"Look! Mother, Prince Jin is looking at me again!" Qin Lingyue's heart had completely taken flight.
The Minister's wife nodded repeatedly, utterly certain.
Yun Shu's lips twitched after hearing their words.
"Excuse me, are you the Second Miss Qin?"
A voice suddenly sounded beside them.
They looked over.
Yun Shu glanced at them.
It was surprisingly Princess Ning De.
The Minister's wife and Qin Lingyue were both startled; it was Princess Ning De!
Qin Lingyue was even more overjoyed. Princess Ning De was actually speaking to her! She immediately nodded repeatedly, "Yes, I am Qin Lingyue. Does Your Highness need something from me?"
If she could be on good terms with Princess Ning De, who was the legitimate consort, wouldn't she be even more at ease with Prince Jin?
It seemed that even heaven was on her side, giving her all the good things!
This path was destined to be a broad one.
As Princess Ning De approached, she looked at Qin Lingyue with a hint of disappointment. Why would Prince Jin repeatedly glance at such a woman?
She smiled gently and said softly, "Your dance just now was excellent, I liked it very much."
Upon hearing this, Qin Lingyue truly believed her dance was peerless. She quickly said, "I have been practicing diligently for many years. Fortunately, I did not embarrass myself today. Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."
It seemed even Princess Ning De had been conquered by her dance!
No wonder Prince Jin had fallen for her. She believed Prince Jin had fallen in love with her at first sight tonight.
Seeing Qin Lingyue's lack of humility and her rather shallow demeanor, Princess Ning De's smile grew slightly cold, though she concealed it well, unnoticed.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly noticed 'Qin Linglong' beside the mother and daughter.
"She is my elder sister, Your Highness," Qin Lingyue said immediately, seeing Princess Ning De looking at Yun Shu. She was somewhat afraid Yun Shu would embarrass her.
Yun Shu raised her eyes and looked at Princess Ning De indifferently.
Princess Ning De's eyes widened slightly when she saw Yun Shu's eyes, but then, upon seeing Qin Linglong's appearance, she inwardly chuckled. She was merely a daughter of a minister, and moreover, a weak woman suppressed by her stepmother and stepsister. She had just felt an incredible sense of being threatened.
How could that be!
She had heard from Lu Qiao's inquiries that Qin Linglong had always been timid and extremely self-conscious, truly unseemly under the oppression of her stepmother and stepsister.
With this thought, Princess Ning De quickly withdrew her gaze, no longer looking at Yun Shu.
Seeing Princess Ning De leave, Qin Lingyue let out a long sigh of relief.
She glared at Yun Shu and whispered, "Fortunately, you didn't embarrass me!" She increasingly felt that her elder sister was a constant source of embarrassment.
"Remember, if you ever see Princess Ning De again, don't speak carelessly. With your ignorant mind, you'll easily cause trouble for me," Qin Lingyue warned.
She could already see a beautiful future.
If Qin Linglong ruined it, she would definitely make Qin Linglong regret it!
The Minister's wife snorted, "Lingyue will be Prince Jin's concubine soon. You should know how to conduct yourself. If you behave well, I won't mistreat you."
Yun Shu raised her eyes and swept a cold glance at the mother and daughter, inwardly sneering. Her tone was indifferent, "It's not too late for you to apologize now."
"What?" The mother and daughter were stunned by her words.
What?
What was this about apologizing now? Hadn't this Qin Linglong lost her mind? Why was she suddenly spouting nonsense?
"Mother, why does she always talk nonsense? Let's go, let's not bother with her," Qin Lingyue said, utterly speechless.
The Minister's wife nodded, "Let's go. When we get back, I'll find a governess to teach her some manners. In the future, we really can't let her have any opportunity to embarrass you."
"Mother's thoughts are the most thorough!"
After walking a few steps, Xiao Huan suddenly asked Yun Shu in a low voice, "Miss, what... what's wrong with you?"
Why did she feel that Miss was becoming increasingly strange today?
She looked the same as before, but the words she had just spoken to the Madam and the second young lady sounded like a threat, as if Miss was going to do something to the Madam and the second young lady.
Although they all knew Miss hated the Madam and the second young lady, she had never dared to say such things in front of them.
Yun Shu turned back to Xiao Huan and said softly, "Sometimes, enduring doesn't solve problems."
Xiao Huan was stunned.
Miss was...
Was she finally realizing it and ready to fight back?
This was a good thing! Tears welled up in Xiao Huan's eyes, but then she considered the current situation and said with some worry, "Miss, the Second Miss is about to become Prince Jin's concubine. They will be even more presumptuous then, and the Master doesn't protect you, so..."
The situation Miss would face was even more difficult than she had imagined!
The Madam had always treated Miss harshly, and had done various harmful things to Miss in secret. Miss had it too hard! Now that the second young lady was about to prosper, one could imagine Miss's predicament.
Over the years, Miss had tried to resist at first, but the Master didn't believe her, so her resistance was useless. Later, Miss became subservient and followed the Madam and the second young lady in everything, but they only became more relentless.
She felt so sorry for Miss.
Yun Shu looked at Xiao Huan, who was worried for Qin Linglong, and said softly, "Everything will be alright, don't worry."
...
After a brief interlude, everyone returned to their seats.
As they sat down, their minds replayed the events that had just transpired.
Those who were quick-witted and often involved in schemes and power plays were secretly shocked by the actions of Princess Ning De and Young Master Zhen. They must have anticipated what Princess Shengyue intended to do, so what they had just witnessed was merely going with the flow.
Many people had already grasped the intricate plotting and danger involved.
At this moment, many were already somewhat distracted.
Everyone had come to the palace today, essentially waiting for a result.
Which individuals would Prince Jin choose.
The performances of the last few contestants felt rather uninteresting.
There were those who painted and composed poetry on the spot, and the young gentlemen of various families showcased themselves before the Emperor.
Finally, the musicians came on stage.
After the musicians retreated.
The Emperor of Western Xia asked Zhan Tianye, "Among the young ladies present, whom does Jin'er wish to select as your concubine?"
Western Xia had a rule that princes could have one legitimate consort and four concubines.
Therefore, this selection could choose four people.
Everyone immediately held their breath, waiting for Zhan Tianye's answer.
Yun Shu also raised her eyes to look at Zhan Tianye.
Her gaze was as cold as frost.
She wanted to see how many consorts Zhan Tianye would choose today.
"Mother..." Qin Lingyue was extremely nervous. She was going to be Prince Jin's concubine! Prince Jin would definitely choose her. Throughout the entire banquet, Prince Jin had only looked at her!