My mother began taking me to various banquets frequently. Although outsiders didn't know about my relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince, they guessed my mother's intentions, as I was already seventeen. My father was a merchant, but the Empress had favored our family greatly, and I had an elder brother who would soon participate in the imperial examinations. With the title of "Crown Prince's Savior," many sought my hand in marriage. My mother, while busy helping me choose a suitor, kept a strict watch on the Crown Prince. He visited our home several times but was always sent away by my mother with various excuses. I was happy to have an easy time, spending my days either dressed up by my mother and taken out, or lying in bed recovering from my injuries. Strangely, despite such a leisurely life, I didn't gain any weight. A'xiu softly revealed the truth: "Miss is lovesick; it's a wonder she isn't wasting away." I grabbed a pillow and threw her out of the room. Alas, I couldn't dwell on this matter, as it only made me more disheartened.
The second day of the second lunar month, when the dragon raises its head, was also the coming-of-age ceremony for Miss Song, Song Shuxian. As a close confidant of the Emperor, Song Shu was a person everyone flattered. Even though his mansion sent out few invitations, congratulatory visitors still arrived in endless streams. I arrived in a royal carriage. Early that morning, Suisui came to find me, saying we should go together for company. Miss Song had also been a companion reader to Suisui, and she was closer in age to Suisui, but for some reason, Suisui preferred playing with me.
"Where is His Highness the Second Prince? Isn't he joining this lively gathering today?"
"He dares not. The other day, he was invited to a banquet at a classmate's home. He drank a bit too much and was almost taken advantage of by that young lady." Suisui covered her mouth and chuckled, showing no sympathy for her own second brother.
"No way? How old is His Highness the Second Prince?"
"Eighteen is not young. Which noble son doesn't have a concubine by thirteen or fourteen? If it weren't for my second brother's playful nature and late awakening, he should have had maidservants serving him in his courtyard by now." My heart stirred, "What about His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Elder brother? That's even more so. He dislikes being touched by outsiders. Besides the two young eunuchs he usually uses and Pengcheng, he doesn't let anyone get close."
"..."
"Sister Nannan, what are you smiling about?"
"Nothing, why would I be smiling?"
"You say nothing, but your mouth was almost stretched to your ears just now."
Situ You wasn't truly scared. It was mainly because the Emperor said he was already eighteen and forbade him from idling about all day. He brought Situ You to court, assigning him some miscellaneous tasks without specifying a department. In short, the Emperor wanted him to gain experience first and then make arrangements for a suitable department. This was the benefit of being a son of the Emperor; you could try out different official positions. I actually thought Situ You was more suited to be a general, but with peace prevailing everywhere, he would have no use on the frontier. Moreover, the Ministry of War was currently managed by Prince Yong. If a prince suddenly got involved, it would easily lead to speculation that the Emperor intended to seize power.
Uncle Song had one son and three daughters, with only Miss Song being born to his principal wife. His only son, Song Shuchi, was born to his third concubine, Lady Ping, and was only twelve this year, currently studying at the Imperial Academy. The second and third young ladies were born to the second and fourth concubines, one twelve and the other eight years old, helping to greet guests. They were polite, thoughtful, and dignified, showing no signs of being illegitimate daughters. However, this was understandable. Uncle Song had always treated all the children in his household equally. Although the two younger ones were illegitimate daughters, and he felt embarrassed to send them to the palace, he had requested a governess from the palace to educate them. With someone from the palace overseeing them, Madam Han wouldn't dare to act on any ulterior motives. This goes to show that the suffering of illegitimate daughters is truly not the fault of the principal wife. Other women giving birth to their husband's children are always a thorn in the principal wife's side; expecting her to treat them as her own children is sheer fantasy. As long as the men are a little stronger, even if illegitimate sons and daughters cannot enjoy the same resources as their legitimate counterparts, at least they wouldn't suffer.
Miss Song was wearing a Xiangfei-colored ruqun today, dressed exceptionally charmingly. Madam Han, who had captured Uncle Song's heart at first sight, was naturally beautiful. Miss Song resembled her mother and was now considered one of the most beautiful women in the capital. A woman could marry upon reaching her coming-of-age ceremony. Miss Song was not yet betrothed, but not many people were seeking to marry her, mostly because they felt they were not qualified. Many people speculated that she would eventually marry into the Crown Prince's palace. While the Crown Princess was uncertain, a position as a secondary consort was virtually guaranteed. Alas, this was the difference. Although the Emperor and Empress treated our two families the same, in the eyes of the world, the Song family's daughters were qualified to marry into the Crown Prince's palace, while I, even if marrying the Second Prince, would be considered a high-marrying match. However, they didn't know that Uncle Song had no intention of marrying his daughter into the royal family. He had long ago taken a liking to my elder brother and wanted to betroth them. My mother, however, did not agree.