Duke Qi entered through the gate and walked toward Princess Chenliu’s main quarters. Two maids were replacing food for the birds in the corridor. Seeing it was him, they hastily knelt down. Duke Qi nodded: “How is Mother today?”

The maid Shanhu said with a face full of smiles: “The young miss has returned, and Prince Jing has also come. The Princess is happy today—at noon she ate a whole large bowl of rice and kept Madam and the young masters to chat and amuse her. Please go in!” As she spoke, she lifted the curtain, inviting Duke Qi to enter.

Inside the room, Madam Guo and the Guo brothers were all rarely present. Jiang Shi and Chen Shi attended from behind. Princess Chenliu held a painting in her hands. Another painting lay on the table. She was tilting her head, saying something to Li Weiyang. Yuan Ying sat to the side in silent contemplation—whether he was looking at the painting or at the beauty standing beside it was unclear.

Duke Qi smiled: “What are you all doing? Whose painting are you looking at so intently?”

Seeing it was him, everyone smiled. Princess Chenliu said with a laugh: “These two paintings were personally brought by Prince Jing. One is an authentic work by the previous dynasty’s painter Zhou Guang, the other is his own copy. He’s having me examine them!”

Duke Qi looked at the two paintings. They depicted a scene of two bulls fighting—amusing and innovative. On the canvas, one bull ran forward as if exhausted, while another pursued relentlessly, lowering its horns to fiercely butt the fleeing bull’s hind legs. Both bulls were rendered in ink wash, with dense ink depicting hooves and horns, dots for eyes and brown hair, vividly conveying the bulls’ muscular tension, the fleeing one’s panting evasion, and the attacker’s unstoppable momentum. The wildness and stubbornness of both bulls were fully displayed at the brush’s tip. A shepherd boy stood to the side, holding an unplayed flute, only staring intently at the two fighting bulls, his head tilted in a very interesting manner.

Most strangely, these two paintings—whether in brushwork, ink application, or even painting technique—were identical in every way, making it nearly impossible to distinguish any difference between them. Duke Qi smiled: “Are you guessing which is the authentic piece?”

Madam Guo’s face wore a full smile: “Yes, Prince Jing is teasing us, having us guess which painting is authentic. But we’ve all looked, and they’re exactly the same. How can we tell? You take a look.”

Duke Qi was curious. He bent down to carefully examine the paintings and studied the inscriptions for a long time. He reached out to lightly brush them, formed some judgment in his mind, and said: “Master Zhou’s works, due to their age, will show differences in ink and color. This painting’s ink has some extremely faint white frost. When I gently rubbed it just now, the white frost didn’t come off, so I think this painting should be authentic.”

Guo Cheng said with a face full of smiles: “I thought the same. Ordinary forgers often scatter things like incense ash on fake works to simulate white frost or mold, but these are easily wiped away. Moreover, the ink marks and colors on ancient paintings typically penetrate deeply and show through the paper, just like this painting. So I also agree with Father that this painting is authentic.”

Yuan Ying only smiled without answering.

Guo Dun beside them wasn’t skilled at examining paintings and calligraphy. Hearing this, he scratched his head with a baffled expression. Though Guo Dao only smiled broadly while watching, his view matched his father and eldest brother’s.

Princess Chenliu nodded: “I thought the same.” However, seeing Li Weiyang’s thoughtful expression, she asked: “Jia’er, what do you think?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Grandmother, Jia’er believes the other painting is authentic.” It was completely different from what the Guo father and sons said—a different painting entirely. Everyone was shocked.

Chen Shi, naturally lively by nature, immediately felt something was wrong upon hearing this: “Little sister, the painting you mentioned doesn’t have white ash on it. It should be a fake.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Prince Jing’s residence naturally has specialists to preserve these paintings and calligraphy. Master Zhou’s paintings are also treasured works passed down through generations. If there really were white ash, that would be more suspicious.”

Yuan Ying looked at Li Weiyang, his face showing an expression between a smile and not: “I’ve shown this painting to many people, and everyone agrees with Uncle’s view. Are you sure?”

Li Weiyang hadn’t planned to debate this with him, but hearing his words, she couldn’t help smiling. She was naturally beautiful, her eyes especially lovely, her eyelashes very long—even more beautiful when lowered.

