Chapter 16 Stubborn, even though she likes it so much
Li Mingjin sneered, raised his chin, and put on the airs of a prince.
"Yu Nian, you're really stubborn. You've kept the bluebird embroidery pattern brocade that I gave you so well, and even made it into a cape to wear to such a formal occasion. You're really good at playing hard to get."
Yu Nian raised an eyebrow. What bad luck! She had just randomly picked a piece of clothing from Chun Tao's collection, and yet she still managed to make a mistake.
I was wondering how someone with the original owner's taste could have such an elegant style of clothing, but I never expected it to be a gift from the Crown Prince.
But then again, so what? It's just a cape.
"Your Highness, it was just an embroidery pattern. There are so many clothes that I forgot it was you who sent it. I'm so sorry for causing this unnecessary misunderstanding."
Yu Nian said casually, just then she heard someone calling her name from the distant covered bridge. There were many people around, so she couldn't see clearly. Yu Nian didn't want to waste any more time with Li Mingjin.
"Your Highness, it's remarkable that you remembered such a small embroidery pattern so clearly, even though it was just a substitute. The banquet is about to begin, so I won't keep you company any longer. Farewell."
Yu Nian relayed the meaning behind the Crown Prince's words to Li Mingjin verbatim, telling him to stop acting like he was the only one who had a mouth, as it was annoying to watch.
After Yu Nian finished speaking, she walked away leisurely, leaving the Crown Prince speechless on the spot.
"How dare you defy me!"
Over the past two days, Li Mingjin has suffered more in front of Yu Nian than he did in his previous life.
"Someone come here."
Li Mingjin summoned his personal guard and whispered a few words in his ear.
...
As Yu Nian stepped onto the covered bridge, the woman who had been greeting her warmly in the distance rushed up to her.
"Sister Niannian, I'm so glad to see you! Are you alright?"
A girl dressed in a pale yellow dress skipped over to Yu Nian and affectionately took her arm.
With the system's prompting, Yu Nian learned the identity of the cheerful girl in front of her: Lu Mingzhu, Yu Nian's only close friend and the younger sister of the current Imperial Concubine.
The girl, with her bright eyes and white teeth, was also lively and energetic, which made Yu Nian feel even more favorably toward her.
She's a beauty.
This was Yu Nian's first impression of Lu Mingzhu.
"After your engagement was broken off, my family was afraid of being implicated, so they kept me at home and wouldn't let me see you. Fortunately, the Princess invited you here this time, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see you now."
Lu Mingzhu's quick and straightforward remarks made Yu Nian feel slightly embarrassed.
Okay, she's a beauty, but doesn't seem very bright.
Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. If a woman had no flaws, could she become best friends with the well-known Yu Nian? Moreover, Yu Nian heard from the system that Lu Mingzhu wasn't very well-liked in the Lu family.
Yu Nian guessed that the reason was probably because of that unrestrained mouth.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me."
Yu Nian echoed, after all, she couldn't lose her only best friend.
"Haha, I knew you were an unkillable cockroach, you'd definitely pull yourself together."
Lu Mingzhu's way of praising people is quite unique.
Yu Nian gave a dry laugh and headed to the banquet venue with Lu Mingzhu.
"Sister Niannian, your cape is so beautiful! Is it newly made?"
When girls get together, the most common topic of conversation is clothing. Although Lu Mingzhu comes from a respectable background, in terms of resources, she is worlds apart from Yu Nian, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family.
"No, you like it? I'll give it to you."
Seeing this cloak reminded Yu Nian of Li Mingjin, that narcissist who constantly assumed she was trying to get into his palace. Giving it away was perfect; out of sight, out of mind.
"Oh? You're giving it to me? Really? Sister Niannian, you've never been this generous before."
Lu Mingzhu's mouth, which always speaks the truth, is not inherently flawed, but Yu Nian finds it strangely awkward to listen to.
"Really, it's for you."
As Yu Nian spoke, she untied the tie from her cloak, turned around, and draped it over Lu Mingzhu's shoulders.
