Regarding Princess Wanping, ng Qianqian had heard of her before. She was the Supre Emperor’s most cherished daughter and the deceased Crown Prince’s sister by blood.
She was no longer young, even older than the Empress by a few years, yet she had still not taken a Prince Consort as her husband.
There were rumors that she grew up with the Grand Tutor’s son. The Supre Emperor decreed their marriage, but unexpectedly, on the eve of their wedding, the Grand Tutor’s son tragically fell from his horse and passed away.
Ever since then, she had never taken an interest in anyone else.
Princess Wanping was known for her aloof and arrogant temperant, reputed for looking down on others, even causing Consort Li to suffer losses at her hands.
ng Qianqian had no choice but to take her animosity seriously.
She replied with composed politeness, "Responding to Princess Wanping, this humble wife is indeed ng Qianqian."
"Madam Lu is here to pay respect to in the palace."
The Empress spoke up, intending to help ng Qianqian out of the predicant.
Princess Wanping replied with lofty disdain, "I know she’s here to pay her respects to you. I’m rely asking her a few questions. Surely, the Empress wouldn’t mind this, would she?"
The Empress held a difficult position within the harem—her authority was in the hands of Consort Li, and her prominence overshadowed by Princess Wanping. Yet she could not afford to quarrel with Princess Wanping, as doing so would compromise her dignity as an elder.
Princess Wanping noticed Madam Wang’s expression was also displeased, and said brazenly, "Madam Wang, if you’re unhappy about this, feel free to have your husband write a petition against at court!"
She was a princess, not a prince. Even if soone accused her, the consequence would at most be a scolding.
Madam Wang chuckled lightly, "Princess overestimates my abilities."
What a joke. Her husband, Wang Daniu, was highly revered for his petitions—did every random person think they were worthy of having Wang Daniu write one against them?
Of course, she did not dare to say that outright, but she felt utterly furious!
Princess Wanping sized ng Qianqian up and down. "Her looks are... rely average, nothing special except that she’s young."
Everyone present was stunned. This was "rely average"? How were the rest of the won in the world supposed to live then?
ng Qianqian sensed sothing amiss—the tone of Princess Wanping seed tinged with a sour bitterness.
Outside the palace, Steward Cen found a shady tree. He sat beneath it, waiting for ng Qianqian and Bao Shu.
The Empress Dowager had withdrawn from politics, the Empress was Madam Wang’s cousin, and as long as they didn’t bump into Consort Li, today’s palace visit would surely go smoothly.
To guard against interference from Consort Li, the Grand Commander had already summoned her to the Taihe Palace. Ostensibly to discuss the imperial couple’s wedding arrangents, it was really to keep her occupied.
Naturally, ministers from the Ministry of Rites were also present.
But no one expected, amidst all the careful calculations, to overlook Princess Wanping!
When Steward Cen saw Princess Wanping’s carriage entering the palace, he furiously slapped his own thigh. This troubleso deity—why had she co to the palace?
"This won’t do. I must report this to the Grand Commander imdiately!"
Steward Cen took out his Token and entered the palace.
Shangguan Ling was just about to leave the palace for an assignnt. Seeing the flustered Steward Cen, he quickly asked, "Steward Cen, what’s the matter?"
Steward Cen glanced around cautiously, then whispered, "Princess Wanping has entered the palace!"
Shangguan Ling responded indifferently, "If she’s entered the palace, so be it."
Steward Cen said, "Madam is also in the harem."
Shangguan Ling’s body stiffened in shock. "What? Madam is there too? Have they encountered each other yet? Given Princess Wanping’s feelings toward the Grand Commander, wouldn’t she tear Madam apart?"
Princess Wanping harbored a secret—she admired Lu Yuan.
Her refusal to marry was because she hoped Lu Yuan would beco her Prince Consort.
Had it been anyone else, her desire might have been fulfilled. But who was Lu Yuan?
Lu Yuan wouldn’t agree, and Princess Wanping couldn’t force him.
