Chapter 36 Head-to-Head
When Song Zhijing saw Song Zhimin dressed in the attire of a candidate for female official, her eyes practically blazed with fury.
The way he looked at Song Zhimin was as if it were poisoned.
Her first instinct was to rush over and tear Song Zhimian apart...
But she didn't dare!
She knows what day it is!
Today is the birthday banquet of Princess Shoukang, the most beloved princess of the imperial family. Outsiders say that this is the last time Princess Shoukang will be able to celebrate her birthday freely before she gets married.
Perhaps around this time next year, Princess Shou Kang will have to celebrate her birthday in a different place.
If she dares to cause trouble here today, even if Princess Shou Kang has her beaten to death on the spot, Song Kaishan wouldn't dare to complain...
Song Zhijing suppressed her anger and looked at Song Zhimian.
"Eldest sister is here too! How have you been lately, eldest sister?" Song Zhijing asked through gritted teeth.
"Life in the inner palace is very good, no need for Miss Song to worry!" Song Zhimian said unhurriedly.
Before Song Zhiqing could speak, another female official candidate came over and led her into the inner courtyard.
Song Zhimian felt nothing at all.
Song Zhiqing... she really never took her seriously.
...
At 3:45 AM, the invited nobles arrived at the villa.
Finally, the Crown Prince led the Prince of Zhao, the Prince of Wu, the Prince of Qi, and the youngest prince, the twelfth prince who had not yet been granted a title, into the separate courtyard.
After everyone paid their respects, they sat down in their respective places.
Many people were seeing Song Zhimian for the first time.
Princess Shou Kang was bright and beautiful, and looked warm and cheerful, but her eyes clearly showed the scheming King Zhao.
He followed King Zhao closely, nodding and agreeing with whatever King Zhao said, while King Wu seemed the least like a prince.
The crown prince was exceptionally handsome, but his health seemed to be quite poor.
And the twelfth prince, who was a bit unruly and had already punished two eunuchs in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Oh, and there's also Prince Qi, whom Song Zhimin met several times and who punished her by making her copy the inner palace regulations twice!
The remaining young ladies and gentlemen were all dressed in fine clothes.
Song Zhimian soon spotted another acquaintance.
Princess Yongxin!
She arrived too, still dressed in red, looking charming and lovely. Sitting opposite her was Prince Qi. When Song Zhimian saw her, she was rolling her eyes at Prince Qi.
When she saw Song Zhimin, she even raised an eyebrow at her...
...
Soon, after strolling around the villa, everyone went to the Xiaoyao Terrace at the back.
The Xiaoyao Terrace is different now than before.
Each small table was placed according to its own position, and a temporary platform was also set up near the small pavilion of Xiaoyao Terrace.
You can watch song and dance performances, or listen to opera.
It all depends on what the important people think.
Song Zhimian stood next to Yue Siyi, her legs feeling a little sore.
I've been busy all morning and haven't even had a moment to sit down and rest.
This is truly a case of others sitting while she stands, others eating while she watches!
"Zhimian, if your legs are sore, go sit behind that wall for a while."
"There's nothing much going on here for now." Master of Ceremonies Yue gestured for Song Zhimin to go and rest for a bit.
Song Zhimian had been following Master Yue since early morning.
Yue, the emcee, knew she was used to being this busy.
But Song Zhimian, the former eldest daughter of a marquis's family... might not be able to withstand it.
"Auntie, it's okay! I can manage."
"If you can stand, so can I!" Song Zhimian said hurriedly.
The emcee, Yue, was very satisfied with Song Zhimian's attitude.
Good, she can endure hardship! She is neither arrogant nor servile; this is how a female official in the inner palace should be.
Song Zhimian stood behind Yue Siyi, her eyes fixed on the direction of Xiaoyao Terrace without daring to blink.
It's already bustling there...
Before Song Zhimin could see what she wanted to see, she saw Song Zhiqing quietly get up and walk over while everyone was laughing and talking.
Master of Ceremonies Yue gave a wink, and Gan Tang, who had come along, immediately went to greet her.
"Miss Song, would you like to change your clothes and wash your hands?" Gan Tang asked quickly as she stepped forward.
Changing clothes and washing hands is a formal way of saying it; in simpler terms, it means asking if you need to use the restroom.
To put it more simply, it means you need to use the restroom...
Song Zhiqing glanced at Gan Tang, then at Song Zhimian standing next to Yue Siyi.
"Yes! I would like to change my clothes and wash my hands. Would you please... Lady Song, take me there?" Song Zhijing stared at Song Zhimian.
Upon seeing this, Master Yue was about to refuse when she asked Gan Tang to take Song Zhiqing over.
Song Zhimian came out.
"Yes, Miss Song, please come with me!"
After speaking, Song Zhimian glanced at Yue Siyi, indicating that she could handle it.
Yue Siyi nodded slightly, watching Song Zhimin lead Song Zhiqing to the changing and handwashing room specially prepared for the ladies.
"Auntie, will Zhimian be alright?" Gantang was still a little worried.
Master of Ceremonies Yue shook her head.
"No way! She's very composed. Since she's taken the initiative to step forward, she must have a way to handle it."
Just focus on doing your own thing!
Gan Tang immediately responded with an "oh," and then stood obediently at attention.
He would just glance at the changing and handwashing area every now and then.
They perked up their ears, listening intently to what was happening over there.
...
As soon as Song Zhimin led Song Zhiqing into the house, Song Zhiqing raised her hand to slap her.
It's a pity that the slap didn't hit Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian had anticipated that Song Zhiqing would want to vent her anger on her, so she had already taken precautions!
After grabbing Song Zhiqing's hand, Song Zhimin looked at her coldly.
"Is that all you've got? Beating up a female official in the inner palace without cause is punishable by a beating."
Song Zhiqing, are you really just waiting to get a beating?
"Or do you think that just because you've been punished, you don't have to marry that military officer?" Song Zhimin stared at Song Zhiqing.
Mentioning Wu Jiande almost drove Song Zhijing crazy; she immediately pointed at Song Zhimian with her other finger.
"It's all your fault? You're the one who ruined me? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have..."
"Can't do what?"
Isn't this a perfect marriage that your mother carefully selected?
They made it sound so good back then: that if you married into the family, you would be the wife of a third-rank general and would be in charge of the household.
When you wanted me to marry into your family, weren't you clapping and cheering?
What? Such a good thing happened to you, and you can't accept it?
Just as I thought! You only realize how painful it is when the paddle hits you, right?
"You only start to feel resentment when it happens to you, don't you!" Every word Song Zhimin said pierced Song Zhiqing's heart.
"I knew it! You did it on purpose! You hate us! You want to send me to hell."
You deliberately became a female official just to ruin me like this.
"Song Zhimian, you'll die a horrible death!" Song Zhiqing screamed.
Song Zhimian didn't tolerate her. She originally wanted to slap her across the face, but then she thought that slapping her face would be too obvious.
So she quickly pinched Song Zhiqing's arm hard, and then swiftly grabbed Song Zhiqing's hand.
"You were the ones who wanted to send me to hell."
"Song Zhiqing, what's wrong? How does it feel to be falling into hell now?" Song Zhimin stared into Song Zhiqing's eyes.
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