Song Wenyue removed her veil as instructed. Her makeup today was done by Song Yaozhu when they were at the teahouse. With the help of the makeup and clothing, her features resembled Xie Wanqing's.
If she didn't remove the veil, she would look even more like one.
The Imperial Concubine was very pleased to see that she did not look much like Xie Wanqing. She nodded and said, "This palace is so lonely. If there were a beautiful and lively girl like you to come and talk to me often, that would be wonderful."
Everyone present was slightly surprised. What did the Imperial Concubine mean by this?
Everyone tacitly agreed that today's banquet was for the Third Prince's marriage. These noble ladies haven't even shown off their talents yet, and the Imperial Concubine has already expressed her affection for Song Si—isn't that just playing them for fools?
As a result, many young ladies had already begun to dislike Song Wenyue.
Song Wenyue was also panicked, never expecting the Imperial Concubine to say such a thing. After the panic, she was overjoyed. Did this mean that she had a good chance of becoming the Third Prince's wife?
Before she could speak, Madam Song answered for her, "Your Majesty, my daughter has been spoiled since childhood and may not be able to keep proper etiquette. If she offends Your Majesty, she would be guilty of a capital offense!"
Seeing that Madam Song was sensible, the Imperial Concubine waved her hand and did not insist any further. She only said regretfully, "Who wasn't a little girl once? Go on, everyone go play in the Imperial Garden later."
Watching this golden opportunity slip away, Song Wenyue clenched her fingers, looking at Madam Song with a hint of resentment. Such a good opportunity was wasted like this; she really didn't know what her mother was thinking!
After watching the play, Song Yaozhu lowered her eyelids and looked down at her toes. The pearls on her shoes were all plump and beautiful, like dewdrops.
The Imperial Concubine's methods were so clumsy; with just a few words, she made Song Wenyue the enemy of all women. She didn't even need to put in any effort; those girls who wanted to become the Third Prince's wife would deal with her.
Can't you see that? She's still thinking of marrying into the royal family?
As expected, the girls who had entered the palace with Song Wenyue became indifferent to her. Song Wenyue was still immersed in the regret of missing the opportunity and did not notice this change.
Led by Mo Yu, the young ladies moved to the Imperial Garden, while the wives chatted with the Imperial Concubine. This was originally intended to create opportunities for the young women, so that they wouldn't feel uncomfortable or awkward in the presence of their elders.
Song Yaozhu sat upright and listened to the ladies gossiping about everyday matters and exchanging information. She didn't speak, and the ladies didn't approach her.
After all, the carefree prince was a leisurely prince without any official position, so pleasing her, his princess consort, would be of no use.
Seeing that she remained silent, the eldest prince's wife smiled and asked her, "Why aren't you saying a word?"
Song Yaozhu's gaze fell on the Crown Prince's wife. She was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuding's family and had been married into the Crown Prince's family for two years. At the beginning of the year, she gave birth to the eldest grandson, who was Yuwen Wuji's only grandchild.
"I'm not a nice speaker," Song Yaozhu replied with a smile.
"Then have some. The pastries in the Empress Dowager's palace are made by the best pastry chefs in Suzhou." As she spoke, she pushed the pastries in front of her.
Song Yaozhu glanced at the pastries. The first rule of attending a palace banquet is to avoid eating or drinking if possible.
"It looks so-so."
The Crown Princess's smile froze. She had thought that the Crown Princess's earlier comment about how unpleasant her words were just modesty, but it turned out to be true.
Considering her background, it's likely that the Prince of Xiaoyao had given her some advice when she entered the palace, so it's normal that she didn't dare to eat it.
"By the way, how is Madam Yan doing lately? She used to be my mother's head maid, but the Emperor bestowed her upon a prince as a concubine. It's been a long time since I've seen her, and I wonder how she is doing now."
Song Yaozhu's brows relaxed slightly. Why hadn't she seen any other women in the backyard of the Prince's mansion?
And what does this Crown Princess mean? She's just a palace maid and concubine, is she worth her mentioning in front of me?
"If the Imperial Consort wishes to see Madam Yan, please come to my residence another day."
Seeing that she remained completely unfazed, the Crown Prince's wife felt utterly bored.
Song Yaozhu was pondering. When Song Wenyue mentioned that there were two concubines in the Prince's mansion, she went back and searched the entire backyard but couldn't find them. Now that the First Prince's Consort mentioned it to her again, it seems that these two concubines are not of ordinary status.
After sitting for a while, the Imperial Concubine said she wanted to go for a walk. There were newly blooming chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden, and she invited everyone to go and see them.
As Song Yaozhu walked alone among these noblewomen, she displayed none of the restraint and timidity typical of country women. On the contrary, she was poised and elegant, even aloof. This impressed some of the ladies.
When they arrived at the Imperial Garden, the young ladies and gentlemen had already formed small groups. Song Wenyue sat alone in the pavilion, wondering why her close friends had suddenly abandoned her and gone to play with unfamiliar young ladies.
She sat there sulking, but when she saw Madam Song and Song Yaozhu come out, she immediately got up and walked towards them.
Song Yaozhu was holding a fan to shield herself from the sun. When she saw her running over with small steps, she affectionately took her arm and said, "Third sister, you've finally come."
Song Yaozhu subtly shielded her eyes with her fan, glanced around, and asked, "What's going on? Why aren't they including you in their games?"
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around her to hear. For a moment, everyone was in an awkward silence.
In such situations, even if you dislike someone, you still have to put on a good show to appear "well-rounded." Originally, these young ladies all tacitly agreed not to include Song Wenyue in their activities. It would have been fine if no one had said anything, but if someone had, it would have made them seem petty and jealous of others' success.
If the Imperial Concubine were to remember such an image, how could they possibly have any hope of marrying the Third Prince!
Song Yaozhu was even more embarrassed. She was already annoyed that no one paid attention to her, but now Song Yaozhu's words made her the target of everyone's criticism, and she lost all face!
"No, I was waiting for my third sister on purpose. We haven't seen each other for several days!" Song Wenyue said with a forced smile.
"Oh~" Song Yaozhu looked at her with a half-smile, her fan covering most of her face, revealing only a pair of innocent almond-shaped eyes. "Then go play, little sister. I can stay here by myself."
Song Wenyue cursed this idiot inwardly, for not even knowing how to get out of a tight spot for her!
Frustrated and helpless, she let go of his hand and prepared to leave. After taking only a few steps, she saw Xie Liwei walking towards her, accompanied by several spoiled young men who were chattering away, but she ignored them.
The man was tall and straight, walking with a brisk pace. The occasion wasn't particularly grand; he wore a navy blue round-necked robe embroidered with colorful birds, understated yet flamboyant, just like his personality.
A silver half-mask clung tightly to his face, but the angry and fierce expression on the mask did not make him appear ruthless and furious; instead, it added a touch of nobility to his demeanor.
With the contrast of the several playboys around him, he appeared even more pure and untainted by worldly corruption, and dashing and debonair.
Song Wenyue's heart couldn't help but clench.
In the few breaths she paused, Xie Liwei had already walked past her and stood in front of Song Yaozhu.
"Your face is all sunburned." His voice was melodious, like warm jade beads gently touching each other, leaving Song Wenyue feeling resentful.
Song Yaozhu held up her fan and looked up at him. "Why doesn't Your Highness care about my wrist? It's so sore from holding it up like this."
Her coquettish words made Song Wenyue secretly tighten her handkerchief in her sleeve. She saw Xie Liwei naturally raise his hand, take her fan, and then cover her face. The two walked side by side toward the pavilion.
Song Wenyue's gaze unconsciously turned fierce.
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