"Thank you, Sister Niannian~"
Lu Mingzhu was overjoyed. Wearing the cloak, she spun around on the spot. As an illegitimate daughter of the Lu family, she only had the opportunity to make new clothes during festivals, let alone use such fine fabric.
After crossing the covered bridge, they arrived at the banquet venue. The eldest princess sat in the seat of honor, chatting with the ladies coming and going. When she saw Yu Nian walking over, her eyes darkened imperceptibly.
Even if Yu Nian was unwilling, she had no choice but to greet him and give him the gift.
"Greetings, Your Highness. I wish Your Highness a long and healthy life. I offer this small gift as a token of my appreciation."
Yu Nian performed a grand salute and asked Chun Tao to present a brocade box containing the gifts.
As soon as she finished speaking, the princess acted as if she hadn't seen Yu Nian at all, not even lifting her eyelids, and continued chatting with the noble lady next to her.
Yu Nian knew that it would be abnormal if the princess didn't cause her any trouble, since she disliked her so much.
Although the eldest princess's eyes were not on Yu Nian, she kept glancing at her out of the corner of her eye. Because of the empress's decree, she dared not disobey. She was unwilling, but she still invited Yu Nian over. However, this did not stop her from giving Yu Nian a hard time.
Everyone around was shrewd; it was no secret that the Princess disliked Yu Nian. Now that Yu Nian had delivered herself to their doorstep, everyone was waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
There's a saying: you can never wake someone who's pretending to be asleep.
Yu Nian didn't think so; perhaps the reason they couldn't wake up was because the voice wasn't loud enough.
"Congratulations on the Princess's birthday. My father specially helped to find a pair of fine jade bracelets, wishing the Princess a long and healthy life."
Yu Nian's voice was clear and high-pitched, and the whispering people around her were startled by her sudden rise in power. No young lady had ever dared to speak so loudly outside.
Everyone fell silent without warning, and the surroundings were eerily quiet. Naturally, the princess could no longer keep up the pretense.
"So it's Miss Yu Wu. No need for formalities. Thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister."
The eldest princess had a mocking expression and a perfunctory look on her face. This brat, how come she's become so clever this time? She actually used her father to pressure her. She was originally thinking of making her kneel for another half an incense stick's time.
"As long as the princess is happy."
Yu Nian stood up, her expression unchanged. This thing wasn't particularly troublesome; there was already a whole box of bracelets like this sitting idle in the Prime Minister's storeroom.
"Eldest sister."
Li Mingjin walked past Yu Nian without lingering in his eyes, and went to the Princess. He greeted her, and behind him was Yu Zhirou, who was dressed in a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
"This is Rou'er."
Li Mingjin kindly introduced Yu Zhirou, and Yu Zhirou stepped forward and bowed as well, but was helped up by the Princess herself.
"From now on, we're all family, so there's no need for formalities."
These words made Yu Zhirou a little embarrassed, and she quickly took out the gift she had carefully prepared.
“Your Highness, these are warming pills that I made myself. I heard from Mingjin that you are a bit cold-sensitive, and these are specially made to help you.”
A pair of small porcelain vases were presented to the Princess, who laughed heartily, but Yu Nian found it somewhat comical.
Only a true female lead could do something like this; she's the only one who would deliver medicine on a day like this.
But she's the female lead, she has a halo, and the eldest princess treats Yu Zhirou with great kindness.
“I have been suffering from cold for many years and it has been a constant worry for me. This gift is very thoughtful.”
"Don't worry, elder sister. Rou'er's medical skills are superb. She cured Zhang Yuanwai's son's leg. With Rou'er's treatment, your cold symptoms will surely be cured soon."
Li Mingjin was enthusiastically promoting Yu Zhirou, his words tinged with pride.
The protagonists' halos were truly dazzling. Yu Nian gave the gift and, not caring about the princess's attitude, went to stroll around. When the time was almost up, she collected her merit points and slipped away.
While Yu Nian was lost in thought, Lu Mingzhu suddenly leaned close to her and tugged at her sleeve.
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