USWHC -Chapter 517 The Talent of a Top Scholar (Part 7)

“Unhappy!” Hua Feixue shouted loudly. “You are princesses, of course I wouldn’t dare to compete with you. You seek love—but what do I want? I want to live! To live like a human being! I won’t be trampled and mocked in this palace anymore! I won’t be laughed at and toyed with under people’s feet! I want to be stronger than them—I already am stronger than them, aren’t I?”

“Stronger than them? How are you stronger?” Zhu Jie snapped. “You’re young? They were young once too. Family background—have you ever looked into it? Which one of them comes from a small, insignificant household? Which of them doesn’t belong to a big family that ordinary people can’t afford to offend? And don’t tell me your little bit of literary learning counts for anything. Let me be blunt: in the capital, girls begin their education at five at the earliest, and they’re skilled in everything—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery—everything.”

“Even the princesses in this palace each have ten or so tutors—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, skills, embroidery—they learn it all,” Zhu Jie continued, throwing cold water on her ambitions. “Stop comparing things from Xiangshui Village to life in this palace. Here, beauty might earn you temporary favor, but without real skills, without a sharp mind, you might not even survive.”

Hua Feixue was momentarily stunned by her words. She had always thought highly of herself, always believed she was extraordinary—but why? Why had no one ever appreciated her, loved her, no matter where she went?

Zhu Jie spoke softly, trying to comfort her. “Don’t think so much. Once I’m married, I’ll find a way to take you away from this harem. Once we’re out, I’ll find a good family for you to marry into—end of story.”

“No,” Hua Feixue said firmly. “Since I’ve entered this palace, I want to become the most dazzling one here!” She refused outright, surprising Zhu Jie.

Seeing that she remained unrepentant even now, Zhu Jie sighed. “You… just wait for death, then.”

At that moment, there was a faint knock at the door. “Princess, the banquet ahead has ended. The Emperor has sent for Hua Cairen!”

Hua Feixue leaped up, excited. She hastily wiped her tears, straightened her clothes, and adjusted her outfit so that the pale whiteness of her skin became even more visible. Just from the way she was dressed, it was clear what she intended!

But before she could step out, Zhu Jie waved her hand, and with a loud bang, the door was slammed shut, trapping Hua Feixue inside!

Hua Feixue froze for a moment, then dashed to the door. “Open the door! Let me out! The Emperor wants to see me! Open the door!”

Outside came Zhu Jie’s cold command, “Guard the door. No matter who comes, don’t let her out!”

“Are you crazy? Why are you doing this to me?” Hua Feixue shouted sharply, disbelief written all over her face. This was her best chance! The Emperor had finally remembered her, and Zhu Jie was stopping her from meeting him—she was sabotaging her!

“Princess, why are you trying to save her?” Hua Feixue cried out as if confronting a mortal enemy, while Wan Yue frowned in anger.

Zhu Jie could only let out a long sigh. “She’s still young. There are many things she doesn’t understand.”

Wan Yue silently broke into a sweat. Really? You’re not that old yourself! At her level, she hasn’t even learned to tell right from wrong. In this palace, it’s only a matter of time before someone devours her!

Slap! As Zhu Jie stepped into the room, a flash of light passed by—a small celadon cup with flames flew at her. Fortunately, she dodged skillfully; otherwise, it could have ruined her face.

Such a “warm” welcome didn’t make Zhu Jie retreat. She merely smiled softly and walked inside. “Who has angered Father so much this time?”

The people inside were momentarily stunned. They finally recognized Zhu Jie, walking in gracefully, picking up the broken celadon shards with delicate hands.

A small eunuch immediately approached, cautiously offering his hand. “Princess, allow me to handle it!”

“No need, Wei Gonggong,” Zhu Jie replied politely, tossing the fragments into the palm of his hand.