"I suppose so!" Yun Chang nodded and said with a smile, "My mother is gravely ill, so I came to see her."
"I see, then you've come at just the right time," the woman said with a smile. "The young ladies in this batch are all the cream of the crop in the capital. Among us sisters, I'm the prettiest. However, I was chosen to serve in the Empress's palace. I wonder if Princess Yun Chang will be selected?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Chang nodded gently, a smile on her lips. "Thank you for your concern. I will naturally be chosen."
"Then I shall await Princess Yun Chang's good news!" the woman said with a smile.
After some polite exchanges with the woman, Yun Chang turned to leave.
As she reached a turning, she was suddenly stopped.
Yun Chang looked up, only to see the woman she had met that day blocking her path.
"Princess Yun Chang, have you forgotten me so soon?" the woman asked Yun Chang with a playful smile, her eyes full of mischief.
Yun Chang looked at the woman and smiled, "So it's Consort Zhao. My apologies! But, Consort Zhao, do you have something you need from me?"
Seeing that Yun Chang recognized her, the woman said with a smile, "Princess Yun Chang is indeed intelligent, worthy of being the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion. My name is Zhao Yingying, and I have specifically come to seek guidance from Princess Yun Chang today."
"Oh?" Yun Chang smiled, looking at Zhao Yingying with a smile. "I am very curious, what could I possibly teach Consort Zhao?"
Seeing Yun Chang's indifferent demeanor, Zhao Yingying said with a smile, "Actually, I just want to be friends with you."
"Oh? Consort Zhao wishes to befriend me?" Yun Chang raised an eyebrow.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yingying quickly said, "Of course. However, you must understand, someone of my humble background cannot associate with a young lady of your status. But, Princess, you could teach me a few tricks."
"Very well, I would like to see if the esteemed Consort of the Grand Commandant's mansion, after learning a few tricks, can defeat the Third Mistress of the Prime Minister's mansion," Yun Chang said with a smile.
Hearing this, Zhao Yingying gritted her teeth, a glint of hatred flashing in her eyes.
Ever since she entered the Prime Minister's mansion, she had been severely dealt with by the Prime Minister's wife. Not only was she beaten and scolded, but she was also expelled from the Prime Minister's mansion and even punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall for a whole night. How could she be content? Thus, she vowed that one day, when she climbed higher, she would definitely get her revenge on the Prime Minister's wife.
Yun Chang's gaze fell upon the woman behind Zhao Yingying. That woman did not appear to be old, perhaps around seventeen or eighteen years of age. She was wearing a lake-blue brocade skirt, covered with a layer of gauze. Her face was a delicate melon seed shape, her features exquisite, and her dark eyes were very spirited. Her nose was aquiline, and her lips were rosy. Although young, her figure was shapely, clearly indicating she was a great beauty.
"This must be Yun Ran," Yun Chang said, pointing at Yun Ran.
Zhao Yingying nodded, "This is my cousin Yun Ran. She has just come of age this year."
"Greetings, cousin Yun Ran. My name is Xia Yun Chang. This is our first meeting. Please do not hesitate to offer your guidance, cousin Yun Ran," Yun Chang said with a faint, gentle smile that was captivating.
Hearing this, Yun Ran nodded slightly and performed a courtly bow towards Yun Chang, saying with a smile, "You are too kind, cousin. Since you are willing to spar with me, how could I refuse?"
Yun Chang smiled upon hearing this, and reached out to grasp Yun Ran's wrist. "Cousin Yun Ran's medical skills are excellent and highly appreciated by the Crown Prince in the palace. However..." Yun Chang paused and continued, "Cousin Yun Ran, I have a few medicinal ingredients here. If you boil them into a soup and drink it, it will surely cure your eyes." As Yun Chang spoke, she handed a jade bottle to Yun Ran.
Yun Ran accepted the jade bottle and said with a smile, "Then I thank you in advance, cousin."
"You're welcome, cousin Yun Ran. We are all family, after all, and it's a mutually beneficial relationship," Yun Chang said calmly.
"I've heard my father mention you, cousin. He always said you were a very capable person. I've always wanted to get to know you, and I never imagined you'd be my cousin. What a coincidence," Yun Ran said with a smile.
"Yes, I am indeed very capable," Yun Chang said without humility.
Hearing this, Yun Ran smiled and said, "My father often says that you are a rare woman in our Dongyang Kingdom. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation. If I'm not mistaken, your medical skills should be even more formidable than my father's."
"I merely have a superficial understanding, nothing worth mentioning. I have two prescriptions here, you can try them," Yun Chang took out two slips of paper.
The woman took the two prescriptions, looked at the handwriting on them, and her eyes were filled with surprise. She looked up at Yun Chang, her eyes full of shock. "I have never seen these two medicinal ingredients before. Where did you get them, cousin?"
"These two medicinal ingredients were purchased with my own money," Yun Chang smiled faintly. "I imagine cousin Yun Ran is not short of money, so I thought I would give you a few doses, so you would have something to rely on."
"Then I am truly grateful, cousin," Yun Ran said with a smile.
After chatting with Yun Chang for a while, Yun Ran turned and walked away.
After Yun Ran left, Yun Chang turned to the maidservant behind her and instructed, "Go and deliver these two prescriptions to the Prime Minister's mansion. Remember, you must hand them directly to the Crown Prince. Do you understand?"
The maidservant quickly replied, "Yes, I will go immediately." With that, she quickly withdrew.
Yun Chang turned back and sat down in the pavilion, looking at Zhao Yingying, and said with a smile, "I wonder, cousin Yingying, if you could tell me how the Prime Minister's wife usually treats you?"
Zhao Yingying bit her lip, hatred in her eyes. "The Crown Prince treats me very well, but..." Zhao Yingying sighed, "But I can't seem to please him, and instead, the Crown Princess is always making things difficult for me."
Yun Chang curled her lips upon hearing this and said with a smile, "Doesn't the Crown Prince like gentle, virtuous, kind, and generous women like you, cousin Yingying? He would naturally like someone like you. I am quite curious, how did the Crown Prince come to like you?"
Zhao Yingying shook her head, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "I know I am not worthy of the Crown Prince, so..."
Yun Chang gently interrupted, "Cousin Yingying, there is no need to be so self-deprecating. In my heart, you are the most outstanding young lady in the world. I am truly looking forward to competing with you."
Hearing this, Zhao Yingying smiled. "I have always hoped that cousin would stay by cousin's side. I know that cousin's heart belongs only to the Crown Princess, and I also know that cousin has deep affection for the Crown Princess. Although cousin is the Crown Prince, he is not the eldest son born of the legitimate wife. Therefore, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, a new Crown Prince will be appointed. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, cousin will no longer be able to be the Crown Princess. Yingying hopes that cousin can stay and keep Yingying company. Yingying will certainly take good care of cousin."
Yun Chang was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Upon hearing this, Yun Ran's eyes showed a hint of joy. "Yingying thanks cousin for agreeing."
As Yun Ran and Yun Chang chatted, time passed quickly. Soon, it was noon.
Yun Chang stood up and said with a smile, "Cousin Yingying, since that's the case, we are considered friends now. I would like to invite you to my residence today. What do you think?"
"Of course, I've always wanted to visit your residence, cousin, but I never had the opportunity. Cousin, Yingying respectfully accepts your invitation," Yun Ran said with great delight.