Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 38 Contraceptive Soup

Upon hearing this, a hint of excitement flashed in Jiang Wan's eyes, and she said happily, "I haven't been to a lantern festival in a long time, so of course I'm interested!"

In her previous life, after she entered the palace, although there was no shortage of beautiful scenery and operas, and opera troupes could come to the palace whenever she wanted to watch an opera, it always lacked the liveliness and warmth of the common people.

With such a great opportunity today, she certainly didn't want to miss it!

Seeing her excited expression, Xiao Hengzhi couldn't help but interject, "There are too many people at the night lantern festival. The Second Miss had her purse stolen when she went there the year before last, and said she would never go again. How could you have forgotten?"

Jiang Wan tilted her head in thought. Really? She had experienced something like that before? No, she didn't remember.

"It's alright, I just won't bring my purse this time."

After she finished speaking, she tilted her head slightly and glanced at Xiao Hengzhi, and their eyes met.

He turned around hastily, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Seeing that Jiang Mian was deliberately avoiding him, Xiao Heng felt as if a large ball of cotton was stuck in his heart.

Ning Zhi smiled and said easily, "With me by your side, Miss Jiang, you'll be fine no matter where you go."

His words were somewhat subtle, and Xiao Hengzhi's gaze darkened, a hint of suppressed anger appearing on his face.

Ning Zhi, however, appeared completely at ease, and even said, "If Young Master Xiao is worried, why not come along?"

He extended an invitation to him with the air of a victor, his words full of provocation.

Xiao Hengzhi glanced at Jiang Mian and replied coldly, "Since Your Highness is willing to invite me, how can I refuse?"

Standing to the side, Granny Xu slightly raised her head to look at the three of them. Having served the nobleman for many years, she had some insight and quickly noticed Ning Zhi's different attitude towards Jiang Mian.

After the three finished speaking, she escorted Jiang Mian back to her room and bowed slightly, saying, "Second Miss, since you are going out for a trip, you should dress up nicely to leave a good impression on His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Don't worry, Granny, I know what I'm doing."

She casually rummaged through the wardrobe, her gaze sweeping over the exquisite clothes.

Thinking back to the banquet last month, she had dressed up meticulously in hopes of winning Ning Zhi's favor, but now that Ning Zhi was by her side, she felt strangely calm.

After a while, Granny Xu said again, "Master instructed that His Highness will be dining at the mansion, and that the Second Miss should be invited to join him at the table."

Jiang Wanqian replied, "I understand, Granny, you can go out now."

"Yes."

After finishing her sentence, Granny Xu closed the door and left, secretly pleased with herself.

If the second young lady truly gains the Crown Prince's favor and becomes his consort, after serving him for so many years, it shouldn't be a problem for her to eventually enter the palace and take charge of affairs.

If the second young lady becomes empress in the future, she can rise even higher...

The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't stop smiling, and her steps became lighter.

Jiang Li was drinking tea in the house when she saw her pass by, and her mouth stretched to her ears in a wide grin.

She called out, "Granny Xu!"

Granny Xu took a few steps back and stood at her door, saying, "What is it, young lady?"

Jiang Li stood up and asked, "I see that you look very happy, Granny. What makes you so happy? Tell me."

She replied, "Nothing special, it's just that His Highness the Crown Prince invited you to the Lantern Festival tonight. I was delighted to see that they were such a handsome couple."

"Your Highness invited her to the lantern festival?" Jiang Li looked incredulous.

"Yes, I think the two of them are indeed destined to be together."

Seeing that Jiang Li was standing there in a daze and didn't say anything, Xu Mama took two steps back and walked towards the kitchen.

......

During dinner, the kitchen was busier than usual, because of the Crown Prince's high status; even the seat of honor that Jiang Xun usually occupied was given to him.

After he sat down, Jiang Xun and Jiang Mian sat down as well.

Although it was just the three of them eating, they were afraid of neglecting them, so they still prepared a table full of dishes.

Jiang Mian glanced at the table and casually moved the braised fish with mint in front of Ning Zhi to her own side.

