With her identity settled, Li Weiyang moved into Zhongxiu Court. Having been troubled for the past few days, she instead slept very well that night, unaware that Madam Guo had quietly come to check on her several times in the middle of the night, wiping tears before her for quite some time before finally being pulled away by Duke Qiguo. When Li Weiyang woke, daylight was already bright. Zhao Yue had long been waiting at the door. Previously, Li Weiyang had requested to Madam Guo that Zhao Yue was a maidservant who had followed her for many years, so she wanted to bring her into the residence. Madam Guo naturally had no objection. Waiting together with Zhao Yue were two other maidservants.

Seeing Li Weiyang awaken, one maidservant quickly approached: “Miss.”

Li Weiyang blinked her eyes and saw that the maidservant before her had large eyes and a round face, very pretty indeed. The other one surprisingly had the same appearance, except for an additional black mole on her chin. Both smiled cheerfully at her, leaving Li Weiyang somewhat surprised. The maidservant quickly curtsied to her, her round face covered in a red blush, looking quite adorable as she explained: “Miss, this servant is called Lotus Leaf, and she’s called Lotus Root. We two are twins.”

Seeing that the two were indeed identical, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Early in the morning, before Li Weiyang had even washed up, Madam Guo had already arrived. She eagerly watched Li Weiyang dress and groom herself, softly offering suggestions. Li Weiyang usually preferred simple and plain attire, but unexpectedly, Madam Guo favored gorgeous clothing. To make her happy, Li Weiyang had no choice but to add a glass bead hairpin to her hair. Only then did Madam Guo smile and say, “Imperial Consort Hui cannot easily leave the palace. Your second aunt, the Duke Yingguo’s wife, and your second uncle, Marquis Nanming, originally couldn’t wait to come see you yesterday, but the Princess stopped them, fearing they would frighten you. However, early this morning they’ve already sent people to deliver their greeting gifts.”

Imperial Consort Guo was Princess Chenliu’s second daughter. When other children were still babbling, Guo Qiao had already memorized poetry fluently. By age seven or eight, she could compose poetry extemporaneously, with clear and beautiful diction that even ordinary adults couldn’t match. However, what made Guo Qiao most famous wasn’t her literary talent, but rather her magnanimous nature and gentle temperament. Combined with having given birth to Prince Jing Yuan Ying, plus the powerful Guo family as her backing, she had always enjoyed great honor and respect.

In fact, Li Weiyang had greatly underestimated the Guo family’s influence. From the moment she entered the residence yesterday, news had spread throughout the entire capital. Imperial Consort Guo was family, so naturally she would send gifts. But the Emperor and Empress Pei, along with other palace consorts, all the princes in the capital, and even ordinary officials, all sent gifts to the Guo family, congratulating them on finding their long-lost young miss. Of course, they didn’t care whether Li Weiyang was truly Guo Jia. The important point was that she was the only daughter acknowledged by the Guo family.

The steward took out a long gift list, wiping his sweat while reading item by item.

The young servants carried all the gifts into the courtyard, then withdrew in orderly fashion. The vast courtyard was completely filled with congratulatory gifts. These countless dazzling treasures nearly blinded everyone’s eyes.

Madam Guo always had infinite patience with Li Weiyang. She patiently listened to the steward read the gift list, then had people bring each item over for Li Weiyang to see—

“This set of jewelry is a gift your eldest aunt, Imperial Consort Guo, sent. She had craftsmen specially design it for you.” Madam Guo pointed at an exquisite set of jewelry before them. Li Weiyang glanced at it—it was a ruby jewelry set. Gold inlaid with rubies, also interspersed with cat’s eye stones, lapis lazuli, and coral. The matching hairpins, flat squares, hair sticks, bracelets, rings, and ornaments were all made of gold inlaid with rubies, expertly crafted with delicate and elegant details everywhere. This set of jewelry alone was already priceless.

Her second aunt, Duke Yingguo’s wife Guo Zhen, was equally generous. Inside a glass box was a tourmaline pearl bracelet, strung with eighteen pink tourmaline beads. On it were tied extremely intricate gold thread auspicious knots, each tied with a pearl—very exquisite. The weaving method of those silk knots was very clever. Li Weiyang looked at them twice more. Madam Guo was delighted and personally took it to tie around Li Weiyang’s wrist, examining it from all angles: “Your second aunt’s handiwork is truly still the same as before—the most clever and skillful.”

