Chapter Fifty: The Only Daughter of the Reclusive Family

Ning Xue’er’s voice was nearly torn to shreds with rage.

Gu Hua and her companions also felt their luck had soured—everywhere they went, this noisy girl somehow appeared.

Gu Lin, who was a month younger than Gu Hua, managed to keep his composure. “I was just about to ask—how is it we see her everywhere?”

No matter how furious Ning Xue’er became, she couldn’t afford to lose her dignity in front of the Second Prince. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, forcefully suppressed the urge to lash out, and sat with a display of poise, her eyes shining as she gazed at the man beside her.

“Brother Xuan, let’s ignore them. Come, try these dishes—I ordered them just for you!”

[Master, that’s the Second Prince of the Crimson Moon Dynasty, Jun Muxuan, the undoubted Crown Prince. He and Ning Xue’er were betrothed in childhood—a verbal promise. Ning Xue’er’s father once saved the Crimson Moon Emperor. However, Jun Muxuan doesn’t seem to care much for this engagement and only tolerates it for the sake of her father and his own.]

“So he’s the second son—then what about the eldest?”

[The eldest, Jun Mulin, is said to be like an immortal banished to the mortal world. Both are sons of the Empress, legitimate heirs. As for the princes born to other consorts, if the Empress’s sons live, they have no right to inherit. We won’t mention the third, fourth, seventh, or eighth princes for now.]

Since Jun Mulin and Jun Muxuan have both grown up safe and sound, the Empress must be formidable indeed. And since no one dares to covet the crown in Jun Muxuan’s presence, he must also be quite capable.

“Sister Gu Hua, that person seems to be staring at you!”

Gu Lin had always been clever, even as a child.

Naturally, Ning Xue’er at the next table had noticed as well, but pride kept her silent. Now that it was pointed out, she puffed up like a freshly caught river puffer, her cheeks bulging with indignation, her ladylike image utterly lost.

“Do you believe I can make it so you’re never allowed into Crimson Moon again!”

Ning Xue’er would never blame Jun Muxuan for glancing at Gu Hua. In her mind, Gu Hua was nothing but a vixen sent to seduce her Brother Xuan, hoping to transform from a sparrow into a phoenix!

Gu Zhi laughed. “Miss, we’ve been quietly eating here from start to finish. Are you sure you’re not off your medicine, running wild out here?”

Ning Xue’er jabbed a finger at Gu Zhi, utterly unreasonable.

“You’ve been following me! Are you saying you have the right? From outside the city to inside! Let me tell you, my father and His Majesty are old friends. All I have to do is cry a little and you’ll all be thrown out!”

Gu Jiu, born the same month as Gu Lin, pulled a face and tugged at the corner of his eye.

“Oh, I’m so scared—terrified, in fact!”

“You—you’re being outrageous!”

Suddenly, a girl’s voice sounded behind Ning Xue’er.

“Miss, aren’t you being unreasonable? If your boyfriend is looking at other girls, why do you blame the girls?”

No one quite understood her words, but instinctively, from the first sentence, it was clear she’d witnessed everything and determined that Ning Xue’er was not in her right mind, hence stepping in for justice.

It was the first time Ning Xue’er had been openly confronted by another woman. As the pampered daughter of the Ning family, how could she tolerate being spoken to by someone, hair a tangled mess like a bird’s nest, eating buns without the slightest grace, and, worst of all, a beggar? Especially since she was the future Crown Princess!

This was intolerable!

“Which backwater village did you roll out of, you country bumpkin, reeking of dirt from head to toe! How does the First Pavilion allow beggars like you to come in and scrounge for food? They should be shut down!”

The Ning family’s wealth was known across the city, but if there was a family that could rival them in fortune, it was the First Pavilion, the legendary hidden clan.

Its mysterious owner remained secluded, amassing wealth to shield the clan from outside interference—possessing both power and riches.

Ning Xue’er had once overheard her father say in the study that their family could not afford to offend the First Pavilion.

Yet in her own mind, her father was the wealthiest merchant in the Crimson Moon Dynasty; as for the First Pavilion, she, Ning Xue’er, looked down upon it.

Gu Hua watched the bun-wielding girl, swallowed her bite, took a deep breath, and forced a smile.

“What, do you think peasants eat your food or drink your water? Why do you look down on peasants? The rice and vegetables you eat—are any not grown by farmers?”

“You keep belittling the First Pavilion, yet why bring your boyfriend here to dine? Just want to show off?”

“And what’s wrong with beggars? Are they forbidden from eating? Tell me, why can’t beggars eat in a place like this? Did the First Pavilion stop us at the door?”

“No!” Gu Lin quickly caught on.

“No, right? Then why can’t we treat each other as equals? Little sister, you may be rich, but that doesn’t mean you should look down on others—it only invites retribution, maybe even a lightning strike, you know?”

“Well said! Brilliant!” Gu Lin took the lead applauding. A few of the onlookers joined in as well.

The beggar girl cupped her hands in thanks to Gu Lin. She was just an ordinary girl from Zuan, who’d choked on water and crossed worlds, so this praise felt wholly undeserved.

Ning Xue’er couldn’t understand, but instinct told her the beggar was insulting her.

“Brother Xuan…”

Jun Muxuan turned away, refusing to look at Ning Xue’er.

It was the first time she’d been humiliated before the one she loved. She’d had enough. Covering her face, she fled the First Pavilion—missing the faintly amused curve of Jun Muxuan’s lips.

“You know, your girlfriend just left and you’re not even going to chase after her? Just sitting there?”

Jun Muxuan looked baffled. After a long moment, he pointed at himself in disbelief. “Me?”

“If not you, then who—me?”

Jun Muxuan laughed. It was the first time anyone had spoken to him this way—the last person to try had been thrown to the wolves. But this beggar girl was at least interesting, so for now, he let her be.

He smiled at Gu Hua’s group with elegance, then left.

The bun-eating girl saw the untouched dishes left behind and quickly leaned over to scavenge.

Gu Hua frowned. “Miss, why not come eat with us? Those dishes have been contaminated; they’re not clean.”

She’d seen Ning Xue’er poke at them with her chopsticks.

The beggar girl, chewing happily, her eyes brightened. “Wow! A kindred spirit! This girl’s tongue is as sharp as mine—every word strikes the heart!”

Gu Hua showed little reaction, but Gu Lin, seemingly in tune with the beggar girl, immediately left his seat to invite her over, seating her next to Gu Hua.

Though her hair was a mess, there was no trace of odor. Gu Hua pushed the dishes in front of her.

The beggar girl took a mouthful of rice, mumbled her thanks.

“What’s your name?”

“Tao Tao,” she replied, mouth still full, her words muffled, but Gu Hua could just make out the name—Tao Tao.