Lu Zhaoling's gaze swept across the faces of Princess Changning and Shen Xiangjun. Both girls possessed extremely noble Fates, yet... their lives were destined for waves and hidden variables.
A person's destiny could change at any time based on different choices. Some people had mediocre fates with very few variables; naturally, one could see their path clearly to the very end. Others had fates that rose and fell with many variables, making it impossible to predict their life or death at a glance.
However, Lu Zhaoling rarely concerned herself with the variables in other people's lives. She usually only looked to see if a person would have a positive relationship with her. To put it in plain terms: could they get along?
Take the people of the Lu family, for example. She wasn't even willing to pretend to call them "father," "mother," or "sisters" because she could see that it was impossible to ever have a good relationship with them. So why waste the effort putting on a show?
"Why is everyone gathered here? Has something happened?" Princess Changning asked with confusion as soon as she arrived.
Everyone was clustered together, so something must have occurred; otherwise, they would have been split into their own small social circles.
"Princess, there was quite a commotion just now," a long-faced woman said, her tone far from gentle. "A new face arrived today, and she is somewhat lacking in manners."
Princess Changning hadn't noticed Lu Zhaoling at first. She looked at Lu Zhaoyun first, as Lu Zhaoyun had sent her a message the day before yesterday saying she was bringing another younger sister along.
Princess Changning was well-acquainted with her and naturally knew about the Lu family bringing back a Second Miss. Lu Zhaoyun had coordinated with her beforehand and even mentioned Shen Xiangjun. The Princess understood her plan—wasn't it just to bring Lu Zhaoling here for them to inspect and let Shen Xiangjun vent her frustrations?
She had naturally agreed. She appreciated Lu Zhaoyun's sensible behavior.
Princess Changning and Shen Xiangjun had arrived late on purpose. They wanted Lu Zhaoyun to bring Lu Zhaoling in first to endure the mockery of the other noble daughters. Once Lu Zhaoling had been battered by these high-born ladies,
she would surely be timid and terrified. At her most vulnerable moment, the Princess and Shen Xiangjun would appear to deal the final blow. There was a certain pleasure in kicking someone when they were down.
Perhaps then, Lu Zhaoling would break down, feel unworthy of Prince Jin, and take the initiative to ask to break the engagement. To this end, Princess Changning had even sent a message to He Lianxin, hinting that she should "bully" Lu Zhaoling a bit.
But no one expected that He Lianxin would clash with Lu Zhaoling the moment she stepped through the door. Moreover, she had been fainted by anger.
The crowd parted slightly, and only then did Princess Changning see Lu Zhaoling standing in the back. With just one look, she knew she could never like this person.
No one had told her that Lu Zhaoling was actually this beautiful!
Furthermore, she stood there with a straight back; despite her unparalleled beauty, she carried an air of heroism and brightness. The way Lu Zhaoling looked at her lacked the fawning flattery others showed. Her demeanor showed no awkwardness or fear.
It was as if... they were equals.
Princess Changning detested that attitude! Shouldn't a girl raised in the countryside for ten years be cowering, not even daring to meet her gaze?
"A new face? Who might that be?" Princess Changning walked a few steps, her eyes already fixed on Lu Zhaoling's face, yet she asked with feigned nonchalance.
Lu Zhaoyun hurried forward.
"Princess, this is my second sister, Lu Zhaoling. I originally brought her here to broaden her horizons, but I never expected she would cause trouble the moment she arrived. She nearly ruined your Sutra Copying Gathering today.
I am truly sorry. You may punish her however you wish, Princess. With your personal guidance, Zhaoling will surely learn her lesson and not make mistakes again."
Lu Zhaoling felt like applauding when she heard Lu Zhaoyun's words. This Lu Zhaoyun worked so hard to maintain her persona in public, actually using her brain, only to go home and lie flat, relaxing into her true self. There truly was a difference between the Lu Zhaoyun outside and the one at home.
After Lu Zhaoyun finished, others began to chime in.
"Princess, you have no idea! She actually resorted to physical violence! It was truly terrifying. What kind of noble daughter is so crude and savage?"
"She caused trouble the moment she walked in. She has absolutely no self-awareness as a guest."
"She treats the grand Princess's Manor as if it were the countryside. I don't know what Lord Lu was thinking, bringing back a daughter like this. She's only here to disgrace the family."
"How do you know she isn't relying on Prince Jin's influence?" someone whispered, clearly trying to prevent Shen Xiangjun from recognizing her voice.
After all, mentioning Prince Jin in front of Shen Xiangjun was like rubbing salt in her wounds. Who knew if she would hold a grudge? But this matter had to be brought up. They wanted to sting Shen Xiangjun's heart and then watch them fight.
When those words were spoken, Lu Zhaoling noticed that everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward Shen Xiangjun.
Oho.
She had heard Lu Zhaoyue say before that Prince Jin belonged to Shen Xiangjun?
But she had looked at Prince Jin's face back then; his Red Phoenix Star hadn't moved at all, which suggested that Shen Xiangjun was likely nursing a one-sided love. Unfortunately, after she became engaged to Prince Jin, her ability to read him was somewhat restricted. Since he was now connected to her, the Red Phoenix Star and Marriage Thread had become somewhat blurry.
Regardless, as long as there had been nothing before the engagement, she wouldn't worry about the rest for now.
Princess Changning squeezed Shen Xiangjun's hand, offering comfort. Shen Xiangjun also looked toward Lu Zhaoling.
"I didn't expect Second Miss Lu to be so beautiful." Shen Xiangjun stood tall and slender, possessing the aura of a high-born noble lady. She was indeed exceptional.
She continued, "I heard that Second Miss Lu called out to Prince Jin for help on the street, and the Prince, in his kindness, lent a hand. However, Second Miss Lu was quite clever to be able to seize that opportunity."
Princess Changning gave a cold sneer and immediately followed up.
"Xiangjun, she's just a wild girl from the countryside. If you speak so subtly, how could she possibly understand? Let me be more direct. Second Miss Lu, you certainly have skill. Taking advantage of Prince Jin saving you to immediately climb the ladder and latch onto him tightly! Is that what you learned in the countryside? Is every girl in your village as shameless as you?"
Lu Zhaohua retreated a few more steps. Her second sister was finished. Princess Changning and Miss Shen were both aiming their fire at her. Could she even make it home safely today? She couldn't stand too close, or she'd be caught in the crossfire.
Lu Zhaoyun was laughing hysterically inside, but her face remained a mask of sadness and worry.
"Oh, was my second sister only granted the marriage because of that?"
"Zhaoyun, does your family not know yet? The Empress Dowager will surely look into this. When the time comes and the Imperial Marriage Edict is revoked, your Lu family will be humiliated all the way to Jiangnan. So, you had better advise her to break the engagement voluntarily!" Princess Changning said coldly.
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