Chapter 87 Rejection
As night falls, Yuexi Mansion is covered in a mercury-like gauze, with lights dim and an elegant and quiet atmosphere.
Ning Yunxi asked the maid to brew a fresh pot of tea. It had just cooled down and she took a sip.
Then, there was the sound of footsteps.
Ning Yunxi recognized the voice, smiled sweetly, and turned away.
"You are finally back. What name did the Gao family give you?"
"If you don't introduce yourself, I don't know what to call you."
Qiu Bi was in a good mood and walked quickly. According to the rules, she bowed and then replied with a smile.
"In reply to your Majesty, I did not change my name. Instead, I added the character Feng and kept the surname Qiu. When I registered as a minister, I reported the name 'Gao Feng Qiu Bi'."
Ning Yunxi was slightly startled and felt it was novel.
"It's a four-character name, but it's not a double surname. It's quite special. I'm glad you figured it out."
As he said this, he corrected and reminded him.
"Since you have registered as a subject, you are no longer an ordinary person. Why do you still call yourself a slave?"
Qiu Bi lowered her eyes, and there was a hint of embarrassment in her movements.
"The governor of the state has granted me the position of a fourth-rank secret attendant. I will start my duties at the secret office tomorrow morning."
"Now, I am not a female official yet, so I cannot call myself a subordinate."
Ning Yunxi continued to correct.
"Even if you are not a female official, you should not be a slave. You are Miss Gao Er, so just call yourself 'I'."
After correcting it, she sighed worriedly.
"In fact, now that you have regained your status as a noble lady, you don't have to serve me anymore."
"I've thought about it and I always feel that this is inappropriate. If you are a civil official, like you are now, you must be under the jurisdiction of the Secret Office; if you are a military official, like your cousin, you must be under the jurisdiction of the Copper Affairs Office."
"These two platforms are oriented toward the imperial palace, and neither is a peaceful place."
"Since you haven't officially taken up the position yet, please consider putting this matter off."
Qiu Bi decisively refused.
"I have repeatedly stressed that I will stand by the princess through thick and thin, and share weal and woe. Since I made this vow, I have been determined to stick to it."
"Although my cousin's guard duty belongs to the Tongshitai, he is basically not involved in the affairs of the Tongshitai."
"It's the same for me as the Secret Service. I'm mainly responsible for taking care of the princess and managing Yuexi Mansion. I have basically no interest in the Secret Service. I think it's good. Even if there is a crisis, I will never retreat."
Ning Yunxi felt deeply relieved.
"Thank you very much."
Qiu Bi's warm smile was like the rising sun after a cold night.
"My Lord, you are too kind."
As he spoke, he saw the tea on the table.
"It's night time, and the princess still wants to drink tea. Will it affect her sleep?"
Ning Yunxi waved her hand.
"Will not."
"Depending on their physical condition, some people may find drinking tea a sleep-inducing effect."
"I have a more severe cold constitution, which is accompanied by a bit of heart failure. If it is not relieved, it will be difficult for me to fall asleep."
"Both black tea and green tea can relieve heart failure."
Qiu Bi didn't understand at all.
"what?"
"This is the first time I've heard that black tea and green tea can help you sleep."
"Isn't it said that milk helps you sleep?"
When it comes to medical knowledge, Ning Yunxi naturally answers fluently.
"For people with anaerobic constitution and wind-heat constitution, drinking some milk before going to bed at night can relieve coronary heart disease and achieve a sleep-aiding effect."
"But for people with cold or fungal constitutions, drinking milk can induce heart failure and increase the burden on the heart, making it difficult to fall asleep and possibly causing nightmares."
"This is the theory of physical constitution that my brother and I worked out in our previous life. It has not been published yet, so you have naturally never heard of it."
Qiu Bi couldn't help but be curious.
"Physical constitution theory? I seem to have heard the princess mention it once or twice, but she didn't elaborate."
"No wonder I drank milk and couldn't sleep and had a bloated stomach."
"Excuse me, my lady, what is my physical condition?"
Ning Yunxi reached out and felt her pulse.
"A person's physique changes with their lifestyle, eating habits, etc. It is not static."
"So I need to feel your pulse to find out what your current physical condition is."
After taking her pulse, she gave her the result.
"Your pulse is relatively stable and strong. Like me, you have a more severe cold constitution."
As he said that, he poured her a cup of tea.
"I added anti-allergic and anti-bloating herbs to the tea. It's very suitable for our physiques. You can have a cup too."
"Our physiques are high in nutrition. Tomorrow when you return from your post, we will go for a walk together to reduce our nutrition. Only by achieving a balanced nutrition can we avoid getting sick."
Qiu Bi took the teacup with both hands with a look of panic.
"Yes, I obey your command. Thank you, my lady."
Ning Yunxi asked with a smile.
"By the way, I borrowed some money from you to buy the Ning Mansion."
"How is Huichuntang's revenue this month? Can it pay back?"
"I thought that if there was any surplus, I could add some more and buy Yuexi Mansion as well."
Qiu Bi finished his tea and looked at her in confusion.
"It's a reward from the prince, why would you buy it?"
"Besides, since we moved in, Yuexi Mansion has changed its name to Princess."
"Have you forgotten so quickly, Princess?"
Ning Yunxi explained.
"My mother taught me that even if I get married, I can't spend the man's money. I should be self-reliant in this world."
Qiu Bi sneered.
"Madam herself didn't do it."
"She has always been like this since she was little, using great principles to restrain the princess, but she has always only taught by words, not by example."
"And didn't she complain about something like that, too?"
As she spoke, she began to act pretentiously and imitated Mu Rong, her every move being very lifelike.
"Other women who get married use their husband's family's money to subsidize their parents' family."
"You are so good, you have just earned money and you want to support your husband and serve your in-laws."
"You are so called "early rise and late sleep", but you have not fulfilled your filial duty at all, and you have used all your money to support your man!"
After the performance, she continued to refute.
"It can be seen that even she herself did not take the previous earnest teachings to heart."
"If that's the case, why should the princess take it seriously?"
Ning Yunxi just smiled.
"Whether she practices what she preaches or not is irrelevant to me."
"I just think that what she said makes sense. There is nothing wrong with being self-reliant."
"Besides, my brother and I have a complicated relationship. If the house is given to me as a reward, and there is a romantic relationship between us... we should settle the accounts clearly."
Qiu Bi understood what she meant and was stunned.
"Does the princess intend to refuse to enthronize the empress?"
"Your Majesty's decree is like an imperial decree. Can it be rejected at will?"
Ning Yunxi made up her mind.
"Of course, I can't just refuse."
"But we can think of a way to have her be crowned as empress, and then the problem will be solved, right?"
Qiu Bi was reluctant to leave.
"But I feel that it is a pity to lose the position of empress."
"The most important thing is that the prince treats the princess very well. She is worthy of being entrusted with your life."
Ning Yunxi quickly changed the subject.
"This matter is not urgent, we will discuss it later."
"I previously ordered people to monitor Mr. Zhuang's movements and calculate the time. There should be news by then."
"Go and ask if Mr. Zhuang has arrived at the Beijing Suburb Inn?"
Qiu Bi responded.
"Yes, I will go and ask."
Ning Yunxi nodded.
"Well, let's go."
"Let's go to Huichun Hall and deliver the silver to Prince Dijin's Mansion and quietly hand it over to the housekeeper, in case my brother is unwilling to accept it."