to stand by the water and envy the fish.
Xu Qingran's expression changed.
As expected, His Highness Prince Chen has arrived...
Logically speaking, Prince Chen holds a high position and wields great power, while his father is only a fifth-rank official; the Xu family should not be able to invite Prince Chen to their banquet.
Xu Qingran pursed her lips, somewhat hesitant, unsure whether she should go along as well.
Xu Jiaojiao seemed to sense her thoughts and turned to look at her: "Qingran, let's go to the front hall together."
Xu Qingran was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but smile and say, "Okay!"
When they arrived at the front hall, Prince Chen was chatting and drinking tea with Xu Guanghe.
At that time, there were also some other nobles in the front hall.
Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully: "This subject greets Your Highness Prince Chen and Father."
She had barely bowed when Prince Chen stood up and strode over, reaching out to help her up: "Miss Xu, there's no need for such formalities!"
The crowd in the hall erupted in uproar.
Judging from Prince Chen's expression, he seemed to cherish this young lady of the Xu family.
People couldn't help but speculate about the relationship between the two.
Xu Jiaojiao was also shocked. Why would Prince Chen openly show her that he treated her differently in front of everyone?
Although she was shocked inside, she didn't show it on her face.
With the help of Prince Chen, she stood up and smiled gently, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Seeing her get up, Prince Chen released her hand and asked with concern in his eyes, "How is your injury?"
Xu Jiaojiao's raven feathers trembled, and in a daze, she seemed to guess what Prince Chen wanted to do.
She continued, following Prince Chen's words: "Thank you for your care, Your Highness. My injuries are almost fully healed."
Upon hearing this, Prince Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
He glanced at Xu Guanghe and smiled gratefully: "Lord Xu has given birth to a good daughter. Previously, when Prince Jin rebelled with the Annam army, I was ambushed and seriously injured. If it weren't for the chance to be saved by Miss Xu, I would have died by then."
The crowd erupted in uproar once again, and Xu Qingran, who was standing to the side, also had her pupils widen in shock.
So that’s how it is!
She had heard rumors before that after Prince Chen suppressed the rebellion, he carried a woman covered in blood into the palace, and that this woman was his savior.
So Xu Jiaojiao is that woman!
No wonder Prince Chen treats her so well, no wonder they are so familiar with each other, no wonder the items and food in the Bamboo Courtyard are all top-notch.
The others also offered their congratulations.
Everyone knows that Prince Chen will be the future emperor. With this life-saving grace, the Xu family is destined for great success!
Moreover, this eldest daughter of the Xu family is so beautiful. The way Prince Chen looks at her clearly shows that he already regards her as his woman. With this woman alone, the Xu family will surely be rich and powerful in the future.
Many shrewd people have already begun to plan how to get closer to the Xu family in the future.
Amidst the commotion, Zhao Yunzheng glanced meaningfully at the "maid" who had come with him.
Following his gaze, Xu Jiaojiao also looked over.
The "maid" wore a veil, and her familiar eyes made Xu Jiaojiao's eyes light up.
To avoid making it too obvious, Xu Jiaojiao smiled gently at Prince Chen, then bowed slightly and took her leave: "Your Highness, if you are enjoying yourself, I will not disturb you and the other officials from catching up."
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly: "Okay."
As he spoke, he beckoned to the "maid": "Go and accompany Miss Xu for a stroll, and be sure to take good care of her."
The maid responded, bowing her head and retreating with Xu Jiaojiao.
After leaving the front hall, Xu Jiaojiao led her "maid" back to the bamboo courtyard through a winding and circuitous route.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Xu Jiaojiao grabbed the "maid's" hand, her eyes crinkling with joy: "Princess Jiarong! I've missed you so much!"
Jia Rong took off her veil and smiled happily: "Sister Jiao Jiao, I've missed you too. It's been more than a month since I last saw you after the hunting grounds!"
When you were recuperating in Qiming Hall, I told the second brother several times that I would come to see you, but he just wouldn't agree!
"Hmph, you stinking second son!"
Seeing Jia Rong pouting angrily, Xu Jiaojiao chuckled, "I suppose His Highness has his reasons. It's alright, there's plenty of time in the future, we'll see each other many more times~"
"Mmm-hmm!" Jia Rong pulled Xu Jiao Jiao into the house: "Sister Jiao Jiao, do you have any pastries inside? I haven't had your pastries in so long!"
"Slow down, slow down..." Xu Jiaojiao stumbled as she was pulled, exclaiming repeatedly, "Knowing that Your Highness was coming, I had prepared pastries long ago, but since you're here, these pastries are naturally all yours!"
"Yay! No more food for that stinky little brat!"
"Pfft~"
……
As the two entered the house, their voices gradually faded until they could not be heard.
Xu Qingran, who had been following Xu Jiaojiao at a distance but had been ignored, stood not far from the courtyard gate and was once again struck dumb.
Princess Jiarong?
It's one thing for Xu Jiaojiao to know Prince Chen, but she also knows Princess Jiarong?
Indeed, Princess Jiarong is Prince Chen's younger sister, so it's reasonable for Xu Jiaojiao to know her.
Xu Qingran's hands, hanging by her sides, tightened slightly, and she couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
But as soon as this feeling of resentment arose, she took a deep breath and suppressed all the negative emotions in her heart.
It's all about timing, fate, and destiny...
My father once said, "It's better to weave a net than to stand by the water and envy the fish."
Focusing on others only leads to suffering and narrow-mindedness; only by striving to improve oneself can one gain a broader perspective and a brighter future.
There's no need to envy Xu Jiaojiao for having the favor of His Highness Prince Chen and Princess Jiarong. As long as she behaves well and strives to become perfect, she believes she won't be any worse than Xu Jiaojiao!
Thinking of this, Xu Qingran lowered her eyes and silently turned to leave.
……
In the bamboo courtyard.
Xu Jiaojiao handed the clothing design sketches she had painstakingly drawn over the past few days to Jiarong: "Your Highness, what do you think of these clothing styles?"
Jia Rong took the design drawings and carefully reviewed them.
The clothing designs drawn on the drawings are novel and unique, combining the elegance of formal wear with the relaxed feel of everyday clothes, making them truly eye-catching.
“The style of these clothes…” Jia Rong nodded slightly, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes: “They are truly ingenious, especially this one. The embroidery on the cuffs and the tassels at the waist complement each other perfectly, possessing both the magnificence of the court and a lively spirit.”
After looking at them all, Jia Rong couldn't wait to look up and ask, "Sister Jiao Jiao, did you draw all these clothing designs?"
With Jia Rong's approval, Xu Jiaojiao's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with undisguised joy: "I'm glad Your Highness likes them. These clothing styles are what I came up with after looking at many clothing catalogs."
It's not just based on current clothing styles; a large part of the elements come from the era before she traveled through time.
Unlike the present era, clothing in that era was diverse and colorful, and everyone could wear clothes that suited them and that they liked, without having to be bound by worldly views.
Xu Jiaojiao couldn't achieve a diverse range of styles, but she wanted to, within her means, make clothing styles less monotonous, retaining the conservative characteristics of the current era while also showcasing a woman's gentle and refined nature in small details...