As expected, Grand Princess Zande let out a scream.
Her attire today was magnificent, her hair elaborately and luxuriously styled, her head adorned with numerous ornaments, making her appear utterly regal.
But that was before.
Now, as she fell to the ground at such speed, her meticulously arranged hair became disheveled from the jolt.
Some of the hairpins and ornaments on her head fell off directly, while others swayed precariously, threatening to fall.
It was all due to her swift movements, so fast that Baili Ziyun, sitting beside her, hadn't even reacted.
By the time she did react, she heard Grand Princess Zande's scream.
"They're all dead! Hurry and help my mother up."
Baili Ziyun cursed at the servants, then quickly stepped forward to help Grand Princess Zande up.
Shen Xiaoyan watched as Grand Princess Zande's exquisite face was covered by her disheveled hair and felt a tinge of regret.
If she had known, she wouldn't have had the room cleaned.
In that case, Grand Princess Zande's current appearance would have been truly captivating.
After being helped up, Grand Princess Zande, however, was not embarrassed or angry. Instead, she broke free from Baili Ziyun and the maid Jiangyi who were supporting her, walked a few steps towards Yi Zhixie, and grabbed his arm.
"Where is the glazed screen? Where is my glazed screen? Where did you put it?"
Yi Zhixie let out a mocking laugh, forcefully shook off Grand Princess Zande, and said coldly, "How would this Grand Tutor know where your glazed screen is?"
Grand Princess Zande, as if possessed, screamed with a touch of madness, "The one just now, the agate glazed screen, where did you put it? Give it back to me, it's mine, give it back!"
Yi Zhixie burst out laughing, "Princess, what do you mean? Everyone present saw it. I brought out the glazed screen, what does it have to do with you? You can't just look at it once and claim it as yours, can you?"
Na Muzhong also chimed in with mockery, "Exactly! If we follow the Princess's logic, then the Forbidden City should be ours too. After all, we've looked at it countless times."
Grand Princess Zande ignored their taunts, covering her face with her hands and thinking hard.
Suddenly, she smiled, "I'll trade with you, alright?"
Yi Zhixie frowned upon hearing this. What was wrong with Grand Princess Zande?
"Yes, I'll trade with you. Tell me, what do you want? Gold and jade ornaments? Silk and satin? Or beauties? Shops, manors, houses, tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you, as long as you give me the glazed screen."
Grand Princess Zande's words stunned not only Yi Zhixie but also Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Baili Ziyun, however, had already walked to Grand Princess Zande's side, tugging at her sleeve and anxiously asking, "Mother, what are you talking about? What's so good about this glazed screen? We have countless better ones in our mansion's treasury. Why must you have this one?"
Baili Ziyun's confusion was precisely what Shen Xiaoyan and the others couldn't understand.
Although the agate glazed screen was exquisite, it wasn't exactly a rare treasure.
Yet, from the moment Grand Princess Zande saw it, she became abnormal. What was the reason?
"Tell me, what do you want? I'll send someone to get it for you now."
"I only want this glazed screen, nothing else. Is that alright?"
"This glazed screen in your hands might just be a display, but it holds great significance for me. So, would you trade it with me? Alright?"
Grand Princess Zande, ignoring the surprised expressions on everyone's faces, stared intently at Yi Zhixie, uttering every kind of entreaty.
Yi Zhixie also realized at this moment that Grand Princess Zande would not act this way over a mere old item unless it held some crucial secret.
And if this secret could make Grand Princess Zande willing to exchange everything she owned for it.
"What is the Princess saying? I heard Baili Ziyun's words. The Princess's family has countless glazed screens better than this one. Why would the Princess want to trade with this Grand Tutor using gold and silver treasures?"
"If I were to trade with you, wouldn't that be bullying you?"
Grand Princess Zande quickly shook her head upon hearing this, explaining, "No, no, how could you be bullying me? I am willing. Everything is my willingness."
Shen Xiaoyan watched Grand Princess Zande intently. There were no signs of pretense in her every move.
This indicated that this was Grand Princess Zande's instinctive reaction.
This glazed screen was truly very important to her.
But why?
Yi Zhixie watched Grand Princess Zande for a long moment before smiling.
"Even if the Princess is willing, this Grand Tutor cannot agree."
Grand Princess Zande was initially stunned, then asked, "Why?"
Yi Zhixie waved his sleeves, elegantly sat on a wooden chair, and mockingly looked at Grand Princess Zande.
"Does the Princess think this Grand Tutor is a fool? The Princess is so anxious to have this glazed screen, it must contain a most crucial... secret."
"Since there's a secret inside, how could this Grand Tutor give it to you so easily?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Princess Zande realized she had been too eager just now.
Indeed, after searching for something for many years without success, and then suddenly finding it before her, how could she remain calm?
Baili Ziyun first cast a strange glance at Yi Zhixie, then walked to Grand Princess Zande's side.
"Mother!"
Grand Princess Zande turned her head at the sound, "What is it?"
Baili Ziyun hesitated, then stole a glance at Yi Zhixie before whispering, "Is there really something secret inside this glazed screen?"
Grand Princess Zande tidied the disheveled hair in front of her and smiled faintly, "No."
"No?"
Baili Ziyun listened to Grand Princess Zande's answer and felt she must be going crazy.
"If not, why do you insist on having it?"
Grand Princess Zande cast a cold glance at Baili Ziyun, her eyes betraying her disappointment, which she couldn't quite hide.
However, unable to scold her directly, Grand Princess Zande said calmly, "Jiangyi, help this Princess change her clothes."
"Yes."
Jiangyi bowed and quickly exited.
Shortly thereafter, she re-entered, holding a wooden box carved with a red lacquer.
Behind her followed two young maids holding clothes.
"Princess, it's time to change."
Grand Princess Zande ignored everyone and strode towards the east wing room.
Shen Xiaoyan, seeing her casual demeanor, didn't mind and watched her enter the east wing room.
She had already seen Grand Princess Zande in far more embarrassing situations before, so why would she care about her current appearance?
However, since the Princess wanted to maintain her dignity, Shen Xiaoyan said nothing more.