Episode 14 recap: Jiang Xuehui entered the palace as a companion.
After Yao Xi was dumped, she wanted to confront Zhang Zhe and understand the situation. When she saw Zhang Zhe with Jiang Xue Ning, she seemed to understand everything. As a result, she started speaking ill of Jiang Xue Ning. Zhang Zhe advised her not to wrongly accuse a good person and clearly told her that their marriage was only Yao's wishful thinking.
After parting ways with Yao Xi, Jiang Xue Ning wanted to know the real reason behind Zhang Zhe's broken engagement. Zhang Zhe explained that he and Yao Xi had different social statuses. If they got married, he would have to frequently interact with high-ranking officials and nobles, which he was not good at. Jiang Xue Ning then asked him if there was someone who liked him and had a similar background to Yao Xi but wouldn't force him to socialize, would he accept her? Seeing that Zhang Zhe didn't object, Jiang Xue Ning secretly thought that in this lifetime, she might not become a queen, but she could still be a good match for Zhang Zhe.
After Lv Xian returned, he angrily told You Fang Yin that Ren Weizhi had already returned to Tongzhou. However, You Fang Yin advised him to trust Ren Weizhi. Upon hearing You Fang Yin's words, Lv Xian suddenly thought of something. He wondered if Jiang Xue Ning's sudden investment in the salt business was due to insider information. He offered a large sum of money to buy the information from You Fang Yin, but his request was rejected.
Jiang Xue Ning returned to the palace, and the princess was already aware of the maidservant incident. To compensate Jiang Xue Ning, the princess planned to fulfill one of her requests. At first, Jiang Xue Ning deliberately said she didn't want to play the zither because it was beyond the princess's authority. Later, she revealed her true desire, which was to have Jiang Xuehui accompany her in the palace.
To match Xue Shu and Shen Jie, the empress dowager arranged for them to play a game of throwing a pot together. Since Yan Lin couldn't enter the palace, Shen Jie had been in a bad mood lately. Xue Shu was comforting her when he unexpectedly noticed Jiang Xuehui approaching. Seeing the handkerchief in Jiang Xuehui's hand and Shen Jie's attitude towards her, Xue Shu seemed to realize something.
Jiang Xue Ning learned that Jiang Xuehui had already met Shen Jie, so she told her that it was because of that handkerchief that Xue Shu saw her as a rival. Now she didn't want to take the blame for Jiang Xuehui anymore. Whether Jiang Xuehui could become the princess depended on her own fate. Jiang Xuehui learned that Jiang Xue Ning brought her in to deal with Xue Shu, but she was still very grateful to her.
Xue Shu believed that Jiang Xuehui, like Jiang Xue Ning, was not someone of high status. In order to embarrass her, during a class, he proposed that she play the zither. However, Jiang Xuehui played it very skillfully, making everyone feel inferior. Jiang Xue Ning took this opportunity to mock Xue Shu for his lack of discernment.
After everyone left, Yao Xi approached Jiang Xuehui, hoping to sow discord between her and Jiang Xue Ning. However, to Yao Xi's surprise, Jiang Xuehui defended Jiang Xue Ning. Xie Wei called Jiang Xue Ning over, pretending to give her extra lessons, and informed her of the news that the Emperor had ordered Zhang Zhe to investigate her relationship with Yan Lin. But Jiang Xue Ning was indifferent to this information, which made Xie Wei jealous of her trust in Zhang Zhe.
Yan Lin's wedding was approaching, and the steward was about to go out to deliver the invitations. Yan Mu thought it was unnecessary because, given the current situation of the Yan family, no one would come to attend. However, Yan Lin believed that the test of true character lies in difficult times. Yan Lin also informed Yan Mu that Zhou Yin had somehow managed to calm down the Xingwu Guards.
Unable to successfully manipulate Jiang Xuehui, Yao Xi found another opportunity to trip up Jiang Xue Ning. She accidentally came across Jiang Xue Ning's sachet and quietly went to the Imperial Garden, where she happened to overhear a conversation between the Empress Dowager and Xue Shu. Xue Shu only realized his misunderstanding of Jiang Xue Ning after Jiang Xuehui arrived. The Empress Dowager reprimanded him for acting foolishly and attacking an opponent without properly identifying them. Just as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a person suddenly cried out from the bushes. When Xue Shu went to investigate, the person had already fled, leaving a sachet on the ground.
Yao Xi thought she had acted stealthily, but unbeknownst to her, Baoying had witnessed her picking up the sachet. After hearing Baoying's words, Xue Shu immediately realized that Yao Xi intended to use someone else as a scapegoat. He took the initiative to find Jiang Xue Ning and exposed Yao Xi's intentions. He also explained his previous misunderstanding and expressed his desire to reconcile with Jiang Xue Ning, offering to teach Yao Xi a lesson on her behalf. However, Jiang Xue Ning declined Xue Shu's goodwill.
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