Li Weiyang was practicing calligraphy, very seriously, though her handwriting had never been particularly good. In her past life, she had never received an education. Though she had practiced diligently afterward, calligraphy was truly something that needed to be learned from childhood. After carefully writing the character “思” (longing), Li Weiyang examined it for a long time and couldn’t help but shake her head.

“Miss has been practicing calligraphy all day!”

“Yes, I heard today is the day Fourth Young Master Jiang is being executed. So many people went to watch!”

“Exactly. I thought Miss would go too!”

“Shh, quiet! Miss clearly has no intention of going!” Mozhu and Baizhi whispered to each other.

Li Weiyang raised her head and glanced at them: “Whispering secrets right in front of me?” Did these two maids think she was deaf? She could hear everything!

Baizhi smiled: “Miss, aren’t you going to the execution grounds to watch?” Seeing one’s enemy die should be very satisfying—why wasn’t Miss interested at all?

Li Weiyang made another stroke and said lightly, “What’s there to see in an execution?” Moreover, the person being killed definitely wasn’t Jiang Nan.

Both Baizhi and Mozhu looked at her with strange expressions. Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Zhao Yue, you tell them.”

Zhao Yue responded, “Miss arranged people at the prison gates long ago. Three nights ago, someone secretly entered the imperial prison and switched out Jiang Nan.”

The other two maids showed shocked expressions. Baizhi quickly said, “The Jiang family is so bold!”

The imperial prison was different from ordinary jails—it held serious criminals. Moreover, Jiang Nan was someone His Majesty had personally ordered imprisoned. Normally no visits were allowed, much less any unauthorized persons approaching. Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Without His Majesty’s permission, who could enter the imperial prison?”

Mozhu said in surprise, “Miss, you mean…”

“I mean nothing.” Li Weiyang blinked. The emperor had stripped the Jiang family of two hundred thousand troops and ordered the Jiang family’s sons back to the capital for mourning. Obviously, if they truly killed Jiang Nan, they would be forcing the Jiang family to rebel. So Jiang Nan being switched out had both the Crown Prince’s contribution and the emperor’s tacit approval. Imperial schemes had always been this dirty—going back on one’s word, doing whatever they pleased, all to maintain imperial power’s stability. This wasn’t surprising. Li Weiyang had anticipated it all along—she just wanted confirmation.

“Miss, we can find a way to expose them!” Baizhi said through gritted teeth, truly detesting Jiang Nan’s self-important attitude.

Li Weiyang smiled quietly: “Though Jiang Nan is alive, he can only live under a false identity for the rest of his life. Don’t even mention going to the battlefield to build achievements—his life is actually a hundred times more painful than death.” With Jiang Nan’s arrogant personality, making him give up his identity as Fourth Young Master Jiang, abandon the illustrious prestige of being a Mighty General, become someone mixed into the common marketplace, unable to tell anyone his identity, unable to inherit the Jiang family’s glory—everything was already destroyed. Li Weiyang found this thought very beautiful.

For Jiang Nan, this was the world’s cruelest punishment.

“But what if he comes to cause you trouble again?” Baizhi was somewhat worried.

Li Weiyang showed dimpled smile: “He might want to, but the Jiang family will watch him wholeheartedly, guarding against him, not letting him appear before me again. I imagine he’s already been sent out of the city.” Of course, definitely not to a prosperous major city but to some godforsaken countryside. And they would definitely assign people to watch him, preventing him from causing more trouble.

Baizhi nodded. Just as she was about to say something more, a voice came from outside: “You silly girl still don’t understand? Keeping Jiang Nan alive means keeping leverage over the Jiang family. Someday when it’s brought up, it can add a spectacular stroke to their crimes.”

Li Weiyang looked up to see Li Minde standing at the doorway. His eyes tilted upward at the corners, black pupils flowing with light, his expression somewhere between smiling and not, his bearing captivating. Though it was a familiar face, Li Weiyang felt he somehow had gained a sharp and powerful aura, making her involuntarily furrow her brows slightly.

