Volume One, Chapter 11: You Resemble Her Most When You Are Unadorned.

The poetry contest had been underway for an hour, and the number of students on the stage had dwindled from a hundred to twenty. Song Yaozhu yawned widely, while Song Wenyue beside her shifted away with great disdain, clearly unwilling to sit next to her.

Song Yaozhu asked Cai Jin, “Find me a private room; I need to rest for a while.”

Cai Jin’s pupils constricted slightly, hesitating before nodding to make the arrangements.

This poetry collection event was the perfect occasion to showcase the talents and reputations of distinguished scholars and beauties. Yet their princess not only yawned but also left midway to sleep. It was obvious how the outsiders would gossip about their princess.

Naturally, Xie Liwei on stage noticed Song Yaozhu’s departure. Qin Yu whispered the reason into his ear, causing a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

If it were his sister, she would never behave so improperly!

Then he chastised himself for comparing her to his sister—she didn’t even measure up to a single strand of his sister’s hair!

Song Yaozhu entered the private room and the first thing she did was remove the messy hairpins from her head. She sighed deeply, “I’m exhausted!”

Cai Jin and Cai Yin looked on helplessly but could only gently admonish, “Princess, your behavior today was truly improper.”

Song Yaozhu was well aware, but such conduct suited her “country girl” identity perfectly.

“I’ll be more careful next time,” she assured in advance, not wanting Nurse Qin to nag her later.

Lying on the princess’s couch, Song Yaozhu pondered how to play matchmaker for Yuwen Wuji and Song Wenyue. Yuwen Wuji’s visits to the palace were rare, so she had to seize the opportunity.

Seeing her close her eyes to rest, Cai Jin and Cai Yin quietly stepped out to keep watch.

Before she had rested long, Song Wenyue came in carrying a tray of pastries.

Seeing Song Yaozhu’s features look even more radiant without the hairpins, jealousy welled up in Song Wenyue’s heart. When she first returned to the Song household, her skin was rough and no makeup could cover it, and her hands bore tiny cuts from farm work.

Yet after three months in the Song family, spared from labor and enjoying better food, she had changed remarkably.

Her naturally good complexion made Song Wenyue’s envy sour.

“Why did sister hide away here? There’s still talent performances later!” Song Wenyue smiled.

Song Yaozhu narrowed her eyes, a plan forming. She rose, took the pastries from Song Wenyue’s hands, then said warmly, “Sit, sister. Downstairs, I didn’t dare bring out this tea for you all to drink. Now it’s just the two of us, so have a taste!”

She poured a cup of tea and handed it over.

Song Wenyue blinked, inwardly mocking that she was unfit for the stage, but still gratefully reached for the cup. Unexpectedly, Song Yaozhu’s grip loosened too soon, and the tea spilled all over her.

“Ah!” Song Wenyue cried out in distress. “My dress! I have to perform on stage soon!”

Song Yaozhu hurriedly called Cai Jin and Cai Yin in. “Don’t be upset, little sister. I brought a change of clothes. You can wear mine—consider it my apology.”

In wealthy families, young ladies and masters usually carried a change of clothes just in case, but the Song family was not so extravagant.

Hearing Song Yaozhu’s offer to lend her clothing, Song Wenyue’s expression softened.

She chose a pink top embroidered with hibiscus flowers, paired with a pale purple brocade skirt patterned with golden butterflies—this ensemble completely displayed her youthful delicacy.

“You look stunning in this, little sister, but the hairstyle doesn’t quite match the outfit. Cai Jin, please style a pretty hair bun for her and don’t use plain hairpins.”

Cai Jin was unsure of the princess’s intentions but obediently restyled Song Wenyue’s hair and adorned it with several of Song Yaozhu’s hairpins.

Suddenly, the once fragile and delicate Song Wenyue became vivid and striking. She had always played the role of a gentle beauty but never realized how well she suited an eye-catching look—she was absolutely gorgeous.

“Thank you, sister.” It seemed maintaining a good relationship with Song San had its benefits.

Song Yaozhu smiled and draped a veil over her. “You said you have a performance later, so hurry downstairs. I’ll come after. I want to see how you showcase your talents.”

Song Wenyue left happily, while Song Yaozhu leisurely began to tidy herself.

Downstairs, the poetry contest had ended, and the host was announcing the next event—the time for talented women to shine.

Song Wenyue’s talent was playing the zither. As soon as she took the stage, the assembled scholars gasped in admiration.

Once the music began, everyone was captivated.

“Not sure which young lady that is, but the zither playing is so moving—it truly captivates the heart.”

“Though we can’t see her face, her ethereal presence suggests she must be a celestial being descended to earth!”

The crowd buzzed with praise, but only Xie Liwei’s eyes darkened.

When Song Si Cai had taken the stage moments ago, he had momentarily thought he saw his sister. Just by her silhouette, she resembled her greatly.

Looking up at Yuwen Wuji upstairs, he sneered inwardly. Was the Song family planning to rely on one trick to win everything?

Their ambition was no small matter.

“Your Highness, I inquired. Miss Song Si spilled tea in the princess’s room, and the princess kindly lent her clothing,” a subordinate reported.

Xie Liwei frowned, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, in the private chamber upstairs, Yuwen Wuji watched Song Wenyue playing the zither, emotions surging within him.

She looked exactly like Wanqing!

“Is this Song Si?” he asked.

Li Wei nodded immediately. “Yes, Your Majesty. That is indeed the Song family’s fourth young lady.”

“Tell the consort that I am very pleased with Song Si. Let her observe and make arrangements as she wishes.”

Li Wei quickly responded, wiping the sweat from the emperor’s brow. Thankfully, handling Song Si was much easier than stealing a minister’s wife!

Xie Liwei, uninterested in the following events, left the stage to seek out Song Yaozhu.

She was still lying on the princess’s couch in the private room, dressed in simpler, lighter clothing. Her hair was loosely tied up with minimal adornment. Her relaxed expression made her resemble a lazy cat—noble and proud.

Yet such words should not have been associated with a country girl like Song Yaozhu.

“Did you dress Song Wenyue today?” he asked.

“My little sister’s clothes were stained. I just lent her mine,” she replied calmly.

Meeting Xie Liwei’s probing gaze, she remained unflustered. She stubbornly refused to admit anything—what could he do?

Xie Liwei did not press further. Instead, he walked to the table, picked up a golden hairpin, and demonstrated with it before her.

Song Yaozhu looked up at him, watching as he set aside the golden pin and replaced it with a jade one, which he then inserted into her hair bun.

His movements were a bit rough, causing her to wince in pain.

“Dress yourself less often from now on. You look most like her when you don’t dress up.”