The predetermined champion of today's talent competition.
"Cui Yunfeng, how about we make a bet?"
Cui Yunfeng immediately went on the defensive. "Do not even think about any terrible ideas. At the Grand Princess's banquet today, do not even dream of leaving my sight for a single step."
"..." Cui Yunchu glanced sideways at Cui Yunfeng's defensive posture, feeling somewhat speechless.
"Relax, I definitely will not run off. I am just bored. Since you will not let me participate in the talent competition, making a bet just to pass the time should not be a problem, right?"
Cui Yunfeng asked, "What do you want to bet on?"
"All those noble young ladies are guessing which girl will win the first place today. Let us have a bet too, and the stakes will be..." Cui Yunchu's gaze fell upon the dangling hairpin nestled in Cui Yunfeng's hair.
"How about we bet the jewelry set Grandmother gave us?"
Cui Yunfeng smiled. "Why not? Who are you picking?"
"Who is Second Sister picking?"
Cui Yunfeng answered without hesitation, "When it comes to talent, who could possibly compare to our cousin? Naturally, I am betting on Cousin."
Cui Yunchu glanced at Tang Qingwan sitting opposite them, her eyes flickering slightly. "Then... I will bet on Miss Liu from the Minister of War's family."
Cui Yunfeng was slightly taken aback.
"Have you not always been at odds with the Liu family's daughter?"
"Business is business, and personal matters are personal matters. Just because she has a bad character does not mean she lacks talent."
Cui Yunfeng curled her lip, her eyes full of suspicion. "Why do I get the feeling that you are brewing some wicked scheme?"
Cui Yunchu was just about to speak when an announcement came from outside the door: the Grand Princess had arrived.
The Grand Princess was the current Emperor's full sister and was highly regarded by him. She had even been consulted when selecting the current Empress years ago.
Her gaze immediately fell upon Tang Qingwan, her eyes brimming with gentleness. "You may all rise."
"Qingwan, I have not seen you for a while, and you have grown quite a bit thinner. How has the Wife of the Grand Tutor been feeling lately?"
"My mother is doing well. Thank you for your concern, Grand Princess."
Next were the Cui sisters. The Grand Princess briefly asked a few questions about Old Madam Cui's recent condition before allowing the two sisters to take their seats. As for the other noble young ladies, they were not granted such an honor.
Cui Yunchu simply followed Cui Yunfeng's lead and did not utter a single word from beginning to end.
The Grand Princess was of noble birth and habitually arrogant. Naturally, she looked down on Cui Yunchu, but out of respect for the Cui family name, she turned a blind eye and gave them enough face.
After the pleasantries were over, it was time for the talent competition. The Grand Princess briefly explained the rules and then had the senior maid beside her bring out today's prize.
To everyone's surprise, it was the phoenix hairpin worn by the Empress during her coronation ceremony.
In an instant, all the girls' eyes turned red with desire, eager to try their luck. Had they not been bound by strict etiquette, they surely would have erupted into cheers.
The Empress's phoenix hairpin—what an immense honor it would be to obtain it! If a girl were to wear it on her wedding day, which family would not hold her in higher esteem?
Especially the young lady of the Zhao family.
Cui Yunchu's gaze swept over the crowd. She curled the corners of her lips and lowered her eyes.
The Grand Princess took the registry booklet and glanced at it. Her gaze fell on Cui Yunchu, seeming somewhat surprised, but the smile on her face grew a bit more genuine.
Tang Qingwan's gaze landed on the phoenix hairpin, her eyes darkening slightly.
As the future Crown Princess, if she let the phoenix hairpin fall into the hands of another noble lady, it would be nothing short of a humiliation for her.
"Her Majesty the Empress is so generous that even I am tempted to give it a try."
The Grand Princess's expression froze for a fraction of a second before she smiled. "Qingwan, you have been taught by the Grand Tutor. Which girl could possibly match your talents? You should not join in on the fun; leave a way out for the other girls."
The young ladies in the hall thoroughly agreed with the Grand Princess's words. After all, Tang Qingwan was already the designated Crown Princess. Whether she had the phoenix hairpin or not made no difference to her, but for the rest of them, it was a rare opportunity to secure a prestigious marriage.
Tang Qingwan tightened her grip on her handkerchief, though her face revealed absolutely nothing. She replied with a radiant smile, "I will listen to whatever the Grand Princess says."
Cui Yunchu, a smile playing on her lips, leaned in and whispered to Cui Yunfeng, "For the sake of our sisterly bond, I will not make you take off your hairpin in public. But once we return to the manor, do not try to back out of our bet."
Cui Yunfeng's astonishment had yet to fade. Hearing Cui Yunchu's words, she grew even angrier. "Cousin did not even participate! How can this count?"
"I did not look at the registry booklet either, but Miss Liu participated."
"..."
"It is completely fair and square. If you lost, it just means you had bad luck."
Cui Yunfeng was choking with anger. "Fine, I will give it to you! It is all yours! I will give it to you as soon as we get back."
Cui Yunchu teased, "Accepting defeat gracefully is the mark of a true gentlewoman. Why are you still so upset?"
"...Which eye of yours sees me being upset?"
"Then why did you repeat 'I will give it to you' so many times? Does that not mean you are reluctant and unwilling?"
"..." Cui Yunfeng felt as if her chest was about to explode from anger. She simply turned her head away and pretended to be deaf.
The young ladies participating in the talent competition followed the Grand Princess's senior maid to the back garden. The Grand Princess's gaze paused for a moment on Miss Liu at the very back of the group before she stood up with a smile. "Qingwan, Cui girls, would you like to accompany me to watch?"
Tang Qingwan naturally wanted to go. She stood up and smiled, "Such an interesting event, I naturally want to join in on the fun."
Cui Yunfeng curtsied. "My elder sister is feeling unwell, so we will not be going."
Cui Yunchu cast a sidelong glance and unhappily tugged at the hem of Cui Yunfeng's skirt. Cui Yunfeng brushed her hand away without leaving a trace and pulled her skirt up a bit.
"Since Eldest Miss Cui is unwell, do you need me to summon the manor's physician to take a look?" the Grand Princess asked politely.
"There is no need. Perhaps she just had a few too many pastries earlier and is experiencing some indigestion," Cui Yunfeng explained.
Cui Yunchu was ignored by the two of them as if she were deaf and mute. They were talking about her, but from beginning to end, she could not get a single word in.
The Grand Princess affectionately took Tang Qingwan's hand and left.
Cui Yunfeng and Tang Qingwan exchanged a glance and gave slight nods, as if passing some secret code.
"Why did you not just say that you were sick?" Cui Yunchu grumbled, thoroughly displeased.
"I told you, today you should not even dream of leaving my sight for a single step. I will not give you another chance to seduce His Highness the Crown Prince."
