RPAGF Chapter 347 Princess Zhaohua's Jealousy
Chapter 347 Princess Zhaohua's Jealousy
"I apologize, Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Shi Wanxia clutched the hem of her skirt and bent over, a thin layer of sweat beading on her forehead.
"This humble subject has never studied music, so I cannot play the zither. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
The air suddenly stagnated.
Princess Zhaohua scoffed, the jade bracelet on her wrist clinking crisply: "I wondered who this talented woman was, but she's just a good-for-nothing..."
"Please don't be angry, Your Highness."
Princess Dong'an immediately stood up to smooth things over, but her eyes were like poisoned silver needles.
"This young lady looks unfamiliar to me. Which family's daughter is she?"
Shi Wanxia performed a proper curtsy, but the movements were much more awkward than the clasped hands gestures used in the military.
Princess Dong'an stared at her slightly askew skirt, her smile deepening: "Your Highness, my name is Shi Wanxia, and I currently serve as the Minister of Works."
“哎呀！“
Princess Dong'an suddenly grabbed her wrist, her fingertips digging almost into her flesh.
"So it's Princess Chaoyang! It's all my fault for being so blind; I didn't know His Majesty's personally appointed lady-in-waiting had condescended to come."
She suddenly turned around and pulled her daughter over, "Quickly greet the Princess! You've been learning the zither for seven or eight years, you should definitely seek guidance from Lord Shi."
Gasps rose and fell from the audience.
Shi Wanxia was shocked to realize that in the eyes of these noble ladies, it was already presumptuous of her to be granted the title of female official, and to be granted the title of princess would be to violate some unseen taboo.
Princess Zhaohua's eyes were like a venomous snake's tongue, and the whispers of the noblewoman next to her felt like thorns in her back.
"Get up, everyone."
Lin Chuying suddenly stood up, her wide sleeves carrying a scent of camphor.
She took his hand, which was cool in the late summer heat, and the warmth of her palm came through the silk glove.
"Although Lord Shi is not skilled in playing the zither, he is a capable minister personally appointed by His Majesty."
"These days, whether it's in papermaking or in helping drought victims, Miss Shi has made great contributions."
The whole hall was in an uproar.
Looking at the Crown Princess's gentle yet resolute profile, Shi Wanxia suddenly recalled three months ago when she was discussing matters with His Majesty in the Imperial Study, Lin Chuying leaned against the door and whispered, "Women should not be bound by rules."
At this moment, the Crown Princess's voice was clear and melodious: "Lord Shi is well-versed in poetry, prose, calligraphy, and etiquette."
"Such a woman is a role model for us all. From now on, all women of our dynasty should learn from Lady Shi!"
Princess Dong'an's face turned deathly pale instantly, and Princess Zhaohua's hand holding the handkerchief trembled slightly.
Looking at the silver lotus flowers on Lin Chuying's moon-white skirt, Shi Wanxia suddenly realized that this "difficulty" was a trap from the beginning—the Crown Princess was using her to tear open the most stubborn shackles of etiquette in the inner courtyard of the mansion.
Princess Zhaohua clutched the silk handkerchief in her hand, her fingertips almost twisting it into wrinkles.
In the main seat, the Crown Princess and the Princess of Dong'an were having a pleasant conversation, while the figure that was causing her so much trouble—Shi Wanxia—was kneeling beside the Crown Princess, holding a teacup and smiling gently.
"Is the princess finding the sun too strong?"
The maid, Lü'e, spoke cautiously, only to be met with a glare.
Zhao Hua turned and walked towards the corridor, her gold-embroidered shoes clattering heavily on the bluestone slabs: "I want to see just what kind of seductive tricks she has up her sleeve!"
Inside the waterside pavilion, the Crown Princess placed her teacup on the jade table, her gaze sweeping over Shi Wanxia, who stood obediently to the side: "Sister Wanxia, you are also the Princess Zhaoyang, personally bestowed by His Majesty. Your status is noble, so there's no need for you to be so reserved."
Before the words were finished, a crisp sound of pearls and jade clashing suddenly came from outside the corridor.
Zhao Hua burst through the hanging flower gate, the pearl tassels on her chest swaying violently with her gasps: "Your Highness, Crown Princess, Mother, why is she, a commoner's daughter, able to be granted the title of Princess? How could my Imperial Uncle..."
"Zhao Hua, you mustn't speak nonsense!"
Princess Dong'an's face turned deathly pale instantly. She rushed over and covered her daughter's mouth.
