At first, the isolation of Song Yan in the Enlightenment Hall was limited to not speaking to her and treating her as if she were invisible, without doing anything excessive.
But after a few days, this isolation changed in nature. People began to disrupt Song Yan while she was writing or deliberately disturb her while she was reading.
As for today, it seemed even more severe. A younger girl attempted to pour ink over Song Yan's head. But who is Song Yan? As the grand heroine of a refreshing story, would she let herself suffer a loss? Certainly not.
So now, the one who attempted to bully instead sat on the ground crying, with ink all over her.
Shen Jingxian sighed. What a situation. She only wanted an ordinary and peaceful life.
Just as she sighed, Shen Jingxian noticed Song Yan glance in her direction.
But when she looked up, Song Yan had already turned away.
There was no need to guess; this was blamed on her again.
For some unknown reason, Shen Jingxian had an inexplicable intuition about this matter. She felt she would definitely be criticized.
The little girl's loud crying quickly attracted the teacher over.
Duan Shaoguang rushed out, seemingly as if he had run there.
These past few days, the teacher of the neighboring National Academy was unwell, so Duan Shaoguang was asked to look after it to prevent the students from neglecting their studies.
Duan Shaoguang thought the students of the Enlightenment Class he was currently in charge of were rather obedient, so he agreed. He didn't expect such a thing to happen after just being away for a short while today.
"What is going on here?" Duan Shaoguang asked with a stern face.
Although the situation seemed like Song Yan was bullying someone, in Duan Shaoguang's impression, Song Yan would never do such a thing.
There must be some misunderstanding involved.
As expected, after he inquired, Song Yan calmly spoke up, "She wanted to pour ink on me, but I dodged, and she lost her balance and ended up pouring it over herself and crying."
As Song Yan spoke, she cast a disdainful glance at the young girl. Shen Jingxian felt as if it was herself sitting on the ground crying with such strong immersion.
"I didn't! Song Yan, you are lying! You clearly bullied me and purposely poured ink over my head. Isn't that right, everyone?!!"
The ink-covered girl was certain that few people had seen what she had just done, so she called out to her friends to speak for her.
As long as enough people admit to a falsehood, it can become the truth.
This was something her mother often did and was what she excelled at.
The few people she addressed immediately understood and agreed, "Yes, it was clearly Song Yan bullying and deliberately putting ink on Jiaojiao."
Ah, Jiaojiao? Pan Jiaojiao!
Isn't this the cannon fodder antagonist! The only daughter of Prince Jing, Shen Jingxian's closest friend, the two of them got along well due to their mutual dislike for Song Yan, conspiring for great things, and then were completely defeated by Song Yan.
"Song Yan just likes to bully people. She bullied the Princess! Now she's bullying the Commandery Princess!" At this time, Pan Jiaojiao's second lackey also came out to testify for her.
However, Shen Jingxian was somewhat puzzled. Testify if you must, why bring this Princess into it?
And the second lackey reminded Pan Jiaojiao that she also had another ally—Shen Jingxian, who also didn't get along with Song Yan.
Pan Jiaojiao turned her ink-smudged face towards Shen Jingxian, her expression unreadable, but her tone quite pitiful, "Princess Yi Fen, you saw Song Yan bullying me just now, right? She's really awful, bullying the Princess, bullying me, sob sob sob sob sob."
The crying was indeed pitiful.
If Shen Jingxian hadn't just seen the truth, she might have believed her.
Honestly speaking, are all children in this dynasty this frightening…
Shen Jingxian looked towards Duan Shaoguang, who noticed her gaze and gave her a familiar yet effortful smile.
Unexpectedly, Shen Jingxian chose to tell the truth. As an adult, she disdained using dirty means to suppress a child, "Song Yan did not bully her; she spilled the ink herself."
After saying this, Shen Jingxian suddenly remembered that Song Yan is not some child! She's the same kid on the outside, but with an old soul!
What a careless mistake.
Shen Jingxian's words also widened Pan Jiaojiao's eyes in surprise.
She couldn't understand why the Princess, who also disliked Song Yan, didn't help her.
If so, why would she listen to her mother and work for the Princess?
