The eldest princess opened the box, revealing an exquisite butterfly hairpin that looked lifelike and seemed to be spreading its wings as if it was about to fly.
"Princess, this was custom-made. It is one-of-a-kind in the world."
The eldest princess looked at the butterfly hairpin and recalled some intoxicating memories from the past. Her face even flushed with shyness, which was only seen in young girls.
"This hairpin... is worn by young girls. I'm afraid it's not suitable for me."
"That's because the hairpin was given to me a few years late."
Shangguan Wanning blinked her eyes, and her playful look made the eldest princess feel a little happy.
"You just said... someone asked you to tell me something. What was it?"
Shangguan Wanning looked around, deliberately lowered her voice, and whispered into the princess's ear: "Just... Happy birthday."
The eldest princess was stunned, a little surprised and a little at a loss.
"Just happy birthday?" The eldest princess was obviously disappointed and could not help but lower her eyelids.
"Otherwise, what do you think it is?" Shangguan Wan Ning saw through the princess's thoughts and smiled faintly, "I asked someone to tell her, but that's all I can say. After all, he's shy too. And I think... it would be more sincere if he told you the words you wanted to hear in person."
The eldest princess glanced at Shangguan Wanning. She seemed to see her former self in Shangguan Wanning.
If she had not married far away, would she have had such a lovely daughter with her beloved?
"I know you like crystal date paste cake, so I asked the imperial kitchen to prepare it for you. Let's go and eat it."
The eldest princess gave the hairpin to her personal maid, put it away, and walked to the other side holding Shangguan Wanning's hand.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao stood lonely aside, watching Shangguan Wanning talking and laughing with the eldest princess, the flame of jealousy burning in her chest.
She is obviously also the daughter of the Prime Minister, so why does everyone only focus their attention on Shangguan Wanning?
Is it just because...she is a bastard?
"Don't stand here stupidly," a young eunuch passed by Shangguan Xiaoxiao, pretending to stand there casually, and said softly, "Don't forget what the Second Prince asked you to do."
Shangguan Xiaoxiao came back to her senses and looked at the eunuch's departing back. She couldn't help but clench her fists.
Why, the thing she dreamed of was something Shangguan Wan Ning didn't even want?
At meal time, the empress dowager asked the chief eunuch to invite the daughters of each family to take a seat, and Shangguan Xiaoxiao finally sat next to Shangguan Wanning.
During the banquet, everyone recited poems, composed couplets, sang and danced, displaying their talents to the fullest.
"Sister, let me toast you." Shangguan Xiaoxiao picked up the glass and handed it to Shangguan Wanning, lowering her head and saying timidly, "A few days ago... I didn't know what was good for me and almost hurt you. Sister is so magnanimous and still takes care of me. I... really can't repay you."
Shangguan Wanning saw the tears in Shangguan Xiaoxiao's eyes. She looked so pitiful that anyone would feel soft-hearted.
She took the wine glass and held it in her hand, her voice becoming a little choked.
"Sister, please don't mention the past anymore. We are blood relatives. As long as you don't have any evil intentions to hurt others, I will still love you as before."
Shangguan Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded heavily.
"Sister, I'll drink first as a sign of respect."
Shangguan Xiaoxiao was about to take the glass of wine in front of her when Shangguan Wanning's handkerchief fell at her feet.
She immediately bent down to pick it up.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, Shangguan Wan Ning switched the wine and exchanged her glass with Shangguan Xiaoxiao's.
How could she take Shangguan Xiaoxiao's poor acting and cheap apology seriously? She just went along with her performance and cooperated with her.
"Thank you, sister." Shangguan Wanning took back the handkerchief and clinked glasses with Shangguan Xiaoxiao.
Time passed little by little, and Shangguan Xiaoxiao had been secretly observing Shangguan Wanning's emotional changes.
She seemed...unchanged at all.
how so?
I don’t know if it’s because of my anxiety and impatience, but Shangguan Xiaoxiao felt her whole body was hot, as if countless little bugs were crawling inside her.
She clenched her fists tightly, trying her best to suppress an inexplicable impulse.
"Sister, are you feeling unwell?" Shangguan Wanning held Shangguan Xiaoxiao's hand, and a sharp light flashed across the corner of her eyes.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao didn't know how to answer.
"I...sister...I want..."
"You look like you're sick. Let me help you find a place to rest."
Shangguan Wanning gave Lutong a wink, and Lutong understood and stepped aside, letting her help Shangguan Xiaoxiao to stand up, with no intention of following her at all.
Before entering the palace, Shangguan Wanning specifically instructed Lutong to pay close attention to Shangguan Xiaoxiao's every move, who she was with, what she said, and not to miss any subtle details.
Before sitting down at the table, Lutong told Shangguan Wanning that Shangguan Xiaoxiao had secretly spoken to the eunuchs in Xiao Zhenting's palace.
However, the distance was too far and Lu Tong couldn't hear clearly what they were saying.
However, Shangguan Wanning was already on guard.
She wanted to see what Shangguan Xiaoxiao and Xiao Zhenting were trying to do.
Shangguan Wanning helped Shangguan Xiaoxiao away from the noisy banquet. She took off her cloak and put it on Shangguan Xiaoxiao.
As the two men turned the corner, a thin young eunuch immediately came up to them.
Shangguan Wanning quickly lowered her head and avoided the young eunuch's gaze.
"Why did you come just now? Don't delay things." The eunuch said impatiently, "The room is ready, just put her in the bed. I will report to the Second Prince and ask him to come right away."
After the young eunuch finished speaking, he turned and left.
Shangguan Wanning was awake in the dark. There was almost no moonlight tonight, and the little light from the lanterns was blocked by the shadows of the trees.
She helped the burning Shangguan Xiaoxiao into the room, and placed her on the bed as instructed by the eunuch.
At this time, Shangguan Xiaoxiao was already sweating profusely, and her mind seemed to have fallen into a state of chaos.
She kept pulling at her clothes and shouting that she was hot.
Shangguan Wanning understood immediately.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao was so cruel that she used such a despicable way to send her to Xiao Zhenting's bed.
Shangguan Wanning turned around and left angrily.
However, when she reached the door, she stopped hesitantly and looked back at Shangguan Xiaoxiao.
Once she leaves... one can imagine what will happen to Shangguan Xiaoxiao.
"Shangguan Wanning, if you are still soft-hearted now, you will have wasted your chance to live again."
Shangguan Wanning cursed herself inwardly.
"Second Prince, everything is ready, just waiting for you to enjoy it."
There is no time to hesitate any longer.
Shangguan Wanning dodged and escaped from the room before Xiao Zhenting appeared.
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