Chapter 11: Pampering the Third Princess
Xiao Luohan wouldn’t dare accept such a valuable gift!
But staring at Jiang Xue’s sister’s words, she suddenly understood. Jiang Xue felt the same way she did, reluctant to accept the bookmark, but also reluctant to disappoint her.
So, Jiang Xue had only said she would “hold onto it” for her, acting as a temporary custodian. Now that her sister was back, Jiang Xue had told her about the bookmark, and her sister had returned the favor with a gift of her own.
This was a proper exchange of gifts. She should accept them.
She expressed her gratitude profusely but simply stored the jade bracelets safely in her silk pouch. She had no intention of using them to bribe the servants.
This exchange cleared the fog from her mind, allowing her to focus on the new words that had appeared.
【My sister is straightforward. She does what she thinks is right and doesn’t stand on ceremony. Just do whatever you want with the bracelets. Don’t feel pressured.】
Actually, she wasn’t unfamiliar with this type of “older sister.”
Her elder sister, Xiao Linghan, had been the same. When she was younger, she hadn’t understood and had been apprehensive, but she’d eventually grown accustomed to it, accepting her sister’s gifts graciously, without protest—knowing they were given with genuine affection.
After some thought, she couldn’t resist adding: 【Indeed. My elder sister is also of a similar, forthright nature.】
This would hopefully reassure Jiang Xue.
Xiao Luohan thought the topic was over, but Jiang Xue continued: 【I’m a little curious. I have a guess. If I’m wrong, or if I offend you, please tell me, and I won’t mention it again.】
【The plum blossom jade bookmark you gave me a few days ago… was it a gift from your sister?】
【The design of the plum blossom carving is so bold and striking. After what you just said, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was a style your sister liked.】
Her brush froze in the inkstone.
Xiao Luohan didn’t want to talk about it.
If she did, she would inevitably recall her sister’s every gesture and the look of loving blessing in her eyes when she had entrusted the bookmark to her.
But then, she thought that since her sister had died in battle, and as a woman, in a war that Beiliao had lost miserably, her name and accomplishments would likely be omitted from the history books.
Her sister had accepted her fate with equanimity, true to herself, but having witnessed her sister’s struggles and triumphs, Xiao Luohan couldn’t help but feel a sense of injustice. In her dreams, she sometimes wished more people knew of her sister’s deeds.
That way, her sister would at least live on in the memories of others.
But life and death were weighty matters. After careful consideration, she decided to tell Jiang Xue about her sister’s life first, about what a wonderful person she had been. When they were closer, she would reveal the truth.
Jiang Xue was incredibly nervous.
She had already decided to postpone asking about the jade bookmark, but the Third Princess seemed to want to continue the topic.
She had asked her sister, and Jiang Mei had said it was fine to ask, even if it was a bit forward. It was just a conversation starter. They could simply go with the flow.
But after she asked, the Third Princess fell silent.
Jiang Xue grew anxious, wanting to apologize again, but Jiang Mei stopped her. “She’s not completely free over there. Either something has come up, or she has some reservations and needs time to think before answering. Don’t worry.”
She even found a task for Jiang Xue: “Don’t you have a lot of books in your study? Some are still unopened, right? You’re just keeping them as collector’s items? Send some to her. You can’t just give her textbooks and dictionaries!”
“I was planning to sort through them this weekend and send some to the Third Princess!” Jiang Xue immediately put down her pen and rolled up her sleeves, ready to get to work.
She definitely intended to send books. Yesterday, the Third Princess had subtly hinted that the only books available in Wangmei Pavilion were Lessons for Women, Women’s Precepts, and the like, which she found tedious.
But what kind of books would the Third Princess enjoy?
Jiang Xue hadn’t had a chance to ask. These past few days at school, she had been telling the Third Princess about modern subjects, which the princess seemed to find interesting.
Thinking it over, it seemed the Third Princess was interested in “stories” and “history.” Entering her study, she picked up a collection of classic novels recommended by her Chinese literature teacher and a two-volume edition of A Comprehensive History of China.
