In May, the capital was already showing signs of oppressive heat. In the outskirts of the capital, many pavilions and towers had been built in recent years. Many high-ranking officials and nobles had constructed villas here, so this area gradually gathered the luxurious gardens of numerous distinguished people. Among them, Princess Yongning’s Chang’an Pool was the most eye-catching. This pool encompassed twenty li of land in all directions. Within the walls, the winding and meandering waterscapes integrated the nearby natural scenery into one. Inside the garden, there were flying pavilions with exotic eaves, slanted bridges and stone paths that left one’s eyes overwhelmed.

Princess Yongning had specially invited the Ninth Princess and Li Weiyang to visit this newly completed garden. The reason Li Weiyang could be invited was because she was the Empress Dowager’s newly adopted daughter, currently a prominent figure in the capital whose influence was at its peak, so even Princess Yongning was very close to her.

To be honest, the Empress Dowager’s decision had given Li Weiyang quite a shock. She hadn’t expected that those words she spoke would actually bring about such a result.

“So from now on, your seniority makes you my aunt—” The Ninth Princess’s expression was peculiar.

Princess Yongning had always been serious, but she couldn’t help laughing, which made her slightly gaunt face much more lively: “Yes, Weiyang, your seniority far exceeds ours now. Now you’re Father Emperor’s younger sister.”

Even now, Li Weiyang still had a sense of absurdity. But she understood the Empress Dowager’s reason for doing this. Her status had changed—even if it was merely a difference in seniority, it could prevent Tuoba Yu’s actions. No matter how presumptuous he was, no matter how much he liked her, he couldn’t break through such a generational difference. Therefore, the Empress Dowager had severed the possibility of this marriage—however, Li Weiyang had seen Tuoba Yu’s face undergo a tremendous change in that instant. His expression became cold and gloomy… this was an expression she had never seen on his face before…

“Weiyang, look—Seventh Brother is very angry. Recently he refuses to enter the palace. Even when the Empress Dowager summons him, he claims illness and doesn’t come. For him, this has never happened before.” The Ninth Princess said softly.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly and said, “The Seventh Prince will understand soon.” She glanced at the scenery within the garden and couldn’t help but nod. Throughout this entire garden were wind pavilions and water pavilions, bridges and platforms—countless rare flowers and exotic plants. There were golden pines and forest trees from Taizhou, crabapples and laurels from Zhoushan, magnolias and bayberries from Tangcheng, and even dawn redwoods from Dezhou, azaleas, red beans, and mountain cherries from Jinzhou… To collect all of this must have required tremendous effort.

The Ninth Princess’s hand fell on a crabapple tree as she couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “I must say, Third Brother truly has ability. He actually made the garden Father Emperor ordered him to build so beautiful. Knowing Imperial Sister likes these trees, he actually found them for her from thousands of miles away.”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Indeed so. The Third Prince put in great effort.” In fact, Tuoba Zhen was very good at pleasing people. As long as he was willing, he could make you feel pampered to the heavens, but once he grew impatient, he could also send you to hell. Toward Princess Yongning, he would naturally find ways to win her over. After all, the Emperor and Empress had always felt guilty toward Yongning, so they wanted to give her the best of everything. Seeing him handle affairs so well, they would also regard him differently.

Princess Yongning’s face also showed a smile: “Third Brother does things most appropriately indeed.”

The three of them walked ahead, with female officials respectfully following behind.

Turning past a grove of trees, ahead was a huge arched bridge extending directly into the water. Below the bridge, the pool water rippled with azure waves, looking very gentle. Under the sunlight, it was intoxicating. In the center of the lake, there was even an artificial island with overlapping peaks and beautiful scenery. Just then, Li Weiyang suddenly saw a group of people ahead surrounding a beautiful young woman walking over from not far away. She suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Princess Yongning became furious and said, “This is a private garden. Who are those people?!”

Although she ordinarily treated Li Weiyang pleasantly, that was also because Li Weiyang was rather good at speaking and very good at pleasing people without revealing it, plus she was greatly favored by the Empress Dowager, so she regarded her differently. But toward other people, she wasn’t so polite. Princess Yongning pointed over there and said, “Why haven’t you driven them out yet!”

Li Weiyang looked over but felt something wasn’t quite right. However, before she could stop them, the Ninth Princess had already volunteered to go over with the female officials. From a distance, they could only hear a purple-robed female official say something unknown, but within a few words, she was actually thrown into the lake by people under that beautiful young woman’s orders. With a “splash,” everyone was stunned with gaping mouths.

