Chapter 3 Standing Up for Me
With those thoughts in mind, when I ran into my Uncle-in-Law in the palace a few days later, I hesitated and ultimately didn't dare greet him.
I was merely a concubine-born imperial grandson. My status couldn't compare to the other grandsons, let alone my Aunt who was born from the principal wife of the Empress.
As the ancients said, one should know one's place.
However, while I thought this way, the classmates who had just finished lessons with me spoke among themselves.
"Isn't that the Sixth Princess's Prince Consort? How pathetic." A descendant of the imperial clan pointed at the man not far away, not caring if he could hear. He curled his lip.
"My father said the Wu'an Marquis Manor has already declined. Only their eldest son got lucky and clung to the Sixth Princess's thigh." The other person chimed in and even glanced at me. "Unlike some people who don't even know how to cling to a thigh."
I listened to their words in silence. I had long grown used to this.
"Hey, Song Lin, we'll leave today's homework to you. Anyway, once you go back to that shabby little palace of yours, you have nothing to do. Just do our homework too."
It was the same old story.
They were playful, didn't want to do their work, and were afraid of being scolded by the tutor, so they made me do it for them.
And truthfully, what they said was right. The palace I lived in was remote and run-down. Other than homework, I had no other entertainment.
I didn't say much. I silently took their homework and put it into my book basket, then turned to leave.
"Wait." A familiar voice sounded. The man who had been some distance away from us had already walked over.
"Song Lin?" He called my name, sounding a little uncertain.
"Greetings, Uncle-in-Law." I bowed to him and looked up.
He looked much better today than the last time I saw him at the funeral. Although he still wore a plain white robe, his complexion was healthier.
"Grandson of Prince Rong and grandson of Duke Zhou?" He glanced coldly at the two who had spoken earlier. It was obvious he had heard everything.
"Who told you that you could give your homework to someone else?"
Faced with his gaze, the two little tyrants who usually ran wild instantly fell silent.
"Since you don't even want to do your own homework, there's no need to attend classes anymore. I will send a letter to your families today to inform your elders."
The moment he said that, both boys' faces changed drastically.
"Prince Consort, please calm down! We didn't mean it! It was... it was Song Lin who offered!" They quickly found an excuse and looked at me desperately.
"That's right! He volunteered to write it for us! Song Lin, tell him! Didn't you volunteer?"
Their tone now carried a clear threat.
I opened my mouth but didn't refute them.
After all, no one had ever taught me what to say in a situation like this.
So I just stared blankly at the man, waiting to hear how he would handle it.
"Don't know what to say?" The man looked at me, his eyes calm. "Then let me teach you."
"A gentleman can be reserved, but never weak. When faced with injustice, one should speak up."
"But besides that..." He paused, then continued, "You are still a child. You can also choose to tell on them."
"And I am your Uncle-in-Law, your elder. I would stand up for you."