However.
When An Xingzhi's eyes sparkled like peach blossoms, a chill silently crept up her back.
It was Ning Yudan, with an inexplicable smile on her lips. She raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, as if greeting.
But her eyes were even more enchanting, noble, and domineering than An Xingzhi's.
An Xingzhi used to be known as the most beautiful woman in the capital and was highly respected.
Although part of it was due to her family background, she didn't care.
Enjoying the attention of the crowd was what she liked most on a daily basis.
But ever since Ning Yudan appeared, An Xingzhi had become a dim star beside the bright moon, losing her former glory.
Especially after being embarrassed in front of Ning Yudan several times.
People in the capital had long changed their views and secretly bestowed the titles of the most beautiful woman and the most talented lady on Ning Yudan.
Although angry and annoyed, An Xingzhi didn't dare to compete or compare with Ning Yudan at all.
Firstly, she couldn't win, and secondly, she didn't dare to.
Ning Yudan was even more terrifying than An Ruoqian.
Even to this day, she still woke up in the middle of the night, haunted by the sound of Ning Yudan's approaching footsteps in the deep palace.
The nightmares every night had finally become the deepest demon in her heart.
An Xingzhi bit her lips, took a meaningful look at Yan Zhao, and temporarily backed down.
But Ning Yudan didn't intend to let her off. She deliberately walked closer and said, "Long time no see. Miss An has become even more charming."
The phrase "even more charming" was mostly used for beautiful women, but more often for married women.
An Xingzhi was suddenly shocked. She panicked and looked up, saying, "Princess Consort, be careful with your words!"
She was afraid in her heart, and the forgotten incident gradually filled her mind again.
It was the most unforgettable and terrifying thing in her life.
On the Queen's birthday, if An Ruoqian hadn't suddenly appeared, she might have become a laughingstock because of her affair with the eunuch.
She would have been nailed to the wall of shame for the rest of her life, and the An family would have been disgraced.
An Xingzhi swallowed hard in fear. Her legs seemed to have a memory and trembled weakly. Her slender waist also ached faintly.
She nervously twisted her handkerchief, and her long fingernails even hooked out some threads from it.
"Oh? Did I say something wrong?"
Ning Yudan smiled enigmatically. "Is Miss An being too nitpicky?"
An Xingzhi didn't dare to refute. "The Princess Consort is right to teach me."
Although she didn't want to offend Ning Yudan, there was someone who was overbearing with their status.
"Xingzhi has always been straightforward. Why do you have to be sarcastic, sister-in-law?"
Chu Heye walked over from afar with a slight smile on his lips, as if he was just speaking casually.
But everyone knew that An Xingzhi was his cousin. Who didn't know that his current behavior was to "protect his own"?
However, when it came to "protecting one's own", Chu Heye's behavior was nothing compared to Yan Zhao's.
"Miss An is not young anymore. Next time if you are still so straightforward, I don't mind teaching you how to behave properly."
Yan Zhao didn't even give Chu Heye a glance from beginning to end, but his words severely slapped Chu Heye in the face.
Chu Heye opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to think of something and finally closed his mouth.
An Xingzhi had always been amazed by Yan Zhao's appearance, but she also didn't dare to forget his bad reputation.
He was a man of his word and cold - blooded!
She bit her lips hard, bowed, and said, "It's my nitpicking that has displeased the Prince and the Princess Consort. Please forgive me."
Chu Heye stood up for An Xingzhi, but An Xingzhi chose to apologize to Yan Zhao and Ning Yudan.
If Yan Zhao had slapped Chu Heye in the face, then An Xingzhi's actions gave him another slap!
Everyone present was silent, as if they were waiting for the reactions of these people with amusement.
Chu Heye couldn't bear it first. His face turned blue - black, and he finally snorted and left with a flick of his sleeve after a long time.
An Xingzhi was still humble and submissive, truly putting herself in the dust.
"It's not a big deal anyway."
Ning Yudan could naturally see An Xingzhi's "retreat as an advance". "Miss An, why are you so cautious? It makes me seem too fussy."
An Xingzhi lowered her head and didn't say a word. She knew that she had passed this test with Ning Yudan.
Just now, Yan Zhao had shown his murderous aura. If she was still ungrateful, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A wise man knows when to yield, so she naturally chose to side with Ning Yudan.
But she also clearly understood in her heart that Chu Heye was easier to coax.
As long as she acted coquettishly and ingratiatingly, Chu Heye wouldn't be too angry.
The handkerchief in her palm had been pierced with several holes by her fingernails. An Xingzhi suppressed the deepest anger in her heart.
One day, when she rose to a high position!
At that time, both Yan Zhao and Ning Yudan would be humble, and she wouldn't have to worry about not being able to control them!
"Brother - in - law and sister - in - law, what are you talking about?"
Chu Nian'an's boots were thick with brocade but not non - slip, so she was far behind Chu Heye.
She was extremely beautiful today. As soon as she appeared, some people in the crowd gasped quietly and whispered.
"Princess Nian'an is even more beautiful than usual today!"
"Sure enough, she is a royal princess. Her temperament is extraordinary!"
Chu Nian'an didn't know what the others were whispering. She approached slowly with a happy smile.
Every frown, every smile, every step she took showed her elegance.
She had been deliberately dressed up by Concubine An today. Her pure and charming pomegranate - red dress was eye - catching and amazing against the white snow.
When she got closer, one could clearly see the phoenix - tail flower ornament on her forehead, bright red and glistening.
There were also light and swaying ruby hairpins in her hair, echoing the ruby bracelet on her fair wrist, jingling.
The noble and luxurious temperament in her every move outshone most of the young ladies present.
She became a beautiful scenery in the snow!
There was also a hint of meaning in Yan Zhao's eyes. "The little girl has grown up. She's still a bit presentable."
Chu Nian'an was walking over excitedly, but when she heard Yan Zhao's ambiguous evaluation, she pouted and pretended to be angry. "Brother - in - law, if you want to praise me, be more obvious."
But Yan Zhao sneered. His lips moved slightly, and she didn't dare to listen anymore. She covered her ears and said, "I won't listen. I knew you wouldn't say anything nice!"
Yan Zhao snorted and gently put his arm around Ning Yudan's slender waist. "If you don't want to listen, then don't."
Chu Nian'an came over again eagerly. "Sister - in - law, it's been a long time. I miss you so much."
Yan Zhao firmly protected Ning Yudan and reached out to push Chu Nian'an away. "Get out of here. When did my Princess Consort become someone you can curry favor with?"
Chu Nian'an was so angry that she put her hands on her hips. "Yan Zhao, I order you as a princess to let go of sister - in - law quickly!"
Yan Zhao imitated her and also put his hands on his hips. "Chu Nian'an, I order you as your elder cousin to stay away from my wife!"
His tone was childish, but his face was cold, looking a bit awkward.
One was a princess, and the other was a prince. At this moment, they were like naive children in the world.
Ning Yudan smiled. She knew that although Yan Zhao hated Emperor Chu and Empress Chu, he didn't hold any grudges against Chu Heyao and Chu Nian'an.
Pointing to Fangshan in the distance, her eyes were filled with an obvious smile. "If the princess and the prince keep arguing, no one will be able to go to Fangshan tonight. We'll just stay on the lake overnight."
Chu Nian'an finally stopped arguing. She gave Yan Zhao a fierce look and then walked slowly towards the crowd. "Set sail!"