Li Minde was also staring at her. Because it was summer, the room had ice basins set out, yet it still didn’t reduce the heat. Li Weiyang wore a cherry-colored dress with jade hairpin flower patterns. Against her snow-white complexion, she appeared especially delicate and alluring. When she raised her head, the white jade tassel butterfly ornament at her collar swayed slightly, almost dazzling his eyes.

Li Minde’s gaze was as gentle as flowing water: “What’s this, practicing calligraphy?” He walked to her side and picked up a piece of writing to examine carefully. Li Weiyang asked, “How is it?”

Li Minde smiled, that smile as dazzling as a bouquet of flowers blooming in spring. Baizhi and Mozhu exchanged glances and couldn’t help but step back half a pace. They didn’t dare look too long at this brilliantly radiant Third Young Master, afraid of having their souls stolen away. Zhao Yue had already gone outside to talk with her own elder brother when her master entered.

“Here, the strokes lack strength.” Li Minde held her hand as if to teach her calligraphy stroke by stroke. However, Li Weiyang froze, then unobtrusively withdrew her hand: “Didn’t you go out? Why are you back so early?”

Li Minde smiled and took out a jade hairpin from his chest: “I saw this outside and thought it would suit you very well.”

The hairpin was carved from a single piece of jade, its finely carved head adorned with pearls. The green and white colors complemented each other beautifully. Li Weiyang was captivated by that jade color, then said, “For me?”

Li Minde nodded and was about to put it in her hair himself, but Li Weiyang suddenly stopped his hand.

Li Minde didn’t move, only tightened his grip on the jade hairpin, his gaze burning as he looked at her face, a strange emotion surfacing in his eyes: “What’s wrong…”

Li Weiyang’s spine was held so straight, her delicate face forcefully suppressing something. After a long while, she smiled and said, “Minde, jade hairpins aren’t something to give casually. It’s even less appropriate to give one to me.”

“You’ve always known my feelings.” Li Minde looked into her eyes—they were so dark and transparent they could almost reflect his face. His heart warmed, and he couldn’t help but look at her eagerly, expectantly, without blinking.

Seeing the situation was wrong, Baizhi and Mozhu quietly withdrew.

“I…” Facing such passionate eyes, Li Weiyang was completely stunned.

However, Li Minde looked at her seriously, breaking into a thin smile like sunlight on an icy surface—appearing warm but actually full of anxiety: “You once asked me who I liked. Now I’ll tell you the answer. Do you want to hear it?”

Li Weiyang could barely speak. At this moment, whatever she said seemed wrong.

“You once said that no matter what, you would stay by my side and never leave.” Li Minde’s gaze was piercing as he stared directly at her.

“…” Li Weiyang was surprised. That had been years ago, just words of comfort after Third Madam’s death. She hadn’t expected this young man before her had remembered it all this time.

“Do those promises still count?” he asked somewhat anxiously.

Li Weiyang was momentarily speechless: “What I said… naturally won’t change. But… but I cannot accept your feelings—” Though difficult, she should still make things clear, shouldn’t she?

Li Minde’s handsome face began turning pale, then white. He seemed to realize something, asking with difficulty and bitterness, “…Your promises from before… were just a joke?” Without realizing it, his fists slowly clenched tighter.

Li Weiyang looked at his expression, unable to say words of denial, yet also unable to answer yes. She lowered her head and slowly pushed the jade hairpin back to him: “This… you should give to the girl you truly love.”

“You!” Li Minde looked at her with a trace of disbelief.

“This… was meant for someone you love. You giving it to me is very inappropriate, so I cannot accept it under any circumstances.”

“I absolutely will not take back what I’ve given you!” Just like his heart. Li Minde said word by word.

“Minde…”

Li Minde’s chest rose and fell rapidly: “Back then, you saved me from the water. You said from then on you’d be my friend, my family. After Mother died, you stayed by my side, told me you wouldn’t leave me alone, said you’d accompany me for life. And now? Has everything changed? Why? Because I’m no longer the helpless Third Young Master Li of the past? Because you feel I’m no longer your responsibility, so you want to abandon me? You’ve never really had me in your heart, have you? You told me to find a girl I like—I’m telling you, I only like you!”

