As a princess sent by the Southern Kingdom for a political marriage, Jiang Tian could actually be on equal footing with these young ladies.

On the surface, that's how it seems, but in reality, she's seen as a discarded pawn, someone who can't be brought into the open. If she doesn't pay her respects to them, they might hold a grudge against her.

She could only endure her discomfort and say, "I am a princess sent from the Southern Kingdom for a political marriage."

In front of young ladies, it would be too humble for her to refer to herself as a servant.

Upon hearing her words, everyone present changed their expressions.

The humiliation inflicted on them by the Southern Kingdom was still fresh in their minds, and everyone in the Zhao Kingdom was furious.

Everyone knows how the Southern Kingdom developed. The Zhao Kingdom contributed manpower, effort, and a large amount of gold and silver, only to be bitten in return.

Even the emperor was humiliated. How could an older princess become the emperor's woman?

Jiang Tian did not appear in front of the public during this period. She lived a good life in the cold palace, and most people forgot that she existed.

Apart from that petty young lady who didn't want the emperor to be tainted by anyone and insisted on getting rid of her, many young ladies had already forgotten about her.

Seeing her today reignited everyone's anger.

One of the pretty women sneered, "So you're that lowly woman."

The word "lowly" spoken by a young lady is full of vulgarity.

But none of the people around her dared to say a word against it. Cursing others was considered vulgar, but cursing Jiang Tian was considered normal; her status was worthy of the word "lowly".

Jiang Tian remained silent; she had nothing to say from this standpoint.

"Sister, let's go inside and take a look. This palace belongs to the Emperor. It's alright for us to go and see it."

If it were any other master, then at least some respect would be due, but someone like Jiang Tian is out of the question.

The pretty woman linked arms with another woman, whose appearance was somewhat plain, and pleaded with her.

The woman with plain features did not speak ill of Jiang Tian, ​​but the contempt in her eyes was obvious.

Everyone looks down on Jiang Tian; that's a consensus.

"Alright, let's go in and take a look."

As soon as they went inside, Jiang Tian got up.

Her back ached and her lower abdomen was sore, making it extremely uncomfortable for her to stand there hunched over.

Seeing her stand up, the pretty woman rolled her eyes and said, "Don't you people from the South know any manners? I didn't even tell you to stand up, and you stood up already."

Jiang Tian said softly, "Young lady, I am a princess of the Southern Kingdom. I am only bowing to you out of courtesy. If you really want to make things difficult for me, then you are the one who has lost your manners."

That's the natural logic, but who can blame them when this young lady doesn't like Jiang Tian?

"So what? If you don't want to bow to me, then get out of the Zhao Kingdom's palace!"

Her eyes were like they contained knives; when she looked at Jiang Tian, ​​they were full of malice.

"Jinyu, don't talk nonsense. You want to see the palace, right? We'll go back after we're done."

The older heiress tugged at her arm.

"Sister, it's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult for her, but I'm in a particularly bad mood because of this princess's presence."

The young lady named Jinyu couldn't help but start complaining in a low voice.

"Then let's go look elsewhere; this place is indeed a bit unlucky."

Although the older woman was gentler than Jin Yu, she held just as many prejudices against Jiang Tian.

“You can leave, but you can leave…” Jin Yu’s gaze fell on Jiang Tian. “I’m very angry that you didn’t bow to me. You will kneel here for half an hour as a small punishment. People from all walks of life in the South don’t know manners. Someone has to help teach them.”

However, Jiang Tian did not reply for a long time after she finished speaking.

She just stood there, head down, eyes lowered, without saying a word.

Jin Yu was utterly displeased this time. She shook off the hand of the maid beside her and walked up to Jiang Tian: "Can't you hear a word I say? Are all the people in the Southern Kingdom deaf and blind?"

Jiang Tian looked at her silently, her gaze calm.

He still didn't speak.

Jin Yu immediately interpreted Jiang Tian's actions as a provocation.

"Alright, you don't know how to kneel? Then I'll teach you. Guards, please make this princess from the Southern Kingdom kneel properly so she knows what proper etiquette is!"

"Since when did it become your place to teach the rules of the palace?"

As soon as the deep, authoritative voice rang out, everyone's legs went weak, and they immediately knelt on the ground.

Joy flashed in the eyes of Jin Yu and the older woman who hadn't spoken.

They never expected to be so lucky; they were just strolling around when they unexpectedly encountered the Emperor.

Xuanyuan Ye rushed over from the Imperial Study.

When An Yi found him and told him that the two young ladies had gone to the Cold Palace, he realized that something was wrong.

She was just a princess from the South, and even if she was humiliated, no one would say a word against her.

Xuanyuan Ye thought he shouldn't be so anxious, but the moment he heard the news, his feet quickly walked out of the imperial study.

He was worried about Jiang Tian's safety all the way, while also despising himself.

He shouldn't have gone to such lengths for a woman.

Even though that's what I was thinking, my steps quickened.

As soon as he arrived, he heard someone telling Jiang Tian to kneel as punishment, and his face turned completely gloomy.

When he came out wearing a dragon robe, the two young ladies blushed with embarrassment.

They had been instructed by their families that if they encountered the Emperor, they must present their best selves.

Since the empress has not yet been chosen, it is still uncertain who will emerge victorious.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Both women had very sweet voices.

Xuanyuan Ye saw Jiang Tian, ​​who was already shivering, standing to the side.

She seems to be in a bad state.

Her face, which had been somewhat rosy, had now lost all color.

Even her lips were a little pale.

What's wrong with her? Was he late?

Xuan Yuan Ye was on edge, and Eunuch Chen followed closely behind him, his heart pounding with anxiety.

After leaving the Imperial Study, His Majesty's gaze seemed to be murderous.

He was terrified that the emperor would ruin his grand plan for the sake of a woman.

If the world were to find out that the Emperor had taken a liking to the princess of the Southern Kingdom, he would undoubtedly face countless criticisms and condemnations.

Why are you here?

The woman named Jinyu said softly, "I had nothing to do, and I saw that the scenery of this palace was very beautiful, so I came with Sister Shuqing to take a look."

Xuanyuan Ye did not respond to their questions: "When I first arrived, I heard that you were going to teach others manners. What position do you hold in the palace, and what rules in the palace need you to teach?"

Jin Yu's blushing face immediately froze.

She hadn't expected the Emperor to inquire about such a matter so closely.

"Yes, it was the princess of the Southern Kingdom who talked back to me, so I had to teach her manners..." Jin Yu's voice trembled.

How did she talk back to you?

"She, she... I told her to kneel, but she wouldn't..."

Anger blazed in Xuan Yuan Ye's eyes, and his tone was chilling to the bone: "Why did she kneel before you?"