Lady Qian was far more shrewd than Qian Qiyue. Tang Ning’s earlier actions were to pave the way for Miss Wang, and getting Xie Yuyan to apologize was already a rare feat. In the future, when Miss Wang entered the academy to study alongside men, there would be fewer idle rumors.
But if they pressed too aggressively and caused a bigger scene, it wouldn’t end well for Prince Ji’s household, nor would it necessarily benefit Tang Ning and Miss Wang.
In the palace, some matters were best left at a certain point for everyone’s sake.
Qian Qiyue, after getting a slap, pouted but quieted down. Miss Wang, however, curtsied to Tang Ning. “Thank you, Princess.”
Tang Ning helped her up. “No need to thank me. I’ve long had a grudge with Prince Ji’s household, and today you were dragged into it because of me.”
She genuinely liked this girl, who was about her age. If Miss Wang had backed down in the face of Prince Ji’s household, Tang Ning wouldn’t have blamed her but might not have paid her much attention. However, Miss Wang clearly understood her intentions.
Looking at this clever and perceptive girl, Tang Ning was eager to befriend her.
“The academy’s supplementary admissions will take some time. If you’d like, you can visit me at Jiyun Lane or go to the academy’s library to read. I have a younger sister at home who, like you, loves studying and spends a lot of time in the library. I’m sure you two would get along.”
Miss Wang was delighted. “Can I really?”
Tang Ning smiled. “Of course.”
Miss Wang quickly said, “Yuzhen thanks you, Princess.”
“No need to call me Princess. Just call me Tang Ning, and I’ll call you Yuzhen from now on.”
Miss Wang could sense the friendliness Tang Ning extended toward her. Her cheeks flushed, but she felt a warmth of closeness. She softly called, “Tang Ning,” and saw the strikingly beautiful Princess Xiangning flash her a radiant smile, which made her own lips curve upward.
The rumors were indeed false. The Princess was clearly wonderful.
…
Fu Jinrou watched Tang Ning and Miss Wang chatting happily, with Qian Qiyue also joining in, chattering away, clearly very friendly.
She bit her lip lightly and said to Old Lady Fu beside her with some concern, “Grandaunt, though Miss Xie no longer holds the title of Princess, she is still of imperial blood. For the Princess and Sister Qian to publicly shame her and Princess Ji like that, I’m worried Prince Ji’s household will hold a grudge against them.”
Old Lady Fu patted her hand. “You’re overthinking. It was Prince Ji’s household that was in the wrong first. If Tang Ning didn’t stand up for herself, others would look down on her.”
As a daughter of the Rong family, personally titled a princess by the Emperor, with Rongsheng Academy behind her, if Tang Ning let someone slap her face and still smiled in response, people wouldn’t see her as tolerant—they’d think her timid and weak.
Old Lady Fu, assuming Fu Jinrou was simply new to the capital, explained gently, “Tang Ning has had a rough past and only recently restored her reputation through the academy. If she didn’t protect the academy’s name today and let others insult it freely, Rongsheng Academy would become a laughingstock.”
Scholars in this world hold themselves in high regard. They wouldn’t respect someone who grovels spinelessly. On the contrary, Tang Ning’s reasoned and justified defense of the academy and its students against the powerful would only earn her praise if word spread.
As for Prince Ji’s household…
“Those from Prince Ji’s household already have bad blood with Tang Ning and Qiyue from before. One more incident won’t make a difference.”
Fu Jinrou let out a soft sigh of relief. “That’s good. I was worried Prince Ji’s household would make trouble for the Princess and the others.”
Old Lady Fu chuckled, looking at the gentle and soft-spoken Fu Jinrou beside her. “Tang Ning is good-natured, and that girl Qiyue is straightforward. You should spend more time with them in the future and learn to be a bit tougher so you won’t be bullied.”
Fu Jinrou hesitated. “But I’m afraid the Princess won’t like me.”
Old Lady Fu laughed. “How could she not? Tang Ning has the best temperament. You’ll definitely get along.”
Fu Jinrou gave a faint smile. “Then I’ll listen to Grandaunt.”
Old Lady Fu, seeing her obedient and gentle demeanor, couldn’t help but say, “You’re too well-behaved, child.”
Such a soft temperament wasn’t a good thing in the capital.
It seemed she’d need to ask Tang Ning and the others to teach Fu Jinrou how to stand up for herself so she wouldn’t be bullied.
While planning in her mind, Old Lady Fu patted Fu Jinrou’s hand. “Come, let’s go meet some others.”
…
The commotion in Deyu Hall didn’t spread elsewhere.
After Princess Ji and her group left, the wife of Prince Lu’s heir and the few other imperial relatives who had initially been “united in indignation” all avoided Tang Ning. Having seen the fate of Princess Ji and her daughter, no one was foolish enough to seek trouble with the fiercely unyielding Princess Xiangning.
As the sky darkened, palace attendants came to escort the ladies to Zichen Hall, where the banquet was set. By the time they arrived, many court officials were already seated.
Tang Ning parted ways with Qian Qiyue and the others, following Rong Yue to their seats.
Their seats weren’t particularly prominent, some distance from both the Emperor’s and consorts’ positions above and the hall’s entrance. Whether by design or not, their seats were positioned behind a lacquered red pillar, slightly separated from the other tables, with the musicians playing nearby.
Before taking her seat, Tang Ning glanced back at the musicians, her gaze lingering on two of them for a moment.
“Tang Ning, it’s time to sit,” Rong Yue called, turning her head.
Tang Ning smiled. “Coming.”
…
Zichen Hall was far larger than Deyu Hall. In previous years, it was used for grand court assemblies, hosting foreign envoys, or for lavish banquets with music and dance. Because this year’s Mid-Autumn palace banquet was particularly grand with many more attendees, the palace had chosen to hold it here.
Even so, the hall couldn’t accommodate all the seats, so the banquet extended outside.
Fortunately, palace lanterns had been set up in front of the hall, so those with lower ranks seated under the wide eaves outside didn’t feel it was too dark.
The music flowed gently, and the full moon rose outside.
Many in the hall were chatting quietly. Tang Ning, seated at her table, casually conversed with Rong Yue while keeping an eye on the others in the hall.
The imperial princes and their consorts occupied their own section, clearly distinct from the noble families, court officials, and the scholarly faction. The ladies who had been chatting amiably in Deyu Hall earlier were now seated separately.
Duke Zeng sat at a slightly higher position, holding a wine cup as if bolstering his courage. Grand Tutor Liang was speaking softly with someone nearby, while Cao Dejiang seemed to be studying the dishes on the table…
Tang Ning’s gaze swept over the scene and suddenly froze.
“What are you looking at?” Rong Yue followed her gaze and let out a soft exclamation. “Isn’t Cui Lin gravely ill? Why is he here at the banquet?”
Tang Ning’s lips tightened. Cui Lin had been seriously ill before, losing a significant amount of weight. His official robes hung loosely on him now, and his pale, sickly face carried a hint of gloom.
His illness hadn’t fully subsided, and his “broken” arm wasn’t healed either. He hadn’t attended morning court for days, yet he suddenly showed up at the palace banquet…
A sense of unease stirred in Tang Ning’s heart. At that moment, a loud announcement came from outside.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone hurriedly stood.
Emperor An entered with several consorts, followed by Xiao Yan and Yu Yanfeng, who took their places before the raised platform.
Tang Ning composed herself and joined the others in kneeling.
“We pay our respects to His Majesty. Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years!”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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