Li Weiyang looked at him, opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn’t say anything. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to love—she simply had no capacity to love. She couldn’t accept anyone. Minde was wonderful, truly wonderful. During the hardest times, he had always stayed by her side. But she couldn’t love him. In this lifetime, she didn’t plan to accept anyone. Her heart had long rotted—it didn’t beat at all. But he was different. He was still young, so intelligent, so handsome, so outstanding. So many girls liked him. How could someone like her, who couldn’t reciprocate, give him hope…

“I know you can’t love anyone, but can’t you even allow me—to love you?” Li Minde’s face showed a bitter smile. He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but he always felt that body was moving away from him. Inner panic and fear he’d never experienced before surged forth. He suddenly stepped forward, using almost all his strength to grip her hand tightly.

Li Weiyang froze, not even thinking to break free.

“I know Tuoba Yu likes you, Tuoba Zhen also wants to possess you, but you’ve never liked either of them. What about me? Since you’ve never clearly rejected them, why push me away…” His eyes were bloodshot, the light in them slowly fading, gradually turning dim. “Am I the easiest person to abandon in your heart…”

Li Weiyang stood stunned for a long time before finally breaking free from him. She let out a soft sigh, guilt and unease constantly churning in her eyes: “You’re such a fool! Don’t you know how many girls will like you? Why must you like me?! Knowing full well I can’t accept you!”

Li Minde looked at her, reaching out wanting to touch her face but grasping only empty air. Anxiety flashed across his face before he finally laughed lowly. His usually dark eyes full of gentleness had dimmed like an ancient mirror, only able to slowly reflect her face: “Even if I just silently like you—is that not allowed?”

“All I have for you is familial affection.” Li Weiyang’s heart ached. Her face alternated between cool and warm. She gently opened her mouth, the bitter, salty and sweet tastes spreading within. She couldn’t help but steel her heart and answer through gritted teeth. Smart as she was, how could she not know that this youth who had been like a younger brother in her heart probably had feelings for her that had changed long ago?

At first she thought it was just simple infatuation… But how had it become like this?

There were many words she couldn’t say, couldn’t explain. She wanted to drive him away, yet selfishly, she was reluctant to let go of this still-young youth. Perhaps in her heart, she also craved warmth. But still, she couldn’t accept it.

“Am I deluding myself, aren’t I!” Seeing her speak those two words—familial affection—he suddenly laughed, laughing so hard tears spilled from the corners of his eyes.

She only looked at him silently. The room filled with an awkward silence.

After a very long time, his voice suddenly became abnormally calm: “You like quiet, so I tried my best to become well-behaved before you. You like gentle people, so I forced myself to become gentle. You don’t like others pressuring you, so I silently liked you, stayed by your side. Even if you never accept my feelings, I can still stay by your side for life. As long as you don’t say you refuse, I can keep dreaming. But my heart is also flesh—it can be hurt, it can ache. You clearly know everything yet deliberately pretend not to know. Now you sum everything up with two words—familial affection. Then what was everything I did? What does it all mean? Your heart holds so much—revenge, hatred… When will it be your turn, my turn…”

The pain in his eyes shocked Li Weiyang. She had thought… after some time, he would let go of this pointless obsession. She hadn’t expected he was thinking of a lifetime—a lifetime. How long was that? How could he speak those two words so easily?

No, she had to make him clear-headed! Li Weiyang shook her head: “Minde, I will always consider you the most important person, but not as a lover. Wake up and look around properly. There are too many girls around you who like you—you don’t lack me. We’ve been family from start to finish. This relationship won’t change. You won’t leave me, I won’t leave you. But I don’t want your love. Isn’t this good?”

Li Minde looked at her, his eyes gradually tinged with despair. “Yes, never separating, but you say you don’t want me to love you.”

Li Weiyang steeled her heart: “Yes, I don’t want you to love me, I never want you to love me! You just need to treat me as family!” This kind of relationship was the most stable, would never change, just like Minzhi would never betray her, Tan Shi would never betray her. Only this kind of feeling was most genuine, wouldn’t easily change! “You just need to think things through clearly. When you’ve thought everything through, we can talk again!” Li Weiyang said this, returned the jade hairpin to him, and turned to leave.

Li Minde’s black eyes stared at her, watching her depart. The moment the door closed, a gold-painted flower vase was suddenly swept to the floor by him—”Crash”—a loud noise as it shattered into pieces.

