The Princess Royal’s voice was cold and sharp: “Since you admit to lax discipline, Minister Jiang, you should take her back and discipline her properly. If she cannot learn proper young lady’s etiquette, then she need not leave the house in the future!”
Jiang Wanxin rose slowly, her face filled with humiliation. At these words, her body swayed violently, nearly unable to stand.
She was the legitimate daughter of Minister Jiang’s household, the noble lady of the capital who had been the first to receive the special honor personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and the object of secret admiration for countless young men from prestigious families…
Yet in an instant, she had been publicly reprimanded by the Princess Royal, had her imperially bestowed items confiscated, and had been ordered to remain confined at home to reflect on her mistakes!
And all of this had happened before the Crown Prince’s very eyes!
Jiang Wanxin shot a hateful glare at Yun Zhao: Who knows where this accursed star came from—clearly born to ruin her!
Just as everyone assumed the storm had passed, the Princess Royal spoke again, her clear voice carrying throughout the waterside pavilion:
“Among all the congratulatory gifts from the assembled nobles today, I am pleased with each and every one. However, for the prize of this spring gathering, I must choose the finest.”
Almost everyone’s gaze, including Jiang Wanxin’s, turned toward Song Baiyu, who sat quietly to one side.
With Jiang Wanxin’s painting destroyed, among the remaining gifts, the one displaying the greatest talent and most favored by the Princess Royal was undoubtedly Song Baiyu’s “Hundred Longevity” painting.
Song Baiyu remained composed and dignified, his expression revealing nothing.
Unexpectedly, the Princess Royal beckoned to Yun Zhao: “Child, come here.”
The entire hall fell silent—so quiet that a dropping needle could be heard.
“You repaired my feather hairpin and administered acupuncture treatment for me and Nanny Zhou. You are a loyal and courageous good child, and I like you.”
With that, the Princess Royal placed a sheet of red-gold paper bearing the auspicious cloud pattern of Biyun Temple into Yun Zhao’s hands—the very token for the first incense offering on Buddha’s Birthday.
“Today’s prize belongs to no one but you.”
The Princess Royal’s voice was gentle, and then she dropped another earth-shattering statement: “Furthermore, I wish to take you as my adopted daughter. Are you willing?”
Yun Zhao was momentarily stunned.
Murmurs erupted all around, with voices of counsel rising one after another: “Your Highness, please think carefully!”
Jiang Heng, who had been kicked unconscious by Xiao Qi and spat blood, had awakened not long ago. Seeing Father Jiang appear and finally help salvage Jiang Wanxin’s dignity, he had been silently enduring.
Hearing this, he could not help but speak out: “A bastard child of unknown origins! How could she be worthy!”
But his voice was hoarse, and his vicious curse was drowned out by the crowd’s noise, drawing no one’s attention.
Only Xiao Qi, seated alone in a corner, cast a dark, gloomy gaze across the crowd, landing upon him.
Even the Crown Prince could not help but frown and speak: “Aunt, adopting an adopted daughter is no small matter. This concerns the dignity of the imperial clan and requires careful consideration.”
A very soft laugh cut through the silence of the hall.
The crowd turned in near horror to see Prince Qin seated calmly to one side, holding a wine cup, a slight curve forming at the corners of his lips: “Since Aunt favors her, it is her fortune.”
All the world knew that His Highness Prince Qin was incomparably handsome, but his temperament was cold and fierce, extremely difficult to please. Otherwise, despite his noble imperial birth, he would not have earned the nickname “Jade-Faced Yama.”
The nobles and noble ladies present had known Prince Qin for over a decade—when had they ever seen him smile so easily because of a woman?
Like moonlight over a clear pool, like spring rivers breaking through ice!
Many noble ladies present felt their hearts race suddenly at that faint smile from Prince Qin, their faces flushing without warning.
“Crown Prince need not worry.” The Princess Royal cast a smiling glance at Prince Qin, her smile radiant:
“I already requested the Emperor’s decree on this matter before the new year. His Majesty personally promised that as long as my heart is pleased, regardless of family background or origins, I may take the child under my wing.”
