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"Princess Changning's talent is something we all acknowledge, and this young lady is also quite good!"
"Greetings to Sixth Imperial Prince!"
Jun Hui chuckled, "Please rise, all of you."
Yu Banxia rose and looked at Jun Hui, instantly becoming mesmerized.
Su Li observed her expression, confirming that Jun Hui's appearance was indeed very deceptive.
Jun Hui was pleased with her reaction, his smile growing even softer: "May I ask for the young lady's esteemed name?"
The other young ladies nearby looked at Yu Banxia with open envy.
Yu Banxia collected herself and said softly, "This humble girl is Yu Banxia. My father is the Salt Commissioner's Assistant."
Jun Hui chuckled, "So it is Miss Yu. This prince just witnessed Miss Yu compose so many excellent verses without a moment's thought, truly a great talent."
Some things are fated. Su Li rose, pulling Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou away from the long corridor.
Jun Hui watched her departing back, lost in thought for a moment. She looked truly beautiful in red. He touched the knife wound on his chest, remembering the scene where she treated his injury.
"Sixth Imperial Prince?"
Yu Banxia waved her hand, shaking him slightly. She admitted Su Li was indeed beautiful, but she wasn't bad either!
Jun Hui snapped back to attention, giving an apologetic smile, "Miss Yu, my apologies, I must take my leave."
Yu Banxia was startled. This shouldn't be happening. A prince enduring humiliation and burden—isn't this precisely the perfect male lead? The Crown Prince already had a Crown Princess, the Third Imperial Prince was disinterested in the throne, the Seventh Imperial Prince was already engaged. Heaven had only left her the Sixth Imperial Prince. The plot should be her supporting the downtrodden prince step by step to ascend the throne, and the two of them ruling the land together, right? Could the Sixth Imperial Prince not have seen her uniqueness and abundant talent?
Su Li and the two women left the long corridor and headed towards the courtyard.
The white plum blossoms in Marquis Wuyang's Residence courtyard were blooming beautifully. However, with the snowflakes covering the white blossoms, it was hard to distinguish between flower and snow, only a rich fragrance filled the air.
"Young Master, this place is so beautiful!"
A familiar voice reached Su Li's ears. Following the sound, a familiar face entered their view.
"Li'er, isn't that Su Yue? How could she be here?!"
It was publicly announced that the Second Young Lady of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence had died of illness. For her to appear before everyone like this, wouldn't it terrify those who knew her previously?
Su Li's eyes grew cold. It seemed she was doing quite well!
Su Yue turned around and also saw Su Li and the two women. Hatred immediately flared in her eyes.
"Yue'er, why are you..."
The voice stopped upon seeing Su Li and the two women.
What beautiful women! Amidst the ice and snow, that speck of red in the vast whiteness made the world dim and everything else become mere background.
Su Li met Zhao Huaian's infatuated gaze and frowned.
Zhao Huaian, we meet again!
She had thought she could face him calmly and peacefully, but seeing that face, waves of hatred surged from the depths of her heart. Seeing the two of them leaning together, it was as if she was back in that snowy night. It was snowing like this, and it was these two faces!
Wei Yuanyao gripped her hand and whispered, "Cousin-Sister."
Su Li came back to herself, suppressing the hatred in her heart, and left the White Plum Garden.
When that stunning red figure was no longer visible, Zhao Huaian murmured, "A true beauty must be like this!"
Su Yue snapped back to reality, secretly gritting her teeth in hatred. She remembered that she might encounter acquaintances later. The Su family had previously said that if she ever again claimed to be the Second Young Lady of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence, she would be sent back to prison. Currently, Zhao Huaian was just a minor strategist and couldn't protect her.
"Young Master, there's something Yue'er hasn't told you."
Zhao Huaian asked, "What is it?"
"Young Master, let's go to that pavilion over there, and Yue'er will slowly tell you."
Zhao Huaian nodded.
Once in the pavilion, Su Yue suddenly began to sob.
Zhao Huaian quickly looked around, and seeing no one else, he asked, "Why are you crying?" Marquis Wuyang was hosting a birthday banquet; crying at someone else's residence was inviting bad luck!
Su Yue raised her face, her eyes red, and said, "Young Master, actually, Yue'er is not an orphan girl, but the Young Lady of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence."
Zhao Huaian's eyes widened. "What?!"
Su Yue continued, "That red-clad woman just now is my legitimate elder sister."