He still stood in place, his gaze slowly turning ice-cold. Tightly gripping what was in his palm, the pain and unwillingness in his eyes surged like stormy waves. Things given out could be returned—but what about my heart? Can that be simply returned too?

After this incident, Li Weiyang felt some awkwardness and avoided seeing Li Minde for several days. But soon she discovered things exceeded her imagination. In just a few days, Li Minde’s attitude had already returned to normal. When encountering her, he still joked and laughed as usual, as if that day’s events had never happened.

She couldn’t help but find it strange—when had this youth become so unfathomable that she couldn’t understand him?

**August 15th, Crown Princess’s Birthday Banquet**

Li Weiyang had just finished dressing when she suddenly saw through the mirror Zhao Yue hurrying in: “Miss, someone outside sent a brocade box specifically for Miss, and they won’t let anyone open it.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows. Unless the situation was special, Zhao Yue wouldn’t report such things at all. She turned back: “Who sent it?”

Zhao Yue lowered her head: “This servant heard the steward send someone to report. When I rushed to the gate, I saw a black-canopied carriage departing with the Jiang family’s clan emblem on it.”

“Jiang family?” Li Weiyang couldn’t help but show a trace of curiosity.

“Yes, Miss. This servant brought the brocade box in. Does Miss want to look?” Zhao Yue asked.

Li Weiyang nodded: “Bring it here.” Zhao Yue clearly knew what was in the box, so she didn’t approach closely but opened it from afar, revealing its contents.

Baizhi glanced at it and actually screamed, frightened into stepping back half a pace. She collided with Mozhu who had just entered from behind. The tray in Mozhu’s hands fell to the ground, jade-green grapes rolling everywhere. Mozhu ignored Baizhi and quickly picked up the grapes from the floor with heartache: “Sister Baizhi, these are this year’s finest grapes—”

But Baizhi pointed at the brocade box, her face showing shock.

Inside the box was a head, preserved with lime. Though cleaned spotlessly without a drop of fresh blood, it was definitely, undeniably a head. Though it had been treated, that rotting face, covered in scars—one glance was enough to see it was Li Changle.

Three days ago, Li Changle had been executed by slow slicing. Li Weiyang hadn’t gone to watch the execution. The Jiang family had saved Jiang Nan, but they wouldn’t save the worthless Li Changle, so her death was certain. But this head had been sent to her.

Seeing Li Weiyang show no excessive shock, Zhao Yue finally relaxed and closed the box: “Miss, what do you think they mean by this?”

Baizhi said angrily, “The Jiang family is truly going too far! They actually sent this thing!”

Mozhu looked shocked at the several people in the room. She had entered late and was knocked down by Baizhi while busy picking things up, so she hadn’t seen the severed head in the box at all. After Baizhi’s reminder, she discovered what was inside and was shocked while thinking—wasn’t the Jiang family doing this brazenly provocative?!

“No, it’s not the Jiang family, it’s Jiang Hua.” Li Weiyang turned around, looking at her own face in the mirror. The uneven light and shadows in the bronze mirror made her entire reflection appear more blurred.

“It’s Jiang Hua?” Baizhi was shocked. “Miss, is he deliberately trying to frighten you? You must not fall for it!”

Li Weiyang laughed. How could someone who designed others’ deaths be frightened by death scenes? Having stayed in the Cold Palace for so many years, she had even seen madmen who devoured their own arms. Having experienced such terrifying scenes, what was there to fear? Whenever she felt she was going mad, she told herself over and over that she must live long, outlive all those who wished her dead! She believed Jiang Hua was an intelligent person who should see clearly what kind of character she had—he wouldn’t use such childish tricks to frighten her.

Perhaps she had the same understanding of this intelligent man.

His meaning wasn’t provocation but telling her: this game is very interesting, and he wanted to participate.

Even asking: Li Weiyang, want to play together? Like an invitation—a death wager gambling with their lives.

