Today at Duke Ying Mansion’s first birthday celebration, Wei Rao arrived neither early nor late.

Chaohui Hall was located in the northwest of the Duke’s mansion, adjacent to the garden. After parting from Lu Zhuo, Wei Rao walked straight along the familiar bluestone path. When she neared the garden, she saw young ladies in colorful dresses scattered throughout in groups of three to five. In early spring, even the plum blossoms were still tightly closed in buds, so these graceful young ladies became dancing butterflies, adorning the garden with clusters of flowers.

“Elder… Princess!”

Accompanied by a slightly hesitant, delicate cry, Lu Zhuo’s only female cousin, Lu Changning, jumped out from the circle of young ladies. While the other ladies were like little butterflies, Lu Changning was like a flying swallow, joyfully flying to Wei Rao’s presence.

“Princess, you’re so beautiful!” Seeing Wei Rao up close, Lu Changning’s bright eyes showed undisguised amazement and even infatuation.

She had seen Wei Rao countless times, but meeting again after so long, Lu Changning discovered this former sister-in-law had become even more beautiful. Not just in appearance—her bearing had also changed! The Wei Rao, who once lived in Duke Ying Mansion, had merely been strikingly beautiful in features, seeming to deliberately restrain her radiance with the dignified air of an elder sister-in-law. However, today’s Wei Rao, honored as a princess, was no longer anyone’s sister-in-law but like an unmarried maiden, a naturally noble true princess—incomparably beautiful, fully aware of her beauty and nobility, proud of it, and looking down upon worldly conventions.

When Wei Rao first divorced her elder brother, Lu Changning felt regret, regret for Wei Rao, thinking that losing such a husband as her brother was Wei Rao’s misfortune. But at this moment, Lu Changning suddenly realized that Wei Rao had become even more beautiful after leaving her brother, so beautiful that Lu Changning had the illusion that although Wei Rao had lost her brother, she could gain the favor of many other outstanding men no inferior to her brother. How could such a Wei Rao worry about marriage?

Various thoughts bubbled up in Lu Changning’s mind like spring water, but she just stared at Wei Rao in a daze, clearly completely smitten.

Wei Rao was amused by Lu Changning and teased: “What’s this? Doesn’t Changning recognize me anymore?”

Lu Changning came to her senses. Seeing Wei Rao smile so peacefully without any intention of becoming distant because of her divorce from her brother, Lu Changning breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped forward to link arms with Wei Rao intimately: “Of course I do. It’s just that the Princess is too beautiful—you’ve dazzled me.”

Wei Rao said gently, “Changning is already a grown lady. Why do you still have a child’s temperament?”

Lu Changning was only a year younger than her and had also entered the ranks of seventeen-year-old young ladies this year. Wei Rao guessed that Second Madam and Old Madam would surely arrange Lu Changning’s marriage this year.

Lu Changning pouted. Seeing more guests arriving behind them, she quietly leaned close to Wei Rao’s ear: “I need to go greet the guests first. Princess, please leave later today. After the banquet ends, let’s have a good chat.”

Wei Rao smiled without giving a clear agreement or refusal.

Walking forward a bit more, they reached Chaohui Hall.

Duchess Ying, Lu Zhuo’s mother, He Shi, Second Madam, Third Madam, and Fourth Madam were all here. Fourth Madam accompanied Duchess Ying in receiving newly arrived guests, while He Shi and her two sisters-in-law entertained the ladies who had already taken their seats in the flower hall.

Seeing Wei Rao, both Duchess Ying and Fourth Madam’s eyes lit up.

“Wei Rao pays her respects to Old Madam and Fourth Madam.” Wei Rao graciously performed the junior’s courtesy.

Fourth Madam smiled and helped her up, while Duchess Ying examined Wei Rao carefully, becoming more satisfied and moved the more she looked.

Gossip and slander could destroy many people. Even if they didn’t destroy the slandered person, they could wear away all their pride and spirit, building walls around their hearts, making their words and actions timid and cautious, fearing they might say or do something wrong again and be overwhelmed by rumors. However, some feared nothing and, regardless of how the world pointed fingers, resolutely walked the path they envisioned.

The latter were few and far between, and it was especially remarkable when they appeared in a young girl.

Duchess Ying liked dignified and gentle girls, but for “anomalies” like Wei Rao, Duchess Ying felt more than just fondness.

Setting aside her appreciation, from Duke Ying Mansion’s perspective alone, dignified and gentle mistresses would raise gentlemen and ladies. But Wei Rao could raise steadfast, unyielding generals and strong girls who could fight their way out of any quagmire, not delicate, helpless little women who could only depend on their husbands’ protection.

In other words, Wei Rao was unique. In all of the capital, she couldn’t find a second girl like Wei Rao, while dignified, gentle young ladies were everywhere in the mansion today.

Behavior and manners could be taught by elders. As long as the elders were ruthless enough and hired several teaching matrons, even the most unruly girl could be made dignified, courteous, and irreproachable. But a proud spirit was rare—it required elders with equally proud spirits to teach by example and precept to raise children with proud spirits.

In Wei At this moment, Duchess Ying saw the upright and honest Second Master Wei, and also saw the unyielding Shou’an Jun.

What a wonderful child.

Without Duchess Ying needing to speak, Wei Rao could see the old lady’s fondness for her in her loving, tolerant gaze.

Wei Rao had grown up under the care of her grandmother and maternal grandmother. Kindness from elders most easily moved her to gratitude and softness.

“Old Madam, are you well?” Called to Duchess Ying’s side, Wei Rao asked with concern.

Duchess Ying grasped her small hand and smiled softly: “My old bones are quite sturdy. It’s just that with no flower-like, jade-beautiful granddaughter-in-law by my side, my heart always feels empty.”

Only Wei Rao heard these words. Though they had divorced, Old Madam still called her granddaughter-in-law, making Wei Rao blush slightly.

“There are so many young ladies in the garden. You could succeed with any one you pick—please don’t tease me.” Wei Rao gently withdrew her hand and looked toward Fourth Madam: “Where is Sixth Young Master? I’d like to see him.”

Fourth Madam considerately led her away.

Duchess Ying watched them leave with a beaming smile.

The female guests who had been secretly paying attention to this scene all felt their hearts surge with shock. If the previous speculation that Duke Ying Mansion invited Wei Rao today to cater to Emperor Yuanjia’s favoritism toward her made some sense, then someone of Duchess Ying’s status—a mother who had raised three heroes who died for their country, whom even Emperor Yuanjia would respectfully honor—why would she need to be hypocritical with Wei Rao, a princess of foreign surname?

Could it be that Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo’s divorce had hidden circumstances, and Duchess Ying had been reluctant to arrange Lu Zhuo’s marriage because she was waiting for Wei Rao to complete her mourning period?

Wei Rao had already been led by Fourth Madam to Fourth Master’s dedicated martial arts practice ground in Chaohui Hall.

At this time, Chaohui Hall had been occupied by a group of little boys, mostly two or three-year-old male children from various noble families, playing together with push carts, rattle drums, wooden slides, and other exquisite toys, while wet nurses watched their little masters every step of the way.

“Raorao, guess which one is An’er?” In the corridor, Fourth Madam asked with a smile.

Wei Rao looked among the several small children who couldn’t walk very steadily yet and immediately identified the most handsome child. Like Fourth Master, Lu Zhuo, and other Lu family men, the little one had phoenix eyes. Common phoenix eyes were narrow and long, but all Lu family men had double eyelids, making their phoenix eyes appear large and bright, naturally imposing when not angry, and charmingly elegant when smiling.

“Sixth Young Master is truly handsome. His eyes are like Fourth Master’s, and his mouth is like yours.” Wei Rao praised with a smile.

Fourth Madam stood beside her, blushing slightly: “It’s all thanks to Raorao’s blessing. Without your secret recipe, I don’t know how much longer I would have had to wait.”

She had finally spoken these words of gratitude aloud.

In broad daylight, Wei Rao’s face also reddened.

Fourth Madam had many things she wanted to ask Wei Rao, but with so many guests, she couldn’t stay with Wei Rao for long.

After seeing An’er, Wei Rao returned to the flower hall.

She occupied a table alone, with the seats on the other three sides left empty.

The female members of Marquis Pingxi’s Qi family arrived—all familiar faces: the still-vigorous old Madam Qi, Marquis Pingxi’s wife, heir apparent’s wife Deng Shi, along with her eldest daughter Qi Miaomiao and eldest son Qi Dalang. Qi Miaomiao was eight years old with darker skin, more heroic than delicate. Qi Dalang was only four, tiger-headed and tiger-brained—clearly a Qi family child.

The Four Upper Armies maintained surface harmony but were divided into two factions: Duke Ying’s Lu family and Marquis Pingxi’s Qi family were close allies, while Marquis Xiting’s Han family and Marquis Zhennan’s Li family were hereditary in-laws.

Today, old Madam Qi would surely sit at the same table as Duchess Ying. Marquis Pingxi’s wife took Qi Dalang to find acquaintances, while Deng Shi led Qi Miaomiao to Wei Rao’s side.

Wei Rao couldn’t hide her surprise.

Deng Shi smiled at her and instructed her daughter: “Miaomiao, when you were small, you were greedy and almost choked. It was the Princess who saved you. Do you still remember?”

That was three years ago, but Qi Miaomiao still remembered because every year, when cherry season came, her family would watch her especially carefully.

“Thank you, Princess, for saving my life.” Qi Miaomiao obediently expressed her thanks, her bright black eyes curiously examining Wei Rao.

Wei Rao stood up: “It was nothing worth mentioning.”

Deng Shi and Qi Miaomiao sat down at this table.

Wei Rao wasn’t one to hold grudges, but the obvious disdain these female members of Marquis Pingxi’s mansion had shown her in the past was too obvious. Their sudden change in attitude today couldn’t possibly be because she was enfeoffed as princess.

