The Great Madam smiled with a trace of melancholy: “Yes, he should be reluctant to give up, so this plan will not stop. The only difference is who will execute it. If you can’t do it, there are still Changxiao and Changxi. If they won’t do, there’s still Second Branch’s Changru, and now there’s an additional clever and quick-witted Li Weiyang. Legitimate birth or concubine birth—it’s just a matter of appearances. The decision lies in your father’s hands.”

Li Changle’s fingers gradually turned cold, and her heart finally felt a trace of panic.

Seeing that the desired effect was achieved, the Great Madam no longer frightened her: “I’ll tell you the truth—whether it’s Changxiao and Changxi or the others, they’re all just chess pieces for the Li family to test the waters. When they grow up, they’ll have plenty of uses, but ultimately they all share one thing in common—they’re all paving the way for you. Do you understand? So you absolutely cannot make any mistakes, and you cannot drag your elder brother along to act crazy with you.”

The watery light in Li Changle’s eyes flowed, making her appear even more beautiful and moving under the candlelight: “Mother—”

The Great Madam patted her hand and said: “You are such a fine piece of jade—how can you be destroyed together with a broken tile? If Mother can endure it, so can you. Wait patiently.”

Li Changle lowered her head. For a long while she didn’t respond, and in the end, she only softly hummed in agreement.

As the year’s end approached, a heavy snowfall covered all of Dali. The high officials and nobles in the capital all enjoyed the snow and warmed wine, extremely delighted. But gradually, no one could smile anymore, because this heavy snow continued for half a month, causing disaster. Hundreds of thousands of people in the southwestern border regions were affected. The Emperor was greatly shaken and ordered spending cuts, opened the granaries for relief, and demanded that civil and military officials submit strategies. For a time, memorials flew onto the Emperor’s desk like snowflakes.

In the pavilion, Tuoba Zhen wore a deep blue robe with extremely fine silver thread embroidering soaring cranes over sea clouds at the collar and sleeve cuffs. Paired with an openwork gold-threaded belt and adorned with a completely jade-green bamboo joint pendant, he looked elegant and outstanding. The black chess piece in his hand had still not fallen.

Li Minfeng looked at him and smiled slightly: “Is Your Highness still worrying about the disaster situation?”

A subtle expression flashed across Tuoba Zhen’s face, and he finally placed his piece: “Not at all. Political affairs naturally have the Crown Prince working on them. I’ll just be an idle wealthy person.”

Li Minfeng said calmly: “Your Highness, you and I have been friends for many years. Why must you hide from me?”

Tuoba Zhen didn’t conceal his thoughts, but merely laughed openly and said: “It seems Brother Minfeng is quite confident about resolving the disaster situation?”

Li Minfeng placed a white piece and said casually: “When all is said and done, it’s just that same old routine of opening granaries to distribute grain. His Majesty’s ears must be callused by now.”

Tuoba Zhen nodded and smiled: “Indeed. In the past two days, Father Emperor summoned the ministers and scolded them thoroughly, ordering them to devise a sound strategy to thoroughly resolve the disaster within three days. Unfortunately, no one dares to present a plan.”

Perhaps it wasn’t that they didn’t dare, but that no one was willing to risk their own power and position. Li Minfeng didn’t expose this, but only urged: “Your Highness, it’s your turn.”

Tuoba Zhen said nothing, but his eyes looked toward behind Li Minfeng. Li Minfeng was surprised and turned to look. He saw three young ladies at the far end of the long corridor, gracefully approaching surrounded by maids and servants. The young lady walking at the front wore a crimson dress—she had the brilliance of peonies without a trace of vulgarity, and spiritual energy pressed forth from her every movement… On both sides of the corridor bloomed clusters of precious varieties of plum blossoms in myriad forms. Large blossoms bloomed proudly. The spectacular sight of plum blossoms standing proud against the snow was actually suppressed by Li Changle’s beauty.

Li Minfeng hurriedly looked toward Tuoba Zhen. Sure enough, a trace of admiration flashed appropriately through the other’s eyes.

Li Minfeng laughed inwardly. There wasn’t a man in this world who wouldn’t be moved upon seeing his younger sister. No matter how aloof Tuoba Zhen was, he was still just an ordinary man. He raised his eyebrows and said: “Changle, you certainly know how to pick your timing—not coming early or late, but choosing precisely this moment, causing His Highness to forget all about playing chess!”

Li Changle glanced at Tuoba Zhen and smiled charmingly: “Something delayed me and I came late. Changle offers tea in place of wine to apologize to Your Highness.”

Tuoba Zhen laughed heartily and stood to respond: “Not at all, not at all. For such a beauty as the eldest miss, even waiting a lifetime would be willing and joyful.”

These words seemed to carry deep meaning. Li Changle’s face turned slightly red, but recalling her mother’s reminder not to waver in any way before the imperial succession was clear, she immediately corrected her expression. She sat down with reserved dignity and said: “These are my two younger sisters, Changxi and Changxiao. The Third Prince has met them before, hasn’t he?”

Tuoba Zhen’s gaze swept over the faces of Li Changxiao, whose face bore shyness, and Li Changxi, whose eyes brightened as she looked at him. He merely smiled and nodded. They were just concubine daughters—no need to take them to heart.

Li Changxiao lowered her head. She was merely here to accompany, and as long as she didn’t speak up about anything and didn’t steal the eldest sister’s spotlight, all would be well.

Li Changxi, however, couldn’t hide the blush on her face. Earlier she had been somewhat worried that her scar would affect her marriage prospects, but yesterday the Great Madam had specifically called her over and instructed her to get along well with the Third Prince. Her words implied the intent of betrothal, which delighted her beyond measure. Though the Third Prince’s birth status wasn’t high, he at least had a noble foster mother in Worthy Consort Wu. Even if he couldn’t ascend to the imperial throne in the future, he would at least be a Prince of First Rank with high position and power! That Mother would think of her for such a good marriage made the resentment caused by the Snow Fragrance incident fade considerably.

“Was Your Highness worrying about the disaster situation just now?” The pavilion was heated with a brazier. Li Changle’s eyelashes quickly melted a layer of snow beads, making her beautiful eyes appear even more captivating with flowing glances and noble temperament, giving people a feeling of wanting to protect and draw close while also not bearing to profane.

Tuoba Zhen nodded and looked toward the goose-feather snow outside the pavilion, revealing a trace of worry in his eyes.

Li Changle smiled slightly and was about to speak when she saw a maid in the snow holding a bamboo umbrella. Under the umbrella was a young woman wearing a red feather cloak, delicate as carved powder and jade. The moment she saw her, Li Changle’s lips suddenly pressed tight, then quickly relaxed. A terrifying fierce light burst from her eyes—the momentarily ferocious expression seemed as if it had never existed.

Li Changxi frowned first: “Li Weiyang, what are you doing there again!”

Li Weiyang raised her head, glanced at everyone in the pavilion, curved her lips into a smile, and deliberately walked over slowly: “Weiyang greets the Third Prince, elder brother, and eldest sister.”

Li Changxi looked disdainfully at the small cup in her hand: “The weather is so cold and the common people are suffering disaster, yet you still have the heart to collect snow water from plum blossoms here. You truly have no heart or conscience.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Of all virtues, filial piety is foremost. I’m collecting plum blossom snow water for Old Madam. What of it—does Fifth Sister have an objection?”

Li Changxi was startled, then snorted coldly and turned her face away.

Li Changle glanced at Li Weiyang but instead said gently: “Younger sister, the weather is cold. You must take care of yourself.”