Li Weiyang’s lips curved upward. Jiang Hua’s mind probably couldn’t be understood by ordinary people. This kind of person truly had talent and strategy. Even his style of doing things was somewhat similar to hers—both would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Moreover, willing to take risks. Just from Jiang Hua sending people to assassinate her, one could see the clues. Deep in his bones, he was an arrogant risk-taker who thought himself invincible. When necessary, he could disregard everything, even without considering consequences. Compared to other Jiang family members who valued the entire family’s honor, Jiang Hua was an extreme dissenter. Now Li Weiyang had piqued his interest—he would use any possible means to defeat her, even making huge sacrifices.

This kind of person was definitely more dangerous than other Jiang family members—much more dangerous.

**One shichen later**, Jiang Yuelan brought Li Changxiao and Li Weiyang to the Crown Prince’s residence. The Second Madam hadn’t brought her daughter to participate. After Second Young Master Jiang’s marriage was settled, Second Madam had immediately and eagerly betrothed Li Changru to the legitimate second son of Marquis Nan’an. Now she was just waiting for Sun Yanjun to enter the household before marrying off her daughter, so she was very busy. Moreover, they had no need to participate in such occasions… Now that the three-year mourning period was complete, the Li residence had only Li Weiyang and Li Changxiao as unmarried young ladies. Lady Li had already begun seeking suitable marriage prospects for them—this was an excellent opportunity.

Li Weiyang wore a light purple solid-ground gauze dress embroidered with green bamboo branches. She looked fresh yet simple. Combined with her natural delicate beauty, she couldn’t help but attract everyone’s attention. Indeed, these past three months, Li Weiyang had already become famous throughout the capital, a renowned figure.

Li Changxiao wore a pink scenic-patterned silk garment, dressed brightly and beautifully, clearly uncomfortable under everyone’s gazes. Yet Jiang Yuelan acted as if nothing was wrong, leading the two inside. On this point, Li Weiyang quite admired this stepmother. After the last incident of conspiring with Li Changle to frame her, every time seeing herself, she showed not the slightest guilt, still happy and affectionate. Just this composure alone wasn’t something ordinary people possessed.

The Crown Princess smiled broadly as she watched everyone bow to her. In such hot weather, she still wore the clothing only the Crown Prince’s legitimate consort could wear. Li Weiyang saw this and couldn’t help but laugh lightly, covering the pity in her eyes. When a woman fell to relying only on clothing to display her status, it showed she had long lost any real standing in her household.

The Crown Princess saw Jiang Yuelan and the others and immediately called maids to lead them to their seats, then turned to greet other arriving guests. Li Weiyang glanced into the distance but didn’t see that Jiang family concubine daughter. Jiang Yuelan said in a low voice, “The secondary consort is already pregnant—it’s a critical time. The Crown Prince treasures her and won’t let her attend gatherings.”

Li Weiyang sighed. No wonder the Crown Princess’s smile held a trace of strain. So far she had only borne two daughters. If the secondary consort gave birth to a son in one go, the Crown Princess’s position would become even more precarious.

The banquet was set in the garden. Surrounding them were peonies blooming their last, with clear, calm lake water not far away. Willow trees swayed gracefully along the shore in the breeze—the scenery was extremely beautiful. Small tables had already been set up in the garden’s open space, over forty distinguished guests arranged in two rows of small tables. Of course, male and female guests were separated. Li Minde was also among those invited. He had arrived earlier than them and was currently talking with acquaintances. Li Weiyang glanced at him once, then lowered her gaze and sighed softly.

Many eyes stared at Li Weiyang as if trying to see through her completely. Miss Liu nearby whispered, “This is Princess Anping?!” She had just returned to the capital from her maternal family and had obviously only recently heard of Li Weiyang’s glorious deeds, never having seen her in person, and was very curious.

The eldest daughter of Marquis Hechang’s household, Dong Qin, had almond eyes and peach cheeks with flirtatious features. Now using a round fan to cover her rosy little mouth, she whispered, “You’ve actually never seen her? Such a famous woman, tsk tsk—”

Miss Liu said in a completely disbelieving tone, “But she looks nothing like someone so formidable!” In everyone’s eyes, though Li Weiyang was an innocent victim, she had publicly accused her legitimate mother and maternal grandmother in the golden hall. No matter what wrongs they had committed, her actions were extremely rebellious and unforgivable! Among the great families’ daughters, even if wronged or treated unfairly, they must endure to the end. You could ask your father and brothers to stand up for you, but you absolutely couldn’t publicly accuse your legitimate mother or other elders of crimes in court. Though it seemed unfair, these were the rules! Rules everyone knew and dared not violate!

