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After the Emperor's Birthday Celebration, Su Li's great name spread throughout Tianqi. In every street and alley, one could hear phrases like 'Princess Changning,' 'Miss Su,' and 'Tianqi's Foremost Beauty.'
Su Li's portrait also secretly circulated. At this time, it was precisely when a vast number of scholars gathered in the capital. The scholars competed in composing poems and couplets, praising the beauty.
Because Su Li was Princess Changning, with the support of the Minister's Residence and the Duke's Estate, and was also the future Princess Consort of Prince Jing, with these layers of identity, these scholars dared not compose any vulgar poems. Moreover, Su Li had donated grain and saved countless common people, giving her a position in the hearts of the populace far superior to other imperial princesses. So, if you were to speak ill of her, before the authorities even arrived, the spittle of the common folk would drown you.
In a small courtyard at the end of the capital's West Street, an eleven or twelve-year-old girl stood with her hands on her hips, spewing curses. "You little vixen! Don't think that just because you've seduced my brother, you're the Zhuangyuan wife! I'm telling you, you're just a servant my family took in! Who are you showing off to every day with your coquettish ways?! One day..."
Su Yue had already grown indifferent to Zhao Ruyan's curses. Although she still harbored hatred in her heart, she didn't bother to stoop to the level of this country bumpkin. Once she obtained what she wanted, taking Zhao Ruyan's life would be as easy as crushing an ant.
She carried a hot tea, lowered her head to look at her clothes, and walked towards the study, satisfied. "Young Master, what are you looki—"
When Su Yue saw the person in the painting, her voice immediately halted. The painting depicted a peerless beauty with a captivating smile. Su Yue looked at the scroll, feeling a sense of familiarity. But if she had seen such a beautiful woman before, she wouldn't have forgotten her.
Zhao Huai'an didn't turn around, looking at the painting he said, "I'm thinking, what words could possibly do justice to this peerless beauty?"
Su Yue sneered inwardly. This poor scholar was destitute. With a beauty like herself by his side, he was still fantasizing about such an exquisite beauty.
"Young Master, a woman of such beauty can probably only exist in paintings. Where would one ever see her in reality?" The most beautiful woman she had ever seen was Princess Chaoyang, but even she wasn't as beautiful as the woman in this painting.
Zhao Huai'an murmured Obsessed with Tao, "You're wrong, she truly exists. I heard people say, the real person is even more beautiful."
Su Yue questioned, "Young Master must be joking. Then, whose young lady is this?"
Zhao Huai'an put down his brush. Never mind, I'll set it aside for now. Ordinary poems would only defile the woman in this painting.
"This is Su Minister's legitimate daughter, Princess Changning. This Princess Changning is an extraordinary woman. Not only is she of peerless beauty, but she is also proficient in poetry, song, qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Tianqi's foremost beauty and talented woman are none other than her. What a pity, she is Prince Jing's fiancée..."
By the end, he expressed extreme regret, completely oblivious to the pale face and surging hatred in the eyes of the person behind him.
Su Yue trembled, "You... you said who she is?"
Zhao Huai'an heard the unusual tremor in her voice. He turned around and saw her trembling all over, her face as white as paper. Pinshu Novel Network.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Yue quickly lowered her head and said, "Yes, I'm not feeling well. I'll go down first." She returned to her room and sat on the floor by the bed.
"Su Li!!" She squeezed out these two words through gritted teeth, as if wanting to chew them to shreds.
How can you be so lucky?! Loved by your parents, while I don't even know who my biological father is.
Princess Changning?
Your methods are truly formidable. How long has it been, and you've already climbed to the position of princess by clinging to Prince Jing!
The Foremost Beauty? The Foremost Beauty!
Su Li! One day, I will make you regret everything!
BANG!
The door was kicked open, and Zhao Ruyan's yelling voice erupted. "You little hussy, always trying to shirk work! If you don't finish washing the clothes today..."
Su Yue looked up at her, and Zhao Ruyan's voice caught in her throat.
"You... what kind of look is that? You dare to glare at me! I am the young lady, you wretched servant girl dare to glare at me, the young lady! You are not allowed to eat dinner tonight! Humph!" Zhao Ruyan turned and walked out in a fit of rage. She was actually intimidated by a lowly servant girl's gaze; this was utterly unfitting for her status as a young lady!
...
On the streets of the capital, snow fell, swirling gently.
Several carriages slowly moved along the long street, their wheels making a 'creaking' sound as they pressed against the accumulated snow.
"Miss, we've arrived in the capital!" A crisp voice came from inside the carriage, filled with joy and lightness. Then a delicate hand lifted the curtain, revealing a vibrant face.
