Consort Lian entered the Guo estate. When introducing her to Madam Guo and the others, Li Weiyang simply said: “This is an old friend of mine from Dali, named Leng Lian. After His Majesty issued the expulsion decree, she was forced to leave the capital. We happened to meet by chance. Because her health is poor, she cannot immediately leave with the main group, so she wishes to temporarily take shelter in our estate.”

Hearing Li Weiyang’s words, Madam Guo harbored no suspicion. Although His Majesty had issued an expulsion decree, there were too many Dali people in Yuexi, many of whom had familial connections. Not to mention that noble families like theirs were more or less hiding some, even ordinary common folk occasionally sheltered such people, though it required taking some risks. But given what Li Weiyang had said, how could Madam Guo refuse?

Madam Guo carefully examined this woman called Leng Lian. She found her countenance dignified and beautiful, a national beauty of heavenly fragrance. Standing there, she was like a peony veiled in mist, a flower tree piled with snow—she even outshone Princess Ali, who stood beside her with her youthful beauty. Madam Guo couldn’t help but secretly praise: “I’ve seen so many young ladies, yet this is the first time I’ve encountered a woman of Miss Leng’s appearance—truly an exceptional beauty!”

Consort Lian—no, she should now be called Leng Lian—heard Madam Guo’s praise and merely smiled slightly: “Madam Guo is too kind.”

Seeing that she spoke little and her behavior and bearing were very dignified, Madam Guo nodded and said to Li Weiyang: “Let her stay in Peony Residence near you. I’ll immediately instruct the maids to clean it and let her move in as soon as possible.” After saying this, she turned to Leng Lian and said: “You are Jia’er’s good friend, so you are like my own daughter. If the maids here serve you inadequately or if you need anything else, just let me know at any time.”

Leng Lian quickly thanked Madam Guo, her face full of gratitude, her eyes even containing some tears, making her appear all the more touching and pitiable.

Madam Guo grew even fonder of this proper and beautiful young lady. She couldn’t help but smile: “Jia’er, I’ll have them go prepare. You two catch up properly.”

Li Weiyang nodded and watched as Madam Guo departed.

Leng Lian looked at Li Weiyang’s profile, her eyes containing a trace of admiration: “Madam Guo is gentle and kind, amiable to everyone. It’s clear she also dotes on you greatly. Weiyang, you’re living very well here.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes were indifferent, her face showing only a light smile: “From today on, I’ll call you Leng Lian, and you should call me Guo Jia. Don’t mention past names again!” In truth, since arriving in Yuexi, only Yuan Lie called her Weiyang, while others either called her Miss Guo or Guo Jia…

Leng Lian was no fool. Hearing that Li Weiyang didn’t want her to show any irregularities in front of Madam Guo, she obligingly nodded: “Alright, I’ll call you Jia’er then.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly and instructed Zhao Yue to guard outside before gesturing to Leng Lian: “Please sit.”

Leng Lian hesitated, then sat down gently, using those captivating beautiful eyes to look at Li Weiyang: “Thank you so much for taking me in this time, and for helping me search for Xu’er. I’m just trying my luck this time, after all, regarding past matters… I wronged you first.” As she spoke, her eyes revealed a guilty and regretful expression.

People all think of themselves first. In a situation where the power disparity between herself and Tuoba Zhen was so great, it wasn’t strange that Consort Lian would think of herself and her child. Li Weiyang didn’t mind and said with a warm smile: “The two of us are quite fated. You helped me considerably back then. For the sake of old friendship, I will reciprocate. However, I don’t know where exactly the prince was lost?”

Leng Lian quickly replied: “At the border between Yuexi and Dali. That day, some beggars collided with our carriage. During the conflict, I was rushing to handle the situation and instructed the wet nurse to watch Xu’er carefully, but unexpectedly she secretly carried the child away. By the time I went looking, there was no trace of them! The situation in Dali is chaotic, with Tuoba Yu’s people searching everywhere. If she were Tuoba Yu’s person, how could she have let me escape? So I think she couldn’t possibly have returned to Dali—she must have come to Yuexi!”

Li Weiyang nodded. She would naturally have people verify whether what Consort Lian said was true. As for now, she had to keep her. She looked at the other woman, her expression somewhat probing: “If we can find the prince, what are your plans for the future?”

Leng Lian seemed somewhat hesitant. After a slight pause, she said with a face full of sorrow: “What plans could I have? Originally I entered the palace to avenge my family. Fortunately, His Majesty showed favor, giving me someone to rely on. After giving birth to Xu’er, I wholeheartedly devoted myself to being a proper consort. Who knew I would still be drawn into the imperial family’s struggles? Tuoba Yu is no longer the refined and scholarly prince of years past. His methods now are no less ruthless than Tuoba Zhen’s. Precisely because of this, I’m very fearful—I neither want to help him nor dare to disobey him. Yet I still fell into his trap and had no choice but to flee. Now I just want to find my son and find a peaceful place to live out the rest of my days.”

Li Weiyang looked at Consort Lian’s delicate and beautiful face, but smiled faintly. In these turbulent times, the more beautiful a woman was, the less willing she would be to live a plain life—especially Consort Lian… Her beauty had given her enormous confidence and vanity. If not for that, she wouldn’t have willingly remained in the palace for glory and wealth. Moreover, Consort Lian was still very young, incomparably beautiful—no one would believe she was already a child’s mother. As long as she was willing, probably hundreds or thousands of men would actively prostrate themselves at her feet. Li Weiyang said gently: “Regardless, you’ve already arrived here, so settle down with peace of mind. I’ll send people to search for the prince as soon as possible and notify you the moment there’s news. However, His Majesty just issued the expulsion decree. All Dali people cannot remain in the capital, so I hope you’ll be very careful in your words and actions.”

Leng Lian was overjoyed and quickly nodded: “I understand this. My hometown was originally near Yuexi, so I know the customs and habits here somewhat. I won’t give myself away or let outsiders see that I’m from Dali.”

Only then did Li Weiyang stand up, smiling warmly at Leng Lian: “Rest well. If you need anything, just have the maids notify me at any time.”

Leng Lian very warmly saw Li Weiyang out, watching her depart. She stood in the courtyard for a full quarter hour before finally turning back into the house.

Returning to her own courtyard, Li Weiyang still had to face questions from the other Guo family members. Guo Dao and Guo Cheng weren’t as easy to deal with as Madam Guo—they both stared wide-eyed waiting for Li Weiyang’s explanation.

Guo Dao was first to speak: “Jia’er, where did you find such an exceptionally beautiful woman?”

Guo Dao had seen countless beauties and naturally knew that a woman like Leng Lian couldn’t possibly have been raised by an ordinary family. That noble and elegant temperament, that fairy-like unworldly countenance—compared to her, Pei Bao’er was simply plain porridge and simple dishes. Yet she was actually Li Weiyang’s old friend, which was truly too strange. Why had they never heard Jia’er mention her before?

It wasn’t strange that Guo Dao would be suspicious. Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “When I was in Dali, she helped me. Her true identity isn’t the daughter of an official family, but rather the exiled princess of a small kingdom.”

Hearing this, the three Guo brothers all looked at each other.

Li Weiyang knew this matter was very troublesome to explain, so she didn’t want to say much. She simply stated: “To avenge her kingdom and family, she had no choice but to enter the Dali imperial palace and become a consort of the old emperor. However, she later offended the current new emperor and was forced to leave the palace.”

Guo Cheng revealed a surprised expression: “She’s already married?” He thought that Dali women generally married early. Leng Lian looked to be about twenty years old—he didn’t know her actual age, but based on her appearance and figure, she looked like a sixteen-year-old maiden…

Consort Lian was not only exceptionally beautiful but also extremely protective of her beauty. Her hair had always been kept black and lustrous. If a palace maid dropped any hair while combing, she would fly into a rage and have the person dragged out and beheaded. So later, the palace maids who combed her hair would hide her fallen hair in their sleeves to avoid death. Such a woman—how could she possibly be content with this kind of life dependent on others? She must have some scheme… Li Weiyang smiled: “Not only married, she even has a son!”

Guo Dao was slightly surprised and couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh: “She’s very young, and her behavior and bearing are like those of a noble young lady—she doesn’t seem like a married woman at all.”

Li Weiyang nodded: “Although Consort Lian already has a child, if she doesn’t mention it to others, they’d probably still think her an unmarried maiden.”

Guo Dao frowned: “But if she truly is a Dali imperial consort, then this matter becomes rather complicated.”

Guo Dun quickly said: “Yes, His Majesty just issued the expulsion decree, and you openly shelter a Dali imperial family consort. This seems rather improper, doesn’t it?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “As long as we don’t mention it to outsiders, who would know her identity? After all, Consort Lian previously never left her quarters in the palace—absolutely no one would recognize who she is. You needn’t worry excessively about this.”

Guo Dao still felt it was improper. He looked at Li Weiyang seriously: “But this woman is excessively beautiful, yet she traveled all this way alone. Jia’er, don’t you find that somewhat strange?”

Li Weiyang knew that Guo Dao was exceptionally perceptive, so she merely smiled faintly: “Yuan Lie already investigated. She initially had maids and guards with her, but when they reached the border, those servants stole her wealth and quietly slipped away. Not only that, they even planned to bind and sell her to raise more money. If she hadn’t been clever and escaped first, she’d probably have ended up in some brothel by now. After this ordeal, she quietly concealed her face, disguised herself as a hunchbacked old woman all the way to the capital, and only after entering the city gates did she dare wash away the dirt and disguise from her face. If Princess Ali hadn’t happened to see her below the restaurant that day, she would have had no way to find me.”

Only then did Guo Dao nod, his heart slightly more at ease. Guo Dun couldn’t help but praise: “Who would have thought this delicate young lady would be so clever?”

Li Weiyang glanced at him with a half-smile: “Consort Lian is no ordinary woman!”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Guo Cheng hesitated a moment: “This time she… seems to have come looking for someone?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Yes, she lost her son, so she hopes we can secretly help her search.”

Guo Cheng, being older, asked more cautiously and carefully: “What happens after we find him?”

Li Weiyang didn’t explain further: “After we find him… I’ll give her some gold and silver to settle her properly. This will be repayment for the help she gave me in the past.”

The other three exchanged glances and also felt this arrangement was relatively appropriate.

Li Weiyang was right—if Consort Lian were in the deep Dali palace, very few people would recognize her. Moreover, she was now in the Guo estate and wouldn’t easily be seen by others, so she definitely wouldn’t cause any trouble. They could speed up helping her find her son and send them away quickly. After all, she was Guo Jia’s friend—they couldn’t just watch her die.

When Guo Dao left, he walked last but for some reason turned back. Even in the dead of winter, he held a fan in his hand, fanning himself with a playful smile: “Jia’er, is there something you’re hiding from us?”

Li Weiyang hadn’t expected him to return and couldn’t help but set down her teacup: “Fifth Brother, what do you mean? What would I be hiding from you?”

Guo Dao chuckled: “I always feel you’re keeping this Consort Lian for some other purpose. You’re so clever—you wouldn’t fail to realize how dangerous this matter is. Am I right?”

Li Weiyang paused, then sighed softly: “People all say Fifth Brother is the most cunning among the Guo sons. I see it’s truly so—you notice even the slightest hint. That’s right, I am keeping her for another purpose.”

Guo Dao hadn’t expected her to admit it so readily and lightly frowned: “What exactly do you want to do?”

Li Weiyang’s smile contained a trace of shallow mockery: “As for what to use her for, it depends on Consort Lian’s own choice.”

Hearing this, Guo Dao was even more puzzled. But no matter how he inquired after that, Li Weiyang refused to say more. He left disappointed, but didn’t forget to specially turn back and remind her: “If this performance needs any help from me, or someone to beat drums and gongs, don’t forget to tell me in advance.”

Li Weiyang smiled and waved her hand: “I know, Fifth Brother. I won’t disappoint you!”

Watching Guo Dao depart, only then did Li Weiyang turn to look at Zhao Yue: “These next few days, watch Consort Lian’s movements for me. Her meals and daily life, living habits, even every word she says—have someone record it all and report everything to me.”

Zhao Yue asked doubtfully: “Miss, do you suspect Consort Lian?”

Li Weiyang shook her head, her face peaceful: “Not that. I just have another use for her. You needn’t ask more—just do as told.”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, though Zhao Yue was somewhat skeptical, she still immediately acknowledged and then departed.

Consort Lian thus settled into the Guo household. However, her name had been changed to Leng Lian, omitting the middle character. Everyone in the Guo family was very welcoming of her arrival. After all, Leng Lian had a gentle personality, was noble and gracious, and her speech and conduct were outstanding. Anyone conversing with her felt refreshed—it was hard to dislike her. Especially Li Weiyang—her kind and pleasant treatment of Leng Lian reached an almost unbelievable degree, which made Princess Ali rather sullen for quite some time. Before Leng Lian’s arrival, she felt that no matter how close she got to Li Weiyang, the other party always maintained a lukewarm attitude. She’d finally warmed her up with difficulty, and now another person had appeared to compete for favor.

Precisely because of this, Princess Ali, throwing a little girl’s tantrum, shut herself in her room. Guo Dun went to coax her several times before she gradually recovered. At first, her enthusiasm toward Leng Lian also gradually cooled, and she even deliberately made things difficult for her openly and covertly. Like this time, seeing Leng Lian admiring flowers in the garden, Princess Ali ran up with stamping steps, her small face puffed with anger, speaking bluntly: “How much longer are you staying at the Guo estate?”

Leng Lian raised her eyes to glance at Princess Ali, but smiled warmly: “Your Highness, I wonder where I’ve offended you to make you dislike me so?”

Ali’s large eyes like black grapes blinked, and she pouted with displeasure: “Ever since you came, Jia’er doesn’t play with me anymore. Of course I don’t like you!”

Leng Lian saw someone speaking so frankly for the first time and couldn’t help but smile more deeply: “Weiyang and I—oh no, Jia’er and I are old acquaintances. We knew each other before you, Princess Ali. What’s strange about our friendship being better?” Saying this, Leng Lian herself felt somewhat puzzled. Previously, Li Weiyang’s attitude toward her hadn’t been so kind and pleasant. So why did she seem especially warm this time when she came seeking refuge? Was it her imagination, or had the other woman changed her personality after arriving in Yuexi… This made her feel increasingly uneasy.

Thinking this, Leng Lian’s face revealed nothing: “Jia’er and I were originally friends. Princess Ali, you’re also very close with her. That way, you’ve gained an additional friend in me, haven’t you?”

Ali opened her mouth but couldn’t speak, obviously confused by her circular logic. Leng Lian continued: “Jia’er’s friends are my friends. From now on, I’ll also care about you, like you, and play with you. Isn’t that good? Why be unhappy about my arrival?”

Princess Ali, after being roundly rebutted, was completely stunned and hardly knew what to say. Her mind was simple. After thinking in circles, she seemed to feel it was indeed so, and couldn’t help but show a genuine smile: “Are you telling the truth?”

Leng Lian smiled slightly. That smile was like spring flowers blooming, beautiful beyond measure, her tone affectionate: “Naturally!”

Only then did Princess Ali become happy again.

At this moment, Li Weiyang happened to be approaching from not far away. Seeing the scene in the pavilion, she came forward: “What are you two discussing so happily? May I know?”

Seeing Li Weiyang, Leng Lian quickly smiled and stood up: “We were just talking about you. Come quickly!”

Li Weiyang and she exchanged smiles, then walked into the pavilion. Seeing the table was empty, she turned and instructed: “Zhao Yue, have the kitchen make some refreshments.” Zhao Yue immediately complied.

Leng Lian naturally knew to be tactful: “No need to trouble yourself. I’m just sitting for a while.”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very warm: “I already told you not to treat me as an outsider. My home is your home. When you’re here, naturally I should make you feel comfortable and happy.”

Hearing her say this, Leng Lian couldn’t say much more and just sat back down with a smile.

When Zhao Yue led the maids bringing up those refreshments, even Leng Lian couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised. The exquisite pastries before her—sesame rolls, lotus seed cakes, two-treasure cakes, date paste lotus crisps, Buddha’s hand pastries, elephant trunk cakes, golden thread dumplings, walnut cream, brown sugar sakima… their appearance was actually even more refined than those she’d eaten in the palace. She glanced at them, suppressing the surprise in her eyes: “This two-treasure cake—I remember when His Majesty was still alive, he had the kitchen specially make it just for me. But later everyone imitated it, and it spread throughout the realm. Now even Yuexi can eat it, though the flavor probably isn’t as authentic…” As she spoke, she gently picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. She felt it melt instantly, very sweet, the familiar sensation making her pause. She immediately turned to look at Li Weiyang: “Jia’er, this cook of yours… where did you hire him from?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was serene: “After I came to Yuexi, I didn’t like the food here and always missed my homeland’s cuisine, especially yearning for two-treasure cake. Later, Mother went to great lengths to hire an imperial chef from Dali who had retired and returned home. Do you find it palatable?”

Leng Lian quickly nodded: “Very authentic. Madam Guo is truly thoughtful.”

Princess Ali wrinkled her nose: “This two-treasure cake is nothing special. My favorite is still this one!” As she spoke, she pointed to the cherry crisp beside it—deep red in color, bright and dazzling, looking very appetizing.

Hearing her say this, Leng Lian also tried a bite and couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise: “This pastry is so delicious—even better than what I tasted in the palace before! It seems Madam Guo really went to great effort to please you!”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very calm, and she said nothing more.

Leng Lian watched, but her heart couldn’t help feeling somewhat bitter. With her exceptional beauty and proficiency in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, her schemes and methods not inferior to anyone—with such talents, wherever she went she should be first-rate talent, held in everyone’s palm and cherished in ten thousand ways. Yet unexpectedly, once that old emperor died, her situation took a sharp turn downward. From a lofty consort, she suddenly became a widow! Tuoba Yu was hunting her everywhere, so she had to flee to Yuexi. Along this journey, she had no good food to eat, no good place to sleep, and was constantly terrified, barely able to survive! To avoid evil people’s covetous desires, she had to disguise herself as a hunchbacked beggar woman. Only after entering the capital did she change her appearance. Now, being penniless, despite her exceptional beauty, she had no money for adornment. This was like dressing up a beautiful woman exquisitely but deliberately locking her in a room without a bronze mirror—it was the same principle, simply painful beyond measure!

After arriving at the Guo estate, Leng Lian witnessed with her own eyes how everyone loved Li Weiyang, almost wishing to present all the treasures under heaven before her. Once, seeing the rouge on Li Weiyang’s face was an exceptionally beautiful color, she inquired and learned that Madam Guo had specially selected one or two dozen pounds of the purest and freshest peony petals from several hundred pounds to make rouge for Li Weiyang… She also remembered visiting Li Weiyang’s bedroom once and seeing those treasures and implements that almost made her unable to open her eyes—many she’d never seen or possessed even in the palace. This showed that the wealth of Yuexi’s century-old noble families was in no way inferior to the Dali imperial family.

Thinking back to when she’d thought that being a princess meant she’d seen everything—what could be rare! After entering the Dali imperial palace, she couldn’t help but understand the principle that there are always people beyond people and heavens beyond heaven. Arriving at the Guo family with its generations of wealth opened her eyes even wider. Leng Lian appeared noble outwardly, but in her bones she truly was someone who craved vanity and enjoyed wealth—she absolutely couldn’t endure a plain and uninteresting life. Thinking that one day she’d have to leave the Guo family and be self-reliant, she couldn’t help but feel her scalp tighten. She could only smile at Li Weiyang: “Previously I was just a frog at the bottom of a well, not knowing that Yuexi’s wealth far exceeded Dali’s. Only after staying at the Guo family these past days have I been able to understand the difference. Jia’er is truly fortunate—moving from one blessed nest to another golden nest. I’m incredibly envious!”

Hearing her words, Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “This is all due to my parents’ special care.”

It was already winter now. Although the Guo family’s garden was maintained very beautifully, the leaves on the trees had still withered and scattered. The lake surface had even frozen with a thin layer of ice, the bright light reflecting off the ice surface casting a desolate cold gleam. She heard Leng Lian sigh: “Without realizing it, winter has truly arrived.”

Li Weiyang and Princess Ali exchanged glances, seeing the puzzlement on each other’s faces. Li Weiyang sighed softly: “Regarding the little prince, I’ve already searched carefully for him, but unfortunately there’s still no trace of him.”

The little prince? Leng Lian paused, then quickly realized, hurriedly using a smile to cover her embarrassment: “Oh, thank you so much. I’m truly worried about Xu’er—I don’t know if he’s fallen into bad people’s hands.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes were bright as snow. These past days, Leng Lian had enjoyed soft beds and pillows at the Guo estate, living in comfort and wealth—she hadn’t lost even half a night’s sleep. She’d seen mothers who had lost their children before—every one of them tossed and turned, deeply worried. Yet this Consort Lian was like a flower in full bloom, showing no sign of suffering from losing her son. If one said she, as a mother, completely didn’t care about Tuoba Xu, that was impossible… Li Weiyang thought for a moment, her gaze falling on the shadows beneath Consort Lian’s eyes.

Before going out, Consort Lian had deliberately added two extra layers of powder to her face and applied some shading, obviously wanting to appear haggard before her. It seemed her acting skills were quite good! Although Li Weiyang was a very cautious and careful person who’d already had people watch Consort Lian around the clock and report her every move in detail, unfortunately Consort Lian was also very shrewd—she handled everything personally and rarely employed the Guo family’s maids…

Li Weiyang said with great concern: “Leng Lian, rest assured. The little prince is blessed by heaven—he absolutely won’t come to harm. I think he’ll soon safely return to his mother’s side.”

Consort Lian seemed about to shed tears. She quickly wiped them away before saying softly: “I hope so.”

Li Weiyang’s smile slowly emerged in her eyes, though her face showed some worry: “There are some words—I don’t know if I should say them.”

Leng Lian paused, then quickly said: “What’s there between us that shouldn’t be said? Just speak plainly.”

Li Weiyang sighed, her eyes tightly fixed on the other woman’s beautiful face, taking in every change of expression: “I’m thinking that if we find Xu’er in the future, where will you take him? You can’t return to Dali now. As for Yuexi, His Majesty issued the expulsion decree—I’m afraid you have no way to stay long at the Guo estate. At that time, you, a weak woman alone with a child—who can you rely on? Every time I think of this, I worry for you!”

Princess Ali, hearing this, almost forgot her previous grievances and said with some sympathy: “Yes, what will you do without anyone to rely on? It’s simply impossible for a woman alone to raise a child!”

Leng Lian, seeing their concern, could only say helplessly: “I haven’t had time to think about this. I can only take it one step at a time—first find Xu’er. In the future, my son and I can only depend on each other. Even if we have to beg on the streets, I’ll raise the child…” As she spoke, tears involuntarily flowed down again.

Princess Ali felt even more sympathetic and immediately forgot her earlier unhappiness. She even took out her own handkerchief to wipe away the other woman’s tears, comforting her gently: “Don’t worry. Jia’er and I will think of ways to help you. Didn’t you say so yourself? We’re friends—how can we let you wander homeless!”

Consort Lian raised her head to look at Princess Ali, those beautiful captivating eyes flowing with boundless gratitude.

She heard Li Weiyang sigh: “Begging on the streets—how is that a life for a woman like you…” Saying this, Li Weiyang actually gently took her hand and held it in her palm. “At such a youthful age, you should be sharing marital affection with your beloved, growing old together in love. Now… what a pity!”

Leng Lian’s snow-white face trembled, but she still made no sound, though her head unconsciously bowed even deeper.

Li Weiyang continued: “If you stayed in Dali, you probably could never remarry for life. But now…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but Princess Ali understood and immediately said joyfully: “Yes! Leng Lian, you can remarry in the future! On our grasslands, we don’t have so many restrictions. Why can’t you find another match if your husband has died?”

Leng Lian seemed stunned by this shocking idea. She immediately refuted: “No! That’s impossible! I’ve already married, and that person was…” She said this with her mouth, but her face blushed uncontrollably.

Li Weiyang’s smile became even warmer: “You’re in Yuexi now—no one knows you. Of course you can start over. With your beauty, finding a good match would be easy as pie, wouldn’t it?”

Leng Lian couldn’t help thinking that she was indeed incomparably beautiful, but unfortunately she had neither the status of a noble lady nor the background of an illustrious family. Moreover, she’d already married and borne a child—what kind of person would be willing to marry her? Those merchants reeking of copper? She absolutely looked down on them. Ordinary officials? She is a dignified princess of a kingdom’s princess—how could she condescend? Originally, if not for revenge, she wouldn’t have taken a fancy to that middle-aged old emperor. Every time she thought of this, she couldn’t help but feel nauseated. Now arriving at the Guo family, seeing that all three Guo sons were handsome and accomplished in both civil and martial arts—if she used her wiles, she might not be unable to hook one. However, these three men, upon seeing her, were all very respectful yet maintained their distance. Guessing they all knew her past, this cooled her heart.

But Li Weiyang’s words made her already dead heart begin to stir again…

Li Weiyang, seeing her expression change uncertainly, sighed: “Ai, we shouldn’t say such things. Princess Ali, perhaps Leng Lian wishes to remain faithful to her late husband.”

Princess Ali looked at Leng Lian in surprise: “Do you really want to remain faithful? Think about it—spending your whole life alone in bitter wind and harsh rain, how pitiful that would be! You’re more beautiful than the stars in the night sky. If you were on the grasslands, countless people would be scrambling to marry you!”

Princess Ali’s heartfelt words made Leng Lian’s cheeks flush even redder. She lowered her head, her body trembling constantly, finally unable to hold back: “I don’t want this either, but given the current situation, who can I rely on?” As she spoke, she actually collapsed crying onto Li Weiyang’s left shoulder.

Li Weiyang patted her back comfortingly, her smile growing three parts warmer: “Since you’ve come to me for refuge, naturally I won’t abandon you. From now on, I’ll take care of your life at the Guo estate. If you have a good match in the future, I’ll also carefully plan for you.” Her tone contained three parts probing: “As long as you’re willing, I can even help you find the best candidate.”

As she said this, Leng Lian’s body trembled even more violently. Li Weiyang gently lifted her chin with her hand, meeting her tear-filled eyes directly. She extended her hand to carefully wipe away the tears, sighing: “Such a beauty—who could bear to let you suffer? As long as you’re willing, finding a good match is easy as pie…”

Consort Lian paused, then lowered her head in panic.

Princess Ali looked at Li Weiyang in shock. She’d never seen the other woman use such a coaxing tone—that gentle feeling seemed even sweeter than the pastries she’d just eaten. Leng Lian had long stopped crying, yet tears still hung on her lashes: “But… but I still have Xu’er.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “After finding Xu’er, you can find a family to entrust him to, periodically send money and goods, and let him grow up healthy and strong. Would the child be happier following you, a young widow, or staying in a family with both parents? If you only cling to him, in these chaotic times with your beauty, how can people easily let you go? You’d actually harm the child. Conversely, if you marry in the future, you’ll have other children…”

Consort Lian paused, seeming to carefully consider this possibility Li Weiyang mentioned. Her eyes were crystalline, as if stars from the heavens had fallen into them, but she finally only said: “I don’t consider remarrying. I only hope to find my son…”

From beginning to end, Li Weiyang carefully observed Leng Lian’s expression, never missing a single change on her face. She understood very clearly that no mother would easily abandon her child, even this woman who wholeheartedly hoped to regain wealth and status. Yet Leng Lian had actually lost Tuoba Xu during her flight—was that possible? With such scheming, would she be calculated against by a wet nurse? If she were truly that stupid, she’d have died countless times along the way.

When Leng Lian left, her eyes were swollen from crying. Princess Ali was completely baffled. She didn’t understand how the conversation had turned so quickly—first fine food, then Leng Lian’s future. Why had Leng Lian cried so sadly? She’d clearly said she didn’t want to marry, so just don’t marry—no one was forcing her. But her little head couldn’t hold much after all. When Li Weiyang instructed the maids to pack all the pastries for the princess to take back, Princess Ali tossed all her unhappiness aside and stopped thinking about it.

Li Weiyang had just stood up when she heard someone announce: “Prince Xu has arrived!”

As soon as the words fell, Yuan Lie in splendid attire walked in with elegant bearing. Seeing Li Weiyang, his eyes blinked and he smiled mischievously: “Were you just seducing Leng Lian again?”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang knew he’d clearly witnessed her earlier actions. She didn’t mind: “This isn’t called seduction—it’s taking advantage of the situation and guiding accordingly.”

Yuan Lie sighed and sat down beside her: “I really want to know—you clearly know the other party approached you with ulterior motives, so why did you still take her in? Not only that, what was the point of that pretentious act just now?”

Li Weiyang looked at him with a shallow smile: “Maternal love is indeed great in this world, but there are also individual women who will spare nothing for glory and wealth. Didn’t you notice Leng Lian’s expression just now? When she spoke of me, it was with incomparable envy and jealousy. When she spoke of Tuoba Xu, although she tried hard to show concern, it felt very false. I couldn’t see the slightest genuine worry about the child’s disappearance in her eyes. As for when I mentioned remarriage, she was clearly moved but could only use tears to disguise it. This series of performances has already made me suspicious of her intentions!”

Yuan Lie nodded thoughtfully: “Leng Lian is a very clever woman, but being too eager caused her to reveal flaws.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “She can have ulterior motives, and I can use her in return. Isn’t that perfectly suitable?”

Yuan Lie, seeing her smile warmly and sweetly yet with cold gleams flashing in her eyes, also smiled: “I believe no one can take advantage of you!”

At this time in the imperial palace, Ying Chu entered the great hall, bowed in salute, and said: “I have an audience with the Empress!”

Empress Pei smiled faintly and pointed to a chair below the steps: “Sit.”

Ying Chu thanked the Empress for granting him a seat, then said with a smile full of satisfaction: “Your Majesty, that person has already entered the Guo estate.”

“Oh, entered the Guo estate?” Empress Pei’s face revealed a satisfied expression: “I’ve been thinking about this matter these past days, still not knowing if it could succeed!”

Ying Chu explained the situation with the people he’d sent to surveil, then said: “Rest assured, Your Majesty. That Li Weiyang had dealings with Consort Lian when she was in Dali, which already removed three parts of her suspicion. Not to mention that this also involves a child… However cold and ruthless she is, she can’t very well refuse someone completely. Most importantly, Consort Lian knows many of her secrets. She won’t send such a liability into others’ hands—only by keeping her under her own eyes and monitoring her is safest. So regardless of whether she believes Consort Lian, she’ll bring the other woman into the estate.”

Empress Pei smiled slightly. All this was already within her expectations. But matters might not go so smoothly. After pondering for a moment, she asked: “But how will Consort Lian gain her trust in the next step?”

Ying Chu smiled coldly: “No trust is needed to accomplish this!”

Empress Pei couldn’t help but sit up straight, her eyebrows rising slightly: “So confident?”

Ying Chu’s half-mask flashed with silver light: “I expended tremendous effort to help Tuoba Yu ascend the throne, then had him expel Consort Lian. With great difficulty, I set a trap and captured this woman on the road. She’s also cunning—forced into a corner by me, she still knew to negotiate conditions. I intimidated and enticed her into agreement, then devised a way to send her to the capital and manufactured a chance encounter for Li Weiyang to take her into the estate. What happens next actually doesn’t matter. Even if Li Weiyang doesn’t trust her or even suspects her motives, it won’t hinder our plan in the slightest.”

Empress Pei drew out a mocking smile: “Li Weiyang is a very clever person. Don’t be careless.”

Ying Chu’s face revealed a confident expression, but his eyes showed some coldness. He said slowly: “Confidence and arrogance are completely different things. Confidence stems from having everything under control, while arrogance is blind optimism. Rest assured, Your Majesty—I’ve already arranged everything else. I only need to wait until His Majesty’s birthday feast to move against her. At that time, I can definitely charge her with the crime of collaborating with the enemy and selling out the country!”

Empress Pei’s peerlessly beautiful eyes showed a trace of faint interest: “Merely sheltering Dali people that His Majesty ordered expelled is already a great crime, and yet this Dali person is actually a consort from the imperial family. Once this matter spreads, it will definitely cause tremendous waves. Even with all Duke Qi’s calculations, he’d never imagine his daughter invited the wolf into her home—and it’s a hungry wolf wearing a beauty’s skin!” As she said this, she laughed softly.

Ying Chu stood up solemnly: “Your Majesty, the upcoming operation is crucial to us. Your subject has one improper request—please grant it.”

Empress Pei glanced at him with a thoughtful look: “Speak.”

Ying Chu said seriously: “For this matter, please temporarily refrain from telling the Crown Prince, lest it ruin everything.”

Empress Pei sighed. Previously she’d let the Crown Prince participate in the plans, but this son was too unable to keep his composure, always revealing himself at critical moments. Ying Chu’s concerns weren’t without reason. This time, they absolutely had to proceed in secret and couldn’t let the Crown Prince ruin things again. Though she felt Ying Chu was making too much of it, Empress Pei still quietly nodded: “I’ve already let you handle this matter with full authority. Decide for yourself!”

After speaking, Empress Pei stood up and walked to a pot of peonies. Her slender jade fingers casually plucked one and held it beneath her nose, lightly sniffing. Inadvertently turning her head, her cold face revealed some murderous intent. Yet in Ying Chu’s eyes, there was an indescribable allure—that beautiful coldness was as thin as a blade slicing into his heart, causing a faint ache. She looked at Ying Chu: “After this succeeds, this woman absolutely cannot be left alive. Understand?”

Ying Chu deeply bowed his head and answered: “Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject will absolutely not leave any future troubles. This time, I’ll definitely handle it cleanly and properly so His Majesty has nothing to say.”

Empress Pei smiled and personally stepped forward to help Ying Chu up, her smile carrying a dazzling radiance, her tone rarely gentle: “You’ve followed me for so many years—naturally I trust you. I’m entrusting everything to you. Perform your duties well—I won’t treat you unfairly.”

Ying Chu’s heart trembled as he smiled: “Your subject will definitely not fail Your Majesty’s trust!”

At this time, the Crown Prince had already reached the palace gates but was stopped by trembling palace maids.

The Crown Prince’s face changed as he said coldly: “I’ve come to see Mother!”

The palace maid lowered her head, forcibly suppressing her unease: “Your Highness, Minister Ying is currently inside seeing the Empress. Her Majesty instructed that no one may enter privately.”

The Crown Prince’s face darkened: “Have you eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall? Does Mother’s ‘anyone’ include me?”

The palace maid’s body trembled even more, yet she dared not step aside.

The Crown Prince’s anger surged. He suddenly raised his foot and kicked the palace maid to the ground, already bursting inside.