Chapter 9: My Sister-in-Law Is Actually a Princess
Chu Ying held her head high and chest out, proudly and triumphantly leading Xiao Yixi’s hand as they walked toward the center of the stage.
“Big brother! I’ve brought your sister-in-law to you!”
Everyone—such a stunningly beautiful woman—is my sister-in-law!
Ahahaha!
Chu Ying was utterly smug, completely oblivious to the shock and horror painted across the faces of those in the audience.
Nor did she notice the terror and restless unease of the teachers on stage.
“Ahem!” Clearing her throat to rid herself of her hoarse voice, Chu Ying loudly recited what she believed to be the greatest poem she had come up with along the way.
“Meat, meat, meat! I love to eat meat!”
Her clear, sweet, and soft voice rang out through the air, which suddenly fell into an intense silence.
“Fragrant, rich but not greasy! Sweet, tender, and delicious!”
“Meat, meat, meat! I love to eat meat!”
Having finished, Chu Ying lifted her chin proudly.
She was brimming with confidence.
Hahaha! Everyone must be stunned by her poem about meat!
Hmph, that was exactly the effect she wanted!
The more astonishing her performance, the longer her sister-in-law would stay on stage!
The more chances big brother and sister-in-law would have to exchange glances!
Their love—she would protect it to the very end!
Chu Ying stood firm.
Suddenly, everyone in the audience knelt down simultaneously.
Chu Ying: “?!”
Startled, she took a half step back.
Her mind swirled with question marks and exclamation points.
What… what is this?
Even if she was extremely proud of her “Poem of Meat,” convinced it would profoundly shake the scholarly audience’s perceptions, she never imagined her talent and poetry would move them to kneel in worship!
“Please, please stand up!” Chu Ying urged anxiously. “I did put all my effort into writing the ‘Poem of Meat,’ but I’m not so amazing that you’d all kneel before me together!”
And big brother—you knelt too!
Flustered and panicked, Chu Ying was at a loss.
Then, a chorus of voices rose together.
“Long live Her Highness the Princess! Long live the Princess! Long live a thousand, a thousand, a thousand years!”
What?
Chu Ying was dumbfounded.
Princess… Highness?
A voice filled with indulgent helplessness, Chu Hengyang’s inner thoughts, echoed in her mind, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.
She stiffly turned to look at the teachers on the stage and the students beside the competition platform, all kneeling with utmost respect, and finally realized the truth.
Her… sister-in-law… is… a princess?!
The very Princess Huiwen of the reigning kingdom—the princess devoted to improving the status of women, beloved by the emperor, and revered by the people!
Chu Ying gaped, utterly speechless.
Xiao Yixi’s expression remained calm.
Her noble and stunningly elegant face bore the grandeur and dignity befitting a princess of the realm: “Rise.”
Only then did everyone stand, while Chu Ying, mouth agape, eyes nearly popping out, and chin nearly touching the floor, turned a deep shade of red—from stifling laughter.
“Today, by imperial decree of my father the emperor, I have come to observe the poetry competition among the scholars. The first-place winner will be awarded ten days of tutelage under the esteemed masters Kong, Qiu, and Zhang as a reward. I hope all scholars will not disappoint the sacred favor, and will display the highest spirit of competition, composing poetry worthy of our great kingdom!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Princess!” The students bowed fervently, leaving Chu Ying standing alone on stage, humiliated.
“Of course,” Xiao Yixi’s lips curled into a faint smile, “this scholar’s poetry advocating that everyone be well fed is also highly encouraged.”
Chu Hengyang’s inner voice chimed again: “Chu Ying really is adorable—a true delight that one cannot help but like.”
“Yes!” the students responded loudly.
Chu Ying…