The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Princess Yongning looked at Yu Qi. She knew Yu Qi, and since Yu Qi proposed a musical contest, she did not refuse.

Upon hearing that she was to play the piano, Liang Ruoyan stood up; in terms of piano skills, she was no slouch either.

Seeing that Liang Ruoyan was about to play the piano in front of Li Jun, Liang Ruoxue also got up.

Upon seeing Liang Ruoxue, Liang Ruoyan walked over and whispered, "Little sister, now is not the time to be stubborn. If you don't play well, it will be too embarrassing."

Liang Ruoxue glared at her: "Mind your own business, and I'm not what you say I am. Just you wait and see."

Seeing Liang Ruoxue's certainty, Liang Ruoyan became unsure.

But she quickly stopped thinking about it; she couldn't focus on Liang Ruoxue, she still had to go and play the piano in front of Li Jun.

Liang Ruoyan didn't want to miss this rare opportunity. She watched Liang Ruoxue's retreating figure as she went down to prepare, her eyes thoughtful.

Shen Hanyu noticed the confrontation between the two women but didn't rush to make a move. Instead, she asked Miaocui to go and check on them first.

Miao Cui went out discreetly, without being noticed.

Yu Qi sat to one side, not in a hurry to play the zither, as there were still a few people in front of him.

Looking at these students, Princess Yongning's gaze fell on Liang Ruoyan, clearly recalling the incident of the Phoenix Seeking Its Mate.

Li Jun, however, had no expression, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Princess Yongning leaned back. If Liang Ruoyan dared to play the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix again today, she would not be polite.

Liang Ruoyan took out the guqin and plucked the strings to tune it.

Of course, she wouldn't dare play the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix in front of Princess Yongning, so today she would play what she was best at properly.

Everyone was ready, except for Liang Ruoxue.

Shen Hanyu got up to leave, just as she ran into Miaocui returning.

Miao Cui whispered, "The guqin that was prepared for the second young lady suddenly broke. I saw the maidservant next to the eldest young lady go out."

Shen Hanyu said she understood and took Miaocui to find Liang Ruoxue.

Liang Ruoxue was furious.

"It must have been Liang Ruoyan who did it! She just can't stand to see me doing well!"

When Shen Hanyu arrived, she saw Liang Ruoxue raise the guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) and about to smash it on the ground.

"This is Fuyou Academy's territory. Are you trying to make a scene because you're afraid the higher-ups won't know?"

Liang Ruoxue stopped what she was doing.

"But what can we do now? Look at these strings, they've all been snapped."

The strings in Liang Ruoxue's hands snapped and broke in two.

Shen Hanyu whispered a few words to her, and Liang Ruoxue's eyes revealed joy, but she still asked, "Will you really come?"

"Will do."

Shen Hanyu told Liang Ruoxue what to do and then left.

Not long after Shen Hanyu returned, Li Jun's servant whispered something in his ear, and Li Jun got up and left.

Princess Yongning, seeing that Liang Ruoyan was still there, did not ask any further questions and let Li Jun leave.

Inside the room, Liang Ruoxue's eyes were red from crying. The moment she saw Li Jun appear, Liang Ruoxue clutched the broken string of her zither.

"Your Highness, I had no other choice but to come to you. The guqin you gave me was broken as soon as I got it."

Li Jun looked at the strings; it was obvious that someone had done this on purpose, not wanting Liang Ruoxue to play the zither.

Seeing Liang Ruoxue crying so sadly, Li Jun sighed softly.

This look is just like that year when Ah Li broke her beloved porcelain doll and came to him crying and complaining.

Liang Ruoxue was unaware of Li Jun's thoughts, only hearing Li Jun say, "Miss Liang, don't be sad. I'll go find you a guqin so it won't delay your competition."

Li Jun's attitude was indeed similar to what Shen Hanyu had said, and Liang Ruoxue couldn't help but feel fortunate that she hadn't made a foolish mistake like Liang Ruoyan.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Liang Ruoxue wiped away her tears, and Li Jun told the servant to go find the guqin.

They sat on either side, chatting casually, and the servant quickly brought over the guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument).

Liang Ruoxue held her zither, while Li Jun got up to leave.

"The zither has been found. Miss Liang can go back to participate in the competition."

Liang Ruoxue smiled, curtsied, and said, "Your Highness, may I play a piece for you?"

Li Jun was somewhat surprised when Liang Ruoxue offered to play for him.

Liang Ruoxue's gaze was intense.

"It doesn't matter if I missed the competition time. I just want to thank Your Highness."

Li Jun sat back down. Liang Ruoxue looked at the guqin, knowing that success or failure depended on this one piece. If Liang Ruoyan could do it, then she could too.

The sound of the zither lingered in the room, and the servant standing outside couldn't help but turn his head to take a look.

Li Jun listened attentively, her expression gentle, and she seemed quite pleased.

The servant couldn't help but sigh; both of the Liang family's daughters were quite formidable.

"Like a high mountain and flowing water, we find a kindred spirit, Miss Liang, you..."

After the song ended, Li Jun looked at Liang Ruoxue.

Liang Ruoxue's cheeks flushed slightly.

"Your Highness is not only my confidant, but also someone I admire and respect."

After speaking, Liang Ruoxue lowered her head, looking completely shy like a young girl.

Li Jun was stunned, seemingly not expecting Liang Ruoxue to say it so bluntly.

When she didn't hear a response from Li Jun, Liang Ruoxue looked hurt.

"I know Your Highness admires my sister. Today I only wanted to tell Your Highness my feelings. Now that I know Your Highness's answer, I will never bother Your Highness again."

After saying that, Liang Ruoxue ran out without giving Li Jun a chance to stop her.

A tear fell onto Li Jun's sleeve. Looking at the tear, he felt a mix of emotions.

Liang Er Guniang said she admired him.

He didn't seem to dislike this feeling; in fact, he treated Liang Ruoxue better now than Liang Ruoyan.

Li Jun got up and went back with mixed feelings.

"Go and find out who broke the strings of Miss Liang's zither."

"Yes."

Liang Ruoyan, who was about to play the piano, stared at the door until it was almost worn out, but Li Jun didn't return, and her heart began to race.

Instead of seeing Li Jun, Liang Ruoxue returned crying. Liang Ruoyan smiled; her younger sister was helpless when she saw the zither string was broken.

Liang Ruoxue sat back in her seat, still looking heartbroken.

Shen Hanyu told her that she had to play the role completely and couldn't let her guard down in front of so many people.

Seeing Liang Ruoxue's expression, Shen Hanyu exchanged a glance with her and knew that things had gone well.

Shen Hanyu looked at Liang Ruoyan, who was about to play the piano. Liang Ruoyan probably never dreamed that her scheme to frame Liang Ruoxue and prevent her from playing the piano would instead give Liang Ruoxue a free boost and even worsen her image in front of Li Jun.

The proverb "Trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead" perfectly describes the current situation.

"Miss Liang, why aren't you playing yet?" Princess Yongning asked Liang Ruoyan, resting her chin on her hand.

Liang Ruoyan paused slightly, then heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Li Jun back in her seat, glancing in one direction.

When Liang Ruoyan saw Li Jun return, she was overjoyed and quickly started playing.

Princess Yongning took in Liang Ruoyan's expression. She had thought she was pleasing to the eye before, but now she felt that Liang Ruoyan was still incorrigible.

She wanted to hear what Liang Ruoyan would play today.

The melody of "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank" rang out, and everyone pricked up their ears, but Li Jun, preoccupied with her own thoughts, didn't listen to a single note.