Li Weiyang said in surprise, “These silk knots—”

Madam Guo beamed with smiles: “She wove these herself, saying only that way would it be sincere enough.”

Li Weiyang was moved. Gold, silver, pearls, and jade could all be bought with money. She had already seen countless examples in Dali and found nothing remarkable about them. But the other party was willing to go to such trouble for her, a stranger, even taking the time to work with her own hands. Even with her heart of iron and stone, she couldn’t help but be touched.

Duke Yingguo’s wife’s two daughters, Han Lin and Han Qin, also sent gifts. Han Lin sent a gold filigree sachet—ninety percent gold, its entire body composed of openwork filigree petals, decorated above and below with silk cords and red coral beads—a work of consummate skill. Han Qin sent a personally painted ink wash painting. Even Duke Yingguo’s wife’s three-year-old youngest daughter had learned from her second elder sister and sent over a painting of a chick pecking rice. Holding that painting, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but smile. Seeing her happy, Madam Guo was naturally also overjoyed.

Second uncle, Marquis Nanming Guo Ying, sent a pot of narcissus made of green and white jade. It looked exactly like real narcissus—if not for the lack of floral fragrance, one would almost think these were real narcissus flowers.

The steward continued reading the gift list. Officials throughout the capital had spent the past few days racking their brains, trying every means to search for the most precious gifts to send her! Moreover, for good fortune, the gifts all came in pairs—gold and silver vessels, rare antiquities… countless items. Just from these gifts, one could see how powerful the Guo family’s prestige was now!

The Guo clan had been wealthy and noble for nearly three hundred years, with extremely particular food and living arrangements. Li Weiyang picked up her teacup and took a sip, immediately recognizing it as top-quality cloud and mist tea with an extremely sweet flavor.

Seeing her drink tea, Madam Guo suddenly exclaimed and stood up, saying, “How could I have forgotten? In the storeroom is a set of glass teacups that would be most suitable for you.”

Nanny Song nearby quickly said, “Madam, please sit. This servant will personally take people to find it.” But Madam Guo wasn’t reassured, saying, “I’ll go myself. You don’t know which set is the most beautiful!” With that, she hurried off. Li Weiyang watched her retreating figure, her heart slightly surging with sadness. Her hand unconsciously clutched the gold thread auspicious knot on her wrist, gripping it so tightly as if pressing it deeply into her palm.

In the vast courtyard, there were more than ten people serving inside and out, but all walked silently, not daring to disturb—clearly Madam Guo had already given instructions. Li Weiyang smiled gently. Little Barbarian, if you were alive and saw such family members, how happy you would be. How hateful that Yuan Yu was so shameless. Happiness was only one step too late for you.

Before long, Madam Guo returned joyfully holding the glass cups, showing them to Li Weiyang like presenting treasures, then chattering on introducing the Guo family members. Li Weiyang responded with a few sentences at first, but gradually it became just Madam Guo talking alone while she listened silently.

“The Princess said that since the family has reunited with difficulty, she wants to hold a banquet for you to let everyone in the capital know you’ve returned. If you feel it’s inappropriate, I’ll find a way to decline.” Madam Guo finally got to the main point.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, watching Madam Guo’s anxiety, afraid she wouldn’t be happy. The Guo family had such status—when their daughter returned, naturally they should introduce her to everyone. This was perfectly natural and proper. This represented the Guo family’s acknowledgment of her. Of course, this was also a form of protection. Appearing before everyone, in the future no matter where she went, others would know her identity and origin and give her sufficient respect.

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Mother, your daughter is willing to follow all arrangements.”

She was willing to attend?! Madam Guo was especially dramatic—she was so moved her eyes turned red. She had originally feared Li Weiyang wouldn’t be willing and had even prepared excuses to refuse Princess Chenliu. Who knew she would agree! She originally didn’t want her daughter exposed before everyone too early, yet proudly wanted to tell everyone she had found her daughter, and that her daughter was so beautiful, so gentle, so understanding! She stood up and instructed, “Nanny Song, did you hear what the young miss said? Immediately pass down orders to prepare properly!”

Seeing her so happy, Li Weiyang also smiled slightly.