Therefore, toward this Li Weiyang who dared to resist and successfully break the rules, even receiving the emperor’s commendation, everyone’s feelings had changed. Previously they might have thought this woman insignificant. Now they saw her as strange, unfathomable, and possessing extremely rebellious psychology.

These people were nobly born and upheld tradition, but they didn’t understand why Li Weiyang dared act this way before the emperor. Consider—someone who had seized his elder brother’s throne and ascended with questionable legitimacy, what rules could you discuss with him?! Laughable to the extreme. The emperor wouldn’t blame Li Weiyang—he might even appreciate her, as long as she opposed anyone but him, what did it matter! From Li Weiyang, he even saw his own reflection.

This mentality was quite twisted and beyond ordinary comprehension. So they could only attribute it to His Majesty’s momentary mercy, not punishing this pitiful little thing. Of course, her troubles were far from over. So aside from the strong-willed Lady Sun, everyone began warning their own daughters to stay away from Li Weiyang.

Miss Liu quietly observed Li Weiyang. She had originally thought such an arrogant, domineering girl who dared oppose everything—whether in words, actions, demeanor or temperament—should give people a feeling of wild indomitability, overbearing ruthlessness. But just now, Li Weiyang’s expression had been as calm as still water, elegant and composed. This girl was truly too mysterious, too strange! Not just Miss Liu—this was probably the shared feeling of all the noble ladies present.

However, someone like Li Weiyang who was kept at a respectful distance wasn’t the only one. There was another equally famous woman—the Fifth Prince’s consort who now forbade the Fifth Prince from taking concubines, that young granddaughter of Marquis Yongping, Wu Laoling. She was also quite formidable. From the moment she entered the household, she had killed the Fifth Prince’s thirteen gentle concubines. Even his two side consorts had been relocated to a separate villa. Once, when the Fifth Prince merely glanced at a beauty, the Fifth Prince’s consort had summoned that beauty and gouged out her eyes. Such an arrogant woman was extremely rare. So she had earned the crown of the capital’s number one shrew. Li Weiyang’s reputation still couldn’t compare to hers. After all, from outsiders’ perspective, Li Weiyang had no blood on her hands, while that Fifth Prince’s consort was incomparably fierce, violating womanly virtues of kindness and gentleness, making even her natal family members cover their faces when going out. So at today’s banquet, since the Fifth Prince couldn’t attend due to business, Wu Laoling sat alone in her seat looking sullen, with no one willing to talk to her.

Learning all this, Li Weiyang felt quite regretful. She had only known this girl was fierce but not that she was fierce to such a degree. If she’d known Marquis Yongning’s household had such a formidable weapon, why hadn’t she acted earlier to marry her to Tuoba Zhen? That way, the one suffering now would be the Third Prince—how interesting that would be!

Li Weiyang thought this while regretfully pouring herself a cup of hundred-flower wine and taking a light sip.

By now, everyone had lost interest in her and turned their attention to Li Changxiao instead. Compared to the terrifying Li Weiyang, this fourth younger sister was beautiful as a lily—gentle, quiet, elegant in bearing. Though a concubine-born daughter, with the Prime Minister’s residence currently lacking legitimate daughters, this status was acceptable enough.

The Crown Princess observed this scene from afar and couldn’t help shaking her head. Lady Li clearly wanted to find a match for Li Weiyang first, but seeing how all families feared her like a tiger, she probably couldn’t be married off. She pondered—the Crown Prince was very close to the Jiang family, but if that family gained power, who knew whose the Empress position would be in the future. Why should she curry favor with someone who could never be loyal to her? She immediately decided to introduce Li Weiyang to a good marriage prospect—even if just to upset that family, it would be worthwhile.

Just then, the Ninth Princess walked in with a beaming smile following Tuoba Zhen. She wore jade-green jade butterfly-patterned gauze, looking charming and lovely. Having shed her baby fat, her oval face appeared even more delicate. Everyone bowed to them. She smiled and greeted the Crown Princess before running to sit with Li Weiyang. Li Changxiao quickly yielded her seat, and the princess sat down without ceremony: “Sister Weiyang! I’ve been looking for you for days!”

