struggle

"Miss Song the Second".

Lin Xu glanced at Song Xiyan and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Although her lips were curved in a smile, the smile did not reach her eyes.

She said softly, "It has been a long time since I last saw Miss Song. Compared to the palace banquet a few months ago, Miss Song has become even more graceful. She truly deserves to be the most beautiful young lady in the capital."

After a pause, Lin Xu smiled gently and continued, "Just now, the Crown Princess and I only exchanged a few words. Now that the banquet is about to begin, Miss Song must be thirsty after saying so much. Why don't you try the lotus seed and snow fungus soup at today's banquet? It should be the perfect way to soothe your throat."

Song Xiyan's expression changed. Lin Xu's words, which started with praise and then turned down, left her speechless for a moment.

While Dou Zhen was bowing on the stage, she was busy chatting with Jin and Deng on either side of her, arguing about how Song Jiaoling, who came from a humble background, dared to wear the same headdress as her today. She had been annoyed and had said several things about it. She hadn't thought about the rule of not speaking while observing the ceremony.

She had always disliked others taking the limelight, and the reason she accepted the invitation today was simply because she had heard that the Dou family had invited a whole host of powerful and influential people, and as the most noble lady in Mujing, she naturally couldn't be absent. Even the congratulatory gift she sent to Dou Zhen was just two jade hairpins that she herself didn't like, which she had her nanny pick out randomly from the storeroom.

Lin Xu's words were nothing short of mocking her in front of everyone, calling her a gossipy old woman.

Song Xiyan was already jealous of Lin Xu's deliberate trickery last time. Now, after hearing her words, she was even angrier and angrier. She wondered how she could have been so blind to think that this person was in the same boat as her!

Song Xiyan was momentarily speechless with anger. She gritted her teeth and managed to maintain her composure, forcing a smile as she said:

"Madam Dou is truly considerate. Since you are so kind-hearted, and I just heard the Crown Princess praising your ring, why don't we take advantage of the lively gathering today and let everyone admire it?"

Lin Xu couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Sure enough, Song Xiyan came over with the intention of taking sides from the start. Otherwise, why would she have said she didn't know what they were talking about earlier, but now she's bringing up the ring? Not only did she hear it all along, but now she's forcing her to hand over the ring in front of everyone!

Lin Xu lowered her eyes. The ruby ​​ring was currently on her right hand, and Song Xiyan could easily see it with a slight downward glance. If she were to let them do as they suggested and display it in front of everyone, based on her understanding of Song Xiyan from her past life, Song Xiyan would be capable of forcing her to hand over the ring in front of everyone.

Moreover, Song Xiyan is relying on her family's connections to the Crown Prince and is trying to use her ring to perform this opportunistic act of "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha".

This was the ring Liao Yan gave her before he left. She was waiting for Liao Yan to return victorious from his battle, so they could travel together. If she couldn't even keep this ring today, she would be utterly useless.

With these thoughts returning, Lin Xu slowly raised her eyes and looked at the two aggressive people in front of her.

She smiled.

"It turns out that Miss Song is not only eloquent but also has excellent hearing. However, I am feeling unwell today, and I felt weak while sitting at the table. I accidentally dropped the teacup and spilled the tea, which has unnecessarily stained my ring. I will not embarrass myself by wearing it in front of the Crown Princess."

After speaking, she looked at Miao Yiyun, her expression becoming even more approachable:

"...If Your Highness likes gemstones, I happen to know a shop on North Street that has the most dazzling blue and red gemstones, which would surely complement Your Highness's noble appearance. I will select a few pieces and send them to the palace for you another day."

Her simple attire and gentle words made her appear even more low-key and humble. In contrast, Miao Yiyun and Song Xiyan were adorned with gold and silver, making them quite ostentatious. Some uninformed people would only think that the two were bullying others by abusing their power.

Moreover, as soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze turned to Lin Xu's hand, which was concealed within her wide sleeve, with a corner of an embroidered handkerchief peeking out. And that handkerchief was indeed slightly damp.

In this way, everyone naturally felt that what Lin Xu said was true.

Moreover, the matter they were arguing about was nothing more than a gemstone ring. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince was now in power and possessed all the treasures in the world; even a ring inlaid with a luminous pearl would be no problem for the Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess were to insist on pursuing a ring on the hand of a mere subject's wife, she would only give herself ammunition for gossip.

If Miao Yiyun insists on seeing the ring again, it would be seen as an attempt to forcibly seize it in front of everyone.

That would be unreasonable no matter what.

Seeing the displeasure in the eyes of the onlookers, Song Xiyan was unwilling to let Lin Xu change the subject so easily. Just as she opened her mouth to argue again, Miao Yiyun beside her narrowed her eyes and smiled faintly:

"Madam Dou is joking. I was merely curious because this ring looks somewhat similar to something I had seen in my childhood, belonging to an old friend. If you are unwilling, how can I force you?"