The Ninth Princess screamed and her whole body fell backward. “Zhao Yue!” Li Weiyang called out. Zhao Yue flew forward and in an instant had caught the Ninth Princess. Li Weiyang and Princess Yongning exchanged glances and hurried over. Upon reaching the bridge, Yongning immediately ordered, “Why haven’t you rescued her yet!” One of the female officials following behind who could swim quickly jumped into the lake. After quite a while, she finally dragged the purple-robed female official ashore.

“Hahaha! Look at her—how wretched!” The unfamiliar beautiful young woman laughed merrily, speaking to the guards beside her. Her voice was also very distinctive, carrying a somewhat lazy charm, with the tail end of each word breaking off quickly, yet also carrying a trace of lingering sweetness.

Li Weiyang frowned. This young woman had inexplicably intruded into someone else’s garden, which was bad enough, but at the slightest disagreement she actually dared to throw someone into the lake. Such arrogance and tyranny was truly unheard of. She carefully examined the young woman across from her and couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.

This young woman had an oval-shaped face with two thin eyebrows beneath which were a pair of bright black eyes. Her nose was perfectly proportioned, her two lips thin and red. When she smiled, she revealed two rows of white, fine teeth. Her face was extremely delicate, smooth and clean as if all the dust in this world couldn’t touch it. Even when not smiling, those dimples were very charming. Though not breathtakingly beautiful, she was compellingly attractive! When she appeared, the bridge, lake, and beautiful scenery—everything around her seemed to become invisible.

However, Li Weiyang wasn’t looking at her face but had noticed her pair of shoes. This young woman wore a particularly eye-catching pair of shoes. The uppers were made of a special red soft leather, embroidered with gold and silver thread flowers. In the center of each flower was embedded a sparkling gem. Along the shoe rim were actually dozens of gems of various sizes. The high soles were embroidered all around with a circle of water waves, with several wave crests leaping.

The Ninth Princess’s face was now full of anger: “How dare you! You actually dared to push my palace maid into the river. Do you know who I am!”

That beautiful young woman clapped the whip in her hand and looked at the Ninth Princess leisurely, her face showing a half-smiling expression: “Who you are—what does it have to do with me!”

What a domineering attitude. The Ninth Princess was almost choked speechless by her. The guards beside them hadn’t dared to go down to rescue anyone earlier because they were men and didn’t dare casually touch the female officials beside the princess. Now seeing the princess being rebuffed, they quickly stepped forward and drew their swords. “How audacious! To speak to the Ninth Princess this way!”

Who knew that over a dozen tall guards on the other side also drew their swords with sharp sounds, showing no weakness whatsoever.

Li Weiyang noticed Zhao Yue’s expression was wrong and couldn’t help saying in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”

Zhao Yue actually looked with terrified eyes at a young man in the opposing group, almost forgetting to answer Li Weiyang’s question. Li Weiyang followed her gaze and saw that the other party had a knife scar on his left cheek that had almost destroyed what was originally a handsome face, making him look very ferocious. When everyone else moved, he and the three black-robed guards behind him remained motionless, like four statues guarding beside that beautiful young woman. Noticing Li Weiyang’s gaze, that person merely lifted his eyelids slightly, with no intention of giving her a proper look at all.

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. The other party seemed to not take the Ninth Princess seriously at all.

That beautiful young woman stepped forward two paces, unconsciously revealing the full view of her high-topped embroidered soft leather boots. Li Weiyang noticed that on the long shafts of those boots were embroidered phoenixes with wings spread ready to fly. Surrounding the phoenixes were also embroidered many small birds, each lifelike, forming a picture of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. All the birds’ eyes were inlaid with gems of different sizes and colors. As she moved, they flashed and sparkled like birds blinking their eyes.

Daring to use the pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, and inlaid with so many precious gems—this young woman’s identity was probably not simple. In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Li Weiyang’s mind as she unobtrusively held back the Ninth Princess who wanted to go forward and argue personally. Yet it was precisely this small action of hers that caught that beautiful young woman’s attention.

“Who are you?” The young woman’s slender, white, tender hand extended, truly fingers like carved scallions, nails like carved jade, as if carved entirely from a piece of beautiful jade. It was just a pity that her hand held a small cowhide riding whip, which destroyed the beauty of the entire picture. She merely tilted her head staring at Li Weiyang, looking as if she was curious.

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “I am Princess Imperial Anping of Great Li. I wonder who this young lady is and how she came to be here?”

That beautiful young woman raised her chin and sneered, “Princess Imperial Anping? What kind of thing are you? You don’t deserve to know who I am!”

“You!—” The Ninth Princess was almost bursting with anger. She had been pampered and spoiled since childhood. Apart from the Emperor, no one would dare give her any grievance. Now she was actually being so provoked by an unfamiliar young woman she’d never met. She was completely enraged. She shook off Li Weiyang’s hand and in two or three steps went forward to rebuke her. Who knew before she could open her mouth, they heard a whip crack. The Ninth Princess cried out in alarm, then covered her face, completely stunned.

Not to mention Princess Yongning—even all the female officials beside the Ninth Princess were all frozen. The first person to react was Li Weiyang. She quickly walked up and looked over the Ninth Princess, only then breathing a slight sigh of relief. Just as that beautiful young woman’s whip came down, the Ninth Princess had instinctively used her hand to cover her face, so this lash struck her arm, even tearing her sleeve and exposing a red mark on her snow-white skin. The Ninth Princess stood there stupefied like a wooden chicken. Li Weiyang quickly shouted at the female official behind her, “Why are you still standing there? Quickly go find a physician!”

The female official hurriedly left. Only then did Princess Yongning react. Not bothering to check on the Ninth Princess’s injury, her face full of fury, she said, “Someone, detain all of them for me!”

The beautiful young woman showed no fear. She cried out delicately, “Hui Nu!” Among the four black-robed guards who had remained motionless, one person responded and stepped forward. He was tall and sturdy, with unremarkable features. If thrown onto the street, probably no one would give him a second glance.

Princess Yongning’s guards hadn’t expected the other side to only send out one person. They couldn’t help but feel insulted. The twelve men rushed forward without hesitation. That Hui Nu drew his sword from its sheath and without panic launched a fierce attack. His swordsmanship was impressively powerful, the sword moving with sound, using speed to defeat the enemy. As soon as he struck, he immediately launched twelve consecutive sword attacks.

This fast sword technique was swift and agile, forming its own school. Once the sword momentum unfolded, it was fast as a wild wind, fierce as rushing thunder. Almost every move was a desperate frontal assault regardless of one’s own life, with imposing momentum pressing forward. In the blink of an eye, the original twelve guards had fallen. Princess Yongning’s residence’s head guard had practiced martial arts since childhood but had never encountered such an expert. To avoid losing face, he decided to fight to the death to capture this person. Suddenly that Hui Nu’s long sword shot out like a startled rainbow, the snow-bright sword edge flashing blindingly, piercing through layers of wind and thunder straight toward his opponent’s wrist. In a split second, there was a “clang” sound. Princess Yongning’s residence’s head guard staggered back several steps. The long sword in his palm had already fallen to the ground. That severed right hand on the ground left everyone present stunned.

The beautiful young woman smiled and said, “Do you still want to compete?” Between her words, she clearly treated this matter as a game, not taking human life seriously at all.

Princess Yongning had never lost face like this before. Her side’s twelve guards had rushed forward, all knocked to the ground, and the head guard had even had his right hand severed by someone. Her face had already turned livid with rage.

But Li Weiyang looked at Zhao Yue. From just now, she had been staring fixedly at that young man with the knife scar on his face. Countless emotions flashed through her eyes, finally settling on fear. Then she lowered her head, as if afraid of being recognized by the other party. Li Weiyang thought for a moment and unobtrusively blocked Zhao Yue, saying in a low voice, “You go down first.” Zhao Yue was stunned, not expecting Li Weiyang would give such an order at this moment, but her legs were already trembling. This was an irresistible fear. She instinctively retreated two steps.

Noticing Zhao Yue’s movement, that scarred man’s half-inch long, lightly upturned old knife scar still contained an ambiguous smile.

“This young lady, this is Princess Yongning’s private garden. Your trespassing is already wrong. How dare you injure someone?” Li Weiyang looked at that beautiful young woman with an icy expression.

The beautiful young woman made two clicking sounds, looked Li Weiyang up and down, but appeared uninterested in her, and said loudly, “I’ve long heard that Great Li has an absolutely beautiful woman called Li Changle. Have her come out!”

