Li Zhaoxian looked back at her with some worry. Song Tangli smiled at him with tears in her eyes, her smile conveying a sense of reassurance.

Before they knew it, it was noon. The Empress Dowager was getting tired, so she put down the little fox that had been peeking around. The little fox scurried over to Song Tangxue's side.

"I need to stay at Huguo Temple for the time being to pray for the country. If you have nothing else to do, you can come and keep me company." The Empress Dowager spoke to Song Tangxue with affection, showing her love for her.

Song Tangxue nodded in agreement.

Song Tangxue glanced at Haitang, who, having anticipated this, handed over the things she had been carrying. Song Tangxue bowed slightly and said, "These are Buddhist scriptures handwritten by this humble woman. I hope they can contribute in some small way, and that the world will be at peace and the country will be prosperous."

The Empress Dowager accepted it: "Good, you have a kind heart, you are a good child."

The Empress Dowager glanced through a few pages. The handwriting was elegant, and every word was written carefully and neatly, showing that the owner had put his heart into it. Her goodwill towards the owner grew even stronger.

"Come with me when we pray for blessings tomorrow."

Song Tangli secretly coveted the place. Before coming to Huguo Temple, she had fantasized more than once about gaining the Empress Dowager's favor, standing out from the crowd, and being admired by everyone.

But now the protagonist has changed, and she is unwilling to accept it. With a sudden thought, she remembered a Zen poem written by Song Tangxue.

That was praised by the Master as being unique in heaven and earth.

I'm sure I'll win the Empress's favor.

Song Tangli stepped forward eagerly: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager sincerely prays for blessings, and all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens will surely bless you. I was moved by this and composed a Zen poem, which I wish to present to you and to Buddha."

The Empress Dowager lowered her eyelids, her eyes filled with disgust.

Song Tangli couldn't wait for the Empress Dowager's permission and recited the poem aloud.

The poem is good, but it's a pity it's used in the wrong context. Song Tangxue glanced at her with a mocking look and tried to win her favor with her poem.

This is a classic case of trying to flatter someone but ending up hurting them.

After Song Tangli finished reading, she glanced triumphantly at Song Tangxue. Everyone can copy Buddhist scriptures, but not everyone can compose poems like this.

Even if Song Tangxue exposes her, so what? She has no evidence.

The Empress Dowager's expression was cold and distant: "Miss Song's poem is excellent." Her tone was indifferent, offering no hint of praise.

Upon receiving the praise, Song Tangli immediately raised her head, her eyes burning with enthusiasm.

The Empress Dowager smiled outwardly, but inwardly she felt disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly: "That cannot conceal the talent of Miss Song. During my time here worshipping Buddha, you shall write thirty poems on Zen philosophy to pay homage to Heaven, Earth, and the gods and Buddhas."

Princess Tingyu smiled and glanced at her: "Thirty poems are hardly enough to showcase Miss Song's talent. Why not write sixty poems so that we young ladies can broaden our horizons?"

Song Tangli's back was soaked with cold sweat.

"Very well." The Empress Dowager agreed, and there was no room for negotiation. Song Tangli swallowed hard, feeling dizzy.

Sixty poems on Zen philosophy—where does she get any talent?

"Yes." With a knife to her neck, Song Tangli had no choice but to agree.

The Empress Dowager nodded: "Yes, work hard."

As the group dispersed, Song Tangxue smiled faintly. Song Tangli was simply incredibly stupid, rushing over without making any preparations.

In the following days, Song Tangli scratched her head in the courtyard, trying to come up with sixty Zen poems.

Song Tangxue was summoned by the Empress Dowager every day to pray for the country while worshipping Buddha. As the crown prince, he naturally had to accompany her.

Upon hearing this news, Song Tangli swept everything on the table to the ground, the ink seeping into the booklet filled with Zen poems.

Song Tangli's attempt to save her was delayed, and the Zen poem she had painstakingly come up with was ruined. She couldn't remember it at all, and in anger, she slammed her hand on the table.

The triumphant Song Tangxue was naturally unaware that after finishing her Buddhist prayers that day, she was somewhat tired and was being helped by Haitang to walk towards her residence.

"Miss, are you tired?" Haitang asked with concern as she helped Song Tangxue up.

Song Tangxue shook her head. If she could get the Crown Prince to annul the engagement, it would all be worth it.

At the corner, she bumped into Song Tangli, who was in a bad mood. Song Tangli had obviously seen her too, her eyes blazing with anger. The two stared at each other across the distance.

Song Tangxue lowered her head first, not wanting to pay any attention.

After walking a few steps, footsteps followed behind. As expected, it was Song Tangli: "Sister, you've been quite pleased with yourself lately. Everyone envies you for winning the Empress Dowager's favor and being constantly by her side."

He enunciated each word with great emphasis, conveying a sense of resentment.

The jealousy in my heart was about to overflow.

Song Tangxue stopped and turned around, smiling at Song Tangli: "Didn't you bring this on yourself? You broke three taboos on our first meeting."

"You're the one who's not paying attention. If you just put a little effort into finding out the Empress Dowager's preferences, you'd know."

"The Empress Dowager likes animals, but you keep cursing them as beasts. The Empress Dowager hates beating around the bush, but you come here and immediately praise her as a young girl."

"And the important point is that you thought you could use someone else's talent to gain something for nothing, but you didn't know that the Empress Dowager hated poetry the most. Don't you think this is your own fault?"

Song Tangxue's tone was frivolous at the end of her sentences; if you didn't listen to what she was saying, you'd think she was lecturing her disobedient younger sister.

Song Tangli gritted her teeth, her heart filled with regret.

When he was thinking about Zen poetry, he couldn't figure out what he had done to offend the Empress Dowager. He only found out after sending someone to slip silver to the nanny by the Empress Dowager's side.

Having thoroughly offended the Empress Dowager on their very first meeting, she refrained from causing trouble for the next few days, focusing instead on her Zen philosophy and poetry, and daring not to linger in front of the Empress Dowager again.

Song Tangxue clearly knew all this all along, yet she watched him jump around like he was a clown!

"Have you figured it out? Take responsibility for your own mistakes, and stop coveting things that don't belong to you." Song Tangxue's expression was cold, but she was also a little irritated. The sandalwood incense was strong, and after smelling it all day, she felt a tightness in her chest.

Right now, all I want to do is get back to my bedchamber and rest.

"What is it that doesn't belong to me?" Song Tangli looked up at her stubbornly. "Are you talking about my Crown Prince brother?"

"So what if you are the Crown Princess? The Crown Prince's heart and soul are with me, and the Song family is also on my side."

"So what if my sister has gained the Empress Dowager's favor? You have no relation to the Empress Dowager and will not be involved with her in the future."

“A young lady in her boudoir relies on her elders at home and on her husband’s family after marriage. Can’t you even understand this, sister?”

Song Tangxue didn't want to argue with her. Why did she have to rely on others? Wasn't it more effective to have money and power in her own hands than to rely on others?

Who knows when your support will crumble? Only you yourself are your most steadfast and reliable support: "If that's how you want to think, then think that way."

Song Tangxue didn't have the time or inclination to help her correct her thinking.

Song Tangli gritted her teeth as she watched her retreating figure. She was always the same, as serene as a chrysanthemum, seemingly unassuming and uncompetitive, with nothing capable of stirring any emotion within her.