Luo Sheng stood in place without moving.

The battle between the Princess and the Young Princess—she had no interest in getting involved.

Seeing Luo Sheng hadn’t followed, Princess Changle looked back and called to her: “A’Sheng, why aren’t you coming?”

Luo Sheng smiled: “It’s been so long since I’ve been to the Princess Manor. I’ll just wander around casually. I won’t disturb Your Highness chatting with the Young Princess.”

Princess Changle sighed regretfully: “Alright then. There’s a cluster of ink chrysanthemums blooming beautifully in the southeast corner. Go take a look.”

A’Sheng didn’t even enjoy watching drama anymore?

“Luqi, Duyou, you two keep Miss Luo company well on this palace’s behalf.” After Princess Changle gave her instructions, she walked toward Wei Wen with some disappointment.

Wei Wen waited with both calm and tension.

She was calm because she didn’t want to show weakness before her rival; she was tense because she knew well Princess Changle and Luo Sheng’s battle prowess.

At least only Princess Changle was coming over alone.

After this thought flashed through her mind, Wei Wen grew somewhat angry at her own lack of backbone.

When had she started fearing that wretched Luo woman!

Sensing Wei Wen’s murderous glare, Luo Sheng felt utterly baffled. She turned decisively and headed toward the ink chrysanthemums.

Princess Changle came to Wei Wen’s side, saying with a smile: “After all these days back in the capital, we finally have a chance to gather together. Let’s walk over there.”

Watching Princess Changle’s back as she headed toward the depths of the flowers and trees, Wei Wen silently followed.

The noble ladies quietly exchanged glances.

They couldn’t watch the drama, so they’d view chrysanthemums instead.

A large area opened up around Luo Sheng as its center. The noble ladies viewed flowers in small groups of twos and threes.

Originally they hadn’t wanted to isolate Miss Luo so obviously, but they were in a difficult position too—Princess Changle’s two male companions were both at Miss Luo’s side.

If they went over, wouldn’t it be bad if people misunderstood that they were interested in the male companions?

Luo Sheng was happy for the peace and quiet, silently admiring the brilliant chrysanthemums.

A soft voice sounded: “Miss Luo, for you.”

Luo Sheng’s gaze fell on the chrysanthemum held before her eyes.

A flower head as large as a palm, petals like silk, blooming layer upon layer in a marvelous form.

She suddenly thought of last autumn, of someone who had given her chrysanthemums as a gift.

That bouquet of chrysanthemums had later been made into chrysanthemum pork, all going to benefit that someone’s stomach.

Luo Sheng stared at that chrysanthemum for quite some time—long enough that doubt appeared in the delicate young man offering the flower: “Does Miss Luo not like it?”

Luo Sheng glanced at the youth, recognizing him as the one called Luqi.

At this moment, she already felt the burning gazes coming from all directions.

Luo Sheng smiled coolly: “I only like ones blooming on branches.”

The youth awkwardly withdrew his hand. His fair face flushed with rosy clouds looked even more captivating.

Luo Sheng lost her interest in viewing chrysanthemums and walked toward the pavilion.

The youth holding the chrysanthemum bit his lip but still followed.

The other youth called Duyou’s eyes flickered slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, he also followed.

The noble ladies’ gazes burned intensely.

Heavens, Princess Changle’s male companion was interested in Miss Luo!

The regret of not witnessing the Princess and Young Princess come to blows at the chrysanthemum viewing banquet was instantly compensated for.

In the depths of the flowers and trees, Princess Changle gazed at Wei Wen and suddenly smiled: “When I left the capital, A’Wen, you were only this tall. I didn’t expect you’d already be betrothed now.”

Wei Wen’s lips twitched slightly. She said coolly: “I’m the same age as Sixth Sister, yet still so much shorter than Sixth Sister. Truly shameful.”

She was only a few months younger than Changle. Changle’s tone of speaking to a child—was she implying she shouldn’t be betrothed?

