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墨書 Inktalez
In previous years, the Flower Festival was always attended by the Third Concubine, Bai Shuangya, along with her eldest daughter, Su Xingyan, and her daughter, Su Mengyun. Although Concubine Two, Zhao Mengzhi, held significant power over the internal affairs of the Prime Minister's Residence, her lowly background as a courtesan made her look down upon by the upper class. This was also the reason why Zhao Mengzhi could never surpass Bai Shuangya in life; this became a deep-seated resentment for her.
This year, there were new changes in the Prime Minister's Residence. The talented woman, Su Xingyan, who was always praised as the best in the capital, did not attend the Flower Festival. Instead, it was the previously unremarkable legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Residence, Second Sister Su Peijiu, who accompanied the Third Concubine.
Even while still in the sedan chair, Su Peijiu had already noticed many ambiguous gazes directed at her. As she lifted the curtain to step down from the chair, she straightened her back and flashed an elegant smile, following behind Bai Shuangya and walking straight toward the palace gate without glancing sideways.
Along the way, she overheard many people discussing her. Although there was no malice in their words, those naked stares made her feel somewhat overwhelmed. In her past life as a princess, no one had ever dared to stare at her so openly. However, Su Peijiu understood that this was something she had to endure now; it would not just be simple attention in the future.
At that moment, Bai Shuangya said lightly beside her, "You know what to do, Second Sister."
Su Peijiu nodded.
Bai Shuangya smiled with satisfaction and continued walking forward.
The interaction between them made Su Mengyun, who walked on Bai Shuangya's other side, very unhappy. It was one thing for Su Peijiu to suddenly gain their father's favor; now even their mother was showing her affection!
Hatred began to grow wildly like wild grass on a spring night. From then on, Su Mengyun completely regarded Su Peijiu as a poisonous thorn in her heart that needed to be removed for her own peace of mind.
Upon entering the palace, there was still some time before the Flower Festival officially began. Bai Shuangya was pulled away by several noblewomen. Seeing Su Peijiu looking somewhat wooden, Su Mengyun rolled her eyes and found a few more popular sisters to join in a lively discussion about women's matters.
Su Peijiu looked around and noticed that the flowers in the southeast were blooming nicely. She walked over towards them but was blocked by a figure just before reaching the red flowers.
Instinctively looking up, she quickly bowed and greeted him. "Greetings to His Royal Highness."
Qi Rong extended his hand to help her up; however, after Su Peijiu stood up, his large hand remained firmly gripping her arm, which annoyed her somewhat.
She had never liked this somewhat gloomy prince. After meeting him once yesterday, she sensed an aggressive glint in his eyes as he looked at her as if she were an object. "On this bright day, Second Sister appears even more radiant than ever; even these flowers pale in comparison," Qi Rong said as his deep gaze fixed on Su Peijiu.
Today she wore light makeup and a tea-white dress with a white jade red tassel hanging at her waist. She appeared ethereal yet not overly conspicuous among these women.
Su Peijiu slightly exerted pressure on her arm to break free but realized it was futile. So she lowered her gaze and said softly, "His Royal Highness is smiling."
Qi Rong chuckled lightly upon seeing her beautiful profile and slowly replied, "I never smile; it's true that Second Sister has captured my heart."
"Miss, please don't... Men and women should not have physical contact. I kindly ask His Highness the Crown Prince to let me go." Su Peijiu felt the man's hand begin to move towards her wrist and spoke in a cold voice.
Qi Rong raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening slightly. "Second Sister, are you not afraid of provoking my anger with such words?"
"A young lady values her reputation above all else." She spoke pointedly.
Qi Rong looked deeply at Su Peijiu for a moment, then released her hand with a smile. "Second Sister is indeed quick-witted." He then walked past her.
Su Peijiu stood still, looking at her wrist with a complex expression.
Before she even met Qi Mo, she had already attracted a wolf; she wondered whether this was a blessing or a curse...
Out of her sight, a man in black robes with long hair lounged against the railing, watching her with a contemptuous smile.
The daughter of Chancellor Su Chi? Or the Legitimate Daughter of the Prime Minister's Residence...? The Crown Prince could no longer contain his actions; how could he miss out on such matters?
The Flower Festival was about to begin. Bai Shuangya, unable to find Su Peijiu anywhere, looked somewhat displeased. Meanwhile, Su Mengyun was gloating nearby when she finally saw Su Peijiu slowly walking down the path.
Bai Shuangya sighed in relief but spoke in a less than pleasant tone. "The palace is not like the Prime Minister's Residence; Second Sister should refrain from wandering around carelessly."
"Third Concubine is right." Su Peijiu lowered her head in acknowledgment. Su Mengyun chimed in sarcastically, "Not having seen much of the world means you haven't seen much of the world; even with the title of Legitimate Daughter, it's the same."
Su Peijiu chose not to argue with her. Her current thoughts were focused on how to make contact with Mo Wang Qi Mo and leave a deep impression on him. A glint of cold light flashed in her eyes; she was somewhat eager.
The last time someone had leaped over her head on horseback in the marketplace, he seemed to be doing quite well. She just wondered if he would feel any regret for the royal family of Yan Kingdom from two years ago during the midnight cycle.
