To be honest, Song Shuxian was indeed a beauty, but when jealousy and resentment intertwined on this beautiful face, coupled with a disdainful smile, even the most exquisite features became unpleasant to the eye.
I uttered an "Oh," understanding dawning: "So, you saw everything just now by the willow grove."
That made sense. The willows had only just begun to bud, and the gaps between the green leaves were quite large, making it impossible to provide complete cover.
Song Shuxian's mocking smile remained: "Originally, Shuxian should not interfere in Sister Shichun's private affairs, but Sister Shichun and I were once both companions to the princess, and our etiquette lessons were all taught by Mama Ming. Sister Shichun is openly being intimate with a man in another family's home, her posture intimate. It doesn't matter if she ruins her own reputation, but if others were to think that the Princess herself behaves this way, that would be a grave offense."
Although Song Shuxian and I were both companions to the princess.
Our personalities differed greatly, and we never saw eye to eye when together. We were at best acquaintances.
Now, I finally understood. Personality couldn't be blamed for everything.
We hadn't gotten along for so many years purely because our values were incompatible.
Due to years of martial arts training, I was half a head taller than Song Shuxian. Looking down at her, I said: "How laughable. Since Miss Song saw it, she should understand that I wasn't seducing the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince was pestering me. You don't go to the Crown Prince to reason with him, but you stand here mocking me. What? Does bullying the weak make you feel noble?"
Song Shuxian said coldly, "Good intentions are taken for donkey's liver and lungs. For the sake of our years as classmates, I'm telling you this. If you don't want to be a concubine, you'd best stay away from His Highness the Crown Prince."
"What business is it of yours whether I become a concubine or not? If you were to openly declare your intention to contend for the position of Crown Princess today, I would think more highly of you. But listen to yourself now, what part of your words is worthy of belief?"
Although I was skilled in martial arts and liked to fight, I had never been associated with the word "fool."
"Hmph, consider me meddling. If you wish to fall into disgrace, then so be it. Just don't tarnish His Highness the Crown Prince's reputation."
I pouted, "Miss Song, in what capacity are you speaking to me like this? Has the imperial decree granted you the position of Crown Princess, or has the Crown Prince made any promises to you? If you wish to be the Crown Princess, go and strive for it before the Crown Prince yourself. What are you doing swaggering in front of me?"
Song Shuxian almost gritted her teeth: "Wang Shichun, you, you don't think I dare to spread the ugly gossip of your day out, do you?"
"What ugly gossip? Meeting His Highness the Crown Prince in the willow grove at your home? Do you dare?"
"Why wouldn't I dare? In any case, with your status, you'd at best be a secondary consort to the Crown Prince?"
"Is that so? Then go ahead and say it. You don't need to inform me specially." I couldn't be bothered to look at her any longer and turned to leave.
Song Shuxian wanted to be the Crown Princess, and she had to guard this secret fiercely. Otherwise, if the rumors of the Crown Prince and I meeting in the willow grove at her home, while evading the guests, were to spread, the Crown Prince, being a man, would only add to a romantic tale, but my reputation would inevitably be stained.
The Empress always doted on me. If plus Situ Yao truly wanted to marry me, she might not necessarily refuse me the position of Crown Princess. After all, the Empress herself was once merely the daughter of a merchant, but now she and the Emperor lived in harmony. Who would be so foolish as to bring up status before her?
At that time, Song Shuxian's dream of marrying the Crown Prince would be completely dashed.
Behind me, I could hear Song Shuxian's furious curses. Tsk tsk, Mama Ming really should see what her prize student, whom she always praised as "dignified, virtuous, and sensible," was truly like in private.
I got into the carriage with Axiu.
Axiu asked strangely, "Miss, weren't you just called by Miss Song to discuss personal matters? Why isn't she seeing you off after the conversation? So many people are watching; it's too impolite."
"Isn't it normal for your young lady, a mere merchant's daughter, to be treated impolitely by the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official's family?"
Axiu was stunned and was about to argue further, but I cut her off: "She saw what happened between me and the Crown Prince in the willow grove and called me over to warn me, saying my family background was not good enough to be the Crown Princess."
Axiu was momentarily bewildered, then exploded: "Is she crazy? Who does she think she is, to point fingers at matters concerning you and His Highness the Crown Prince?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"I thought the same thing, so I gave her a good retort."
"Well done! I'll send someone to deliver a scale later, so she can measure herself properly."
"Uh, that's not necessary. Anyway, your young lady didn't suffer any loss today. It's just that my friendship with her as companions is completely gone. If the Song family hosts another banquet in the future, I'll have my father send gifts. I refuse to set foot in their house again, no matter what."
Axiu said, "But Miss, Master doesn't favor Lord Song either."
Great, with three pairs of enemies among the two families, I felt my mother's friendship with Uncle Song would soon end.