Chapter 4 Things must turn against each other when they reach their extremes
After a while, the noble lady in gorgeous clothes led Song Lingyi to the next table. The gravel path was lined with green trees on both sides, and the atmosphere was exceptionally quiet.
Seeing that they were almost there, the lady in gorgeous clothes looked at Song Lingyi with a sharp look in her eyes. She turned her head and said, "Sister Song, when you go in, don't talk nonsense. Just answer whatever the Second Prince asks. Once you get the prize, come out quickly."
Song Lingyi keenly sensed that something was amiss, but she didn't dare to ask any further questions. After all, it involved a member of the royal family, and if she wasn't careful, she could easily lose her head.
"Thank you, Sister Yang, for the advice."
Soon, the two arrived outside the pavilion.
"Follow me," the elegantly dressed lady said calmly in a low voice. Then, she knelt down and said in a clear voice, "Greetings to His Highness the Second Prince."
Song Lingyi followed suit and bowed in greeting.
A moment later, a voice called out "Stand tall" from the pavilion, and the two of them thanked the emperor and stood up. The elegantly dressed lady gave Song Lingyi a look, signaling her to hurry inside.
Countless eyes in the pavilion were focused on Song Lingyi. Her heart began to beat fast. She nodded slightly and walked slowly to Xiao Du.
Only a cold and casual voice came from the front, "Are you Song Lingyi?"
Song Lingyi kept her eyes lowered: "Replying to the Second Prince, that's right."
The pale face was expressionless, and the voice was as clear and melodious as a mountain stream. Xiao Du raised his eyebrows slightly, showing some interest, and said in a commanding tone, "Raise your head."
“…” Song Lingyi frowned slightly.
Isn't it a prize? Why does she have to look up?
She began to wonder in her heart, and slowly raised her head, her gaze gradually moving upwards from the table piled with wine. The moment she saw the man's appearance clearly, Song Lingyi's pupils suddenly shrank.
The second prince's appearance is somewhat similar to Shen Wuhui!
However, his eyebrows and eyes were wild, not as delicate as the bandit leader's.
Xiao Du looked at the girl in front of him without hiding anything. "I didn't expect that Miss Song is not only good at writing poetry, but also good-looking."
"..." Song Lingyi frowned almost imperceptibly.
Although he was a prince, his conversation was not even as good as that of a bandit leader. As expected, good looks are not as good as good birth.
"Your Highness, you are too kind."
Xiao Du picked up the fire-painted fan on the table and spun it slowly in his palm. "I have the prize in my hand. Come and take it, Miss Song."
The full house remained silent.
The Second Prince was not only overbearing but also extremely lustful. Relying on the Emperor's favor, he frequently abducted women from the common people, and even molested and took possession of the daughters of minor officials.
Pei Zhao's eyes darkened, and he was about to stand up to help Song Lingyi, but he was held down by his senior brother sitting next to him.
"Junior brother, Miss Song is from the Duke's Mansion. The Second Prince will definitely not make things difficult for her. You'd better not get involved in this mess. If you anger him, it will only be disadvantageous to Miss Song."
"..." Pei Zhao frowned, took a deep look at the seat above him, and decided to wait and see.
Song Lingyi stood there, considering whether to go over.
Xiao Du lost his patience and lowered his brows: "Why, can't I invite you anymore?"
"How could that be? The Second Prince has misunderstood." Song Lingyi smiled lightly and walked around the table.
…
At the same time, Yang Qinghe did not go directly back to the women's table, but went towards the gate.
A flat-top carriage with a red tassel canopy slowly stopped at the entrance of Bishuiyuntai. The eunuchs set up stools and the palace maids lifted the curtains.
Princess Changyang got out of the carriage with the help of a palace maid, and Yang Qinghe quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"Hail, Your Highness the Princess."
"No need to be so formal. I had something to do at home today, so I'm a little late. Sister Yang, please don't mind."
Yang Qinghe pursed her lips and smiled slightly. "Your Highness, you are so polite, it really makes me feel embarrassed. Today, my sisters have written many good poems, and we are waiting for Your Highness to appreciate them."
The two of them then walked inside.
The waterside pavilion was bustling with activity, but unusually quiet could be heard from the man's table next door.
Princess Changyang stopped, looked from a distance, and asked casually, "Why is it so quiet today? Didn't Jianzhi come?"
"Today is a poetry gathering hosted by Wenlushan Academy, so Pei Erlang is here naturally. The place is so quiet, probably because the Second Prince is here too. The Second Prince just used a fire-painted fan as a prize, and asked everyone to write a poem about the scenery." Yang Qinghe said.
As expected, upon hearing the Second Prince's name, Princess Changyang's face darkened instantly, and she said rather ominously, "If I had known he was coming, I wouldn't have come."
"My second brother's literature lessons have always given the teacher a headache. Instead of trying to please our father, he actually comes to such an elegant place as the poetry meeting. He would do anything to win over the Pei family." Princess Changyang rolled her eyes secretly.
Yang Qinghe listened to it without any expression.
"Who won the prize?" Princess Changyang asked casually. In fact, she already had the answer in her mind and was just waiting for Yang Qinghe to say the name.
"She's the cousin from the Duke of Jin's mansion, Song Lingyi."
Hearing this, Princess Changyang frowned and looked at Yang Qinghe with suspicion and seriousness, saying, "Can her poetry surpass Jianzhi's?"
"Miss Song is quite talented. She was able to win the prize because she was recommended by other talented people." Yang Qinghe said calmly.
