Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. Just as Consort Song’s words fell, Zhuying entered the hall on cue with hands clasped together, reporting with difficulty on her face that the Ninth Princess had arrived. This Ninth Princess had always been greatly favored by Emperor Jianzhang, probably because Princess Rongcheng loved to play with her when she was young. She was also closer to Emperor Jianzhang than other princesses. For the sake of this closeness, Emperor Jianzhang could indeed be said to be very tolerant of her. It was also because of this that two years ago she had the confidence to insist on designating someone as her study companion.
Consort Song’s face was as heavy as water for a moment. Instantly reacting, she called out with a face full of spring breeze to quickly invite her in, while simultaneously giving the Eleventh Princess a meaningful look.
In front of outsiders, no matter how aggrieved or dissatisfied one felt inside, not a trace could be revealed—the Empress had just sent Aunt Mudan to Qionghua Garden telling the Eleventh Princess she need not attend classes, and immediately after, the Eleventh Princess was crying piteously. If word got out and she was branded with the crime of unfilial piety, that truly was not something just anyone could bear.
The Ninth Princess was quite different from two years ago. Two years ago, she had already possessed considerable maiden charm. Now, however, her entire person was like a plump fruit on a branch, appearing as if only awaiting to be plucked.
She unhurriedly paid her respects to Consort Song, then condescendingly waited for Old Madam Song, Grand Madam Song, and Song Chuyi to bow to her. Only after looking at the tops of their heads for a long while did she seem to suddenly realize and tell them to rise.
Song Chuyi had just finished supporting the breathless Old Madam Song to stand when she heard the Ninth Princess laugh: “I haven’t seen Sixth Miss in two years. I didn’t expect she had already grown to look like this. It truly makes one envious beyond envy. This appearance…”
She stuck the latter half of her sentence in her throat without saying it, first looking at Song Chuyi’s expression. Seeing that even with lowered brows and eyes, she could not conceal those long lashes and straight nose, she paused for half a moment before continuing meaningfully: “This appearance—when she goes to that place together with the Eleventh in the future, she’ll be able to help the Eleventh quite a bit.”
The implications in these words could be understood by anyone, let alone a room full of shrewd people. The Eleventh Princess’s hands hung at her sides, clenched tightly. She wished she could pounce forward and bite the Ninth Princess’s neck. She had been suppressed by the Ninth Princess since childhood. When wronged, at first she would still find places to complain. As time went on, she became numb to it. But she had never been as angry as at this moment—that the Ninth Princess would normally mock and toy with her could be forgiven, but to use the matter of the Japanese marriage alliance to disgust her… She trembled faintly with rage, nearly unable to maintain the slightly stiff smile on her face.
Old Madam Song’s complexion also darkened. Although at the founding of the Great Ancestor it was established that one must kowtow upon seeing imperial clan members, there were always exceptions. Just like when dealing with those founding meritorious officials back then, which vassal prince or clan member would truly be so blind as to insist people kneel before them? After being passed down through several generations, the situation had changed again. Any elderly titled madams who ordinarily entered the palace to see the Empress would often have their courtesies exempted. Yet this Ninth Princess, as if somehow more noble than even Princess Rongcheng, had actually forced her to kneel for a long while… She had always heard Consort Song say the Ninth Princess was arrogant. Now seeing for herself, she was indeed extraordinarily arrogant.
These words clearly told them that Song Chuyi would also be sent to Japan like the Eleventh Princess, and her situation would only be even worse—merely a marriage accompaniment. Once there, she could not offend any vassal prince and might well be given to whoever.
To so blatantly reveal one’s malice and claws—this ability to provoke disgust was truly first-rate.
Old Madam Song glanced at Grand Madam Song, who could not control her desire to speak out, and shook her head almost imperceptibly—in these verbal disputes, she had never seen Song Chuyi lose. Moreover, Song Chuyi was not like the Eleventh Princess. These little barbed words went in one ear and out the other with her, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.
Song Chuyi was first to break the silence: “When it comes to beauty, who would dare compare with the Ninth Princess? The Ninth Princess is truly of unparalleled national beauty. As for this talk of ‘going to that place,’ forgive this subject daughter for being somewhat confused. May I venture to ask Your Highness—this ‘that place’ you speak of, exactly which place does it refer to?”
The Ninth Princess’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, the corners of her mouth faintly showing cold mockery: “Wherever you think it is, naturally that’s where it is.”
She had not forgotten the repeated warnings from Noble Consort Xian and her brother. She dared not openly say in front of Consort Song and Old Madam Song that “that place” was Japan—Father Emperor had not yet decided whether to have a marriage alliance, and if so, which princess to send. If she spoke out for Father Emperor first…
Song Liu was indeed not ordinarily cunning. She stared fixedly at Song Chuyi, hoping Song Chuyi would reveal some guilty or fearful expression. But Song Chuyi maintained a straight face from beginning to end. Forget being guilty—she did not reveal even a trace of excess emotion.
She found watching somewhat boring. Feeling her provocation had lightly struck cotton like a soft punch, she suddenly found it dull. She could only drop a harsh threat to Song Chuyi with hidden meaning: “Such sharp teeth and tongue is naturally good, but one must also be able to maintain this confidence for a long, long time. I hope there won’t come a day when you want to cry but cannot!”
The Eleventh Princess’s eyes reddened with anger again. Only after the Ninth Princess left did she dare cry out: “She has exactly that arrogant appearance… Just now at Qionghua Garden, I was so angered by her that I couldn’t sit still, which is why I came back.”
Consort Song embraced her in her arms, patting her back stroke by stroke: “What is there to argue with her about? If you can avoid this situation, there will always be time for revenge in the future.”
No need to wait until the future. Since the Ninth Princess was so intent on sending people to Japan, why not have her go herself?
Song Chuyi lowered her voice and leaned close to Consort Song’s ear to softly instruct her for a few sentences.
Consort Song immediately felt suddenly enlightened. Even her eyes brightened, sweeping away the earlier suffocation and gloom. Smiling broadly, she nodded.
Grand Madam Song was somewhat curious, not understanding what Song Chuyi had said to Consort Song that could make her seem as if she had put down a thousand-pound burden. But she bit her lip and swallowed the question she wanted to ask.
Grand Master Song and Old Madam Song were both anxious about this matter. Whatever plan Song Chuyi had, it was ultimately for the good of the Eleventh Princess and Consort Song, and had ultimately received Old Madam Song’s permission.
She descended from the carriage, looking deeply at Song Chuyi once, and truly asked nothing as she returned to her room.
Old Madam Song was rather gratified. Supporting herself on Song Chuyi’s hand as she descended from the carriage, she praised with a sigh: “Your grand aunt is far more able to maintain composure than before. This is a good thing.”
She would inevitably grow old one day. The Grand Madam always needed to learn proper judgment and always needed to experience great storms. Having discovered it late before, there was no time to correct things. Now, however, being able to gradually support the Grand Madam and still see some results, Old Madam Song felt very gratified.