"She didn't push me, I fell in on my own," Ruyi revealed, snapping back to the present.
"What" Xiao Lan exclaimed. You mean, you framed her?
"I didn't intend to, but she handed me the perfect opportunity to get close to Sun Jun. She was constantly getting in my hair anyways, so it was like killing two birds with one stone."
"Xiao Lan looked concerned, "But you could have been seriously hurt! You can't swim, what if something happened?"
"Don't forget, I'm living two lives in one body. Swimming is child's play. Besides, everyone knows Xu Ruyi had always been weak, never learned to swim. It was the best way to get his attention." Ruyi explained.
"Won't they punish her too harshly? I'm just scared for her." Xiao Lan said.
"Don't worry, I'll plead for leniency, I don't want her to be hated and isolated. But… I won't forget that she actually tried to push me into the pond." Ruyi added.
Xiao Lan was amazed. "I knew she wasn't a good person, If she tried to push you first then it serves her right."
Without a flicker of regret, Ruyi muttered coldly, "Shen Chun, you forced my hand."
---
Days passed, and everyone had forgotten about the incident. Ruyi had pleaded with Consort Yao for a lighter punishment for Shen Chun, and she was confined to her room to copy the Women's Virtue a hundred times.
"My Lady, I think you should stay away from Miss Xu for now," Cui Hua advised. "She's trouble. Did you see how she made everyone believe you pushed her into the pond?"
"I should have known she's so cunning. Why would she frame me? What exactly is her purpose?"
Shen Chun expressed.
"Maybe she's trying to teach you a lesson. You've actually been picking on her ever since she started attending the academy," Cui Hua stated.
"So what? She's just the daughter of a minister. How can she compare to me? I am a princess!" Shen Chun retorted.
"Then, what do you plan to do? you can't even go out until you've finished copying," Cui Hua pointed to the paper and brushes on the table.
"I'm tired. You copy it," Shen Chun said dismissively, poking a grape fruit into her mouth.
"My Lady!" Cui Hua cautioned. "Prince Jingxuan is supervising your punishment himself. What if he finds out I helped you?
"I was locked up because of him! What else does he have to complain about? It's all his fault!" Shen Chun declared.
"Alright, let me copy it then," Cui Hua sat before the table and began copying.
Sun Jingxuan was consumed by the question of why Ruyi had framed Shen Chun. He watched her from the head of the classroom, her face an unreadable mask of studious focus.
The upcoming examination tested skills in chess, poetry, and calligraphy. Each student had to team up with a partner, before the final individual test. Ruyi needed a partner, but despite her efforts to find someone else, Shen Chun seemed like the best choice. Ruyi was good at chess and poetry, but Shen Chun's calligraphy skills were superior, and Ruyi needed her. How could she convince Shen Chun to team up with her?
Ruyi was lost in thought and didn't hear other students leave until Sun Jingxuan wheeled up to her.
"Why did you do it?" he asked.
She looked up and saw him sitting in his wheelchair. He looked regal; that handsome look couldn't be whipped away from his face, and Ruyi wondered what it would look like if he were the Emperor.
She stood up and bowed in courtesy. "Your Highness, did you want something?" she asked.
"I just want to know why you framed Shen Chun the other day," Sun Jingxuan stated.
"I don't understand what you mean, Your Highness," Ruyi feigned innocence.
"I saw it," he revealed. "You fell in on your own. But what I don't understand is why you framed Shen Chun."
Her innocent look suddenly faded, and she went back to her grin. "Now that you know, then I guess there's no reason to hide anymore, yes, I framed her, so what? What does it have to do with you? You are also aware of your sister's behavior. I warned her to stay away from me, but since she refused, I just had to teach her a lesson."
"Xu Ruyi, what exactly are you planning?" he inquired.
Ruyi gave him a sinister smile, the one that held a deep meaning—more like she wasn't to be messed with. "It has nothing to do with you, but… I advise you to stay away from my business, else…" She left the threat hanging.
Sun Jingxuan smiled, his demeanor calm and composed.
She joined his smile, then began to circle him. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that you can actually walk," she touched the hand of his wheelchair, "but, I can't seem to understand why you're lying to everyone. I should ask you instead, what is it exactly that you're planning?" Ruyi probed.
"I'm afraid you might be dead even before you know," Sun Jingxuan threatened.
"Die?" She scoffed, "I'm not afraid of death, I already died once," Ruyi replied, smiling.
Confusion clouded Sun Jingxuan's mind as he tried to decipher what she just uttered.
Ruyi continued, "Isn't that why you tried to bribe me? To keep your secret, tell me, what do you think will happen if His Majesty finds out about it?"
Instead of Sun Jingxuan faltering, he remained steadfast. "You think I'm afraid of being found out? You're only digging your own grave, Sun Jun is not the kind of person you can mess with, he usually doesn't care about women, but he jumped into the pond to save you? He has definitely taken an interest in you, I advise you discard any negative thoughts towards him, otherwise…" he let the rest of the word hang in the air.
"It is none of your business," Ruyi snapped back, "don't underestimate me just because I'm a girl, I have so many bitter side, I wouldn't try me if I were you, I'll take my leave first," with that she bowed and left before he could utter another word.
The next day, Ruyi entered the palace to visit Princess Shen Chun with a proposal. On getting there, Shen Chun refused to see Ruyi but when Cui Huai informed her that it had to do with Sun Jingxuan, she let her in.
Shen Chun was lazing around and snacking on a piece of cake when Ruyi walked in, on the table were papers scattered all around and ink smudges on them.
"What? You came here to supervise my punishment yourself?" Shen Chun said tauntingly.
"No, I couldn't care less about what you do," Ruyi bit back.
"You—" Shen Chun roared, "Ruyi, let me tell you something, you're so shameless, Brother Jingxuan can never like you, I advise you stop trying to seduce him."
Ruyi burst into laughter, "What did you just say? Seduce him? You think I like him? How can I like someone who's in a wheelchair? Don't worry, I won't snatch away your brother Jingxuan," Ruyi assured her.
"What nonsense are you saying, how can you say that about Brother Jingxuan?" Shen Chun retorted angrily.
Without responding to her, Ruyi sat before the table and held the brush, she produced a fresh paper and carefully dipped the brush into the ink before writing.
"What are you doing?" Shen Chun demanded.
"I have a proposition," Ruyi began, but still focused on writing, "I'll help you make your brother Jingxuan finally notice you. In return, I want you to team up with me for the upcoming examination; your calligraphy skill is useful to me," Ruyi explained.
"I knew you were planning something, why should I team up with you?" Shen Chun asked.
Ruyi dropped the brush and finally looked at Shen Chun. "Because you can't win on your own; you need me, I need you. Isn't that a win-win for everyone? Moreover, I'm ready to help you win brother Jingxuan's heart," she pronounced it in a way that sounded just like Shen Chun.
"Ruyi!" Shen Chun stomped her feet like a child, "I'm warning you, stay away from brother Jingxuan."
"What do you want then?" Ruyi asked.
Shen Chun placed her hands on her jaw, thinking of what to say, "Tell everyone you fell into the pond on your own."
"Dream on!" Ruyi retorted, "Didn't you try to push me in first?"
"I…I…" Shen Chun couldn't find her words.
"Forget it, I can always find someone better, I'll take my leave now," Ruyi announced and headed for the door.
"Wait a minute," Shen Chun's voice stopped her.
A sly smile played on Ruyi's face briefly before she turned to face her.
"You must finish copying the rest of the women's virtue, also, you must help me win brother Jingxuan's heart," Shen Chun stated her demands.
Ruyi smiled, "Alright, it's a deal."