In the ten-plus days before the banquet began, Madam Guo commanded everyone to bustle about. She carefully selected peonies, first lining the cobblestone paths of the Guo family garden with flower pots, then specially choosing the most precious peony varieties, arranging them according to different colors and patterns. To prepare for the banquet, she even mobilized her three sons, instructing Guo Cheng to procure delicious delicacies from various regions and select the finest wines; instructing Guo Dun to personally supervise the entire banquet arrangement, not permitting a single error; even the usually laziest Guo Dao was pressed into service, running errands everywhere… These matters could originally have been assigned to servants, but Madam Guo was rarely so enthusiastic, bringing along her two daughters-in-law to enthusiastically command the three younger brothers-in-law. The entire household bustled with activity.

The most idle person was only Li Weiyang. Looking from the garden, she saw Madam Guo almost wanting to personally replace those servants moving flowers, causing the corners of her mouth to lift slightly. At that moment, a voice appeared behind her: “She’s been very happy recently.”

Without turning around, Li Weiyang already understood the owner of this voice was Duke Qiguo Guo Su. She smiled slightly and said, “As long as she’s happy, the whole family will be very happy, right?”

“Yes, as long as she’s happy, we all feel very happy. Recently I often think that without you, all this happiness wouldn’t exist.” Guo Su looked at his wife, so busy she couldn’t spare a moment, his smile very calm.

Li Weiyang lowered her eyes, concealing all the emotions in them: “I haven’t done anything. On the contrary, I’ve enjoyed everything that should have belonged to Little Barbarian. Whenever I think of all this, I feel very sad.”

Guo Su was already much calmer than the first time they spoke of Little Barbarian. His gaze passed through Madam Guo’s beautiful face, as if faintly seeing his daughter’s smiling face: “Even if Little Barbarian were still alive, she couldn’t possibly do better than you.” If Little Barbarian were still alive and his wife learned their daughter had fallen to the status of a lowly actress, she would be heartbroken beyond measure. All the prestigious families wouldn’t accept Little Barbarian’s status—they would only mock her behind her back. One could imagine what choice Madam Guo would make to protect their daughter—Guo Su sighed.

“I believe you will very quickly adapt to everything in the Guo family and come to like it here. I don’t know when you will leave, but I hope you can stay, the longer the better.” Only this way could Xianglan’s face show a smile.

Li Weiyang only remained silent. She looked at Duke Qiguo with silver threads already showing at his temples and sighed softly.

On the day of the banquet, Zhao Yue looked at Li Weiyang in the mirror and quietly said, “Miss, are you really going to attend today’s banquet?”

Li Weiyang looked at the formally made-up woman in the mirror and smiled gently, saying, “Why not?”

Zhao Yue was somewhat anxious, saying, “The Guo family’s banquet will be filled with guests. If we encounter Prince Yan—” Li Weiyang had no acquaintances in the capital, except for one mortal enemy—Prince Yan Yuan Yu. If he saw Li Weiyang, would he expose her on the spot? Making a scene at the Guo family’s banquet would certainly be very ugly.

Li Weiyang picked up a jasper hairpin with a half-smile: “Yes, I’ll definitely encounter Yuan Yu. I really want to see what expression he’ll have when he sees me!”

Zhao Yue hadn’t expected her to still be in the mood to joke at this time and couldn’t help saying, “This servant knows you agreed to attend the banquet to make Madam Guo happy, but if Yuan Yu exposes Miss’s identity, wouldn’t that be more loss than gain? It would truly ruin everything!”

Li Weiyang put down the hairpin in her hand and said softly, “Zhao Yue, do you want me to hide and avoid people for my entire life? Since I’ve become the Guo family’s daughter, I’ll have to face everyone sooner or later. Even if I avoid today, how long can I keep avoiding? Yuan Yu is someone I must meet eventually.”

Zhao Yue wanted to say more, but saw Lotus Leaf and Lotus Root successively leading maidservants filing in, their hands holding gorgeous dresses. She paused mid-sentence, unable to continue. Li Weiyang saw her nervous expression and only patted her hand gently, saying, “Don’t worry.”

Zhao Yue was startled, looking at Li Weiyang’s expression with growing suspicion.

At this moment, outside was already filled with guests. All the major families had sent people, each engaging in pleasant conversation with smiling faces, but actually secretly craning their necks to catch a glimpse of that legendary Miss Guo.

Before the banquet began, the young ladies formed groups of three to five, choosing to sit together with those they were close to. In the pavilion at the corner of the small flower hall, Pei Zhen of the Duke Baoding’s residence smiled and said, “Sister, what do you think this Miss Guo looks like?”

