The banquet was finally coming to an end, and guests began to depart. Lady Ling remained, engaged in a deep conversation with the Imperial Noble Consort, while Ruyi slipped out for fresh air. Hanging lanterns were placed in the courtyard, creating a beautiful view, and the fragrance of lavender pervaded the cold night air.
Lost in thought, she collided with someone. Startled, she staggered back, but before she could get her balance, a grating voice cut through the air.
"Who are you? Are you blind?"
Looking up, Ruyi saw a young woman standing before her. She wore the finest silk robes, adorned with lotus embroidery, and a gold hairpin, hinting at her royal status, held her hair in place. Two maids stood behind her, watching Ruyi repulsively.
Ruyi lowered her head in apology, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."
"How dare you!" one of the maids barked. "Do you know who you just bumped into? This is Princess Shen Chun!"
Princess? Ruyi raised her brows slightly. Shen Chun? Who is she? How come I've never heard of her? Ruyi thought.
"I apologize again," Ruyi said, keeping her tone as respectful as possible, and attempted to step aside.
But before she could, a sharp, commanding tone stopped her.
"Did I say you could leave?" Shen Chun's voice was laced with arrogance.
Ruyi sighed inwardly before turning back. "Is there something you'd like, Princess?"
Shen Chun moved closer, studying her as if she were an unfamiliar palace maid. "Who are you?"
"I…" Ruyi hesitated, and before she could answer, another voice interrupted.
"Chun'er?"
Shen Chun's face brightened instantly, "brother Jingxuan!"
Ruyi turned her head and saw the crown prince being wheeled towards them by Liu Yi.
"Brother?" Ruyi murmured quietly.
Shen Chun rushed to his side, her earlier irritation quickly forgotten. "Brother Jingxuan, thank goodness you're here. Look, look at this girl! She was rude to me!" She said, pointing at Ruyi.
Jingxuan looked at Ruyi, but said nothing.
Ruyi bent her knees, bowing slightly. "Your Highness."
Sun Jingxuan nodded in acknowledgement.
Shen Chun was not his blood sister, but they had grown up together; she had been raised alongside him. Her parents were high-ranking generals who had sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, earning great merits for the country. After their deaths, the late Empress had taken Shen Chun under her care. Because of her family contribution to the country, the Emperor had bestowed Shen Chun the title of "Princess of Virtue." (Xián dé göngzhü).
Before the Empress's death, she had handed over Shen Chun to Sun Jingxuan to care for, but one day, she had returned to her paternal family.
Shen Chun, known for her playful nature and carefree attitude, never takes anything seriously; she often displayed arrogance and had always looked up to Sun Jingxuan, who had consistently supported her. Now that she's back, it seemed she hadn't changed at all.
Sun Jingxuan turned slightly towards Ruyi. "What happened?"
Ruyi remained composed as she narrated what had happened.
"You're lying!" Shen Chun's voice shot up.
But Ruyi remained silent.
"Brother Jingxuan, she… she slapped me," Shen Chun said, beginning to cry and feigning tears. "She said… she said I'm a baby," she added and
Ruyi chuckled at this.
"Look, look at her brother Jingxuan, she's mocking me." Shen Chun said, her fake tears intensifying as she pointed at Ruyi.
"I've never met you, how could I call you a baby and slap you? More so, you're a princess, do I dare?" Ruyi posed the question, expecting no reply.
Shen Chun stopped and cleared her throat. Then suddenly she spoke again, "And so? If I said you slapped me, then you did," she said haughtily.
Ruyi smiled.
"I apologize on her behalf," Sun Jingxuan stated.
Ruyi stared at him through her veil; she tried to see through him, but he was unreadable. His features were sharp; he was handsome, just like the other day. She wondered about the story behind his façade—why would he deceive everyone?
Just then, a voice that was recognizable called from behind. "Ruyi?"
Ruyi turned her head and saw Lady Ling approaching them, her face worried.
She greeted Sun Jingxuan then turned to her daughter.
"What's wrong?" Lady Ling asked, glancing from Ruyi to Shen Chun.
"Nothing, Mother, let's go," Ruyi replied then curtseyed before leaving with her mother.
"Brother Jingxuan, you saw that, didn't you? She was so rude!" Shen Chun groaned in annoyance, crossing her arms.
But Sun Jingxuan remained silent, his gaze on Ruyi's retreating figure.
---
Ruyi was playing with Xiao Lan in the courtyard when a servant approached.
