I Am This Type of Woman

At Grand Princess Dening’s residence, the Grand Princess set down her bowl, wiped the medicinal residue from the corner of her mouth, rinsed, and then said, “Has the Yin family sent things over again?”

“Indeed, Madam is so filial. Whenever she gets something new and fresh, she loves to send it over. This old servant has tried to persuade her, but she won't listen,” Nanny Chang, the Grand Princess’s most favored servant, said with a smile. “This servant is at a loss. Perhaps you could advise her?”

The Grand Princess gave Nanny Chang a playful glare. “Look at your mouth…”

“Your Highness,” the steward entered with a beaming smile, “Junjun and the Heir have sent some things.”

The Grand Princess looked at the items the guards brought in: pheasants, hares, wild birds, and the like. The items themselves weren't rare, but the thoughtfulness of the siblings was.

Smiling, the Grand Princess instructed someone to put the gifts away. Turning to Nanny Chang, she said, “It seems they're having a good time at the hunting grounds.”

“Young people always enjoy lively occasions,” Nanny Chang mused, then added, “Junjun is becoming more and more caring. She’s been visiting you every few days recently, which shows she truly relies on you, her grandmother.”

“Although the child is a bit spoiled, she has a good heart. If…” The Grand Princess paused. “In the future, you will go to Huahua's side to serve her. She is my only granddaughter, and with you by her side, I can rest assured.”

“Your Highness!” Nanny Chang looked at the Grand Princess in shock. “How can this old servant bear such words?”

She had entered the palace at nine, been assigned to serve the Grand Princess at thirteen, and chosen a life of service at twenty. She had served in the princess's residence for a full thirty years. When she first arrived, the Marquis was only about ten years old, and the Prince Consort was still alive.

Thirty years had passed in the blink of an eye. The once stunningly beautiful princess had become the most respected Grand Princess of the Daye Dynasty, and her grandchildren were now of marriageable age. Watching the Grand Princess age little by little, she wished time would slow down, just a little.

“You silly girl, you haven't married or had children in your life, all for the sake of serving me. What will you do after I'm gone?” The Grand Princess coughed violently. “Huahua is most considerate to those around her. You've been by my side and witnessed the ups and downs of the capital. Only by being with Huahua can I be at ease about her, and about you.”

“Your Highness,” Nanny Chang choked back tears, “His Majesty… he owes you!”

“In the imperial family, we only talk about winning and losing, not debts,” the Grand Princess said with a sardonic laugh. “I've already had a good ending. Pity my sisters…”

Decades ago, during the struggle for the throne, the princes died, were imprisoned, or went mad. Even the princesses who had married died mysteriously. Among her sisters, she was the only one who had survived to this day, the most honored Grand Princess of the current dynasty.

Unfortunately, beneath the title of Grand Princess lay too many unspeakable things, too much hatred and helplessness. Now over sixty, she no longer wanted to dwell on the past.

“Stew the pheasant soup tonight,” the Grand Princess said with a faint smile. “The pheasant our Huahua personally hunted must taste delicious.”

“Yes.” Nanny Chang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, curtsied to the Grand Princess, straightened her back, and withdrew.

At the Imperial Hunting Grounds outside the capital, the Emperor and his ministers had been there for three days. The Emperor had enjoyed himself, and it was naturally time to return to the palace.

“Junjun Ban is indeed a descendant of a military family. You have hunted the most among the women,” Emperor Yunqing looked at Ban Hua, his favoritism towards the Ban family evident. “Tell me, is there anything you desire?”

Ban Hua honestly shook her head. “Your Majesty, this subject currently lacks nothing.”

“Seeing you reminds me of uncle, bravely fighting on the battlefield all those years ago,” Emperor Yunqing sighed. “He taught me archery when I was a child. I never thought…”

The Grand Princess's Prince Consort was a renowned general of the Daye Dynasty. Or rather, generations of Ban family generals had made great contributions to the Jiang family. It was a pity…

The ministers present glanced at Ban Huai. Generations of the Ban family's good name had been ruined by him.

Ban Huai, noticing their gazes, straightened his posture. What were they looking at? Even if they were jealous, it was useless. He had a remarkable father, destined to be remembered throughout history!

Seeing Ban Huai's shameless, even smug expression, the ministers shook their heads inwardly. Rotten wood cannot be carved. The Ban family was finished.

“Your Majesty, my grandfather also taught me archery,” Ban Hua said with a wide smile. “Grandfather said that if I were a man, I could definitely be a fierce general under Your Majesty's command.”

Emperor Yunqing looked at the delicate young lady before him, unable to connect her with a bearded, fierce general. The more he thought about it, the more amusing the image became, and he couldn't help but laugh. “Good, good, truly a woman who doesn't let men have all the glory. General Ban taught you well.”

Everyone present: …

Such a lovely young lady, taught to be unruly and willful, quick to use a whip instead of a stick, without a trace of feminine gentleness. What a waste of her naturally beautiful face. Was His Majesty praising her or mocking her?

Regardless of the Emperor's intentions, Ban Hua, the recipient of the praise, was quite pleased. She generously curtsied to Emperor Yunqing. “Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This subject is unworthy.”

“Your grandmother is someone I respect, and General Ban is someone I revere. As their only granddaughter, every time I think of not taking good care of you, I feel ashamed.” Emperor Yunqing sighed again. “I even heard that someone insulted you because of your insufficient rank. After hearing this, I don’t know how I can face your grandmother in the future.”

The ministers felt something was amiss. This Junjun Ban would even strike the Imperial Scholar. Who would dare offend her?

Wang De, standing beside Emperor Yunqing, hadn't changed his expression throughout.

As the Emperor's close attendant, he naturally had to report what he saw to the Emperor exactly as it happened, without omissions or exaggerations.

Junzhu Kangning, standing among the women, felt her cheeks burning. Every word the Emperor spoke was like a slap in her face. She swayed and nearly fell to the ground.

“Junzhu,” Shi Feixian beside her supported her. “Are you alright?”

Kangning forced a smile and shook her head.

Shi Feixian released her hand and said with a smile, “That's good.”

She looked at Ban Hua, standing before the throne, adjusted her sleeves, and slowly withdrew her gaze.

“Your Majesty…” Ban Hua hesitated. “No one bullied me. Please don’t be upset.”

Five years later, even if someone bullied her, no one would be able to save her.

“Good child,” Emperor Yunqing smiled in relief. “Although you are only my niece, in my heart, you are no different from my own daughter.”

Lord Zhongping felt uncomfortable upon hearing the Emperor's words. The messy affair between his family and the Ban family was still the talk of the town. No wonder the Xie family hadn't been favored in court these past two years. The Emperor was likely still angry with them.

He couldn't understand why his obedient son would elope with a courtesan, causing such animosity between the Xie and Ban families.

Even now, Lord Zhongping was still wondering whether it would have been better to accept a shrewish and extravagant daughter-in-law, or to face the current situation: his son's reputation ruined, his eyes injured, the Xie family at odds with the Ban family, and out of the Emperor's favor.

Perhaps… it would have been better to accept a willful and unruly daughter-in-law.

At least this daughter-in-law had a respected grandmother and the Emperor's favor. For a family with a less established background like theirs, it would have been far more advantageous.

He could only lament his son's foolishness. Regret was useless now.

“I am ashamed. I must compensate you.”

The ministers looked at the Emperor impassively. With so much fanfare, wasn't he just trying to raise the rank of this unruly Junjun Ban? It was merely a woman's title; whether it was higher or lower wouldn't affect state affairs. They felt no concern.

Ban Hua tilted her head. His Majesty wanted to compensate her?

Was he going to find her a handsome husband?

“My uncle was a pillar of the state during his lifetime, and my aunt treats me like her own son. Her granddaughter is like my own daughter. I believe that nothing less than the rank of Junzhu is befitting for my daughter,” Emperor Yunqing tapped the armrest of his throne. “The daughter of the Marquis of Jingting possesses the demeanor of her grandmother. As my daughter, she should be granted the title of Junzhu, with the honorific title Fule.”

Ban Hua was stunned for a moment before remembering to thank Emperor Yunqing.

However, if His Majesty said that no title other than Junzhu was worthy of her, then were her previous titles of Xiangjun and Junjun meant to insult her?

ʕ◉ᴥ◉ʔ

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