Pei Bao’er took her handkerchief and lightly covered her lips with a smile, saying, “This… looking at Madam Guo and the several young masters of the Guo family’s appearances, she can’t be too ugly anyway.” Her voice was melodious and pleasant like an oriole, her fine teeth like pearls and jade, captivating hearts.

A trace of cold laughter appeared on Pei Zhen’s lips: “No matter how beautiful she is, it’s useless. Just a wild girl who grew up in the countryside. For Madam Guo to dare bring her out to embarrass herself—tsk tsk, truly not knowing the height of heaven or the depth of earth.”

Duke Baoding was Empress Pei’s second younger brother. Pei Bao’er and Pei Zhen were sisters, though Pei Bao’er was legitimate-born while Pei Zhen was concubine-born. Hearing her concubine-born elder sister’s words, Pei Bao’er only smiled and said, “Elder sister, don’t speak too soon. For Madam Guo to dare let her come out to meet people, she must have provided some instruction.” Though appearing to speak for Li Weiyang, she couldn’t conceal the trace of condescending disdain on her lips.

Pei Zhen laughed and said, “Which family’s daughter isn’t raised tenderly by their side for many years, with palace nannies hired for careful instruction? In just these ten-plus days, who knows what kind of monkey she’ll turn out to be.”

Pei Bao’er had bright eyes and white teeth, radiating beauty. Sitting there, she was like a flower tree piled with snow, jade pressing down crabapple blossoms—truly worthy of being called a beauty of surpassing loveliness. Even though Pei Zhen wore a head full of pearls and jade in gorgeous clothing, sitting beside her only made her powdered face look like dirt. No wonder everyone said that in terms of beauty, Pei Bao’er deserved to be called Yuexi’s foremost beauty. Countless sons of prestigious families passing by the pavilion all stopped to secretly look at Pei Bao’er, yet Pei Bao’er didn’t look at any of them. Covering her mouth with her handkerchief, she laughed and said, “Elder sister, you’re really too harsh.”

Though her mouth said this, wasn’t her heart thinking the same? The discord between Empress Pei and Imperial Consort Guo was something everyone under heaven knew. Consequently, the Pei and Guo families also competed against each other, but because both families were pillar ministers, neither could do anything to the other. Over decades, they had actually coexisted peacefully.

The maidservant beside Pei Bao’er was clever. Seeing Han Qin standing nearby, she quickly whispered, “Miss, should I pour another cup of tea?”

With this abrupt statement, Pei Bao’er immediately came to her senses. Pei Zhen also turned to look and indeed saw the two young ladies of Duke Yingguo’s residence, Han Lin and Han Qin, just walking over from that direction. Pei Zhen wasn’t afraid and instead looked at them contemptuously, saying coquettishly, “I’m just too straightforward, saying whatever comes to mind. The two young ladies shouldn’t be angry.”

Pei Bao’er smiled slightly and said, “Elder sister, look at what you’re saying. Sister Han won’t be angry. If she gets angry, wouldn’t that confirm what you said?”

Though Pei Zhen was hateful, this Pei Bao’er always liked to put on an innocent appearance. In reality, her mouth and thoughts were clearly more vicious. Yet whenever she was in front of those young masters, she would act naive and weak, making everyone think she was the one being bullied each time. Han Qin had always disliked this Pei Bao’er, and disliked even more how those men always guarded her protectively like flower guardians. Today, hearing Pei Bao’er actually ridicule their cousin, she immediately became very angry. Han Qin was about to speak in rebuke when Han Lin, afraid of causing trouble, quietly shook her head at her. Han Qin felt aggrieved but forcibly held back.

Pei Zhen wasn’t someone who would retreat just because you yielded. She sneered and said, “I haven’t said anything wrong. A girl who grew up in the countryside—how refined could she be?”

The Guo family protected Li Weiyang very strictly. Regarding her adoptive parents, they only said they were ordinary merchants, unwilling to reveal more details. Moreover, the Guo family’s sons were each more difficult to deal with than the last. Even though the Pei family had already searched through many channels to learn about this Miss Guo who had suddenly appeared, the information obtained became increasingly confusing. So even the Pei family sisters couldn’t sit still and had to run here to see for themselves.

Duke Yingguo’s wife Guo Zhen had married late and had the best relationship with her sister-in-law. Consequently, her children were also extremely close to Guo Su’s line. Han Qin was after all younger. Hearing this, she retorted, “Pei Zhen, you come here as a guest yet speak so arrogantly. What kind of upbringing does your Pei family have!”

