Although Princess Yinyue was a royal princess, she was young. In Wang Qingyao's eyes, she was just a brat.
A brat provoking and shouting at her, she found it more amusing than anything.
Honestly, as the Princess Consort of Ding'an, she occasionally had to maintain diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Even though Prince Ding'an seemed indifferent and had called her ugly...
But, well, she was a person with a broad perspective.
"What is there to fear? Let's compete then," Wang Qingyao replied with a smile, not angered at all.
Feng Jiangduo, standing nearby, interjected coldly, "If Princess Yinyue loses, besides what was already agreed upon, will she also have to kneel and kowtow to the Princess Consort of Ding'an?"
Princess Yinyue was full of confidence. Without even looking at Feng Jiangduo, she said dismissively, "Of course."
She was certain she wouldn't lose.
Wang Qingyao sighed regretfully. Given Princess Yinyue's personality, she would never kneel and kowtow to Wang Qingyao, even if it meant death. Of course, for the sake of diplomatic relations, Wang Qingyao wouldn't force her to kowtow.
So it was truly a pity.
With everything settled, Consort Wei hesitated for a moment and lifted the dice cup.
The three dice were clearly exposed for everyone to see.
Four, five, six.
Princess Yinyue's eyes widened abruptly, and she blurted out, "This is impossible!"
Just moments ago, she had been so confident. Everyone, including Consort Wei, had been worried for Wang Qingyao.
Who would have thought the reveal would be like this.
That was a painful blow to her pride.
Many in the hall burst into loud laughter.
"What was that? So arrogant just now!"
"Does she have some misunderstanding about herself?"
"I almost thought she could really win. As expected, our Great Sheng is blessed with talented people, not something a mere Xia Kingdom can compare to!"
The jeers, one after another, flooded Princess Yinyue's ears like a tide. Her long face grew even longer and redder.
"You cheated! You must have cheated!" She lunged across the table, grabbed Wang Qingyao's wrist, and spat out angry saliva.
Heh heh heh, she did cheat, but she wouldn't admit it.
Princess Yinyue's grip on her wrist was painfully tight. Wang Qingyao frowned slightly.
Consort Wei sternly said, "Princess Yinyue, please let go!"
Princess Yinyue remained unmoved, staring fiercely at Wang Qingyao.
At this moment, Feng Jiangduo stepped forward and clasped Princess Yinyue's wrist. She didn't seem to exert much force, yet Princess Yinyue's face contorted in pain, and she was forced to release her grip.
As soon as she let go, Feng Jiangduo released her grip as well. She then naturally moved to shield Wang Qingyao behind her and looked at Princess Yinyue coldly, "A bet is a bet. When does the Princess intend to kneel and kowtow to the Princess Consort of Ding'an?"
Princess Yinyue was arrogant, but Feng Jiangduo was even more so. Moreover, she had been on the battlefield and killed enemies. The iron-blooded, cold aura she exuded was something Princess Yinyue could never match.
For a moment, Princess Yinyue seemed intimidated by her. After a while, she said, "She cheated, so this round doesn't count."
"Heh."
Feng Jiangduo said nothing else, but her single, highly sarcastic "Heh" made Princess Yinyue's face burn with shame.
Princess Yinyue clenched her fists, making them creak.
To kneel and kowtow to a low-status贱人 (jian ren - derogatory term for a woman)?
Dream on!
She remained silent, maintaining the last shred of dignity befitting a princess.
The crowd began to murmur again.
"So she's a person who doesn't keep her word!"
"She's a princess, yet worse than a beggar on the street! Even beggars know the value of a promise!"
"What's so strange about that? Aren't all people from the Xia Kingdom like this?"
"Dares to do it but not to own up to it, tsk tsk tsk..."
Princess Yinyue wished she could kill all of them.
Princess Jinyang looked at Princess Yinyue with a troubled expression, then at Wang Qingyao, and took a deep breath, as if about to say something.
Before Princess Jinyang could speak, Wang Qingyao said, "Since Princess Yinyue is unwilling, then let it be."
Princess Yinyue was startled and looked at Wang Qingyao in confusion, not understanding why she would let go of an opportunity to humiliate her.
"Oh, the Princess Consort of Ding'an is truly kind."
"Yes, the Princess Consort is too good, both intelligent and magnanimous!"
Princess Yinyue and Princess Jinyang left Huayang Palace in disgrace. A group of people eagerly surrounded Wang Qingyao, showering her with flattering words.
Wang Qingyao felt a bit embarrassed about winning unfairly.
Consort Wei was overjoyed and generously rewarded Wang Qingyao with many valuable items.
After all, Wang Qingyao had not only brought honor to Great Sheng again but had also helped her eliminate a love rival.
Surrounded by everyone and under the spotlight, it was difficult for Wang Qingyao to sneak away to Ruhuai Palace again.
She couldn't find an opportunity until the banquet ended, so she returned to the Prince's mansion dejectedly.
On the way back, Feng Jiangduo asked her, "Yaoyao, why didn't you let Princess Yinyue fulfill her promise? She was too arrogant and clearly looked down on you."
Wang Qingyao replied, "Forget it. What if it causes conflict between the two countries and leads to war?"
Feng Jiangduo sneered, "A mere Xia Kingdom!"
She didn't take the Xia Kingdom seriously at all, as if she could lead an army to destroy Xia in the next moment.
Wang Qingyao patted her shoulder, "Forget it. I know you're capable. Besides, we did tamper with things a little. I didn't expect Princess Yinyue to have some real skill."
"Heh."