She turned and bowed gracefully to the Crown Princess, the crimson gold hairpin in her hair swaying so brightly it was dazzling: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Zhaohua has been spoiled by me and the Prince, and I misspoke!"
The Crown Princess picked up her teacup and took a sip, glancing at Shi Wanxia out of the corner of her eye.
The girl stood obediently to the side with her eyes lowered, her plain white dress embroidered with several bamboo branches, a stark contrast to Zhao Hua's gold and jade attire.
"Does the princess have a disagreement with the Emperor?"
The Crown Princess put down her teacup, her voice as cold as ice.
Zhao Hua broke free from her mother's hand, her almond-shaped eyes wide open: "I didn't, I just..."
"Shut up!" The Princess of Dong'an raised her hand but did not bring it down in the end; her nails dug into her palm and drew blood.
"Apologize to the Empress and the Princess at this hour!"
Shi Wanxia suddenly raised her head, her eyes showing no fear: "Princess, please calm down. Although I have received His Majesty's grace to serve the people and Cangling, it is truly my good fortune."
"If I offend anyone in the future, I hope the Princess will forgive me."
Her voice was clear and melodious, yet it carried a hint of something unfathomable.
The Crown Princess watched this farce with a cold smile. How could she not know His Majesty's true intentions?
The current bestowal of the title of Princess is not only to appease Miss Shi, but also to send a warning to the Prince of Dong'an's mansion—in recent years, the Prince of Dong'an has become increasingly restless in the court.
Lin Chuying sat upright in the main seat with gilded peony patterns. The mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist clicked softly as she raised her hand. She pushed the teacup in front of Shi Wanxia and said, "Alright, Sister Chaoyang didn't mean it."
"I've heard His Highness the Crown Prince mention that my sister has a beautiful voice, and her singing is truly heavenly."
Her eyes swept over Princess Zhaohua, who was hiding behind the Princess of Dong'an, and her lips curved slightly.
"How about this, little sister? Why don't you trouble yourself to sing today?"
The hall suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Zhao Hua's fingertips turned white as she gripped the silk handkerchief in her sleeve. The humiliation she had just suffered still burned in her heart. Seeing Shi Wanxia being so highly regarded by the Crown Princess, jealousy immediately flared up on her brow.
She abruptly broke free from her mother's grasp, her gold-inlaid jade nail guard slicing across the Princess of Dong'an's wrist: "You lowly woman, you've only managed to win His Majesty and the Crown Princess's favor through despicable means, utterly unworthy!"
Princess Dong'an's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly pressed her daughter's shoulders and bowed, saying, "Crown Princess, please forgive me! This wretched child..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shi Wanxia had already gracefully stood up.
Today she wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with lotus patterns, and only a silver hairpin was pinned to her temple, yet she appeared exceptionally elegant amidst the jewels and ornaments filling the hall.
"Your humble servant obeys."
She lowered her eyes and folded her robe, her voice clear and melodious like a spring.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Zhao Hua's face, which was flushed with anger. Suddenly, she remembered how, three days ago, on the palace road, this spoiled princess had deliberately spilled hot tea on her skirt.
Her fingertips curled slightly, eventually transforming into a faint smile.
The musicians quickly tuned their instruments, and the sound of the konghou (a type of harp) flowed through the palace like a clear, melodious spring.
As late summer approached, her lips parted slightly, and a melodious song began: "You are the long road, the light in the thick fog of the mountains..."
The melody was so novel that everyone in the hall was taken aback at first, and then began to whisper among themselves.
Zhao Hua sneered, "Hmph! I wonder where you learned that wild tune..." but his words trailed off abruptly.
As Shi Wanxia's singing reached its climax, the once noisy hall suddenly fell silent.
"And I will love the world you love, and wish you the smiles you desire. I hold your hand as I stumble along, please take me to tomorrow."
If you have tasted bitterness in my sweetness, I am willing to live up to your wishes, I am willing to live without regrets, I am willing to forge ahead! Every day of this prosperous age.
The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, the fireworks are ordinary, but your long-awaited gaze is fulfilled. Children, sleep peacefully in your dreams, just as you loved them.
And I will dream of the reunion you dream of, wish for the eternity you desire, and walk the long road you walk. This is how I love you!
I will also see the world you have never seen, write the poems you have never written, the moon in the sky, the thoughts in my heart, you will always be by my side. I promise to be with you for a lifetime of purity. "The ethereal voice seemed to hold moonlight, making Lin Chuying's eyes slightly warm as she sang."