After such a long time, this was the first time Li Weiyang heard someone mention Li Changle’s name. She smiled at once and said, “I wonder what business the young lady has with my elder sister?”

“Li Changle is your sister?” The beautiful young woman showed an incredulous expression. “With your ugly appearance, it seems that Li Changle can’t be very pretty either!” When she spoke, her clothing swayed in the spring breeze, graceful and charming, incomparably delicate.

Such a beauty not only had a tyrannical and arrogant temperament but was also capricious. Li Weiyang sighed inwardly and said, “The young lady is correct. My elder sister is indeed the number one beauty of Great Li. My appearance cannot compare to even a ten-thousandth of hers. It’s just a pity that if you wish to see her, you’ve come a step too late.”

The beautiful young woman frowned and said, “What are you saying?”

Li Weiyang said slowly, “Because she had an unfortunate fate and passed away. The young lady will never be able to see her again.”

That beautiful young woman clapped her hands in delight and said, “That’s perfect! Even if she hadn’t died, I came this time to kill her anyway!”

The Ninth Princess covered the wound on her arm, looking at her incredulously and saying instinctively, “What did you say?”

That woman raised her eyebrows, saying matter-of-factly, “Because I am the number one beauty under heaven. Anyone who dares to be more beautiful than me deserves to die!”

Li Weiyang suddenly laughed. That young woman’s expression changed dramatically: “What are you laughing at?”

Li Weiyang’s face showed a half-smiling expression as she said, “This young lady, I’m not laughing. I’m just feeling regretful. If my elder sister had lived until now, I wonder what she would think hearing these words. I really want to let her hear them. So being beautiful is also a crime.”

The young woman sneered coldly, staring at Li Weiyang’s pair of eyes that were serene as an ancient well. Suddenly displeased, she said, “Seeing your eyes makes me unhappy. Hui Nu, gouge out her eyes for me!”

That Hui Nu responded, “Yes!” and immediately stepped forward quickly. At this moment, Zhao Yue, who had been silently guarding in the back, drew the soft sword at her waist and without hesitation rushed forward, instantly deflecting Hui Nu’s long sword! This sudden change happened in an instant. Afterward, the two began to fight. Li Weiyang saw very clearly that Zhao Yue, who had rarely met an equal opponent, this time had encountered a difficult adversary.

This had never happened before. Whatever that young woman’s identity was, a guard beside her actually had such high martial arts skills. Thinking of Zhao Yue’s shocked eyes when she saw that scarred man, Li Weiyang instantly had an ominous premonition.

Just then, someone in the distance called loudly, “Everyone stop!” Afterward, everyone saw a noble young master in brocade robes and jade belt quickly approaching with guards. Zhao Yue and that Hui Nu separated at the same time. Hui Nu quickly stood steady, but Zhao Yue retreated three consecutive steps before stabilizing. Even as composed and calm as Li Weiyang was, she could almost not believe her eyes. She watched helplessly as two diagonal white marks appeared out of nowhere on Zhao Yue’s cheeks. After another moment, they seeped red.

Zhao Yue hesitantly raised her hand to touch the wound, her fingertips stained with blood.

Although Zhao Yue had already lost, that beautiful young woman suddenly raised her eyebrows, looked coldly at Li Weiyang, and uttered a few words: “Who are you?”

This question was extremely strange. Others didn’t pay particular attention, but Li Weiyang understood. Zhao Yue’s martial arts style was identical to that Hui Nu just now. Most of the people here were female family members—they couldn’t see it, but the other side had already completely understood. This young woman was a person from Yuexi! Moreover, she obviously had very high status! After Li Weiyang understood this point, she instinctively glanced at Zhao Yue.

Just at this moment, Tuoba Zhen had already hurried over. He looked at the situation in the scene and immediately laughed, “I was only a step slow. How did fighting start?”

The young woman raised her eyebrows and said, “You really know how to pick your timing. You don’t come early or late, but just when I’m about to deal with someone, you arrive!” Between her words, there was actually some intimacy.

Tuoba Zhen didn’t even glance at Li Weiyang, saying, “Something delayed me, so I came late. What happened here? Why does everyone look so furious?”

The Ninth Princess finally saw her brother. Her eyes reddened as she said, “Third Brother, she brought a group of people charging into the garden and even whipped me!”

But Tuoba Zhen frowned, glanced at the Ninth Princess’s wound, then his brow relaxed as he said, “Fortunately, it’s not serious.”

The Ninth Princess stared at Tuoba Zhen dumbfounded. However, Li Weiyang had already vaguely guessed this mysterious young woman’s identity from the other party’s attitude.

“Little Nine, you’ve always been pampered and willful. You actually show such unreasonableness even to Yuexi’s honored guest. Why haven’t you quickly apologized to Princess Anguo!” Tuoba Zhen’s expression was grave as he rebuked her in a low voice.

Everyone was stunned. Li Weiyang’s eyes narrowed slightly. So it was her. Princess Anguo, sixteen years old, was the most beloved youngest daughter of Yuexi’s Empress Pei. She could be said to be held in their palms for fear of dropping her, held in their mouths for fear of melting her. But this Princess Anguo was also famous for acting without restraint, doing whatever she wanted, and pursuing extreme luxury.

Yuexi was separated from Great Li by Nanjiang, so there had never been much close contact. Nevertheless, many interesting stories about this princess had reached Great Li. It was said that Yuexi’s eldest princess had built a pleasure garden that was very beautiful and luxurious. Princess Anguo, unwilling to be outdone by her elder sister, forcibly seized farmland and excavated a large pool named Kunlun Pool. She even used jade stone to build the banks. Both shores were planted full of rare flowers and exotic plants. Regardless of spring, summer, autumn, or winter, they were always fragrant. The bottom of the stream was entirely built with coral and gems. Under the moonlight, it appeared extraordinarily clear. It was said she also built many pavilions and towers along the pool and gathered many fishermen and hunters to live there. She herself also dressed up like a fisherwoman or hunter and fished in the pool or hunted in the mountains. To build this pool, she didn’t know how much money she spent or how much good farmland she occupied from the common people. Compared to her, Princess Yongning was completely inadequate.

Seeing Princess Anguo’s face, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but shake her head. She didn’t take an arrogant and domineering princess seriously. What she cared about was how Li Minde would view this matter. Moreover, Zhao Yue’s identity had been exposed. The other party might very well come calling soon. She didn’t fear this Anguo, but she didn’t want to attract the Yuexi imperial family.

By then, who knew how much trouble would be stirred up.

Tuoba Zhen smiled broadly and said, “Imperial Sister, it’s this younger brother’s fault for not telling you earlier about Princess Anguo coming to our dynasty. Father Emperor ordered me to bring her to visit your new garden. Who would have thought she walked ahead first, causing such a great misunderstanding.”

Princess Anguo smiled and said, “So this is really the remarkable garden your country’s emperor mentioned. It can’t even compare to half of my villa!” Between her words, she acted as if this place was some remote backwater.

Princess Yongning couldn’t help but feel indignant. This garden had taken three years to build and was already the best and most beautiful building among the Great Li imperial family—a gift the Emperor had specially given her. But now hearing Princess Anguo’s meaning, she didn’t take it seriously at all. She couldn’t help but suppress her anger and say, “Oh, it seems I cannot host Princess Anguo here! Please leave as soon as possible!”

Although Princess Yongning was strict with people, she had always been very aware of propriety. To issue an eviction order so angrily showed how annoyed she had become. Tuoba Zhen originally cared very much about this imperial sister because she had always held great standing before the Emperor. But now he acted as if he hadn’t heard, smiling and saying, “Why should Imperial Sister be angry? Father Emperor has already ordered me to hold a banquet here. Changing the location now would be inappropriate.”

Princess Yongning’s expression changed drastically. She hadn’t expected the Emperor had actually issued an edict to receive Princess Anguo in this garden. She wanted to leave in a huff, but seeing Princess Anguo’s expression of watching a good show, she forcibly suppressed her anger and said, “Since that’s the case, then, Princess, please.”

However, Tuoba Zhen stood still and looked at Anguo, saying, “I wonder where His Highness the Prince of Yan—”

Anguo smiled and said, “My Fourth Brother is busy viewing Great Li’s scenery and has no time to accompany me! He probably won’t be able to attend today’s banquet. Third Prince must accompany me well!”

Her eyes sparkled, clearly showing great interest in Tuoba Zhen. Li Weiyang couldn’t help but glance at Tuoba Zhen’s face. With just one look, she determined that Tuoba Zhen was also very “tender and affectionate” toward Princess Anguo, but this kind of tenderness and affection seemed to have ulterior motives. Thinking of the vast and powerful country of Yuexi, Li Weiyang suddenly understood Tuoba Zhen’s thoughts. He needed Princess Anguo. Or rather, if he could successfully marry this woman, she would be more helpful than any noble daughter in Great Li.

