"Rise."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"I have summoned you here today because I have something to tell you. The person beside me is a prince who was raised in Lingxi Temple since he was a child. He is ignorant of the ways of the world and I would like you to help me teach him."
It is said that there is another prince in the current dynasty named Li Zhaoyun. He was born out of an affair between the late emperor and a palace maid. Because he was born out of wedlock, he was sent to a temple after birth and was never brought back. Even Song Tangxue in her previous life had never seen such a person before. How did he suddenly appear in front of her and ask her to teach him?
"Your Majesty, I am illiterate. Is this inappropriate?" Song Tangxue's thoughts were in turmoil. She wondered if it was a series of effects brought about by her rebirth, but people who had never appeared in her previous life were now involved with her.
"I summoned you here because I trust you. I think you are a smart person and can teach him how to survive in the palace."
Song Tangxue wanted to say something more, but the Empress Dowager cut her off: "Alright, it's settled then. From now on, you should set aside some time to teach him etiquette and such."
The Empress Dowager's actions showed that she considered her one of her own, but they also set a test for her. If she failed to properly educate this prince, the Empress Dowager would not continue to rely on her in the future.
"Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed." Now that things have come to this, Song Tangxue had no choice but to comply, knowing that the days ahead would likely be anything but peaceful.
On the way back to the manor, Song Tangxue kept searching her mind for information about the prince.
Li Zhaoyun has always been disliked and even forgotten in the palace for many years. No one has ever mentioned his name. All that is known is that he is diligently practicing in a temple with his master and will not be brought back for the time being.
He poses no threat to the throne. Does the Empress Dowager's decision to bring him back this time indicate that she intends to give him an important position?
It's likely that Li Zhaoxian wasn't satisfied with the qualities he displayed, which is why he devised a plan to put another prince on the throne.
Li Zhaoyun is a good choice. First of all, he rarely comes into contact with people in the temple, so he is unaware of the dangers in the palace and is extremely in control. After ascending the throne, real power can fall into the hands of others.
Li Zhaoyun was nothing more than a pawn, a victim in the struggle for the throne.
Song Tangxue couldn't help but feel a little empathy for this person.
Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.
"What happened?" Song Tangxue pulled back the curtain and saw a carriage blocking the way.
"Your Highness, this is the Crown Princess's sedan chair." Cui Xi glanced at it.
Song Tangli stepped down from the carriage with a fierce air and stood arrogantly beside the sedan chair, supported by her maids.
"Is this how you raise yourselves, elder sister? I am the Crown Princess, and you, a mere concubine, do not come out to greet me!"
This little trick was as harmless as child's play for Song Tangxue. She slowly stepped down from the carriage, and although she wasn't wearing much jewelry, she was still noticeable at a glance.
Song Tangli was insanely jealous. Why was Song Tangxue better than her in appearance, and even better in talent and manners? If things continued like this, others would only think that she was incompetent in every way.
Upon hearing that Song Tangxue had entered the palace, she hurriedly brought people over to intercept her.
"What is my sister doing?"
"I heard you had entered the palace, so I came to see you, fearing you might do something to offend the Empress Dowager." Their confrontation attracted the attention of some palace maids and eunuchs.
The palace was already full of people and gossip, and Song Tangli seemed afraid that this matter would not be a big deal, so she raised her voice considerably. The palace maids' walking speed changed noticeably, obviously wanting to see this farce.
"Furthermore, the annual hunting competition is just around the corner, and I am here to remind my sister not to forget."
The hunting competition, as the name suggests, involves enclosing a forest and placing dozens of prey inside. The person who lines up the most prey wins the championship. Last year's champion was Li Zhaoxian, who received a chest of gold. This year's reward will certainly not be worse.
But this year's first place is uncertain, since Xie Qianzhong didn't go last year.
“My sister is so thoughtful to come and remind me of this. I’ve taken note of it.”
"No need to thank me. We need to perform songs and dances at the hunting festival. Sister, please don't embarrass our Crown Prince's residence."
Song Tangli is known for her stunning dance skills. Last year, her performance made her famous in Beijing, and many people said that she would naturally be number one this time as well.
Now she wanted to see how Song Tangxue would handle it. She was determined to shine in this hunting competition and let everyone know that she, the Crown Princess, was superior to the Crown Consort in every way.
Moreover, she had specially prepared a dance for the hunting competition, which would surely attract many people's attention. Just thinking about this made Song Tangli laugh out loud.
"I have some matters to discuss with Her Majesty the Empress, so I will take my leave now."
This time, by making a special announcement in front of the palace maids and eunuchs, it's estimated that it won't be long before everyone knows that Song Tangxue is going to perform a dance at the hunting festival.
Song Tangxue has never been good at singing and dancing. She even lost face at a banquet many years ago, and her father gave her a severe beating. This time, her father and the others will also be there, and they will definitely make her lose face completely.
Song Tangli entered the Empress's bedroom. The Empress was lying on the chaise longue, with several palace maids fanning her with palm-leaf fans. The entire room was resplendent with gold and jade, and even the beams were inlaid with several bright pearls.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
The Empress slightly raised her eyelids, her eyes sweeping downwards with obvious displeasure: "What are you doing here? I didn't summon you."
"Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you today."
"I don't want to hear it. Don't you know what a stupid thing you did in the palace? You've become the laughingstock of the entire capital!"
She's such a useless bum with no redeeming qualities. If I had known she was like this, I shouldn't have agreed to cooperate with her in the first place. In terms of intelligence, she can't compare to her sister. Apart from being the Crown Princess, she's always been overshadowed by her.
What an idiot!
"Please calm down, Your Majesty. I was wrong at the palace banquet. The hunting competition will be held soon. I may not be an expert in other things, but I am second to none in singing and dancing. I was famous in the capital last year, and I will naturally win first place this year."
The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly. She had naturally heard about this before. At last year's hunting competition, Song Tangli shone brightly, and many officials' disciples were captivated by her at the time.
"Then I'll give you one more chance, but don't let me down. If you embarrass yourself again this time..."
Song Tangli cursed her a thousand times in her heart. If she ever got the chance to deal with the Empress, she would definitely tear this woman to pieces!
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