The Crown Prince said warmly: “I am not one to value pedigree, but,” his gaze swept lightly across Yun Zhao’s face, “since she is to enter the clan registry, it must still be verified by the Ministry of Rites to conform with ritual protocol.”
“Is Minister Jiang not right here?” Prince Qin added languidly.
“Very well.” The Crown Prince smiled helplessly. “Since Aunt’s mind is made up, and Cousin is pleased to see it come to pass, if I say more, I would become the villain who spoils the mood.”
The Princess Royal seemed pleased, clapping her hands with a laugh: “Now this is my good nephew.”
Prince Qin raised his cup slightly in the Princess Royal’s direction, his voice low and deep: “Congratulations.”
Just two simple words, yet they made Yun Zhao’s heart skip a beat.
She instinctively lifted her gaze and collided directly with Xiao Qi’s unfathomably deep eyes. His gaze was dark and profound, with a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile, fixed firmly upon her.
Yun Zhao could not fathom whether this “congratulations” was meant for her or for someone else, and for a moment she thought she might be overthinking it.
Her heart slightly unsettled, she could only lower her eyes and give an almost imperceptible nod of her chin as a response.
Nanny Zhou, smiling as she stood to the side, directed a serving maid to hand over a teacup: “Young lady, offer the tea!”
Yun Zhao accepted it with both hands, knelt steadily, and raised the cup above her brow, her voice clear and respectful: “Yun Zhao pays respects to her adoptive mother.”
Below the steps, Jiang Wanxin bit down hard on her lower lip, already tasting a hint of blood in her mouth.
If not for the series of mishaps today, all of this should have been hers!
The honor of the first incense at Biyun Temple, the Princess Royal’s exclusive favor, and the joy of becoming her “adopted daughter”—all of it should have been within her grasp!
Not far away, Jiang Heng stood among the crowd, one hand pressed to his chest, his eyes also filled with hatred.
He hated that he had been too soft-hearted that day—seeing her struck down by the Cultivation-Dissolving Powder mixed with the Incantation Talisman, he had not stabbed her a few more times!
The regret of not having insisted on going down the mountain to find her body and cast it into the wildfire that raged across the slopes!
A single moment of misplaced mercy had now left such a grave threat for herself and Xin’er.
“Good child.” The Princess Royal accepted Yun Zhao’s offering of tea with a smile and asked gently, “Now that you are my adopted daughter, what wish does my child have? Today I am in good spirits—speak freely.”
Yun Zhao rose, a flicker of darkness passing through her eyes, though her voice trembled deliberately:
“Zhao’er dares not conceal anything. This journey to the capital was truly to seek my kin. Yet having been parted from my birth parents for sixteen years, I know not whether they would still be willing to acknowledge me as their daughter.”
Seeing her shoulders tremble slightly, the Princess Royal took it as fear and grievance, and her heart filled with pity at once:
“Silly child, with me to back you, who would dare refuse to acknowledge you? Just say the name!”
A curious onlooker asked, “Since Miss Yun says she came to the capital to seek kin, then that person must be in the capital—are they an official or a merchant?”
Prince Qin also spoke at this moment, his tone indifferent: “The Little Medical Immortal has an air of refined elegance, appearing to come from a distinguished family. I wonder which of the court officials is Miss Yun’s birth father?”
On ordinary days, Prince Qin was cold and aloof, rarely paying attention to anyone. Yet today, for a woman, he had spoken three times in succession.
Could it be that even the iron tree had finally bloomed?
At the sight, all present turned their gazes upon Yun Zhao.
Even the Crown Prince, who had been distant and indifferent toward her all along, cast a probing look her way.
Yun Zhao raised her head. There were no tears in her eyes, but hatred was unmistakably clear within them.
She looked at the Princess Royal and said softly, “My father’s surname is Jiang—he is the current Minister of Rites, Jiang Shian.”