Wuyan hadn’t expected Lian Yue to make such arrangements. For a moment she hesitated – she really didn’t want to dine at the same table as Lian Yue. Palace banquets in the past were unavoidable, but at least they could keep to themselves.

Zhuxin, seeing her seeming dazed and not knowing what she was thinking, frowned slightly and called out again.

Wuyan had seen some concubines’ methods of competing for favor in the palace. Now seeing Zhuxin’s very upright and graceful manner, regardless of whether it was acting or truly as Aunt Liang had said, she felt favorably disposed toward her first, even though the other party was Huo Chang’an’s concubine. She thanked her and said, “Please wait a moment, Miss Zhuxin. Let me wash up briefly and I’ll accompany you.”

“Good,” Zhuxin smiled understandingly. She took a step forward, about to enter the room, but seeing Wuyan’s slight frown, she smiled instead and said, “I happen to be thirsty. I’ll return to my room for some tea. Call me when you’re ready, Sixth Sister.”

She pointed to the room in the middle right of the courtyard as she spoke.

Wuyan’s good impression of Zhuxin increased further. She wasn’t comfortable having people watch while she washed and changed clothes. She hadn’t expected this girl to notice such a subtle movement. The people in Huo Chang’an’s household were no less capable than those in the palace.

Aunt Liang was a careful person – new clothes, face powder, rouge, and even bathing supplies had all been prepared the night before. She casually took a plain-colored dress, combed her hair in a simple style, used a dark red agate hairpin to add some color, and seeing her pale complexion, applied a bit of rouge. Having tidied herself without particular effort at adornment, she went out to find Zhuxin.

When the maid opened the door, Zhuxin was very surprised by her speed. Seeing from afar that Wuyan’s makeup was simple, her eyes showed a trace of apology as she walked over saying, “Sixth Sister, I was negligent – you haven’t had maids assigned yet. I should have had my maid go help you with your hair and makeup.”

“Miss, what are you saying? It’s just a few small tasks.” Wuyan smiled slightly.

Zhuxin came closer, her eyes suddenly flickering, then she exclaimed in admiration, “Sixth Sister is naturally beautiful. With such looks, she truly needs no adornment – just a simple arrangement already gives her the bearing of a celestial.”

Several women heard the commotion and came out of their rooms one after another. Pingping was the most malicious. Hearing Wuyan speak, she said lightly, “Sister has come to this place – sooner or later maids will be assigned. From now on you won’t need to do things yourself like you did at home.”

Saying this, the others glanced at her and all smiled knowingly.

Wuyan’s mood was already depressed, but hearing this, she actually found it somewhat amusing. This young lady was mocking her family’s poverty and lack of maids to command. When she left the palace this time, she had specifically had the Clothing Bureau prepare some ordinary garments, not wanting to be too ostentatious outside. Yesterday she had come wearing these clothes.

It seemed they had analyzed everything thoroughly last night.

Seeing she was actually smiling, Pingping thought she was relying on her beauty and sneered, “Beauty and cleverness – Madam has plenty of both. As for good temperament, that would be our Zhuxin. I don’t know what some people are relying on.”

Wuyan didn’t bother with her, only asking Zhuxin, “Shall we go?”

Zhuxin nodded, then said to Pingping, “You talk too much. The Marquis also said you’re good in every way, just that mouth of yours shows no mercy.”

Pingping lifted her chin proudly, looking pleased as she playfully hit Zhuxin a few times, then coldly glanced at Wuyan before walking ahead with the other women.

Wuyan knew Zhuxin was helping her out of an awkward situation, and it was done quite cleverly – praising Pingping while successfully making her stop talking. She and Zhuxin walked behind, saying, “Miss is truly a wise woman.”

Zhuxin smiled modestly in response. Wuyan looked at her with some pity, “With Miss’s qualities, even marrying into a great household as the legitimate wife would be more than adequate. Why are you willing to compete here?”

Zhuxin felt curious about this Wuyan.

When they first met last night, she only felt this woman was beautiful but aloof and cold, making that beauty lack intelligence. However, later hearing her subtly refute Pingping’s deliberate attempt to make enemies for herself – she had long known Pingping’s thoughts, just pretended not to understand – she was startled to realize this woman was not simple. But just now seeing her ignore Pingping, she couldn’t help thinking she ultimately lacked smoothness.

Hearing her question now, she felt it touched her heart, and considering her words and actions back and forth, she suddenly felt she couldn’t see through this strikingly beautiful woman clearly.

She thought for a moment and answered seriously, “Yes, but unfortunately, there’s no other Huo Chang’an elsewhere.”

“Others, however good, are not that person?” Wuyan seemed to pause, then after a long while, laughed softly, “Miss, you’re very good. Much better than Wuyan.”

Huo Chang’an had charisma and pride, yet was a man who was considerate of women. Usually, when Huo Chang’an brought girls back, he personally escorted them, but yesterday this Wuyan had been brought by Aunt Liang. Zhuxin had thought, as Pingping’s words weren’t entirely wrong, this beautiful girl probably had some pride in her beauty and had angered Huo Chang’an, which was why he hadn’t personally escorted her – this was also why Pingping and the others were sharp in their mockery.

