Chapter 127: Diligence

Words : 1237 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 127: Chapter 127: DiligenceIn the Imperial Garden. A myriad of flowers bloomed, vibrant and colorful, with butterflies fluttering gracefully. From afar, Su Jin spotted Princess Shouning chasing butterflies, her movements elegant, each gesture like a painting. Su Jin slightly raised her delicate eyebrows. Princess Shouning seemed to be in a good mood. Could she truly have intentions of reconciliation? Su Jin wasn’t entirely sure, but she was certain that the wasps from the Duke Zhen’s Mansion hadn’t left any psychological shadow on Princess Shouning. Princess Shouning ran after the butterflies, with a palace maid watching from the side. The butterfly landed on a peony, and Princess Shouning tiptoed over. But as her Beauty Fan swooped down, the butterfly flapped its wings and escaped unharmed. Failing to catch the butterfly, Princess Shouning stomped her foot in frustration. Su Jin stepped forward and bowed to pay her respects. "Greetings to Princess Shouning," she said gently. Princess Shouning glanced at Su Jin and, as if nothing had happened, said, "We’ll discuss our matters later. First, help me catch that butterfly." Su Jin, "...." Help catch a butterfly? At her age, how could she frolic about so innocently and whimsically? Su Jin looked at Xingxing, "Help Princess Shouning catch that butterfly." Xingxing eagerly rolled up her sleeves and said, "I’m the best at catching butterflies; I can definitely catch it." She walked over and took a round fan from a palace maid. Princess Shouning was a bit tired and fanned herself while watching Xingxing chase the butterfly. Several times, Xingxing let the butterfly escape. Princess Shouning’s palace maid sneered, "Says she’s the best at catching butterflies, but she’s clearly the best at boasting." Xingxing heard this and turned back, "I was being gentle not to harm the butterfly." "Just say you can’t catch it, don’t make excuses," the palace maid huffed. Xingxing pouted her cheeks in frustration. Then— This maid no longer held back. When the butterfly landed on a camellia. A swoosh of the round fan. Directly knocked out the butterfly Princess Shouning wanted. Well. It might have been killed. Xingxing picked up the fainted butterfly and walked over, handing it to Princess Shouning, "Here you go." Palace maid, "...." Princess Shouning, "...." Princess Shouning’s face turned purple, her eyes ablaze, and she pointed at the butterfly, trembling with fury, "I’ve been trying to catch this butterfly for ages, and you just smack it dead with one hit?!" "It’s just knocked out," Xingxing stiffly said. "Then awaken this butterfly for me!" Princess Shouning gritted her teeth. "...." How was she supposed to do that? Xingxing looked troubled. She turned to Su Jin, unsure of what to do. Su Jin had a helpless expression. Catching a butterfly could stir up so much tension, she had to admire it. Princess Shouning huffed furiously. The palace maid quickly persuaded, "Princess, calm down. There is another identical one in the garden." Princess Shouning glared at Su Jin, "If you don’t catch a living one for me, this matter won’t end between us!" The palace maid quickly persuaded, "Princess, you’ve been struggling for so long; why not rest in the pavilion over there?" Princess Shouning shot Su Jin a look before striding off. The palace maid didn’t follow her but instead approached Su Jin, advising, "Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, His Majesty persuaded our princess for many days before she agreed to reconcile with you. It’s not worth quarreling over a butterfly." Xingxing pouted, "What reconciliation? She’s clearly causing trouble, not intending to reconcile." The palace maid glared at Xingxing. Xingxing glared back, wide-eyed. Glaring. She’s never been afraid of anyone. Su Jin considered for a moment and said, "Then let’s help her catch a living butterfly." The palace maid bowed and retreated. Xingxing looked around, then at the unfortunate butterfly in her hand, "The Imperial Garden is so big. Where can we find an identical butterfly?" "Search slowly; we can treat it as a stroll through the Imperial Garden," Su Jin said. "Miss, you’re so clever. Perhaps while we’re strolling, the butterfly will wake up on its own," Xingxing said cheerfully. Su Jin glanced at the butterfly. She felt the chances of it waking up were slim. Even if it did wake up, after that hit, it surely had a concussion. Xingxing asked the palace maid for a cage and put the butterfly inside. Then the master and servant started strolling through the Imperial Garden... no, looking for the butterfly. Inside the pavilion. Princess Shouning was drinking tea. The palace maid stood by, watching Su Jin and Xingxing, "Princess, do they look like they’re searching for a butterfly? They’re clearly just strolling in the Imperial Garden." "Let them stroll," Princess Shouning said in uncharacteristic amiability. Her eyes gleamed with light. The palace maid nodded repeatedly. While they’re happy strolling now, they’ll have a crying moment later. Su Jin was truly strolling in the Imperial Garden, while Xingxing occasionally seriously searched for the butterfly. But after circling most of the garden, they’ve seen many butterflies, but none identical. Su Jin massaged her legs, "Tired from walking, let’s rest." "Oh, tired so soon?" Xingxing said. "You’re tired too," Su Jin said. "I’m not tired," Xingxing shook her head like a rattle. "...." This silly maid, they’ve been blatantly strolling the Imperial Garden all afternoon, and Princess Shouning hasn’t gotten mad. Obviously, her intention wasn’t just to help catch a butterfly. She still couldn’t figure out what she wanted, so it was better to avoid her. Su Jin stood resting under a big tree, and Xingxing followed beside her. She looked at the little cage in her hand and shook it lightly. The butterfly still didn’t respond. Xingxing, "...." Did it really die? She didn’t do it on purpose. If it wanted to seek revenge at midnight, it should go find Princess Shouning and her maid. Seeing them standing there resting. A trace of impatience flashed through Princess Shouning’s eyes. She got up and left the pavilion. She walked over and asked, "Did you catch the butterfly yet?" "Couldn’t find it," Su Jin replied. "Couldn’t find it? Do you think you can dismiss me with those three words? You didn’t even search earnestly!" Princess Shouning accused. "Not only did we use our hearts, our eyes are weary from searching, yet we still couldn’t find it. It’s getting late, I’ll go to the Emperor to apologize and visit another day to enjoy the flowers with the princess," Su Jin bowed. Su Jin left without turning back. Princess Shouning was furious. Besides leveraging the Emperor against her, what else can she do?! That is her father! Yet now he’s become her Amulet! Thinking of the Emperor favoring Su Jin over her own daughter, and even when she was stung beyond recognition by wasps, the Emperor didn’t recognize her. Princess Shouning gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with fire, wishing to tear Su Jin to pieces for her heart’s vengeance. Offending her should come with the mental preparation of losing one’s life! The palace maid noticed Princess Shouning zoning out in her anger and called, "Princess?" Princess Shouning snapped out of it, suppressing her burgeoning rage, a cold smile curling her lips. She raised her hand, "What are you standing there for? Proceed as planned." The palace maid quickly whistled. Su Jin looked back— A thought exploded in her mind. Your opponent smiled at you, and tossed a wasp nest your way.

Chapter 127: Diligence

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