The girl in green clearly hadn't expected that someone of such low status would complain about her in front of the Ninth Princess.
"Your Highness, I did not," the green-clothed girl quickly said.
The Ninth Princess glanced at the girl in green. The only reason she had indulged the girl in green earlier was to see Xue Xing Yue embarrass herself. However, since no embarrassment ensued, she was already displeased. Upon hearing Xue Xing Yue's words, she seemed to find merit in them.
Thus, she said coldly, "Zhao Han Yan, do you know your crime?"
Hearing this, Zhao Han Yan bowed and said, "Your Highness, I acted solely for your sake. Your Highness must not be led by others."
Xue Xing Yue said, "Miss Zhao, do you perhaps believe that Her Highness lacks the ability to discern right from wrong?"
As she spoke, she turned to the Ninth Princess and continued, "Your Highness, hearing these words, I feel indignant on your behalf. Your Highness is a daughter of heaven; does she truly need Miss Zhao to remind her?"
The Ninth Princess's gaze turned cold. She looked at Zhao Han Yan and said coldly, "Zhao Han Yan, I have not lost my ability to distinguish right from wrong. You may return. I will not be friends with people like you."
Zhao Han Yan trembled and quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Highness, I know my error. I beg for Your Highness's forgiveness."
The Ninth Princess waved her hand, and the maidservants beside her had already escorted Zhao Han Yan out.
"Shall we go in!" The Ninth Princess, without even looking at Zhao Han Yan who was pleading behind them, walked straight inside.
Xue Xing Yue followed closely, a cold smile in her heart. Compared to someone who had endured in the palace for so many years, only she knew the pride and taboos of royalty. Zhao Han Yan had merely tried to do a good deed but ended up backfiring. She had intended to elevate her own standing before the Ninth Princess but had inadvertently created an opposite effect.
If it were anyone else, it might have been possible. But in front of Xue Xing Yue, it was impossible.
She felt the gazes of the two ladies behind her but paid them no mind, walking in with her head held high.
Upon entering, she was immediately captivated by the blooming peach blossoms. The entire courtyard was filled with peach trees, and as a gentle breeze blew, petals rained down.
For some reason, she was reminded of the past. She and a young boy once admired the peach blossoms. She remembered being entranced by the falling petals and sincerely saying that if, one day, she could see a sea of peach blossoms, it would be a great joy. However, it had never been realized, perhaps due to soil conditions or other factors. Peach trees had never survived in her palace, nor in any corner of the imperial palace.
She didn't know why, which was why she harbored that small hope. Now, seeing this expanse of peach blossoms in a foreign land, it unexpectedly brought back forgotten memories.
She wondered what had become of that young boy. Perhaps she was too young then, and she couldn't recall his appearance.
However, she remembered his eyes, which seemed to hold the most beautiful radiance in the world, so brilliant that one glance was unforgettable.
Not only Xue Xing Yue, but the few who followed behind were also captivated by the scene. A woman who had remained silent until now suddenly spoke, "Your Highness, I heard that these peach blossoms were planted by His Highness the Fifth Prince years ago?"
"Zhao Xiu Zhu, why are you suddenly bringing this up? Don't you know this is a topic forbidden in the palace?" a girl dressed in pink suddenly interjected.
Xue Xing Yue turned around and looked at the previously silent girl. If she guessed correctly, this should be Zhao Xiu Zhu, the legitimate daughter of the Zhao family, the sister of Zhao Xuan and Zhao Han.
Their eyebrows and eyes bore some resemblance.
Perhaps because of Zhao Han, she felt no aversion towards this Miss Zhao. After all, when everyone else had been mocking her, she had seen Miss Zhao's gaze carry a hint of weariness. Perhaps she disliked such behavior, but in that situation, she couldn't say anything.
Therefore, the best course of action was to remain uninvolved.
The Ninth Princess suddenly turned around. She looked at Zhao Xiu Zhu and said, "Zi Wan, let Xiu Zhu speak. There are no outsiders here."
"Your Highness, you also know that because of that incident..." Wu Zi Wan did not finish her sentence.
Everyone following behind became quiet.
Although Xue Xing Yue didn't know what had happened back then, she could guess that it must have been significant.
However, she felt a sense of pity thinking of the remarkably talented Fifth Prince who was eventually burned to death in his own palace.
If someone like that had lived, perhaps the current Crown Prince would not be in that position, would he? Why was she so sure? This Fifth Prince was so significant because her imperial brother had once been fond of this talented Fifth Prince. He had even discussed with her the possibility of an alliance with the state of Yu, which would not only stabilize the country but also find her a good husband.
However, before her brother's plans could be implemented, voices in the court arose. She was betrothed by her brother to the young master of the Duke of Ning's estate, Meng.
Later, she heard that the Fifth Prince had died in his palace by fire, and she still felt some regret. Such a person, so brilliant and talented, had departed in such a manner.
Many years later, especially after her rebirth, she would still think of this Fifth Prince. If she had married this Fifth Prince, perhaps all history could have been rewritten.
Perhaps he could have escaped the fate of being burned to death?
Could their fates both have been changed?
But in this world, where would one get a second chance?
Even with rebirth, everything happened afterward.
"This peach grove was planted by me and my fifth brother. My fifth brother told me that he had fallen in love with a little girl, who possessed the purest eyes and the most innocent smile in the world. My fifth brother said that little girl had said she loved peach blossoms and hoped her home would be filled with them if there was a chance."