Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

"Heh! Shen Bingling, why are you now even putting up airs? As we all know, your status in the palace is no longer the same as it was before. You are no longer the only princess in the royal family."

Someone said, making Shen Bingling grit her teeth. She had just come to have her lunch alone and in peace. After the betrayal she received from Li Na, she has significantly distanced herself from every other girl she had in the group. But she never expected them to come after her like this, cornering her in a group. Especially with the intent of looking down on her.

Frowning at their words, she matched each one of their gazes. "What are you all planning? Don't overstep your boundaries or there will be consequences." She warned in a serious tone. Even though her words came out firm and authoritative, they no longer had the power to restrain the girls anymore.

Shin Bingling didn't know what happened so suddenly, but at the moment, looking at the girls, she was feeling quite helpless.

Since her young days, people have always given in to her demands. Kept her on their palms and conceded to all her threats even though they were childish. This was the first time she had faced people like this. And the worst part was not that she felt helpless in the situation, rather it was that she was made to feel helpless by the people whom she once considered to be her friends. She never thought that the sisters with whom she has once spent her endless times … who once flattered her the way that none would, could also turn like this today.

"Shen Bingling, do you really think we would be fearing the consequences just because you are threatening us?"

"Bingling, why are you still being arrogant when all of us know that you have lost all your powers to be arrogant now. You could no longer be the same as before. We are just helping you get adapted to that simple fact. After all, it is not good to remain in delusion for long."

Shen Bingling heard them and almost felt like crying. She was just holding back her tears to not get embarrassed. But now even her control was feeling dependent on a silver line. She was not sure how long she would be able to keep it.

Right when Shen Bingling felt that she was about to give up, a soft yet curious voice came out from the crowd, giving her the hope to hold it for a bit longer. "What's happening here? Is there something special?"

On that one voice, the crowd of girls dispersed slightly to look around, only to find Li Xue standing there with tugged brows of confusion. At the sight of her, the attitude of the group instantly changed to the degree of one-eighty. A flattery curl rose on their lips as everyone greeted with unison, "Princess Xue, you are here. It's really good to see you finding time to mingle with us. In the royal palace, we can be your mates to follow you around."

They said, taking the opportunity to butter up Li Xue. After all, if she would get in their favor, they would have a chance to visit the palace often and also get in touch with Shin You Jun. Even though he was no longer the Crown Prince, he was still a handsome prince whose looks not everyone could match.

Li Xue heard them and her brows raised in amusement for a moment, but then she didn't reply to them. Instead, she turned to look at both her sides before finally looking behind as if she was searching for something. But not finding what she was searching for, she turned back to look at the people and said, including apologetic words in her speech.

"Oops, I am sorry but I think I would have to disappoint you all. I do not prefer wearing princess-styled heavy gowns daily. And I was also not informed that it was necessary, so I won't be needing people to follow me around to help me with it." She said and her words like that instantly changed the expressions on all the other faces.

While on the side, Shin Bingling couldn't help but chuckle. Although she laughed, that chuckle of hers was not able to wipe away the bitterness she held from before.

Li Xue looked at Shen Bingling finally laughing and was relieved. Earlier, when she was about to take her plate of food, she caught sight of Shen Bingling getting bullied. At first, she thought the girl would be able to manage by herself, but when she saw the things getting out of her hand, she had no other choice but to appear to save her.

Li Xue didn't miss the still lingering hint of bitterness on the girl's expression and that pained her. Why? She doesn't know but she felt like Shen Bingling didn't deserve it. After all, she was still a princess, who had gotten pampered all her age.

The people around didn't know how to proceed further. They never expected Li Xue to insult them so sophisticatedly. Laughing, one of them couldn't help but explain. "Haha … Princess Xue, you got us wrong. We were talking to be friends, not about being maids to help you with your gown."

All those girls might not be princesses but they were the daughter of noble families, mainly the ones who held the position of ministers in the royal court. Looking at them as a maid was still an insult, they have never seen coming their way.

Li Xue shook her head at their explanation as if she accepts her fault for getting them wrong. "Oh, is that so? Sorry, maybe I have gotten the meaning of your words wrong. But anyway, if you are asking to be my mates, I don't think any of you are capable of that. After all, I don't befriend just anyone." She said and for once her voice abandoned the softness it held all this while.

The girls felt more embarrassed. Although they weren't pampered the same as princesses, they were still the daughters of high-class families and they were never talked by someone this way. Even Shen Bingling has never treated them like this. Now, feeling Li Xue purposely being like this, they couldn't help but look at her with hostility.

If looks could really pierce someone, Li Xue would have been pierced by several daggers by now.

"Princess Xue, you are overcrossing your limits and purposefully insulting us. We might not be a princess like you, but we are still the daughters of the ministers of the royal court. You can't treat us this way."

Li Xue couldn't help but laugh out softly with a hint of mockery in her eyes. Her ambers turned sharp all of a sudden, as swiftly but particularly she looked at each of them before saying, "And do you think you can treat her like the way you were treating before I appeared?"

She asked before gesturing to them towards Shen Bingling. Each and every girl's spine stiffened and they felt like they were getting stuck with lightning. Those sharp eyes of Li Xue have not left a single percent of strength in any one of them to retaliate.

They all looked at the floor as they heard Li Xue continue. Her tone not for once faltering in righteousness.

"You said it right. You all are the daughters of the ministers. But how did you forget that with that title of yours, you don't get the authority to talk to the princess, matching her eyes, let alone make her embarrassed? And you have the guts to talk about right and wrong to me now? Haven't all of you been too audacious?"  Li Xue said, and her each word froze people to their spots.

None of the girls expected Li Xue to have that aura over them. After all, she was accepted as a princess just half an hour back. How did she know all of this from before?