Yuan Ying’s eyes involuntarily fixed on her face, then slowly moved to her eyes, as if wanting to read her thoughts. Unfortunately, no one had ever been able to see through Li Weiyang’s thoughts. But people have a strange mentality—the more incomprehensible something is, the more they want to understand it. Moreover, someone like Yuan Ying, of noble birth and accomplished in both civil and martial arts, had always been the one others tried to figure out. He’d never needed to work so hard thinking about what a woman was thinking. But now, he really wanted to know what Li Weiyang was thinking…

Li Weiyang smiled: “Master Zhou legendarily once painted a water-drinking ox where the water’s reflection showed the lips and nose connected, demonstrating his extremely meticulous observation. Someone who observes so minutely would naturally not overlook any detail. Though Prince Jing’s painting skill is superb and could almost pass for real, in the painting I’m looking at, the left bull’s eye contains a tiny reflection of the shepherd boy, but the other one doesn’t—so it is the authentic work.”

Hearing this, everyone looked carefully and indeed found it to be so, exclaiming in amazement. That tiny reflection was extremely subtle. Even looking closely, it was very hard to see clearly. That Li Weiyang could notice it was truly surprising.

Princess Chenliu immediately smiled until her eyes became slits, clapping her hands on her knees: “Good—Jia’er has the best eye! It’s indeed so—the bull’s eye has the shepherd boy’s reflection!” Hearing this, Yuan Ying took the painting and examined it carefully for a long time before smiling: “Indeed it’s so. I was careless.” In fact, he’d long since discovered the difference between the two paintings. However, until now, no one had been able to observe such minute details.

After Princess Chenliu finished laughing, she noticed Duke Qi seemed somewhat distracted and asked curiously: “By the way, why do you have time to come here today? Don’t you need to attend court?”

Duke Qi only smiled: “His Majesty’s headache illness struck again. He canceled court. I expect this time we won’t see His Majesty for at least seven or eight days.”

Everyone in this room was family, and even Yuan Ying needed no avoidance. Hearing these words, everyone took it as normal. Princess Chenliu sighed: “His illness has persisted for so many years. Every time the weather turns cold or hot, his illness flares up. Plus that incident from two days ago—naturally he would be angry.”

What Princess Chenliu referred to was the matter of Consort Hu Shun and Prince Xiang. When they heard about it at home, they all felt chills. In the end, Madam Guo returned with her daughter without incident. After she explained the situation, everyone found it quite remarkable. They’d originally thought Guo Jia was a gentle, weak young girl, but now it seemed she was someone with both courage and strategy. Princess Chenliu thought this was more like the Guo family’s character—if she were so easily schemed against by others, where would the Guo family’s three hundred years of glory come from?

Princess Chenliu asked again: “I wonder how the Hu family is doing now?”

Duke Qi thought for a moment and still spoke truthfully: “The Hu family was inadvertently implicated in Consort Shun’s case. His Majesty stated that all officials below fifth rank would be stripped of office and exiled—this was already very severe punishment. Who knew the tree would fall and the monkeys scatter? Someone else submitted a memorial impeaching the family head Hu Weizhen, saying that when he participated in disaster relief in Kang Commandery years ago, he embezzled 105,000 taels of silver. Because the matter was exposed, he secretly killed two local officials. The Hu clan has deep roots in court after all. His Majesty is very angry and plans to severely purge a batch this time!”

His tone was heavy, clearly not joking. Those present like Princess Chenliu and Madam Guo had personally witnessed how terrifying the Emperor of Yuexi was when angry—truly frightening enough to make one’s legs weak and lose one’s composure.

Yuan Ying smiled. Though Father Emperor appeared handsome and amiable, when it came to killing people, he never hesitated. It had always been this way. Once his anger was aroused, blood would flow like rivers. So this time the Hu family was probably in for great misfortune.

Princess Chenliu murmured: “Killing too many people in peaceful, prosperous times is ultimately not a good thing.”

