Chapter 14

The August sun was scorching as Prince Jing traveled to the capital from his fief in the southwest.

A vassal prince entering the capital was a significant event, with the nine gates heavily guarded. Shen Yunian was assigned the task of overseeing Prince Jing’s security in the capital.

Under the guise of protection, it was actually surveillance. If done excessively, it would offend Prince Jing; if done inadequately, it would offend the emperor.

Shen Yunian’s official duties were far less enjoyable than my life as a thief.

The emperor wanted to curb Prince Jing’s arrogance, so he took the royal sons and daughters to the palace for a polo match, and all the civil and military officials had to follow, with their attendants in tow.

Shen Yunian brought me along.

At noon, Princess Yurou hosted a banquet and invited Prince Jing.

The dazzling gold cups and jade goblets made my eyes spin. I looked around like a country bumpkin, my fingers trembling slightly as I clutched my embroidered handkerchief, too excited to speak.

Who would have thought that ten years ago, I was scorned as a lowly prostitute and thief, and now I was seated among these nobles!

I took a sip of wine, savoring its fragrance.

But the princess seemed determined not to let me enjoy myself. Perhaps she found it amusing that someone as coarse as me could be in her presence, and she wanted to make sport of me.

She had me sit beside her.

Giggling, she said:

“Yuan Qiao, the scar on your face hasn’t faded yet.”

“Poor Lord Shen, a man as elegant as a tree of jade, and he has to marry a shrew.”

Today, I had deliberately worn a plain dress, and the scar on my face was faintly visible beneath the powder, somewhat menacing.

The princess was dressed in splendid attire, her beauty like a demonic flower reflected in water, radiant and noble. I looked like a clown meant to highlight her splendor.

I had heard some gossip; Princess Yurou had once fancied Shen Yunian, but his low birth made the emperor disapprove.

Some women’s minds are peculiar; what they can’t have, they don’t want others to covet.

Knowing that Shen Yunian and I had once shared a fleeting romance, she wished she could tear me apart.

The princess’s high status and power made the noblewomen flatter her, trampling me into the mud.

“I heard you’re just a scholar’s daughter? To marry into the Shen Family is like having smoke rise from your ancestral grave.”

“Lord Shen is kind-hearted, to even accept someone like you.”

Each remark was more gleeful than the last.

These noblewomen repeated the same few lines, neither painful nor itchy.

But I kept my head down, pretending to be deeply humiliated, because the princess enjoyed watching.

After some mockery, the princess pushed the wine jug towards me:

“This is a special brew from the southwest brought by Prince Jing. Yuan Qiao, why don’t you let everyone have a taste?”

This task should have been done by a maid, but she wanted to humiliate me.

Qi Yu frowned slightly: “Your Highness, let the maid…”

The princess glanced sideways: “What, does the Prince Consort want to do it himself?”

Qi Yu closed his mouth, smiling gently.

“To serve such distinguished guests is an honor for Yuan Qiao.”

I smiled obediently, carrying the wine jug and pouring for each person, attentive and well-mannered.

After making the rounds, as I passed by the princess’s maid, my wrist shook, spilling wine on the maid’s hand.

The only jug of fine wine sent by Prince Jing was entirely spilled.

This maid was the one who had mocked me when delivering gifts the other day. I exclaimed, “Oh dear, I’m sorry, miss, it was an accident.”

The maid glanced at me, her expression extremely unpleasant, knowing full well I did it on purpose.

We were like two little creatures squabbling over trivial matters, amusing the princess.

She laughed heartily, “Indeed, someone from a humble background can’t even hold a cup steady, clumsy.”

I blushed and excused myself to change clothes. As I turned, I deliberately glanced at the maid’s soaked hands, a slight smile playing on my lips.