Jun Hua met with Fan Lanying before going to their lesson the next day. Fan Lanying seemed really cheerful and happy about her lesson compared to when she needed to learn etiquette.
"You seem to be really happy."
Fan Lanying nodded. "Princess Hui asks me to accompany her to choose her jewelries. I have wanted to go outside for a while, so I'm happy."
Jun Hua smiled. "Then you better choose a good one for her."
"Of course I will."
After chatting for a while, Fan Lanying left to meet with Ming Hui. At first, she felt awkward to stay near the princess but after a while she started to enjoy it very much. Princess Ming Hui was really gentle and kind so Fan Lanying was truly happy to stay here.
"Princess Ming Hui, Fan Lanying has arrived."
Ming Hui put down the book she had been reading and nodded to the servants. Fan Lanying went inside the room and greeted her formally.
"Let's go to the city."
Fan Lanying nodded. "Yes Princess."
Ming Hui asked a carriage for both of them. Fan Lanying was surprised to see the princess allowed her to stay in the same carriage with her but she complied. Talking with the princess in the carriage was more fun than staying alone.
"Do you go outside often, Princess Hui?"
Ming Hui shook her head. "I don't have a good constitution, so I rarely go outside. Staying in the palace has given me so much time for learning."
Fan Lanying nodded. She had seen the princess' ability in poetry, etiquette, and much more. Even she herself had to admit that the girl in front of her was probably the noblest girl she would ever know. If only she knew how Ming Hui acted behind the scenes and the cold words she uttered towards her brother, she would never think this way about her.
"We have arrived."
Nevertheless, Fan Lanying enjoyed her company and she could even talk freely to her. In front of Ming Hui, she didn't feel like standing before an imperial family member.
…
Jun Hua stayed on the class much longer than the other girls. Teacher Xun gave her additional pointers which allowed her to progress so much in a short time.
"Two days later is the birthday party. Tomorrow all of the girls will stay in their room to prepare themselves. You don't have to train again tomorrow."
Jun Hua nodded. She had already learned so much and it was impolite to ask for more. After going through all of this, she would challenge anyone who would say that she didn't know any etiquette at all. Walking outside the hall with a tired body, Jun Hua met with a scene.
Lin Yuan was standing before Lin San as the two of them were tightly holding on a certain box. If Jun Hua's guess was not wrong, the box should be the jewelries Concubine Sie bought for Lin Yuan. Lin San found out about it and she attempted to snatch it. Jun Hua sighed deeply. Lin San already had so much jewelry, why would she try to take things that didn't belong to her?
"First Sister, Second Sister, is there anything wrong?" Jun Hua asked politely.
Lin San wanted to nod, but then she thought about it again. In the first place, it was her fault for trying to get her hands on the jewelries. With reluctance, she decided to let go. If Jun Hua had a bad impression of her, what would happen about her goal in getting close to her brother?
Lin Yuan was relieved to see Lin San letting go of the box from her grasp. But of course she won't try to make Lin San's name worse.
"It's nothing. It is only a misunderstanding," Lin Yuan said.
Jun Hua nodded. "You should take some rests. There is no lesson tomorrow and we need to prepare ourselves for the birthday party."
"We will. Thank you."
Jun Hua left the two of them as they stared like daggers at each other. She didn't want to get involved with their argument if it was unnecessary.
"Lin Yuan, do not think that because your mother gained the hold of Lin family management, you can live freely," Lin San said coldly.
Lin Yuan face fell. She knew that nothing good would happen once she provoked this pair of mother and daughter. But at that time she didn't have any choice anymore. It's either she do it now or never at all. Lin Yuan never regretted her decision and she would stick to it until the very end.
With deep breath Lin Yuan stared at Lin San. "It's not like I don't know but I don't want my life to be ruined by you. Whatever you and your mother planned, why don't you try it to me?"
Lin San had never seen Lin Yuan this brave, but it only made the light in her eyes turn even colder. She smiled without any mirth.
"Do you think my brother will make it easy for your mother? Don't be happy too soon," Lin San said as she walked away.
Lin Yuan remembered Lin Hong. Although Lin Hong was usually quiet and never talked much, she knew that the boy was very smart. Most of the schemes Lin San did were masterminded by him. Lin Yuan was worried about her mother but there was nothing she could do about it for now.
Lin Yuan held the box with trembling hands. She never asked for a lot of things, except only those she needed, why would they never let her go?
Jun Hua did not go far as she was only one room away from them. She heard the conversation clearly and she knew that Lin Yuan would be facing an even bigger challenge from now. After Lin San experienced this flip side, she would not take things lying down. But Jun Hua didn't want to interfere with them as of the moment.
"Miss?" Xia noticed the change in Jun Hua's expression when she arrived.
"Xia, let's go," Jun Hua said and left. Xia had just arrived and found her Miss, thus she didn't understand what was happening. But after hearing her words, she just complied.