“As long as Your Highness the Princess invites me, I’m at your service anytime.” Sure enough, Tuoba Zhen’s smile was very warm and pleasant, more amiable and pleasant than ever before.

Li Weiyang understood very well that if Tuoba Zhen wanted to please a woman, he would certainly succeed easily. Looking at Princess Anguo, who just now had such an arrogant and domineering appearance, before Tuoba Zhen she was incomparably charming. Li Weiyang began to feel sorry for her future—another woman who had fallen headfirst into it… However, this was her own choice. No one could stop her.

Tuoba Zhen was right. Just now when he wasn’t there, he had indeed been arranging the banquet. When they arrived at the east side of the garden, they discovered quite a few guests had already arrived. Seeing the princess arrive, the guests all stood up to pay their respects. Princess Yongning’s expression remained livid throughout. The Ninth Princess’s expression also didn’t look good. Li Weiyang showed neither joy nor anger. The only ones who kept smiling throughout were Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo. They acted as if the earlier unpleasantness hadn’t occurred, signaling everyone to dispense with courtesy.

Everyone didn’t know what had happened earlier, but seeing both princesses clearly unhappy, and shortly after arriving at the banquet the Ninth Princess withdrew first, saying she had just been injured. But how could she have been injured while touring the garden perfectly well? Yet not a single person dared to ask this question aloud. Seeing Princess Yongning’s gloomy expression, everyone put away their previous joy and became quiet.

Li Weiyang had already ordered Zhao Yue to go down and apply medicine. She herself sat in her seat, seemingly unaware of everything happening around her. She had originally planned to immediately take her leave, but Princess Yongning quietly requested she stay. Li Weiyang raised her head to glance at Princess Yongning and saw her staring at Princess Anguo with a face full of resentment, as if she couldn’t wait to go up and give that person a slap.

Tuoba Zhen smiled and said, “Today Princess Anguo visits. Originally Imperial Brother should receive her, but he had other important matters and was summoned into the palace by Father Emperor, so I’ll host first. There will also be a welcoming banquet held in the palace tonight. Please don’t take offense, Princess.”

Princess Anguo smiled slightly, a pair of beautiful eyes looking at Tuoba Zhen with tender affection: “Third Prince is too polite. It’s we who arrived without notice and instead have disturbed you.” Completely different from her earlier arrogance and tyranny, making one involuntarily suspect whether she had two faces. “I heard that today you specially invited Great Li’s most renowned Master Tan Yun and Master Mo. Is that true?”

Tan Yun was indeed famous, but she wasn’t famous for her beautiful face—rather for her pure and skilled pipa technique, worthy of being called number one under heaven. Tuoba Zhen clapped his hands, and they saw Tan Yun holding her pipa slowly walk over. After bowing to everyone, she sat to one side. Her right hand waved and lightly plucked, and a wave of desolate autumn feeling assaulted them. She gently plucked the small strings, sending out sounds like the gentle autumn wind’s whisper, making people feel in an instant as if they were under a quiet autumn night’s bright moon.

Li Weiyang listened quietly and actually felt past events vaguely surfacing in her heart. Her heart couldn’t help but be greatly amazed. This pipa could actually be played to such a divine and wondrous level, involuntarily making people think of the past—this miraculous effect was unique to Tan Yun alone in all under heaven.

Tan Yun’s performance gradually deepened. She turned her wrist, gathering strings, waving or stroking. The sound was as if celestial music descended from heaven, circling within the garden and refusing to leave, like golden scales and jade ornaments striking each other, as if nine heavens’ heavenly music descended from the clouds. Midway through, she suddenly lightly brushed her fingers, then froze motionless. A trace of lingering sound gradually dispersed from her hands, becoming silent and still.

Just at this moment, the capital’s most skilled dancer, Master Mo, also appeared leading fifteen dancing girls. They gently stretched their waists in the garden, moving in soft dance. At this time, the sound of the pipa rose again. The dance and pipa sound miraculously merged into one. Among the fifteen dancing girls, the most eye-catching was Master Mo herself. Her upper body was covered with a spring jacket, with a white background and blue flowers, extremely simple. The turned-out collar was light purple, which made her face appear even more white with a rosy tint. She wore no excess hairpins on her head, merely adorned with one hibiscus flower. The flower’s color matched her plain dance skirt, making her skin surpass snow, her bright eyes like intoxication. In an instant, she captured everyone’s attention.

