A spoiled brat among women

This is yet another earth-shattering piece of news.

A-Qiu's mouth was half-open in surprise, almost unable to close.

A woman from the imperial clan was brought into the Shangguan family as a concubine.

This completely exceeded A Qiu's understanding of all common sense regarding the power and marriage alliances of the Jianzhang aristocratic families.

Emperor Sima Yan, the last emperor of the Former Huan Dynasty, had no children. The Langya royal family was the most prominent branch of the Sima clan. Not all of the Langya royal family's daughters were granted the title of princess. Only the legitimate daughters whom he and the current emperor valued most would inherit the Langya title.

Therefore, in terms of status, Princess Langya was probably the most noble and illustrious woman in the former Huan Dynasty, equivalent to the only princess.

If such a woman were to choose a marriage based on mutual affection, she would select a young and talented man with a background that rivals that of the imperial family, who is also outstanding and impeccable. That would be a match made in heaven, the ideal marriage for a renowned socialite of the nation.

If we're talking about power, then if the other party isn't a good match in age, they must be a powerful minister who wields considerable influence in the court, making it a marriage alliance to win over such a powerful figure.

In either case, she could never be a concubine, but only the sole legal wife.

For example, Mu Huaying, although she was Pei Yuanli's second wife and almost a generation younger than him, was undoubtedly Pei's wife, respected by everyone in the court and aristocratic families.

Sima Yao closed her eyes, lost in the past, and said leisurely, "So at that time, my father almost scolded me to death, and even severed our father-daughter relationship. He openly declared in the court that he no longer had me as his daughter. He also tried to persuade my elder brother, Emperor Sima Yan, to strip me of my title of princess."

Ah Qiu held his breath again, unable to utter a single word.

Sima Yao said calmly, "I know he is disappointed in me because by doing this, he immediately lost his most important asset for marriage alliance. If he could take back the title of Princess Langya from me and give it to his other daughters, he could at least make up for some of his losses. However, even if I am a concubine, I will still be a concubine of the Shangguan family. Facing the former Grand Secretary and the Shangguan family, my brother would not dare to openly strip the title of his daughter, otherwise it would be tantamount to publicly humiliating the Shangguan family."

"Therefore, until the fall of the Former Huan, I will always be the one and only Princess of Langya."

Ah Qiu could imagine the intensity of the falling out between father and daughter, and the fierce conflict between brother and sister.

She finally figured out a question: "Then why did you insist on becoming a concubine in the Shangguan family?"

Moreover, the man she married was not a powerful figure in the Shangguan family.

Otherwise, the result would have been a renowned Lady Shangguan in history, rather than the Princess of Langya disappearing from history.

Sima Yao tilted her head, seemingly lost in endless beautiful memories.

At this moment, the moonlight outside the window was half-drenched, shining directly on her still beautiful face, half of which showed the contours of her face, as delicate and beautiful as a fairy among the mountains and bamboo.

She said softly, "You were born in Dayan and have never witnessed the splendor of the previous dynasty. But have you ever heard of the former Grand Chancellor's reputation of 'wearing a green robe and wielding a sword, he conquered the Jiangzuo region'?"

A Qiu was taken aback by this sudden question, wondering what this had to do with the former Grand Secretary Shangguan Jin. She hadn't married Shangguan Jin.

Since Shangguan Jin is Shangguan Yuqi's thirteenth great-uncle, if Sima Yao were to marry him, then Sima Yao would not be a great-aunt in the Shangguan family, but only an aunt.

She replied, "Although I have never personally witnessed the former Grand Secretary's elegance, I can still glimpse it from Miss Shangguan's sword dance. The world is at peace, the sword dance is like ice bamboo, the demeanor of a gentleman, benefiting all under heaven."

She found it somewhat amusing; if that were the case, even Shangguan Jin would be Sima Yao's grand-nephew.

Although she hadn't drunk any alcohol, Sima Yao looked as if she were. Her face was slightly flushed, and her gaze was deep, as if she were looking out the window into the past decades.

"The former Grand Secretary was originally a tomb keeper and was skilled in swordsmanship. However, after he entered officialdom, he never became famous for his martial arts skills. Instead, he served the court as a civil official. Therefore, the world's famous scholars once described him as 'a lofty figure in a green robe with a sword, a recluse with lofty character.' That is to say, his swordsmanship was superb, but no one had ever actually seen him draw his sword."

A Qiu thought for a moment and said, "In the past, the Grand Secretary was a high-ranking official, always surrounded by attendants and guards. He spent his days chatting and feasting, and he never had to personally go to the battlefield to fight. He must have had no opportunity to use his sword, so the world never saw him. Then why did the saying 'A sword in green robes, he conquered the entire Jiangzuo' come about?"

Sima Yao said softly, "That's because he drew his sword."

He added, "And in his entire life, he only ever displayed this one sword technique before the world."

A Qiu couldn't imagine what situation would force the strict, self-disciplined, and rule-abiding Shangguan Jin to break his rule and use his sword.

Sima Yao said, "That sword strike was aimed at me."

In the third year of the Xining era, when spring flowers were in full bloom along the Imperial Street, Princess Sima Yao of Langya had just turned fourteen and was of marriageable age, yet no one in Man Jianzhang dared to propose to her.

There are two reasons.

Firstly, Sima Yao held an extremely prestigious and noble position. His father, Sima Jun, the Prince of Langya, was shrewd and capable, and was the most trusted member of the imperial clan by the current Emperor Wu, Sima Yan.