Thinking this, Wei Wen felt indignant in her heart, yet also produced a trace of pride.

When far away in the southern lands, she had been the incomparably noble Young Princess. Ever since coming to the capital, she’d been beneath Changle in every way. Now she finally had something the other sought but couldn’t obtain.

Princess Changle gazed at Wei Wen for a moment, her expression turning cold: “A’Wen, let’s not waste words between sisters. I want Su Yao.”

Wei Wen didn’t react for quite a while.

She knew full well Princess Changle’s intentions, but never imagined she would be so direct.

After astonishment came fury.

Being so direct simply meant not putting her in her eyes—like an elephant facing an ant, how would it need to be careful?

“A’Wen is angry?” Taking in Wei Wen’s reaction fully, Princess Changle smiled gracefully. “What’s the point of that? Just a man—is he worth turning hostile with me over?”

Wei Wen drew in a quiet breath, calmly asking in return: “Sixth Sister also says he’s just a man. Then why must it be Young Master Su?”

Princess Changle blinked, perfectly justified: “Because I’ve taken a liking to him now.”

“He is my fiancé.”

Princess Changle looked deeply at Wei Wen, smiling ambiguously: “That’s why I’m telling you.”

Wei Wen’s lips turned white with anger. Through gritted teeth she said: “What if I’m unwilling?”

Princess Changle casually plucked a chrysanthemum and tossed it before Wei Wen, saying carelessly: “A’Wen has misunderstood. I’m just telling you. I’m not asking if you’re willing.”

“Changle, don’t go too far!” Wei Wen couldn’t help but change expression.

Princess Changle raised her eyebrows: “What, are you going to complain to Imperial Father?”

The contempt and scorn in Princess Changle’s eyes stabbed painfully at Wei Wen’s heart.

When Prince Pingnan’s manor was still thriving, due to her eldest brother’s special circumstances, she had rarely entered the palace. Now that Prince Pingnan’s manor had fallen drastically, entering the palace was even more difficult.

Princess Changle was stealing her fiancé—that was one thing. But to steal him so openly and brazenly—she absolutely could not swallow this insult.

In extreme fury, Wei Wen instead curved her lips in a smile: “I’m not the type to complain when wronged. I just want to remind Sixth Sister—Young Master Su is the new top scholar. He has a scholar’s integrity and won’t accept such humiliation.”

“Humiliation?” Princess Changle repeated these two words, her gaze turning cold. “You think Su Yao being with me is humiliating him?”

“Making the top scholar a male companion—isn’t that humiliation?” Wei Wen asked in return.

Princess Changle looked at Wei Wen and suddenly blinked: “What if I don’t make him a male companion?”

Wei Wen froze, her complexion faintly turning pale.

Princess Changle then laughed with satisfaction.

Of course she had no intention of marrying, but she didn’t mind frightening this ignorant girl.

Wei Wen was indeed frightened for that instant, but quickly launched a counterattack: “That still depends on Young Master Su’s feelings. I think Sixth Sister has sought out Young Master Su so many times—you should understand, shouldn’t you?”

Princess Changle stepped forward, her face covered in frost: “You think Su Yao’s heart is moved by you?”

“I am his fiancée.” Wei Wen didn’t retreat in the slightest.

“You’re merely his fiancée, and not because of you as a person.” Princess Changle recalled Su Yao’s words, saying cheerfully: “This is what your Young Master Su personally told me.”

“You’re lying!”

Princess Changle’s smile deepened: “You know I disdain telling lies. A’Wen, why must you hold onto a man who doesn’t have you in his heart and offend me?”

“Shut up!”

“What, did I touch your sore spot?”

Princess Changle’s smiling face swayed before her eyes. Every word she uttered seemed like a sharp blade stabbing at her heart.

Hot blood surged up, extinguishing reason.

Wei Wen pulled out her golden hairpin and stabbed it toward Princess Changle.