Li Weiyang knew this lead dancer was Mo Niang, famous in the capital for her soft floating cloud dance. She was originally from Changzhou and came to the capital with her parents. Later she began working as a dancing girl at the song and dance hall. Because she was born beautiful, plus graceful in bearing and skilled in song and dance—especially adept at the floating cloud dance that made people unconsciously immerse themselves in her dancing—she quickly gained fame in the capital.

Li Weiyang gazed at Mo Niang’s gentle face and couldn’t help but let her mind wander a bit.

In her previous life, they had been acquaintances. Mo Niang had always worked as a dancing girl in the capital. However, because of her lowly birth, she mostly participated in the family banquets of wealthy merchants and nobles, rarely having opportunities to participate in important imperial family occasions. Later at one banquet, she became famous with one floating cloud dance. That kind of stunning charm and allure almost instantly captured Tuoba Zhen’s eyes. Although Li Weiyang had been jealous at the time, she told herself that as a wife, she should tolerate her husband having three wives and four concubines. Not only that, she should also broadly take in concubines for him to spread branches and leaves. Later this Mo Niang—Tuoba Zhen took her into his room that very night. For three months, Tuoba Zhen never spent the night in anyone else’s room, showing how favored Mo Niang was then. Four months later, Mo Niang announced the joyful news of pregnancy. Soon after, she was enfeoffed as a consort.

During Li Weiyang’s later misfortunes, Mo Niang was the only one among everyone who didn’t add insult to injury. She even tried to plead with Tuoba Zhen on her behalf. Li Weiyang understood that Mo Niang was repaying a debt of gratitude, because when she was being bullied by other consorts of noble birth in the Third Prince’s residence, Li Weiyang had helped her. In this life, seeing Mo Niang again, Li Weiyang remembered her immediately.

Li Weiyang lowered her head and drank a cup of wine, only then feeling her constantly cold stomach warm up slightly. She hoped that in this life, Mo Niang wouldn’t be noticed by Tuoba Zhen again.

Just then, the people who had been entranced heard Princess Anguo smile and say, “Truly incongruous.”

Everyone almost thought they’d heard wrong, all looking at Princess Anguo in surprise. She smiled and repeated again, “Truly incongruous!”

Princess Yongning’s expression changed: “Princess Anguo, what do you mean by this!”

Even as an honored guest, she shouldn’t make such an evaluation of the host’s arrangements. True, the pipa had always been played solo, rarely coordinating with other instruments, let alone dance. If forcibly combined together, there would indeed be some disharmony. However, today Tan Yun and Mo Niang’s pipa and dance complemented each other perfectly, without the slightest sense of discord, bringing people very high aesthetic enjoyment. So Princess Yongning felt Princess Anguo was deliberately finding fault. Thinking about it, she hadn’t provoked enough just now—now she wanted to continue making trouble.

Li Weiyang put down her wine cup, a pair of cool eyes looking toward Princess Anguo. Then they heard Princess Anguo say loudly, “The pipa and song and dance aren’t too bad, but combining them together is somewhat incongruous. So-called introducing the new from the old must also be able to fuse seamlessly. This kind of separated top and bottom, each going its own way—what kind of innovation is this?”

Tan Yun had performed for countless high officials and nobles. Even the most demanding people only had praise for her, because she had trained in this pipa since she was five years old. Her technique was absolutely first-rate. She and Mo Niang were also good friends. The two had spent countless effort to fuse pipa and dance into one, which could be considered a great innovation. Who knew today she would only receive an evaluation of “not too bad.” After all, she had been praised for so long and was somewhat proud. She couldn’t help but show some anger on her face, though she suppressed it because everyone present were distinguished people she couldn’t afford to offend. Mo Niang was more peaceful. She said gently, “The Princess is right. This slave will certainly practice diligently when I return.”

Princess Anguo’s eyes swept across her face like a steel blade, her voice carrying more mockery: “No need. With that barrel-like waist of yours, you’d better give up dancing from now on!”

“You—” Tan Yun had always been on good terms with Mo Niang. At this moment she couldn’t help but change color dramatically. In her view, this Princess Anguo was truly too excessive. No matter how noble her birth, she was merely a guest of Great Li. How could she publicly criticize the dancing girls here? This was clearly embarrassing the host. Tan Yun glared angrily at Princess Anguo, while the other party looked at her coldly, not caring in the slightest.