Yuan Ying smiled: “If innocent people are killed, naturally they shouldn’t be. But the Hu family, relying on having Consort Hu Shun and Prince Xiang these past two years, acted as if they’d obtained some treasure, constantly arrogant and oppressing common people. That Hu Weizhen even called himself the National Uncle, doing countless foolish things behind the scenes. Killing him isn’t excessive. As for the other Hu family members—as they say, when the beam above is crooked, the beam below is slanted. When the masters are absurd, the servants won’t be much better. Just looking at the Ministry of Justice’s investigation—even a Hu family steward has kept seven or eight concubines outside and owned over ten estates these past two years, forcibly seizing many common people to become slaves and servants. Previously no one dared report them—the main reason was still Consort Hu Shun and Prince Xiang. Now that they’ve both fallen, those who were bullied and humiliated naturally have grievances to avenge and wrongs to right. Grandmother needn’t pity them.”

Hearing this, Princess Chenliu said: “What you say makes sense. Though the Hu family deserves death, killing the Hu family may not avoid bringing greater trouble.”

Duke Qi said thoughtfully: “Is Mother saying the Guo family has been pushed to the forefront of the storm?”

Princess Chenliu nodded: “Precisely.”

Guo Cheng smiled dismissively: “Our family has weathered so many great storms over the years. Naturally we won’t fear those who fabricate things from nothing. The Hu family’s fate also serves as a warning to them, letting them know the Guo family is absolutely not to be trifled with. Henceforth, whoever makes small moves—the Hu clan will be their fate!” Between his words was actually a cold, menacing chill. Li Weiyang, accustomed to seeing his smile, was slightly surprised hearing this suddenly.

Coming out from Princess Chenliu’s quarters, Yuan Ying called out to Li Weiyang: “Cousin, may I have a word with you?”

Li Weiyang looked at him. Her graceful face showed no coyness as she nodded: “Naturally.”

Li Weiyang stood before a rose bush. The roses cast countless flower shadows on her plain clothing, making her appear even more bright and lovely.

Yuan Ying gazed at her, his eyes gradually deepening. After a long while, he spoke: “With many people around, it wasn’t convenient to speak. I know you also don’t want to attract too much attention. But some things I truly must say. You and Prince Xu were already acquainted early on, weren’t you?”

Li Weiyang knew many things couldn’t be concealed, especially from clever people: “That’s right. He and I have known each other for many years. Before I came to Yuexi, we were always together like family.”

She used the word “family,” not “lovers.” Yuan Ying stared at her for a long time before slowly speaking: “When Jia’er was small, she was very round and adorable. She would cry when seeing others, but seeing me, she’d smile. At that time, my mother consort said when Jia’er grew up, she would become my wife.”

Li Weiyang put away her smile and listened seriously.

“At that time, I hated hearing those words. I often secretly pinched her hand behind everyone’s back, wanting to make her cry. But she was still very happy to see me. Every time I did this, she’d smile very happily. So sometimes I’d think—if she hadn’t disappeared, she would already be my princess consort now.”

If Xiao Man hadn’t disappeared, hadn’t wandered among common people, but grown up happily and carefree in the Guo family, she wouldn’t have fallen ill or met Wen Xiaolou. After so many years, she should indeed have married Yuan Ying. Li Weiyang smiled slightly and didn’t refute.

“From the first time I saw you, I felt you weren’t her.” Yuan Ying’s face showed a smile, his tone very certain.

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Oh, why?”

Yuan Ying’s eyes held a depth no one could penetrate or understand. His words remained very calm: “Because Guo family children, though they may use extraordinary means to achieve their goals, absolutely don’t have such a vicious nature. Just as a peony seed, even if it falls into water, cannot grow into a lotus. No matter in what environment she grew up, Jia’er would be Jia’er, and Princess Anping would forever be Princess Anping.”

Li Weiyang looked at him with slight surprise.

Yuan Ying gazed at her and continued: “I thought I would greatly dislike you. Because in all these years in the palace, I’ve always seen women like you—clever, cunning, vicious, ambitious, stopping at nothing to achieve their goals, cruel to enemies to the point of making men furious.”

