mtl008 Chapter 348 The Crown Princess's Protection
Chapter 348 The Crown Princess's Protection
The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments lingered, the fragrance of clothes and the rustling of hair filled the air, and wine cups clinked in celebration.
Lin Chuying, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, sat regally in the main seat, exuding the nobility and elegance of the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace.
She was well-versed in poetry and literature from a young age, and was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was always known for her outstanding talent in the circle of noble ladies in the capital.
However, today's banquet stirred up a ripple in her heart.
His gaze involuntarily fell on Shi Wanxia, who was sitting at the table.
It was late summer when a woman from the countryside shone like a dazzling pearl at a banquet filled with noble ladies from the capital, radiating an eye-catching brilliance.
Her literary talent was remarkable; she composed a poem on the spot, and her high level of talent impressed everyone present.
At that moment, she parted her lips slightly and casually sang a song.
The singing was like heavenly music, lingering throughout the palace and captivating all who heard it.
Lin Chuying frowned slightly. She considered herself to be an excellent pianist and singer, but listening to Shi Wanxia's singing, she had to admit that she was far inferior to her.
The singing seemed to possess a special magic, drawing people in effortlessly.
But for some reason, this piece of music always sounds strange.
Looking at Shi Wanxia again, her eyes were full of nostalgia and sorrow as she sang. She was no longer her usual lively and cheerful self, as if she was immersed in a sad memory.
Lin Chuying's heart tightened. She stood up and slowly walked to Shi Wanxia's side, gently pulling her close. In a tender voice, she softly comforted her, "Little sister, are you homesick?"
"Did you compose this piece? It evokes a deep longing for home!"
Her words were full of concern, and seeing Shi Wanxia's sorrowful appearance, she couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness.
Shi Wanxia raised her head, her eyes still filled with tears, and was about to answer.
Unexpectedly, Princess Zhaohua suddenly sneered, her eyes full of disdain and mockery.
"Your Majesty, don't be fooled by her pitiful appearance. In my opinion, she must have plagiarized someone else's work!"
Princess Zhaohua spoke with disdain, her eyes filled with contempt for Shi Wanxia, "Your Highness, as the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace, you are of noble status. This country bumpkin from the common people knows nothing but low-class tricks. I don't know what face she has to come to this banquet!"
Princess Zhaohua's words were like a sharp blade, piercing Lin Chuying's heart.
She suppressed her anger and tried her best to maintain her manners and upbringing, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Just as she was about to retort, Shi Wanxia gently tugged at her sleeve, signaling her not to get agitated.
Shi Wanxia slowly stood up, her gaze coldly fixed on Princess Zhaohua.
Her eyes no longer held their usual gentleness; instead, they held a sense of authority and coldness.
The next moment, she raised her hand and slapped Princess Zhaohua hard across the face.
"Princess, please be careful with your words. I am not only a second-rank official in the court, but everything I do is for the sake of Cangling and its people."
“The princess may look down on me, but my official position and titles were all personally conferred by His Majesty.”
Shi Wanxia's voice was icy, each word like a hammer blow, "What? Does the princess think that His Majesty is so incompetent that it's just a one-man show by me?"
"Does the princess think that all the civil and military officials in the court are brainless?"
Princess Zhaohua was stunned by the slap. She covered her face, her hands trembling, and pointed at Shi Wanxia in disbelief, her eyes filled with anger and humiliation.
Just as he was about to raise his hand to strike back, the Princess of Dong'an quickly pulled him back.
Princess Dong'an turned pale. Knowing that her daughter had committed a terrible crime, she quickly pulled Princess Zhaohua to kneel in front of Lin Chuying.
With a trembling voice, she said, "Your Highness, please calm down. I have spoiled Zhao Hua too much. Please forgive me. Zhao Hua is young and ignorant and speaks without thinking. I will discipline him properly in the future."
For a moment, the entire banquet hall fell silent. Except for Shi Wanxia, everyone knelt before Lin Chuying, not daring to breathe.
Everyone was secretly wondering how the Crown Princess would handle the matter.
Just then, Cui Yashu, Cui Zhe's granddaughter, slowly spoke up: "Your Highness, this is not true! The princess is now of marriageable age, yet she has offended a court official. Moreover, Lord Shi is a first-rank princess personally appointed by His Majesty, which is even higher than Princess Zhaoyang!"
"My family, Cangling, has always been known for its poetry, literature, and etiquette. Your words today are far too disrespectful to the royal family!"
Cui Yashu's words startled everyone present.
They then remembered that Shi Wanxia not only possessed outstanding talent, but was also a first-rank princess personally appointed by His Majesty, making her status extremely noble.
Princess Zhaohua's behavior today was indeed far too presumptuous.
Looking at the people kneeling on the ground, Lin Chuying's anger gradually subsided.
She knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it would not only affect the prestige of the Crown Prince, but also arouse the dissatisfaction of the court officials.
After a moment of contemplation, she slowly spoke: "Considering that Princess Zhaohua is young and ignorant, I will not pursue the matter today."
"However, Princess, you must remember to be mindful of your words and actions in the palace and never be so presumptuous again."
Upon hearing this, Princess Dong'an breathed a sigh of relief and quickly kowtowed in gratitude: "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness. I will certainly teach Zhao Hua well so that she will not repeat such a mistake."
Although Princess Zhaohua was unwilling, she dared not say anything more and could only grit her teeth and silently endure it all.
The banquet continued, but the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
Lin Chuying looked at Shi Wanxia, her curiosity about her growing even stronger.
What kind of background and experiences does this woman from the countryside have, and why does she possess such outstanding talent and extraordinary demeanor?
As summer drew to a close, Shi Wanxia fell into deep thought after experiencing this turmoil.
She knew that in this complex court, she had to be even more careful to protect herself and fulfill her mission.
Lin Chuying gripped Shi Wanxia's slightly trembling hand, the coolness from her fingertips making her heart tighten.
The kneeling figures in the hall resembled faded peonies, and Princess Zhaohua's sobs, her face covered, were particularly jarring in the silence.
"Little sister Wanxia, don't be afraid."
Lin Chuying pulled the person closer to her side, the tassels of the Eastern pearls on the phoenix crown brushing against Shi Wanxia's temples.
"With me here, His Highness the Crown Prince and I are your strongest backers. No one can humiliate you in front of me."
Her voice, imbued with the scent of sandalwood, carried an undeniable authority, and the nine phoenixes embroidered on her cuffs undulated slightly with her movements.
Princess Dong'an's forehead was almost touching the cold blue bricks, while Princess Zhaohua was still twisting in resentment, but her mother held her down firmly.
Lin Chuying glanced around and finally fixed her gaze on Cui Yashu.
The old prime minister's granddaughter maintained a proper kneeling posture throughout, the subtle patterns on her plain-colored dress gleaming warmly in the candlelight.