Zhao Huaian was shocked: "I heard the Second Young Lady of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence passed away several months ago. How could this be?"
Su Yue gave a bitter smile and said, "My legitimate elder sister has the face of a Bodhisattva but the heart of a Rakshasa! She framed me and my aunt-mother, made Father condemn my aunt-mother to death, and drove me out of the residence. They... they even spread word that if they found me claiming to be a daughter of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, I'd spend my whole life in prison!"
Having said this, Su Yue collapsed, weeping, into Zhao Huaian's arms.
Zhao Huaian was utterly astonished beyond words. The woman he casually saved was actually a daughter of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs! Was that red-clad woman truly so malicious?
"Yue'er, don't cry. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, you can return to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence."
Su Yue shook her head and said, "Father has already been bewitched by Su Li; he won't believe me."
Zhao Huaian frowned and asked, "Then what should we do?" If Su Yue returned to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence, he would instantly become the son-in-law who rides the dragon, gaining great power and influence!
Su Yue, with tearful eyes, said, "Therefore, Yue'er needs the Young Master's help, to help me reveal my legitimate elder sister's true face. At that time, Father will surely recognize me again. Before that, we can only endure!"
Zhao Huaian asked, "How will we reveal it?"
Su Yue wiped her tears, speaking softly, "First, until I have the ability to protect myself, I must live under another identity, and the name Su Yue can no longer be used. Young Master, from now on, I am Rongqing."
Rong Teng Chang Qing (Evergreen Banyan Vine). She would be like a banyan vine, living by attaching herself to a big tree. When the time was ripe, she would strangle it in one fell swoop, becoming the big tree herself, covering the sky and sun, summoning wind and rain! There would be such a day!
Zhao Huaian said, "Rongqing? A good name. So, have you thought about how to return to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence?"
Su Yue, no, Rongqing, scoffed inwardly. This man was even more impatient than her. She couldn't return to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence, after all, she wasn't Minister Su's child. But she could use this identity to make Zhao Huaian treat her better.
"This needs to be planned slowly. Su Li is ruthless; it's not that simple."
Rongqing's eyes flickered, an idea forming in her mind.
"Young Master, do you find Su Li very beautiful?"
Zhao Huaian thought she was jealous and chuckled, "Not as beautiful as Rong'er."
Rongqing sneered inwardly, yet smiled outwardly, "Su Li is indeed very beautiful. How about having her as a concubine for Young Master?"
Zhao Huaian's eyes lit up: "Rong'er means?"
"That's right. If Su Li loses her virginity, and it's with someone in another's residence... Prince Jing will surely hate her to death, and Father will be utterly disappointed. And Young Master, you will become the son-in-law who rides the dragon of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence."
Zhao Huaian thought of obtaining a beauty and was naturally happy, but then thought of Prince Jing and felt a slight retreat. "What if Prince Jing gets angry and wants to kill me?"
Rongqing said, "Don't be afraid, Young Master. By then, you will have the two great mountains of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence and the Duke of Weiguo's Residence behind you! As long as they don't want Su Li to spend the rest of her life in solitude like a Buddhist nun, they will protect you."
Zhao Huaian also felt this plan was feasible. Wealth comes with risk, and besides, he could also obtain the Foremost Beauty! He had no hope of success in the imperial examinations in this life. If he relied on assisting the Sixth Imperial Prince, who knew when he would ever gain an official position. But becoming the son-in-law of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence was different; he would become a target for various factions to court. He would no longer have to live by others' expressions, but rather others would be seeking his help.
Seeing Zhao Huaian's interest, Rongqing curled her lips. She didn't tell him that given Su Li's temperament, she would likely choose a life of solitude like a Buddhist nun rather than marry someone to escape such a fate.
Zhao Huaian frowned, "We can't even get close to Princess Changning. How do we proceed?"
Rongqing chuckled, "Leave it to me, Young Master. Just wait to become the son-in-law who rides the dragon of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs' Residence!"
Zhao Huaian looked at her and chuckled, "Pushing this Young Master to another, Rong'er isn't jealous?"
Rongqing said softly, "As long as it helps Young Master achieve what you desire, it's fine for Rongqing to suffer a little. Isn't this for a better future for us?"
"Yes, then this Young Master will await Rong'er's good news."
Rongqing nodded, suppressing the malice in her eyes.
Su Li, this time, you will suffer all the scorn and ill repute. Let you also taste the feeling of having a grievance that cannot be redressed!
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