As he walked over, everything around them suddenly dimmed and ceased to exist.

Li Weiyang watched helplessly as that person slowly, step by step, gracefully and composedly approached. For a moment, her breath caught.

His features were chiseled and distinct, his face resolute and handsome. His ink-black eyes held a cold, solemn seriousness, possessing an aura of steady restraint yet capable of captivating one’s soul. It was unmistakably the Third Imperial Prince, Tuoba Zhen.

Li Weiyang’s hands slowly clenched within her sleeves. In her mind, the First Madam’s smiling words suddenly surfaced: “Weiyang is obedient, clever, sensible and understanding. Mother naturally wants to choose a good husband for you. The Third Imperial Prince Tuoba Zhen is young and valiant, intelligent and exceptional—with you, it would truly be a match of talented man and beautiful woman. Weiyang, after you marry him, you must assist him well. There will be good days ahead.”

Li Changle had also smiled radiantly at the time, saying: “Yes, which eligible young lady in the capital wouldn’t be eagerly hoping to become the Third Imperial Prince’s consort? Weiyang, you truly have good fortune.”

But what happened afterward? A flying bird had its wings brutally broken, its feathers stripped off bloodily. That kind of pain—she could never forget…

Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, suppressing the inadvertent mocking smile at the corners of her lips. She took a deep breath, and only then did she feel her blood gradually flowing back. That irresolvable hatred ultimately transformed into countless reserves of courage, flowing through her blood vessels to all her limbs and bones.

Everyone hurriedly performed their courtesies. Li Weiyang also lowered her head with the flow, but felt an inquisitive gaze fall upon her.

“I just saw you all talking quite animatedly. What were you discussing?” Li Minfeng asked with a smile.

“Nothing much… Third Sister just spoke wrongly in a moment of indignation. Elder Brother, please don’t tell Father and Mother, lest Third Sister be punished.” Li Changle’s eyes were misty with moisture, revealing an indescribable beauty. Her two rows of eyelashes looked like teardrops about to fall at any moment, making her appear even more pitifully charming like pear blossoms in the rain.

Such a beauty, with such hesitant reluctance to speak—anyone listening would think Li Weiyang had done something utterly unforgivable and needed this good sister to cover for her. Although she despised this person in her heart, Li Weiyang had to admit that in terms of appearance and feminine charm, Li Changle was near perfect. She portrayed the image of a sister who cherished her younger sister and willingly suffered grievances herself to the fullest extent. What man in this world could remain unmoved?

“Is that so? You’re the Third Sister?” This was Li Minfeng’s first time meeting Li Weiyang, so he couldn’t help but scrutinize her carefully.

Li Weiyang’s expression was indifferent: “Elder Brother, it was merely sisters bickering and quarreling.”

Girls quarreling among themselves—would you dare to interject? Li Weiyang’s eyes faintly contained a trace of mockery, but by the time Li Minfeng looked closely, it had already vanished.

Not expecting her to be so indifferent about it made Li Changle feel she herself was making a mountain out of a molehill. Li Changle secretly resented this, blinked her beautiful eyes, and said: “Yes, we just exchanged a few words carelessly. There’s no need to take it to heart.”

Li Minfeng said gently: “Good. My sisters should have a broad mind different from ordinary vulgar women.”

This “ordinary vulgar women” naturally referred to herself. Li Weiyang naturally understood but pretended not to know, maintaining a slight smile on her face.

Gao Min had already forgotten about Li Weiyang by this time, instead turning with bright eyes to ask: “Third Imperial Prince, when did you return to the capital?”

Tuoba Zhen merely smiled: “I returned together with Brother Minfeng.”

Li Minfeng smiled warmly: “Cousin Min, the Third Imperial Prince came to see my father.”

The several of them exchanged pleasantries while Li Weiyang watched coldly from the side. Tuoba Zhen hadn’t changed in the slightest, his lips perpetually bearing a light, shallow smile. Once she had thought him the most handsome deity under heaven, but now looking at him, he was a hundred times more disgusting than the vermin in a gutter.

Li Changxi on the side stared directly at the handsome Tuoba Zhen, her eyeballs practically frozen.

Tuoba Zhen’s gaze unconsciously passed over the celestially beautiful Li Changle, looking toward Li Weiyang not far behind her.

He saw that the girl had cloud-like beautiful hair lustrous enough to reflect one’s image, with the West Lake water-colored hem of her skirt dancing gracefully in the wind. On her snow-white face, a slight redness showed, complementing a pair of bright, distinct black and white eyes. At a glance, one could tell she was an intelligent and clever young lady. Tuoba Zhen had long been accustomed to seeing dazzlingly beautiful women, but such simple and pure adornment was extremely rare. Having just heard her sharply criticize several young ladies of noble families, his curiosity was already piqued. He unconsciously stared for another glance or two, only to meet Li Weiyang’s gaze directly. In that brief contact, on her extraordinarily calm face, a smile suddenly appeared—her teeth were white, her eyes sparkled brightly, dazzling enough to make one dizzy.

Such a smile was extraordinarily brilliant, instantly lighting up Tuoba Zhen’s profound eyes, making it impossible for him to look away. He lowered his head, concealing the astonishment in his eyes.

Li Changle keenly detected something amiss with him and said with a smile: “Third Imperial Prince, this is my Third Sister Weiyang. She just returned from Pingcheng and hasn’t yet made an appearance in the capital.”

Tuoba Zhen’s gaze fell on Li Changle as he smiled and said: “Oh, is that so?”

Li Minfeng laughed: “Indeed. My Third Sister grew up in Pingcheng and has limited experience. If there’s anything improper in her behavior, please forgive her, Third Imperial Prince.”

Gao Min said coldly from the side: “How could it just be improper? I think Cousin Feng should properly discipline her, lest she bring shame to the Prime Minister’s residence!”

Li Weiyang raised her eyes and swept a glance at Gao Min. For some reason, Gao Min felt her scalp tingle from that eerie look, inwardly exclaiming that this girl was sinister. Yet ultimately she resentfully closed her mouth and said no more.

Tuoba Zhen said thoughtfully: “How could that be? Third Miss is innocent and lively, quick-witted and eloquent—these are rare and valuable qualities.”

Saying she was innocent and lively was implying she didn’t understand propriety; saying she was quick-witted and eloquent meant her mouth was sharp. Li Weiyang immediately smiled and said: “Thank you for Third Imperial Prince’s praise. Weiyang doesn’t dare accept such compliments. If we’re speaking of eloquence and skillful argument, Weiyang falls far short of Third Imperial Prince.”

Her skin was very white, almost transparently pale like snow, making her large eyes stand out even more. The smile on her face was extremely brilliant—that appearance was as respectful as could be, showing not the slightest abnormality. Yet Tuoba Zhen felt that her attitude was so candid, so candid that it produced an indescribable feeling. Upon closer examination, it actually seemed like… hatred.

But why? Tuoba Zhen instinctively felt he couldn’t be mistaken, but at this moment a beautiful figure blocked his view: “Third Imperial Prince! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Is Noble Consort Wuxian’s health well?”

Gao Min’s face was full of smiles. The haughty manner from earlier had completely vanished. Intentionally or unintentionally, Li Changle also moved her lotus steps to follow them.

The group of them clustered around Tuoba Zhen, walking toward the octagonal pavilion not far away. When Tuoba Zhen ascended the steps, he looked back, but that strange girl had already disappeared…