Chapter 62: Chapter 44: The Emperor’s Great Gift
Song Yunzhao gulped down the porridge in her bowl and slammed it on the table with a THUD.
He Lan Yun jumped. ’What is she doing? Is she trying to pick a fight?’
"Princess Ming’an, what could there possibly be for us to talk about? Or do you think my family doesn’t measure up to yours, so you plan to throw your weight around?" Song Yunzhao preemptively struck with her words, cutting off any path of retreat for He Lan Yun.
’Knowing how much she values her pride, even if she did plan to throw her weight around, she’ll be too embarrassed to do it now that I’ve called her out.’
He Lan Yun frowned. "When have I ever tried to throw my weight around? It’s just the two of us. What’s wrong with me wanting to talk to you?"
Song Yunzhao was a bit stunned. ’She really just wants to talk?’
"Well, you certainly have a unique way of starting a conversation."
"What do you mean by that?" He Lan Yun felt like she was being mocked, but she had no proof.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Song Yunzhao changed the subject, picking up her chopsticks to continue eating.
He Lan Yun gave Song Yunzhao a complicated look. But seeing how heartily she was eating, she thought for a moment and brought her own tray of food over as well.
Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.
’This is completely absurd.’
’But I can’t just flip the table, can I? My food is still here.’
’I’ll just have to put up with it.’
He Lan Yun, oblivious to Song Yunzhao’s annoyance, took a bite of her food. Now that she felt they were on more even footing, she said, "You turned yours in so quickly. Your embroidery can’t be that good."
Song Yunzhao gave He Lan Yun a dark look. ’If you don’t know how to speak properly, you should learn to keep your mouth shut.’
"Who says it’s not good? I think it’s excellent," Song Yunzhao shot back. She genuinely felt pleased with her work.
Seeing Song Yunzhao just puffing herself up, He Lan Yun couldn’t be bothered to call her bluff. She changed the subject again. "Why did you refuse a favor from the Qin Family?"
’Don’t you know not to discuss deep matters with a casual acquaintance?’
Song Yunzhao finally understood why He Lan Yun was always driven into a hopping rage whenever she encountered Qin Xiyue.
Thinking about it, she suddenly felt that He Lan Yun was actually rather pitiful. She retorted with a question of her own, "Do you have a marriage engagement with Young Master Ji?"
He Lan Yun stiffened. "Why are you asking that? Is that any of your business?"
"You realize that, do you?"
He Lan Yun bristled at the snide remark. Realizing she had overstepped, she cleared her throat. "I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just curious."
"I didn’t mean anything by it either. I was also just curious."
’Can we even have a normal conversation?’
He Lan Yun realized Song Yunzhao wasn’t like other girls. After a moment of silence, she looked up at her and said defiantly, "So what if we don’t have an engagement? We’re childhood sweethearts! It’s Qin Xiyue who clearly has wicked designs on my Brother Yunting."
"But whenever you argue, *your* Brother Yunting always takes Miss Qin’s side."
He Lan Yun was absolutely furious. She glared daggers at Song Yunzhao.
That blow struck deep enough to make her spit blood.
Song Yunzhao met her gaze unflinchingly. ’Who’s afraid of whom?’
He Lan Yun grew even angrier, then suddenly sagged with frustration. "I just don’t get it. Where did it all go wrong? We’re the ones who should be closest."
Seeing her like this, Song Yunzhao thought she looked like an abandoned puppy—utterly pathetic.
But the topic was a bit too deep, and she didn’t have a good answer.
He Lan Yun didn’t seem to expect an answer. She just stabbed at the tofu on her plate with her chopsticks, muttering, "What’s so great about Qin Xiyue anyway? All she does is put on an act."
That was something Song Yunzhao definitely couldn’t answer. ’Men always prefer women who seem obedient and docile on the surface.’
"I didn’t have to enter the selection, but I came anyway. I just can’t stomach this."
The corner of Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. She really didn’t know what to say. "But you can’t gamble away your future like this, can you?"
He Lan Yun snorted at Song Yunzhao’s words. "What do you know? Qin Xiyue just thinks I’m inferior to her. Well, I’m going to show her just how capable I am."
’She probably won’t get the chance,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’After all, Qin Xiyue is the female lead. She’s the one destined to win in the end.’
With that in mind, she couldn’t help but feel that He Lan Yun’s luck was just awful. A double whammy both inside and outside the palace—how tragic.
"What kind of look is that? Do you think I’m going to lose?"
"It doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters what *you* think."
He Lan Yun was speechless.
’This is infuriating!’
He Lan Yun slammed down her chopsticks. She was too full of anger to eat.
Song Yunzhao leisurely finished her meal, then stood up and headed out.
He Lan Yun watched her go, then quickly stood and hurried after her. "Wait, you’re just leaving like that?"
Song Yunzhao looked baffled. "If I’m not leaving, what else am I supposed to do?"
"How can you be so rude? I’m still talking to you!"