She had once personally confessed to Lu Yuan, expressing her willingness to abandon her royal status and marry him as an ordinary woman, rather than taking him as a Prince Consort.
But Lu Yuan rejected her outright, leaving no room for compromise.
Originally, Princess Wanping, like others, believed Lu Yuan’s bride would be a noblewoman from Miaojiang.
She could barely accept this. But when she learned the bride was ng Qianqian, she could no longer stay calm.
What infuriated her even more was that ng Qianqian’s wedding dress was handcrafted by Yun Xiyao, the owner of Yanyu Pavilion.
Back then, Princess Wanping had sought Yun Xiyao to tailor garnts for her and had waited for three years!
With eyes blazing, Princess Wanping glared at ng Qianqian and said, with utmost derision, "Having been married once and becoming a widow, you ought to stay modest instead of using warfare as an excuse to seduce n at the border!"
Madam Wang furrowed her brows.
The Empress said, "Wanping."
Princess Wanping sneered, "Am I wrong? Did she not seduce n at the border? If not, how could a woman who was just divorced end up marrying into the Governor Mansion? The military camp is full of n, isn’t it? Who knows—perhaps she’s long lost her purity!"
Tan’er placed her hands on her hips and retorted, "Who are you calling impure?"
Princess Wanping snapped, "When this Princess speaks, is it your turn to interrupt? How impudent! Soone, teach her a lesson!"
The Empress stood up. "Wanping!"
Princess Wanping repeated firmly, "Teach her a lesson!"
The old servant lady behind her raised a hand to slap Tan’er.
Tan’er prepared to counter, but ng Qianqian intervened, grabbing the servant lady’s wrist first.
Princess Wanping frowned, "ng Qianqian, how dare you stop a servant of mine?"
ng Qianqian replied solemnly, "This is Kunning Palace. Your people cannot behave recklessly here."
Princess Wanping scoffed coldly, "Don’t use the Empress to suppress ! I’m not Consort Li!"
Previously, when ng Qianqian was targeted by Consort Li, the Empress had stepped in and escorted ng Qianqian away from Changchun Palace. This incident was sothing Princess Wanping had already investigated thoroughly.
The Empress’s expression turned unpleasant.
Princess Wanping’s words not only insulted ng Qianqian but also undermined the Empress.
ng Qianqian said, "I’ve never intended to disrespect Princess Wanping, but if the Princess continues to push her limits, Little Nine will not stand idly by. Your remarks earlier not only insulted Little Nine but also dishonored the Grand Commander and the soldiers at the border. Those soldiers risk their lives to defend the nation, giving their all, facing death at every turn. The peace you enjoy in the Capital City is entirely thanks to them. Instead of showing gratitude, you vilify them like this—aren’t you afraid of disheartening the soldiers at the border and the people of Great Zhou if word of this spreads?"
Princess Wanping could act as an arrogant and domineering princess but could not afford to beco a universally despised villain.
Especially since she enjoyed considerable reputation among the common people. To the aristocrats, she appeared brash and overbearing, but to the common folk, her generosity and unpretentiousness made her endearing. Her arrogance seed to them an admirable defiance of authority.
She couldn’t let her image among the populace crumble.
She steadied herself and deflected the point, saying, "Did I truly say sothing wrong? Dare you swear that your dealings with Lu Yuan at the border were entirely innocent?"
ng Qianqian replied coolly, "Whether I am innocent or not has nothing to do with Princess Wanping."
Princess Wanping’s face turned livid with anger. "A woman ought not to remarry once widowed. You’ve utterly shad the won of the world!"
If ng Qianqian still couldn’t see through her feelings for Lu Yuan, she’d truly be slow. Who would have thought—the first headache in marrying Lu Yuan was Princess Wanping.
ng Qianqian was not angry at all.
Since marrying Lu Yuan, she knew it was her duty to fend off rotten peach blossoms.
ng Qianqian gripped the servant lady’s wrist and stepped forward toward Princess Wanping, smiling gently. "How the world sees doesn’t concern . What matters to is how my husband sees . So long as he cherishes , that’s enough."
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