In mid-February, as the year’s plans unfold in spring, following winter’s slumber and nature’s revival, the capital city came alive once more. The first event to restore vitality to the capital was naturally the Lantern Festival, followed by none other than the spring imperial examinations.

The spring examinations in February, result announcements in March, and palace examinations in April – during these two months, scholars from all corners of the realm gathered in the capital. Each hoped to seize this opportunity to make a name for themselves and elevate their status.

As the spring examinations concluded, on the first day of March, the Empress Dowager hosted a spring banquet in the lotus-filled Furong Garden. Not only were noble families and distinguished clans present, with men and women gathering together, but also talented scholars from humble backgrounds who had received recommendations or maintained connections with imperial clan members, obtaining invitations from the palace. Compared to last year’s chrysanthemum banquet, this gathering was incomparably more lively.

Shen Xihe ordinarily wouldn’t need to attend such events – she was already betrothed, and she disliked such crowded occasions. However, today she had a particular matter to attend to, so she had no choice but to come.

Nevertheless, this visit proved quite fruitful for Shen Xihe, as she spotted several of the Crown Prince’s alter egos: Xiao Fuxing, Guo Daoyi, and that… Lady Qin.

Qin Zijie stood out from the crowd, her height surpassing that of ordinary young men. Because of this, anyone passing by couldn’t help but give her a second glance, yet she sat composed and seemingly oblivious to these stares.

Only when she saw Shen Xihe did she approach her maid.

“Princess Zhaoning,” Qin Zijie took the initiative to greet and bow to Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe returned the greeting as an equal: “Lady Qin.”

“Princess, might I have a word in private?” Qin Zijie asked directly.

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows slightly, guessing she wanted to explain the previous incident. She nodded in agreement and followed her to a quiet spot. Qin Zijie instructed her maid to stand guard, while Shen Xihe gave a meaningful look to Zhenzhu and Ziyu.

Only Qin Zijie and Shen Xihe entered through the moon gate into a courtyard smaller than Shen Xihe’s bedroom, everything visible at a glance.

“Princess, I am not acquainted with the Crown Prince,” Qin Zijie spoke with a frank expression and honest gaze. “On the day of Fourth Prince Consort’s birthday celebration, I wasn’t at the residence. I had planned to send generous gifts as congratulations. It was the Crown Prince who went to the Grand Tutor’s residence and obtained my father’s permission.”

Qin Zijie had been thunderstruck upon learning this later – she had never imagined that the Crown Prince would impersonate her to get closer to Princess Zhaoning at the Fourth Prince Consort’s birthday celebration! She blamed her solitary nature and detachment from worldly affairs for only learning of this now.

True to her upbringing as the Grand Tutor’s daughter, she conducted herself with the same precise propriety as her father who taught and nurtured others.

“You’ve been troubled by this, Lady Qin,” Shen Xihe said with a gentle laugh.

Qin Zijie’s brow was filled with barely contained anger, likely still furious about Xiao Huayong’s previous impersonation of her. Yet bound by the relationship between ruler and subject, when Xiao Huayong gave orders, she had no choice but to comply, hence her stiff expression.

It must be said that although Xiao Huayong wasn’t familiar with Qin Zijie, he had managed to impersonate her with eighty percent accuracy.

Qin Zijie hadn’t expected Shen Xihe to respond this way. Having heard that Shen Xihe was aloof and difficult to approach, she had prepared herself for cold, condescending treatment. Now she felt that Shen Xihe was quite approachable, proving that rumors couldn’t be fully trusted.

However, as she preferred to keep to herself, she simply nodded, bowed, and took her leave.

Shen Xihe watched her departure, a smile playing on her lips.

Following not far behind Qin Zijie, they returned to the bustling crowd. Suddenly, several young men began chasing each other for some unknown reason, crashing headlong into Guo Daoyi and his companions who had just stepped onto the bridge.

Walking behind them, Guo Daoyi steadied his companion but couldn’t stop his backward momentum. Qin Zijie, who happened to be passing by, reached out to grab his clothes. There was a sound of tearing fabric – while she failed to catch the person, she did tear off a piece of his garment.

In his panic, Guo Daoyi grabbed Qin Zijie’s hand, and they both fell into the water with a tremendous splash.

Those on shore cried out in alarm. Some palace servants who were strong swimmers immediately jumped in from a distance and swam toward the pair. Qin Zijie surfaced quickly – she knew how to swim. In contrast, Guo Daoyi was completely helpless in the water, splashing about and crying, “Help… help…”

His head bobbed up and down, unable to form complete sentences. While Qin Zijie’s maid was already reaching out to her, seeing that the palace servants were still some distance away and no one on the bridge was jumping in to help, she considered for a moment before swimming toward Guo Daoyi.

She had barely grabbed hold of him when Guo Daoyi clung to her, wrapping both arms around her neck. Though Qin Zijie was quite strong, she managed to swim a distance carrying a tall man until the guards and palace servants arrived to take him.

She climbed ashore without any assistance. Her maid wrapped her in a prepared cloak, and she departed wordlessly with her servants.

Guo Daoyi, meanwhile, looked as if he’d had a brush with death, lying spread-eagled with a deathly pale face.

“Take Scholar Guo to Wenlang Hall to change his clothes,” Xiao Huayong commanded the palace servants as he approached several princes.

With Xiao Huayong in the lead and the princes lined up behind him, each handsome and dignified, they drew the attention of the gathered young ladies, who watched them with shy, admiring glances.

“Greetings to Crown Prince…” the crowd bowed to Xiao Huayong and the others.

Xiao Huayong raised his hand slightly: “The spring scenery is lovely, please disperse and enjoy it. Don’t let this incident spoil your appreciation.”

With these casual words, he dismissed everyone without ceremony. He then strode forward to Shen Xihe’s side, his previous authority instantly softening, his expression gentle and his gaze tender: “Shall I accompany you for a walk?”

Seeing that they were surrounded by people, and not wanting to be entangled with them, Shen Xihe nodded and turned to leave first.

Her complete disregard for the Crown Prince’s status left everyone astounded.

Yet far from being displeased, Xiao Huayong’s lips curved into a delighted smile, his eyes filled with her image as he followed after her.

This was the result of his considerable effort to make her more casual around him, and the time she spent in the palace hadn’t been wasted – the effects were obvious.

“A gentleman of refinement, with profound elegance,” Yu Sangzi’s gaze couldn’t help but follow Xiao Huayong.

Standing beside her, Yu Sangning said, “Sister, the Crown Prince… is not destined for longevity.”

The last six words were only audible to Yu Sangzi.

Yu Sangzi withdrew her gaze dejectedly: “Who has their lifespan written on their face? If that were so, how would there be widows in this world?”

It was common knowledge that Xiao Huayong suffered from a serious ailment and wouldn’t live long, but did those who didn’t know of such conditions necessarily live longer?

Seeing Yu Sangzi so entranced, Yu Sangning said, “Sister, you are the legitimate daughter of a marquis’s household. There’s no reason for you to enter the Eastern Palace as a concubine.”