The carriage curtain was drawn open on both sides by attendant palace maids, and a woman as beautiful as a butterfly with spread wings stepped out from within.
Whether it was the luxurious robes stitched with gold thread or the dazzling hairpins and accessories, everything about the woman proclaimed her noble status.
However, before the Princess Yongning could even steady herself, a melodious female voice, like that of a warbler, came from the carriage:
"Yongning, aren't we being a bit too ostentatious like this?"
As soon as the voice faded, a woman in a pleated skirt of lotus green gracefully descended from the carriage.
"Ostentatious? How so!
I feel it's still not enough!
I originally wanted to borrow two squadrons of my brother's Imperial Guards to add some grandeur, but my brother refused.
You tell me, that sniveling Zhou Zeli, he's usually so arrogant, isn't he?
Every day he's got it in for me, picking fights.
Who would have thought that upon arriving in the capital and entering the academy, he'd become like a wimpy pastry, easily manipulated by others, unable to utter a word even with a blow to the head!
It's utterly unbearable to watch!"
"Princess, how many times have I told you, the capital is not the countryside. You must mind your words and actions."
"Hmph, I am who I am. Anyone who dares to say otherwise, I'll tear their mouths apart!
Anyway, Mother Empress has already returned to the palace, and now even my brother doesn't dare to show me a displeased face. What else do I have to fear?"
"Lord Lin, Lord Lin?!"
Hearing her friend's suddenly raised tone, the Princess Yongning frowned slightly:
"Indeed, Lord Lin's words are far more difficult to deal with than my brother's.
Setting aside his endless tricks and underhanded tactics, I simply cannot match Lord Lin in verbal sparring.
Siyun, you tell me, how can there be such a vast difference between that cowardly Zhou Zeli and Lord Lin, when they are both scholars?
Look at Lord Lin, he doesn't even use foul language when he belittles others."
As the Princess Yongning chattered on her complaints, a familiar voice drifted down from the steps:
"This subordinate thanks the Princess for her praise. May the Princess live forever and ever."
"Lord Lin—!!!"
Princess Yongning looked up and widened her apricot eyes, appearing as astonished as if she had seen a ghost. Her speech became somewhat disjointed:
"Lord Lin, L-Lord Lin, why are you here?"
"If this subordinate were not here, how else would I have the opportunity to witness the Princess's radiance?"
Meeting those eyes that seemed to smile yet not smile, Princess Yongning, with goosebumps rising all over her body, completely forgot about her 'important business' for the day. She turned and scrambled back into the carriage with hands and feet.
"Alright, Princess, Lord Lin has already seen you."
Xu Siyun persuaded her long-unmatured, close friend out of the carriage and then walked up to everyone, bowing slightly, "Siyun greets the Lord, and Grandfather Ouyang."
While Xu Siyun greeted everyone, Princess Yongning slowly walked over.
Compared to Lin Qingge, who remained calm, Zhou Zeli, who had come to the entrance to see them off, was utterly astounded.
"Yongning, y-you're the Princess?"
Although he had vaguely guessed the other party's distinguished background, he had only thought of her as a young lady from a noble household, much like Xu Siyun.
Who would have thought she was a veritable Princess?
Could there be a Princess more boisterous than the madcap girl from the east end of their village?
As if Zhou Zeli's disbelief was too obvious, Lin Yan, in a voice only audible to him and his lord, quietly introduced:
"As this subordinate understands it, Princess Yongning is the sole daughter of the late Prince Jing.
When King Wucheng was vying for the throne with the late Emperor, he was ambushed and fell into a trap.
Prince Jing and his wife heard the news and led their men to protect the Emperor. Unfortunately, those assassins were skilled, their moves fierce.
Prince Jing lost his life to an assassin's blade while protecting the Emperor. The Princess Consort of Prince Jing, who hailed from a military family, was also a formidable woman. Enduring her grief, she turned the tide, saving the late Emperor from that fierce battle.
However, she herself was too severely wounded and could not hold on for long, leaving behind her young daughter before she too followed Prince Jing.
It was precisely because Prince Jing and his wife thwarted King Wucheng's all-or-nothing attack that the late Emperor gained leverage over King Wucheng, eventually ascending to that supreme position.
In other words, the late Emperor's throne was exchanged for the lives of Prince Jing and his wife.
Therefore, not only did the late Emperor adopt the orphaned children of Prince Jing and his wife under his wing, but he also bestowed upon the Princess the title 'Yongning,' which not only signifies eternal peace but also implies the wish for the Prince Jing couple's orphan to have a lifetime of safety and prosperity.
Towards this daughter who was not his own, and with whom he had no blood relation, the late Emperor, if not granting her every wish, at least treated her with great affection.
It was precisely because of this that Princess Yongning developed a haughty and overbearing personality.
However, based on the interactions during this period, Princess Yongning is not as arrogant and domineering as the rumors suggest. She is merely more forthright and lively than ordinary women.
But judging by your demeanor, Lord, you don't seem surprised at all?"
"Whether this official is surprised or not is unimportant. What matters is whether you, Secretary Lin, knew of Yongning's identity long ago?"
Lin Yan, unexpectedly posed such a question by Lin Qingge, blinked slightly before smiling:
"My Lord, this subordinate was initially unsure, hence I did not report it to you.
If you wish to blame me, this subordinate has nothing to say."
Stifled by this tactic of advancing by retreating, Lin Qingge waved her sleeve in displeasure:
"Hmph, are they all treating this official like a fool?"
Muttering this to herself, she stepped down from the steps but was stopped by Prince Andrei of Chile.
"Lord Lin, this Prince wishes to know all about that lady."
Listening to Prince Andrei's domineering statement, Lin Qingge followed the direction of his gaze and raised an eyebrow, "Good taste. The one in the blue dress is Xu Siyun, the daughter of the Minister of Justice, known as the most beautiful woman in the capital."
However, Prince Andrei shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, no, this Prince is not referring to the one in the blue dress, but the one who is all golden and sparkling."
"Golden and sparkling?"
Lin Qingge thought for a moment before belatedly realizing that the other party was referring to the Princess Yongning, who was adorned with jewels and exuded nobility. She couldn't help but cast an admiring glance at him.
"Prince Andrei, you truly have a discerning eye to notice such a hidden gem at a glance.
This is the late Emperor's beloved daughter, Princess Yongning. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she is the most honored woman in the Great Xia Kingdom, second only to the Empress Dowager."
Puffed up with pride by Lin Qingge's words, Prince Andrei became even more certain of his decision and his resolve to win the lady's hand.
He tidied his not-at-all-disheveled temples and confidently stepped forward.
"Beautiful Princess, this Prince is smitten with you at first sight. Will you be this Prince's Princess Consort?"