Ning Wenxian was silent.
She was also hesitant.
She thought of how her husband, the Crown Prince, had advised her early on that if she treated this imperial sister-in-law and imperial brother sincerely, then they would treat her with the same sincerity.
In the end, Ning Wenxian still spoke up, with an especially honest bitter smile, "How could I not be tired? Tired, very tired."
An Jing was startled, having not expected Ning Wenxian to answer her question, and so honestly at that—with each word revealing the hardship and heartache within.
"So many pairs of eyes are watching me," Ning Wenxian continued to bitterly smile, "I can’t take a wrong step, can’t say a wrong word. It’s exhausting, truly exhausting, so exhausting that I don’t have time to catch my breath."
An Jing knew that it was not easy to be the Crown Princess Consort, and Ning Wenxian’s words weighed heavily on her, causing her to nod her head, "I know it’s not easy for you."
Ning Wenxian’s eyes suddenly reddened, her lips trembled, and with a choked voice, she added, "I so wish to take a rest, to catch a breath, but I can’t. Once I stop, I might be pulled down from the position of Crown Princess Consort."
After taking a sniff, Ning Wenxian continued, "I married His Highness, so the East Palace is my home, but in my own home, I have to be cautious with every bite and drink, not daring to relax for a moment, my nerves constantly on edge."
She paused, "His Highness said he didn’t want me to end up like my mother-in-law, being harmed by others. Because of these words, I push myself even harder not to catch my breath, to secure a firm standing in the palace, to keep others from being able to harm me."
Being the Crown Princess Consort was truly difficult. Just as An Jing was engulfed by the somber atmosphere, she heard Ning Wenxian mention that Su Chengyu’s mother had died due to foul play, which greatly surprised her. However, she did not ask anything.
Ning Wenxian did not say anything more, struggled to calm her overly turbulent emotions, and then, with a hint of embarrassment, smiled, "Imperial sister-in-law, don’t take offense, Wen Xian has lost her composure."
An Jing shook her head, "You’re not out of line, you truly live a hard life."
"Hard?" Ning Wenxian immediately laughed again, "Perhaps only you think so." After all, she was the highly esteemed Crown Princess Consort.
Listening to this, An Jing only felt sorrow.
After hesitating for a moment, An Jing finally said, "Wen Xian, it’s not good to keep everything inside. If you trust me, from now on, if you have any problems, you can always come and talk to me."
Ning Wenxian nodded, "His Highness and Wen Xian mentioned you, saying that both the imperial sister-in-law and imperial brother are trustworthy. He told Wen Xian to trust you and the imperial brother without reservation."
An Jing laughed lightly, "It seems you and Chengyu are quite affectionate, for him to tell you even this."
Ning Wenxian’s face turned slightly red, and after a long while, she said softly, "Compared to the other women in the East Palace, His Highness does favor Wen Xian somewhat more."
Thinking of how Su Chengyu had many other consorts besides Ning Wenxian, such as several consorts, An Jing felt even more sympathy for Ning Wenxian.
Sharing one husband with so many women...
Anyway, if it were her, she absolutely couldn’t accept it. The only thing she could accept was monogamy.
Just then, An Yiyun, the little one, toddled in, saying in a babyish voice, "Mother... Mother... Yun Er misses big brother... Yun Er wants to go find big brother..."
An Jing and Ning Wenxian, hearing An Yiyun’s words, were both amused.
Even An Jing said, "Then go find your big brother."
"But... but..." An Yiyun continued in a milky, unclear voice, "Yun Er doesn’t... doesn’t know where big brother is... Mother, can you... can you take Yun Er to... to find him, please?"