The Emperor, though shocked, felt a sense of pride and self-satisfaction. After all, being confessed to by a beautiful woman was a pleasant experience. He didn't respond immediately but instead asked the Second Princess, "And what about you, Second Princess? Whom have you taken a liking to?"
The envoys from the Xia Kingdom always followed Xia customs when visiting the Great Sheng Dynasty. At this moment, the Second Princess replied while standing. She extended her slender finger and turned slightly. Wang Qingyao's brow twitched. Indeed, the Second Princess's finger pointed towards Xiao Yun. She curved her lips and said in a crisp voice, "I have taken a liking to your kingdom's Prince Ding'an." As she spoke, her gaze swept over Wang Qingyao, a look of provocation on her face.
Silence fell again. The Emperor felt somewhat helpless.
"Second Princess," it was Prince Rong who spoke, "you probably don't know that Prince Ding'an is already married. If you insist on marrying him, you can only be a concubine." In truth, even if the Emperor were to marry the Eldest Princess, she would be a concubine, and it would be impossible for her to be the Empress. However, according to people's ingrained notions, the Emperor's concubines were not considered mere concubines; if they fared well, like Consort Wei, they were not much inferior to the Empress, let alone the blessings they received later. Therefore, no one objected to the Eldest Princess becoming the Emperor's concubine. But for the Second Princess to become Prince Ding'an's concubine, a reminder was necessary. A princess of a nation becoming a concubine to someone else – well, where would Xia Kingdom's dignity be if this were to be known?
The Second Princess didn't seem to care. The pearl ornaments on her head swung gently as she said, "I know that marriages in your Great Sheng Dynasty emphasize matching social status. The current Princess Ding'an's parents are deceased, and her paternal uncle is merely a Minister of Revenue of the third rank. How can such a family background be worthy of Prince Ding'an? Let Prince Ding'an divorce her and marry me!" Her words were casual yet arrogant, her head held high like a proud peacock. Her mocking gaze fell unreservedly on Wang Qingyao, whose brows were furrowed, her lips curling higher and higher.
Being publicly criticized for one's family background was indeed an embarrassing matter. However, Wang Qingyao's furrowed brows were not due to embarrassment. She found it strange. This princess from the Xia Kingdom had shown hostility towards her from their first meeting, and now it had reached its peak. This was not entirely unusual; some people simply disliked others without reason. But it was very strange that the Second Princess not only disliked Wang Qingyao but had also thoroughly investigated her family background. The Second Princess had only been in the Great Sheng Dynasty for three days. From her demeanor, it seemed as though she had investigated Wang Qingyao's background beforehand, just waiting to attack her so she could marry Prince Ding'an. This was even stranger. Since the Second Princess had investigated Wang Qingyao's background so clearly, she must have also found out about the curse on Xiao Yun. What was the Second Princess after, if she was pursuing a prince who would not live past twenty-five?
Seeing someone denigrate Wang Qingyao, especially seeing Wang Qingyao frown, Xiao Yun felt both heartache and anger, his fury rising like a wildfire. Although he was angry, he maintained his etiquette and demeanor. He stood up and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, do not listen to her nonsense. I have no desire to marry her. Let alone that I am already married, even if I were not, I would not marry her." Xiao Yun's politeness and demeanor were for the Emperor. Since the Second Princess dared to be rude to Wang Qingyao in public, he would not be blamed for being rude in return. His unequivocal refusal, coupled with such words, caused the Second Princess's expression to change. She blurted out, "Why?"
Xiao Yun had been waiting for this question. He hesitated for a moment, feigning difficulty, and said, "If I speak the truth, Second Princess, please do not be angry."
"Speak. I am not angry."
Xiao Yun: "You are too ugly. I do not like ugly women."
The Emperor: "..."
The crowd: "..."
The Second Princess was so enraged that her face turned black. Almost uncontrollably, she gritted her teeth and roared, "How am I ugly?"
Xiao Yun: "Your face is too long."
The crowd: "..."
Prince Ding'an was too honest. Wang Qingyao could not help but let out a "puchi" laugh. This laugh was undoubtedly like a slap, hitting the Second Princess hard across the face. The Second Princess glared fiercely at Wang Qingyao, looking as if she wanted to devour her. Wang Qingyao repeatedly waved her hands, "Sorry, sorry, please continue."
The crowd: "..."
The Second Princess was so furious that her expression became as colorful as a palette. In this situation, she did not storm off but instead took several deep breaths, forcefully suppressing her anger. She took a step back and said, "If not as the main wife, a secondary consort is also acceptable. I know that the princes of your Great Sheng Dynasty can marry two secondary consorts, and Prince Ding'an's manor does not have a single one."
Hmph, she was actually settling for less. Xiao Yun said politely, "Princess, your hearing might not be very good. I said, you are too ugly, and I do not like you. Let alone being a secondary consort, even as a concubine, or a maid in our Prince Ding'an's manor, you are not qualified. My household staff must not be ugly. Ugliness irritates me and affects my mood. Please forgive me, and perhaps you can look for another family that does not mind your ugliness." He repeated the word "ugly" one after another, almost making the Second Princess explode on the spot.
She finally could not bear it any longer: "Prince Ding'an!" Xiao Yun thought she was finally going to lose her temper, but after calling his name, she turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you promised that no matter whom I fancied, you would uphold my wishes. A ruler's word is his bond!"