The Crown Prince barged all the way in. Empress Pei looked over with surprise, a trace of cold mockery flashing through her eyes. She spoke: “Why was there no announcement?” The Crown Prince trembled, then lowered his head and bowed in salute: “I greet Mother Empress!”

Ying Chu beside her merely observed the Crown Prince quietly, cleverly concealing the contempt in his eyes.

Yes, contempt. The Crown Prince clearly felt this. He didn’t know from when he’d been able to faintly perceive that kind of contempt Ying Chu held for him—the kind of look only someone in a superior position would give a weak and incompetent person. A mere Ying Chu actually looked down on the current Crown Prince, relying only on Mother Empress’s favoritism toward him! An endless rage surged again in the Crown Prince’s heart. He looked coldly at Ying Chu and turned his head disdainfully: “Mother Empress, if you have any matters, you can discuss them with me. Why must you seek outsiders!”

Ying Chu was Empress Pei’s confidant, one could say her advisor—what couldn’t be discussed? The Crown Prince’s words were merely displaced anger. Empress Pei laughed coldly: “Discuss with you? Have I given you too few chances? Time after time I’ve trusted you, but how have you repaid me? You’re more hindrance than help! How can you still expect me to trust you?”

A trace of anxiety swept across the Crown Prince’s face. He quickly concealed this emotion and said respectfully: “Mother Empress, your son knows he was wrong. From now on, I will certainly follow Mother Empress’s counsel in everything and will never make mistakes again!”

Empress Pei had long grown tired of hearing these words. She knew the Crown Prince wasn’t incompetent—he simply had little experience in such devious tactics, which was why he kept falling into Li Weiyang’s traps. That’s why she had recruited Ying Chu. In this regard, Ying Chu would not disappoint her. As for the Crown Prince… he should focus his thoughts on governance instead, and not let Prince Jing find opportunities. So she merely waved her hand: “No need! I will discuss these matters with Minister Ying. You go back and think carefully about how to please your Imperial Father. Leave the other matters to him!”

The Crown Prince’s expression was even uglier than before. He knew that when Empress Pei spoke this way, it meant she was dismissing him. Yet he stubbornly stood in place, motionless, his lips almost pressed into a straight line. Empress Pei’s gaze gradually grew even colder. She glanced at Ying Chu standing quietly and solemnly beside them: “Ying Chu, you may withdraw first!”

Ying Chu smiled slightly and bowed again to Empress Pei and the Crown Prince before slowly withdrawing. The moment he closed the door, his gaze fell once more on the Crown Prince’s back, his eyes containing a strange mockery, before the door gently closed.

The Crown Prince trembled and instinctively turned to look toward the door, then turned back and quickly stepped forward two paces: “Mother Empress, why do you trust such a person?”

Empress Pei said coldly: “He can handle matters for me, so I trust him.”

The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed, resentment in his eyes: “Mother Empress, don’t you know what people outside say about him? These years he’s indeed done many things for you, but his methods are too vicious—this will only damage your reputation!”

Empress Pei smiled faintly, her expression showing no concern whatsoever: “Reputation? What reputation does the Pei family have left to speak of?”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince was momentarily at a loss for words. He heard Empress Pei say indifferently: “I’ve already instructed you to mind your own business and not constantly make things difficult for Ying Chu.”

The Crown Prince’s heart grew even more furious: “When have I made things difficult for him?”

Empress Pei shook her head, a heart-stirring icy coldness appearing at the corner of her mouth: “Haven’t you been excessive enough these past days?”

The Crown Prince trembled and suddenly raised his head: “Mother Empress, what do you mean?”

Empress Pei looked at the Crown Prince with obvious mockery: “For the past half month, you’ve set countless traps trying to kill Ying Chu, all of which failed. Did you think you could hide this from me?”

The Crown Prince’s eyes showed extreme astonishment: “Me? Your son hasn’t, Mother Empress!”

Empress Pei sneered: “You’ve always detested him and have been constantly planning to kill him. This hasn’t been just a day or two—why pretend otherwise?”

The Crown Prince grew even more anxious: “This is truly absurd! Mother Empress, have you been listening to that scoundrel Ying Chu’s nonsense? Why would I kill him for no reason? I’m willing to confront him face to face and have him look me in the eye—have I ever harmed him!”

Seeing the Crown Prince refuse to admit it, Empress Pei sighed: “Bring the items up.”

Hearing Empress Pei say this, a female official beside them immediately withdrew from the outer hall and soon returned carrying a tray, kneeling respectfully at Empress Pei’s feet. Empress Pei lifted the silk covering the tray. The Crown Prince’s eyes widened—on the tray was a neatly folded blood-stained garment and a gleaming dagger still bearing bloodstains.

