Princess Qinghuan did not have a good reputation in the capital. Especially among the womenfolk, she was practically seen as a symbol of moral depravity and lack of virtue. In her presence, they paid her the necessary respect, but behind her back, she was constantly criticized.

Under the influence of these women, most girls from noble households looked down on her.

But Zhang Susu was one of the very few exceptions. In fact, she admired Princess Qinghuan and even dreamed of raising numerous male companions like the princess, thinking such a life was one only immortals could enjoy.

Although the Zhang family spoiled her, they were no different from others on this matter. When they discovered her admiration for the princess, they strictly forbade any interaction between them. As a result, for years, she had only heard of Princess Qinghuan but had never seen her in person.

Now, unexpectedly, she finally had a chance to meet the princess—but before she could even speak, she had already been scolded. Dragged to kneel by her second brother, she looked at the princess with a bewildered expression.

Qinghuan sat down on the wide chair brought by the palace maids, tucked in her legs, and leaned lazily against the armrest. Meeting Zhang Susu’s eyes, she smiled. “What’s the matter? Am I not worthy of your kneeling?”

Zhang Lezhi, worried that his younger sister’s temper would cause her to offend the princess, quickly stepped in. “Your Highness, my sister has long admired you. Seeing you today for the first time, she’s simply overwhelmed—she meant no disrespect.”

“She has such discernment?” Qinghuan looked Zhang Susu up and down. “Is that true?”

If she had been asked this just moments before, Zhang Susu would have enthusiastically affirmed it. But now, after being publicly forced to kneel and scrutinized with such condescension, her admiration had turned to resentment. Wherever she went, people fawned over her. When had she ever been treated like this?

Zhang Lezhi grew anxious when she didn’t reply and whispered urgently, “Didn’t you always say you wanted to meet the princess? Why are you silent now that she’s here?”

“That was all childish talk. I wouldn’t even remember saying such things if you hadn’t brought it up. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of Her Highness,” Zhang Susu forced herself to hold back her temper and not talk back to the princess, but she also refused to play along.

Qinghuan, ever perceptive, instantly saw through her attitude. Resting her cheek on her arm, she laughed, “How amusing. Truly amusing. Tomorrow, I’ll be paying the Prime Minister’s household a visit—I’d like to ask your parents what kind of courage they fed you to make you this bold. I want some for myself. After all, even I wouldn’t dare promise to ‘give someone anything they wanted.’”

Zhang Lezhi’s face changed drastically, and he immediately knelt to speak, but Qinghuan cut him off with a cold snort: “If you’re going to kneel, then kneel properly. Say one more word and I’ll break that mouth of yours.”

Zhang Susu, though fierce toward outsiders, was kind to her family. Seeing her second brother scolded for trying to help her, she immediately said, “I have failed to earn Your Highness’s favor and am willing to be punished. I only ask that Your Highness not implicate my brother.”

From the sidelines, Shi Buyu was practically clapping in her heart. Zhang Susu, you better hold your ground! Don’t back down!

Princess Qinghuan was the kind to yield to softness but not to force. If Zhang Susu had said a few soft words, the matter would likely have passed. After all, this was a gathering for fun, not for picking fights.

But Zhang Susu was all spine. She thought she was being conciliatory, but everything in her expression and demeanor was stiff and unyielding. Of course Qinghuan saw through it. It would’ve been strange if she let this go!

Hehehe… yes, yes! Keep going!

And things indeed progressed just as she hoped—Qinghuan laughed even more cheerfully. “So what you’re implying is that I’m punishing you because I dislike you? Because I dislike you, I’m making things hard for you and your brother?”

Zhang Susu clenched her fists at her sides, lips pressed tightly together. Though she said nothing, her stance spoke volumes.

“Then I’m curious, Miss Zhang—what exactly did you do to make me dislike you this much? To torment you and your brother this way?”

Zhang Susu suddenly recalled the rumors she’d heard, and the words burst out of her: “Because the man I admire—Young Master Yan Shian—is someone Your Highness once tried to take as a lover! You’re angry that I’m competing with you for him!”

Everyone watching immediately shifted their gaze from the two women to Yan Shian, and one phrase sprang to mind: A beauty who brings ruin.

Yan Shian remained calm, only pulling Miss Shi behind him protectively when she appeared uneasy.

“What you said… isn’t entirely wrong.” Qinghuan’s reaction was unexpected—she actually admitted it. “Young Master Shian is talented and handsome. Liking him is completely understandable. Half the city is fond of him. But even I only ever tried to entice him with benefits and promises. He is determined to walk the path of integrity. Though I was disappointed, I respected his decision and never disturbed him again. And you? You pestered him, barged into his home to insult him, even got violent. Who knows what dirty tactics you’ll try next?”

Qinghuan straightened up, shedding her usual lazy posture. As she looked down at Zhang Susu, her calm and aloof demeanor was like that of a goddess.

“Madam Luo may not be worthy of Young Master Shian, but she did say something true. To this day, he remains upright and faultless, even after passing the provincial exam. He continues to study diligently and is sure to achieve great things. Only such a man is worthy of being remembered by me. If he really bowed to power and abandoned his fiancée, then he’d just be another worthless, ordinary man. But you—you’re ruining a patriotic and promising young man all for your selfish desires. Servants!”

A female official stepped forward. “Your Highness, your orders.”

“Send Miss Zhang back to her parents. I want to hear what kind of upbringing produced a daughter like this. I’ll visit personally tomorrow to hear their explanation of what ‘giving her anything she wants’ really means. I hope they can give me what I want too.”

Although Princess Qinghuan was known to keep male companions, have a strained relationship with her sister, and act willfully before the Emperor, she usually didn’t cause trouble if unprovoked. Her mercilessness now, publicly humiliating the Prime Minister’s family, left the onlookers stunned.

Zhang Susu, however, refused to yield. Her grandfather was the Prime Minister, and her favorite imperial concubine doted on her and often gave her gifts. And this princess? Just the late emperor’s daughter—how dare she treat her this way!

Just as she was about to argue, the female official—already prepared—gave the signal. Four palace maids immediately stepped forward and, with practiced ease, covered her mouth, pinned her arms, and twisted her body, half-carrying her as they removed her from the second floor.

Zhang Susu burst into tears on the spot—it hurt!

“Your Highness, please show mercy!” Zhang Lezhi bowed deeply in a formal plea. “My sister has been spoiled and lacked proper discipline. I will inform our parents to correct her behavior.”

“If I hadn’t shown mercy, it wouldn’t be me visiting your home—it would be your parents pleading for forgiveness before His Majesty.” Qinghuan snorted. “If you say you can give her anything she wants, what if someone wants to rebel? Will the Zhang family provide that too?”

The weight of these words made Zhang Lezhi tremble with fear. He immediately prostrated himself, voice shaking. “Please believe us, Your Highness—the Zhang family harbors no treasonous thoughts.”

“Then teach your foolish sister what can be said and what cannot.” Qinghuan no longer spared him a glance and turned to Yan Shian. “Young Master Shian, I wonder if I’ll have the fortune of seeing you win the top prize at today’s poetry gathering?”

Yan Shian bowed. “I shall give it my all.”