Chapter 98 : As You Like It

Song Ying: “Speaking of candidates… what do you think of Luoer?”

“She?” Huo Zhen laughed and waved his hand. “She can’t handle it. She’s so timid, whenever she talks to us, she’s like a quail, wishing she could bury her head in the ground.”

Song Ying patted him on the shoulder. “What nonsense are you saying? She’s a girl, after all.”

Huo Zhen: “I was just speaking casually.”

Song Ying said, “This girl just lacks experience. If she were truly timid, she wouldn’t have come to me alone today. I’m thinking of letting her help manage the household, under Uncle Rong and his wife. That way I can be a little lazier, and she can start learning how to run a household. After all, she’ll be married and become a matriarch one day.”

Huo Zhen nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. “Uncle Rong and his wife are getting old, and they’ve been managing the household all these years. Luoer will come of age in a year, it’s good for her to follow the three of you and start learning early. It’ll also free up some time for you.”

Song Ying: “But this also depends on Luoer’s willingness. If she doesn’t want to, I won’t force her.”

Huo Zhen hugged her. “You can decide. If you need help, just say the word. You’re my general, I’m your soldier.”

Song Ying pinched his firm cheek and tugged it. “General Huo, you’re really sweet.”

“Hahaha, I’ve been sweet to you in more ways than one.”

Then Huo Zhen picked her up and headed for the bed. Song Ying knew exactly what he intended. She waved at Faer, and the girl immediately closed the door and left.

The bed curtains were drawn, and the night was painted with spring.

—

After dressing up a little, Song Ying took a carriage to Xiu Rui Tower with Ye Luoer.

In the carriage, Ye Luoer was so quiet it was as if she didn’t exist.

Faer took the initiative to strike up a conversation. “Miss, why do you want to take part in this competition?”

Ye Luoer stared at her embroidery bag. “My mother said if I place in the top three, I’ll be able to marry into a good family.”

Faer: “I believe you’ll definitely win first prize, Miss!”

Ye Luoer looked a bit surprised and glanced at Faer. “Do you really think I can?”

Faer nodded sincerely. “Of course! Miss Luoer, did you embroider the design on your handkerchief yourself? It’s beautiful, more beautiful than any pattern I’ve ever seen.”

Ye Luoer: “Really?”

Faer: “Of course! I never lie. Miss embroidery is the best!”

Ye Luoer flushed at the compliment. “Thank you, thank you.”

Faer: “Miss will definitely win first place!”

Looking at Faer’s sparkling eyes, Ye Luoer seemed to catch her enthusiasm too and nodded firmly. “Yes!”

Faer: “Miss, let me tell you, among this year’s contestants…”

Ye Luoer: “…Mhm? Really?”

Song Ying watched the two girls becoming fast friends and couldn’t help but smile.

They arrived at Xiu Rui Tower.

After many years, this was Song Ying’s second visit.

“Isn’t this Princess Changyin?”

A familiar voice.

Song Ying turned around and saw Li Xingrou.

“Miss Li, you’re here too,” she responded.

Li Xingrou didn’t change her demeanor just because Song Ying now held the title of princess.

She approached with a smile. “Princess, are you here to compete as well?”

Song Ying: “I’m just accompanying my little sister.”

Only then did Li Xingrou notice Ye Luoer standing behind Song Ying, half-hidden.

She greeted her with a smile. “Miss Luoer.”

Song Ying: “You know each other?”

Li Xingrou pulled the young girl next to her and said, “This is my cousin. I came to accompany her. Princess, how about a little competition?”

Song Ying rubbed her forehead, she knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid a challenge upon meeting Li Xingrou.

“What do you want to compete in this time?”

Li Xingrou glanced at the timid girl behind Song Ying and said, “This time, let’s bet on who places fifth. Whichever of them ranks fifth wins. The loser gives the winner one hundred taels. How about that?”

“It’s just money, that’s nothing.”

Song Ying: “Alright, as you wish.”

Li Xingrou turned to her cousin and said, “Even though we’re aiming for fifth place, your real goal should be first.”

Cousin Li replied confidently, “Of course.”

Li Xingrou: “Good sister, I’m counting on you.”

Song Ying turned to Ye Luoer and said, “I believe in you too. Let’s go.”

Once inside the building, Song Ying was escorted to the second floor to rest as an observer.

She leaned against the railing, watching the slightly nervous Ye Luoer downstairs.

Faer asked, “Princess, do you want me to go down and accompany Miss?”

Many of the young ladies below had brought their own maids.

Song Ying: “No need, we’ll just watch from here.”

Faer: “Oh, okay.”

Ye Luoer found a seat and sat down. Cousin Li sat beside her. Feeling the hostility from her, Ye Luoer timidly glanced toward the second floor. After scanning for a while, she spotted Song Ying.

Song Ying gave her an encouraging wave. Ye Luoer clutched her embroidery bag tightly and nodded. She could definitely do it!

After a few opening remarks from the host, the competition officially began.

There were thirty participants in total, and choosing the five best embroidery works made for a fairly intense selection.

Li Xingrou came over from the next room, sat beside Song Ying, and said, “Song Ying, don’t think that just because you’re a princess and married to a general, your life will be smooth from now on.”

Song Ying poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Miss Li, must you always see me this way?”

Li Xingrou snorted and took a sip from the cup. “Even if your husband’s family is favored by the emperor right now, they’ve made many enemies. My father is one of them. He’s the Minister of War, and he and the general are not aligned. Don’t forget, the one holding real power now is the regent.”

Song Ying nodded slightly, then glanced at Ye Luoer, who was fully focused, and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Miss Li. But… His Majesty is still the legitimate ruler.”

Li Xingrou smiled and shook her head. “He’s just a child. You, as a member of the Song family, should understand this better than anyone. Replacing him would be easy. After all, the late emperor had more than one son, and other royal relatives are already watching closely.”

Song Ying: “I’m just a married woman, responsible for my little patch of home.”

Li Xingrou spoke quietly, “Your father visited mine yesterday. I don’t know what they discussed.”

Song Ying: “Surely just official matters again.”

Li Xingrou curled her lips in disdain. “So annoying. I won’t bother chatting with you anymore. I’m heading out.”

Song Ying: “Not waiting for your cousin?”

Li Xingrou replied confidently, “My cousin will definitely win. Just get the money ready and send it to my house.”

Song Ying turned her eyes back to the main floor and saw that Ye Luoer had already completed her embroidery, as had Cousin Li on the opposite side.

After a short wait, the results came in: both of them tied for fifth place.

Song Ying smiled and said to Faer, “Luoer saved us a lot of money.”

After the event ended, Ye Luoer walked over to Song Ying with barely contained excitement. “Sister-in-law, I made fifth place!”

Song Ying: “Congratulations.”

Faer: “I told you Miss could do it!”

Ye Luoer: “Thank you!”

Cousin Li came over angrily and snapped, “So what if you placed? Tomorrow’s finals are what matter most.”

Ye Luoer, showing a bit of her stubborn side, replied, “I can win.”

Just as Cousin Li was about to lash out again, Song Ying said, “Your cousin already left. Shouldn’t you go catch up with her?”

Cousin Li stomped her foot and cried, “How could you do this, cousin!” Then she stormed out of Xiu Rui Tower without looking back.