Chapter 71

When Jin Lingzhi arrived, the other two families had already gathered, arriving exceptionally early.

As this gathering was clearly centered around the children, each family brought everyone who could catch the eye. There were seven or eight young masters gathered together, accompanied by their nursemaids, personal maids, and palace attendants, filling the reception hall of the Eastern Palace to the brim.

Compared to them, Jin Lingzhi seemed almost lightly dressed. Moreover, as soon as she arrived at the Eastern Palace and heard that the Princess was practicing calligraphy, her daughter slipped away to the study to play with them, leaving only her son, Song An, by her side.

Song An was quiet and well-behaved, sleeping all the way and still not awake now. Jin Lingzhi couldn’t be more relieved.

Everyone was not foolish; now in the Eastern Palace, they were surrounded by palace personnel, and every word and action was observed. The young boys had all been instructed at home to behave respectfully and modestly, with every move being proper and decorous.

Being close to the Princess Consort, Jin Lingzhi had no one dare offend her.

However, the Princess of the Jin Kingdom and the Princess of the Jin Kingdom’s son showed a slightly guarded and distant attitude. Although the two families spoke softly to each other, they didn’t speak much to Jin Lingzhi, presumably because of their relationship, seeing her as a strong opponent.

Jin Lingzhi didn’t mind; she sipped her tea, impatiently watching the children’s faces with adult-like smiles, her gaze wandering around the hall until she saw a slightly different boy.

The boy appeared to be seven or eight years old, tall for his age but very slender. His clothes, though of good material, were from a few years ago and seemed to be fashionable patterns of that time, likely stored away good clothes.

Fortunately, he had a good appearance, but he was too silent and guarded, always watching over a slightly younger child, never daring to leave his side.

This child, Jin Lingzhi hadn’t seen at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Based on her experience with palace intrigue, this must be a very capable illegitimate child, to be able to vie for a chance to enter the palace.

After all, although the Royal Family adopts, children with crooked morals and conduct are not allowed. If you offend the main consort, it’s already lucky to be able to keep your life, let alone allow your son to rise. They definitely won’t give you this opportunity.

This illegitimate child is strong, which is increasingly annoying to the main consort, so he can only lie low for now and wait for the Princess to arrive to show his worth.

The Princess of the Li Kingdom leisurely sipped her tea, glanced at the two sisters-in-law who were chatting more and more enthusiastically, and waved to the illegitimate child:

“Come.”

The illegitimate child looked up, and Jin Lingzhi then noticed that his eyes were very bright, immediately drawing attention to his spirited demeanor.

He seemed unaware of whom Jin Lingzhi was calling, so she nodded at him, and only then did he understand and start walking over.

The conversation in the hall stopped.

The Princess of the Xin Kingdom smiled without a trace and said, “He’s too mischievous; he might frighten his younger siblings.”

“I like lively children,” Jin Lingzhi said with a smile as well.

With the people from the Eastern Palace still watching, the Princess of the Xin Kingdom couldn’t argue further.

After exchanging a few words with the Princess of the Jin Kingdom behind her, she no longer felt as relaxed and carefree, her eyes often drifting towards Jin Lingzhi.

When the child came before Jin Lingzhi, she handed him a pastry and asked him, “What’s your name?”

“Song Ziyi.”

“Song Ziyi.”

When Princess Qinghe had left, leaving only two people in the hall, Feng Yuexian said to Song Pianxian the name, and Song Pianxian was not surprised.

Originally, Feng Yuexian had chosen Song Ziyi.

“Among the children of these two families, excluding the eldest son and the older ones, the ones who are not talented, unruly, and mischievous, there are only three or five worth considering.”

Feng Yuexian had a lot of information in her hands, and she spoke clearly and logically at this moment.

“Although Song Ziyi is an illegitimate child, his aunt is a noble concubine, also a princess of the Imperial Family, and his ancestors produced many great scholars, teaching him well.”

“He’s here today, if he’s determined, he should perform.” Feng Yuexian said.

Song Pianxian then said, “His presence today must have been assisted by you.”

Feng Yuexian raised an eyebrow, not denying it. Instead, a smile crept up on her lips, a sense of satisfaction as if to say, “I can’t hide anything from you.”

To her, being seen through by Song Pianxian didn’t trigger caution but rather contentment.

While the weather was fine and Feng Yuexian was leisurely flicking her big ponytail, Song Pianxian was not very pleased.