“Am I really so terrible?” Li Weiyang laughed. Though Yuan Ying couldn’t directly interfere in harem affairs, that didn’t mean he knew nothing. He probably already knew everything she’d done to Consort Hu Shun and Prince Xiang. But being described this way by Yuan Ying, she didn’t feel anything. Because what he said wasn’t wrong—she was selfish, malicious, cunning, and extremely cruel to enemies. So what? This was her, Li Weiyang.

Yuan Ying laughed, the depth in his eyes also becoming laughter: “Yes, truly terrible. I originally thought so too—that girls should be gentle, kind, and lovely, with everything protected by men. But now I’ve changed my thinking.”

Li Weiyang looked at him without speaking.

Yuan Ying continued: “If it were the real Jia’er facing this incident, she’d probably cause great disaster. What I know, Uncle certainly knows too. That he’s willing to see you as his daughter shows he trusts you. Facts prove his judgment was correct. Aunt needs you, the Guo family needs you—you are the most suitable Guo Jia.”

“You are the most suitable Guo Jia”—this phrase others might not understand, but Li Weiyang nodded.

Yuan Ying’s gaze swept across Li Weiyang’s face, which gleamed with a pearlescent sheen: “So I want to thank you. Thank you for bringing Jia’er back to our side.” He felt that if the real Guo Jia appeared, he might marry her according to Consort Hui’s wishes and take good care of her, but he would find it very difficult to truly love that person from the depths of his heart. He had to admit—compared to delicate flowers, he preferred and admired stubborn, strong women like Li Weiyang more.

Li Weiyang hadn’t detected Yuan Ying’s complex feelings. She only nodded slightly: “Since Prince Jing can change his thinking, I needn’t worry about you always watching me from behind.”

She’d obviously misunderstood why he watched her… Yuan Ying’s smile deepened, but he didn’t plan to remind her. He only said: “About that Wen Xiaolou who was sent here…”

Li Weiyang’s face lost its smile: “This is Jiang Nan’s warning to me. This shows he already knows I safely left the palace.”

Yuan Ying thought for a moment: “Jiang Nan isn’t particularly fearsome. It’s just that you’re in the open while they’re in the shadows—ultimately troublesome. Better to strike first…” He’d only said half when suddenly a long sword thrust out from the side. Yuan Ying immediately dodged the cold light with a side step. Looking back, it was Guo Dun. He immediately smiled: “What’s wrong with you now?”

“Last time’s match isn’t finished. Let’s continue!” Guo Dun laughed loudly and charged forward with his sword raised.

Madam Guo had just come out from inside. Seeing this situation, she immediately said: “Move farther away! If you hurt your little sister, I’ll skin you!” Behind her, Jiang Shi and Chen Shi both laughed.

Li Weiyang went to stand with them, watching those two in the courtyard spar. Guo Cheng leaned against the door with a grin: “Look, Guo Dun just can’t accept losing last time! He’s always trying every way to get revenge! This time, should we place bets!”

Guo Dao stroked his chin thoughtfully: “I bet one hundred taels of silver that Prince Jing wins!”

Guo Cheng’s expression changed: “What? I also bet Prince Jing wins!”

Before the two brothers finished speaking, Guo Dao’s head already received a knuckle rap: “Using this as a wager—how improper!” Guo Dao turned his head to see Madam Guo standing behind him. His originally angry face immediately formed an ingratiating smile: “Mother, wasn’t I just adding to the fun?”

Guo Cheng smiled and dodged behind Li Weiyang: “Alright, alright, everyone watch quickly!”

A guard directly tossed an ordinary sword to Yuan Ying. Yuan Ying smiled slightly, caught the long sword, and fought intensely with Guo Dun. Guo Dun had extraordinary strength and attacked fiercely, making him very difficult to meet head-on. That bearing was absolutely incomparable to those young masters Li Weiyang had usually seen who only knew flowery fist embroidery—this was definitely real battlefield-trained skill. Yuan Ying’s movements were lightning-fast, his strikes like rainbows. Compared to Guo Dun, his form was more light and graceful, flashing and turning. Each time he seemed about to fall into disadvantage, he often had unexpected moves that forced Guo Dun to raise his sword in self-defense.

