Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 436: Chapter 436 Putting Her Down to Elevate Oneself_1

An Jing nodded again, ”Yes, the Prince indeed dislikes being nagged.”

The Pingjun Princess suddenly felt as if she were being spun around in a ruse.

Unwilling to be toyed with in this manner, the Pingjun Princess said with a seemingly respectful yet actually sarcastic tone, ”Living in the palace, Princess, how come you do not learn the palace rules? It might not be a big deal here, but I am afraid such innocent and naive behavior might offend the Emperor, and that wouldn’t be good.”

An Jing looked innocent, ”Do I lack proper manners?”

”This...” The Pingjun Princess looked as if she had much to say but hesitated.

An Jing wanted her to look exactly like this; her heart was as thrilled as if she were playing the monkey, yet with a seeking-to-learn attitude, she asked, ”If the Pingjun Princess has anything to say, please speak freely.”

”Well, since you insist, I will speak my mind, but you must promise not to get angry at me,” the Pingjun Princess continued with a facade suggesting she had An Jing’s best interests at heart.

An Jing nodded vigorously, ”Pingjun Princess, you are looking out for me, I’m too grateful to get mad at you.”

She thought she was so capable, yet she is nothing but a country girl, see, she fell right into her trap. The Pingjun Princess was secretly thrilled, yet her face wore a respectful obedience, ”Since you wouldn’t take offense, I will boldly say it, your words and actions, Princess, did indeed lack proper decorum.”

An Jing’s heart was filled with delight, but she kept a look of earnest attentiveness on her face.

The Pingjun Princess was utterly unaware that she had fallen for An Jing’s trap and pressed on, ”There are many rules in the palace, and as a person of status, you shouldn’t call me directly. When meeting someone of higher status, you should refer to yourself as ’this humble concubine’; if they are of lower status, then ’this Princess.’”

”Oh, I see, so it should be like that. Please continue, Pingjun Princess, I find it very useful,” An Jing said with an appearance of gratitude.

The Pingjun Princess felt even more satisfied and genuinely continued, ”When you meet someone of higher status, you must also greet them properly. For example, when you meet Imperial Consort Yu, you should greet her. Failing to do so is disrespectful, and if Imperial Consort Yu weren’t kind-hearted, she could accuse you of disrespect.”

”Is that so...” An Jing frowned, turning to Imperial Consort Yu with a puzzled expression that read, ’I didn’t greet you, was I really wrong?’

Because An Jing previously claimed to know nothing of Imperial Consort Yu, the master of Jing Xing Palace, Consort Yu had been holding a grudge. Consort Yu really wanted to punish An Jing, but considering she was the Changsheng Princess, she wasn’t in a position to have An Jing handled. Angering An Jing was a minor issue, but provoking Xiao Changyi was a grave concern.

Watching An Jing look at her, Consort Yu quickly put on the air of a noble Imperial Consort again, feigning magnanimity as she said, ”Since you were unaware of my identity as the Imperial Consort, ignorance is not a crime. Naturally, I would not blame you. But next time, don’t do it again. Without proper etiquette, what kind of image does one present?”

Ignorance is not a crime; this in fact was a veiled jab at An Jing for blaming her servant.

Indeed a country girl with a petty mind, what a contrast to herself and how generous she was in comparison.

How could An Jing fail to hear that Imperial Consort Yu’s move was meant to belittle her while elevating herself? But An Jing was unfazed and feigned distress, ”But my imperial father told me I don’t have to follow the formalities. He even said he wouldn’t let me bow to anyone. Who would dare to expect it from me...”

Imperial Consort Yu and the Pingjun Princess were immediately taken aback, utterly unexpected that the Emperor of Xiyun had exempted An Jing from such courtesies.