It was such a coincidence that Song Yao also arrived at the Jokhang Temple after the assassination attempt. If there wasn't something fishy going on, the Princess of Zhennan would be the first to disbelieve it. She asked, "How did you end up at the Jokhang Temple?"
Pei Zhao was taken aback, and had no choice but to tell the truth.
"You scoundrel!" Princess Zhennan was furious. "I was wondering what a coincidence it was today. It turns out it was all planned in advance. I underestimated this girl."
The Princess of Zhennan felt deeply resentful that someone had schemed against her in front of everyone and then unexpectedly become her savior.
“Mother, Yao Yao’s mind isn’t that complicated. Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding.” Pei Zhao wanted to explain, but the Princess of Zhennan said angrily, “There are so many places in the capital, why did you choose the Jokhang Temple? If Song Yao had been stabbed to death today, I would believe it was a coincidence that she survived.”
Having suffered a loss she couldn't speak of, Princess Zhennan was furious.
Pei Zhao remained silent.
"I also heard that the princess took Shen Ruyun to the Han family today. Is that true?" Princess Zhennan questioned.
Pei Zhao nodded. He had passed through the hall on his way back today and had paid his respects to the princess, but she did not seem to be very friendly to him.
"Tomorrow you will come with me to the Duke's mansion again. I will recognize Song Yao as my goddaughter. Remember, no matter what, we cannot compromise and let Song Yao into the family. The Zhennan Prince's mansion cannot afford to lose face like that."
Would the Princess of Zhennan let Song Yao have her way?
Pei Zhao never disobeyed his mother, and this time was no exception. Besides, he really had no intention of marrying Song Yao.
"Mother, will there be any changes to the marriage with the Third Miss?" he asked anxiously.
Princess Zhennan looks down on both Song Yao and Song Yue; they're cut from the same cloth, except that Song Yue now has someone backing her up.
"Of course not."
Pei Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands, saying, "Mother, please rest early. Your son will take his leave now."
The next morning
Princess Zhennan then took a carriage full of congratulatory gifts to the Duke of Jingguo's residence, with Pei Zhao accompanying her.
Upon hearing that Princess Zhennan had arrived, Song Yao was both delighted and surprised. Just as she was about to get up, Yuan Fuling pressed her down, saying, "I know Princess Zhennan's temperament. She will never easily agree to let you in."
"Then, what should we do?" Song Yao panicked.
Yuan Fuling took a deep breath: "Yaoyao, remember, only by enduring hardship can one rise above others. If you can get through this, you will become the Crown Prince's wife in the future."
Yuan Fuling gently pressed her hand on Song Yao's wound. Song Yao was taken aback at first, then seemed to think of something and gritted her teeth: "Mother, I will listen to you."
She had no choice but to take a gamble.
The wound was quickly pressed until it bled, and Song Yao was in so much pain that she almost fainted. She gritted her teeth and was covered in sweat from the pain.
"Yaoyao, remember this: your only wish in this life is to grow old with the prince, understand?" Yuan Fuling instructed.
As she was about to faint, Song Yao nodded gently, then rolled her eyes and completely passed out.
Yuan Fuling pulled the quilt up to cover Song Yao's wound, got up and wiped the blood off her hands. With a look of panic, she asked someone to fetch a doctor and then asked someone to fetch the Duke.
"Something terrible has happened, Second Miss!"
The maid ran and shouted at the top of her lungs.
Princess Zhennan heard the shouts as soon as she entered the door. Her eyelids twitched. Seeing that Qionghua Courtyard was in chaos, Yuan Fuling stood anxiously under the corridor, crying uncontrollably.
Pei Zhao was getting a little anxious and wanted to step forward, but was stopped by the Princess of Zhennan: "Zhao'er, come back."
Reminded by his mother, Pei Zhao withdrew.