Li Weiyang watched quietly. The sword reflected the person—Prince Jing was a very persistent person, very patient, often preferring to find unique paths to achieve victory. His strength absolutely couldn’t match the immensely powerful Guo Dun, but in patience and wit, he was clearly superior. Her eyes slowly deepened. Prince Jing Yuan Ying—did he also have ambitions for power? If he wanted to compete for the throne, the Guo family would inevitably be drawn in. At that time, who knew what kind of situation would unfold…

Though her goal was to take revenge on Empress Pei, she’d never wanted to implicate the Guo family. However, from the moment she stepped into the Guo family, her fate was bound together with the Guo clan. Consort Hu Shun had schemed against “Guo Jia” because of the Guo family’s power and influence. She was already in the game—how could she not play this chess match?

Guo Cheng watched from the side for a while, his hands itching unbearably: “I’ll join you two for fun!”

Guo Dun was clearly very happy and shouted loudly: “Be careful—swords and blades have no eyes!” Guo Cheng’s smile turned stern. He drew a blade from a nearby guard’s hand and in a quick step had already joined the battle.

Li Weiyang showed a slightly surprised expression. Chen Shi had already explained: “Little sister, you don’t know—your brothers often do this. They’ll be talking perfectly fine then suddenly start fighting. When your second brother is here, it’s the same…” As she spoke, she seemed to think of her husband stationed outside long-term, and inexplicably her face showed a trace of loneliness.

Even her loneliness carried a smile—Chen Bingbing always believed her husband truly loved her. Li Weiyang smiled slightly but somehow sighed inwardly. The Guo family clearly knew everything yet kept only Chen Bingbing in the dark—not just for the alliance between the Guo and Chen families, but more to keep Second Sister-in-law happy. Sometimes, knowing too much wasn’t a good thing.

Guo Cheng was born handsome and always liked to be unconventional. Though he preferred using long swords, seeing those two both used swords, he directly took a blade and joined the battle group, swinging it at Guo Dun. Guo Dun countered with his sword, deflecting the blade to the side, then immediately struck down horizontally. Guo Cheng emerged from his side ribs, leaning forward to suddenly attack Yuan Ying’s legs. Yuan Ying immediately leaped up, his long sword sweeping through the air toward Guo Dun’s head while simultaneously kicking fiercely at Guo Cheng. Guo Dun and Guo Cheng both dodged. Yuan Ying’s strike missed. As he landed, before he could stand firm, the other two attacked from left and right. No matter how skilled Yuan Ying’s martial arts, he couldn’t withstand two masters’ assault and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

Guo Dun was feeling pleased when unexpectedly his third brother Guo Cheng was actually here to disrupt things. Sometimes allying with Yuan Ying, sometimes helping Guo Dun instead, not letting anyone lose, his technique like thunder and stone. The three fought together, battling inseparably, thoroughly and satisfyingly.

These three were all young masters accomplished in both civil and martial arts, with extremely proud personalities. Fighting, they showed absolutely no mercy, actually becoming more and more enthusiastic. After several hundred moves, it had become extremely intense. However, Li Weiyang saw very clearly—among the three, Guo Dun had the greatest strength and was most fierce. Yuan Ying had the highest sword skill and best understood wars of attrition, most skilled at finding unique paths. Guo Cheng’s strength couldn’t match the former, his swordsmanship couldn’t match the latter, but he was most cunning, occasionally running up shouting loudly: “I’m going to ambush you!” Hearing him yell loudly, the other two couldn’t help laughing, their moves simultaneously slowing.

Guo Dao watched from the side with great enthusiasm, occasionally commenting on the situation in the field, extremely leisurely. Guo Cheng and Yuan Ying exchanged glances, suddenly striking, respectively stepping on Guo Dun’s left and right feet. Guo Dun was startled, then understood their intention. He immediately struck with his sword. Taking advantage of their evasion, his feet spun and he leaped out. Guo Cheng and Yuan Ying quickly pursued. Guo Dun was actually grabbed mid-air by them. This scene happened too fast—even Li Weiyang didn’t see their movements clearly. She only saw Guo Dun’s entire body thrown toward the spectating Guo Dao. Guo Dao was shocked. Before he could react, he saw his fourth brother pressing down on him like a bear, knocking him to the ground and nearly crushing him to death.