Finally, she added a recently published web novel with a female protagonist and no romance, about a woman in a wealthy household who, given a second chance at life, opens a shop and builds a successful business, living life on her own terms. Perhaps it would inspire the Third Princess.
As she carried the stack of books back to her room, she found Jiang Mei reading her diary.
“The Third Princess replied?” Jiang Xue hurried over and sat beside her sister, eager to see what she’d written.
Jiang Mei hummed in response, handing her the diary. “The jade bookmark was indeed a gift from her elder sister, and it was a style her sister liked.”
She paused, then added carefully, “But her sister might not be alive anymore. Let her tell you about it herself. Don’t ask.”
Jiang Xue froze, as if struck by lightning.
“H-how did you know?” She reread Xiao Luohan’s message in disbelief, but she couldn’t see anything that suggested that.
“The emotion in her writing changed,” Jiang Mei said vaguely. “It’s hard to explain. Just… don’t ask her about it.”
This actually made Jiang Xue less curious.
She had known since she was little that her sister had a different way of reading.
To her sister, words were like living beings, with their own emotions and stories. It was like how some people could read a story and say, “I can feel the author’s state of mind.” It was a… mysterious talent.
Since this was her sister’s assessment, someone highly attuned to the emotions conveyed through writing, it was likely very close to the truth.
“Then… I shouldn’t have mentioned having a sister!” Jiang Xue said, filled with regret.
“What’s done is done. Besides, you mentioned it in your earlier diary entries. She’s read them all.” Jiang Mei ruffled her hair. “Don’t blame yourself. Just treat her as you always have.”
Jiang Xue sighed, then read Xiao Luohan’s new message. It mentioned that her elder sister had shown her travelogues, told her stories of female merchants, and described the vast world outside the palace walls.
After carefully replying, she placed the web novel about the businesswoman on the diary.
【The story in this book is fictional. Don’t worry if it doesn’t match historical reality. Just enjoy it.】
【If you like this kind of story, I can find more for you!】
Xiao Luohan received the new book, confused at first. After reading Jiang Xue’s explanation, a smile touched her lips.
Like her own elder sister, Jiang Xue was willing to share all sorts of interesting stories and books with her. Reading these entertaining tales helped her forget her troubles.
Thanking Jiang Xue, and seeing that the spirit was going to have dinner, she unwrapped the book and began reading.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t read for long when a knock came at the door. It was Shizhu, bringing her dinner.
Xiao Luohan quickly hid the novel before opening the door. Although Shizhu was kind to her, she was still a servant of Daying.
Shizhu set the table, glancing at the charcoal brazier, then at the door.
“It’s getting colder.”
After Xiao Luohan had almost finished eating, she suddenly said, “If you’re worried about being disturbed, I can secure the door for you. But if you bolt it, it will be difficult to rescue you if something happens with the brazier.”
Xiao Luohan hadn’t expected her to say this. Her hand, holding her chopsticks, froze.
She heard Shizhu continue, “My only daughter… that’s how she died.”
“Where’s that rechargeable hand warmer you used to have?”
“Here it is! But I haven’t used it in a year. Should we buy a new one?”
Their parents weren’t home tonight, so after dinner, the sisters rummaged through the storage room, looking for “winter essentials” for the Third Princess.
Ancient times didn’t have electricity, so they needed things that didn’t require power or could hold a charge for a long time.
“Let’s buy a new one of the same brand,” Jiang Mei said without turning around.
She found a pack of heat patches and tossed them to Jiang Xue. “She can use these, too.”
Jiang Xue went to order a new hand warmer. Just after paying, she saw her sister walk over with a pair of brand new fluffy pink slippers, asking hesitantly, “Can this go through, too?”
Jiang Xue giggled, feeling like they were children again, playing house, Jiang Mei awkwardly “parenting” her doll daughter.
“Yes, my diary is pretty big.”
With the diary, they could pamper the Third Princess across time and space!
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