Pan Jiaojiao, frustrated and angry, seeing the matter exposed, did not explain further and directly told Shen Jingxian, "Princess, didn't I bully Song Yan because you asked me to? Now that you won't help me, I won't help you either!"
After speaking, Pan Jiaojiao stormed off, leaving behind a bewildered Shen Jingxian and a cold-faced Song Yan.
Shen Jingxian could already guess what Song Yan was thinking at this moment.
Indeed, Shen Jingxian had no good intentions! She's trying to harm her while pretending to be a good person. How ludicrous it is that she's now bitten by the dog she raised!
Even Duan Shaoguang's gaze on Shen Jingxian changed, although not obvious, Shen Jingxian could sense it.
She suddenly felt powerless. Is this the power of the plot?
No matter what, the heroine and she would become enemies, and she would inevitably be isolated in the academy.
Set a small goal; she would try one more time. If it still doesn't work this time, she would just let it be.
Everyone dies eventually, and rather than being tormented and struggling against fate, one might as well lie down and be a carefree, contented, vase-like Princess.
Except for living shorter, there's no other flaw in it.
After preparing herself mentally, the pressure on Shen Jingxian lightened considerably.
She changed from her previously sweet and adorable image to a very serious one. Although her face remained chubby, she now exuded the air of an Empress reprimanding someone.
This was something Shen Jingxian herself wasn't aware of; she was just trying to show she was serious.
"Father said Yi Fen carries the nation's destiny and holds the grace of nobility. He hopes I become the most beautiful and noble Princess of the Yunyi Country, but my mother said I need not be so burdened. I just need to be myself; as long as I have a clear conscience, I can set a good example for the people of the world."
"Mother also said that making mistakes isn't frightening, and being rejected isn't frightening. As long as I treat others sincerely, they will return the sincerity to me. I'm a Princess, and my identity will make many fear me, but I can't blame others. I have to learn to empathize."
"I can't fully understand my mother's meaning yet, but I've memorized it and pondered it daily, gradually understanding some of it."
"Some people who seem to be good to me aren't really good; they just want to use my status to please my father and mother. Similarly, you bully Song Yan because of your parents' instructions, hoping to please me, even if I never intended this, but there would be innocent people suffering because of me."
As she spoke, Shen Jingxian became emotional, her voice choked, and her tears were indeed abundant for a child's body, "Song Yan, whether you believe it or not, I've never instructed anyone to bully you. I'm a Princess; my mother told me I must preserve my dignity. If I truly wished to do something to you, I'd do it myself."
Song Yan's eyes flickered, as if lost in thought.
These words shocked everyone present, including Duan Shaoguang.
Shen Jingxian was very pleased with the situation; her heart almost overflowed with joy. She controlled her tears, letting them roll in her eyes without falling. Her misty eyes made her appear pitifully endearing, "I know you all dislike me because my identity prevents you from being genuine with me. From tomorrow, I won't come again, so you can relax a bit, right?"
Shen Jingxian showed a heartfelt smile of joy. Her youthful face had already begun to reveal unparalleled grace, and the perfectly timed tears that fell from her curved eyes landed in everyone's hearts.
In others' eyes, Shen Jingxian was feigning strength, clearly very sad but stubbornly maintaining a smile.
But only Shen Jingxian knew how happy she truly was.
Finally!!! No more school! No more seeing the heroine!! Just staying away from the heroine, she thought she could still survive!!!
Duan Shaoguang said some words later, essentially advising Shen Jingxian not to overthink as no one meant it that way.
Wu You also sought Shen Jingxian privately, pleading with her not to leave, since Shen Jingxian had only just started bringing him snacks for four days.
But Shen Jingxian was filled with the joy of living life freely, turning a deaf ear to everything else.
This cheerful mood persisted until the Empress appeared.
For no other reason, just to brew some emotions.
She wanted to portray the image of a depressive girl, utterly disheartened and unwilling to attend school.
Yet, Shen Jingxian's dream was shattered again.
She had just returned to the palace and mentioned to the Empress that perhaps she wasn't suitable for the Enlightenment Hall. Before she could repeat it to the Emperor, the maid brought in news that Duan Shaoguang sought an audience.
The reason for the audience: Princess Yi Fen might be an early genius; her education cannot be delayed!
Shen Jingxian: ?
Emperor: Grant him an audience immediately!