Xue Xing Yue could feel the envious gaze from the Ninth Princess, a wave that never ceased.
She did not look up, allowing the Ninth Princess's sharp eyes to fall upon her.
Soon, she could no longer feel the Ninth Princess's gaze. She instinctively looked up and saw Song Xiu Yuan's back in front of her, standing tall and blocking all of the Ninth Princess's line of sight.
Suddenly, her heart felt a warmth. Since childhood, she had read many romance stories in her father's imperial library, most of which depicted men protecting women.
Back then, she had wondered if she would be fortunate enough to meet such a person.
But now, someone she had known for only a short time understood this, and was willing to step forward to shield her. Looking at his back, she wondered if she would be very happy if she became his wife.
She was quickly startled by this thought. What was she thinking? Her relationship with Song Xiu Yuan was purely a collaboration. Once he successfully managed to push back this marriage, they would be strangers.
Thinking of this, she smiled. It seemed today had touched her, reminding her of things she rarely thought about.
Sitting beside the Empress Dowager, the Ninth Princess was very, very angry. She forcefully squeezed a still-hard peach until it softened.
The Empress Dowager noticed. She reached out and gently patted the Ninth Princess's shoulder, saying, "Little Jiu, you're unwilling?"
The Ninth Princess shook her head. "Imperial Grandmother, Song Xiu Yuan is mine."
The Empress Dowager said, "However, what I see now is that you will lose this battle."
"Imperial Grandmother, you will help me, won't you?" The Ninth Princess looked up at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager sighed, beckoned the head palace maid, Yang Mei, and said a few words. Palace Maid Yang Mei nodded and left. The Ninth Princess looked at the Empress Dowager and asked, "Imperial Grandmother, what did you ask Yang Mei to do?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Didn't you ask this old one to help you? Then this old one will help a little. However, I am giving you an opportunity; whether you can grasp it depends on you, Little Jiu."
The Ninth Princess nodded excitedly, "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother. I will certainly not disappoint you."
The Empress Dowager stroked the Ninth Princess's head, a flicker of light crossing her gaze.
Soon, Yang Mei returned and reported to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager lowered her head and said a few words to the Ninth Princess. The Ninth Princess's eyes widened with surprise.
She looked at the Empress Dowager and asked, "Imperial Grandmother, is this appropriate?"
The Empress Dowager said lightly, "Whether it is appropriate or not lies in people's hearts. But given her status, doing this is already the greatest favor this old one has bestowed upon her."
The Ninth Princess nodded.
The Ninth Princess accidentally knocked over wine, spilling it on herself.
The Ninth Princess summoned the palace maids beside her and walked towards the outside.
Soon, a palace maid approached Xue Xing Yue and said, "Young Lady, the Ninth Princess requests your presence."
"Requests me? Perhaps Sister heard incorrectly?" Xue Xing Yue looked up at the palace maid and asked calmly.
The palace maid replied, "This servant did not mishear. She requests the Young Lady."
Xue Xing Yue put down the fruit she was holding and was about to stand up when Song Xiu Yuan suddenly grabbed her hand, his bright eyes sparkling with starlight. "Don't go too far with this."
She was stunned, and couldn't help but smile wryly. "Alright."
He looked at her and said, "I'll wait for you to come back."
"Aren't you afraid I'll get hurt?" she asked.
"You won't," his gaze was so bright, like a luminous pearl.
She turned her head, letting the nervousness in her heart gradually quiet down. She said to the palace maid, "Let's go! Isn't the Ninth Princess waiting for me?"
"This way, Young Lady!" said the palace maid.
Song Xiu Yuan watched her figure leave, then picked up his wine cup, looking composed and at ease. The wine in the cup seemed to ripple, and the leaves of the trees not far behind them swayed slightly. After a moment, everything returned to normal, with the songs and dances continuing as before.
Xue Xing Yue said to the palace maid, "Where is the Ninth Princess's residence now?"
The palace maid replied, "Young Lady, just follow this servant."
"This doesn't seem like the way to the Ninth Princess's chambers," Xue Xing Yue stopped and said calmly.
The palace maid said, "This is the Ninth Princess's chambers."
"It's not here. Do you think I haven't been to the Ninth Princess's chambers before?" She walked up and asked the palace maid.
The palace maid took a step back, her eyes showing some panic. "Young Lady, it... it is here."
"I'm sure it's not. Why?" She had cornered the palace maid, who was so frightened that she stumbled and fell to the ground. "Young Lady, spare me, spare me."
Xue Xing Yue bent down and said, "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
The palace maid shook her head and told her only what she knew.
Xue Xing Yue nodded and said, "Let's go!"
The palace maid was stunned. She had not expected this at all and cautiously asked, "Young Lady, why are you still going?"
"If I don't go, what will happen to you? You will surely be punished. I don't want to hurt anyone."
The palace maid's heart warmed at her words. "Young Lady, you are truly a good person."
A good person? Perhaps.
"Whose chambers are these?" she asked.
Such a palace must belong to a prince, right?
The palace maid replied, "These are the Crown Prince's chambers, the Eastern Palace."
Xue Xing Yue was stunned. She remembered that gentle and refined man.
Could it be that the Empress Dowager wanted to arrange for her to be intimate with the Crown Prince?
This Empress Dowager was truly generous. She had found such a good man for her; she really should thank her.
She walked in. The palace maid looked at her timidly. She waved her hand and said, "Just do as you were instructed before. Don't mind me. In half an hour, go back and report to the Empress Dowager that everything went smoothly."
The palace maid nodded and then left.
After the palace maid left, she felt that no one was around. She leaped onto a nearby tree and said with a smile, "Feng Yun, long time no see."
Feng Yun felt a bad premonition rise within him. He asked, "You... what do you want to do?"
Seeing Feng Yun embrace himself, she couldn't help but put her hand to her forehead. "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in you. I just want you to help me with something."
Feng Yun breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at her. "I can do anything, just don't try to ruin my reputation. I'm saving myself for Ruo Feng."
"That depends on whether your mistress agrees. What do you say?"
"You..." Feng Yun forcefully swallowed the rest of the rude words.