Pei Zhen was angry and about to explode when Pei Bao’er narrowed her eyes and said, “Miss Han, say those words again!”

Han Qin had a straightforward temperament. Hearing this, her face flushed as she said angrily, “I’ll say it! I said your Pei family has poor upbringing!”

Pei Bao’er laughed coldly and said, “The young lady of Duke Yingguo’s residence is truly bold and reckless, daring to criticize Empress Dowager’s upbringing!”

This Pei Bao’er was the most cunning and formidable. She actually seized on Han Qin’s words. Indeed, Empress Pei was also from the Pei family. When Han Qin unintentionally mentioned the Pei family’s upbringing, she naturally implicated Empress Pei as well! If these words spread, it would be terrible! It would only add fuel to the fire between the Guo and Pei families! Han Qin knew she had caused trouble. Embarrassed until her face was bright red, she couldn’t speak. Pei Bao’er’s beautiful face showed an even colder sneer: “Miss Han, if you slap yourself until I’m satisfied, I’ll let it go! I’ll pretend I didn’t hear those words!”

“You—” Hearing this, not to mention Han Qin, even the usually gentle-tempered Han Lin was angry. They never imagined Pei Bao’er not only had a sharp tongue but such a narrow mind, insisting on humiliating Han Qin.

Han Qin bit her own lip. If she refused to do as Pei Bao’er said, and Pei Bao’er spread these words, wouldn’t it make things difficult for uncle and aunt? Her hands suddenly clenched tightly.

Seeing that few people were passing by around them, Pei Zhen sneered and suddenly gave a signal to a nearby maidservant. Several maidservants immediately cleverly changed positions, just blocking the only source of light. Pei Zhen sneered and raised her hand: “Since you won’t do it yourself, I’ll do it for you!”

Seeing the concubine-born elder sister so arrogant and domineering, a trace of smile appeared on Pei Bao’er’s face.

Before the words were finished, Pei Zhen’s hand was grabbed by a young woman.

Pei Zhen was startled and looked at the woman before her, saying sharply, “What are you doing?!”

Li Weiyang’s smile remained unchanged: “Miss Pei, striking someone here probably isn’t very appropriate.”

Pei Bao’er looked at the woman before her with clear features and an aloof temperament, finding her very unfamiliar. For a moment not knowing whose family she was from, she couldn’t help standing up and frowning: “Who are you?”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Coming to attend someone’s banquet without even recognizing the host family?”

Pei Zhen and Pei Bao’er exchanged glances, unable to help being shocked.

Li Weiyang smiled sweetly and said, “It’s just a verbal dispute. Why must you two become angry?”

“You’re Guo Jia?!” Pei Zhen looked Li Weiyang over once and was immediately greatly disappointed. She had originally thought this Miss Guo would definitely be an unseemly girl, but who would have thought it was nothing like that at all? However, she couldn’t swallow this insult and said angrily, “Your two cousins insulted our Pei family first. Why can’t I teach them a lesson!”

Li Weiyang only smiled, completely unaffected by her, saying, “Miss Pei, I advise you to think about the consequences before acting. Empress Dowager has always maintained good family discipline. If she learned you two young ladies were misbehaving outside, ruining the Pei family’s reputation, wouldn’t she blame you? The various princes will be selecting consorts soon. Causing trouble at this time… My two cousins don’t matter. Miss Pei Bao’er is Yuexi’s foremost beauty and the Empress Dowager’s favorite niece, so naturally she won’t be affected either. But you—that would be inappropriate, wouldn’t it?” With one sentence, she pointed out the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born.

Pei Zhen was startled and instinctively withdrew her hand. She glanced at her younger sister Pei Bao’er, whose face had turned slightly green, and suddenly thought of something, her expression immediately becoming ugly.

Pei Bao’er sneered inwardly. The corners of her mouth lifted, her finely drawn willow-leaf eyebrows flying upward, showing no weakness: “You and I are both daughters of prominent families, but you’re merely Imperial Consort Guo’s niece, while my aunt is Empress Pei. So in terms of status, I’m naturally much more noble than you. You dare speak like this—aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to my aunt?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Whether it’s the Empress or Imperial Consort Guo, when they see His Majesty, they both must call themselves humble consorts. There’s not much difference. Moreover, both your and my fathers are subjects. Under heaven, only His Majesty is the most noble. How are you more noble than me? If you truly want to discuss what constitutes noble status with me, you should control your own words and actions, not doing things that bring shame to your own family.” She paused, looking at the other’s dumbfounded expression, and slowly said, “Whatever status one has, one should act accordingly. Right now you two are guests. Go back to the banquet properly. I don’t want to say this a second time. Please.”

