The carriage ride to Gualin hall was short.
Shen Miao sat with her hands folded and her eyes on the window and her thoughts somewhere wandering around as she watched the bustling capital wake up from its slumber as more people sprayed into the street to start their day.
She took a deep breathe reminding herself of the solution she came up with again
Gualin Hall announced itself as they grew closer — wide gates, a large courtyard that harbored the footsteps of generations of noble masters and ladies, A place where the education and the politics had long since taken root as it gave birth to more and more esteemed talents each better than the other.
Arriving at the entry the personal attendants stopped at the gates. A rule placed specifically to ensure that the young masters and misses of noble households learned to think for themselves without the buffer of those whose job is to make it simpler for them.
She got off the carriage after Shen Yiyi and walked in. Shen Yiyi who was beside her — before had long moved slightly ahead leaving Shen Maio a distance away from her
The classroom capable of housing a lot of people had slowly filled up as more and more people walked in and settled in their seats.
Lui Yi and Ke Lin were already there waiting for Shen Yiyi to arrive — her two best friends. Once Shen Yiyi walked in, they immediately rushed to her, but they stopped having caught the look of hesitation and restraint in her eyes. Shen Miao who happened to walk in a few steps behind her was immediately confronted by four pairs of angry eyes.
She paused in her steps her eyes drifting to Shen Yiyi who was being pulled back behind the two women both having protective stances as if they were afraid Shen Maio would immediately attack Shen Yiyi for exposing her.
" Just because you aren't as white as our Yiyi's you really think you can bully her and no one will say anything " Lui Yi said
Shen Maio clenched her hand
"Yeh, you orphan who do you think gave you that right" Ke Lin said
"Shamelessly flaunting someone else's wealth "another noble lady whispered though her voice was loud obviously wanting everyone else to hear.
From the back of the room Young Master Lan caught sight of how Shen Yiyi shivered as every insult landed as if afraid of something. he frowned he had long admired Shen Yiyi for her beauty but because of his average status that couldn't reach the Shen family's wealth so he could never grab her attention and now he learnt that his white moonlight was actually being abused he stood up annoyed tossing the chair in front of him aside.
It grabbed everyone's attention as they all turned to him. They were all aware of his feelings towards Shen Yiyi though it seemed the person in question never caught on. Shen Yiyi also turned her eyes meeting young master lan who had turned to stare at her, but she quickly turned away shyly.
Young Master Lan saw this which gave him confidence he pulled back his chest his head tilting up arrogantly as he glanced down at Shen Maio.
By now Shen Maio had long realized what was happening. "That damn ungrateful girl, she clenched her fist her eyes turning to Shen Yiyi who was hiding behind her two friends though not visible she could still tell that this was her doing
"She hadn't even done anything to offend her.", Shen Miao gnashed her teeth. She thought about it again but couldn't remember doing anything.
Behind the wall of her lackeys, Shen Yiyi stood with her hands folded and her expression still tense— trying to persuade her friends that they had misunderstood in a low voice though with in her eyes a glint of joy appeared she was waiting for the show to begin.
"She had already worked it all out if anything happens here," she thought twisting her handkerchief with the quiet satisfaction, "no one will blame her. She hadn't said anything. They just assumed. And when brother hears about it, he'll think she started it herself. This is what one called hitting two birds with one stone."
She smiled vicious the excitement making her blood boil as she watched Young Master Lan stand Infront of Shen Maio. Her two friends were blocking her view which really annoyed her but alas she had to keep this passive act going on.
The door suddenly opened.
Feng Yin dressed in light green robes walked into the room her pace slow as her eyes moved over everyone they all lowered their heads. Who would dare to look into the eyes of the Future Crown Princess.
Her eyes moved through the room and landed on Shen Maio who was standing alone then turned to Shen Yiyi who was at some point exposed as her friend's stepped aside.
"Useless cowards ...." She thought though the smile on her face said other wise
She bowed to feng yin thanking her then turned to the crowd telling them it was all a misunderstanding, and she was just having a stomachache earlier on and that they all just jumped to conclusions without listening first
"Shen Maio you lucky again "she clenched her knuckles on the sides as she bowed to Shen Maio apologizing." I'd like to see how long you stay lucky....... before it runs out"
With her as the first everyone else apologized to Shen Maio. Feng Yin rolled her eyes and scoffed seeing their hesitant looks, they all trembled slightly.
She ignored them and crossed the room reaching for Shen Maio's hand and walked out. Shen Maio didn't resist
The room returned to its normal state as if nothing happened as Shen Yiyi's friend s apologized to her for not listening first. she smiled and nodded explaining it was just a normal mistake but under her sleeves her knuckles clenched hard
" Why does that woman have to be some damn lucky getting the attention of the crown princess "she thought
Outside in the corridor Feng Yin released Shen Miao's hand and kept walking without looking back.
"You're welcome," she said to the air in front of her.
Shen Miao tilted her head confused as she looked at her back
She turned glancing at the classroom door then at Feng Yin.
"I didn't say thank you yet," she took a step forward
"You were about to." Feng Yin turned sideways and glanced at her "I could tell."
Shen Miao smiled the bowed "...Thank you, your highness"
Feng Yin paused and glanced at Shen Maio noticing she seemed more happier
" You don't need to be so formal next time....and don't mention it," she said. "Seriously. Don't. If word gets out that I did something nice my reputation will never recover."
Shen Miao looked at her and blinked they both chuckled.