Although Li Helan wasn’t born a natural princess, from childhood to adulthood, her parents and elder brother all treasured and doted on her.

Especially after Li Qitian conquered the world, with economic support from the great families of Northern Ji Kingdom plus wealth seized through warfare, Li Helan’s life was no less luxurious than that of a true princess.

Therefore, from childhood, there was nothing Li Helan wanted that she couldn’t obtain.

Moreover, in her understanding, Pang Xiao should have belonged to her from the start!

Since childhood, her parents and brother had countless times spoken of her marrying Pang Xiao when she grew up. Li Helan had long admired Pang Xiao, liking his rebellious dominance and appreciating his strategic mind and martial arts. She was now sixteen, but she had already waited eight years to grow up and marry Pang Xiao.

It could be said that when she first met Pang Xiao at age eight and heard her mother’s praise of him and words about betrothing her to him in the future, she had taken it seriously. From then on, throughout Li Helan’s growing years, marrying Pang Xiao had become half her life’s aspiration.

Why had something that had become established reality suddenly changed?

Why wouldn’t her brother, who had always doted on her, support her now that he possessed the supreme power in the world?

Now Li Qitian suddenly told her that Pang Xiao loved another—where should she place all these years of anticipation?

Li Helan’s tears once again rolled down her beautiful face in large drops, gathering at her chin and soaking a patch of her clothing, dyeing the peach-colored jacket a deep red.

Li Qitian gazed at his sister, who looked thunderstruck, sighed and stood up, slowly approaching Li Helan and helping her to her feet with both hands.

“Helan, stop crying. Imperial Brother has only you as a sister—how could I harm you? Although Ji Lan has a cold temperament, he’s still an upright gentleman. He’s no inferior to Pang Zhixi, and you’ll definitely live well with Ji Lan. Moreover, Imperial Brother is here—Ji Lan wouldn’t dare treat you poorly. Prepare for your wedding with peace of mind, alright?”

Li Helan sobbed, looked up, and gazed at Li Qitian through tear-blurred eyes.

“Imperial Brother, Lan’er doesn’t want to marry Ji Lan. Can Lan’er not marry?”

Li Qitian’s face darkened with slight impatience, his brow furrowing: “Helan, you must be obedient. You’re not some country bumpkin—you should have learned proper etiquette. The three obediences and four virtues for women, you understand all of this. Do you not wish to listen to Imperial Brother’s words?”

Although Li Qitian wasn’t angry with her, someone as intelligent as Li Helan could clearly understand Li Qitian’s meaning.

It seemed this marriage had become a foregone conclusion.

Whether out of obedience to her brother or submission to the emperor, she had to marry Ji Lan with no room for retreat.

No, perhaps there wasn’t truly no way out.

What if Pang Zhixi were willing to marry her? What if Pang Zhixi spoke to Imperial Brother—perhaps there might still be hope?

Thinking of this, Li Helan cleverly stopped arguing with Li Qitian.

She understood her brother’s character and knew that her current brother was no longer the brother of the past. He had become ruler of a nation, his words were golden decrees that brooked no violation.

If she wanted to live happily, her greatest support was Imperial Brother’s protection. Compliance now could still earn Imperial Brother’s pity, but defiance would likely only make him lose patience.

Thinking thus, Li Helan wiped her tears with her sleeve, smiled at Li Qitian, and said hoarsely: “Lan’er will listen to Imperial Brother in everything.”

Clearly grieved yet smiling through tears, softly saying she would listen to everything—this touched Li Qitian’s tender heart. Her obedient appearance, smiling through tears to put him at ease, made Li Qitian feel even more pity for her.

Li Qitian patted Li Helan’s shoulder with much comfort and bestowed many gold, silver, and jewels before sending her back to Cining Palace to rest.

Li Helan lived with the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace.

Leaving the imperial study, she walked swiftly with an expressionless face alongside her personal head palace maid He Xiang, returning directly to the side hall of Cining Palace before Li Helan angrily grabbed the golden hairpin from her head, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it several times.

He Xiang quickly dismissed all the eunuchs and palace servants, carefully closing the hall doors.

By then Li Helan had angrily rushed into the inner chamber, grabbed a pillow and beat it forcefully, her expression fierce, screaming silently, her face contorted like a madwoman. Only when exhausted and gasping did she slowly stop, tears surging forth again.

He Xiang approached with heartache, softly persuading: “Princess Imperial, please take care of your health. Don’t wrong yourself.”

Li Helan sobbed, covered her face and cried for a long while before saying: “No, this matter cannot end like this. I must go find Pang Zhixi. I have no way to make Imperial Brother change his mind, but Pang Zhixi surely does!”

“But what if Prince Zhongshun refuses?”

“Refuses? Would he?” Li Helan stared blankly through tear-blurred eyes for a moment, her gaze gradually sharpening: “Go investigate—what’s the background of that woman Prince Zhongshun forcibly took from the guesthouse that day? About the rumors between them, no matter how trivial, I want to know everything!”

“Yes. This servant will arrange it immediately.” He Xiang immediately composed herself solemnly, bowed and withdrew to make arrangements.

A plain-faced little eunuch who had been observing outside Cining Palace for some time quietly went to the imperial study.

Qin Yining had been living extremely comfortably these past two days. Although Yao Shi had been somewhat pointed in her words during their first meeting, in actual interaction, Qin Yining discovered that Yao Shi bore her no ill will. On the contrary, she might actually quite like her.

Yao Shi was an intelligent and gentle woman whose tender words often gave people a spring-like feeling. When spending time with Yao Shi, one seemed to need no psychological pressure—the other could make one feel physically and mentally comfortable like warm spring water.

Ma Shi had an even more straightforward personality. When she had nothing to do, she would often have her maids invite Qin Yining over, and Yao Shi frequently accompanied Qin Yining to chat with Ma Shi.

Ma Shi had wandered the jianghu in her youth and was well-traveled. She often told Qin Yining about her outside experiences. Qin Yining could often offer unique insights and ask questions that hit the mark, making Ma Shi like her even more. She often kept her chatting until dinner time, and even after eating, she was reluctant to let her go.

“Mother, you’ve forgotten again—Yining still needs to return to Suxue Garden, otherwise what would people say?” Yao Shi took the cloak handed by a maid and draped it over Qin Yining.

Qin Yining quickly thanked her, cooperatively lifting her chin so Yao Shi could tie the silk ribbon at her collar.

Ma Shi sighed: “It’s truly helpless. Our house is too big now. It’s not like before when the whole family squeezed together—daily conversation was convenient, we could be affectionate, and there weren’t such great formalities.”

Hearing this, Yao Shi smiled: “Before, our Dafu hadn’t achieved such high office. Yining is already in the capital—surely Mother doesn’t worry there won’t be time for Yining’s morning and evening attendance in the future?”

These words made Ma Shi laugh heartily.

But Qin Yining’s cheeks burned red as she quickly bowed and took her leave.

Watching Qin Yining flee in embarrassment, Ma Shi and Yao Shi exchanged glances and couldn’t help finding it amusing.

“This child—the more we spend time together, the more likeable she becomes.”

“Exactly. If she could truly enter our family, it would also be Dafu’s good fortune.”

…

While the mother and daughter spoke, Qin Yining had already called over Lian Xiaozhou, who had been playing in the courtyard. The two walked together carrying lanterns toward Suxue Garden.

Who knew that just as they turned the corner, they encountered a group of people head-on, led by two elegantly dressed young women.