Since the Fan sisters entered the capital, the trend of holding flower festivals had flourished—back then, the elder and younger Madam Fan had played the zither piece “High Mountains and Flowing Water” from behind a screen at a flower festival, thus determining their futures. Now many years had passed, yet whenever families held literary gatherings or flower festivals, people always brought up the Fan sisters for discussion.
The young ladies learned from their elders to call them an improper influence, but in their hearts held a comparative spirit. Who didn’t want to make a stunning first impression and become a leader among noble ladies of equivalent status?
Now there were still several young princes like Prince Gong who had not yet married, not to mention the Grand Imperial Grandson Zhou Weizhao who had just returned to the capital from Longhu Mountain, along with his younger brother Zhou Weiqi.
For virtuous ladies of pure reputation to match with noble princes of imperial blood was originally as it should be.
Ever since the last time at Juyi Tower when the Ninth Princess casually said “compare and you’ll know,” Han Yueheng had harbored thoughts of surpassing Song Chuyi—in fact, she really didn’t understand what was so outstanding about Song Chuyi that could earn such praise from Chen Mingyu, whom she had always admired and truly feared.
But since everyone had come and the flower festival was being held, a comparison would be good. It would also let the Ninth Princess know which of her selected companion-readers ranked higher and which lower.
Shen Huiyi spotted the Cui sisters and Song Chuyi from afar at Zhuiyue Pavilion. She lifted her skirt hem and descended the stairs, arriving just in time to hear Han Yueheng discussing the plum garden.
She had originally been different from her elder sister Shen Huixin—Shen Huixin was the legitimate eldest daughter and He Shi’s first child, always receiving the full extent of He Shi’s affection and cultivation.
By the time she herself was born, there was already Shen Qingrang ahead of her. The family’s attention was all on their precious son Shen Qingrang, and any remaining energy had to be devoted to her outstanding legitimate elder sister. Only she alone seemed unloved by father and mother, unwanted by anyone. This had fostered in her a nature both insecure and arrogant, unable to stand seeing others do well.
This morning before going out, He Shi had whispered irrelevant words in her ear that made her feel both ashamed and annoyed—as if she, a legitimate daughter of a Duke’s manor, had to rank lower than a girl from an Earl’s household.
“Yueheng!” She stepped forward to intimately clasp Han Yueheng’s hand, then turned back to specifically greet Chen Mingyu. Only toward Song Chuyi and the Cui sisters did she turn a blind eye. Her voice paused, then took a turn. “Didn’t we agree to compete today in whatever we’re best at? Now that almost everyone has arrived, why is there still no movement?”
Han Yueheng glanced at Song Chuyi and conveniently tapped Shen Huiyi’s nose. “You’re always so impatient, as if this were such a big matter.”
As she spoke, she had already whispered a few words to the maid attending her. After the person left, she invited the young ladies to tour the garden while saying, “In the past, flower festivals were either poetry contests or painting competitions. Why don’t we play something interesting today? Each person can choose a skill they excel at, whether embroidery or incense-making, or even going to the kitchen to make a steamer of crystal buns—anything goes. What do you all think?”
The Cui sisters exchanged glances, both finding it rather uninteresting.
Neither of them needed to rely on such things to gain reputation, nor did they need to use such skills and fame as decoration to find good marriages. Therefore, they smiled and shook their heads. “We sisters are common folk. We’ll make do as audience members.”
The daughters of the Cui family had no worries about marriage. Han Yueheng casually glanced at them without urging them to participate. Instead, she turned to look at Song Chuyi. “Everyone has heard how Consort Song and Third Miss Song were often the leading champions at flower festivals. Now it’s been many years since we’ve seen Song family young ladies come out to show their faces. Sixth Miss Song, you absolutely mustn’t abandon us.”
These words were somewhat bullying. Those going to be the Ninth Princess’s companion-readers—whose age wasn’t thirteen or above? Yet Song Chuyi was just a little girl who had only just turned eleven. Even if they competed in who ate more, she would fall behind others.
Seeing Song Chuyi not responding, Shen Huiyi first let out a cold laugh, then opened her mouth with unrestrained mockery. “Yueheng, why must you make things difficult for her? I’ve heard that Second Master Song is currently still awaiting trial in the Ministry of Justice’s prison. When the case is concluded, he’ll lose both his official hat and reputation together. At a time like this, how could Sixth Miss have any mind to compete in skills?”
A triumphant and mocking smile appeared on Shen Huiyi’s face, which looked somewhat rigid and harsh due to her sunken cheeks. “Moreover, a parent official like Second Master Song who could forcibly seize people’s land and even forcibly abduct common women, causing deaths—what kind of good daughter could he raise? I even worry for the Ninth Princess. They say dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and mice’s children can dig holes. Although the Song family’s feng shui is good, who’s to say Sixth Miss Song didn’t grow up following Second Master Song’s temperament?”
The originally chattering voices around them all disappeared into silence. No one was willing to pick up this topic. Even Chen Mingyu silently frowned, resolving to keep her distance from this Shen Huiyi in the future. Speaking without restraint while being unable to read the situation—if she entered the palace in the future, she probably wouldn’t even know how she died.
Song Chuyi had previously experienced Shen Huiyi’s mouth at Duke Yingguo’s manor. In Shen Huiyi’s mouth, there was no good person—He Shi’s brain was too dull and showed favoritism toward Shen Huixin, her sister-in-law Yang Shi sat on the fence grabbing grass from both sides, her eldest brother was a good-for-nothing, second brother Shen Qingrang was a fool bewitched by women, and she herself as the second sister-in-law was an unlucky wretch who choked on water.
Being with such a person truly required an extraordinarily strong heart.
She withdrew her smile and reached out to stop Cui Huaying and Cui Huayi who were about to speak. Taking a step forward, she stared coldly at Shen Huiyi until she couldn’t bear it and retreated two steps. Only then did Song Chuyi let out a cold laugh. “Second Miss Shen, please watch your words. You yourself know that my father is currently only awaiting trial at the Ministry of Justice. Could it be that the Duke or the Heir Apparent leaked some information to you saying my father’s guilt has already been determined? Or are you a prophet who with red mouth and white teeth can replace Minister Cen in determining whether someone is guilty or not? If neither is the case, Second Miss Shen, please by all means shut that mouth of yours. Otherwise, rather than gaining fame through talent, you’ll instead become famous for your sharp tongue, which would be unfortunate.”
Shen Huiyi was questioned into continuous retreat, especially regarding whether Duke Yingguo or Shen Xiaohai had leaked information to her—she absolutely dared not acknowledge this, otherwise when she returned home, even He Shi couldn’t protect her.
Song Chuyi looked distantly toward the covered walkway behind the decorative rocks, then waved away Han Yueheng who had come forward to mediate. She frowned with righteous indignation. “I’ve often heard that Marquis Jinxiang’s manor has strict rules and treats people kindly. Now it seems these are merely unfounded and untrue rumors. If Miss Han doesn’t have the ability to properly host a flower festival that satisfies everyone, then don’t hold it at all. Otherwise, it’s just bringing shame to the Han family!”
Han Yueheng’s face turned alternately green and white at her words. She was utterly powerless to retaliate. Seeing the expressions of those around her, even her eyes couldn’t help reddening.