Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

When someone went on stage to perform the guqin, Shen Chuning asked Princess Nan Yan, "Why don't you go up? You play much better than her."

"Can't you see? This is about choosing a princess for the crown prince. I don't want to be a princess." Princess Nan Yan said in a low voice.

"But my grandmother said that when the late queen was still alive, she chose you and An Zhiyao as study companions for the eldest princess. In fact, she was selecting the candidates for the crown princess in advance."

Princess Nanyan laughed and said, "The late Queen did have this intention, but she's been gone for so many years, who would take this seriously? The Crown Prince's marriage still depends on the Emperor and the Queen Mother."

Shen Chuning curled her lips. "I think An Zhiyao takes this matter quite seriously. When asked to show off her talent, she was the first one to rush forward, as if she was afraid that others wouldn't understand her intentions."

"You, how long are you two going to keep quarreling?"

"I'm not at odds with her. She's the one who's trying to make me unhappy."

"Then think about it the other way around. Is it possible that she regards you as her imaginary enemy?"

Shen Chuning was shocked and pointed at herself. "Me? Imaginary enemy? So she thinks I want to compete with her for the position of Crown Princess? But I'm not even twelve years old yet. How dare she think that."

"Age is not a problem. The Emperor's newly appointed Concubine Ning is only eighteen. And when we first entered the palace, Zhiyao always disliked me, but because of my status, she didn't cause any trouble. Later, I made it clear to her that I had no interest in the position of Crown Princess, and our relationship gradually improved."

"When your family sent you to the palace, they must have had this in mind. If you make a decision on your own, will your family agree?" Shen Chuning asked with concern.

"The late Queen ordered me to enter the palace. My father disagreed at first, and my mother also told me to postpone it due to illness. I was really bored at home, so I came to the palace to have fun. So, as long as I don't go too far in doing anything, there will be no resistance at home."

"I envy you so much." Shen Chuning said slowly.

Princess Nan Yan comforted Shen Chuning, "How could you be so bad in the Shen family? In the past, you were the only girl in your generation, and you were spoiled by eight brothers. Now, even though there is Shen Jingwan, she is still a concubine's daughter. Just now at the palace gate, I saw your brothers avoiding her."

Shen Chuning sighed and said, "My brothers are all very kind to me, but there are some things at home that I can't tell anyone."

Princess Nanyan glanced at Old Madam Shen and Shen Jingwan, seeing that they were chatting and laughing harmoniously. "Is it because of your grandmother?"

"Yes and no." Shen Chuning said helplessly, "My brothers are really good. My third and fourth brothers are of marriageable age. Since you don't consider the crown prince, would you like to consider my third and fourth brothers?"

Princess Nan Yan shook her head and said, "I don't want to get married so soon."

"What about the fifth brother? He's about the same age as you, so he'll have to wait a few more years before getting married. No, no, I'm afraid of him when he gets cold. Let's go with the sixth brother. He has a good personality."

Princess Nan Yan still shook her head, "I haven't thought about that yet."

"You don't really like my master, do you?" Shen Chuning asked in surprise.

Princess Nan Yan quickly covered Shen Chuning's mouth with her hands, and glanced at Princess Ruyang. Seeing that Princess Ruyang didn't notice the movement here, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't talk nonsense. I like Mr. Bai Yu, but I don't like him in the way that I want to marry him. I just envy his freedom and yearn to live that kind of life."

Shen Chuning stared at Princess Nan Yan, as if trying to discern whether she was telling the truth or not. Seeing that her expression was calm and not fake, she spoke, "I'm relieved that you don't mean that. Master told me before that he already has someone he loves, but I never dared to tell you."

Princess Nan Yan's expression was calm, but the shaking water in the teacup betrayed her inner feelings.

Princess Nan Yan pretended to be calm as she placed the teacup on the table and picked up a handkerchief to wipe the tea that had dripped onto her skirt.

Seeing her like this, Shen Chuning sighed inwardly. Princess Nan Yan was not as indifferent as she said.

Shen Chuning wanted to say something to lighten the mood when she heard the Queen Mother ask from above, "Where's Nan Yan? Why isn't she here? I heard Nan Yan play the piano several years ago and I still can't forget it."

Shen Chuning touched Princess Nan Yan who was in a daze.

Princess Nan Yan came to her senses and asked Shen Chuning what was wrong.

Shen Chuning whispered to her that the Queen Mother asked her to perform on stage.

Princess Nanyan quickly stood up and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Her Majesty the Queen Mother. However, I didn't bring my zither with me when I went out today, and I'm afraid I'll disappoint Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

At this time, Huang Lingyun, who had just played the guqin, stood up and said, "If Princess Nanyan doesn't mind, you can use my guqin."

Huang Lingyun is the eighteen-year-old granddaughter of the current Prime Minister Huang.

Seeing Huang Lingyun said this, Princess Nan Yan had no choice but to go on stage.

But this piece of music was played in a fragmented manner, without any tune or rhythm. After finishing, she blushed and bowed to the Queen Mother, "Nan Yan, thank you for your humble performance."

After saying that, he thanked Huang Lingyun and hurried off the stage.

Shen Chuning subconsciously looked at Princess Ruyang, and was relieved when she saw that there was only deep worry on his face, without any disgust or blame.

It seems that Princess Ruyang really loves her children.

After Princess Nan Yan finished playing the song, the entire Imperial Garden fell into silence. Even the usually talkative Concubine Hui didn't know how to praise her.

Concubine Hui could only bite the bullet and say, "Princess Nanyan must have suddenly changed her zither and wasn't used to it, so she didn't perform well."

The Empress Dowager nodded and glanced at Princess Nan Yan. "Are there any other girls who would like to perform?"

The Queen Mother glanced around and saw that all the young girls had their heads lowered.

No one dared to take the initiative at this time. After all, Princess Nan Yan had just made a bad name for herself. If someone rashly came out and said she wanted to perform,

If he doesn't act well, he will become a laughing stock. If he acts well, even if he uses Princess An Yan as a stepping stone to highlight himself, he will seriously offend the Ruyang Palace.

So no one is willing to do this thankless task.

At this moment, a voice suddenly came, "Empress Dowager, may I sing a song for everyone?"