Probably not...
"Princess Gui Rong invites everyone into the garden." A sharp voice from a eunuch interrupted Su Peijiu's memories as she followed Bai Shuangya towards the Imperial Garden.
Once many ladies had entered, they discovered that numerous talented young men had already arrived early at the Imperial Garden. Even her third brother Su Qing, who rarely returned home, was seated among them.
Princess Gui Rong gracefully walked to the main seat and sat down. Beside her were several princes, with the Crown Prince sitting next to her. When he saw her approach, he smiled and said something to her. Su Peijiu noticed that Princess Gui Rong, who had originally turned away, suddenly leaned slightly in her direction. She caught a glimpse of the princess's gaze resting on her for a moment before it shifted away.
Su Peijiu clenched her hand tightly under her sleeve, unsure of what the Crown Prince intended to do. She only hoped he wouldn't disrupt her plans.
Once everyone was seated, Princess Gui Rong was about to speak when the Crown Prince suddenly remarked, "Fourth Brother is really something. He usually drags his feet, but now he's late for the Flower Festival. He'd better not offend the ladies."
Indeed, Su Peijiu noticed that the space next to Princess Gui Rong was empty; that was where Fourth Prince Qi Mo should have been.
At that moment, a lazy voice sounded behind Su Peijiu. She noticed a bony hand resting on the chair behind her.
"The Crown Prince's words might hurt Fourth Brother's feelings. Fourth Brother arrived early but was captivated by the beautiful scenery in the garden and saw some interesting things. Since I'm late, let me make amends by drinking three cups of wine in front of all the lovely ladies."
With that, a sleeve carrying a faint fragrance brushed past Su Peijiu, and a hand reached out to take her wine glass and bottle from the table. The man's dark hair fell over her shoulder, bringing back familiar scents that momentarily made her feel as if she had returned to the past, but it was just for an instant.
Su Peijiu quickly realized that when Qi Mo mentioned interesting things in the garden, could it be… he saw what happened between her and the Crown Prince? With the competition for the Crown Princess position so intense now, even though Fourth Prince held significant power, the ministers led by Su Chi were ambiguous in their attitudes. Did Qi Mo want to take advantage of this situation to gain a share in the struggle for the Crown Princess?
Standing behind Su Peijiu, Qi Mo downed three cups of wine in one go. Naturally, everyone's attention shifted towards Su Peijiu. Many daughters of officials began to show signs of jealousy in their eyes, while men looked at her with eager interest, whispering among themselves about which family this stunning beauty belonged to.
After finishing his drink, Qi Mo placed the cup back on the table. As he stood up, Su Peijiu, who had been bowing her head submissively, suddenly stiffened.
She heard his elegant yet cold voice whispering in her ear…
"The Prime Minister's Residence's Second Sister is indeed extraordinary..."
What did Qi Mo mean? After two years, she couldn't forget how he had cornered her in that secret chamber back then. How could she now see him so nonchalantly? One day, she would shatter this man's facade!
"Fourth Brother, sit down quickly; don't disrupt the rules of the Flower Festival." Qi Rong's gaze darkened as it lingered on Qi Mo while he was focused on Su Peijiu. Although he smiled, Qi Mo could sense a warning from those hawk-like eyes.
A warning? What did he have to fear now?
Qi Mo casually twirled a strand of Su Peijiu's hair with his fingers before turning around and taking his seat. Just as he settled down, Sixth Prince Qi Che leaned over.
“Fourth Brother, how does the scent on Second Sister smell?” He had noticed that Qi Mo had just done something to that Second Sister.
Qi Mo lazily leaned back in the chair, resting one hand on his chin, his gaze drifting lightly across the face of Sixth Brother before landing on Su Peijiu's face, a smile on his lips that was hard to decipher. “It’s the scent of conflict.”
Qi Che's bright eyes followed suit, twirling a black jade hairpin between his fingers, quickly forming a black flower at his fingertips. With an innocent expression, he softly murmured, “In that case, Sixth Brother, I would like to taste it as well.”
Princess Gui Rong said some formalities and then had a eunuch explain the rules of the Flower Festival before dispersing. However, as Su Peijiu was about to leave, Princess Gui Rong called out to her.
“Second Sister, please wait.”
Su Peijiu looked surprised at Bai Shuangya, and after seeing calmness in her eyes, she walked up to Princess Gui Rong, bowed in greeting, and lowered her head to await her words. At this moment, Bai Shuangya had already pulled away the jealous and nearly furious Su Mengyun.
“Second Sister, do you know that you were not supposed to appear at this Flower Festival?” Princess Gui Rong said somewhat coldly.
Su Peijiu smiled wryly. “What matters concerning daughters can truly be decided by themselves?”
This statement seemed to suddenly evoke Princess Gui Rong's obscure memories; her expression gradually dimmed. After a moment, she chuckled lightly, her tone losing its earlier distance.
“You have just come of age this year; you understand better than I, a married woman. Indeed, what matters concerning daughters can be decided by themselves?” This was especially true for daughters from official families like theirs.
Princess Gui Rong had been married years ago, but after her husband passed away, the Former Emperor favored her and brought her back to the palace. It seemed this princess also had some stories of her own.
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