Princess Changle invited noble ladies to her manor to view chrysanthemums. Naturally, the Young Princess of Prince Pingnan’s manor was among those invited.

Wei Wen held the exquisitely crafted embossed invitation, falling into contemplation.

She was certain this chrysanthemum viewing banquet was aimed at her.

Princess Changle had unique preferences and didn’t play well with the capital’s noble ladies. She had even said directly before that people like her were very dull—she was hardly someone enthusiastic about hosting banquets.

Suddenly holding this chrysanthemum viewing banquet—was it because she’d been rebuffed by Young Master Su and was coming to make trouble for her out of spite?

“Princess, why don’t you just say you’re unwell?” Zisu cautiously advised.

Wei Wen came back to her senses, coldly glancing at the maid: “Go prepare my banquet attire and jewelry.”

Zisu didn’t dare advise further and silently went to search through trunks and cabinets.

Wei Wen pressed her hand on the invitation, pressing her lips together.

No matter how fallen Prince Pingnan’s manor was, she was still a princess. The people Princess Changle invited this time were all top-tier noble ladies. If she didn’t go, she would become a laughingstock among these people, with no place to stand in this circle anymore.

Moreover, Princess Changle was targeting her fiancé—how could she retreat and yield?

A cold glint flashed through Wei Wen’s eyes, her expression gradually becoming resolute.

She wanted to see just what Princess Changle could do to her.

Young Master Su was the new top scholar. If Changle intended to make him an imperial son-in-law, she would be somewhat anxious. Unfortunately, Changle cherished her life greatly and didn’t dare marry.

Under these circumstances, did Changle truly think she could force Young Master Su to become a male companion just by relying on her princess status?

Wei Wen sneered and threw the invitation to the ground.

Soon the appointed day on the invitation arrived.

Early in the morning, Princess Manor’s servants bustled about, preparing for the chrysanthemum viewing banquet.

This was the time when Princess Changle performed her morning devotions.

In the incense-filled room, the beautiful countenance of the Longevity Immortal Lady appeared and disappeared, gently gazing upon the faithful woman reciting scriptures.

After Princess Changle prostrated herself and rose, she gazed at the statue of the Longevity Immortal Lady, taller than a person, for a moment. With a solemn expression, she walked out.

Leaving the offering chamber, Princess Changle’s solemn expression turned languid. She casually instructed the maid walking beside her: “I’m going back to sleep for a while. If A’Sheng arrives, remember to wake me.”

The maid curtsied in acknowledgment.

Princess Changle’s bedchamber presented another scene entirely from the quiet room where deities were worshipped.

Soft carpets, layers of bed curtains, pleasant incense—everywhere was comfortable and luxurious.

Princess Changle walked barefoot toward the canopy bed hung with smoke-blue gauze curtains, casually flopping onto the bed. She soon fell into deep sleep.

The incense mist emerging from the duck-billed censer on the incense table grew more dense. Princess Changle in her sleep furrowed her brow.

Before long, she suddenly sat up, pale-faced and gasping for breath in large gulps.

Hearing the commotion, the maid asked from behind the screen: “Your Highness, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Princess Changle replied, her hand gripping the brocade quilt tightening forcefully.

She had dreamed again.

In the dream, the grounds were vast. She and several elder sisters were galloping on horseback.

It was a place specially for imperial princesses to practice riding and archery.

Third Sister was about to marry. She lamented that once married, she wouldn’t have her current freedom, much less opportunities to compete in riding and archery with her younger sisters.

They laughed and played as they came to ride horses.

Third Sister ran at the front.

Though she was young, she had more talent than her sisters in riding and archery, closely pursuing behind in second place.

Just as she was determined to overtake, the jujube-red horse running ahead suddenly went mad, throwing Third Sister from its back.

Third Sister fell right before her eyes.

In that instant her mind went blank. Acting purely on instinct, she controlled her steed to leap over.

Dismounting, she hurried over to see a nightmarish scene: Third Sister lay on the ground, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle, an expression of terror and pain frozen on her face—she had stopped breathing.

Third Sister had died.

The precious and noble princess had actually died from falling off a horse, dying so suddenly, so easily.

Even now, Princess Changle remembered her own scream—that shriek utterly devoid of dignity, terrified to the extreme.

Princess Changle sat woodenly on the bed, drawing the calming, mind-settling incense mist deep into her lungs in large gulps, gradually calming her emotions.

She actually hadn’t had this dream in a long time. She didn’t know what was wrong today that she dreamed of it again.

“Summon Luqi and Duyou.”

Before long, two handsome youths appeared in Princess Changle’s bedchamber.

Princess Changle made no sound, lazily extending her arms.

The two youths came forward. One massaged her shoulders, one massaged her calves, their movements gentle and practiced.

Princess Changle’s eyes were slightly closed as she gently exhaled a breath of stale air.

Indeed, these days surrounded by beautiful men, clothed in brocade and fed with jade, suited her.

Who knew how much time passed before the maid’s report sounded outside: “Your Highness, Miss Luo has arrived.”

Princess Changle raised her hand. The two youths sensibly withdrew to the side.

After changing into appropriate attire for receiving guests, Princess Changle strode out.

It was late autumn—the sky was high and the air crisp.

From afar, Princess Changle saw the plainly dressed young woman walking this way following the maid. She called out happily: “A’Sheng.”

Luo Sheng lifted her skirt hem and quickened her pace.

Princess Changle looked Luo Sheng over and shook her head disapprovingly: “A’Sheng, why do you prefer plain simplicity now?”

After two years apart, A’Sheng seemed somewhat different.

Under Princess Changle’s inquiring gaze, Luo Sheng smiled calmly: “I’ve always followed my heart. In a while, I might like floral splendor again.”

Hearing this, Princess Changle felt her friend hadn’t changed after all.

Indeed, it didn’t matter what one liked. What mattered was liking whatever one wanted to like.

She liked playing with A’Sheng precisely because A’Sheng was open-minded and never wronged herself for the opinions of common people.

“Those people have probably all arrived. Let’s go to the garden.” Princess Changle extended her hand to Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng calmly extended her hand.

She had no interest whatsoever in such banquets, but Princess Changle was Miss Luo’s good friend. If the other party detected something amiss, it would needlessly add trouble.

Just as Princess Changle said, by this time the invited noble ladies had nearly all arrived. Seeing Princess Changle approach, they all paid their respects.

Princess Changle’s phoenix eyes swept the area and spotted Wei Wen.

The noble ladies present all stood in small groups of twos and threes. Only Wei Wen stood alone beside a cluster of chrysanthemums, appearing somewhat forlorn.

Seeing Princess Changle’s gaze fall on Wei Wen, the noble ladies’ faces remained expressionless, but excitement actually stirred within them.

A good show was about to begin.

The noble ladies who received invitations knew full well that Princess Changle’s real intent with this chrysanthemum viewing banquet wasn’t the wine—she was aiming straight for Prince Pingnan Manor’s Young Princess.

A princess and a princess competing over the top scholar—wasn’t this rarely seen excitement?

“When did A’Wen arrive?” Princess Changle asked languidly.

Wei Wen’s gaze swept over Princess Changle and Luo Sheng’s clasped hands, replying calmly: “Not long ago.”

Princess Changle smiled: “I wondered why there was no commotion when you arrived.”

Wei Wen pressed her lips together without making a sound.

“Everyone needn’t be restrained. Feel free to enjoy yourselves…” Princess Changle said a few polite words, then walked toward Wei Wen holding a wine cup filled with amber-colored wine.