Chapter 10
Can Shen Qingnian become the Crown Princess simply because of her parents' love?
Lin Yue'er's words were tinged with bitterness and embarrassment. At the previous banquet, everyone had surrounded her and fawned over her, but now that everyone's attitude towards her had changed, she was naturally resentful.
When she was surprised to learn that the poem chosen by the Crown Prince was actually written by Shen Qingnian, she was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion.
Shen Qingnian's smiling expression quickly turned sour upon hearing Lin Yue'er's words, as if she had remembered something.
She glanced at Song Xuan before forcing a smile: "Miss Lin is right. Even though I am deeply loved by my father and mother, there are still things I cannot have."
After saying that, she took a few steps back and was helped away by Xiaoju.
Madam Shen's sharp gaze shot towards Lin Yue'er, and the expressions of those around her as they looked at Lin Yue'er varied.
There was surprise, confusion, and disdain.
Everyone could see that Shen Qingnian was in love with the Crown Prince, but after Lin Yue'er returned to the capital, even though Shen Qingnian was unwilling, she did not bother the Crown Prince.
On the contrary, Lin Yue'er, who came from behind, always targets Shen Qingnian, both openly and secretly.
Lin Yue'er's public remarks were naturally displeasing.
As Song Xuan watched Shen Qingnian's departing figure, a surge of anger rose within him, and his originally gentle tone turned somewhat cold: "Miss Lin, watch your words. You yourself may not gain more than Miss Shen."
After saying that, he ignored Lin Yue'er and turned back to his seat.
Lin Yue'er's face turned pale instantly, and a look of terror filled her eyes.
Looking at her like this, Madam Shen sneered: "You're just taking advantage of your feelings to target Qing Nian time and time again. His Highness the Crown Prince will surely see through your reputation."
After saying that, she turned and left. Everyone else pursed their lips and returned to their seats.
During the ensuing banquet, Song Xuan never spoke a word to Lin Yue'er again, nor did he spare her even a glance. The others also acted as if Lin Yue'er did not exist.
As the banquet ended, Lin Yue'er couldn't help but chase after Song Xuan.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Qingnian, who was leisurely enjoying tea in her boudoir, immediately stood up and headed for the door.
At the entrance of the Shen residence, all the guests had already left.
Lin Yue'er stood in front of Song Xuan, her eyes filled with tears, and said aggrievedly, "Crown Prince, are you really angry with me? Have you forgotten what Grandfather said before he died?"
Her grandfather had saved her brother, the Crown Prince, which is why she was so close to him and why she addressed him so affectionately.
Although her grandfather had passed away, he was still her support. Her elder brother, the Crown Prince, had always been grateful for her grandfather's kindness, which was why he had been so accommodating to her.
She understood, and she was unwilling to accept it.
Song Xuan looked at Lin Yue'er, who was on the verge of tears, but his heart remained unmoved. He only looked at the carriage behind Lin Yue'er and said, "Miss Lin, please go back."
Lin Yue'er was rejected by Song Xuan. Her body stiffened, and she mustered up her courage to try to grab Song Xuan's clothes, but he took a step back and dodged her.
Song Xuan simply turned around, his back to Lin Yue'er. As he turned, he caught a glimpse of a pale purple skirt behind a pillar at the entrance of the mansion.
The skirt seemed not to have expected him to turn around, and quickly shrank back behind the pillar, making his heart skip a beat.
Lin Yue'er behind him was still crying, like a chattering sparrow, but Song Xuan didn't hear a word she said, only staring at the pillar at the door.
"Brother Crown Prince, let's not be angry anymore..." Lin Yue'er's mouth was dry from talking, but she didn't get a reply from Song Xuan. It was as if he was deaf.
In the end, she had no choice but to leave.
After Song Xuan had some peace and quiet, he looked back and saw that Lin Yue'er had already left in a carriage.
He withdrew his gaze and walked towards the pillar.
The pillar was very large, but there was nothing behind it, as if the faint purple hue was just an illusion.
But he distinctly smelled a faint jasmine fragrance...
Song Xuan stood behind the pillar for a long time, feeling inexplicably lost. It wasn't until the doorman cautiously approached and asked if he wanted to enter the mansion that he came back to his senses, waved his hand, and turned to leave.
As the luxurious carriage drove further and further away, Song Xuan, sitting inside, felt a faint jasmine fragrance lingering in his nostrils.
Shen Qingnian sat on the chaise lounge, listening to the steward's report.
The butler's expression was grave: "Miss, the Crown Prince has been standing behind the pillar for a long time, as if he has discovered something. Should we do something?"
The Crown Prince is from the imperial family. If he discovers that the young lady is eavesdropping, it will definitely leave a bad impression, and the imperial family is most wary of such things.
Shen Qingnian glanced at the butler: "No need to do anything."
After saying that, she waved her hand, signaling the butler to leave.
What we wanted was for Song Xuan to discover this, for him to become suspicious; otherwise, how could we proceed?
*
Inside the Imperial Study in the Imperial Palace.
Song Xuan sat upright, facing the reigning emperor, his father.
A chessboard was placed in front of the two men.
"Have you made up your mind? Do you want to marry Miss Lin as your Crown Princess?" The Emperor's expression was humble, somewhat resembling that of Song Xuan.
Both men possessed a gentle and refined demeanor, but the emperor, being in a high position, exuded a stronger aura and a commanding presence.
During this period, the emperor arranged for Song Xuan to spend more time with Lin Yue'er in order to cultivate their relationship.
After all, the Lin family had done Song Xuan a favor, so it would be a happy ending for everyone if this marriage could be arranged.
Song Xuan lowered his eyes to look at the chessboard in front of him. He gently placed a black piece and said in a gentle tone, "Father, Miss Lin is not suitable to be the Crown Princess. We need to choose someone else."
The emperor placed a white piece, surrounding the black pieces, and asked succinctly, "How do you know?"
“Miss Lin is prone to arrogance due to favor. If she becomes the Crown Princess, the Eastern Palace will be in jeopardy,” Song Xuan said, placing a black piece in an attempt to break through.
The emperor remained calm and composed, saying nothing, and placed another white piece. Song Xuan's long, slender fingertip immediately placed a black piece.
The black pieces were unstoppable.
The emperor composed himself, raising his eyebrows slightly as he used white pieces to encircle the black pieces again. Song Xuan made his move without hesitation, quickly, clearly having already made his decision.
The two remained silent, focusing intently on their game of chess.
After a while, the black pieces broke through and, with a fierce attack, killed most of the white pieces. The emperor sighed.
He looked at the Crown Prince in front of him: "People say that you are similar to me, but they only see the surface. The sharpness you hide in your heart is more like your grandfather."
Although the Crown Prince was personally taught by him, the other party was nothing like him. The sharp edge hidden in his heart, once unsheathed, would be hard to turn back even if it drew blood. This was the real Crown Prince, a fact that even the Empress had not noticed.
Song Xuan lowered his eyes and remained silent.
He knew very well that he and his father were not the same kind of people; his dignified and refined demeanor was merely a facade.
The emperor patted Song Xuan on the shoulder, no longer mentioning the matter, and instead asked the question from earlier: "What are your plans regarding the Lin family?"
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