“Oh? Such a good poem should be shared with the whole world. Why shouldn’t I tell Father Emperor about it?”
The Third Prince spoke with a teasing smile.
Not far away, Song Li shivered.
She felt so uncomfortable that it was as if she had swallowed several pounds of oil.
Song Mei, however, enjoyed the attention.
Feeling the Third Prince’s playful flirting, her cheeks turned slightly red.
Although she looked pitiful on the outside, she had already calmed down inside.
After all, the Third Prince was only a fifteen-year-old boy.
He looked imposing, but the tricks he played were still childish.
What do I have to be afraid of?
She softened her voice and pleaded gently,
“If I tell you the truth, Your Highness, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
Faced with such a sweet and gentle girl begging him, the Third Prince wanted to tease her, but he did not want to frighten her.
“Go ahead. I won’t tell anyone.”
Song Mei smiled softly and admitted honestly,
“I wrote it.”
She had originally planned to act shy and delicate.
But after thinking about the poem’s strong and determined spirit, she felt that acting like that would not suit it.
So she admitted it openly.
The Third Prince shook his head slightly.
“I don’t believe it.”
“How could someone your age write a poem with such deep meaning?”
A trace of hurt flashed across Song Mei’s eyes.
Just as she was about to explain, the clever butterfly flew back again.
It landed steadily on her shoulder.
As its wings gently fluttered, Song Mei’s face seemed almost holy.
Even the hurt in her eyes turned into gentle compassion.
The Third Prince took a deep breath.
At that moment, Song Mei looked like a saint sent from heaven.
Pure.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
Yet…
He could not help wanting to make her his own.
The Third Prince rubbed the jade ring on his thumb and lowered his eyes.
“All right.”
“I was only teasing you.”
“You suffered while growing up outside the family, so it’s natural that you understand feelings like these.”
“I apologize.”
“But don’t complain to your elder sister.”
The moment Song Mei heard him mention Song Yihuan, her body stiffened.
“I’m not a child.”
“I wouldn’t complain.”
The Third Prince smiled thoughtfully.
“On the eighth day of this month is the Buddha Bathing Festival.”
“Please tell Yihuan that I’ll be waiting for her at the Huguo Temple.”
Song Mei paused before replying,
“…All right.”
Although Song Yihuan had supposedly given Third Prince Xiao Xifeng to her…
She still had to win his heart herself.
“Little Sister Song…”
“You can let go now.”
The Third Prince whispered beside her ear.
Song Mei froze.
Only then did she realize she was still holding onto his sleeve.
She quickly let go.
As she lowered her head, even the tips of her ears turned red.
The Third Prince chuckled.
Then he said goodbye to the Empress, the princes, and the princesses.
The other princes soon left as well.
…
Song Mei watched the Third Prince walk away.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
In her previous life, she lived to be thirty years old.
Yet she had never dated anyone.
She only had seven or eight close male friends.
They all pitied her because she was an orphan.
They always took good care of her.
Some let her stay in their homes.
Some brought her breakfast.
Some repaired her plumbing or fixed her computer.
Some stayed up all night talking with her.
She had always felt happy spending time with her friends.
So what if she never dated anyone?
Because of that…
When it comes to romance…
She was still a blank page.
She was no more experienced than a teenage girl.
She was not much more mature than the fifteen-year-old Third Prince Third Prince Xiao Xifeng
Just now…
She had vaguely felt that Third Prince Xiao Xifeng liked her.
But she did not know why.
Perhaps because she was Song Yihuan’s younger sister.
Or perhaps because of the poem she had just recited.
“A sword’s edge comes from sharpening.”
“The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from enduring the bitter winter.”
The Third Prince’s name was Third Prince Third Prince Xiao Xifeng
The last character of his name also meant “edge.”
Surely…
That couldn’t be related, could it?
As Third Prince Xiao Xifeng disappeared from sight, Song Mei gathered her thoughts.
Since she was now Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi’s study companion, she naturally wanted to become closer to her.
She took the initiative to chat with Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi.
Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi also wanted to befriend her.
Before they left the palace, the two girls had already agreed to call each other by their childhood nicknames in private.
Song Mei called her Xi’er.
Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi is called Song Mei Mei’er.
Bai Yudie, on the other hand, remained polite but distant.
She kept exactly the right amount of space between herself and Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi.
Even so, Sixth Princess Xiao lingxi treated Bai Yudie with great respect.
That gave Song Mei a slight sense of danger.
…
After returning home, Yang Yuyao asked Song Mei what had happened in the palace.
Song Mei told her everything.
She even asked Yang Yuyao to help her understand what the Third Prince really meant.
“The Third Prince is still engaged to the Elder Sister.”
“I imagine they must still have some feelings for each other.”
“Maybe Elder Sister should…”
Yang Yuyao raised her hand and interrupted her.
“Last year, when your sister celebrated her birthday, even the Empress sent gifts.”
“But the Third Prince didn’t even attend her birthday banquet.”
“Mei’er.”
“I’ve lived much longer than you.”
“Listen to me.”
“If the Third Prince truly wanted to meet your sister, why didn’t he tell her directly?”
“They’re already engaged.”
“Was he afraid people would gossip?”
“Besides…”
“You’re only ten years old.”
“Yet he asked you to deliver the message.”
“Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?”
Song Mei’s face immediately turned bright red.
“Then… what does the Third Prince really mean?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
“The person he wants to see…”
“…is you.”
This time Yang Yuyao was not deceiving her.
From the Third Prince’s behavior, it was obvious that he wanted both women at once.
He was so shallow.
He did not deserve her daughter.
But Song Mei had already been overwhelmed by happiness.
Her mind was filled with Third Prince Xiao Xifeng’s perfect profile…
And the faint orchid fragrance surrounding him.
She could almost hear his deep, attractive voice whispering,
“Little Sister Song…”
She covered her face with both hands.
In her previous life, she had never met a man with such noble status.
Now that she finally had…
She had to seize the opportunity.
“But Mother…”
“I’m only ten.”
“How can I make the Third Prince wait another four years?”
Yang Yuyao patted her hand and smiled.
“Mei’er.”
“As long as your father controls the army…”
“He’ll wait ten years if necessary.”
“Besides…”
“Who said he has to wait four years?”
“Maybe only two or three.”
Song Mei blinked.
“Don’t girls have to wait until they’re fifteen before they can marry?”
Yang Yuyao laughed.
“Silly girl.”
“Who told you that?”
“A girl can marry after she begins her monthly cycle.”
“I’ll have the doctor take good care of your health.”
“We’ll raise you until you’re healthy and beautiful.”
“Maybe in another two years…”
“Mother…”
Song Mei buried her face in Yang Yuyao’s lap in embarrassment.
So it wasn’t like the television dramas at all.
I still have so much to learn about the customs of this era.
Although she did not want to marry so young…
Outstanding men would not wait forever.
For Third Prince Third Prince Xiao Xifeng..
And for the position she hoped to reach one day…
She was willing to sacrifice herself.
…
“By the way,” Yang Yuyao suddenly asked.
“You said Bai Yudie was also chosen as the Sixth Princess’s study companion?”
“Yes.”
“Mother, do you think something is wrong?”
Song Mei looked at her innocently.
But inside, she silently praised Yang Yuyao.
She noticed the same thing I did.
Yang Yuyao’s expression became serious.
“Bai Yudie’s grandfather commands even more soldiers than your father.”
“And Bai Yudie is one year older than you.”
Song Mei immediately became nervous.
“Mother…”
“Bai Yudie already carries herself with such elegance at such a young age.”
“What if the Third Prince falls in love with her?”
“Maybe… I should just let things happen naturally…”
“What nonsense.”
Yang Yuyao interrupted her.
“If you gain a little weight, you’ll look just as elegant.”
“Mei’er.”
“Listen carefully.”
“After school every day, invite Bai Yudie to our house.”
“Your two brothers are considered among the most handsome young men in the capital…”