"Let's go and pay our respects to the princess." Princess Zhennan could easily see through Yuan Fuling's thoughts, and she hurriedly led Pei Zhao to Yuehua Pavilion.
Everything will be fine as long as the princess speaks up.
Upon hearing the servants report that Princess Zhennan had brought Pei Zhao to visit, Song Yue, who had just eaten a shrimp dumpling, frowned. Princess Jiahua, without even raising her head, picked up a jade dumpling and placed it in Song Yue's bowl: "Eat first."
Nothing is more important than feeding my daughter.
Seeing this, Shen Ruyun, who was serving her, sighed silently. Only after Song Yue finished eating slowly and methodically did Princess Jiahua ask someone to invite the two people outside the door in.
Princess Zhennan looked slightly displeased when she entered. No family had ever dared to leave her waiting for so long when she was a guest.
"Jiahua." Princess Zhennan and Princess Jiahua were close friends and always addressed each other by their given names.
Princess Jia Hua didn't even stand up; she simply nodded.
The other younger members of the family, however, knelt and bowed to the Princess Consort of Zhennan.
This attitude shows that they don't take the Princess of Zhennan seriously at all, and even seem somewhat disrespectful.
"I heard that you were assassinated at the Jokhang Temple yesterday, and I was planning to visit you at your residence. I didn't expect you to come today." Princess Jiahua said without hesitation.
Princess Zhennan smiled enigmatically: "Who knew it would be such a coincidence that these assassins targeted me? Fortunately, the people around me are quick-witted and managed to drive them away in time."
Princess Jia Hua smiled but did not respond.
"I've wanted to visit you for a long time, but I haven't been able to find the time. How have you been all these years?" Princess Zhennan couldn't stand Princess Jiahua's indifferent and aloof demeanor, so she sighed, "It's been thirteen years since we last met. I never thought we'd meet again."
Princess Jiahua was well aware of the petty nature of the Princess Consort of Zhennan, and smiled, "She's not dead, so how could she not come back?"
The two seemed to be chatting casually, but in reality, neither was giving way to the other. Princess Jiahua's attitude left Princess Zhennan feeling humiliated.
Before she came, she even thought that Princess Jia Hua would lower herself and beg her for her daughter's marriage.
But now, she was at a loss for words.
“In the blink of an eye, we’ve all become elders. The Third Miss has grown into a beautiful young lady, and you have a daughter-in-law now. Miss Chen was already well-known as a young lady when she was a girl. She’s truly blessed.” Princess Zhennan turned her gaze to Song Yue, her face showing a look of great joy. “It’s a pity that I don’t have a daughter like the Third Miss. It’s such a shame.”
Bang!
Princess Jia Hua slammed the teacup down on the table and scolded irritably, "Did you change the tea today?"
Xiu Shu knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation: "Princess, please calm down. The cloud mist was not stored properly and became moldy. It was this servant who took it upon herself to replace the cloud mist with Gu Zhu Zisun."
Hearing this, Princess Jiahua raised an eyebrow and looked at the Princess Consort of Zhennan: "I remember you are used to drinking Gu Zhu Zi Sun tea, so this cup of tea is a reward for you."
Princess Zhennan stared wide-eyed in disbelief. After she came to her senses, her heart pounded violently as she looked at the other person in utter shock.
"What? Didn't you used to drink what I left over too?" Princess Jiahua covered her mouth and smiled.
“…You!” Princess Zhennan was the second daughter in her family, and her status was far inferior to that of Princess Jiahua. She was also the other party’s little follower.
No matter what Princess Jiahua did, Princess Zhennan would immediately agree. Over time, the two became close, and Princess Jiahua would always think of Princess Zhennan whenever she had something good.
When Princess Jia Hua was pregnant with Song Yue, it was Princess Zhennan who took the initiative to arrange a marriage between them and even obtained an imperial decree.
Unexpectedly, Princess Jia Hua ran into trouble three months later.
The matter was thus shelved.
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