Jiang Xun assumed she was bringing over her favorite food and scolded her in a low voice, "Wan'er, His Highness is here! Behave yourself!"

She then realized what was happening and gave an awkward laugh.

In her previous life, Ning Zhi was a very picky eater and didn't like many things. Therefore, she always served him food at every meal and took away the food he didn't like.

I've just gotten used to doing it.

Jiang Xun apologized, saying, "My daughter was impolite for a moment, please forgive her, Your Highness."

Ning Zhi smiled easily and said, "It's alright. I'll stay for a meal here, so please don't feel uncomfortable. It's fine if you're as casual as Miss Jiang."

She looked at Ning Zhi with a smile, her eyes crinkling into slits.

Just as she remembered, Ning Zhi was kind, gentle and good-natured.

Despite being the crown prince, he had no airs whatsoever.

After all the dishes were served, no one touched their chopsticks.

Lu Fang took the silver needles and tested them one by one. After confirming that everything was fine, he retreated to the doorway.

At a family banquet, it's not common for anyone to taste the dishes like this. Ning Zhi noticed that Jiang Xun was a little embarrassed, so he said apologetically, "Please forgive me, Commander Jiang. It's just a routine matter. Just consider it a formality."

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. I understand the rules of the palace. Please, Your Highness."

Ning Zhi smiled kindly, but still didn't pick up her chopsticks.

Seeing how cautious he was, Jiang Mian suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

Born into royalty, he was surrounded by wolves and jackals from a young age, and was used to deceit and intrigue. Although he was the crown prince, he still had to be on guard at all times.

They were extremely cautious, not even daring to eat the food casually.

Yet, this very person ate everything she gave him in his past life.

"Sigh..." Jiang Wan sighed.

Jiang Xun and Ning Zhi both turned their heads to look at him.

Ning Zhi asked, "Miss Jiang, why did you suddenly sigh?"

Jiang Wan then came to her senses: "Ah, it's nothing, I, I'm just a little hungry."

After she finished speaking, she picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of each dish into her bowl, as if she were really hungry, and began to eat heartily.

Jiang Xun shook his head, feeling a little regretful for asking her to sit at the table.

Ning Zhi laughed instead, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating like her.

Jiang Wan burst out laughing when she saw him wolfing down his food.

The atmosphere at the table immediately eased considerably.

Halfway through the meal, the servant brought out soup and placed a bowl in front of each person.

Jiang Mian opened the lid of the pot, and a pungent bitter smell wafted out. She glanced at the center of her brow and her heart tightened instantly—this smell was a contraceptive soup!

The odor of the contraceptive decoction is fishy, ​​bitter, and pungent; one can tell just by smelling it

Jiang Xun and Ning Zhi clearly smelled it too, and looked at her with puzzled expressions.

"Wait!" she called to the servant. "Is this soup being delivered to the wrong place? Was it meant for Cong Shuang but brought here?"

The servant replied, "Second Miss, Cong Shuang's medicine was prepared separately, and this soup bowl was not sent to the wrong person."

If the delivery wasn't a mistake, then someone deliberately sent her a surprise, hoping to embarrass her!

Jiang Xun felt a little embarrassed, thinking that she and Xiao Hengzhi had done something dishonorable again, which was why she had to take this medicine.

He looked embarrassed, and Ning Zhi remained silent.

Jiang Wan, panting, stood up, suppressing her anger, and said, "Your Highness, Father, I suddenly remembered something and will take my leave now."

After she finished speaking, she walked outside.

Ning Zhi watched her retreating figure, then turned to look at the soup in her bowl and asked, "Commander Jiang, I know about Miss Jiang's annulment of the engagement. Is it because she and Young Master Xiao have already...?"

Jiang Xun picked up his teacup, took a sip to hide his embarrassment, and replied rather awkwardly, "I've always spoiled my daughter, which is why she doesn't know her place. However, the two of them are truly in love..."

Ning Zhi nodded slightly, her expression unchanged, but her hands under the table unconsciously clenched her knees as she turned to look at the door.