Miao Yiyun's appearance was already sharp, and now with her exquisite makeup, even with a smile on her face, she still exuded a certain majesty.

After speaking, she turned around and glanced leisurely at the group of people watching the commotion in the distance. Some of the women from lower social classes became somewhat frightened and turned their heads away. Miao Yiyun then slowly looked at a beautiful figure in the corner, who was the fourth young lady of the Gong Prince's Mansion, drinking tea next to the Princess Consort of Gong.

Miao Yiyun smiled gently: "...I'm not afraid of being laughed at by everyone, but as you all probably know, ever since I lost that thing when I was young, I've been depressed and restless for many years. I couldn't help but lose my composure a bit today, so please just laugh it off."

Then, she gently raised her hand towards the seating area, her expression seemingly casual: "Since it's getting late, let's take our seats. Otherwise we'll miss Miss Dou's auspicious time today."

Just then, Dou Zhen finally changed into her final formal attire and walked out from the side hall.

She had changed into a navy blue embroidered jacket over a light crimson silk long skirt, with a gold-embroidered belt around her waist from which two delicate jade tassels dangled, swaying with her steps, exuding an indescribable grace and charm. Her waist-length black hair had been neatly styled into a bun at the back of her head, adorned with a pearl-encrusted gold phoenix hairpin, which perfectly complemented the two South Sea pearl earrings she wore.

With such natural beauty, she immediately drew everyone's attention upon entering the venue.

The fourth young lady, who had been sitting quietly to the side, suddenly slammed down her teacup after hearing what Miao Yiyun said. Beneath her exquisitely applied makeup, her round, cat-like eyes widened slightly.

Wei Tingya, the fourth young lady of the Prince Gong's Mansion, was spoiled and pampered since childhood. She boasted that her father had a very good relationship with the current emperor, and her brother had been granted the title of heir apparent, so she was always arrogant and haughty.

She believed that even though Miao Yiyun and she were both daughters of princes in the past, Miao Ling was merely a prince from a different clan and had long since fallen on hard times, so Miao Yiyun naturally couldn't be compared to her. Later, Miao Yiyun focused on currying favor with the eldest princess, first becoming a county princess and then marrying into the Eastern Palace—methods that the Fourth Miss found utterly beneath her notice. The two had only played together in the palace for a few days when they were young, and afterwards, they gradually drifted apart and became estranged.

but--

The Crown Princess's seemingly self-deprecating remark might not have been understood by others, but she heard it perfectly clearly:

The Crown Princess was actually implying that the ring on Lin Xu's hand was a gift from the founding emperor to his only daughter, Princess Zhaocheng, who was extremely powerful at the time and was also the aunt of the current emperor and Princess Duanhe.

...Could this be the former possession of the famous Princess Zhaocheng? Legend has it that this ring was a treasure bestowed by the Emperor Taizu, and there is only one of its kind in the entire world!

At that time, Princess Zhaocheng wielded immense power! Even the most esteemed princess of the Great Yu Dynasty today could not compare to her! Princess Zhaocheng was not only beautiful but also exceptionally talented in both literature and martial arts, possessing rare political acumen! She had almost gained the favor of the founding emperor and nearly ascended to the throne...

Moreover, according to legend, it was precisely because this ring was unfortunately lost that Princess Zhaocheng fell in love at first sight with Marquis Zhongwu, the then deputy commander of the Qianniu Guard, who found the ring, thus leading to their marriage.

Later, Marquis Zhongwu fell ill and died en route while on a campaign to conquer the northern frontier. Princess Zhaocheng was shocked to hear the tragic news and passed away a few days later due to heartbreak. From then on, the ring became a testament to their poignant love story.

Now, two generations later, this ring, which was said to have been lost long ago, has been used by countless poets and writers to express their love, making it a priceless treasure, something that could only be found by chance. And now, it has actually appeared! And in the hands of a lowly court lady!

When Wei Tingya was still a child, he heard his nanny tell the story of Princess Zhaocheng. It was said that this ring was so dazzling and so noble that only the most precious and virtuous woman in the world was qualified to wear it!

Some even say that Princess Zhaocheng's past favor and authority should be remembered by the world through this ring. It's said that whoever possesses this ring will possess the world…

No wonder Miao Yiyun, who always liked to put on a show in front of others, suddenly changed her expression after seeing this ring, and even went so far as to whisper something to me in front of everyone!

Wei Tingya, a noblewoman from a prominent family, was incredibly intelligent. Even though she could see at a glance that Miao Yiyun was trying to use her to kill Lin Xu because she couldn't bring herself to steal the item, she no longer cared about it.

If she obtains this ring, she will become the most powerful and noble woman in all of Dayu... What does the title of county princess matter? What does marrying the crown prince matter?

Everyone had long forgotten the little farce that had just happened, and they all moved to the table and sat down. Several servants and maids had respectfully prepared the tableware and food, and the banquet was about to begin.

Wei Tingya, however, stared intently at Lin Xu's wide sleeves, unable to contain himself any longer.