Chapter 57: Chapter 53: Take This Blame Off My Head

Song Yun was merely a concubine’s daughter from the Song Mansion; she originally had no right to attend the Princess’s birthday banquet. If she hadn’t seized the chance to play the victim in front of the Prince of the Rong Prince Mansion today, claiming she had never been to such an occasion, she would still be alone at the Rong Prince Mansion, and the splendor of this palace would have nothing to do with her.

The princely heir of the Rong Prince Mansion was very kind to her. After all, during their time together, she had left an excellent impression on him. Whatever she wanted, he would fulfill it.

Moreover, she had saved Prince Rong’s life, so she was the prince’s lifesaver!

Song Yun kept hypnotizing herself, convincing her heart that her status now was no lower than Song Yan’s or the Princess’s.

She had even thought out her future, capturing Shen Ming’s heart and becoming the honorable princess.

She hated her birthright. Why, when all were daughters of their father, did she have to rank lower than Song Yan? Others’ mothers were from noble families, while her mother was just the daughter of a mere merchant.

She was no worse than anyone else, whether it was Song Yan or this seemingly foolish princess. How were they better than her, other than having a better background?

She had seen this White Jade Horse in Shen Ming’s hands many times.

That day, she pleaded with Shen Ming to take her out, and they unexpectedly ran into the Princess, who was also out with her horse.

The Princess didn’t pay them any attention, but Shen Ming was intrigued by the Princess.

After returning to the mansion, he took out a talismanic jade given by the princess to ward off evil and had it crafted into the shape of a white horse as a birthday gift for the Princess.

Song Yun seized the chance and put on a pitiable demeanor in front of Shen Ming, saying things like how the Princess had a misunderstanding about her and surely wouldn’t want to see her, so she might as well not go.

She emphasized, “I am just a concubine’s daughter and have no means to prepare a gift matching the Princess’s status. It would only upset the Princess for no good reason…”

Just like that, Song Yun received the White Jade Horse that Shen Ming had prepared for the Princess. Shen Ming told her to deliver the gift properly in hopes that it would resolve the misunderstanding between the two of them.

But how could Song Yun truly give this gift away?

She knew how much effort Shen Ming had put into this gift, and it was precisely because she knew that she felt jealous.

If she couldn’t have it, then no one else should either.

In Song Yun’s plan, when she handed over the White Jade Horse, she would deliberately let go before the Princess could firmly grasp it, causing it to fall to the ground.

She would then put on a pitiful expression, but she wouldn’t cry; she would smile—a fragile yet brave smile that speaks of resilience despite being hurt.

This was a smile she had practiced countless times in the mirror; she felt very confident.

She wouldn’t speak ill of the Princess, nor blame the Princess, nor justify herself; she would just be sad.

But the more she acted this way, the more others would think it was the Princess intentionally making things difficult for her.

Especially since, before coming to the banquet, she had already told Shen Ming that she and the Princess had a past grievance.

Wouldn’t it make perfect sense for the Princess, because of past grievances, to dislike her and intentionally break the gift she offered?

Consider this: one is a pitiful yet sensible guest of the Rong Prince Mansion who is being bullied, and the other a domineering and arrogant princess. Which one is more likable?

Song Yun even envisioned the princess’s angry expression after being framed by the shattered White Jade Horse.

But so what, Prince Rong would protect her, and Shen Ming would be more sympathetic towards her due to the Princess’s aggressiveness.

No one would care who actually broke this horse; they would only stand on the side of the weaker party.

On this point, Song Yun firmly believed, because this was a tactic she had used more than once.

Yet she never expected that the Princess would lack the poise and grace befitting a princess and actually start sobbing and acting spoiled in front of everyone.

This situation made it seem that the Princess was even more pitiable, which was not favorable for her.

“Wow, Uncle Duan is amazing! It’s just like before!”

“As long as Your Highness is happy.”

“Mm! I will cherish it!”

Seeing Shen Jingxian so delighted with his handcrafted gift, Shen Ming was also pleased, showing a joyful smile.

Seeing this scene, Song Yun became even more determined that she could no longer be led by the nose by the Princess; she had to take the initiative. Otherwise, once everyone recalled what had just happened, she wouldn’t be able to retreat unscathed.

Song Yun walked to Shen Ming’s side and gently called, “Brother Ming…”

Shen Ming seemed not to hear; his attention was wholly on the Little Princess’s renewed smile, pure like the clearest spring water in the mountains, capable of washing away all the filth in one’s heart.

Following Shen Ming’s gaze, Song Yun saw that annoying radiant smile. She grabbed Shen Ming’s hand, her grip somewhat forceful, pulling Shen Ming’s attention painfully to the delicate and helpless girl beside him. Seeing her beautiful face showing a fragile expression, Shen Ming softly asked, “Yunyun, what’s wrong?”

Song Yun feigned a frightened look and cautiously asked, “Just now…the White Jade Horse broke. Will the Princess be angry with Yunyun?”

Song Yun deliberately avoided discussing who broke the White Horse, only hinting to Shen Ming that the Princess might trouble her. Her watery eyes glistened with tears, silently expressing her pitiful and vulnerable state.

As expected, Shen Ming took the bait, and Song Yun perfectly satisfied his desire to protect, immediately saying, “Yunyun, don’t be afraid, it’s not your fault. The Princess will not be angry with you.”

After all, the Little Princess seemed so…obedient, how could she get angry so easily?

Thinking this, Shen Ming’s gaze involuntarily fell on Shen Jingxian again. She had already returned to her seat, happily chatting with the boy sitting next to her.

Seeing Wen Ranchen, Shen Ming couldn’t help but frown.

He was just a blind princely heir from the General Mansion; why should he be so close to the Princess?

Shen Jingxian, hugging the repaired little horse, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, having narrowly escaped disaster.

She was just about to consider how to handle the little green tea when she heard Wen Ranchen by her side leisurely speak, “If Your Highness likes this White Jade Horse so much, better be careful and not let someone break it again.”

This was directly attributing the blame for the earlier broken horse to Song Yun.

But it was also the truth.

Shen Jingxian was confident that she hadn’t fully touched the White Jade Horse before Song Yun let go, then still posed as if it wasn’t intentional? A dog wouldn’t believe it.

So Shen Jingxian smiled sweetly and softly said, “Okay! I’ll listen to Brother Ranchen!”

Their voices weren’t low, and the innocent childlike voice was enough for most at the banquet to hear.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor, somewhat jealous, asked, “Yifen doesn’t listen to her father anymore?”

Shen Jingxian skillfully placated, “Of course I listen to my father and mother, too!”

Seeing herself about to be accused of breaking the Princess’s gift, Song Yun was almost in tears.

In the end, Shen Ming couldn’t stand it and, amidst the cheerful gathering, abruptly said, “Why does Prince Wen attribute unfounded accusations to Yunyun? She just wants to get close to the Princess.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep