Princess Lin’an returned to her residence and pushed open the door. The maidservants immediately bowed respectfully. With urgency on her face, Princess Lin’an asked: “Is he awake?”

The maidservant said in a low voice: “Yes, Young Master Nan just woke up this afternoon, but he refuses to take medicine and won’t drink porridge. He just lies there alone, not listening to anyone.”

Princess Lin’an’s heart ached. She scolded: “Useless things! You can’t even watch over a sick person properly!” The maidservants knew Princess Lin’an’s temperament well. Fearing blame, they all turned pale with fright and immediately knelt on the ground. Princess Lin’an no longer wasted words with them. She hurried forward to the bedside and said gently: “Jiang Nan, listen to me and take your medicine properly. Only then can you recover quickly.”

This time Jiang Nan had been beaten until his flesh was a bloody mess. Every day someone had to clean and change his dressings, yet he was still covered in bloody filth. At this moment, he lay on the bed but couldn’t lean against the bed board. He could only furrow his brows tightly. With the slightest turn, the bedding beneath him had already been heavily soaked through with blood, nearly becoming a dark ochre color. Princess Lin’an felt a pain in her heart that she had never experienced before. She discovered she cared more and more about Jiang Nan. This attitude was absolutely not the attitude one should have toward a male favorite… She said gently: “I just went to the palace and requested Mother Empress to avenge you.”

Of course, she hadn’t mentioned a single word about Jiang Nan. If she dared say her original intention was for a male favorite, Empress Pei would absolutely not forgive her.

Jiang Nan still showed no reaction. Princess Lin’an personally brought over a bowl of clear porridge, blew on it to cool it, then said softly: “What Mother Empress promises, she has never failed to accomplish. That day when you were humiliated, I felt the same pain, wishing I could take the punishment in your place. Afterward, I was severely scolded by the Crown Prince. Yesterday when you were unconscious, I specially risked my dignity to summon the imperial physicians from the palace to treat you. When you refuse to take medicine, I also can’t eat or drink. In the past, only others came to please me, but for you, I can give up all the dignity of a princess and the face of a woman. Even if you pity my sincere feelings for you just a little, please drink a mouthful of porridge.”

Jiang Nan suddenly threw off the bedding. Princess Lin’an clearly saw that with just a slight movement, fresh blood flowed onto the bedding, too quick to congeal, becoming a glaring crimson bloodstain. She hurriedly stopped speaking and unconsciously took a step back, watching his expression, not daring to speak rashly.

For a moment, the entire room was very quiet—they could almost hear each other’s breathing. Everyone thought Jiang Nan wouldn’t speak again, but he did.

“I… know your feelings.” Jiang Nan’s voice was extremely indifferent. His pupils seemed to reveal hatred, flowing and ready to emerge, but his face was rigid and cold as jade, showing not a trace of color.

Princess Lin’an’s face immediately showed a smile. She gently brought the porridge to his lips: “Good, good. As long as you’re willing to take medicine and eat, I’ll do anything.”

Seeing Princess Lin’an’s appearance, all the maidservants lowered their heads, not daring to look anymore. They didn’t understand—in terms of appearance, Young Master Nan wasn’t the most handsome; in terms of personality, he wasn’t the gentlest either. But Princess Lin’an seemed bewitched by him, never willing to slight him in the least, even going against her nature to protect him in front of so many wealthy noble families. Now, clearly knowing that Miss Guo had the Guo family and Prince Xu backing her, she still insisted on avenging Jiang Nan. Had she gone mad? What was so good about this man?

They didn’t know the answer to this question. Perhaps Princess Lin’an didn’t necessarily know either. At this moment, she was only full of joy caring for Jiang Nan. Turning back to see the maidservants still there, her face changed to an ice-cold expression: “What are you all still standing here for! Get out!”

With that one shout, she changed from a tender loving companion back to the lofty princess. The maidservants hurriedly withdrew.

Seeing no outsiders in the room, Jiang Nan finally said: “What does Empress Pei plan to do?”

Princess Lin’an hadn’t expected him to ask this, so she spoke somewhat haltingly: “This… I also can’t figure out Mother Empress’s thoughts.”

Jiang Nan’s wound hurt like it was splitting apart, plus his forehead was still feverish. Hearing this, his mood became even worse. He said angrily: “You don’t know anything? How is that possible!”

A trace of hurt appeared in Princess Lin’an’s eyes, but she became even more humble: “My mother empress is deeply calculating by nature and never willing to speak her thoughts to outsiders. Not only me—even her favorite, the Crown Prince, can’t guess her thoughts…”

Jiang Nan gave a cold laugh: “What am I? Nothing but a male favorite. If the Princess feels certain things are inconvenient to tell me, I won’t force you. I never forced you to completely break with the Guo family for my sake either!”

Princess Lin’an’s beautiful face immediately changed color. She hurriedly covered Jiang Nan’s mouth: “Don’t say that! Anyone can view you that way, but I never have. In my heart, you are my husband, my family, my most important man.”

Jiang Nan was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected that in Princess Lin’an’s heart, he was actually this important. But at this moment, he didn’t feel the slightest bit moved. What floated through his mind was how to use Princess Lin’an’s infatuation to take revenge. He stared at her tear-filled eyes and said coldly: “Since you regard me this way, why won’t you tell me the truth completely?”

An expression of distress appeared on Princess Lin’an’s face. If she could, she really didn’t want to expose her matters in front of Jiang Nan, because they were things that greatly hurt her self-respect. But facing his interrogation, she had no choice but to speak truthfully: “My eldest brother was Mother Empress’s first child, and a boy, so she devoted almost all her attention to cultivating him. After I was born, she merely handed me over to a wet nurse to care for, never once holding me herself. Later, when Anguo was born, I thought she would receive the same treatment as me, but who knew Mother Empress would dote on her greatly, even only willing to assign her own trusted people to care for those around her. Once when I was small, I went to see my sister. I had just approached her cradle when Mother Empress slapped me… I truly didn’t understand why, when we’re both daughters, she would protect Anguo so much… It’s been this way all these years. Whatever Anguo wants, she gives her. And me? She lets me drift, even willing to use my marriage as a bargaining chip, while Anguo can freely marry the man she wants to marry.”

Princess Lin’an’s voice was very gentle, resentment gradually surfacing in the depths of her eyes. But when she raised her head to look at Jiang Nan, that hatred had already disappeared: “So what I said just now—that I can’t guess Mother Empress’s thoughts no matter what—those were absolutely not words to placate you.”

“If I can’t take revenge in this life, I’d rather end myself.” Jiang Nan interrupted her words, because he had absolutely no interest in Princess Lin’an’s past!

Princess Lin’an’s face showed a trace of panic: “Don’t be anxious. What I promised you, I’ll definitely accomplish! But you must heal your injuries properly!”

Jiang Nan’s expression was gloomy, his gaze turning toward the window in the distance, as if he hadn’t heard what Princess Lin’an said at all. Now, he only wanted to find an opportunity to tear Li Weiyang into ten thousand pieces! No matter the cost!

At the Guo residence, Li Weiyang had just come out from the courtyard when a maidservant hurried over to pay respects: “Miss, the Princess is asking for you to come quickly!”

Li Weiyang was startled, then laughed. In fact, Princess Chenliu was a very amiable old lady who always liked to pull the younger generation into conversation. But the Guo family brothers didn’t like to chat idly with her, so she set her sights on Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang had been accustomed to accompanying Old Madam Li before and was also very skilled at getting along with elderly people. Sometimes with just one visit, she could easily make the Princess laugh and dispel her worries. As a result, Princess Chenliu grew increasingly fond of Li Weiyang. If she didn’t go, Princess Chenliu would send people to summon her, or ask her and Madam Guo to come together to keep her company—actually to relieve her boredom. Probably for this old lady, life in the residence was truly suffocatingly dull.

When she arrived at Princess Chenliu’s place, the old lady was supporting her forehead with a headache. Li Weiyang glanced at Madam Guo, not understanding. Madam Guo had originally been troubled, but seeing Li Weiyang, her brow immediately smoothed as she smiled: “You’ve come at just the right time. Help me persuade your grandmother. She has diabetes, and there are certain foods she absolutely cannot touch. The imperial physicians have repeatedly warned about this, yet when I came over today, the table was full of them.”

Li Weiyang glanced over. On the table was a dish of duck head boiled in sugar water and four or five soft pastries, all coated with honey. Just smelling them made them seem fragrant and delicious. She was stunned. Princess Chenliu especially loved sweets, but after developing diabetes two years ago, the imperial physicians had repeatedly warned the family not to let her touch these things anymore. Yet she just couldn’t control herself… Thinking of how the first time she met her, the Princess had brought out sweets to entertain her, Li Weiyang couldn’t help shaking her head: “Grandmother, didn’t you promise us you would never touch these sweets again?”

Princess Chenliu sat to one side with an embarrassed expression. Hearing this, she quickly said: “I didn’t eat them! Today two old nannies who used to serve me came to the residence to visit me, so I specially ordered the small kitchen to make these for them—”

Madam Guo was both amused and exasperated: “This daughter-in-law’s eyes saw very clearly—you were just putting that honey pastry into your mouth!”

Princess Chenliu muttered: “It was just a tiny bit! I was just tasting! In these two years, you’ve confiscated so many of my foods. If this continues, I won’t even know what sweetness tastes like anymore!”

Hearing this, Madam Guo wore a bitter smile and shook her head: “I’m doing this for your own good!”

The two granddaughters-in-law, Jiang Shi and Chen Shi, quietly laughed beside them. The older people got, the more they were like children. Princess Chenliu truly embodied this saying. Every time she argued with Madam Guo for half the day over food, of course, Madam Guo always won in the end! However, Princess Chenliu was truly pitiful. Every time she lost her food, she showed an expression as if the sky were about to collapse, making people both angry and amused. In fact, these two years, Madam Guo had already changed her diet in various ways, but the Princess’s condition had become increasingly severe. They had no choice but to cut off her last bit of love for honey—this was also for her health!

But Li Weiyang felt something was strange. Not long after entering the residence, she discovered Princess Chenliu loved sweets, especially honey. Previously, to ensure the Princess ate fresh honey, Madam Guo had specially raised bees in the garden, making jujube flower honey and acacia flower honey, fully enough for Princess Chenliu to eat. But now those beehives had long been abandoned. Usually the maidservants and servants had been warned never to give the Princess honey. So where did the honey on these pastries come from? If it was truly as the Princess said—that she brought out the pastries to entertain guests—was the honey brought by them? No, that’s impossible. How could there be logic in using gifts brought by guests to turn around and entertain those same guests?

Madam Guo noticed her daughter showing a thoughtful expression and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Nothing. I just brought elm coin cakes—no sugar or honey added, but they’re also very delicious. Grandmother, would you like to try them?” In her tone, there was clearly a bit of coaxing.

Princess Chenliu looked at the food box Zhao Yue held behind her, seeming to want to look but also a bit embarrassed. Finally, she couldn’t help saying: “Are they good?” Her eyes showed anticipation, behaving like a child.

Everyone in the room laughed. Princess Chenliu immediately said: “What are you laughing at? I’m just asking casually.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Try them and see.” With that, she took the food box from Zhao Yue’s hands, actively opened it, and brought it to the small tea table. A fresh fragrance immediately spread from the food box. Princess Chenliu picked up ivory chopsticks and tasted a piece, her eyes widening: “Mm, it’s really fragrant! And there’s a sweet taste!”

Hearing this, Madam Guo immediately looked at Li Weiyang. Knowing she was worried, Li Weiyang explained: “Mother, don’t worry. No sugar was added to these elm coin cakes. I just picked tender elm coin leaves from the elm tree before they formed seeds, mixed them with flour, sprinkled water on them, and steamed them into layers of elm coin cakes. Because the elm coin leaves naturally have a bit of sweetness, that’s why they taste sweet.”

Hearing nothing else was added, Madam Guo finally relaxed. Watching Princess Chenliu devour two pieces in a few bites, she reminded: “Don’t eat too much either—dinner will be soon.”

Princess Chenliu had already eliminated three pieces in the blink of an eye. Hearing this, she frowned: “I don’t like eating those things.”

Madam Guo sighed: “Those were all meals personally prescribed by the imperial physicians for you. Although the taste isn’t very palatable, they’re good for your condition…”

“Alright, alright! You’re not as old as me, yet you nag even more than me!” Princess Chenliu put down her chopsticks and beckoned to Li Weiyang with a smile. Li Weiyang walked before her and was pulled down to sit.

“Jia’er, you’re still the thoughtful one, understanding your grandmother’s heart.” Princess Chenliu patted the back of her hand, obviously very satisfied with her righteous assistance.

Hearing this, Jiang Shi finally couldn’t help asking curiously: “But can elm tree leaves be eaten?” The outskirts of the capital were full of elm coin trees, but no one had ever thought those things could be made into pastries!

Li Weiyang smiled: “They can be eaten, and they also have the effects of strengthening the spleen, calming the spirit, clearing the heart, and reducing internal heat. They’re very suitable for someone Grandmother’s age. Besides, it’s not really eating them—just using them to adjust the flavor.”

“Sister is really imaginative! Is this how they eat in Dali?” Chen Shi, seeing Jiang Shi speak up, also asked this. She had an oval face and almond eyes—not only beautiful but also pleasing. Even her speaking voice was sweet, making people feel as if they’d drunk a mouthful of honey. Thinking of Chen Xuanhua’s serious appearance, it was really hard to believe they were siblings from the same mother.

Seeing Chen Shi ask about this, Princess Chenliu also inquired: “Yes, this kind of thing… did you eat it over there too?”

Li Weiyang smiled. The nobility of Dali certainly wouldn’t touch this kind of thing. But when she was in the countryside, that farming household often treated her harshly, forcing her to work desperately but not giving her food. Each meal she could only fill her stomach with sweet potato stems and moldy thin porridge. To survive, Li Weiyang had no choice but to find food by every possible means—things that flew in the sky, swam in the water, grew on trees… But what she liked most were elm coin leaves. These leaves could be dried and ground into powder, then mixed into coarse flour by whatever means possible, placed in a steamer to cook, and they became elm coin cakes, just right for filling one’s stomach. However, such rough things couldn’t be brought to Princess Chenliu to eat, so Li Weiyang ordered the kitchen to make many improvements—using the finest flour, specially picking osmanthus flowers for flavoring, and drizzling with fragrant oil and seasoning sauce. Going through all these procedures, how could it not be delicious? “This is something common people like to eat, but I made some modifications to make it more delicious.”

Seeing her speak only briefly without going deeper, Madam Guo guessed something. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she unconsciously gripped Li Weiyang’s other hand very tightly. How much hardship had this daughter suffered before? No matter how she asked, the other party refused to say. She knew Jia’er was afraid of making her, as a mother, worry. But the more silent she was, the easier it was for Madam Guo to let her imagination run wild.

Seeing this scene, Princess Chenliu quickly said: “Come, you all try some. It’s really fragrant and sweet.”

Jiang Shi immediately cut a piece for Madam Guo, then divided small pieces for Li Weiyang and Chen Shi. Several people gathered together to eat this common people’s food. The atmosphere in the room at this moment seemed exceptionally warm. Looking at this, Li Weiyang felt slightly relieved.

To integrate into the Guo family and truly become one of them, it wasn’t just about being accepted by Madam Guo—she also had to consider the other people in this household. For instance, Princess Chenliu, and for instance, her two sisters-in-law. From observing these days, Princess Chenliu appeared formidable on the surface but was actually very easygoing in nature. Jiang Shi was gentle and compliant in everything, while Chen Shi was lively, kind, and easy to get along with. But all three were people who appeared confused on the surface but were very clear inside. Wanting to fool them wasn’t easy. Winning their hearts also wasn’t difficult—the key was being willing to put in the effort and knowing how to seize every opportunity. Today, Li Weiyang merely used the opportunity of presenting pastries to play a sympathy card. Everyone understood—if she hadn’t lived through hard times, how would she know about elm coin cakes, this kind of common people’s food used to fill stomachs…

Of course, if they had asked and Li Weiyang had poured out all her bitter experiences, that would have been going too far. It would make people think she was deliberately complaining about her past life or expressing dissatisfaction with the Guo family’s absence all these years. Li Weiyang didn’t want that, so she very carefully maintained the right balance.

Li Weiyang at this moment might not have realized that in putting so much care into making these elm coin cakes today, seven parts were genuine sincerity toward Princess Chenliu. Otherwise, she could have used other methods to please them without taking such pains.

Coming out from the room, after walking just a few steps, she heard a muffled laugh from nearby. Though very soft, it was quite obvious. Zhao Yue was the first to notice. Li Weiyang whipped her head around and said coldly: “Who’s there!”

A person slowly walked out from around the corner of the nearby corridor. His face was like jade, and at first glance, he was an exceptionally handsome man. At this moment, his deep intense brows were full of smiles. After looking at her for a moment, he said: “Do you recognize me?”

Li Weiyang looked at him, then lowered her head in courtesy: “Greetings to Prince Jing!”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying was born to Imperial Consort Guo Hui. This year he had just turned nineteen, one year older than the real Guo Jia. Speaking of which, he was still Guo Jia’s cousin. Seeing she accurately recognized him and bowed in respect, he smiled slightly and slowly walked to her side. He stared at her pure white face for a long time before saying with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile: “Elm coin cakes? What are those things?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Just crude common folk food. If Prince Jing is interested, I’ll have the cooks make you a portion.”

Hearing this, Yuan Ying couldn’t help laughing. His face was very handsome, even bearing three parts resemblance to Yuan Lie. However, when he smiled, he actually had shallow dimples, which added three parts childishness to his face. He shook his head: “These were specially made by you for Grandmother. I wouldn’t dare touch them.”

Yuan Ying’s eyes seemed able to see through people’s hearts, but Li Weiyang’s heart was hidden too deeply for anyone to see through. Even so, Li Weiyang wouldn’t underestimate this Prince Jing who could still live quite comfortably in the palace’s fierce struggles. In the capital’s palace, adult princes who could grow up safely all had very distinguished backgrounds behind them, but that didn’t mean you would have a bright future just because your mother consort came from a powerful family. To live brilliantly and comfortably, the prince himself had to have great abilities. She smiled: “Your Highness jests.”

“I’m not jesting.” Yuan Ying’s face still wore a smile: “Sister hasn’t been at the Guo family long, yet there isn’t a single person from top to bottom who doesn’t praise you. You’ve really taken great pains.”

These words had unclear meaning. Looking at Yuan Ying again, his face still showed a smile. It was impossible to tell whether these words were praising Li Weiyang or mocking her. Li Weiyang merely curved her lips: “Showing filial piety to Grandmother is Guo Jia’s duty. Your Highness’s praise is undeserved.”

Yuan Ying laughed heartily: “Yes, one ‘you jest’ after another and one ‘undeserved’ after another. No wonder Grandmother keeps praising you. So clever and so good at talking—people will like you wherever you go.”

Li Weiyang merely glanced at the direction he had come from and raised her brows: “I don’t know why Prince Jing came but didn’t go in, hiding here instead. What are you doing?”

Yuan Ying sighed, the dimples on his face becoming even deeper: “Do you think I wanted to? I did something wrong.”

Li Weiyang thought for a moment: “Was the honey brought by you?”

Yuan Ying was surprised by Li Weiyang’s sharpness. In an instant, his mind had turned over hundreds of thoughts. After a pause, he said truthfully: “Yes, but I specially instructed the kitchen to only use a little bit. I didn’t expect Grandmother to be so addicted to sweets…”

Yuan Ying and Princess Chenliu had always had very good feelings for each other. He certainly wouldn’t deliberately harm his grandmother. It was just that seeing the old lady desperately searching for sweets, he specially sought honey with a mild fragrance from another place to coax her. Who knew the old lady would see sweets and lose all reason, actually making half a jar of honey into pastries? Now the pastries all had a shiny layer on top—how could it not be discovered? Yuan Ying had just left the Guo residence but suddenly thought of the old lady’s personality and specially turned back, wanting to remind the Guo family to watch her closely and not let her eat too much. Unexpectedly, just as he reached the door, he witnessed the scene inside. Instinctively, he felt Guo Jia was far too clever.

It wasn’t that he wanted to be suspicious of Li Weiyang, but this girl was too good at pleasing people, coaxing all the Guo family members in circles. Moreover, the previous banquet at Princess Lin’an’s residence had already spread far and wide. Although the Guo family was clever, they were extremely protective of their own. Especially since Guo Jia had been away from home for many years—suddenly being found and brought back, of course she would receive infinite doting. The last banquet could already explain everything. The moment Yuan Ying received the news, he wanted to find an opportunity to meet this long-lost cousin and see what kind of person she was, why she had the power to make the Guo family protect her so thoroughly.