Pei Zhen was frightened by Li Weiyang’s cold yet composed tone and took a step back, just happening to bump into Pei Bao’er. Pei Bao’er’s expression quickly changed. She was about to shed tears when she heard Li Weiyang say coldly, “Miss Pei, if you feel wronged, you’d better go back before crying. My temper isn’t very good. If you shed even one tear, I’m afraid I’ll make the accusation of bullying you a reality. If your pretty little face gets a few more scars, that wouldn’t be good, would it?”

Pei Bao’er’s face immediately turned ashen. She quickly suppressed her tearful expression. The Pei family was already discussing Pei Zhen’s marriage arrangements. On the surface, Pei Bao’er was very close to this concubine-born elder sister, but secretly she looked down on her status very much. This time, she had wanted to use the opportunity to instigate Pei Zhen to cause trouble and ruin her marriage prospects, while also teaching the Han family sisters a lesson. Who knew Guo Jia would appear midway? She had prepared to employ her usual tactic of years—appearing aggrieved and tearful before everyone, making everyone think it was Guo Jia and the Han sisters who had ganged up to bully her. But unexpectedly, this Guo Jia had calmly seen through her intentions and even warned her that if she dared whimper half a sound more, she would add two wounds to her face, and then she would truly be wronged…

This Guo Jia appeared refined and magnanimous on the surface, but unexpectedly was actually a ruthless character! Pei Bao’er treasured her appearance most of all. She didn’t dare entangle further, snorted coldly, and said, “Let’s go!” With that, she turned and left, not even taking her maidservants with her. Seeing her younger sister leave, Pei Zhen quickly followed, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang turned back to look at the two Han sisters, her smile very warm: “Let me guess—this one is Lin’er who sent me the sachet, and this one is Qin’er who sent me the painting, right?” Guo Jia was eighteen years old, while Han Lin before her was seventeen, and Han Qin was only fifteen.

Seeing how easily she distinguished between the two sisters, Han Qin couldn’t help opening her mouth wide: “You… how did you know?”

Li Weiyang smiled. Before attending the banquet, the meticulous Guo Cheng had specially sent a directory to her, recording in detail each person’s background, appearance, and temperament. If not for this, how could she have so accurately guessed Pei Bao’er’s intentions?

Han Lin smiled bashfully: “Cousin, you’re really amazing. You made Pei Bao’er’s face change color!”

“That’s right! You don’t know—she’s always like this. First she uses her sharp tongue to instigate others to quarrel, then she sits on the sidelines reaping the benefits. If we don’t fall for it, she’ll deliberately cry and act sad, as if everyone under heaven has bullied her! The problem is she’s beautiful, so everyone helps her!” Han Qin said huffily.

Li Weiyang laughed and said, “If she acts innocent like that again next time, Qin’er, you might as well slap her twice directly, then kick her a few times. That way you won’t have borne the accusation in vain.”

The Han sisters both stared at Li Weiyang in shock. Then a burst of laughter interrupted their gaze. It was Guo Cheng walking over, dressed in elegant and refined gorgeous robes, his face showing infinite mischief. He looked at Li Weiyang as if seeing fish flying in the sky, saying, “If Mother heard this, she could rest easy from now on. No one would dare bully you! She specifically instructed me to escort you to your seat, afraid someone would bully you.”

The two daughters of the Han family giggled, especially Han Lin, who blushed seeing her handsome cousin’s smiling face. Li Weiyang sighed and said, “Third elder brother, look at what you’re saying. I was merely fulfilling my duties as host. How did I become so fierce in your words?”

Guo Cheng laughed heartily and said, “Fine, you were fulfilling your duties as host. But don’t forget, today’s banquet—you’re the main character. We should go to the banquet now!”

When Li Weiyang arrived at the banquet, she felt herself surrounded by waves of dense, eager gazes. Madam Guo smiled, stepped forward to take her hand, and introduced the guests present one by one.

