"Wan’er, I’ve heard that Commandery Princess Dongyang is also visiting your residence. Why hasn’t she come over to play with the Noble Lady here after all this time?"
"I don’t know either, maybe she’s with my mother."
"If she comes, what would she talk to us about? Would she say how vibrant these flowers are and how they should be embroidered on a handkerchief? Or how to hold an embroidery needle without pricking one’s hand?"
"Ah Ying, you’re really a mischievous one."
"I’m just stating the facts. Do you think she knows how to handle an embroidery needle? I bet she doesn’t even know what it looks like. Oh, if you asked her what a spear looks like, she could probably talk to you until nightfall."
"Speaking of which, I really don’t understand what Commandery Princess Dongyang is thinking. She has a perfectly good title, yet insists on wielding swords and spears, going to the battlefield, and mingling with a bunch of smelly men every day. Isn’t she disgusted by it?"
"Exactly, I’ve heard that those soldiers bathe in the open. Do you think she’s seen them?"
"Oh dear, Qian’er, you’re truly shameless, saying whatever comes to mind."
"Why wouldn’t I dare to say it? If she dares to do it, why can’t I talk about it?" The one called Qian’er snorted, "It’s not me who’s shameless. I definitely wouldn’t mingle with a bunch of men. Ah Ying, don’t you agree?"
"Indeed, so even if she were brought into our circle, could we even talk about anything? Not just this small group, but the entire Noble Lady circle in the capital—she can’t fit in. If she did, she’d be like..."
"A stirring stick in a pot of crap."
Not far away, someone approached, annoyed, and said, "You’re really too presumptuous. Who do you think you are to gossip about the Commandery Princess? Who said that going to the battlefield means she has to watch the soldiers bathe nude? I really have my eyes opened by you so-called Noble Ladies, who claim to be virtuous but talk about naked men every day. Shameless."
"Gao Linlin, who do you think you are? Before standing up for someone, make sure they know you’re kissing up. Oh, I forgot, you’re probably supportive of her because your father is also a Military General. Maybe if you curry favor with the Commandery Princess, you might get a promotion."
"What’s this, I hit the nail on your secret intentions and now you’re mad? We’re just chit-chatting here, why do you have to butt in? Or do you also want to be a female general and compete with men for merits?"
"Lin Zhiying, you’re slandering me."
"Enough, enough, everyone stop. We were just joking, why are you fighting?"
Behind the screen, Song Ci’s chest heaved with anger, her lips pressed into a straight line.
A bunch of spoiled brats, what a joke.
Niu Pan’er listened to the whole thing, paused, and then smiled. She never expected her reputation to be so disreputable.
She turned her head to look at Song Ci, saw her about to walk inside, and pulled her back, shaking her head.
Song Ci patted her hand. She had to stand up for this.
She broke free and turned past the screen. In the flower-filled garden, two groups were facing off.
A young girl in scarlet standing with her back to Song Ci looked at the girl in green opposite her and said imposingly, "Gao Linlin, if you want to stand up for someone, make sure your status is worthy. You’re just the daughter of a Fifth Rank Military General, and you want to stand up for someone? Look at how capable you are... ah, why are you pulling me?"
The scarlet girl was tugged by her sleeve, and she turned around angrily, only to see someone behind her turn pale. Subconsciously, she turned her head and immediately froze.
"She might not be worthy, but I wonder if my status is enough to stand up for Commandery Princess Dongyang?" Song Ci stood in front of the screen, looking coldly at the young girls.