Song Qianfan widened his eyes, took a deep breath, suppressed the anger within, and engraved the word "endure" firmly in his mind.
Don't bicker with little women.
[My god, is it really like this?]
[No wonder Song Qianfan finds me unpleasant in every way. I keep saying I'm not bad-looking, yet he constantly glares at me and speaks harshly. It turns out he doesn't like women at all!]
[No wonder he left his wife alone in the bridal chamber on the wedding night. Well, that explains it...]
Song Qianfan's face looked ugly as he met Liu Miaoying's scrutinizing gaze.
Xie Xun took two steps back unobtrusively, moving further away from Song Qianfan, his disgust exceedingly evident.
Song Qianfan clenched the painting in his hand tightly and forced a smile, "Sister Miaoying's writing is becoming more and more beautiful, just like her person. I, the Princely Heir, like it very much."
[So his admiration for Liu Miaoying must also be fake, probably to cover up his penchant for men.]
Liu Miaoying remained silent in her heart, "Heir Xie praises me excessively; Miaoying is unworthy."
Song Qianfan gritted his teeth, maintaining a smile on his face, "As they say, seeing the writing is like meeting the person. This Princely Heir will surely hang this painting in the study to admire day and night."
Sister Miaoying, do you understand the depth of this Princely Heir's feelings?
[Hiss—]
[So he also likes Liu Xuan!]
[He actually wants to hang someone's painting in his study, thinking about them through the painting every day?]
"I have many paintings there as well. If Sister Miaoying could also inscribe on them, it would be my great fortune."
[No wonder he just mistook the painting, claiming it was Liu Miaoying's. It turns out he was pretending to be confused to ask for a painting from Liu Xuan! What a schemer!]
"I rarely get to see Sister Miaoying's paintings. I wonder if there would be a chance to see them someday?"
[I said it, how could someone not recognize the calligraphy of the girl they admire? It's just a cover...]
"Su! Juan!" Song Qianfan gritted his teeth, unable to hold it any longer, turned around with a darkened face.
Su Juan was startled, "What orders does the Princely Heir have for me?"
Her voice was timid, with her eyes lowered, appearing obedient yet frightened, completely unaware that her reckless babbling about Song Qianfan's life and death had been overheard by everyone.
[Scared the hell out of me, why is Song Qianfan going crazy out of nowhere?]
[Nobody was even talking to him, and he just muttered to himself.]
Liu Miaoying almost burst out laughing as she watched Su Juan.
Xie Xun found Su Juan even more interesting, effortlessly making the perpetually insincere Song Qianfan's face turn dark with rage.
Among those present, only Liu Xuan was clueless.
Seeing Song Qianfan's look of wanting to eat her alive, Su Juan shivered, making people doubt how much Song Qianfan mistreated this new bride at the Prince Mansion.
Song Qianfan was amused with anger, "Why are you standing there foolishly? I'm thirsty. Come over and make me tea."
Su Juan paused for a moment, "Yes, I will come right away."
Thinking to herself: Is Song Qianfan disabled? With hands and feet, why does he need me to make tea for him?
Xie Xun raised an eyebrow; is the Heir Consort this obedient?
Su Juan stepped forward in three steps, took some tea leaves, picked up the nearby kettle boiling with water, and quickly brewed several cups of tea. She held one cup in front of Song Qianfan.
"Princely Heir." Her voice was soft, making one's bones melt upon hearing it.
Song Qianfan's face finally improved, taking the cup of tea, and as the tea entered his mouth, "Pfft!"
The next second, the teacup crashed down onto the ground. As if anticipating it, Su Juan took two steps back, her face pale, "Princely Heir..."
Song Qianfan was panting from the heat.
The tea he usually had to pass was warm, never scalding hot like this. Song Qianfan never imagined Su Juan would have the nerve to serve him such boiling hot tea!
His eyes were reddened with anger, his voice suppressed, "Su Juan!"
Su Juan was so scared that her tears were about to fall, quickly admitting her fault, "Princely Heir, forgive me. I have never done this at home and thought with the Princely Heir's wisdom, he wouldn't drink it directly. Unexpectedly... it was my oversight!"
Each word was spoken in a panic, tears streaming down her cheeks in a pitiful manner.
This scene left everyone present soft-hearted.
Xie Xun, always tender-hearted, couldn't bear to see a beauty cry. He was about to speak up when he heard Su Juan's voice full of schadenfreude.
[Always looking for trouble, I heated it just for you, serves you right!]
When Xie Xun looked at Su Juan again, her face was lowered, her shoulders slightly trembling, unclear if it was due to suppressed laughter or fear.
Song Qianfan was furious inside, but couldn't do anything to Su Juan at this place with so many people watching, which would harm his reputation as Prince Jing's Heir.
Su Juan's voice was low and timid, with a hint of sobbing, "The Princely Heir won't hold it against me, right?"
Song Qianfan clenched his fists, veins bulging, this Su Juan...
Liu Miaoying immediately stepped forward to mediate, smiling at Su Juan, "I didn't expect to meet the Heir Consort today. I have a flower-viewing banquet at the Liu Mansion in a couple of days, would I be fortunate enough to invite the Heir Consort to come?"
Su Juan raised her head upon hearing this and sensed the goodwill from Liu Miaoying, immediately smiling and agreeing, "Sure, if Sister Liu invites me, I'll definitely come in a couple of days."
She completely forgot about Song Qianfan.
The speed at which Su Juan changed her attitude amazed everyone present.
Returning to the Prince Mansion, just as she got off the carriage and entered the door, Song Qianfan grabbed Su Juan!
"I can overlook what happened today, but when you meet Miaoying in a couple of days, mind your words, don't let me hear anything you shouldn't be saying."
Song Qianfan ominously glared at Su Juan, warning her.
Afraid Su Juan would go to the Liu Mansion and ruin his plans.
Su Juan blinked, "I understand, Princely Heir, don't worry."
Song Qianfan snorted coldly, took a few steps away, and just as he left, Su Juan's voice came from behind.
[When did I ever say anything I shouldn't have?]
[My mouth is as tight as can be, hardly speaking all day. Is Song Qianfan really crazy?]
Song Qianfan stumbled, almost tripping himself!
He turned around, pointed at Su Juan, and said harshly, "Read more books every day, find something to do. Stop thinking about all sorts of nonsense!"
Su Juan, completely puzzled: "?"
"I understand." Su Juan bowed slightly, watching Song Qianfan quickly leave, as if chased by a demon, looking utterly perplexed.
[What did I think?]
...
When the invitation from the Liu Mansion arrived at the Prince Mansion, it was Princess Jing who received it. Upon learning her daughter-in-law was invited to a flower-viewing, she immediately prepared a gift for Su Juan to bring over.
The day of the Liu Mansion's flower-viewing banquet quickly arrived, and the invitees were all young ladies and gentlemen from prominent families.
When Su Juan arrived, Liu Miaoying hadn't had the chance to greet her yet.
As soon as her left foot stepped into the garden, she heard the piercing sound of someone gossiping about her.
"So she's the Su Family Girl who got lucky marrying Prince Jing's Heir. I thought something was special about her, but turns out she's just average."
"Exactly, I think she's not even as pretty as Sister Miaoying!"