"Yan Qing, this is Miss Wang, Wang Shuyao."
The Wang family was a prosperous and influential clan in Yun Dynasty. The late Empress was a daughter of the Wang family, and Wang Shuyao could be considered the late Empress's niece. However, the late Empress was the legitimate daughter of the main branch of the Wang family, while Wang Shuyao was the legitimate daughter of a collateral branch.
Crown Prince Yun Yanqing and Wang Shuyao were considered distant cousins, though not closely related by blood.
Consort Shu had already risen from her chaise longue, her face adorned with a smile, captivating and beautiful.
Ten years ago, after the death of the late Empress, she became the most favored consort in the harem, and the harem was temporarily under her management.
Now, Yun Yanqing had reached adulthood, while the young Princess Yun Yaoyao had not yet come of age.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince," Wang Shuyao said, lowering her head slightly and quickly curtsying to the handsome man.
Yun Yanqing naturally knew that this was the Crown Princess his father had arranged for him. He frowned slightly but still said gently, "Miss Wang, please rise."
Rumor had it that the Crown Prince was a man of gentle disposition, very much like the late Empress, possessing a kind and tender nature in both appearance and character.
Wang Shuyao felt a little more at ease. Although she had known from the start that as the legitimate daughter of the Wang family of suitable age, she would naturally have to bear the heavy responsibility of the Wang family, just like the late Empress, to be the mother of the nation.
However, seeing that her future husband was a distinguished young gentleman, she couldn't help but feel a maiden's secret joy.
Wang Shuyao slightly raised her eyes and secretly glanced at the Crown Prince before her.
When he had entered earlier, she hadn't seen him clearly, but now she felt his beauty was so captivating that one couldn't look away.
If this Crown Prince were a woman, she would surely be a beauty that could topple kingdoms.
"Yan Qing, where is Yaoyao?"
Hearing this, Yun Yanqing was not surprised at all, as this young princess rarely stayed in her own palace and was mostly by his side.
Therefore, Consort Shu's question was quite ordinary.
"I heard that the young general from the Sheng family has returned. She must have gone to find him."
Upon mentioning this young General Sheng, Consort Shu's expression instantly changed. Although her tone carried a hint of blame towards Yun Yaoyao, there was an underlying hint of joy.
Everyone knew that in this Yun Dynasty, besides the Wang family, the Sheng family held the most power. One civil, one military, they had clearly divided the court between them.
"This wild girl, she's either pestering you every day or hanging around with Sheng Huaizhi. How will she ever get married... it truly makes one worry!"
Yun Yanqing knew Consort Shu's true thoughts very well. He had observed Consort Shu's character clearly over the years. She clearly aspired to be Empress, yet on the surface, she appeared innocent and kind, never fighting for anything.
"Serve the meal!"
As the command was given, a large number of palace servants quickly entered.
Wang Shuyao merely listened from the side, remaining silent. At this moment, she did not need to say much; she only needed to listen quietly.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Princess!" Just then, the palace servants outside the door suddenly shouted in unison.
Yun Yaoyao had returned.
"Yaoyao, come here quickly. This is Miss Wang."
With the arrival of a new NPC, Qin Jiujiu's previously subdued heart suddenly came to life.
She abruptly raised her head towards the door. A young girl appeared in her line of sight, looking about fourteen or fifteen years old. Although not tall, her face was not inferior to the now-adult Wang Shuyao; in fact, it was even more captivating.
The beauty of the little princess of Yun Dynasty had been emphasized to her by Lin Shuxue.
Now that she saw her, her eyes and heart were filled with amazement.
Qin Jiujiu's expression of astonishment lingered, as the young girl in the red dress before her was indeed breathtakingly beautiful. The long red dress was embroidered with dark butterfly patterns in gold thread. Her lustrous black hair was tied up with butterfly tassels, and the peach blossom adornment on her forehead was lifelike. Further down were a pair of dark eyes.
The maiden's eyes sparkled like stars, appearing mischievous and spirited.
Wang Shuyao also looked at the woman at the same time, her astonishment evident. In an instant, her expression changed slightly.
Just now, she seemed to have seen a fleeting look of disgust in the maiden's eyes as she looked at her.
But it was only for a moment, and then she seemed to transform into an exceedingly innocent girl, walking towards Yun Yanqing.
"Brother, who do you think is more beautiful?" The maiden's words caused everyone in the hall to fall silent. Wang Shuyao suddenly became nervous.
Qin Jiujiu was also startled and couldn't help but look at the maiden who had asked the question.
She saw her standing before Yun Yanqing, looking up at his face. Her eyes, like black obsidian, stared intently, as if she genuinely sought an answer.
However, such words from a princess sounded somewhat childish.
"Yaoyao, how can you be so impudent!" As expected, Consort Shu broke the awkward atmosphere.
"I was just joking. Miss Wang won't take it seriously, will you~"
At this moment, the maiden smiled charmingly at her. Wang Shuyao could only force a smile and replied, "Of course."
However, a strange feeling arose in her heart. Her intuition told her that this princess was by no means as simple as she appeared on the surface, and she indeed harbored hostility towards her.
But why?
Consort Shu sat at the head of the table, followed by Yun Yaoyao, Yun Yanqing, and Wang Shuyao in order.
Qin Jiujiu sat on the chaise longue that Consort Shu had been using, passing the time.
"System, how can I leave this dream?"
"Host, you will be able to leave when the time is right. This dream is a benefit for you, so seize the opportunity~"
A benefit? Qin Jiujiu thought carefully. It seemed the system had promised to grant her one request, but this was not something she had asked for.
The system was clearly trying to renege on its promise!
"System, are you trying to trick me?" Qin Jiujiu retorted impatiently. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Miss Wang, would you care to chat with me?"
Just as Qin Jiujiu had left Consort Shu's palace with Wang Shuyao and was about to be led to her residence by the head palace maid by Consort Shu's side, Yun Yanqing walked over.
As a result, she had no choice but to follow Wang Shuyao and walk a few steps away with Yun Yanqing.
The head palace maid by Consort Shu's side kept glancing in their direction, her expression clearly filled with curiosity, and her face did not look pleased.