After returning to Qionghua Courtyard and changing her clothes, Zhao Shu led her people to Chensong Courtyard.
Before even entering the moon gate, one could hear the deep, clear, and gentle melody of a zither drifting from within, melodious and pleasing to the ear.
Green Luo and the others turned green with shock. Did the people from the Prince Duan's mansion really think their princess was dead? How dare they so blatantly send women to the prince?
Normally, there are very few women in Chensong Courtyard. Without the permission of the prince and the princess, the concubines would not dare to come to Chensong Courtyard.
Zhao Shu's face was as cold as she walked into Chensong Courtyard and came to Baoxia. In the past, Prince Yong would play cricket fighting or chess in Baoxia. It was already late at this time, so the Tai Chi game must have been finished and breakfast must have been eaten.
Fuxi and Fuqing stood in front of Baoxia Gate. When they saw Zhao Shu coming, they were so frightened that they hurriedly bowed and called out, "Princess." They dared not say another word.
The princess's face was extremely ugly, as if she wanted to devour someone.
Zhao Shu responded with an "Mmm," and walked closer to hug Xia.
Baoxia was not large, and the door was open, but Prince Yong was sitting on the left side by the window, not directly facing the door. When Zhao Shu walked in, she saw her father holding a book in his hand, as if he was reading attentively, but his brows were furrowed.
Seeing her father like this, Zhao Shu felt relieved. Hmph, although she didn't know much, she believed that her father's love for her mother was stronger than gold. It wouldn't be so easy to win her father's heart. Look at Jiang Yue, who was sent to the family temple. If you don't have the strength to do something, don't try to do something that's not your strength.
Meanwhile, the woman who was focused on playing the guzheng was wearing a moon-white patterned crepe brocade dress that trailed on the ground. Her hair was styled in a flying phoenix style, and her hairpins and hair ornaments were all made of jade and were plain in color. She looked refreshing and elegant.
Her face was also strikingly bright, especially the faint smile at the corner of her mouth, which was like a cool breeze blowing from the green willows in the middle of summer, making people feel relaxed.
Zhao Shu glanced at her and said, "Father, where did you find this singing girl? Her skills are excellent. Would you like to give her to Ajun? Ajun likes to listen to the sound of string and wind instruments before her afternoon nap every day so that she can fall asleep."
The woman playing the zither paused, her expression changed, and her heart pounded. Her attire was clearly not something a songstress could wear, yet this Princess Jun had completely ignored that and called her a songstress!
Such an insult to her truly shows a lack of upbringing and vulgarity!
Prince Yong sighed, put down his book, and pointed to the chair opposite him, "A-Jun is here, quickly play a game with your father."
"Alright." Zhao Shu sat down as instructed, took out the white jade chessboard from the side, set it up, and turned to the woman playing the zither who was about to finish a piece, saying, "This princess wants to play chess with my father. You play a marching tune." After saying that, she turned to Prince Yong and said, "Father, playing chess is like marching and fighting. It would be perfect if A-Jun had someone play a marching tune."
"You think you're so capable? I won't stand on ceremony. I'll take my leave first." With Zhao Shu around, he felt much more at ease, but he still couldn't bear to even glance at the zither-playing woman whose face was turning ashen with anger.
This is outrageous! This is outrageous! As the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Huainan, she is forced to be treated like a courtesan here. How can she swallow such a humiliation?
Before she had finished playing the piece, she placed both hands heavily on the guzheng, and the melodious and beautiful music came to an abrupt end.
Zhao Shu turned around and saw a pair of beautiful eyes staring at her. Before she could speak, the woman preemptively said, "So ill-mannered! Which music house sent you? Who is your mother? Sending you here with such a lack of manners, do you think you're making too much money?"
"You!" The woman suddenly stood up, pointed at Zhao Shu, her heart pounding. She seemed to disdain arguing with Zhao Shu, and turned to Prince Yong, saying aggrievedly, "Your Highness, how could the princess humiliate Xiuyu like this? Xiuyu was invited by her sister to visit, and seeing Your Highness looking so depressed, she decided to play a tune for you."
Before Prince Yong could speak, Zhao Shu interrupted, "Sister? Which concubine are you referring to as 'sister'? Besides me and Father, are there any other masters in this household?"
The beautiful woman looked aggrieved, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, tears welling in her eyes, her lips parted slightly, gazing pitifully at Prince Yong.
There are plenty of beauties out there. Prince Yong has everything, but he has no shortage of women. Whether they are alluring and busty, lively and charming, or gentle and graceful, he has them all. He can find a bunch of women prettier than him in the Garden of Beauties in no time.
Zhao Shu looked at her with amusement. Her chest wasn't large, her figure wasn't particularly outstanding, her face wasn't stunning, and even her hair wasn't very black or shiny. Her only advantage was her social status, and among women with such advantages, she was considered quite good-looking.
"Your Highness..." She didn't know how to refute Zhao Shu, because she was afraid that Zhao Shu would say something even more unpleasant, which she didn't want to hear and dared not hear.
Seeing her like this, Prince Yong said to Zhao Shu, "Ah Jun, she is Consort Zhang's cousin, the eleventh daughter of the Marquis of Huainan's mansion, not a singer sent from the music hall. Alright, if you like to listen to music, I will choose some good singers for you, and I guarantee you will be able to sleep peacefully."
"Pfft." Zhao Shu couldn't stand it anymore. As expected of her own father, he was really awesome. After hearing what Prince Yong said, Zhang Yuxiu covered her face and ran out crying.
Consort Zhang was the second daughter of the Marquis of Huainan, her cousin. Ha, she wasn't even the Marquis of Huainan's biological daughter. Zhao Shu didn't even send a maid to check on her, and instead started playing chess with Prince Yong.
Zhang Yuxiu, with tears streaming down her face, ran to Xiaoxiang Courtyard, wanting to throw herself into Consort Zhang's arms and sob aggrievedly, but remembering what her elder sister had said at the Marquis's residence, she held back, "Second Sister."
"Eleven, why are you crying? Did the princess wrong you?" Zhao Shu went to Chensong Courtyard. Consort Zhang had already received the news. She knew without a doubt that the eccentric and domineering Princess Jun was definitely preventing any woman from marrying into the Prince's Mansion to become her stepmother.
She took out a handkerchief and wiped away Zhang Xiuyu's tears, saying with exasperation, "What are you afraid of him for? If you have any grievances, go to Prince Yong. Let me tell you, men can't stand seeing women's tears, especially since our Eleventh Sister is so beautiful. If you're wronged, Prince Yong will be heartbroken."
Zhang Xiuyu wanted to say that the prince had never even looked at her properly, but the words "Princess Yong" kept echoing in her mind. Although the Marquis's family was noble, there were so many direct descendants of the Marquis's family that it was not easy to find a good marriage.
But the Yong Prince's Mansion is different. The Yong Prince's Mansion has no heir, so those concubines can simply be dismissed. If she can marry into the Yong Prince's Mansion, she will make sure that those who have bullied her suffer a terrible death.
This is a good opportunity. If her second sister hadn't suddenly returned, the Marquis's mansion would definitely not have been willing to form a marriage alliance with the Prince Yong's mansion. She must not let this opportunity slip by.
After thinking it over, she obediently nodded.
After tidying herself up, she went to Chensong Courtyard the next day. However, as soon as she entered Chensong Courtyard, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