Princess Changyang remained silent, pondering for a moment before a hint of sarcasm appeared on the corner of her lips. "It seems Sister Yang is quite optimistic about Miss Song. It's a pity that she has offended Second Brother. I'm afraid she won't get any benefits today."
"Your Highness, you are wrong. Today is a poetry gathering hosted by Wenlushan Academy. I was simply entrusted by Senior Brother Ning to preside over the banquet for the female guests. I don't have any personal feelings for Miss Song."
Yang Qinghe's words gave Princess Changyang some inspiration.
Since it was a poetry gathering hosted by Wenlushan Academy, given Jianzhi's character, he would definitely plead for the girl. What's more, the Lu and Pei families were close friends, so he would not stand idly by.
If Jianzhi stepped forward, he might anger his second brother. He was about to enter the government this year, and he couldn't afford to offend his second brother at such a critical moment.
"Where is she?"
…
Inside the pavilion.
Song Lingyi walked around the table and was about to take the Fire Fan from Xiao Du's hand, but she saw him withdraw his hand and said in a frivolous and arrogant tone: "This Fire Fan was given by the Emperor. Miss Song, it's too rude for you to extend your hands to it, isn't it?"
“…” Song Lingyi was stunned.
Xiao Du looked at her leisurely and said slowly, "Miss Song is from a small place and doesn't know the rules. This prince will not bother with you. When the emperor gives something, you must kneel down to express your gratitude."
“…”
paralysis.
What kind of prince is this? He is deliberately making things difficult for her!
It is indeed natural to kneel down and express gratitude when the emperor bestows rewards, but what does it have to do with him, a prince, who wants to use it as a prize and even act like an emperor at the end.
Asking her to kneel in front of so many people is obviously looking down on her and humiliating her.
Song Lingyi took a deep breath and moved slightly.
"Your Highness."
“Second brother!”
Pei Zhao stood up suddenly, and just as he opened his mouth, he heard a female voice coming from outside the pavilion.
Princess Changyang strode gracefully into the pavilion and gave Pei Zhao a reassuring look. The latter's face was calm, and no one noticed the slight frown.
"Oh." Xiao Du showed a look of surprise, his brows slightly relaxed. "Ever since Sixth Sister left the palace to build her own residence, it's been hard for me to see you except for the few palace banquets every year. Why did you take the initiative to come over and say hello today?"
"I heard that the Song family's younger sister won the prize set by my second brother, so I wanted to come and appreciate it." Princess Changyang casually picked up the rice paper on the table and said with admiration, "It's really well written."
The pavilion is so quiet that you can hear a pinhole.
The originally relaxed and cheerful atmosphere became much duller due to the arrival of the two royal relatives.
Princess Changyang put down the rice paper, glanced past Song Lingyi, and then at the fire-painted fan. Without a second thought, she snatched it from Xiao Du's hand, "This must be the prize set by my second brother."
Even though the Second Prince and the Crown Prince were fighting for power, Princess Changyang was the youngest sister and Xiao Du doted on her quite a bit.
Princess Changyang was a cute and clever child, fond of chasing after Xiao Du and calling him "Second Brother," which endeared her to her. Later, when her mother passed away, Xiao Du begged Consort Shu to take her to Chuxiu Palace to raise her, but Empress Shen unexpectedly took her first.
"Sixth sister likes it?" Xiao Du raised his eyebrows.
"What's the point of liking it? Second brother has already used it as a prize. Sister Song's poems are well written. This fire-painted fan is given to you, and it is well deserved."
As she spoke, Princess Changyang handed the Fire Painted Fan directly to Song Lingyi, and raised her eyebrows with a smile: "The poetry gathering has just begun, and the sisters are waiting for you to take home the prize. Sister Song, if you have nothing else to do, please leave first."
Song Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Princess, and thank you, Second Prince."
Take the fire fan and quickly leave this dangerous place.
After walking out of the pavilion, she felt that the air was much fresher. Song Lingyi felt depressed and walked back slowly, kicking the gravel with her toes from time to time.
"Lingyi."
A familiar voice called from behind.
Song Lingyi's heart trembled slightly and she turned around suddenly.
Pei Zhao stood among the flowers and weeping willows, his eyes as calm as distant mountains staring straight at her. His moon-white brocade robe made him look modest and elegant.
Perhaps because the scene was so harmonious and beautiful, Song Lingyi didn't even notice his address. Her previous melancholy vanished, and she smiled as brightly as a summer flower. "Brother Jianzhi, why did you come out?"
"The atmosphere in the pavilion is too stuffy, let's go out for a walk." Pei Zhao's eyebrows curved slightly.
In reality, he was afraid that the Second Prince's arrogant behavior might frighten her, so he had come out to see what was happening. From the corner of his eye, he saw Song Lingyi twirling the handle of her fan back and forth. She said softly, "Those who have been in high positions for a long time naturally don't care about other people's feelings. You don't have to take what happened today too seriously."
Everything has its limits.
After the great victory in Danyang County, many ministers in the court requested an imperial decree to welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince back to the capital. The situation in Kyoto was about to change.
"I won't waste my energy on unimportant people." Song Lingyi bit the soft flesh in her mouth, a smile spreading across the corners of her lips, "Brother Jianzhi, are you worried about me?"
She had seen Pei Zhao trying to plead for her earlier. She hadn't checked the almanac before leaving home today, which had been unlucky, but it wasn't all in vain.
Pei Zhao hadn't expected a young girl like her to speak so bluntly. He laughed and said, "Go back quickly. With Princess Changyang here, the Second Prince's story is over."
No denial means admission.
Song Lingyi was in a good mood and hummed a little tune as she returned to the waterside tower.
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