Now he had seen her. The young woman before him was intelligent, gentle, wise. Her eyes were like an ancient well—serene and deep, yet possessing a maturity beyond her years. This was no ordinary girl one could encounter. He smiled: “Of course, if I’d known there was such an agreeable cousin here, I wouldn’t have needed to take such pains to make Grandmother happy.”

Li Weiyang merely smiled lightly but didn’t give him a response.

But Yuan Ying took a step closer, his smile even more gentle: “Also, why do you call me ‘Your Highness’? Shouldn’t you call me cousin?”

Li Weiyang’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. She didn’t even show the shy emotions ordinary girls would have. She merely said gently: “If Your Highness insists, then calling you cousin is fine too.”

Yuan Ying suddenly grinned broadly: “Since that’s the case, then call me cousin. That’s much warmer! And more like cousin and cousin! My mother consort also said that in a few days she wants to invite you into the palace to meet. You should prepare in advance! Also—” His voice suddenly lowered: “Yesterday, Princess Lin’an went to the palace and visited Empress Pei. She stayed in her palace for a full two hours before coming out. What do you think they were discussing?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very faint, almost nonexistent: “Why would cousin tease me? I don’t have supernatural hearing—how would I know the private words between mother and daughter?”

Yuan Ying’s eyes showed a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, but his expression was clear and open: “Princess Lin’an originally loves holding grudges. Now there’s also Young Master Jiang who wants to take revenge on you. How will you continue this performance? By dragging the Guo family along?”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang knew the other party had come for the Guo family’s safety. Her dark beautiful pupils met his, showing an abnormally calm appearance: “Then what about Your Highness? Do you plan to sit and watch the show?”

If the Guo family became involved, how could he stand by idly? Yuan Ying didn’t like those delicate young noble ladies. In his view, those women were like beautiful brocade—not warm, not durable, unable to withstand tearing. But there was also a type of person where, as long as you looked into her eyes, you would discover the determination and perseverance in her heart. Just like this Guo Jia smiling calmly before him—she was absolutely not someone easy to dismiss!

Yuan Ying sighed inwardly. In his view, within the scope of the Guo family, however Guo Jia wanted to act was fine. But everything had limits. If her existence harmed the Guo family, that would be another matter! Yuan Ying had deep feelings for every person in the Guo family, with the sole exception of Guo Jia. The Guo family couldn’t act against her—he could resolve it on their behalf! But now it seemed it probably wouldn’t be as easy as he originally imagined. This young woman was too clever, too cunning. She easily saw through his thoughts, yet he couldn’t see anything from her.

“Whether you’re Guo Jia or not, why you came to the Guo residence—I’m not interested in any of it.” Yuan Ying gazed at her face, his expression like water: “But I absolutely won’t allow anyone to use the Guo family as a wager. Do you understand?” In his tone, there was clearly a trace of ice-cold severity. He absolutely wasn’t joking.

His half-warning words pierced straight into Li Weiyang’s heart. The smile on her face began to become somewhat cold: “Your Highness can rest assured—I won’t implicate the Guo family. But your current actions seem not so much worried about the Guo family as worried about yourself.”

“Myself?” Yuan Ying smiled lightly: “It seems there are some things you still don’t understand. The Guo family is me, and I am the Guo family. Do you understand now?” His eyes flowed with movement, naturally smiling, full of confidence as he left these words and already turned to leave: “Take good care of Grandmother. I’ll owe you a favor!”

This Prince Jing Yuan Ying before her was absolutely not the unworldly, smiling prince of the rumors. Beneath his smile were full of icy thorns. Once he felt threatened, he would use these thorns against enemies. If one wasn’t prepared, one could easily end up covered in wounds with the slightest carelessness! However, his concern for the Guo family was also understandable. In his view, she was just a sudden intruder from outside… Li Weiyang thought of the few words he had just reminded her about. Princess Lin’an had indeed already gone to the palace to see Empress Pei. It seemed Empress Pei was about to take action. However, this was precisely the day she had been waiting for! Thinking of this, Li Weiyang secretly gritted her teeth, both hands clenched into fists beneath her sleeves.