Wei Rao looked toward Duchess Ying in the distance.

As if sensing something, Duchess Ying smiled and nodded at her, her kindness unchanged from years past.

Wei Rao then accepted Deng Shi’s conversation and chatted with ease.

Soon after, the female members of Marquis Xiting’s mansion also arrived. Wei Rao turned her head and saw Han Liao’s mother, the Marquis Xiting’s wife, Han Liao’s only legitimate daughter, Han Ying, and her cousin Zhou Huizhen.

Han Ying was seventeen this year, Zhou Huizhen nineteen.

Ridiculously, though they were nominally mother and daughter, Zhou Huizhen looked timid and was putting on a brave front, far less poised and steady than Han Ying.

Wei Rao felt sorry for Zhou Huizhen and pitied her foolishness. What was there in such a Han family worth her attachment?

Zhou Huizhen first followed her mother-in-law to pay respects to Duchess Ying. When walking toward the guests’ area, she immediately spotted Wei Rao.

Speaking of which, Wei Rao sat in a relatively secluded position, but her snow-white skin seemed to glow. She was like a bright pearl—every arriving guest would notice her first.

The moment their eyes met, Zhou Huizhen suddenly felt bitter.

When Zhou Huizhen learned that Wei Rao had “requested to return home,” she had gloated for quite a while. Back then, Mother had said Wei Rao should look after her, but what happened? Wei Rao was driven away by the Lu family while she was the heir apparent’s wife of Marquis Xiting’s mansion—her status was higher than Wei Rao’s. Later, no matter how perfunctorily Han Liao treated her, Zhou Huizhen could find comfort thinking of Wei Rao being expelled by the Lu family.

Until Wei Rao was enfeoffed as princess. Until Wei Rao received the former princess’s mansion as her residence.

A princess! Not to mention her—even her mother-in-law would have to bow to Wei Rao upon meeting her.

Mother had said Wei Rao was destined to be favored by men all her life, and it was indeed true. Wei Rao had just lost Lu Zhuo when Emperor Yuanjia immediately elevated her to princess, the highest-ranking among all the young ladies in the city. The three princes either had no daughters or weren’t yet married. Until a second true princess grew up, Wei Rao’s position was unshakeable.

And Wei Rao, sitting there, was like a true princess, even more easily overshadowing Zhou Huizhen’s radiance.

“Go find the Princess.” The Marquis Xiting’s wife commanded coolly. If Wei Rao hadn’t become a princess, it was quite possible that Xiao Zhou Shi might regain favor, and the Marquis Xiting’s wife wouldn’t have brought Zhou Huizhen out for social visits at all.

This was indeed Zhou Huizhen’s first time attending a noble family banquet as the heir apparent’s wife of Marquis Xiting’s mansion.

Last night, Han Liao had even instructed Zhou Huizhen to get closer to Wei Rao and be loving, affectionate sisters.

Han Liao had been cold to her for some time, but once Wei Rao completed her mourning, Han Liao seemed very much to want her to curry favor with her princess cousin. His enthusiasm these past few nights seemed to return to their honeymoon period.

Zhou Huizhen both liked and disliked it. She always felt that in their intimate moments, Han Liao’s gaze seemed to see another person through her.

Due to these complex emotions, though the sisters sat together, they seemed to have nothing to say.

Zhou Huizhen lowered her head, feeling mixed emotions.

The female guests around frequently glanced their way. Wei Rao looked at Zhou Huizhen’s pitiful, helpless appearance. After all, they were first cousins, and Wei Rao couldn’t sit by and ignore it.

“How has your elder sister been lately?” Wei Rao took the initiative to speak with Zhou Huizhen, gradually turning the conversation to jewelry and clothing, all topics Zhou Huizhen enjoyed discussing.

With her leading, plus Qi Miaomiao being young, lively, and cheerful, Zhou Huizhen gradually relaxed and could smile.

As the banquet was about to end, Zhou Huizhen began to feel reluctant to leave.

It had been so long since anyone was willing to speak properly with her. Nanny Liu only gave her advice and instruction, Han Liao only liked her beauty, and her mother-in-law and others needn’t be mentioned. For so long, Wei Rao was the person who treated her best.

“Raorao, let me send you an invitation another day. Will you come visit our mansion?” Zhou Huizhen grasped Wei Rao’s hand.

Wei Rao said quietly, “Let me invite you instead. There are too many people with many eyes at your place. How much happier for us sisters to play alone—I’ll also call Huizhu.”

Zhou Huizhen nodded repeatedly. This was also good, avoiding Han Ying from finding ways to cause her trouble again.

“Princess, First Madam requests your presence for a conversation.”

Just as the cousins had made their arrangement, He Shi suddenly sent a maid to speak.

Wei Rao saw He Shi standing in the corridor, smiling at her.

Wei Rao bid farewell to Zhou Huizhen and went to see her former mother-in-law.