Everyone in the courtyard laughed. Guo Dao pushed Guo Dun away. His face no longer showed that leisurely expression as he stood up grimacing. Yuan Ying was laughing happily when unexpectedly Guo Dao winked at the just-risen Guo Dun. The two flew over together to grab Yuan Ying. Yuan Ying was extremely fast, blocking with both arms, leaping behind the two, but his legs unexpectedly and simultaneously kicked each person’s behind lightly. Guo Dun and Guo Dao both lunged forward empty. Realizing something was wrong, they looked down—each was missing a shoe. Looking back at Yuan Ying, he already stood there composed, holding both shoes in both hands, smiling as he watched them. Guo Cheng laughed loudly from the side, completely without decorum.

The two exchanged glances and simultaneously chased after Yuan Ying. Yuan Ying was even more agile than them, leaping and dodging. The two were momentarily helpless. Because the scene was too intense, it disturbed Princess Chenliu and Duke Qi inside. They came out and saw the three fighting in a group. Princess Chenliu couldn’t help being very interested and even shouted loudly: “Ying’er, you must win!”

But Duke Qi’s face darkened as he sternly asked: “What are you doing?”

Several people immediately stopped their movements, covering for each other, answering in unison: “Sparring!”

Duke Qi knew they were lying but didn’t fuss, only scolding: “Don’t go too far. Prince Jing should return to the palace earlier. Her Ladyship must be waiting for you!”

Yuan Ying immediately resumed his noble young master appearance, smiling broadly: “Yes, Uncle.”

Duke Qi had long since grown accustomed to this over the years. He sighed and walked away with hands behind his back.

This scene was truly too interesting. Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing. Her skin was fair and crystalline, her smile extremely beautiful, thin as if floating with flower-like fragrance. Yuan Ying was momentarily entranced. Careless for a moment, he was actually lifted up by those three brothers. When he reacted, both shoes had been removed by the three and thrown far away. Another round of commotion ensued.

“Jia’er, Prince Jing spoke to me today, saying he wants to marry you as his princess consort.” Without warning, Princess Chenliu beside them smiled and spoke. Her voice wasn’t loud, but both Jiang Shi and Chen Shi heard. Princess Chenliu was a very straightforward person who liked directness in everything. Moreover, this kind of matter didn’t need concealment. Though Jiang Shi and Chen Shi both wore smiles on their faces, their hearts were somewhat anxious, not knowing what this little sister would actually say.

Madam Guo’s face no longer smiled. She hadn’t expected Princess Chenliu to suddenly bring this up, much less knew how Li Weiyang would answer.

Li Weiyang had already told Madam Guo about this issue many times, but Princess Chenliu was her grandmother. That she actively brought this up showed she greatly approved of this marriage. Li Weiyang only smiled faintly: “Grandmother, Prince Jing is like my own biological older brother.”

Princess Chenliu was stunned and carefully examined Li Weiyang’s expression, immediately understanding. Like a biological brother—didn’t that mean… She glanced at Yuan Ying in the field, happening to meet his gaze directly, then sighed. Child, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.

This look—what kind of clever person was Yuan Ying? How could he not understand? In an instant, his heart pulled painfully. Guo Dun beside him had already hooked his neck: “This time I didn’t lose to you!”

The Guo brothers all had extremely high martial skills. Though Princess Chenliu’s voice just now wasn’t loud, they more or less all heard something. However, no one wanted to expose Yuan Ying’s feelings at this moment. Guo Dun, being most honest, only knew to use this method to change the subject. Yuan Ying only smiled, but his smile wasn’t as hearty as before, adding many concerns: “Yes, this time you won!”

Guo Dun stopped, glanced at Yuan Ying’s expression, and suddenly felt some sympathy. His own little sister was the gentlest person—ordinarily she never even raised her voice. Even if maids made mistakes, she never got angry. But she was someone with strong opinions. Getting her to agree probably wouldn’t be easy.

Guo Cheng and Guo Dao exchanged glances, simultaneously seeing worry in each other’s eyes. Yuan Ying appeared very easygoing on the surface, but his character wasn’t as magnanimous as his appearance suggested. If he truly fell in love with Li Weiyang, he absolutely wouldn’t give up easily. Add Prince Xu Yuan Lie, and they might provoke great disaster…

Guo Cheng came over grinning to pull Yuan Ying: “Come, come, let’s finish that chess game from the other day before you leave!”

Yuan Ying smiled but glanced at Li Weiyang: “It’s nearly dusk. I should return early. I’ll come another day to play chess with you.” Saying this, he straightened his clothing completely, tossed the long sword to a guard, turned to bow to Princess Chenliu and Madam Guo, then made to leave.

Guo Cheng watched his retreating figure, his smile slowly freezing on his face. Today Yuan Ying’s actions—three parts for happiness, seven parts for Li Weiyang. Originally they all thought Yuan Ying had just developed some interest, but now it seemed he was taking Li Weiyang too seriously…

Before Yuan Ying left, another visitor arrived. This time, it was beyond everyone’s expectations.

“Mother, it’s all Second Brother’s fault for not disciplining properly, allowing that little beast to do such disgraceful things! I’ve brought him to plead guilty to you!” That person hadn’t yet stepped through the door but was already full of remorse, calling out loudly all the way.

Li Weiyang furrowed her brows. She saw two middle-aged men walk in one after another, their children following behind. The leading middle-aged man had just entered the courtyard when he knelt before Princess Chenliu in salute: “Mother, I’ve brought this disappointing younger brother to plead guilty to you!” As he said this, the middle-aged man following him also knelt down, his face completely red. The young men and women behind them all knelt down as well.

The originally happy atmosphere in the courtyard was made extremely awkward by this scene. Madam Guo glanced at the steward, who was running in panting, his face full of panic. Just about to speak, Madam Guo waved to stop him. Madam Guo’s face had already formed a polite smile: “Elder Brother, Second Brother, what’s this about, kneeling all over the ground? The children are still here!”

Guo Ping, already Minister of War, wore a face full of shame: “No matter how old we are or how high our positions, without Mother, we wouldn’t have today. Yet we caused our own family to fight each other, flooding the Dragon King’s temple. Without Mother’s forgiveness, how can we have the face to stand?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Guo Ping—refined yet fully shrewd, those eyes holding a sharpness that startled the heart. Yet paired with this careful, guilty plea, it seemed utterly sincere. But if truly sincere, why not come to plead guilty earlier or later, but choose when Yuan Ying was present? What was the real intention behind such actions?

A trace of barely perceptible awkwardness flashed across Princess Chenliu’s face. She sighed: “Enough, what does kneeling like this look like? It only invites ridicule. All of you, rise.”

Inviting ridicule was a small matter. The Minister of War and General Weiwu personally bringing their children to plead guilty, even kneeling before Princess Chenliu—if this got out, those who didn’t know the truth would certainly think Princess Chenliu was harsh and unforgiving, unable to pardon. But in fact, General Weiwu Guo Teng had indulged his adopted son in falsely accusing Guo Jia. This was absolutely not some internal family struggle—Guo Teng had essentially betrayed the Guo family! This was why Princess Chenliu refused to forgive them. You could struggle internally however you wanted, but how could you make it public?! This pair of brothers coming to the Guo residence—who knew what their real purpose was!

Hearing Princess Chenliu say this, Guo Ping finally wiped his sweat and forced himself to stand. With him doing so, the others followed suit. For a moment, the courtyard was packed full of people. Seeing Yuan Ying, Guo Ping’s face filled with smiles: “So Prince Jing is also here. Truly—”

Yuan Ying smiled. Though Guo Ping and Guo Teng were technically his uncles, their intentions were absolutely not aligned with his. But he showed nothing on his face: “Not at all. That the two uncles know their errors and can reform—my father emperor and mother consort will certainly be very happy to know.”

The smile on Guo Ping’s face didn’t change at all, as if unable to feel the mockery in those words: “Speaking of which, it’s all Second Brother’s fault. I told him that Peng family boy ultimately doesn’t carry the Guo surname and isn’t one of us—how could he be raised at home? Fortunately, he wasn’t given the surname, otherwise people who didn’t know might really think we instigated his actions! It ruined the Guo family’s reputation!”