She bowed in courtesy, "Miss Ruyi, Madam requests your presence."
"Alright, I got it," Ruyi responded and made her way to her mother's chambers.
Lady Ling Motioned for her to sit down then observed her for a minute.
"What's wrong, Mother?" Ruyi asked.
"I have good news," Lady Ling said, smiling.
"Her Grace has granted you the opportunity to attend the Imperial academy."
Ruyi's eyes went wide with shock, "What?!" she exclaimed. "I'm not going."
Lady Ling's smile disappeared, "Why not?"
"Because… because I'm not like them." Ruyi responded, then continued, "Mother, I don't have to attend school; I already know everything I need to know." She added softly, "I don't belong there."
"What nonsense are you saying? You're a Xu, your father is the minister of rite, did you forget that?" Lady Ling asked rhetorically.
"I know, but…I just don't want to go," Ruyi said.
Lady Ling took her hands and squeezed them tightly. "Don't worry, this is an opportunity most people long for. Her Grace wishes you a successful future by ensuring you have a quality education; moreover, you belong there. You should have long been attending the school if not…" Lady Ling couldn't complete the sentence, afraid of revisiting the past that had haunted them for a long time.
"I know this is good for you, and also…" Lady Ling hesitated before speaking, "it'll help you find a suitable match someday."
"Mother!" Ruyi cried out, her cheek flushed with embarrassment.
"All I can hope for is that you get all you want; you deserve all the wonderful things of life; you've been through so much," Lady Ling's voice was serious and full of emotions. "For me, please attend the school."
Ruyi looked at her mother; she could feel the genuine love in her eyes. She knew how much her mother wanted the best for her, how much she had been through. If this was her mothers wish, then…
"I'll go," Ruyi said, exhaling.
Lady Ling cupped Ruyi's cheek and smiled. "That's my girl."
She was determined to do anything to make Lady Ling happy. She would put up with anything the school had to offer.
For her mother.
As they journeyed to the Imperial academy, the sway of the carriage did little to ease Ruyi's worry. She sat in thought tracing the flower pattern on her robes. The fresh morning air was filled with the clopping of horses, interrupted by the occasional chatter of onlookers.
Xiao Lan, sitting opposite her, looked at her with concern. "Miss Ruyi, you're really silent, are you anxious?"
Ruyi turned to look out the window, opening her veil a bit. "Why should I? It's only a school."
"But it's the Imperial academy, not just any school; it's where Princes, Princesses, and High-ranking official's children attend school. What if…"
Ruyi smiled, what if they think poorly of me, because my father's rank is not high enough?
Xiao Lan nodded.
"I don't care about their opinions; I'm not here for them."
Xiao Lan unconvinced pressed on, "still, I don't trust Princess Shen Chun; who knows what she'll do once she sees you there?"
Ruyi leaned back, smirking. "Then I'll just have to surprise her."
After a while, the carriage came to a halt in front of the academy and a servant called from outside. "Miss Xu, we've arrived."
Ruyi took a big, deep breath and, with Xiao Lan's help, alighted from the carriage.
The academy buildings stood tall, their courtyards magnificent. As part of the extracurricular activities, each student cultivated their own flowers. Classrooms were grand, and the library, often called a treasure trove of knowledge, was filled with vast collections of books.
Murmurs began to circulate as soon as Ruyi stepped into the academy grounds, Xiao Lan trailing after her with her books.
"Who is she?"
"I heard Minister Xu's daughter is to attend our school starting from now."
"Why is she wearing a veil? So strange."
Ignoring the whispers, Ruyi retrieved her books from Xiao Lan and headed towards class.
"Miss Ruyi, be careful, huh?" Xiao Lan called after her as she walked away.
Then, a familiar voice came through, laced with mockery and amusement, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the sickler, who goes around covering her face like an ugly duckling."
Ruyi turned to face Shen Chun then bowed in courtesy. "Princess Chun."
Shen Chun, like every other student, looked neat, poised, and elegant in her uniform. The males wore white robes accented with red, while the females wore white with a touch of blue. Instead of being adorned with jewelry and various hairpins, they each wore a ribbon tied around their hair. As she walked past, people immediately moved aside, acknowledging her undeniable influence.
"Scared to show your face?" Shen Chun taunted, tilting her head to the side.
The girls next to her chuckled, their laughter barely masked.
Ruyi remained silent, not displaying any sign of vulnerability.
Shen Chun offered a sly smile. "We'll see how long you last here," she said, brushing past her forcefully.