A month quickly passed. In this month Ming Shu was 'more diligent' because she had to study three years of subjects that she supposedly didn't have a clue about it. This was all a show by Ming Shu herself since it would be difficult to explain how she knows so much when she didn't even showed interest for these kinds of things before.
Walking through the path that led to Yonghe Palace, Ming Shu was in a sour mood.
This month because of this stupid assignment and for the fact she couldn't reveal all her knowledge at once or else they would consider her a monster, Ming Shu almost didn't see any of her siblings. At maximum, Yunning would sometimes drop by and chat. She wanted to lecture the Princess of how it would be impossible for a child like her learn three years in a month, but she was sure that the answer would be: 'didn't you?' Only thinking about the disregarding look the Princess always had made her more upset.
"Hoo, look who is here"
Of course, the Gods had different plans for her.
"Isn't the stray dog that knows a few tricks which Fourth Sister just rescued?"
An entourage blocked her path.
"It seems it came to entertain our Meimei"
Three Princess that were all older than she stood across her. Each of them had two-three maids plus the guard that followed them at a distance. In comparison, Ming Shu only had a eunuch with her who only had to guide her.
Ming Shu took a deep breath and recited a mantra in her head. Once they finished their taunts, she bowed to them. She wouldn't be rude to them in their home. She knew better than that.
"Ming Shu greets the First Princess, the Second Princess and the Third Princess"
But it didn't mean that she couldn't get back at them. Not only rude and disrespectful remarks can hurt someone.
"It's understandable if the Princesses aren't aware of this fact since it happened in the Banquet, but the Emperor decreed this subject should enter the Palace to study with the Star of our Empire after the Emperor himself recognized this subject's meek talents. "
Although the words were not offensive, they pricked where it hurts. Not only did Ming Shu remind them that she had her talents recognized by the Emperor, but she also mocked them to be unable to attend the Banquet, unlike their Meimei.
"THIS BRAT!"
Third Princess, Zhao Dongyu, became furious with Ming Shu remarks. What she hated the most was the fact that her younger sister was more talented and prettier than her. She would whip any servants that would compliment Zhao Jinghua, even if just a little.
Ming Shu was unfazed by the Third Princess tantrum and maintained the bow position.
"If this subject said anything wrong, she asks for Princesses understanding, as I am young and ignorant. But also, this subject hopes that the Princesses will excuse her, since Princess Jinghua is waiting for her and later in the day this subject still has to go to her Maternal home"
Zhao Dongyu hate for Ming Shu only rose. Wasn't this brat criticizing that they are idle and purposefully bullying the young? Although it was true, they are Princesses, if that's what they want to do, that's what they will do.
As Dongyu prepared to teach the young girl in front of her a lesson, her Jiejie held her back.
"Of course we will. It seems we forgot your age because of your outstanding talent, Miss Ming. You should hurry to Fourth Sister Palace, otherwise, you may incur her wrath"
"First Princess is wise. If Your Highnesses excuse me"
With a wave of Zhao Xu, the entourage opened the way for Ming Shu to pass. After Ming Shu retired, Dongyu turned to Zhao Xu with a confused face.
"First sister, why did we let her go? Wasn't our aim to establish a dominant position?"
Zhao Xu resumed her pace without looking to the sister that had the lowest IQ from the three. Since the beginning, this was a plot devised for her to establish control over Ming Shu. She thought that like normal kids of her age, the situation would frighten Ming Shu and submit to her.
"Didn't you see? That was not an ounce of fear in her. Although she was respectful all the words she said prickled us in the right places. Besides her last phrase is to remind us she has backers inside and outside the Palace. If we dealt with her, Jinghua wouldn't move, but her maternal family, the Li's, wouldn't ally to any of our direct brothers. Can you afford this sin?"
Dongyu shivered thinking the consequences if her brother lost the General Li support because of her.
Although the three united so they could oppose Jinghua, they came from different Mothers and had a brother or two from the same Mother. Besides trying to take Jinghua favour, they have to gather intelligence from each other. They filled their sisterhood with deceit and lies.
"It seems you understood. Let's go, we can try to pull her to our camp later in another form"
The three dispersed and each went to do their obligations.