Aunt Qingyun asked Princess Changle whether the assessment should begin immediately.
Feng Qian nodded, her eyes turning to Hai Ling: "Sister-in-law, why don't you also give your opinion and see which young lady can successfully win the prize from the Banana Garden Book Pavilion?"
Although rumors circulated that this third young lady was out of favor, and that she was lazy and inept at everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting, and that she was illiterate, Feng Qian looked at Hai Ling's imposing presence, her insightful and profound eyes, and her graceful demeanor. She believed she hadn't misjudged her; this imperial sister-in-law was probably not as the rumors suggested. That's why she spoke as she did.
However, as soon as she opened her mouth, a buzzing sound arose in the crowd, and many people began to whisper among themselves.
The third young lady of the Jiang family knows nothing and is completely ignorant. If she were truly proficient in everything, why would the Empress have allowed her to enter the Banana Garden Academy to learn court etiquette and such? The princess's words were truly laughable, but no one dared to laugh. After a brief discussion, they fell silent.
However, some people had already made their own plans, and their eyes gleamed with malice.
Hailing had no objection to the princess's words, because she knew the extent to which she was capable.
However, she was very uncomfortable with the princess calling her "sister-in-law" repeatedly. She hadn't even married the crown prince yet! She couldn't correct others when they called her that, but seeing the princess do it made her extremely awkward, and goosebumps rose all over her body.
Thinking of this, Hailing moved closer to Princess Changle and whispered something to her.
“Princess, please stop calling me sister-in-law. It gives me goosebumps. Just call me by my name.”
As soon as Hai Ling finished speaking, Feng Qian blinked, then a smile spread across her lips, and she laughed with great pleasure.
Everyone in the hall was stunned, wondering what Jiang Hailing had said that made the princess so happy. The princess was always very proper and never smiled. What could be making her so happy?
Feng Qian was genuinely happy. She hadn't expected her sister-in-law to be such an interesting person. If this had happened to any other woman, she would have been grinning from ear to ear. But Feng Qian had goosebumps all over. The more Feng Qian thought about it, the funnier it became. She glanced at Hai Ling, who looked completely bewildered, her mouth agape. She didn't seem to understand what she had done to make people happy. Looking at Hai Ling like this, Feng Qian became even happier. She had a strong urge to pinch her cheek. How could this little sister-in-law be so adorable?
Hailing truly didn't know why the princess was so happy. Seeing her beaming face, she couldn't help but lean closer again and whisper to her.
"Princess, I wasn't joking."
Feng Qian was even more delighted. She leaned closer and whispered, "I'll call you Hai Ling, and you can call me Feng Qian, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Hai Ling immediately nodded happily, "Okay, Princess."
She looked up and saw the princess glaring at her, so she quickly changed her tune and flattered her: "Feng Qian, your name is so beautiful."
"Yeah?"
Feng Qian had never thought her name sounded nice, but after her sister-in-law said so, she actually thought it sounded quite nice.
The two spoke in hushed tones, their voices unusually intimate, as if they were sisters...
Chapter 39 Disliked by the Crown Prince
The fact that Feng Qian and Hai Ling are so close has made many people envious, especially the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Feixue, and the second daughter, Jiang Feiyu. They were so frustrated that they couldn't understand why Feng Qian would like the chubby Jiang Hai Ling. They used to try to curry favor with her, but they never got any affection from her.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely strange. Aunt Qingyun had already instructed the headmaster to begin the assessment.
Someone went up to the platform, ready to explain the rules of the assessment.
Before she could speak, a palace maid rushed into the hall, shouting excitedly.
"Aunt Qingyun, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived with his entourage."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The women in the hall were all excited. They never expected that His Highness the Crown Prince would personally visit the Banana Garden Study. This was something that had never happened before.
Although it is an indisputable fact that Jiang Hailing has become the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince is the future heir apparent. The Emperor is seriously ill, and the Crown Prince will soon ascend the throne. At that time, he will be the Emperor. There are many beauties in the harem. If the Crown Prince takes a liking to them and brings them into his residence, they will enter the palace. Even if they cannot be made into a concubine, they may still become a concubine. From then on, they will be of high status and wealth.
Thinking about it this way, many people's hearts fluttered, their cheeks flushed, and they covered their faces with their sleeves, creating a beautiful picture of a group of beauties that I find hard to bear.
Hailin and Princess Changle, who were at the very back, also stood up.
Hai Ling remained calm, completely bewildered by the sudden change in the women's demeanor. Gone was their previous jealousy; now, each woman wore a blush of shy excitement, some even clutching their chests as if about to faint. Hai Ling rolled her eyes, thinking, "Is it really that exaggerated?"
Even if the crown prince is still an outstanding person, they shouldn't all be like this.
Princess Chang Le, standing beside Hai Ling, kept her eyes on Hai Ling without looking at anyone else. Seeing that Hai Ling's expression was normal and she didn't seem to be acting coy or pretentious at all, but instead was full of composure, Princess Chang Le liked her even more. She reached out and took Hai Ling's hand, leading her past the crowd and straight ahead.
At this moment, Crown Prince Feng Zixiao led several people in.
Inside the hall, everyone knelt down.
Only Princess Chang Le, Feng Qian, and Hai Ling did not kneel down like the others, but walked straight to the Crown Prince.
In fact, Hai Ling would have preferred to hide behind the crowd, but Feng Qian held her tightly, making it impossible for her to break free. Helpless, Hai Ling had no choice but to slowly bow to Feng Qian.
"Greetings, Your Majesty (Crown Prince)."
Inside the hall, there was not a sound. Hailing lowered her head and saw a pair of black court boots embroidered with two dragons playing with a pearl. Above that was a bright yellow brocade robe, but she could not see anything beyond that.
However, she felt several gazes fall on her, and Hai Ling couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. Besides His Highness the Crown Prince, who else had come with her?
At that moment, a deep voice rang out: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty (Crown Prince)."
Princess Chang Le, Feng Qian, and Hai Ling expressed their gratitude together, then stood aside. Excited voices rang out in the hall: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Many women had secretly observed His Highness the Crown Prince before. He was indeed an outstanding person, with a graceful and imposing presence that made it impossible to look away. He was of exceptional character and appearance, and his noble and domineering aura was unparalleled. Just by standing there, he became the focus of everyone's attention. They would be willing to marry such a prince, even as concubines.
Besides His Highness the Crown Prince, there were also the Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng, the Imperial Censor Wei Lin, and the Seventh Prince Feng Zihe. These three men also attracted the attention of many women, especially the Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng. Although he had an ordinary appearance, his eyes seemed to have a magical power, emitting a faint blue glow that made people want to be immersed in them and never wake up. In particular, his languid expression added charm to his ordinary face. Although his appearance was not as outstanding as His Highness the Crown Prince's, his aloof and arrogant demeanor was no less than that of the Crown Prince.
Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng is resourceful and deeply trusted by the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will be second only to the Emperor. If he were to marry into the Prime Minister's mansion and become the Prime Minister's wife, he would be a person of great honor and wealth.
In an instant, everyone in the hall started making plans, secretly determined to perform well in the upcoming assessment. If they could catch the eye of the Crown Prince and the Left Prime Minister, they would instantly become people of high status.
Even if the Crown Prince and the Left Prime Minister don't agree, isn't there still the Seventh Prince, Feng Zihe? Although the Seventh Prince is a bit young, he is of marriageable age. Moreover, there is also the Imperial Censor Wei Lin who is on patrol in the capital. So, the people who came today are all very important figures. If they marry any of them, they will enjoy endless wealth and honor from then on.