Lin Xiuxue felt a moment of discomfort, and a flash of disgust crossed her eyes, but Zhao Shu still caught it. Was she blind or not? In her past life, she actually thought that such a person was her friend.
Looking at her statement, there are many problems. As a woman without official rank, she dared to call her, a first-rank princess, by her childhood name and even called her a monkey. Only close elders would use such words, which represent doting affection. Who does she think she is? What does it mean to act recklessly in a moment of distraction? Which eye of hers saw her acting recklessly? There are her father, maids, and servants here.
"That's not what I meant, sister. Didn't I always hate those martial artists the most? I was just afraid they would offend you and damage your reputation. Come on, let's go back." Lin Xiuxue's shrewdness had been honed in the inner quarters of the house, so how could she be thrown off balance by Zhao Shu's unconventional behavior?
He grabbed Zhao Shu's hand and started to walk out.
Lin Xiuxue had some doubts in her mind. In the past, as soon as she came out, Zhao Shu would run over with joy and offer her good things. Today, she had already said that she was thinking about Zhao Shu's reputation, so why was Zhao Shu reacting like this?
What exactly happened? Could it be that someone said something to this fool? It's very possible that this fool could be manipulated and change his ways.
Zhao Shu let her pull her along, and with great effort suppressed the hatred in her heart so that it would not show on her face. She pointed at Prince Yong and said, "Sister, my father is here. Why don't you pay your respects to my father? Is it because you received a title from my uncle that your rank is higher than my father's?"
Bow? Lin Xiuxue stared wide-eyed at Zhao Shu. Was this idiot really stupid? She had never treated Prince Yong like this before; she wished she didn't have this father. Now, she was being asked to bow to this absurd prince. Who was it? Who instigated this?
“Sister, could it be that your governess didn’t teach you how to bow to Prince Chao? It’s alright, Granny Zhong is here, let her teach you.” Zhao Shu took the opportunity to pull her hand away and pulled Granny Zhong to Lin Xiuxue’s side. “This is my grandmother’s capable governess. Although she’s a bit fierce, she teaches etiquette very well. If all else fails, I can give Granny Guo to you, sister.”
The serious expression on Granny Zhong's face almost collapsed when she heard Zhao Shu say "although a bit fierce". How could she speak so directly, Princess? Was she praising her or insulting her?
Lin Xiuxue desperately suppressed the rising anger in her heart. What was Zhao Shu up to? How dare she humiliate her like this! But with the Empress Dowager's maidservant present, she dared not ask or show her displeasure.
After composing herself, she knelt and bowed to Prince Yong in a wronged tone, saying, "Xiuxue greets Your Highness."
Zhao Shu looked at her with a smile. Granny Zhong was a person who always remembered her status. At this moment, she held Zhao Shu's hand as if she were holding the Empress Dowager.
The already serious demeanor, with her eyes fixed on Lin Xiuxue, made it impossible for her to ignore Zhao Shu, a princess of high rank.
Prince Yong was dumbfounded. He knew his daughter's good friend. She was the eldest granddaughter of a Grand Secretary, from a scholarly family, a model of a noble lady. She was very disdainful of him. At first, she pretended to greet him, but later she simply ignored him, just like his daughter.
He hadn't felt this much attention from his daughter in a long time.
The dumbfounded Prince Yong forgot to say that there was no need for formalities. In front of Granny Zhong, Lin Xiuxue did not dare to get up on her own. She tried to signal Zhao Shu with her eyes, but Zhao Shu smiled as if she did not feel anything.
She gritted her teeth, turned around and curtsied to Zhao Shu, "Xiuxue greets the Princess."
"Sister Lin, you don't need to be so polite," Zhao Shu said sweetly.
Lin Xiuxue was furious. Why was she being treated like this? Who on earth had instigated the princess to distance herself from her? Several names flashed through her mind in an instant.
She never imagined that she and Zhao Shu had ever been of one mind. If they weren't of one mind, how could they have become estranged?
"Ah Jun, let's leave here first. This kind of place will ultimately damage your reputation." She never forgot the purpose of coming to the Prince's Mansion. Now that Granny Zhong was here, she dared not do anything.
She stole a glance at Granny Zhong, only to find Granny Zhong looking at her with a sinister gaze. Her heart pounded with fear. Did Granny Zhong suspect something? Thinking back on what she had just said, there was nothing wrong with it. She was indeed thinking of Zhao Shugui's reputation.
After confirming that she hadn't said anything wrong, she felt a little relieved.
Zhao Shu pouted and said in a coquettish tone, "How could that be? As Father's only child, what's wrong with me accompanying Father to inspect the guards at the manor? Would any bad rumors spread? How could that be?" She said with absolute certainty, "Father would never say anything detrimental to me, right, Father?"
Prince Yong came to his senses and nodded seriously. He had received too many surprises today. His daughter not only got close to him, but also protected him, and most importantly, trusted him.
He felt happier than he had ever been in over twenty years.
"As for Uncle Fu and Bi Qiao, as loyal servants of the Prince's Mansion, they would certainly not say anything out of line, right, Granny Guo?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Guo immediately pledged her loyalty and tried her best to perform well in front of Granny Zhong. The others also followed suit, expressing their loyalty and promising that what happened today would never be spread.
Even the guards stood in unison, indicating that they only saw the prince coming to inspect the place today.
Lin Xiuxue was furious. Was it her who spread the bad rumors? She knew Zhao Shu was willful and capricious, but she never expected that her willfulness and capriciousness would be directed at her today. How could she! How could she! What right did Zhao Shu have to treat her like this?
But with the Empress Dowager's maidservant present, she dared not say anything, and had to maintain a polite smile. A fool is a fool; she doesn't deserve any favors! At this tea party, she would definitely teach that bitch Zhao Shu a lesson!
“Of course there won’t be any rumors. Ah Jun knows her sister, and what she cares about most is Ah Jun’s reputation.” She came over and took Zhao Shu’s hand affectionately.
Zhao Shu didn't refuse, her face beaming with an innocent and sweet smile. "I know, that's why you're willing to risk your reputation to come to the training ground, isn't it all for A-Jun's sake?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuxue's hand trembled, and she pinched Zhao Shu hard, causing Zhao Shu to scream, "Sister, why are you pinching me? It hurts!"
Upon hearing Zhao Shu scream, Bi Qiao hurriedly pulled Lin Xiuxue aside, crying out, "Where does it hurt? Where does it hurt? Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
Lin Xiuxue felt her veins throbbing. Was it really necessary? Summoning the imperial physician? Just how precious was Zhao Shu?
Zhao Shu forgot to look at Lin Xiuxue's expression. When she saw Bi Qiao's anxious look, her eyes reddened. In the entire mansion, only Uncle Fu, Bi Qiao, and Granny Zhuang were loyal to the father and daughter.
Granny Zhuang was part of my mother's dowry and is now in charge of the main courtyard. She used to be despised by her, and after being stripped of her title, she died on the way to be sold. Bi Qiao served my father since childhood and never thought of sleeping with him. In the end, she was abused and died. Uncle Fu was given to him by the Empress Dowager, but he was not a eunuch. After being stripped of his title, he also died on the way to Ganzhou with my father.
Now, she must protect these people and prevent them from suffering the same tragic end as in her previous life.
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