Everyone saw Li Weiyang in gorgeous attire. Though she wore no makeup, her skin was luminous as snow. Two rows of dark eyebrows swept into her temples, paired with those clear eyes like an ancient well. Her appearance was calm and noble—completely different from the image they had imagined of a young miss who had wandered among commoners, grown up who-knows-where, with untamed wildness. They couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised. The two Pei sisters who had already met her both showed expressions of disgust on their faces, clearly already having formed a grudge.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, not taking what had just happened to heart. Since Empress Pei dared to move against people around her, the Pei family naturally couldn’t escape—every single one. Since that was the case, why bother with false pretenses? However, looking around, she didn’t see Yuan Yu’s figure. At this moment, Madam Guo whispered in her ear, “His Majesty issued an urgent summons today, calling all his sons into the palace. However, they all sent gifts.” As if afraid her daughter would feel slighted.

Li Weiyang only smiled, though she felt somewhat regretful. What a pity—she couldn’t see Yuan Yu’s shocked expression today. But there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

At the banquet, Madam Guo had specially invited the capital’s most famous courtesan, Chu Yun. Li Weiyang sat in the garden, seeing peonies in full bloom, smelling their intoxicating fragrance. Before long, the sound of flutes and pipes, the strumming of pipa arose. Then dancers entered—a group of beautiful women moving with the rhythm of the music, graceful and charming, dancing elegantly. When Chu Yun appeared in fluttering red robes, those flying cloud sleeves paired with her supple waist and captivating dance steps had everyone watching with great interest.

But Li Weiyang’s gaze passed through the crowd. Suddenly, she saw in the distance on a bridge a young man walking toward them.

Naturally, others nearby also looked toward the approaching figure, looked again and again, saying, “Oh, isn’t that His Highness Prince Xu?” Among the crowd, this caused a commotion.

Li Weiyang’s gaze also fell on his face. She only felt the title so unfamiliar, yet those features were extraordinarily familiar. Prince Xu? Your Highness? She gently savored these four words and smiled.

Then, Li Weiyang, as if inadvertently, turned her head slightly toward Madam Guo beside her and said, “Mother, who is this person?”

Madam Guo’s gold-inlaid fan covered half her face as she said softly, “He is the heir who just inherited the title of Prince Xu.”

The previous Prince Xu Yuan Zhong had been a meritorious minister who supported the Emperor’s ascension, and was also the Emperor’s first cousin. After the Emperor’s ascension, regardless of how those ministers of other surnames fought internally, the Prince Xu household remained extremely noble. Prince Xu even sat in the central administration holding state power, deeply trusted by the Emperor. The Prince Xu heir guarded the western frontier of Yuexi as a high-ranking regional governor, but unfortunately died young due to an accident. Prince Xu suffered the pain of losing his son, fell ill, and soon became critically ill, in mortal danger. His first princess consort had long since passed away. The Prince Xu heir was not born of the current princess consort. The princess consort had long prepared to push her own biological son onto the throne. Just at this moment, Prince Xu insisted he had found a son who had wandered outside years ago, saying that twenty years ago during a military campaign, he had married a concubine surnamed Liu outside, and had now finally found his own flesh and blood. Despite the entire prince’s residence’s opposition, he insisted on establishing this suddenly appearing child as Prince Xu heir. The Princess Consort Xu was furious beyond measure. She mobilized the power of her natal Hu clan and pressured the Emperor through Imperial Consort Hu Shun, wanting to prevent this matter that completely violated propriety. But the Emperor completely ignored it. He not only agreed to Prince Xu’s request, he even lavishly rewarded this Prince Xu heir, confirming his status. Half a month ago, Prince Xu passed away. This young man became Prince Xu, inheriting everything of the Prince Xu residence, becoming the youngest and most illustrious prince in the capital. Yet he acted in a low-key manner, rarely appearing before others, making him seem even more mysterious.

Li Weiyang’s smile deepened. Yuan Lie, weren’t you the Emperor’s son? How did you suddenly become Prince Xu’s illegitimate son born outside… What did the Emperor mean by making such a decision?

At this moment, Yuan Lie on the stone bridge also saw Li Weiyang sitting among the crowd. Even though there were so many beautiful women, he somehow immediately spotted her from the crowd. She wore an elegant lake-blue dress, her features delicate, her eyes pitch black, her expression containing a slight smile. Sunlight cast faint shadows on her white cheeks.

His breathing stopped for an instant, his heart surging uncertainly—unable to distinguish whether it was shock or wild joy.