Volume One, Chapter 13: The Princess Consort Says You’re Ignored Like a Stray Dog—No Wonder People Avoid You When You Go Out

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When the consort’s message arrived, Song Yaozhu was soaking in the hot spring in the courtyard.

Since Xie Liwei no longer came to the backyard without reason, she didn’t have to deal with him and happily spent her days eating, drinking, and enjoying herself.

Upon learning that the prince’s mansion had an artificial hot spring in the backyard, she came to bathe there every day, never tiring of it even when her skin wrinkled from long soaks.

“Has the prince seen this message?”

“He has. He had me bring it to the princess to read. He also instructed me to prepare your clothes and jewelry in advance; no more letting you dress carelessly.”

“...”

She admitted that last time she had been somewhat embarrassing, but it hadn’t been intentional!

“Go ahead then, prepare some garments for us.” After a moment’s thought, she turned to Cai Jin, “Send someone to the Song residence and ask if Miss Song Si received the invitation to the palace banquet. If she has, have her come over—tell her I want to make some clothes and might as well make one for her too.”

Cai Jin hesitated, unable to understand why the Song fourth young lady, who clearly looked down on the princess, was still treated so kindly by her.

But since the princess gave the order, she had to carry it out and sent someone to the Song residence.

The next day, Song Wenyue came happily, “I didn’t expect sister to still remember me.”

This fool was pitifully naive!

“We’re family, of course I remember you. Besides, if you show up at the banquet dressed as plainly as you did at the poetry collection gathering, it would reflect badly on me. People might think I’ve forgotten my roots now that I’ve risen in status.”

Song Wenyue was speechless.

She longed to shut that damned mouth of hers! If not for the hope of shining at the banquet with her jewelry and clothes—and perhaps catching the consort’s eye—she wouldn’t be swallowing her pride sitting here today.

“You just dressed modestly last time.”

Song Yaozhu waved her hand as a group of maids came in holding brightly colored fabrics—all top-quality Shu brocade—which made Song Wenyue’s eyes light up.

Although she came from a noble family, the Song household was not wealthy; her food and clothing were modest. These exquisite materials were a luxury she wouldn’t easily spend on herself.

“Pick some fabrics. I’ll have several outfits made at once for you to wear in rotation.”

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Song Wenyue’s eyes sparkled, but she restrained herself and only chose three bolts.

“Thank you so much, sister!”

She smiled shyly, thinking to herself that coaxing this fool could only bring her benefits in the future! Once she married the third prince, she wouldn’t have to pretend around her anymore.

Back at the Song residence, she was all smiles. Madam Song noticed her happiness and asked about her time at the prince’s mansion.

“She’s so generous to you?” Madam Song couldn’t believe it, especially since their last visit had ended in a major falling out.

Moreover, Xie Liwei had even filed complaints with the emperor, accusing the Song family of mistreating his princess.

The emperor wasn’t new to receiving petitions from the carefree prince’s mansion. Xie Liwei’s complaints were never about politics but always petty grievances!

If someone scolded him on the street, he’d turn around and write a petition to the emperor about it; if a broken road startled him, he’d immediately demand repairs; if someone accused him of being a tattletale, he’d cry to the emperor about having no elder sister to protect him and being bullied as a consequence.

The emperor was utterly speechless and helpless.

As these were family matters beyond his control, he passed the petitions to Grand Tutor Song, who then severely reprimanded their main branch.

Madam Song still felt uneasy. Hearing that Song Yaozhu was making clothes for Song Si yesterday had aroused her suspicion, but it turned out to be just clothes?

“Perhaps sister’s anger on her return was just because we forced her to marry the carefree prince. Now that she’s living well there, she’s starting to appreciate her parents again. She was always in the countryside without their care; now that she has family, she must want to reconcile.”

Madam Song thought about this and recalled how attentive Song Yaozhu had been upon returning. She agreed with Song Wenyue.

“That’s right, she’s your sister. It’s only right she makes you some clothes. Since she’s the princess now, get along well with her. One day, invite her back here for a meal—it might ease her relationship with your father.”

Song Wenyue readily agreed, but inwardly she only cared about what she could gain. If Song Yaozhu became close with Madam Song, who would still care for her? She was no fool and had no intention of letting the mother and daughter reconcile!

After the Cold Dew solar term, temperatures dropped sharply. Song Yaozhu’s rooms were already furnished with charcoal braziers, and she was living comfortably, having gained some weight.

In the study, Cai Yin reported earnestly, “The princess rises at the hour of the dragon, has her early meal, then takes a stroll in the courtyard to aid digestion. Afterwards, she practices Baduanjin qigong; after that, she takes a short nap. Upon waking, she has lunch, then requests the hot spring be prepared. After bathing, which is by the hour of the monkey, she has someone read to her. After dinner at the hour of the rooster, she extinguishes the lights and rests.”

“Is it like this every day?”

“Yes.”

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Xie Liwei was silent for a long while. What was the difference between this and raising pigs?

“Has she thought about going out?”

Cai Yin shook her head. “I also urged the princess to go out for a walk, but the princess said the prince...”

She stopped, too afraid to continue.

Xie Liwei instinctively knew the woman had nothing good to say but still wanted to hear more.

“Speak. I pardon you.”

Gathering her courage, Cai Yin said, “The princess said you’re aloof and unapproachable. If you go out, people will despise you. She thinks it’s embarrassing!”

Xie Liwei was speechless.

She really was giving her face!

“Keep watching her!”

It seemed she hadn’t gained any useful information and hadn’t contacted her people behind the scenes. He wanted to see how long she could hold out!

Soon, the day of the palace banquet arrived. Since the Mid-Autumn banquet had already passed, and because Yuwen Wuji always adhered to frugality, the palace rarely held such lavish events. The sudden banquet, combined with rumors spread by Xie Liwei, led many of the attending ladies to believe it was a selection for the third prince’s bride.

Therefore, that morning, the palace gates bloomed with a hundred flowers. All the young ladies were dressed brilliantly, dazzling everyone’s eyes one after another.

Seeing this, Song Wenyue felt grateful that Song Yaozhu had prepared clothes for her—otherwise, she wouldn’t have stood out today.

Song Yaozhu’s attire was arranged by Mistress Qin, no longer wearing the gaudy headpieces of before. But as it was a formal occasion, she wore a set of ruby and gold butterfly hair ornaments, paired with a dark red gown embroidered with golden fish scales and peony patterns, exuding an aura of nobility.

Xie Liwei dismounted first. As Song Yaozhu stepped down, he personally extended his hand to assist her, displaying a loving couple’s grace.

Song Yaozhu paused as she looked at his slender, delicate fingers reaching out.