The Ninth Princess had been writing to Li Weiyang constantly, asking her to enter the palace to keep her company. But Li Weiyang had tossed all these letters—which ordinary young ladies would value above heaven itself—aside without even looking at them. The Ninth Princess was no longer a child now. She was more sensitive and intelligent than before. Her closeness to herself wasn’t for any other reason but for that handsome young man across the way. Li Weiyang found this fundamentally displeasing. She didn’t like being used, especially by the Ninth Princess whom she had once helped.

A young girl’s heart was always full of various wonderful fantasies. The Ninth Princess had captured many noble young men’s hearts, yet she persistently only thought of making Li Minde submit beneath her skirts.

Li Weiyang unconsciously glanced in Li Minde’s direction. He appeared obviously absent-minded, completely ignoring the Ninth Princess’s affections. She couldn’t help but gently shake her head. The flower has feelings but the flowing water is indifferent.

Among the male guests, Tuoba Zhen had already noticed Li Weiyang and kept quietly watching her. Seeing her look toward Li Minde, he couldn’t help frowning. He didn’t know why, but he felt the atmosphere between these two was very strange—strange enough to make him suspicious. But they were cousins, weren’t they? Even without blood relations, that couldn’t change anything. The one he truly needed to guard against was Tuoba Yu. Of course, poor Seventh Prince might never return.

Drinking a cup of wine, Tuoba Zhen was clearly in a good mood. Jiang Hua beside him smiled: “Third Highness likes Princess Anping very much?”

This question was abrupt, and no one had ever asked this before. Tuoba Zhen was shocked and sharply raised his head, his gaze involuntarily carrying three parts sharpness: “What do you mean by this?”

Jiang Hua smiled slightly, the red mole between his brows brilliantly eye-catching: “Nothing, just concern between friends.”

The Jiang family had proactively accepted the olive branch Tuoba Zhen extended—this was within Tuoba Zhen’s expectations. Li Weiyang had pressed them too hard… But this didn’t mean Jiang Hua could probe his thoughts. Tuoba Zhen’s face darkened: “What if I say no?”

Jiang Hua handed him a cup of wine, saying indifferently, “Whether you do or don’t doesn’t matter. Just don’t forget the bigger picture.”

Tuoba Zhen’s eyes flashed with cold light: “The bigger picture?”

Jiang Hua smiled: “Between empire and beauty, which is more important—Your Highness naturally has your own judgment.”

What if I want both? Tuoba Zhen thought to himself, only smiling slightly on the surface as he drained that cup of wine in one gulp.

Jiang Hua understood the other’s thoughts well but didn’t expose them. His gaze also turned toward Li Weiyang. This ruthless young woman—he too wanted to taste her flavor. However, it would be to rip open her chest and see what color her heart actually was… The taste would surely be very good.

The Crown Princess seemed oblivious to the undercurrents below, smiling: “I’m very happy everyone could come to my banquet today. It just so happens the sleeping lotus I personally cultivated has also bloomed. Please come admire it.”

Everyone stood and walked to the lakeside. The Crown Princess clapped her hands. Maids removed some gauze curtains originally surrounding the lake. Everyone saw the lake’s center and immediately exclaimed in amazement.

In the quiet lake center, several purple lotus bloomed gracefully. The stamens were a bright goose-yellow, deepening in color toward the edges until finally transitioning to purple. At a glance, one saw brilliant, beautiful colors.

“Everyone is very fortunate. This flower only blooms seven days each year and is rarely seen otherwise. Today is my birthday, coinciding perfectly with the flowers blooming.” The Crown Princess said with some pride.

Li Weiyang looked at the lotus, her face also showing slight surprise. It was actually a sleeping fire lotus. This lotus had purple petals on the outside with many golden tendrils inside, and a budding flower core that would only open at the moment before withering. Some said the fire lotus’s tendrils were to protect the flower core’s peaceful sleep, hence the name sleeping fire lotus. However, the capital had no such species at all. The climate here wasn’t suitable for its growth. Moreover, such a delicate flower couldn’t be raised by ordinary people.