Unlike the Guangling Prince branch from which Sima Yan was born, the Langya Prince branch has always been the eldest branch of the Sima family. Generations of them were proficient in both civil and military affairs and extremely skilled in political maneuvering. If the previous Langya Prince had not been convicted and punished for participating in the Rebellion of the Seven States, even the throne might not have been passed to Sima Yan's father, Sima Dezong.

As for Sima Jun, the Prince of Langya in this generation, he was a man whom even Emperor Wu of Han, Sima Yan, would respectfully address as "Imperial Uncle." In Jianzhang Palace, he could have whatever he wanted.

However, because of this, many prominent families in Jianzhang dared not casually attach themselves to him, for fear of offending Emperor Wu of Han, Sima Yan.

Secondly, Sima Yao himself had an extremely poor reputation among the sons of the prominent Jianzhang family.

Upon hearing this, A Qiu's eyes widened immediately, and she said, "Aunt Yao, how bad can your reputation be? Have you been gambling, racking up debts, fighting cocks and dogs, or indulging in prostitution and bullying men and women?"

When the topic of the past came up, Sima Yao seemed to regain her girlish liveliness, laughing uncontrollably for a moment before wiping away her tears of laughter and saying, "Actually, what you said is pretty much true."

A-Qiu opened her mouth, almost unable to believe it.

Although Sima Yao still wears a bright red dress, her temperament is gentle and simple. Her long hair is tied into a high bun with a simple wooden hairpin. A Qiu could not imagine her domineering and illustrious appearance back then.

Even Pei Yu, the most flamboyant and attention-seeking among her peers, who is now known as the "Princess of Jianzhang Normal School," cannot act like this.

Sima Yao patiently explained, “The atmosphere of your generation is ultimately different from that of our generation. Back then, the dynasty was at its end, and the corruption of the aristocratic families was terminal. The better ones of these families enjoyed idle talk and debate, spending their days engaging in lofty discussions, with white powder on their faces and fragrant silk wrapped around their heads; the worse ones, as you just mentioned, frequented brothels, cockfighting, dog racing, and even engaged in bullying and harassing men and women.”

A Qiu remained silent, because she thought of Shangguan Yuqi's father, who was involved in this situation, or rather, involved in both.

Sima Yao continued, "Back then, I was actually considered an oddball, and quite ostracized by the industry. Therefore, those who knew my reputation wouldn't propose marriage."

A-Qiu asked, "What's so special about you?"

Sima Yao looked up at the rising moon outside the window and said wistfully, "I don't hang out with girls, and I don't have much in common with those young ladies from high-class families. I don't like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, or household chores. I also dislike tea ceremonies, flower arranging, knitting, and needlework. Therefore, I never have anything to talk about with them."

She added, "My father never had any children, so he raised me like a boy from a young age, teaching me both literature and martial arts. I prefer martial arts."

After a moment's thought, A Qiu said, "Then... there shouldn't be any problem with you hanging out and playing with boys. Besides, wouldn't it be easier for girls who stay at home to find a husband if they have more contact with boys?" Since she had grown up with her fellow apprentices and wasn't particularly interested in needlework, she didn't see any problem with it.

Sima Yao smiled and said, "There are also problems."

A-Qiu asked in surprise, "How could there be a problem?"

In her eyes, Sima Yao was stunningly beautiful, so bold and individualistic, and with her noble background, she would surely be a standout wherever she went, and countless young men should be chasing after her.

Sima Yao laughed and said, "You know, people are generally divided into two types: introverted and extroverted. Among the young people of my generation, the representatives of these two types are the gentle and frail young masters and the spoiled brats. We grew up together, and when I reached marriageable age, you will find that these two types of people are like this: Quan Jianzhang's gentle and frail young masters have all been teased by me; Quan Jianzhang's spoiled brats have all been fought with me and beaten black and blue."

Ah Qiu's mouth was so wide open it could almost fit a walnut.

Then, she finally said hesitantly, "Then you... were probably the most outstanding woman in Jianzhang at that time, second only to Lady Huachi."

Sima Yao waved her hand magnanimously and said modestly, "Actually, I can't compare to her. She does serious business. I was just relatively famous in the circle of young noblemen who messed around at the time, and this fame made it difficult for me to get married even when I reached marriageable age."

Ah Qiu remembered something and said, "The Prince of Langya must be quite worried about your condition."

When her father was mentioned, Sima Yao smiled faintly and said, "Actually, it's nothing. My brother never blames me for my chaotic behavior. On the contrary, he always rewards me handsomely when I enter the palace, and his favor towards me far exceeds that of my other cousins. It's because the valiant and handsome Prince of Langya has such an unruly daughter who is not suitable for marriage, which makes my brother feel at ease. A flawless member of the imperial clan is the biggest threat to the throne in the eyes of the emperor. Moreover, my brother himself has a lot of problems and not much to be proud of. He appears to rely on my father, but in reality, he is wary of him."

Hearing her say this, A Qiu realized that this Princess Langya was clearly not as ignorant and fearless as she had appeared back then, nor was she as foolish as she had seemed.

Then she immediately understood: Sima Yao was not, otherwise she wouldn't be the only remaining member of the Sima royal family in the world, sitting here peacefully talking to her.

Her father, brothers, uncles, and aunts, whether wise and powerful or domineering and licentious, had all passed away long ago.