Song Wenyue was furious. Today she was wearing a moon-white long dress, and the hairpin in her hair was also a new item of the season. Although it was a bit plain, there was nothing wrong with it.
How did it become "simple" in Song Yaozhu's mouth? Why doesn't she say that she's a country bumpkin who suddenly became rich and has never seen the world?
"Naturally, it can't compare to how much the prince dotes on my sister." She forced a smile, already regretting her approach.
Although today's market is hosted by the Shangjing Poetry Society, the society is quite famous among Shangjing's literary circles due to Xie Liwei's participation in previous years. Every student in Shangjing considers it an honor to join the Shangjing Poetry Society!
"Your Highness, please go ahead with your business. My sister and I will go sit in the women's section for a while."
Although the people of Da Chen are open-minded, these aristocratic families in the capital value their reputation, and unmarried women must wear a veil or hat when they go out.
Today, the teahouse also has separate areas for men and women, but they are separated by a screen, just for show.
After they sat down, before Song Wenyue could introduce her girlfriends, Song Yaozhu said to Caiyin, "Have someone make tea. Remember to use the tea set I brought, not the one from the teahouse."
The girls who were close to Song Wenyue looked at each other in bewilderment.
It's true that discerning nobles bring their own tea sets and tea when they go out, but what is Song Yaozhu's background? Does she dare to put on airs in front of them?
They've truly risen to prominence and become phoenixes, no longer taking them seriously!
"I wonder what kind of tea the Princess Consort brought? Are we fortunate enough to taste it?"
With a gentle smile, Song Yaozhu said, "I think you probably can't afford tea that costs five hundred taels per catty."
Everyone: "......"
How could a person utter such harsh words!
Song Wenyue was furious. What she wanted to see was Song Yaozhu being tortured beyond recognition by the Prince of Xiaoyao, not her flaunting her wealth in front of her!
Feeling angry, she got up and said, "I'm going out for some fresh air."
Several of her girlfriends followed, leaving Song Yaozhu sitting alone.
"Your Highness, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Caijin asked cautiously. She had tried to dissuade the princess from dressing up like this earlier that day, but the princess was adamant, and she couldn't do anything about it.
She gestured and whispered, "Find a maid who doesn't look familiar to follow them and listen to what they're saying."
Caijin's eyes widened. Was she eavesdropping?
Meanwhile, Song Wenyue and her girlfriends walked hand in hand in the courtyard, and everyone was annoyed by Song Yaozhu's ostentatious display of wealth.
"When I saw your sister at your house before, I thought she was easy to get along with. How come she's like this now..."
"She is now a princess, so naturally she is not someone we can aspire to be with."
"Isn't it said that Prince Xiaoyao is ruthless and that few women in his harem survive? I've even heard that some are played to death. Why did the prince bring her out?"
The speaker lowered her voice and voiced what the others were thinking, and they all looked at Song Wenyue.
Song Wenyue was already displeased, and she blurted out a sarcastic remark: "I heard from my mother that she bears some resemblance to the late Empress."
"No way!" Everyone gasped, and then someone remembered a past event.
“When I was little, I heard people say that when the coffin was carried back to his hometown, there were rumors that he lay in the same coffin as the corpse.”
"That's disgusting!"
It wasn't just because it was a corpse; only husband and wife could be buried together. Xie Liwei was Xie Wanqing's younger brother. Was he doing this to tell the world that he harbored ill intentions towards his sister?
Song Wenyue also gasped. Wouldn't that be a bargain for Song Yaozhu?
But she said, "We mustn't let others hear such things. The Prince and the late Empress were very close, and the Emperor himself praised them for it."
People are always endlessly curious about gossip. Although no one showed it on their faces, once they returned to their seats, the way they looked at Song Yaozhu became strange.
Knowing what they were saying about her behind her back, Song Yaozhu said calmly, "I heard that there are quite a few talented young men here today. I wonder if the princes will come too."
Upon hearing the word "prince," Song Wenyue shuddered.
Yes, if I want to trample Song Yaozhu under my feet again, I have to marry someone better than her!
The Third Prince is her chance!
Xie Liwei also took his seat as a judge. Because the emperor had bestowed upon him the title of "Carefree Prince," he had indeed lived a carefree life over the years.
He was involved in every poetry collection and literary gathering, and given his early fame, many talented men liked to be close to him. His bad reputation stemmed from his affairs in the harem; these scholars were all men, and they couldn't very well be persecuted by him as well, could they?
So, as he drifted along, he became a famous critic in the capital. Talented scholars considered it an honor to receive a few comments from him.
Soon someone came out to host today's poetry collection, which was nothing more than assigning a theme for everyone to write poems, and then having the judges comment on them.
Song Yaozhu had no interest in poetry. In her early years, she had focused all her energy on conquering the world, so she naturally had no time for romantic pursuits.
Bored, she looked around, openly scrutinizing the ladies and young women around her. In their eyes, she was just an unruly country bumpkin, so she might as well accept that.
At this moment, Song Yaozhu felt incredibly liberated and carefree!
In her past life, she was burdened by her status as the eldest daughter of the Xie family. She was not only herself but also the representative of the Xie family. She could not bring shame to the Xie family and always restrained herself and followed proper etiquette.
Now that those constraints are gone, it's so awesome!
Suddenly, her gaze fell on a private room on the second floor. The window of the room was half open, and the figure standing inside was not clearly visible, but based on her understanding of Yuwen Wuji, she judged that it was him.
What poetry collection could possibly warrant his personal departure from the palace to read it?
Inside the private room, Yuwen Wuji's gaze fell on the jewel-adorned woman. Dressed so extravagantly, it was impossible for her not to be eye-catching.
Aside from appearance, she bore no resemblance to Xie Wanqing whatsoever. On the other hand, the woman beside her, Song Si, was very dignified and proper in her manners, but unfortunately, she wore a veil, obscuring her face.
"Li Wei, do you think it's possible to teach teenagers well?"
Li Wei's heart pounded when he heard the Emperor's words. He thought to himself, "You don't mean to kidnap Princess Xiaoyao and take her back to the palace for some serious training, do you?"
This is not something you can do with my wife! Besides, this marriage was arranged by you yourself!
"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to say something, there is a vulgar saying among the common people: 'A dog can't change its nature.' Once a person's character is formed, it is probably very difficult to change."
Li Wei felt a chill run down his spine. Over the years, he had become increasingly unsure of what his master was thinking.
This is my wife! As a subject and a role model, how dare you!
After a long silence, the master finally said, "Let's meet the person first."
Li Wei stood there, stunned. Who was he seeing? Song San or Song Si?
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