His originally handsome face became somewhat ferocious. Seeing this, the young girl merely lowered her head.
Song Xu reached out and gently stroked the girl's head, his gaze warm. "Xiao Xue, don't be afraid. With Second Brother here, I will surely protect your peace for a lifetime!"
"Do not think that by flattering me, this Princess will lower her guard against you. You are still this Princess's opponent," the Ninth Princess said coldly, glancing up at Xue Xing Yue.
"Your Highness Ninth Princess misunderstands. This humble one does not wish to be looked upon favorably by Your Highness because of this. It is simply the truth, and I cannot lie."
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess's face lit up. Who doesn't enjoy praise? Even Your Highness Ninth Princess, how is it? She still enjoys being complimented.
About an hour later, the carriage stopped.
The Ninth Princess alighted from the carriage first. Xue Xing Yue slowly got down from the carriage afterward. This was her first time in the imperial city of Yin Country.
The first glance stunned her. She had never seen such a magnificent and vast imperial palace. The tiles, covered in glazed pottery, emitted a dazzling radiance under the sunlight.
"Your Highness Princess!" The guards outside the city gate saw the Ninth Princess and bowed in unison.
Upon entering the imperial palace, she discovered that while it was magnificent on the outside, it was a different world within. It didn't quite resemble a palace, but rather a garden with charming scenery.
The Ninth Princess returned to her chambers to change into palace attire. Xue Xing Yue and Qin Er Niang stood in the imperial garden. She dared not move around carelessly, for this was the imperial palace, and encountering any noble person could lead to trouble.
Suddenly, a faint sound echoed. Xue Xing Yue and Qin Er Niang exchanged glances. What they feared had come to pass; the sound seemed unusual!
At this moment, the Ninth Princess also emerged from her chambers and walked towards them. Seeing this, Xue Xing Yue quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness."
The Ninth Princess pointed to the imperial garden behind Xue Xing Yue and said, "You must have never explored the imperial garden before, right? This place houses all the rare treasures and exotic riches of the world."
"Your Highness, shall we visit somewhere else?" Xue Xing Yue suggested.
The Ninth Princess shook her head. "I have just returned. I want to see if the violets my seventh brother planted for me have bloomed." Saying this, she walked towards the imperial garden, disregarding Xue Xing Yue's attempts to stop her.
Seeing this, Xue Xing Yue had no choice but to follow, hoping that the couple in the imperial garden would quickly leave upon hearing the Ninth Princess's voice.
After touring the imperial garden, the Ninth Princess headed towards the Empress Dowager's chambers. Xue Xing Yue, following behind, let out a sigh of relief.
She was no longer surprised by the secrets of the imperial palace. However, her current status was too humble. If discovered, the Ninth Princess would at most receive a scolding, but she, in her current identity, might not escape death.
Upon reaching the Empress Dowager's chambers, after the palace maid announced their arrival, the Ninth Princess turned to Xue Xing Yue and said, "Do not speak carelessly when you see the Empress Dowager, or this Princess cannot save you."
"Yes, Ninth Princess!"
The Ninth Princess nodded. At this moment, the palace maid emerged and bowed to the Ninth Princess, saying, "The Empress Dowager requests the Ninth Princess to enter."
"Is my Imperial Grandmother alone, or are there others present?" the Ninth Princess asked.
The palace maid replied, "Prince Min Nan is here."
Upon hearing this, a hint of disdain flashed in the Ninth Princess's eyes. "So, Imperial Uncle is also here."
Following the Ninth Princess into the Empress Dowager's chambers, Xue Xing Yue caught a faint, unusual scent the moment she stepped inside – a delicate floral fragrance.
A floral scent? Xue Xing Yue narrowed her eyes. This fragrance would not linger; it was clearly from recently blooming flowers. Suddenly, she recalled what had happened in the imperial garden. She slowly looked up and met a pair of deep, dark eyes.
It was like an unfathomable abyss, with no bottom in sight.
It seemed to draw her in, leading to a place of eternal damnation.
She decisively averted her gaze, feeling a sense of unease. Clearly, Prince Min Nan had recognized her.
"Imperial Grandmother, it has been many days. Do you miss me?" the Ninth Princess asked affectionately as she approached the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager, dressed in luxurious attire and adorned with gold and silver hairpins, looked at the Ninth Princess with a benevolent expression. "How could I not miss you? Little Jiu also does not come to visit this old one. With a beloved in your heart, you even cast aside this old one."
"Imperial Grandmother, I do not. Naturally, I miss you, Imperial Grandmother. However, I wish more to bring my future consort to see you. But I fear I may disappoint you." The Ninth Princess lowered her gaze, her tone tinged with melancholy.
The Empress Dowager heard this and said, "My Little Jiu is a proud daughter of heaven. Would Prime Minister Song still refuse such a good match?"
The Ninth Princess bit her lower lip, her expression filled with grievance.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's expression turned stern. "I recall that His Majesty did issue an imperial decree of betrothal to the Song residence. Could it be that Prime Minister Song has defied the decree?"
The Ninth Princess shook her head. "He did not defy it. However, he requested His Majesty to grant him another decree?"
"What decree?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"That if his fiancée enters the manor, then my rival and I will compete based on our abilities to secure the position of Madam Prime Minister."
"Absurd! His Majesty agreed?" The Empress Dowager's gaze turned icy.
The Ninth Princess nodded. "Father Emperor agreed."
"This is preposterous! Would a proud daughter of heaven have to compete with vulgar and lowly women for a man? This is not only a disgrace to the imperial family but also an insult to His Majesty. It is utterly ridiculous," the Empress Dowager said, her anger rising as she dropped the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand onto the floor.
"Imperial Grandmother, please do not be angry. After all, he already has an engagement. I cannot have him be a man who breaks his promise," the Ninth Princess said.
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "You, you are simply too soft-hearted. If it were this old one, I would have already ordered someone..."
"Imperial Grandmother." The Ninth Princess interrupted the Empress Dowager at the opportune moment.