Feng Yuexian grew up in this era, where class distinctions were ingrained in her bones.

However, after choosing Song Ziyi, she disregarded her background to secure a reliable Emperor for Dali, even paving the way for Song Ziyi herself.

But what Song Ziyi gave back to her was seeing her as a great threat, like a malignant tumor that once grown, would devour Feng Yuexian.

As a member of the Royal Family, Song Ziyi’s sole concern was maintaining imperial power, which couldn’t be considered a fault.

But Feng Yuexian raised him, only to be harmed by him when she let go. It must be said that Song Ziyi was quite cold and ruthless, incapable of being nurtured.

Although it’s a common trait for rulers to be ungrateful and heartless, in the original plot, Song Ziyi also failed to take over Dali.

Without virtue or talent, there’s no need to consider further.

Suppressing her displeasure, Song Pianxian asked Xue Qing, “How’s it going in the flower hall?”

“The County Princess has arrived and is chatting with the Princess Li.”

The flower hall.

As soon as the County Princess Qinghe arrived, ignoring the warm welcome from the Jin and Xin Princesses, she sat beside Jin Lingzhi and began gossiping.

“…I exchanged handkerchiefs with people in Pingjing, and one by one, they wrote letters to come to the capital to stay with me for a while. What do you think they’re here for?”

“Why?”

Qinghe lowered her voice, “Isn’t it to… find a good husband?”

Jin Lingzhi was momentarily speechless, staring at Qinghe with wide eyes, “You’re still a young lady, saying such things without any shame. Do you really not feel embarrassed?”

“Hey, weren’t you like that before?” Qinghe winked, “The noblewomen who come to the capital are all like this. Although their families have made arrangements, if they can see the talents of the young men at the banquet…”

Jin Lingzhi was at a loss when she heard this.

Being remarried, she was known for her gentleness in the women’s quarters. The first time she got married, it was arranged by her parents, and she got married without even seeing the person, only to encounter troubles later.

“Moreover, what kind of place is Pingjing, and what kind of place is the capital? Excellent young men from prestigious families, valiant youths, are all under the Son of Heaven—”

“Speaking of which, there are fewer people and fewer prestigious families in the northwest. Now that Ruyan has grown up, how do you plan to proceed?”

Has Ruyan grown up?

Jin Lingzhi didn’t think so. “Ruyan should spend more time with me.”

“Of course, if I had a daughter, I wouldn’t want her to leave either.” Qinghe bit into a fruit, continuing, “But consider one thing, you look at other families, and they look at yours, right?”

Shaking her head, Qinghe continued, “If Ruyan goes to the northwest, even if she has endless grace and talent, it won’t be heard in the capital, like a pearl covered in dust, truly a pity.”

“Eat your fruit, you’re still single and already worrying about this.” Jin Lingzhi teased her with a smile.

Qinghe chuckled and stopped talking.

Although Jin Lingzhi maintained a calm smile on her face, she couldn’t help but ponder.

If it was about herself, the experienced Jin Lingzhi would not waver easily. But when it came to her children, as a mother, it was not excessive to think about it more.

Moreover, Ruyan followed her remarriage, although she was favored and pampered, she still lost some confidence.

She wasn’t afraid that her daughter wouldn’t be able to marry well, nor did she insist on marrying into a high-ranking family. But if she missed a good match due to being far from the capital, it would indeed be regrettable.

Why is the northwest so desolate?

Their family couldn’t stay in the capital for long, but they could return to the capital with Ruyan earlier to live and explore more, especially when it was time for Ruyan to get married.

Thinking of this, Jin Lingzhi finally sorted out her thoughts, and at the next moment, she heard the arrival of the Princess and the Princess Consort.

She gathered her thoughts, stood up, went through the formalities, and took her seat, her expression returning to normal.

Song Pianxian’s gaze swept over her face, smiling gently.

Below, the two princesses, one holding a legitimate son and the other with a bastard son, had begun to perform enthusiastically.

Song Pianxian remained calm and said with a smile, “Why don’t we let them speak for themselves?”

The Princess of Jin hesitated for a moment, then said meaningfully, “But… what if they can’t speak?”

As she spoke, she glanced at Song An in the arms of the Princess of the Li Kingdom.

But after she finished speaking, no one paid any attention to her, as if the Princess was just drinking tea and hadn’t heard her.