Yu Banxia curiously surveyed the capital. "This is the capital!" Suddenly, her eyes brightened.
"Stop the carriage!" The carriage slowly came to a halt. Yu Banxia jumped down and ran to the front of the carriage, saying, "Father, Mother, you go back to the residence first. I want to look around."
Yu Qiao said coldly, "Nonsense! A young lady like you, it's too unsafe. If you want to stroll, wait until we've settled in, and then go out with servants another day."
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Yu Banxia pouted. Her cheap father was good in every way, except for being too rigid. She quickly pleaded with Mother Yu, "Mommy~"
Mother Yu looked troubled, "Then take Qingling with you, and a few house guards too."
"Thank you, Mother!" With that, she dashed off like a wisp of smoke.
Yu Qiao sighed, "A kind mother often spoils her child." Ever since his daughter hit her head and woke up half a year ago, her personality had changed. His formerly quiet daughter had become so lively and cheerful. And she would occasionally blurt out things they couldn't understand.
Here, Yu Banxia, with her maid Qingling and a young servant, walked along the street, stopping frequently. Because of the snow, there were no vendors set up on the street, only shops with open doors. Although they were dressed warmly, they still shivered from the cold.
"Mi... Miss," Qingling's teeth chattered, "Let's go back soon. It's too cold."
Yu Banxia's eyes were full of interest. "Just a little longer. This is the capital, after all!"
Qingling asked in confusion, "Miss, you used to return to the capital with master before."Â Why does it seem like it's her first time now?
Yu Banxia didn't answer. Suddenly, she saw a shop entrance crowded with many people. It was so cold, and other shops only had a few customers occasionally, so why was this shop so crowded and lively? She brought her maid and servant closer and saw three flamboyant characters on the sign: 'Jin Zhao Zui'. What excited her most were the smaller characters below: Authentic Hot Pot!
This dynasty actually had hot pot! Could there be someone else from the same place as her? She quickened her pace, wanting to go inside.
"You're cutting in line! If you want to eat, queue up behind!" Just as she tried to enter, she was stopped.
Qingling lifted her chin and said, "Audacious! My young lady is the daughter of the Salt Transport Commissioner, Transport Coordinator. How dare you stop her?"
The person scoffed, "A mere Fourth-Rank petty official, yet such a big mouth!" "Do you see that gentleman there? That's a servant from Grand Secretary Wang's household. His master wants to eat hot pot, but he hasn't even had his turn yet; he's queuing up there."
"And this one in front, he's a retainer from the Grand Princess's household, also queuing for his master." "If your young lady wants to eat, she also has to queue. The master doesn't queue, the servant queues on their behalf, understand?" Pinshu Novel Network.
Qingling was furious: "You!"
Yu Banxia said, "I'm not eating hot pot; I just want to go inside and look."
A waiter noticed the dispute and hurried over, asking, "Esteemed guests, is there a problem?"
Yu Banxia said, "Waiter, I want to see your boss." Although the waiter didn't know what 'waiter' meant, he understood the latter half of the sentence.
"Does Miss wish to see our manager?"
Yu Banxia nodded. The waiter smiled, "Unfortunately, the manager hasn't arrived today."
Yu Banxia said, "Then can I go inside and look? I won't eat, just look." The waiter nodded and said, "Miss, please come in."
Yu Banxia followed the waiter into Jin Zhao Zui, and the more she looked, the more certain she became that the person behind this shop was her 'fellow countryman'. Yu Banxia was very excited, touching things here and looking there. The waiter watched her actions and became wary. The manager had told him that recently too many competitors had been inquiring about them, so they should be careful. He thought this woman in front of him was very suspicious.
Suddenly, he saw a few people enter from outside and said, "Miss, our manager is here. That's him."
Xu Mubai was startled by the woman who suddenly appeared in front of him. It was just that the girl's eyes were too terrifying, like a hungry wolf seeing meat. She only spoke: "Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron?"
Xu Mubai: "..."
Yu Banxia thought the other party might not have studied chemistry, and continued: "Odd-even doesn't change?"
Xu Mubai: "..."
No way? He didn't even study math? Yu Banxia didn't give up, thinking the other party might be illiterate, and then said: "One, two, three, four, five?"
Xu Mubai helplessly said, "Miss, is something the matter?"
Yu Banxia frowned, that's not right!
Xu Mubai ignored her, walked around her, and headed upstairs.
"Miss, let's go quickly." Qingling saw that the people around them were looking at them as if they were lunatics, and quickly pulled Yu Banxia out of Jin Zhao Zui.