She truly bore no ill will toward her, even harboring thoughts of helping if she could. This temperament of understanding advance and retreat without becoming scheming due to living in a wealthy household had always been her pride, and also what Huo Chang’an liked about her. Otherwise, with Princess Lian Yue’s noble status, beautiful looks, and intelligence, how could she share even a trace of his affection? She wanted to comfort her with a few words, but seeing her smile at her then gaze into the distance, not knowing what she was thinking – for a moment she seemed to have an otherworldly feeling that left her speechless. This girl was truly a pity.

When the group reached the main hall, they saw Huo Chang’an and Lian Yue had already arrived, sitting in the central position. The steward couple stood respectfully behind Huo Chang’an, and Chanying Qiang and Ji’er Zhang were also there, having taken seats at the end.

Seeing them enter, the two men rose to pay respects. Huo Chang’an’s gaze swept over lightly.

Apart from festivals, everyone rarely dined together. Huo Chang’an mostly accompanied Lian Yue, occasionally visiting their individual rooms, going to Zhuxin’s and Pingping’s slightly more often.

The women were all very happy, stepping forward to pay respects to the couple. Huo Chang’an chuckled, “You can skip the formalities with me – just pay respects to Madam.”

“Yes, Marquis. We sisters understand.” Pingping gave him a coquettish smile. Huo Chang’an frivolously whistled, apparently accustomed to such play at home.

Wuyan remembered what Suzhen had told her before leaving.

— Wuyan, let that bastard Huo Chang’an show off for a while. Don’t worry, sooner or later he’ll have kidney deficiency.

Thinking this way, her mood improved considerably.

The women had always been well-behaved before Lian Yue, rushing forward to speak with her. Lian Yue nodded lightly, then smiled warmly at Zhuxin who was walking behind, finally settling her gaze on Wuyan.

Her expression remained gentle. Zhuxin respectfully paid respects to Lian Yue, then pushed Wuyan lightly from behind, quietly reminding, “Quickly pay respects to Madam.”

Just as Wuyan was about to go over, Lian Yue suddenly stood up and walked over. She reached out to grasp Wuyan’s hand, “I never imagined there would be a day when you and I would both be Chang’an’s wives.”

Lian Yue’s words shocked all the women. Pingping’s expression changed first, and Zhuxin also looked over in surprise.

Wuyan looked at her and said, “I wouldn’t dare. Thank you, Princess Imperial, for your help this time. Wuyan is grateful.”

“I know your temperament. Regardless of the past, now that you and I are both Chang’an’s wives, let’s get along well in the future.” She released her hand and gestured toward the seat to Huo Chang’an’s left. She herself returned to sit at Huo Chang’an’s right.

Over there, Zhuxin’s lips pressed tightly together, her pupils dilating slightly. The girls who were friendly with Zhuxin looked at her with surprise, alarm, and wariness. Wuyan, observing their expressions, knew this seat originally belonged to Zhuxin.

Lian Yue – it really was Lian Yue. Huo Chang’an seemed to find this quite interesting, his eyes narrowing to a line, his lips curved in an ambiguous smile.

Scoundrel. Wuyan remembered the scene when Suzhen cursed Huo Chang’an while living at the Court of Judicial Review, thought of this interesting friend, and seemed to find strength. Lian Yue also stirred her fighting spirit.

She pulled Zhuxin over, walked to Huo Chang’an’s front, and said sideways to Lian Yue, “Wuyan heard the Marquis say that besides Madam, the person he loves most in his heart is Sister Zhuxin here. Madam’s deep affection for the Marquis is evident – treating new sisters so generously, letting Wuyan sit once. But after once, it must eventually be returned, so Wuyan won’t sit after all, lest she be heartbroken later.”

“Sister, please sit.”

Similarly, she gestured for Zhuxin to “please” be seated.

Lian Yue’s expression changed slightly, then she smiled again, as if saying, “Very good.”

Zhuxin hesitantly glanced at Lian Yue, biting her lip as she looked toward Huo Chang’an. She didn’t dare sit down casually, waiting for his decision.

Huo Chang’an smiled and stood up, stroking his beloved concubine’s hair, saying tenderly, “Exactly right. Xin’er, come sit beside me.”

He personally helped her sit down before taking his own seat. Only then did Zhuxin’s somewhat pale face show a trace of blush as she said softly, “Thank you, Marquis.”

“Everyone sit.” Lian Yue gave instructions lightly, “Uncle Liang, Aunt Liang, have the kitchen serve the dishes.”

The women thanked her and sat down as instructed. Chanying Qiang and Ji’er Zhang also sat down, but secretly glanced toward Wuyan’s direction.

Wuyan still stood between Huo Chang’an and Zhuxin. Seeing the matter settled, she was about to go sit at the very last position when she heard Huo Chang’an ask lightly, “What’s this, Wei Wuyan? Didn’t you used to hate polygamy the most? How is it that now you seem to accept it?”

His eyes held a smile, but his voice carried mockery.

“Marquis, I remember Huaisu saying that one day, women too could be officials. Wuyan thinks that one day, one man will only match with one woman. Since Wuyan is here, naturally she follows the Marquis and Princess Imperial’s lead, obeying all rules. As for the matter of wives and concubines filling the halls – that’s truly not something I accept. It was so before, and it’s so now.”

Wuyan answered softly, then felt pain in her wrist.

Throughout the entire hall, apart from Huo Chang’an suddenly standing up and the rustling sound of his clothes, there was no other sound.