She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!

Cui Jing appeared distressed on the surface, but inwardly she was delighted.

She didn’t expect Song Chen to be so brainless, daring to act this way in front of so many people. Was she not concerned about her reputation?

"You’re merely a princess appointed by Father, lower in rank than me. Don’t think you can sit as equals with me. Do you really believe I don’t know what you’re thinking? You’re just feeling that as a princess, you’re not beneath me in status, right?" Ah Chen said, "Since you’re here, come to the palace with the convoy. Don’t think being a princess allows you to surpass me. When you and I meet, you ought to heed my words."

She was portraying arrogance and capriciousness to the fullest, causing those around to be outraged and consider her excessive.

Yet her words made sense; the Ninth Princess truly was the biological daughter of the Emperor and Lady Li, and Cui Jing couldn’t compare.

"Ninth Princess, our master has already been accepted by Your Majesty and Lady Li..." Cui Jing’s maid couldn’t hold back but was stopped by Cui Jing, who lowered her head in grievance.

Thus, Cui Jing followed beside the convoy, entering the palace.

The words Song Chen spoke indeed struck her heart, but what did it matter? The more arrogant and unpopular the opponent, even if she were a true princess. Outwardly, she was pitiful and aggrieved, but inwardly she was laughing. Today’s events should soon be widespread, and Song Chen wouldn’t have a good reputation.

"Brother, why are you holding me back?" Cui Chen almost rushed over, but was held back by Cui Zhao and couldn’t proceed, "See how excessive she is, just returning now and bullying Jing’er. With such an arrogant personality, Jing’er will undoubtedly suffer under her in the future."

"Jing’er at least holds a princess status now; what are you? Rushing out would just give her an excuse to cause trouble," Cui Zhao restrained Cui Chen, carefully discerning, "Your Majesty isn’t a foolish ruler; if Jing’er hasn’t done wrong and the Ninth Princess is unreasonable, he’ll certainly grant Jing’er justice. Besides, Lady Li cherishes Jing’er and won’t stand by idly."

Cui Chen remained worried, his face full of concern: "But the Ninth Princess is their biological daughter."

Cui Zhao also became somewhat worried; indeed, adoption can’t surpass biological ties.

The convoy was slow, and Cui Jing just followed beside the carriage.

Ah Chen drew back the curtain, seeing Cui Jing accompanying them. She laughed and said, "You looked so pleased when you blocked my convoy."

"Regardless if you believe it, I am indeed worried about your safety." Cui Jing lowered her eyes and said, "In the more than two years you were away from Nan Qi, Father and Mother were very concerned. Mother even fell ill, and her health only recently recovered upon learning you hadn’t suffered much. Chenchen, it’s all in the past now. I won’t hold a grudge for how you treated me then. Now that you’re back, stay with Father and Mother and don’t worry them."

"They have exerted themselves for you, unable to rest day or night."

"Father, Mother?" Ah Chen asked knowingly, "Why do you call them Father and Mother?"

Cui Jing lifted her head, wanting to see disbelief and anger in Song Chen, but only saw a slightly surprised face with sarcasm in her eyes, absent of disbelief and outburst she had hoped for.

What’s going on?

She clenched her fists tightly, her heart constricted.

Based on Song Chen’s nature, if she knew her biological parents regarded Jing as an adopted daughter, she should have been unwilling to accept it, causing a scene. No, this wasn’t Song Chen’s expected reaction; she shouldn’t have been so calm. Could Song Chen have matured so much in just over two years?

Despite the circumstances, Cui Jing still said, "Father and Mother have accepted me as their adopted daughter. Chenchen, we’re still sisters now. Whether you admit it or not, it’s the truth. I did harbor resentment for you sending me to Bei Qi then, but we’re our childhood sisters. Through interactions with Father and Mother, I’ve understood their care for you, seeing their distress and feeling bad."

"If I could go back in time, I would willingly go to Bei Qi in your place."

"Had my identity not been discovered, I would’ve stayed there for you."

Ah Chen laughed aloud; Cui Jing truly changed greatly.

Or perhaps it wasn’t change; the person was inherently this way, merely concealed through experiences.

Cui Jing was never a kind person.

If she were kind, with her reputation, having a twin sister who didn’t act excessively, why was her reputation so poor?

She needn’t act, just sit quietly beside, things brought to her, no need to strive or contest, even don’t hold grudges, witnessing others striving and quarreling for her, showing less restraint. Comparing so, naturally, people would think the commissioner was bad.

Cui Jing surely knew her treatment was better than the commissioner, didn’t she? How could she not know?

The disadvantaged wasn’t her, so naturally her words were light.

She had everything, even if snatched away, there would be compensation for her, naturally she wouldn’t worry.

Whereas the commissioner, not striving or fighting, ultimately had nothing.

Ning Family couldn’t make decisions, or due to inner fear of royal power, chose to sacrifice this less cherished daughter. Cui Yu didn’t care much for the daughter, merely maintaining a facade of affection for reputation; he’s a calculating, hypocritical person. Not only daughters, he could sacrifice anything, including his son.

Take the last trip to Bei Qi, why was Cui Chen sent instead of Cui Zhao? In Cui Yu’s mind, Cui Zhao held more importance than Cui Chen. Arranging for Cui Chen indicated willingness to sacrifice his second son.

Indeed, unlike corrupt officials, not a villain, but his ambitions aren’t small. His supporters might view him as visionary, pursuing future gains for the Cui Family, claiming sacrifices were justified.

Yet he was unfriendly to the commissioner.

They were strong before, the commissioner couldn’t contend with them. Now the commissioner sought her out, eventually they won’t weep.

Ultimately, only strength allows one to reason.

"Is that so?" Ah Chen laughed again, sarcastically almost making Cui Jing falter.

Song Chen’s reaction was unexpected.

"Don’t resent Father and Mother for accepting me as an adopted daughter; it was for Mother. Back then, Mother was ill, and many noblewomen were invited to the palace to accompany her, but none helped. Until people in the palace brought me in, perhaps considering I returned from Bei Qi, bringing luck, surprisingly aiding Mother’s recovery. Before that, Father promised whoever helped Mother would be accepted as an adopted daughter and conferred as a princess."

Ah Chen realized, gazing at Cui Jing: "That’s the case; then I surely won’t be angry. Why would I be angry with a tool used for treatment, a good luck charm?"

Cui Jing widened her eyes in shock; what did she say?