Guo Teng’s face also wore a guilty expression: “Yes, fortunately Mother and Your Highness are both people of great understanding who would never believe such rumors.”

No matter what they said, Yuan Ying’s face remained indifferent, showing no reaction.

Guo Ping’s face tightened, but he suddenly smiled: “By the way, I haven’t yet seen my niece, and I haven’t given my gift yet!” Saying this, he turned to look beside Princess Chenliu.

Li Weiyang stood quietly on the steps, silent and wordless, her brows and eyes calm like an ancient well whose depth was unfathomable. Guo Ping felt inexplicably displeased. This niece had ruined his plans yet still wore such a calm expression—truly detestable. But what kind of scheming did he possess? How could he show his dissatisfaction? His face smiled even more amiably: “This must be Jia’er—such good looks!”

Princess Chenliu glanced at Li Weiyang, fearing she might show something because of what happened in the palace. You must know, disputes between elders were their business. As a junior, Guo Jia couldn’t reveal anything else, or people would think she lacked upbringing. This courtyard was now full of people with ulterior motives. She didn’t want Jia’er to be talked about.

Li Weiyang only smiled slightly, saying peacefully: “Jia’er greets both uncles.”

Guo Ping laughed heartily: “Good, good. Someone, bring in the gifts my second brother and I prepared for Jia’er.” As soon as he spoke, four servants immediately carried in a large red-lacquered wooden chest. Just from its heavy appearance, one could tell it was truly a grand gesture.

Li Weiyang only glanced up briefly, then lowered her eyes, saying flatly: “Jia’er thanks both uncles.” These two people were generous enough to want to send this niece of theirs to hell—truly, she couldn’t not avenge this grudge. Li Weiyang pursed her lips, concealing that trace of cold smile.

Guo Ping didn’t notice anything unusual. He only pulled forward the people behind him: “Come, Jia’er, these are my two children—eldest daughter Guo Wu, youngest son Guo Ling. They’re about your age. In terms of ranking… well, should be…”

Madam Guo smiled slightly: “Jia’er is the same age as Wu’er, just one month younger.”

Guo Wu walked forward with a slight smile, wearing a light gown and proper skirt, her graceful figure adorned with delicate jade and pearl ornaments. A slanted hairpin hung with long, fine pendants that swayed gently. Under her carefully styled cloud-like coiffure showed a pretty face, brows like distant mountains holding blackness, eyes like twinkling stars. Even Li Weiyang, accustomed to seeing absolute beauties, had to admit this was a great beauty. She properly greeted Li Weiyang: “Cousin.”

This whole extended family was full of cousins everywhere. Li Weiyang felt like laughing but only restrained herself: “Elder Cousin is too kind.”

Behind Guo Wu stood her handsome, tall younger brother Guo Ling, silently standing to the side, clearly out of place with the Guo brothers nearby. Guo Ping only introduced these two because they were the only legitimate children. In his view, the others weren’t worth mentioning. On the other side, Guo Teng also brought his beautiful daughter Guo Xue and son Guo Sheng.

These young men and women all saluted Princess Chenliu together.

Princess Chenliu was advanced in years. Her former beauty had gradually worn away amid the struggles and maneuvering. Time had given her face an added dignity and serenity. When she usually looked at Li Weiyang and the other Guo family children, her gaze was very warm—a genuine feeling. But now looking at Guo Ping and others, her gaze was indifferent and reserved. Though her voice was soft and contained a smile, it held a trace of coldness: “You’ve all grown up. You should visit more often in the future and get along well.”

Li Weiyang deeply felt that these intruders were incompatible with the Guo family, even clearly divided, implicitly forming a confrontational stance. Just then, she suddenly heard a timid voice: “Cousin, are you friends with Prince Xu?”

Li Weiyang turned her head to see it was First Uncle Guo Ping’s daughter Guo Wu standing beside her. A pair of snow-white hands, jade-onion fingers lightly pressing above her heart, earnestly gazing at her. Her gentle, beautiful appearance made one dare not look directly, but the implications within were extremely complex.

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows, looking at the other party with an expression between a smile and not.

Yuan Lie—it seems you’ve found me a not-so-small trouble…