Chapter 16: Arrogant Capital

Murong Xiao watched everything unfold from upstairs.

“Situ, you also saw it, Xue Ziyan’s marriage to a distant place was all because of her scheming; she’s not as simple as she appears on the surface.”

“If you know she’s not simple, why would you still provoke her? Let’s just be regular princes, we can still live peacefully.”

“No, I’m the Crown Prince! I’ve been the Crown Prince since birth! You want me to be an ordinary person? I won’t accept it. I won’t accept it. Even if I can’t be emperor, I will still kill Zhuang Xiaoyu.”

“Sigh, why are you so stubborn?”

Having walked a bit further, Zhuang Xiaoyu suddenly turned around and looked at their window, scaring Sima Mo, who quickly pulled Murong Xiao away from the window.

“What are you afraid of? I’m not afraid of her.”

“Big Prince, a wise man knows when to yield. Listen to your brother, Zhuang Xiaoyu is not someone to provoke.”

Murong Xiao, who had always been the one to offer advice, had become so stubborn, it seemed unpleasant.

The three siblings happily returned home, and Zhuang Xian and Zhang Shi were also quite pleased, asking what they had bought.

“Xiaoyu, Lord Xuan has already taken a liking to someone, and we don’t want you to become a mistress, so…”

“Stop, stop. Everyone is happy today, let’s not talk about these boring things.”

“How can this matter of a lifetime be boring?”

“Father, what’s most important right now is deciding who will be named the Crown Prince.”

“What does the appointment of the Crown Prince have to do with you getting married? Do you want to marry the Crown Prince?”

“Can you all stop worrying about me? Let’s think about the country’s big matters.”

Old Zhuang was hinting at marriage, as he had once been urged to marry by his parents. He had chosen a man who seemed fine at the time, only to be betrayed in the end. What frustrated him the most was that the man chose someone who was less accomplished and lower in status than his daughter.

If she ever encountered a scoundrel in this life, with her current capabilities, that man would surely have a much worse end.

But, for now, she didn’t want to risk it.

“The country’s matters, let your father handle them. Your mother will take care of your marriage.”

“How could that be? The prosperity of the country is everyone’s responsibility. As a member of the Great Zhou, we must all do our part.”

“You stubborn girl, could it be that you already have someone you like?”

“Ah, I can’t believe you figured that out.”

“Really?” Everyone looked at her intently.

“Yes, really. But… I need to ask him first if he’s willing.”

“Why wouldn’t he? You’re the legitimate daughter of the Xiang family. Your dowry won’t be lacking. Don’t you know how many noble young men want to marry you?”

Old Zhuang boasted without a care, though everyone knew his daughter came from a village and had been labeled as a jinx. Even though rumors had faded, who would want to marry at this juncture?

“This is settled then. Just wait for my message. Don’t be too hasty.”

“It has to be quick.”

Zhuang Xiaowan quietly asked her, “Sister, are you just fooling Father?”

“You’re so clever.”

“I’ll make sure to block it for you, so you won’t get married so easily.”

Zhuang Xun suddenly said coldly, “I won’t let you marry just anyone.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu felt quite pleased with her family supporting her. Wait—actually, she wasn’t even interested in finding a husband.

Then, Zhuang Madam suddenly remembered something.

“Xiaoyu, do you know that Zhang Xue is sick?”

“I didn’t know. What’s wrong with her?”

“The day you went to the palace, we went to visit her. She looked very frail and didn’t want to see a doctor. We don’t know what illness she has.”

“Oh, that must be heart sickness.” That could only be because of her own doing.

“How do you know it’s heart sickness?”

“I guess. Worry turning into illness is heart sickness.”

“Do you know why she’s so troubled?”

“Of course, I know. Since I came back, Wanmei stopped playing with her. Several times she tried to harm me, but Wanmei has been standing by me, growing more distant from her. She must be feeling unbalanced in her heart—she gets angry, jealous, and then goes mad, eventually falling ill.”

“Xiaoyu is truly clever.”

She wasn’t wrong; Zhuang Madam realized she had wrongly suspected her.

The Grand Princess and Murong Xiao were half-siblings. She was planning a birthday banquet, and Murong Xiao would likely be there. Zhuang Madam worried Murong Xiao would stir up trouble for Zhuang Xiaoyu and decided to attend the banquet herself.

However, the Grand Princess personally sent an invitation to Zhuang Xiaoyu, inviting her to attend her birthday celebration.

Zhuang Xiaowan became anxious, determined not to let Zhuang Xiaoyu go.

“The Grand Princess is the elder sister of the Big Prince. They must have some scheme.”

“If they have a scheme, all the better. It’s just the right time to bring their entire family down.”

“Sister, don’t be careless.”

