Chapter 108: Chapter 104: What Honors Do You Hold?

Song Yun had long been simmering with anger, and now finally had an opportunity to vent it.

The Princess called her a maid and she couldn’t refute it, lest it bring her negative consequences. But if the Princess questioned her talent, she had to stand up for herself, otherwise who knows what people in the Capital would say about her.

“The Princess said correctly, it’s Song Yun who holds herself in high regard, thinking that with a bit of fame in literary circles, she wouldn’t need to attract attention today. Yet, she failed to realize it would cause a misunderstanding for Her Highness. That’s Song Yun’s fault.”

Bravo.

Shen Jingxian immediately understood Song Yun’s implied meaning; she was subtly hinting that everyone in the literary circle knew her, and that she had the privilege to directly participate in the poetry gathering, unlike the Princess, who either lacked the insight or the talent to be part of such circles. While it was the Princess’s mistake, she didn’t blame her.

After all, the Princess isn’t one of those in the inner circle, right?

To be more direct, being a Princess without talent is forgivable, but not caring about the country’s available talent is akin to disregarding literati.

Song Yun’s seemingly apologetic words, if Shen Jingxian didn’t respond well, would offend all literati in the Capital, and exaggeratedly, the entire country would know of Her Highness’s contempt for scholars.

This was the pit Song Yun was digging for Shen Jingxian.

Of course, this pit could only be dug on the premise that Song Yun was someone significant. But in reality, apart from knowing a few cunning tricks and relying on Shen Ming to build a talented persona, she hasn’t even entered the Imperial College.

Alas, that’s why Shen Jingxian really disliked dealing with someone like Song Yun; it’s exhausting, with every word being meticulously careful, unaware of when she might fall into a trap.

Pan Jiaojiao is still preferable; she speaks her mind genuinely.

Shen Jingxian sighed inwardly and sincerely apologized to Song Yun for underestimating her earlier.

Song Yun still maintained her impressive ’green tea’ standard.

Shen Jingxian complied with Song Yun’s wordplay, revealing a surprised expression, “Did I remember incorrectly, your name is Song Yun, right?”

Song Yun was unsure of Shen Jingxian’s intentions but responded respectfully.

Shen Jingxian suddenly pointed to an unremarkable gentleman nearby, “I know his name is Zhang Qiushi, the top scorer from Qiming County.”

The gentleman pointed at was delighted beyond measure at the Princess knowing his name, just about to utter a few words before seeing the Princess had already shifted her gaze to another lady, “This lady is an Advanced Scholar from Yu Guang County; her insights have left a deep impression on me.”

The lady named by Shen Jingxian also looked astonished, not expecting today was her first encounter with the Princess, who nonetheless knew her name.

Earlier, she heard from people nearby that the person the Princess acknowledged as a maid was actually a renowned talent in the Capital, feeling quite indignant inside.

Does the Princess’s noble status give her the right to regard us literati as servants?!

How could the sagacious Emperor have such a domineering daughter, wasting such a beautiful face!

Yet, all these thoughts changed upon the Princess calling out her name.

The Princess, the Princess knows my name, oh my!! She even knows my insights, she read my test papers!! The Princess values me!!!

Then a thought naturally emerged, if the Princess knew even someone like her as an Advanced Scholar, how could she not recognize this so-called number one talent of the Capital?

Could it be… a fake.

After Shen Jingxian named several more distinguished individuals, this thought entangled in everyone’s minds.

Song Yun had a foreboding feeling, indeed, Shen Jingxian finally turned the topic back to her, “Regarding Advanced Scholars with titles in the Capital, I have some impression, but I have never heard of Song Yun’s name.”

Shen Jingxian leisurely glanced at Song Yun, her eyes devoid of disdain, instead being very earnest, “What title does this lady possess?”

One sentence, making Song Yun wish she could dig a hole and crawl into it. What title does she possess, she had never taken the Imperial Examination.

The fame she carried was created by Shen Ming and his brothers to elevate her as a talented woman, but she hadn’t expected Shen Jingxian to talk about titles?!!

She, being a woman, what need does she have for titles, only someone insane like Song Yan would think of such a thing.

She is a woman; as long as she can marry well is all that matters, having the fame of a few talents can provide some leverage, why bother with titles.

At this time, many eyes were on Song Yun, evidently hoping she could offer some explanation, considering the person who identified her identity earlier mentioned her as the Capital’s number one talented woman, Song Yun!

Such a name must surely at least be an Advanced Scholar, maybe even a successful scholar!

People were subtly influenced by Shen Jingxian’s indirect guidance, equating talent with title, just like earlier when Song Yun shamelessly equated herself with literati.

Song Yun faced the stares of everyone, yet was slow to respond.

How could she answer? She didn’t have a title; she certainly couldn’t say her fame was bestowed by others.

At this moment, Song Yun was distinctly resentful of the man who earlier claimed she was the Capital’s number one talented woman to save face.

If not for him bestowing her a high hat, how would she be unable to step down now?

Song Yun had forgotten, she herself had also said she had some small fame and thus thought herself an important person.

Song Yun glanced at Pan Jiaojiao, hoping she would help her out.

Pan Jiaojiao’s expression remained unchanged, though inwardly was quite speechless, if only you hadn’t pretended earlier, you wouldn’t be stuck between a rock and a hard place now.

As time passed, suspicions about Song Yun grew among the crowd, aligning themselves with the Princess.

This woman couldn’t even say what title she had, yet audaciously questioned the Princess for not knowing her, as if the Princess should know her kind!

Only individuals like themselves with titles are worthy of the Princess’s recognition!

Thinking this, those who were named by the Princess earlier all proudly straightened their backs.

We are people remembered by the Princess!

“Jiaojiao, Yun’er, why haven’t you come up after such a long time, do you really need me, the Princely Heir, to come down and fetch you?” A slightly teasing voice echoed, as a handsome man with sharp brows and starry eyes descended slowly from the upstairs of Guan Fang.

Song Yun’s face lit up, love nearly overflowing from her eyes, “Princely Heir!”

Pan Jiaojiao merely greeted normally, “Cousin.”

So this was Shen Ming.

It was Shen Jingxian’s first time seeing Shen Ming after he grew up, and to be fair, he looked decent, yet he was no match for Wen Ranchen.

But he does undoubtedly have the potential to be a scoundrel; those alluring eyes signify someone unlikely to stay out of trouble.

Shen Ming naturally blocked Song Yun, addressing Shen Jingxian, “Yun’er is not good with words; perhaps my cousin could overlook Yun’er out of respect for me?”

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