The First Madam Jiang sighed: “To see such a beautiful flower is already great fortune. If I hadn’t come to the Crown Princess’s banquet today, it would be a lifelong regret.”

The Fifth Prince’s consort couldn’t help asking, “Who is the gardener here?”

The Crown Princess smiled: “All the flowers and plants here were planted by my own hands.”

A wave of astonishment arose—the Crown Princess could actually grow rare flowers that countless skilled craftsmen had struggled over in vain. How could this not be shocking?

Amidst everyone’s praise, the Crown Princess’s expression became even more proud. Saying she personally planted them—actually she had only bought seeds and hired the best gardeners to watch over them twelve shichen a day. If one didn’t work, she’d replace them with another until successful. Just for this pond with its few sparse sleeping fire lotus, she had spent a full thousand taels of gold.

Li Weiyang only glanced once before losing interest in the sleeping fire lotus. Zhao Yue quietly tugged at her sleeve. She saw the other had something to say and gently withdrew from the crowd. Tuoba Zhen keenly noticed and wanted to follow, but was pulled aside by the equally delighted Crown Prince who insisted everyone compose poems praising the beautiful sleeping fire lotus. For a time, he couldn’t break away. Jiang Hua, however, smiled slightly and quietly followed behind.

Li Weiyang followed Zhao Yue’s guidance and saw two people in the peony bushes not far away. There, the Ninth Princess had fainted into Li Minde’s arms. Such boldness—even Li Weiyang watching was shocked.

Originally Li Minde had been standing there in an ivory willow-leaf pattern robe, its color echoing the uneven specks of pure white among the flowers. At a glance, he became part of the scenery. The Ninth Princess had inexplicably rushed out and inexplicably stumbled, coincidentally fainting into his arms. Now she was using watery eyes to peek at Li Minde’s face.

Li Weiyang almost laughed aloud. This method was too clumsy. She covered her lips and quietly scolded, “Zhao Yue, what did you have me come see!”

Zhao Yue said aggrievedly, “This servant thought such a good show would be too wasteful not to watch.”

“You—” Li Weiyang shook her head.

Over there, completely unaware anyone was watching, the Ninth Princess only focused on gripping Li Minde’s arm: “I feel so dizzy.” The princess’s maids had all disappeared to who knew where.

Li Minde looked at her with seeming gentleness: “The princess has no serious problem—just overwhelmed by the crowd.”

The Ninth Princess nodded repeatedly, single-mindedly examining him, calculating some scheme.

Li Minde helped her steady herself, then handed the Ninth Princess a small bottle that appeared to contain heat-relief pills: “Take this and you won’t feel dizzy.”

Li Weiyang was dumbfounded. She hadn’t expected when these two had become so harmonious. Zhao Yue pursed her lips, thinking this Ninth Princess had also started playing delicate. She wondered if her master could withstand it. She had originally wanted Third Miss to see how master resisted beauties, but now your attitude is so gentle—it makes me regret bringing Miss here. You should have righteously refused!

Li Minde maintained a polite smile on his face. The Ninth Princess unconsciously swallowed one of the heat-relief pills from that small bottle. Originally she had been feigning dizziness, but seeing his rare smile, she truly felt dizzy. But shortly after swallowing it, her stomach began rumbling. Before long, the Ninth Princess rushed out from the peony bushes, crashed right into Li Weiyang, couldn’t even greet her, and dashed toward the latrine—

Li Weiyang watched in shock as the Ninth Princess grabbed her skirt and ran all the way, completely losing her noble bearing. Zhao Yue also looked bewildered at the other party, not knowing what had happened.

“Just some purifying pills to help clear her stomach and intestines.” Li Minde’s voice suddenly sounded behind them. Li Weiyang jumped in fright and turned to look at him.

His smile was as consistent as always, showing no abnormality. Of course, after taking this medicine, she would inevitably vomit and have diarrhea for three months. That should be enough to teach this girl that fainting into a man’s arms was a very dangerous thing to do.

Not far away, Jiang Hua saw this scene and couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile. Li Weiyang, you truly are a very interesting person.