Zhuang Xiaowan had already imagined countless scenarios where they might fall into their traps—maybe they would pour tea on them, mock them for not knowing how to write poetry, or accuse them of breaking things or stealing.

“Not bad, not bad. Your imagination is quite rich, keep going.”

“They might even drug our tea…”

“Hmm, what kind of poison do you think they’d use?”

“Laxatives, itching powder… They wouldn’t poison us to death, right?”

“Also possible.”

“Ah? Then should we not go?”

“Hey, how can you get a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den?”

“What do we want a tiger cub for?”

“To raise it and have fun with it, isn’t that good?”

“Ah, sister, be serious! Why aren’t you scared?”

“They should be coming for me. You are basically safe. Don’t worry.”

“I’m just worried about you, sister. What if you get tricked by them? How can I save you? We’re in this together.”

Zhuang Xiaowan was genuinely anxious and worried, not pretending.

“Come with me.” Zhuang Xiaoyu waved her hand at her.

“Go out for what?”

“Do you see that protruding branch?”

“Yes, what do you want to do with it?”

“Just watch, and see how it falls.”

“…………”

Zhuang Xiaowan was confused, looking at Zhuang Xiaoyu and then at the branch.

Then, Zhuang Xiaoyu waved her hand, a gust of wind hit, the branch snapped with a crack, and fell to the ground.

“Did you see that?”

“I saw it, but why did it fall?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu: Is this person stupid? Can’t she see me waving my hand?

She wanted to show off her strength, but the other person didn’t understand. This feeling was worse than hitting cotton—more painful than she thought.

“Well, don’t go to the Prince’s birthday banquet. The Long Princess didn’t invite you.”

“No, I’ll go with Mother to protect you.”

Protecting her—that’s because of their protection that she couldn’t fully act.

Having family care really feels… quite nice.

At the Long Princess’s birthday banquet.

Zhuang Xiaoyu: “Why are you holding me so tightly?”

“Sister, we have to always be on guard against being schemed against.”

“If you’re holding me like this, will we avoid being schemed against?”

“Oh.” She quickly loosened her grip, realizing she was being a bit too nervous. Maybe the Long Princess wasn’t that bad after all.

The people in the Long Princess’s mansion were polite and courteous. The banquet was grand and attended by many people, unlike the appreciation banquet where mostly women participated.

Quite a few officials from the court were there, as well as several princes. It seemed the Long Princess had a lot of prestige. Zhuang Xiaoyu specifically looked around but didn’t find Murong Xuan. Why wasn’t he socializing with others?

No one was paying attention to them for the moment, so they just found a place to sit for a while.

“Sister, there are so many people here. She probably doesn’t have time to cause trouble for us.”

“Mm, you’re smart.”

Silly girl. The more people, the more they could take advantage of the chaos!

Everything was normal, and the three of them were not treated any differently. The banquet had reached its middle stage when Long Princess Murong Wei scanned the hall and her gaze landed on Zhuang Xiaoyu.

“You must be the eldest daughter of the Zhuang family. I’ve heard a lot about Miss Zhuang’s easygoing and straightforward nature. Today, meeting you in person, you truly are elegant and full of spirit, not like a delicate woman.”

“Thank you for the praise, Long Princess. I’m just a rural woman.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu nodded slightly but didn’t stand to bow.

Some people began to take pleasure in her misfortune. In front of the Long Princess, she didn’t even show any respect. Just wait and see.

“Yes, a country person wouldn’t understand the rules of the capital. Miss Zhuang must have been in the capital for a few months, right? Didn’t Madam Zhuang teach you the proper manners?”

“She did. But I’m a bit slow and can’t learn well, it has nothing to do with my mother.”

After just two sentences, they were already picking on her. This Long Princess really couldn’t stay calm.

“Since Madam Zhuang couldn’t teach you, I, the Princess, don’t mind helping her. Come to my mansion, and let the maids personally teach you.”

So that was her plan. She was looking for trouble on purpose.

Lady Zhang knelt and said, “Long Princess, my daughter is unruly. I’m sorry to trouble you. As her mother, I’ll go and personally teach her.”

Madam Zhuang knew the Long Princess had bad intentions and naturally wouldn’t agree to this.

“Your Highness, my sister is just used to being free in the countryside, so she doesn’t have proper manners. I will go and help her learn them together with Mother.”

Zhuang Xiaowan also knelt to plead.

“Madam Zhuang, do you really think I would make things difficult for Miss Zhuang?”

“No, Your Highness, I’m just worried that Xiaoyu might cause trouble for you.”

“Don’t say more. It’s decided. Zhuang Xiaoyu, come to my mansion tomorrow and learn the rules.”

“Will you feed me?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu clapped her hands happily.