Empress Pei’s tone carried three parts coldness: “Look at this! What is this!” The female official then unfolded the blood-stained garment, revealing a hole at the chest area with dried bloodstains around it. Empress Pei said: “The assassin was a master. The strike aimed for the heart, and the angle was perfectly precise.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze wandered, not daring to speak.

Seeing his fear, Empress Pei laughed derisively: “This was left by the person you sent to assassinate Ying Chu ten days ago. Unfortunately, they failed to kill him in time and instead killed his servant. This blood-stained garment and dagger are both physical evidence!” As she spoke, her expression finally darkened, coldly observing her own son: “Besides this incident, five days ago you had someone poison the tea Ying Chu habitually drinks. Such matters are not very glorious. If you still want to deny it, that bowl of tea is still preserved! Shall I have someone reheat it for you to drink on the spot?”

The Crown Prince’s teeth chattered: “Mother Empress, has someone really been trying to kill Ying Chu recently? I can assure you, it absolutely wasn’t me! I merely dislike him—I didn’t want to kill him!”

Empress Pei was unmoved: “Killing Ying Chu is merely a trivial matter, but you can’t even manage to kill someone properly—what can you do? Where do you get the confidence to come here demanding I trust you?”

The Crown Prince lowered his head. His body had already begun to tremble, almost unable to hide under Empress Pei’s gaze. When Empress Pei’s eyes grew fierce, they seemed to gather a ball of fire, almost burning the person before her into a shriveled mass. She took a deep breath, knowing that stern rebuke would only provoke intense backlash and strong resentment. She merely exhaled slowly: “I know you’ve never liked Ying Chu, but what has he done to make you so stubbornly insist on killing him? I truly cannot understand!”

The Crown Prince said through gritted teeth: “That person is very cunning. He’s always slandering me before Mother Empress to make you alienate me!”

Empress Pei frowned: “What’s wrong with you? Ying Chu has never said such things!”

The Crown Prince’s teeth even ground audibly: “Mother Empress, it’s not just that. Besides sowing discord to alienate our mother-son relationship, he even secretly keeps your handkerchief!”

He’d only said half his sentence when Empress Pei’s expression changed dramatically. She said angrily: “Crown Prince, you must watch your words and actions!”

The Crown Prince realized at this moment that he’d misspoken. He stood there with a stiff, cold expression and lowered his head. These years, what he detested most about Ying Chu was the other man’s inexplicable feelings toward Empress Pei. He still remembered when he was only seven or eight years old—one day he entered Mother Empress’s palace and saw Ying Chu talking with her. Being mischievous, he hid behind the curtains to listen to what they were saying. Empress Pei had merely been instructing Ying Chu to eliminate one of the Emperor’s ministers. After Ying Chu agreed and Empress Pei left, he picked up a handkerchief the Empress had inadvertently dropped on the ground, secretly sniffed it, then tucked it into his bosom. That disgusting, nauseating, covetous expression—the Crown Prince still remembered it to this day. From that day on, he’d always detested Ying Chu. Later, he learned that Ying Chu had told Empress Pei that he, the Crown Prince, was merely superficial and unfit for great responsibility. The Crown Prince could tolerate him even less!

Every time he thought of this, he felt as if thorns were pricking his back. During Ying Chu’s absence from the capital, he’d sent countless people to assassinate him, but unfortunately not one attempt succeeded! Now he’d finally returned to the capital, returned to Mother Empress’s side. He should have more opportunities to act personally, yet he hadn’t expected all of it to be reported to Mother Empress. The more the Crown Prince thought about it, the more he hated it. He couldn’t help but lower his head and remain silent.

Empress Pei looked at the Crown Prince, her eyes serene and deep, their emotions unreadable. Finally, she merely said: “Enough, you may go.”

The Crown Prince raised his head to look at his mother. Her expression was so cold, showing not the slightest concern or care a mother should have for her son. For so many years, he’d been unable to find even half a trace of maternal love from her… A trace of sadness flashed through the Crown Prince’s eyes. Then he turned and quietly withdrew.

At this time at the Guo estate, Leng Lian came to visit Li Weiyang. Zhao Yue greeted her with a smile: “Miss is currently selecting clothing.”

Leng Lian walked all the way in and saw the entire room filled with luxurious and wealthy furnishings. Without fanfare or ostentation, they fully displayed a great noble family’s bearing. Even she, who had received thousands of favors as a consort in the Dali palace, couldn’t help but be amazed.

Li Weiyang was having people take out her garments. These clothes were neither hanging in large wardrobes nor folded in trunks, but rather all placed in vermillion lacquered wooden trays, each tray holding three sets. There were fully twenty or thirty trays, all carefully held by maids and presented one by one before Li Weiyang, as if a silk shop had been opened—so splendid it was as if clouds from the heavens had descended into this room.

When Leng Lian clearly saw the garments in those wooden trays, she felt her eyes dazzle and her spirit captivated, as if seeing clouds of brocade. She almost couldn’t distinguish them in detail because so many various kinds of magnificent fabrics spread like glowing mist—there were simply too many, too beautiful, the quantity truly countless!

Li Weiyang smiled and beckoned to Leng Lian: “I’m troubled about what to wear today. Come help me choose.”

Leng Lian walked forward calmly with a smile. She laughed softly: “Jia’er, you really have so many clothes!”

When Leng Lian was in the palace, people would procure new garments for her each season. After all, women under heaven were all like this—never complaining they had too many clothes. But back then, the palace had set regulations. As a consort, she absolutely couldn’t exceed the Empress and other high-ranking consorts. Those women were all aged and faded in beauty, so they’d always preferred plain clothing. Reluctantly, Consort Lian could only follow suit in simplifying her wardrobe, putting on a frugal appearance to please the Emperor. Now seeing that Li Weiyang actually possessed so many clothes, she couldn’t help but be shocked. Then she thought that the Guo family was truly overwhelmingly wealthy, in no way inferior to the palace’s indulgences.

Li Weiyang lowered her bright autumn-water eyes and smiled slightly: “This is only part of my clothes. Actually, I don’t even know how many garments I have now, how many shoes, how many necklaces, how many earrings. So every time I have to choose clothes, it gives me a headache!”

At this moment, Zhao Yue spoke perfectly on cue from the side: “Miss, you have approximately one hundred garments. Shoes aren’t that many—only thirty or forty pairs.” Li Weiyang smiled as if surprised: “Really? So many?”

Zhao Yue’s smile grew even sweeter: “This is only this season’s clothes. Miss, each season when you add new ones, you must discard the old, otherwise even ten large rooms couldn’t contain them!”

Leng Lian had already looked along these trays—silver squirrel fur robes, followed by gray squirrel, then fox fur, and finally purple sable. Purple sable fur was absolutely not something ordinary people could casually use. In the capital, except for the female relatives of officials of third rank or above, all other officials’ female relatives were absolutely forbidden from using it indiscriminately. So when these noble young ladies wore sable fur, those ordinary officials’ daughters could only wear fox fur. No matter how wealthy their families were, they didn’t dare boldly purchase and wear it—this was the rule, also a symbol of status.

Leng Lian gazed from afar, feeling these garments were so exquisite and precious. It took her quite a while to recover, her joy underneath full of dejection.

Li Weiyang saw Leng Lian’s gaze fall on that purple sable garment and smiled faintly: “I remember you also once had a purple sable fur garment—it was gloriously radiant and very beautiful!”

Leng Lian was touched on a sore spot and quickly smiled awkwardly: “That’s all in the past. Why mention it?” As she spoke, her beautiful fingers unconsciously stroked that purple sable fur cloak, her expression revealing a trace of admiration. Li Weiyang watched but showed no reaction, casually selecting a garment and saying: “It’s time for the meal. Let’s go together.”

The meal Li Weiyang mentioned wasn’t lunch, just afternoon tea and snacks. Besides the three main meals, there were two small meals. Being small meals, they naturally wouldn’t be as abundant as regular meals, but the Guo family wasn’t overly casual either. Since Leng Lian had arrived here, every time she saw the small meals brought up, there were at least over ten varieties. The foods eaten at the Guo family had such variety that even someone with Leng Lian’s memory couldn’t remember them all one by one.

Because Li Weiyang felt unwell during lunch today and didn’t eat much, at this time Madam Guo specially had the small kitchen make her clear-stewed duck soup. Leng Lian smiled: “I’m also benefiting from your good fortune.” She picked up the bowl and gently tasted a mouthful, couldn’t help but praise: “This duck tastes quite good. I wonder how it’s made?”

Li Weiyang smiled and looked toward Lian’ou beside her. Lian’ou smiled cheerfully: “This duck’s preparation is very simple. First remove the feathers, then wash the organs clean, add some seasonings and place it in a porcelain jar, then tightly cover the pot lid so it doesn’t release steam. Just like this, steam it over low heat. Steam it continuously for three days and the duck will be completely tender—so tender you don’t need to use a knife to cut it. You can easily pull it apart with just chopsticks without any effort. Miss has had poor appetite recently, so Madam said eating this will stimulate her appetite.”

Hearing this, Leng Lian felt it somewhat hard to swallow. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang’s life to be so extravagant! Li Weiyang smiled and instead picked out a piece of duck skin for her: “Don’t look at this duck skin—it’s actually the most exquisite and delicious part of this bowl of soup. If you don’t believe me, try it!”

Leng Lian smiled reluctantly: “Alright, I’ll try.” As she spoke, her gaze circled the table. In truth, the Guo family’s meals could also be enjoyed at outside restaurants, but the Guo family’s methods were much more refined than outside. For example, the snow fungus that the Guo family’s female relatives used daily was absolutely not those ordinary things eaten outside. This kind of snow fungus grew on cliff precipices and wasn’t easy to find good quality—often just a small spoonful cost forty or fifty taels of silver to purchase. Ordinary people or common officials who wanted to spend a lot of money to buy it still couldn’t, because the best snow fungus had already been presented to the palace. And the snow fungus Li Weiyang was currently eating was specially sent by Imperial Consort Guo.

As Leng Lian ate, she felt it was neither salty nor sweet, and had no fragrance. Yet that sourness in her heart spread inexplicably—this precious snow fungus, Li Weiyang merely had people place it in chicken broth or other fresh soups for flavoring.

Leng Lian set down her bowl and sighed lightly: “As they say, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Probably even Jia’er didn’t expect to have such fortune after arriving in the capital?”

When Leng Lian said this, she could no longer suppress the sourness in her words. In truth, she was originally an extremely clever person who should have been able to see that Li Weiyang’s actions today were clearly deliberately whetting her appetite. But when people fell into destitution, they often revealed that trace of weakness in their character.

Li Weiyang had long seen that although Consort Lian entered the palace initially for national and family vengeance, gradually she was nurtured by the wealthy life and had long forgotten that purity, becoming a delicate flower that could only survive in wealth. Now that she’d been knocked back to her original form, how could she endure this life dependent on others?

Thinking this, her smile was light: “Yes, I also didn’t expect all this would come so easily! I can only say heaven has treated me generously!”

After the meal, maids brought up melons and fruits. Leng Lian was somewhat surprised—it was winter now, where would fresh melons and fruits come from? Li Weiyang smiled and had someone bring a serving of watermelon cup, personally handing it to Leng Lian: “Yuan Lie sent these. This weather really is remarkable. Try it and see how it differs from the watermelon we eat in summer!”

Hearing this, even though Leng Lian was unwilling, she could only accept the watermelon cup. She opened the lid, tasted a mouthful, and immediately relaxed her brow: “It truly melts in the mouth, very sweet, and has watermelon’s pure beauty. I wonder how it’s made?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “He said to scoop out the watermelon flesh together, then put in cut chicken pieces, ham pieces, fresh lotus seeds, longans, walnuts, almonds and so on, cover it all up, and steam it over low heat in water. Steam it for eight hours and it’s done. The flavor is pure and delicious—he really thought of this!”

Leng Lian smiled slightly: “Not only does one need to think of it, gathering these things in this season isn’t easy, is it?”

Li Weiyang merely smiled serenely and said nothing more.

Leng Lian looked at Li Weiyang, forcibly suppressing the envy and jealousy in her eyes. Then she lowered her eyes, lamenting her fate: “Each person has their own destiny! Look at you—formerly just a concubine’s daughter in the Prime Minister’s residence, with nothing, always being squeezed out and framed by your mother. Later you relied on your own intelligence to become a princess, but so what? It just sounded good in name—life was still not easy! I always thought I was stronger than you, but never expected that now things have completely reversed. Looking at the life you live now, then thinking of me without anyone to rely on—I can only sigh about my bitter fate! Jia’er, you can’t forget me regardless of the past!”

As she said this, her face showed a tearful appearance, looking pitiable. Li Weiyang personally lifted her hand and patted it: “No need to be so sad. With your beauty, if you want to find someone to rely on and enjoy wealth again, that would be easy as pie!”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Leng Lian paused. Soon a trace of wariness appeared in her eyes. She remembered Li Weiyang’s past methods of scheming against others and couldn’t help but be secretly alarmed. Carefully reviewing Li Weiyang’s behavior these past days, Leng Lian’s heart formed a vague idea. She looked at the other woman probingly: “Jia’er, do you have some plan? We’re friends—you mustn’t deliberately harm me!”

Li Weiyang smiled and merely pushed the watermelon cup before Leng Lian: “I naturally won’t harm you. If I wanted to harm you, why would I feed you well and treat you like an honored guest?”

Leng Lian glanced at the watermelon soup, but her smile was somewhat desolate. She shook her head: “Unfortunately, you’re too clever—so clever it frightens me. To be honest, in the past Tuoba Yu was utterly devoted to you. I thought you would support him to ascend the throne and then take the Empress position. But unexpectedly you abandoned him! That was one thing, but you clearly knew His Majesty never intended to let him inherit the throne, yet you kept hiding it, letting him think he had a chance at ascending, finally making him vomit blood in anger. Even I, an outsider, think your methods were too formidable!”

Li Weiyang shook her head and sighed softly: “Since ancient times, the struggle for the throne has had no right or wrong, good or evil. Whether Tuoba Zhen or Tuoba Yu, they both had to pay the price for their actions. If they had ability, the throne would naturally be theirs. If not, they could only yield to others. Did I have an obligation to help him ascend? Our relationship was merely mutually beneficial! His fate was in his own hands and had nothing to do with me. Consort Lian, you worry too much!”

Since arriving at the Guo estate, Li Weiyang had never called her “Consort Lian.” Hearing this now, Leng Lian’s heart couldn’t help but startle. She immediately looked warily around. Li Weiyang smiled: “You needn’t be nervous. Everyone in your room are my confidants. No one knows who you are.”

Only then did Leng Lian relax, saying softly: “Then regarding Xu’er…”

Li Weiyang said: “I’ve already sent people to investigate. Yuan Lie says there are some leads recently, but you still need patience—wait slowly.”

Leng Lian nodded, then heard Li Weiyang say: “In another month it will be His Majesty’s birthday feast. At that time, the capital’s inspections will be stricter than usual, so I’m afraid you’ll have a long period when you can’t go out. You must be quite bored staying at the Guo family. Why don’t I take you around these next days? Otherwise in another month, you’ll truly be confined to the estate.”

Hearing this, Leng Lian’s face showed a trace of hope: “Can I leave the estate?”

Li Weiyang’s smile grew warmer: “As long as I and the Guo family guards accompany you, what’s wrong with that? Besides, you can wear a face veil. If others ask, I’ll say you’re one of Mother’s distant relatives who came from the countryside to seek refuge. Who would imagine you’re a Dali consort?”

Indeed, saying so would sound like a fairy tale. Only then did Leng Lian feel reassured. Li Weiyang looked at her and smiled: “Zhao Yue, bring me my crab-apple cloud-water pattern, hundred-pleated auspicious, and jade-pattern brocade skirts—all three.”

Zhao Yue paused, then said softly: “Yes.” Then she turned around and with difficulty found those three garments among the pile of beautiful clothes, carrying them on a tray. Li Weiyang pushed the tray before Leng Lian: “You just arrived here without time to prepare garments for you. Take these to make do for now. Later I’ll select another ten sets to send over. I hope you won’t mind.”

Hearing this, Leng Lian’s eyes couldn’t suppress her gratitude. She stood and personally thanked her: “Great kindness requires no words of thanks. I’ll remember this in my heart!”

Li Weiyang smiled and merely patted her hand, saying nothing more.

When Leng Lian returned to her own room and examined the three sets of garments and matching jewelry Li Weiyang had sent one by one, she sighed softly. So this was what a family of bells and tripods was like—yet she wondered how wealthy the Yuexi imperial family must be? Thinking this, she couldn’t help but drift into reverie.

In Li Weiyang’s room, after instructing outsiders to withdraw, Zhao Yue said softly: “Miss, what exactly are you plotting?” Before she finished speaking, she suddenly heard rustling sounds. The window rattled once. The two turned their heads and saw Prince Xu Yuan Lie lift his robe and jump in from outside the window in one motion, his smile so brilliant it seemed to outshine even the sunlight from the heavens. He smiled: “Zhao Yue, can’t you see? Your miss is fishing!”

Hearing this, Zhao Yue’s expression grew more puzzled. Yuan Lie’s gaze circled the room full of splendid garments: “Usually you never take out these clothes to fuss over them, but as soon as Leng Lian arrived, you had people clean out the storeroom and took out clothes you never wear, ironing and organizing them all, then deliberately displaying them before her…”

As he spoke, he walked to a nearby tray and picked out a ruby brooch, examining it carefully before tossing it aside: “And these jewels—Madam Guo and I have given you so many, but they’ve all been shelved away. You wouldn’t even glance at them, yet today you brought them all out together. Isn’t this very strange?”

Li Weiyang smiled and had Lian’ou put away all these garments and jewelry before saying softly: “Since you already know, why ask?”

Yuan Lie laughed: “I didn’t ask—it’s your maid who’s asking!”

Zhao Yue looked at the two of them even more puzzled: “Would the two masters please not keep this servant in suspense? What exactly do you want to do? Could you let this servant understand in her heart?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Zhao Yue, sometimes you can’t look at things on the surface. Look, your master saw through to the essence, didn’t he? I invited Leng Lian over and deliberately showed her these clothes and jewelry, then asked her to stay for a meal—of course it’s to let her know I’m living very well, a thousand times, a hundred times better than she imagined!”

Miss was not someone who loved to show off. Zhao Yue frowned: “Why would Miss do this?”

Li Weiyang sighed softly: “Leng Lian is very clever, but even clever people have weaknesses, especially as she’s a very beautiful woman. Beautiful girls always hope to dress themselves up beautifully, using their beauty to conquer everyone and obtain everything. Leng Lian is no exception. She was originally a lofty princess, but because of the Jiang family, her kingdom was destroyed and family ruined. So she married the Emperor without hesitation, even though he was much older than her—she willingly sacrificed herself. At that time, she perhaps was singleminded about revenge, but after the Jiang family fell, she could have completely left the palace. Yet she didn’t do so, because she’d already been moved by the palace’s wealthy life and illustrious power. Once a person tastes such days, they don’t want to live a hard life again, so she stayed. Even facing Tuoba Yu’s threats, she’d rather be caught between both sides than persist to the end. Unfortunately, she still lost everything in the end! For her at this moment, how to regain power and wealth is the problem she most wants to consider.”

Yuan Lie gazed at Li Weiyang intently: “Have you thought about why she sought you out?”

Li Weiyang held a teacup in her hand but smiled lightly: “I don’t know why she sought me out. I only know I should quickly return this hot potato.”

Yuan Lie’s smile deepened: “Return it—how can you return it?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was shallow: “For that, I’ll need to borrow your restaurant!” Hearing this, Yuan Lie smiled with curved eyes: “You want to borrow it? Good! Just name the day—I’ll give you the entire restaurant if you want!”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “I heard the Crown Prince has been frequently going to your restaurant to host banquets recently. Is that true?”

Yuan Lie nodded, then as if thinking of something, a trace of mockery slid through his smile: “My restaurant’s threshold is high—it’s the most luxurious. The guests in the restaurant are all distinguished nobles in conversation, with no common folk coming and going. It’s not strange that the Crown Prince would set his sights on it! I’ll choose an appropriate opportunity. Rest assured!”

Two days later, as soon as the Crown Prince entered the restaurant, he was immediately ushered into a private room on the top floor. People around him summoned beautiful women to dance for him and urged him to drink attentively. The Crown Prince became thoroughly drunk. Thinking of the unclear relationship between Empress Pei and Ying Chu, he couldn’t help but feel furious to the extreme.

These recent days, because Ying Chu was by her side, the Empress wouldn’t even glance at him, as if she didn’t care at all about him as her son. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel resentment and jealousy—the feeling in his heart was simply indescribable.

As they say, drunk on a beauty’s lap, wielding power over all under heaven—now with Prince Jing eyeing him covetously, his Crown Prince position was precarious. Empress Pei was very cold to him, and he didn’t know how much longer he could enjoy power and wealth. He could only be drunk today with today’s wine! Just then, an attendant entered the private room and reported to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, the Empress summons you!”

The Crown Prince stood up but swayed unsteadily, his drunken eyes drowsy: “Her? What does she want with me?”

The attendant quickly said: “Crown Prince, please sober up quickly and enter the palace earlier.” Before he finished speaking, the Crown Prince slapped him across the face. The Crown Prince said angrily: “Get lost!” After saying this, the Crown Prince had already opened the door and walked out.

Walking to the stairway entrance, unexpectedly a woman was coming up the stairs toward him. The woman’s face was veiled in white gauze, her figure willowy. The Crown Prince glanced over and felt she was like a willow swaying in the wind, her form extremely beautiful. He wasn’t a lecher, but seeing such a woman, he couldn’t help but be stunned and couldn’t help but want to personally see her countenance. When the woman walked past him, he stumbled as if drunk and actually pulled the white veil from her face. The woman turned back in alarm, startling the Crown Prince.

Speaking of Consort Lian’s beauty, it was absolutely incomparable to ordinary people. When she was presented to the Dali Emperor years ago, she was praised as a fairy descended from heaven. One could say that aside from Li Changle who could barely match her, absolutely no one could compare with her. The Crown Prince looked over and felt gentle flowing light illuminating her snow-white skin—a beauty like jade, unparalleled beauty toppling cities. Not only beautiful, but with unique charm—even his cousin Pei Bao’er, called Yuexi’s number one beauty, had absolutely no capital to compare with her. At one glance, he couldn’t help but suddenly hold his breath.

The Crown Prince wasn’t a lecher—he just had a unique love for beauties. But he’d never had this feeling of both spirit and heart trembling. He couldn’t help but stand there transfixed! Seeing the woman’s eyes held slight alarm, the Crown Prince quickly said: “My apologies.”

Seeing he meant no harm, the woman merely smiled shallowly. In that instant, her radiance was brilliant, splendid and dazzling.

The maid following the woman quickly covered her face with the veil again and hurried toward the private room. The Crown Prince saw this scene and couldn’t help but stand there staring at her back for a long time. Only when an attendant hurried out did the Crown Prince say in a low voice: “Go investigate who that woman is!”

The attendant paused, mouth agape: “Which lady does the Crown Prince mean?”

The Crown Prince glared at him coldly: “Didn’t you see? The one ahead wearing a white veil who just entered the private room.”

Hearing the Crown Prince finish this sentence, the attendant finally awakened and quickly said: “Crown Prince, this servant will handle it immediately, but you must definitely enter the palace to see the Empress!”

The Crown Prince laughed derisively: “When did matters between my mother and me become a servant’s concern! Just do what I told you!” As he spoke, he’d already turned to go downstairs, but saw Prince Xu Yuan Lie and Li Weiyang walking side by side, both with smiling faces. The Crown Prince’s expression cooled, then he put on a warm smile, approaching them with a spring-breeze manner.

“You two are also coming to this restaurant?” Actually, the Crown Prince already knew this restaurant belonged to Prince Xu—he just hadn’t exposed it publicly. Seeing Prince Xu’s expression change, the Crown Prince sneered inwardly, thinking: I know this is your restaurant, yet I deliberately come to disgust you!

Yuan Lie recovered his calm expression after a moment and smiled: “So it’s the Crown Prince—forgive my poor reception!”

The Crown Prince merely returned a smile, his gaze turning to Li Weiyang. Seeing her cheeks were rosy, eyes like glazed glass, dressed in light and simple elegance with a uniquely moving manner—but in the Crown Prince’s view, this woman’s looks really couldn’t be considered exceptional. At least compared to that absolutely beautiful woman just now, she was far inferior. He didn’t know why Yuan Lie was so fixated on her, not even considering Princess Jinzi’s beauty. The Crown Prince couldn’t help but sigh softly—as they say, each flower pleases different eyes, this truly couldn’t be forced. Thinking this, he unconsciously glanced again toward where the beauty had disappeared.

Li Weiyang saw this scene but smiled faintly: “Crown Prince, take care.” Saying this, she’d already gone upstairs with Yuan Lie.

The Crown Prince walked to the middle of the stairway but looked back suspiciously in their direction. At this time, the attendant who’d gone to gather information had already returned and reported to the Crown Prince in a low voice: “Your Highness, that woman… this servant has already inquired. They say she’s a distant relative of Madam Guo from the countryside who specially came to seek refuge.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes grew deep: “Distant relative—who is she trying to fool! With such looks and bearing, how could she be from the countryside! There must be some reason for this!” He thought for a moment, his eyes suddenly revealing excitement. If this woman truly was related to the Guo estate, bringing her into the estate would be even more challenging. Perhaps he could even dig out many secrets… Thinking this, a cold smile slid across his lips. He said to the attendant in a low voice: “From today, you watch the Guo estate. If that woman goes out alone, report to me immediately.”

Hearing this, the attendant couldn’t help but be startled: “Crown Prince, this seems improper!”

The Crown Prince mercilessly gave him another slap, rebuking in a low voice: “Do as I say! Absolutely no one can know about this matter. If it reaches Mother Empress’s ears, I’ll chop off your dog head first!”

The attendant was very frightened and quickly responded: “Yes, Crown Prince!”

Inside the private room, Leng Lian was somewhat distracted. Just now in the corridor, she’d seen a young and handsome gentleman. That gentleman in brocade robes with jade belt, his eyes bright and spirited, with a unique bearing—at one glance, he was clearly no ordinary person. She carefully thought about it, almost opening her mouth to ask his identity, but ultimately just held back. Li Weiyang was very formidable—if the other woman perceived her thoughts, she’d probably use them to threaten her…

Li Weiyang watched the song and dance while using the corner of her eye to observe Leng Lian. Clearly seeing her uneasy expression, she smiled faintly as if she hadn’t noticed.

Yuan Lie merely attentively prepared tea and snacks for Li Weiyang, paying no attention to anything else. This made things hard for Leng Lian, who sat there unable to watch at all. Only when the song and dance ended and the dancers all withdrew did Li Weiyang ask gently: “Leng Lian, you’re a master of dance. How did you find their performance just now?”

Leng Lian had been lost in thought earlier and hadn’t watched the performance at all. Hearing Li Weiyang ask this now, she spoke vaguely for a bit, finally smiling: “This restaurant truly is luxurious. Many distinguished nobles and high officials must come and go here.” Though she asked this of Yuan Lie, her gaze looked toward Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang smiled, naturally knowing what she was asking, but merely spoke of other things: “Indeed, many who come and go here are sons of noble families.” She said no more. Leng Lian grew somewhat anxious, but she knew Li Weiyang was skilled at reading people’s expressions. She shouldn’t show any abnormality before her, or she’d leave a handle for the other to grasp. She was also very clear about Li Weiyang’s reasons for sheltering her—she knew many things inconvenient to tell outsiders. Li Weiyang would never feel comfortable leaving her outside. Bringing her into the Guo estate was merely a means of surveillance! The two of them claimed to be friends, but really they were more like collaborators. Moreover, Consort Lian had previously ruined Li Weiyang’s affairs, so she must be three parts wary of her.

Thinking this, Consort Lian’s smile grew more beautiful: “Yes, just now in the corridor there was a richly dressed gentleman who accidentally knocked off my veil. It really startled me!” As she said this, she lowered her eyes and tidied her skirt, that smile obviously distracted, as if merely mentioning it casually.

Li Weiyang watched, a faint smile crossing her lips, slowly saying: “That one just now—do you know who he is?”

Leng Lian couldn’t help but raise her head, but felt her expression was too eager. She quickly restrained it by two parts, merely saying lightly: “Oh, from his appearance you can tell he’s a distinguished noble, yet he has a bearing and elegance that ordinary people absolutely lack. I wonder who he is?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Yuan Lie. Yuan Lie immediately smiled: “That’s the current Crown Prince of Yuexi! However, he traveled light today without many guards around him.”

Hearing him say this, Leng Lian was astonished: “The Crown Prince—how is that possible?”

Li Weiyang personally poured Leng Lian a cup of wine. The liquid was bright and clear, a faint fragrance curling around her nose. Yet wariness inexplicably arose in Leng Lian’s eyes. Li Weiyang smiled: “What’s impossible about it!”

Having floated and sunk in the palace for several years, she was as cunning as a fox—the slightest abnormal movement would alert her. Leng Lian suppressed her unease, saying somewhat embarrassedly: “I didn’t know the Crown Prince was so young.”

Before she could finish, Li Weiyang automatically completed it for her: “Not only young, his looks are also excellent. I hear he’s proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and both civil and martial strategies.”

Leng Lian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Such a person was actually the current Crown Prince. Thinking of how he’d looked at her with that kind of burning gaze just now, her heart heated, then cooled again. He was the Crown Prince, and what was she? Merely a pawn unable to control her own fate.

Li Weiyang saw her expression was strange but merely smiled: “Though this Crown Prince is surrounded by beautiful women—he has one primary consort, four secondary consorts, not to mention countless beauties—none are very favored.”

Hearing this, a trace of understanding flashed through Leng Lian’s eyes. She looked at Li Weiyang, forcing her expression to be indifferent: “Is that so?”

Clearly encouraging Li Weiyang to continue, but what kind of person was Li Weiyang? She knew well that if the hook went too deep, the other would suspect. If too shallow, they wouldn’t take the bait. So she merely turned her gaze to Yuan Lie: “Why hasn’t the food been served yet?”

Yuan Lie suppressed his laughter and immediately stood: “I’ll arrange it right away. Please wait, you two.” Saying this, he’d already departed with a smile.

Leng Lian saw the topic diverted and couldn’t help but feel anxious. Only then did Li Weiyang turn back, her smile containing a trace of regret: “What a pity. I saw how he looked at you just now—it really seemed very interested. It’s just your status…” Li Weiyang said this much but revealed a look of difficulty in continuing.

Leng Lian trembled, saying thoughtfully: “Yes, if he knew my status, he’d probably be very shocked!”