Underneath A Thousand Skies ✔️

118 Foster Son, Don't Be So Crazy (55)

Like what she had told Nian Shou, Song Jia was summoned by Princess Bai Xue the very next day for an arraignment. Song Jia didn't refuse but took ample preparations before responding to the princess' call.

Despite Xiang Feng's insistence, Song Jia persuaded him not to come. Instead, she told him to use the opportunity of the crown princess interrogating her to search for Su Liang and Qiao Huan all over the castle. Song Jia had to employ both honey trap and crocodile tears just to get him to leave her alone.

In the end, she had to promise him several papapa sessions for compensation as well.

Song Jia felt that she had truly sacrificed too much just for a bit of personal space.

She had kept Nian Shou's warning in her mind, so she didn't want Xiang Feng to have to choose between her and Princess Bai Xue. It was almost certain that the two of them would argue during the court arraignment.

"Your Highness."

Song Jia entered the throne room and gave a deep curtsy. It flowed from the balls of her feet to her fingertips in one fluid movement, her right foot behind her as she slowly sank to one knee. Her navy blue skirts swathed the floor in a silky puddle.

Nearly all of those watching sighed in admiration. Even the lower-ranked maids, who knew little of etiquette, were in awe.

Princess Bai Xue clenched her fists as she sat on her throne. Her coronation was going to be held tomorrow, and the title of being Queen was almost within her grasp. Yet, she still couldn't set her mind at ease.

"Lady Jin Jia."

Song Jia lifted her eyes and stood up. She had tied her hair back into a demure knot, but golden tendrils still escaped from behind her ears. With her hands clasped in front of her in a suppliant pose, it brought to mind the image of a guardian angel receiving uplifting tidings about the Fate of Man.

The various nobles and officials standing there nearly craned their necks to see if there was an angelic orchestra sounding their trumpets behind her.

Song Jia smiled softly, "Does Her Highness need something from this lowly servant?"

As the background she revealed to the world was the daughter of a duchess, it was not right for Princess Bai Xue to simply call her by the title 'lady.' Since she was the heir apparent to the duchy, even if it was the Queen herself, she still had to call her by her official title 'marchioness' or even 'princess.' The duchess was only second to the queen in power, after all.

But since Princess Bai Xue wanted so badly to look down on her, she could only become meek and humble. Look and see, the tyrant princess is bullying me, ah~

The various expressions of the nobles standing there dimmed. Aristocrats adhered to etiquette and manners seriously. They were the conventional rules to be followed in polite society. Especially for the royal family, etiquette became the chief rules to uphold their proper reputation.

Princess Bai Xue regretted her sudden outburst. Seeing her greatest rival, she had accidentally allowed her emotions get the best of her.

In a more level tone, she asked, "Do you know why you have been brought to court?"

"Answering Your Highness, I don't."

Princess Bai Xue gestured, and the royal advisor brought over a stack of documents. Flipping over one of them, she looked at Song Jia with a cold gaze.