Mo Niang then looked toward Tuoba Zhen, her pair of eyes carrying a trace of tearfulness.

She had a pair of limpid, expressive eyes, elegant bearing, plus the unconsciously revealed vulnerable attitude in her every move—especially stirring pity. Li Weiyang had seen countless beautiful women, but Mo Niang wasn’t just beautiful. Apart from being skilled in song and dance, no matter when, she could maintain a kind of innocent and soft personality. It was precisely with this personality that she once became Tuoba Zhen’s favored consort. Of course, this situation only lasted until Li Changle entered the palace…

A beauty’s appearance only accounted for a small part, while her naturally formed charm was the standard for weighing a “beauty.” Mo Niang wasn’t extremely beautiful, but her expression at this moment was very alluring. Men who saw it would all feel pity, but what about women? Especially those narrow-minded, vicious, and cruel women—a thought flashed through Li Weiyang’s mind in an instant of what Princess Anguo had said earlier about wanting to see Li Changle in order to kill her. It sounded like a joke, but she felt it came from the other party’s sincere heart. If so, Mo Niang’s attitude of seeking help from Tuoba Zhen was simply courting death—

At this moment, Li Weiyang almost instinctively wanted to stop Tuoba Zhen from speaking, but she didn’t make it in time. Tuoba Zhen did what ordinary men would do, saying warmly, “Princess Anguo, they’re merely crude people. If they don’t suit your taste, simply replace them with other songs and dances. Why bother about it?” It sounded like he was comforting her, but actually he was helping Mo Niang and the others out of their predicament.

Tuoba Zhen noticed Li Weiyang seemed to pay particular attention to Mo Niang, so he couldn’t help but want to display affection for Mo Niang in front of her, as if this could provoke someone he hated. Of course, Mo Niang was a dancing girl specially requested by the Crown Prince—he should also protect her.

Li Weiyang’s heart cried out in alarm, thinking Princess Anguo would become angry on the spot. However, the other party merely curved her lips slightly, her complexion like spring flowers as she said, “Since Third Prince says so, I’ll reluctantly treat it as if my eyes were blown by sand.” This meant the earlier song and dance was like wind and sand, so disgusting she’d rather pretend nothing had happened.

She let Mo Niang off so easily? Li Weiyang didn’t quite dare believe it for a moment. She stared at Princess Anguo for quite a while but didn’t see any particular emotion. Had she overthought it? Looking at things optimistically, perhaps Princess Anguo was merely a spoiled child who liked to say frightening things and do things to attract others’ attention. However, looking at Princess Anguo’s smile gave one a chilling feeling. This feeling probably came from an intuition about danger.

Li Weiyang had always felt she was a cruel-hearted person, but she usually only struck at her enemies. But not everyone was like this. Some people’s reasons for striking at others were simply inexplicable and incomprehensible. Thinking of the severed hand of Princess Yongning’s residence’s head guard and the wound on Zhao Yue’s face, Li Weiyang hoped everything was just her own overthinking.

Tuoba Zhen looked at Li Weiyang and said, “Princess Anguo, actually there’s another young lady here who’s very skilled in dance and was once sensational. I just don’t know if you’ll have this good fortune to see it.”

Princess Anguo couldn’t help but follow his gaze. Everyone then heard Tuoba Zhen smile and say, “The daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence, Princess Imperial Anping, my imperial aunt, was once famous throughout the capital for her ink dance. Wherever there are water wells, it’s widely circulated. I wonder if you’re willing to perform a dance for our honored guest?” When he said the word “aunt,” he seemed to carry a gnashing-teeth flavor.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang’s mind raced. When she raised her head, her face showed difficulty as she said, “Originally with Princess Anguo’s arrival, Weiyang should naturally perform a dance. Unfortunately, some days ago Weiyang was injured while horseback riding. Even now my ankle is still swollen. How dare I make a fool of myself before the Princess? Please ask Third Prince to find someone more capable.”

A straightforward refusal with no room for negotiation.

They saw Princess Anguo’s pair of brilliant eyes staring at Li Weiyang, her expression between smiling and not smiling. Li Weiyang inadvertently met her gaze and saw in her innocent face what seemed to hide infinite cruel malice. She couldn’t help but pause.