The Princess of the Jin Kingdom couldn’t afford to make trouble again. Below, the children had been arranged in order of seniority, and they came forward one by one.

The Princess of the Xin Kingdom cursed the Princess of the Jin Kingdom in her heart for being brainless. Feng Yuexian was still sitting here, and she could still ask such a question, afraid that everyone didn’t know she was stupid. Didn’t she see that the Princess was ignoring her?

However, judging by Feng Yuexian’s behavior of not saying anything, perhaps she didn’t want to support her own people? Thinking of this, the Princess of the Xin Kingdom became spirited, feeling that she had the greatest chance of winning.

Her gaze fell on her legitimate son. But when her own son answered, the Princess’s expression was indifferent, revealing no emotion.

The Princess of the Xin Kingdom was worried sick.

At this time, Song Ziyi stepped forward.

Different from his behavior at home and different from his previous silence, at this moment, Song Ziyi’s expression was firm and determined, his whole person as if washed by water, free from dust, and spirited.

Among a group of children who were as weak as grass and flopped around, he was like a bamboo shoot. He looked tender now, but who knew about the future; he might be a sturdy bamboo in the wind.

The Princess of the Xin Kingdom immediately became apprehensive.

Song Ziyi… How could he stand out like this!

Against all expectations, under the anxious gaze of the Princess of the Xin Kingdom, the Princess Consort showed great interest in Song Ziyi, even asking several questions.

Some questions that even the Princess of the Xin Kingdom, an adult, couldn’t answer were all smoothly answered by Song Ziyi.

Although the Princess of the Xin Kingdom didn’t know the answers, she watched nervously as the Princess Consort nodded in approval, her heart sinking.

Song Ziyi—

It must be Song Ziyi.

Not only did the Princess of the Xin Kingdom think so, but also Jin Lingzhi, who was munching on melon seeds nearby, thought the same.

It seemed that he was the one.

Don’t blame Song Ziyi for being too outstanding; he was indeed a good contrast. It’s not that she looked down on the two brothers of the Li Kingdom, but they were not capable. With such a father, one couldn’t expect their children to be outstanding. It was too harsh.

It was estimated that the only outstanding ones were made the heirs apparent.

As for the illegitimate son, Song Ziyi, he was indeed an outstanding one, but he didn’t dare to show his head, afraid of being picked by the main consort like picking vegetables. He had been lying low until this godsent opportunity, and only then did he emerge with determination.

If things succeed today, he will surely vent all his grievances, overturning and surpassing in the Prince Xin’s Mansion. And his aunt will be alongside the main consort from now on, no one will dare to mistreat her.

Is this kind of script of a counterattack in the notebook going to be staged today?

Jin Lingzhi cracked her melon seeds more vigorously.

Let’s get it started!

At last, when it was Song An’s turn to appear, she reluctantly put down the melon seeds, picked up her son, and showed him to the Princesses.

Song An still hadn’t woken up by now, he really could sleep.

His specialty was blowing a big bubble of snot in front of the Princess.

Although it was cute, it was really embarrassing in front of the Princess.

Princess Xin’s mood was very bad. At this time, everything she saw was displeasing, and she said with disdain, “The little prince of the Prince Li’s Mansion is really without reason, disgracing the Royal Family.”

The child hasn’t even learned to walk yet, and etiquette is being brought up? Jin Lingzhi was about to retort.

In the next moment, Princess Song Pianxian said, “This palace sees that Yuxue is lovely and very pleasing to the eye.”

When the princess spoke, Princess Xin could only blush and close her mouth.

Jin Lingzhi smiled and said, “The Princess is magnanimous.”

She liked the Princess even more now. The Princess was beautiful and kind-hearted, smiling gently and speaking softly, just listening made her heart melt. Especially when the Princess suppressed Princess Xin for her, she was truly like a bodhisattva.

Then she heard her bodhisattva-like figure in her heart say:

“It’s really rare to have such pleasing looks, it must be him.”

???

Jin Lingzhi was dumbfounded.

She hugged her son tightly. “This… An’er is still young, his character can’t be seen yet, you…”

She wanted to say that such a big matter shouldn’t be taken lightly by the Princess, but she felt it was disrespectful, so she swallowed her words.

“And besides, An’er can’t be separated from people. He’s always clinging to his Big Sister, crying if he doesn’t see her for a day—”

“Then let’s keep the Princess of Jin in the palace.” Song Pianxian smiled.

“…”

Are you a devil?

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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