A ray of morning sunlight shone in, and Xue Xingyue slowly opened her eyes. She felt a gust of wind brush past her face, and she sat up with a jolt. The room was still the same as before, nothing had been moved.
Hadn't someone been here just now?
"Miss, you're awake?" Qin Erniang pushed open the door and asked, looking at her.
"Qin Erniang, did anyone come in?"
Qin Erniang shook her head, "No, I've been next door the entire time and didn't hear any noise."
Could it be that she was mistaken?
"What's wrong, Miss? Did someone come in?" Qin Erniang asked.
She shook her head, "Perhaps it was just my imagination!"
"Miss, the Ninth Princess wants you to go with her to the Zhao family," Qin Erniang said.
She remembered that during breakfast yesterday, she had heard the Ninth Princess mention her elder cousin. The only person who could be the Ninth Princess's elder cousin was from the Zhao family.
"Alright, I understand." It was just that she felt going to the Zhao family might not be so peaceful, but she liked excitement.
When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, dam it.
After tidying herself up, she walked out of the Song residence dressed in a light green gown.
It wasn't until she got into the carriage that she realized she wasn't the only one going with the Ninth Princess; Song Minghui and Song Xue were also present. This was the first time she saw Song Xue up close.
Song Xue was the illegitimate daughter of the eldest master of the Song family, Song Qitai. Because the Song family placed great importance on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, she rarely saw Song Xue. This was likely the most recent encounter.
Before the Ninth Princess arrived, Song Minghui had an arrogant demeanor, looking down on everyone.
But that was fine, as she had nothing to say to Song Minghui anyway.
Song Xue sat quietly. If her gaze accidentally met Song Xue's, Song Xue would offer a faint smile.
Therefore, she had a generally good impression of Song Xue. However, she had investigated Song Xue before, and she wasn't as kind as she appeared. After all, she had personally poisoned her own concubine aunt. Although the truth of the matter was unknown to anyone, she knew that someone capable of such a cruel act at such a young age wouldn't be truly good.
Thus, from the very beginning, she approached Song Xue with caution.
But since Song Xue had taken the initiative to approach her, shouldn't she reciprocate? Otherwise, how could the show begin?
"I thought you, Fourth Miss, would also look down on me like others," Xue Xingyue said, feigning a pitiable demeanor.
Song Xue smiled and said, "I won't. Stay by my side. Actually, I don't really like this singing either."
"So Fourth Miss is the same," she said with a smile.
Song Xue nodded, reaching out to gently touch a peach blossom and said, "I like peach blossoms."
"Peach blossoms are beautiful, but when they bloom, there's a not-so-pleasant scent," Xue Xingyue suddenly remarked.
Song Xue paused, then smiled, "You're quite direct. But just say such things to me; never mention them in front of others, especially the Ninth Princess."
"Why? I'm telling the truth."
"You don't know, do you? These peach blossoms were all planted by the Fifth Prince. He planted them for his future imperial consort."
Hearing about the Fifth Prince again from someone else, she couldn't help but ask, "What does the Fifth Prince look like?"
Song Xue's gaze drifted slightly, "Actually, I haven't seen him either. You know, I'm an illegitimate daughter, and I'm not qualified to attend many events. The only time I saw him was when I was five years old..."
Xue Xingyue was about to ask more, but Song Xue seemed to have fallen into a reverie.
Alas, the departed are gone, and the remaining peach blossoms only increase one's sorrow.
She reached out and touched a peach blossom. A petal suddenly fell, landing on her hand. She felt a sense of daze.
"Everyone, please try the peach blossom cakes I made myself."
Xue Xingyue snapped back to reality. She and Song Xue walked side-by-side to a table, where indeed, there were exquisite pastries.