Chapter 44: Chapter 40: Q University Dropout Q

After reviewing memorials all day, Shen Jingxian returned to the palace, her mind still filled with the contents of various memorials.

Could I return to celebrate the Princess’s birthday?

I really want to return to celebrate the Princess’s birthday!

I must return to celebrate the Princess’s birthday!! (shouting loudly)

Shen Jingxian couldn’t help but think, what’s so interesting about celebrating a birthday?

In the past, she liked birthdays because she could eat cake, receive gifts, and play with everyone.

But now, even without celebrating a birthday, she could eat delicious food, receive gifts, and play with everyone.

Moreover, after her status changed, the ultimate tug-of-war you come and go at the birthday banquet could be inexplicably annoying.

Once she celebrated this birthday, she would officially be 8 years old… Wait, 8 years old?!!

Shen Jingxian suddenly sat up on the bed.

She felt like she had forgotten something, and now she finally remembered.

The Princess’s 8th birthday banquet would be anything but peaceful.

In her past life, although Song Yan was the legitimate daughter, she was not favored at home and was a transparent person.

The courtyard she lived in was even smaller than that of the concubine-born children, and even the maid and elderly servants in charge of her, under the instructions of Yin Ling, were misled by the Duke and Duchess’s indifference, and conducted psychological manipulation on Song Yan.

Every day they told her, “Miss, you’re so awful, personality bad, failing in your studies. Although you’re the legitimate daughter, you’re so embarrassing to the family. Under these circumstances, it’s only us who are willing to take care of you!”

The young Song Yan actually believed this, and while thinking herself worthless, she considered these tricky servants as confidants.

But in this life, things were different. Song Yan is someone who has died once, and for revenge, every step she takes has been pondered countless times in her mind.

Before coming to celebrate the Princess’s birthday, Song Yan had just repressed the concubine-born sons and daughters and was suppressing her legitimate brothers in the school, making the Song Family, who weren’t much concerned about her, unable to ignore her brilliance.

Precisely because of this, Song Runzhi did not bring his highly anticipated son to celebrate the Princess’s birthday but instead sent Song Yan.

Unquestionably, Song Runzhi was unaware of his daughter’s discord with the Princess.

Song Yan was picked on at the Princess’s birthday party; she remained silent to preserve herself, but it was precisely this unyielding stance that attracted the Prince of Dongwu Country, who also came to celebrate the Princess’s birthday, and he fell in love with her at first sight, helped her out, and even gave her a Jade Pendant!

Thus becoming the second man behind Song Yan’s success.

The more Shen Jingxian thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed; although she had tried to change some things over the years, the plot still insisted on staying on track.

If nothing unusual happens, there would surely be an accident this time.

The role of a villain, after all, what is its significance?

It is to highlight the protagonist.

Every time Song Yan shines, there would be a Shen Jingxian who gets hurt.

Shen Jingxian immediately decided not to have her birthday this year.

Tomorrow, she would go to her father and tell him that she wouldn’t hold a birthday party this year!

Thinking this was a feasible plan, Shen Jingxian slept soundly that evening.

On the next day, she first had breakfast with Wen Ranchen.

Wen Ranchen asked whether she was getting used to reviewing memorials, but Shen Jingxian was impatient about the birthday banquet issue, replied perfunctorily, and then hurriedly left.

Wen Ranchen watched Shen Jingxian’s departing back, lips slightly pursed.

His Highness had never been so impatient with him before; who was it that made Her Highness so eager?

With this thought, Wen Ranchen also went out.

…

Shen Jingxian headed straight to the Imperial Study Room. The Emperor had been waiting for her here after finishing the morning court session.

Shen Jingxian walked over, sat down in the position vacated for her by the Emperor, but did not start reviewing memorials immediately; instead, first acted coquettish with the Emperor, “Father, I don’t want to celebrate my birthday this year!”

The Emperor was anxious upon hearing this, thinking someone might have said something to Shen Jingxian or made her upset, promptly coaxed her, “Good Yi Fen, how could you not celebrate a birthday when they’re so wonderful?”

To be honest, the Emperor always believed his daughter was the best in the world, and he couldn’t help but boast to others about it, even during court sessions.

However, the Empress thought this exposed Yunyi Country’s vulnerability, putting Yi Fen in a dangerous position, and advised the Emperor to restrain himself.

Since then, the Emperor only openly boasted about his daughter during Shen Jingxian’s birthday each year. How could he miss out on that!

A daughter boasting opportunity once a year on her birthday, he couldn’t lose it!!

But Shen Jingxian sighed, “Every year so many people come, this year I just want to spend it with Father and Mother.”

Shen Jingxian thought that saying this would be a sure thing, but hadn’t expected the Emperor to look quite troubled.

After a while, the Emperor smiled again and gently coaxed Shen Jingxian, “Yi Fen, next year let’s spend it with Father and Mother alone, okay? This year, the Prince of Dongwu Country has already set out to come over to attend…”

Shen Jingxian: ? Already set out?

But it makes sense, there is a pretty long distance between Dongwu and Yunyi.

After speaking, the Emperor did not explain further; he knew Yi Fen had been clever since childhood and would surely understand what he meant.

Shen Jingxian indeed understood; with the Prince having already arrived, her birthday was now more than just simple.

Her 8th birthday was unavoidable.

Actually, Shen Jingxian wasn’t too surprised by this outcome; if the plot could be easily changed, she wouldn’t have struggled so long without results.

Of course, she could insist on not holding the birthday party, but that would surely leave a bad impression on Dongwu, making them feel slighted.

Even though Yunyi Country is the most powerful country currently, it still needs diplomacy and trade, among which Dongwu Country’s resources are indispensable.

Her 8th birthday party would happen, and she’d be insulted by Song Yan.

If not, the country might face early downfall.

Given this, she ought to sacrifice for righteousness, because she’s the Princess.

Though saying that, Shen Jingxian was still unwilling to help the Emperor review memorials citing anger as an excuse. (“Let whoever loves reading the nonsense in memorials read them!”)

Instead, she insisted on returning to the school.

Shen Jingxian thought, if the final result can’t be avoided, then she could still slightly alter the process in between.

In the original plot, Shen Jingxian was the spoiled princess isolated by the Imperial College; although many fellows still attended her 8th birthday, it was only due to their family’s coercion. Upon arrival, they only flattered the Princess, without any sincere congratulatory intentions.

After Song Yan embarrassed the Princess, with the Emperor and Empress’s pampering for the Princess, they were immediately about to go against Song Yan, but those attending peers all spoke for Song Yan, which was the main reason she escaped the predicament.

Compared to the widely supported Song Yan, the lawless Princess only loved by the Emperor and Empress, was nothing but a pretty clown.

Yet the situation for Shen Jingxian now isn’t quite the same as in the original text.

Isolated? Indeed, but it is her isolating others, not others isolating her.

Since classmates will attend her birthday, why not directly invite them, isn’t that better?

Receiving favors makes one hesitant to refuse assistance; accepting my invitation in person, could you still ignore me at the banquet?

Could you really, really not?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep