The Duchess of Weiguo listened with eyes wide open, filled with confusion. “Elder Sister, how can you believe these stinking Daoist priests?!”

The First Lady said angrily, “What stinking Daoist priests! Don’t be disrespectful to the Immortal Master! He came to save me! I feel much better now—my chest isn’t as congested, my head doesn’t hurt as much! It’s effective, very effective! If he hadn’t performed this ritual for me, I might have already departed this life!”

The Duchess couldn’t believe it. “Elder Sister, what’s wrong with you? Why are you talking such nonsense!”

“You’re the one talking nonsense!” The First Lady looked around nervously. “Don’t slander the Immortal Master, or he’ll leave, and then what will I do when the female ghost comes back!”

The Duchess simply didn’t know what to say. “Elder Sister, there’s no such thing as female ghosts—those people are frauds! He just treated me like a ghost and threw dog blood all over my face! Look!”

“Frauds?” The First Lady was shocked and immediately became fearful again. “Does that mean the Fifth Concubine is still in the courtyard?! I summoned a Daoist priest to perform rituals against her—won’t that female ghost hate me even more? I’m afraid she’ll use even more vicious methods for revenge. What should I do? What should I do?” She threw off her covers, got out of bed, and began searching everywhere barefoot.

“Elder Sister, what are you looking for?!” The Duchess hardly knew what to do.

The First Lady shouted, “Nanny Cui, my spirit talismans—bring them out quickly!”

Nanny Cui hurriedly brought over a stack of talismans. “Madam, here they are!”

“On the doors, windows, pillars, bed curtains, cabinets, shelves… paste them everywhere! Quickly get people to help me paste them! Cover every surface inside and out! Don’t miss a single spot!” The First Lady kept calling out neurotically.

At this moment, the First Lady’s eyes were chaotic, her emotions tense, her face wax-yellow, her steps stumbling, her mouth continuously mumbling. The Duchess was utterly shocked. She suddenly felt that Elder Sister wasn’t under house arrest but was under some evil spell. “What on earth is happening?! Li Weiyang, explain this clearly!”

Li Weiyang sighed. “Aunt, Mother keeps saying there are ghosts in this courtyard. Perhaps there really are ghosts. You know—first Nanny Lin got lost in the mountains and never returned. Then Nanny Du was beaten to death with clubs for doing wrong. Later Elder Sister said the wrong thing and Mother punished her to reflect at the temple. Now even Elder Brother has been driven away by Mother. Everyone can’t stand her neurotic behavior and fears being near her, so lately few people dare come to this courtyard. Oh yes, my Fifth Sister also went mad—she was driven mad right in this courtyard. We’ve already discussed moving Mother elsewhere to recuperate, then sealing this courtyard completely to prevent more people from being harmed.”

The Duchess found it inconceivable. Looking at this gloomy room, she couldn’t help feeling a chill down her back. She knew her sister’s methods—over these years, who knew how many people she had killed. Could it be those people had now come to seek revenge from Elder Sister? Gao Min suddenly clutched her arm. “Mother, you’ve seen Eldest Aunt now. If she’s fine, let’s leave. This place is truly eerie with ghost energy!”

The Duchess glanced at her elder sister, seeing she indeed didn’t look like someone under house arrest. Moreover, she also felt this place was truly frightening and couldn’t help nodding. She said to the First Lady, “Elder Sister, rest well for now. I’ll come visit you another day.” With that, she hurriedly left with Gao Min.

After she left, Nanny Cui finally breathed a sigh of relief. She ordered people to help the chattering First Lady lie down, then walked outside with Li Weiyang. “Third Miss has an excellent strategy.”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Using some incense can indeed make people lose their senses. The Duchess of Weiguo had her nose polluted by that basin of dog blood just now, otherwise she would have detected the smell.”

She had ordered people to burn heavy incense in the First Lady’s room that caused mental confusion. The First Lady was already frightened by ghosts and spirits, and now it was even worse. This way, it wouldn’t easily arouse the Duchess of Weiguo’s suspicions either.

Li Weiyang said quietly, “How has Mother been these days?”

Nanny Cui smiled. “Sometimes better, sometimes worse. When lucid, she curses violently and orders us servants to fetch the Young Miss and Young Master. When confused, she says there are ghosts in the room. She’s often awakened by nightmares at night and can’t sleep peacefully during the day either. Her mind isn’t good, so the illness grows increasingly severe. The physician says if this continues, she won’t last half a year.”

Li Weiyang nodded, a barely perceptible smile floating at the corners of her mouth. She wanted to make the First Lady suffer day and night, tormented with pain.

Nanny Cui lowered her head, thinking that though the Third Miss was young, she was ruthless and vicious. Having come to the household for only half a year, she had the capability to reduce the First Lady to this state. Today she had even managed to send away such a difficult person as the Duchess of Weiguo—truly frighteningly formidable. However, the First Lady still had the Jiang family behind her. Would things really be resolved so easily? But she didn’t dare say this in front of Li Weiyang, didn’t even dare show the slightest hint of it.

Li Weiyang could tell what she was thinking from her expression and smiled. “In the future, I’ll trouble Nanny Cui to look after Mother. However, you should understand what the Old Madam sent you here to do. Best not to act on your own initiative.”

Nanny Cui was startled and quickly said, “This servant wouldn’t dare. This servant will keep close watch.”

According to Li Weiyang’s thinking, cutting grass without removing roots meant spring winds would make it grow again. She had wanted to move to kill the First Lady, but the Old Madam and Li Xiaoran had sent others to guard this place, clearly not yet determined to take that step. If she acted rashly, first she would lose their favor, and second, it would definitely alarm the Jiang family. A scenario where both sides were destroyed wasn’t the result she wanted. But this didn’t mean Li Weiyang had no other methods—there were plenty of ways that didn’t require her direct action! She thought this while her face showed a sweet smile. “Good that Nanny Cui understands.”

Nanny Cui’s heart grew increasingly uneasy. She smiled apologetically. “This servant sees off the County Princess.”

**Crown Prince’s Study**

The Crown Prince finished discussing government affairs with Tuoba Zhen and patted his shoulder. “Third Brother, you should also take a proper consort.”

Tuoba Zhen smiled slightly. “I’m currently busy with important matters. How would I have time to think about such things?”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “Mother Empress said that Grand Tutor Zhou once mentioned to her, hoping to betroth his youngest daughter to you. You’ve probably heard of that young lady’s reputation—she’s beautiful and intelligent, gentle and virtuous, a renowned talented woman in the capital, perfectly suited to you…”

Tuoba Zhen of course knew of this Miss Zhou who excelled at calligraphy. Once she had also been a proper consort candidate he’d considered. However, now he said carelessly, “Let’s discuss such matters later.”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “Third Brother, don’t become infatuated with that Li Changle like Fifth Brother. These past days Fifth Brother mentioned to Father Emperor wanting to take Li Changle as his proper consort. Father Emperor flew into a rage and scolded him severely for the first time ever. That young lady is beautiful, yes, but she’s unpopular, especially with Father Emperor and the Empress Dowager who both dislike her. If you marry her, what good result could come of it? Women are all the same really—just a pretty face. What’s most important is being suitable for home and family.”

The Crown Prince had never met Li Changle, only heard from others that she was a devastatingly beautiful woman. But in his view, if for the sake of one woman you incurred the Emperor’s displeasure, that would be too foolish.

“Elder Brother worries too much.” Tuoba Zhen had once considered marrying Li Changle, but after Father Emperor came to detest her, he had abandoned that thought.

“Don’t try to hide it from me. You’ve recently collected many books, antiques, and musical scores—surely to please some woman. But one who could catch your eye would probably only be that beauty. However, Third Brother, I must remind you—if Father Emperor had no strong feelings about Li Changle either way, I would definitely support your marrying her, because her maternal grandfather is Duke Jiangguo and her father is Prime Minister Li, which would greatly help us. But Father Emperor is very averse to her now, so you need to think carefully. Furthermore, women are merely icing on the cake. You absolutely mustn’t dote on them too much, or they’ll bring you calamity…”

Those things… he had indeed collected them, but after collecting them he hadn’t sent them out. Tuoba Zhen fell silent for a moment without speaking.

The Crown Prince was very worried. “Third Brother, have you really become infatuated with her? That won’t do.”

“Elder Brother can rest assured. I’m not a confused person.”

The Crown Prince still wasn’t reassured. “No, I must find you a good wife soon…”

“This matter… please let me handle it myself, Elder Brother. Since it’s taking a wife, naturally I should marry someone harmonious who can assist our great enterprise. Don’t you agree?” Tuoba Zhen smiled.

The Crown Prince sighed. “Third Brother…”

Seeing he was about to persuade further, Tuoba Zhen smiled. “Elder Brother, pursuing women is also a kind of pleasure. I’ve always been busy with government affairs—I should find some amusement. Just consider this my amusement. I won’t let it interfere with important matters. You can rest assured…”

“The one you’ve set your sights on truly isn’t Li Changle?” The Crown Prince couldn’t help but wonder.

“It’s not.” Tuoba Zhen was surprised by how decisive he sounded. Originally he had truly prepared to marry Li Changle, and he had been moved by Li Changle’s beauty. However, now for some reason, this thought had already been cast to the back of his mind.

“Good that it’s not.” The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief, then felt curious. “Seeing how much effort you’re putting in, is this woman very difficult to obtain?”

Tuoba Zhen smiled. “Just rather stubborn, that’s all.” Probably not just stubborn, but also possessed of the same viciousness as himself.

“Third Brother, women’s pleasure lies in being gentle and considerate. If her temperament is too strong, that could be troublesome.”

“Just consider that I enjoy taming. Taming a woman is like taming a spirited horse—there’s certainly danger in it, but even more pleasure, isn’t there? Moreover, I don’t believe there’s any woman in this world who can’t be tamed!” Tuoba Zhen’s eyes flashed, then he smiled.

Ever since that day when Li Weiyang told him to stay away from her, he had instead become even more concerned with her. In his view, losing to anyone else didn’t matter, but losing to Tuoba Yu was absolutely unacceptable! That person had been evenly matched with him since childhood in every way—even their taste in women was so similar. If he couldn’t have Li Weiyang, Tuoba Yu shouldn’t think of having her either!

Tuoba Zhen silently made up his mind.

The next afternoon, when Li Weiyang emerged from Hexiang Courtyard and had just reached the garden, she saw Tuoba Zhen walking toward her from a distance.

Why would he appear here at this time? Li Weiyang thought about it and suddenly understood. Now that Tuoba Zhen had lost several generals in succession, he naturally needed to find ways to fill these vacancies. Coming to see Li Xiaoran probably had ulterior motives.

Too late to avoid him now. Li Weiyang bowed lightly in greeting, then walked past him without a sideways glance.

“County Princess, it’s been quite a while. Are you well?” Tuoba Zhen suddenly spoke.

“Thank you for Third Highness’s concern. I’m very well.”

Tuoba Zhen smiled. “Oh, you naturally wouldn’t be unwell. However, I haven’t seen your elder brother for half a month now. Where has he gone?”

Li Weiyang’s expression remained normal. “Elder Brother has always enjoyed social travel. He’s probably gone seeking some immortal mountain or ancient site. What, didn’t he tell you?”

Tuoba Zhen smiled lightly. “I truly didn’t know about this.”

Li Weiyang didn’t want to talk with him further. Every moment spent with him made her feel disgusted. She said coldly, “I won’t delay Your Highness any longer. I’ll take my leave first.”

Tuoba Zhen suddenly walked a few steps and blocked her path.

Li Weiyang’s face showed a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. She had already told him to get lost, so why wouldn’t he give up! She raised her eyebrows. “I wonder what instruction Third Highness has for me?”

Tuoba Zhen turned his face slightly toward his attendants. “You may leave first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Those who had been following him all withdrew. Only Li Weiyang’s Zhao Yue and Bai Zhi remained present.

Zhao Yue stood vigilantly not far behind Li Weiyang. She wasn’t from the Great Calendar, so she had little respect for Tuoba Zhen. If Li Weiyang ordered it, even drawing her sword against him immediately wouldn’t be difficult.

However, Li Weiyang didn’t speak such an order. Openly attacking Tuoba Zhen in full view was best avoided.

Tuoba Zhen slowly walked before her. His features appeared even more profound and handsome in the golden sunlight. Ordinary people seeing him would easily be beguiled.

Li Weiyang showed not the slightest emotion, looking at him coldly. “Does Third Highness have something else?”

“Not only has your elder brother gone traveling, it seems the Young Miss hasn’t appeared at anyone’s banquets lately either.” Tuoba Zhen smiled.

It seemed he was constantly monitoring the Li family’s movements. Li Weiyang smiled. “Mother fell ill, so Elder Sister went to the convent to pray for her blessings. Didn’t Third Highness know?”

“Oh, but if Mother is ill, how could her son go traveling far away?”

“That’s not so strange. Mother’s illness is recent. Father has already written to Elder Brother, but he’s apparently been delayed by something and couldn’t return immediately.” Li Weiyang spoke methodically, deliberately blurring the causal relationships between these events.

It might sound quite reasonable, but coming from Li Weiyang’s mouth, Tuoba Zhen found it very strange. Because he could sense Li Weiyang’s hidden hatred, her words couldn’t have even half a degree of credibility. But he really couldn’t imagine what had actually happened in the Li household. Of course, if his vast information network were still intact, he could know the truth, but his channels had developed some problems… He frowned. “The First Lady isn’t managing affairs, the Young Miss has gone to the convent, and the Young Master has disappeared. Don’t you find this very strange?”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Whether it’s strange or not, Third Highness can certainly ask my father, who will give you a reasonable explanation.”

Everyone in the Li household gave the same explanation—the First Lady was ill, Li Changle had gone to pray for blessings, Li Minfeng had gone traveling. The household servants had all been ordered to silence. Those who could speak didn’t dare, those who wanted to speak didn’t know the truth. Now outsiders could only believe this story. After all, even the Duchess of Weiguo had personally come to visit the First Lady and found that apart from being paranoid, she wasn’t under house arrest… If even the Duchess of Weiguo said her sister was ill, who else wouldn’t believe it?

“Does Third Highness have anything else to say? If not, I should be going.” Li Weiyang reminded him.

“Why is the County Princess in such a hurry to leave?”

“Your Highness seems to have forgotten what I said at the restaurant. Those words still stand.”

Tuoba Zhen’s expression darkened. He laughed coldly twice. “So you still remember that. Do you take me for a dog that comes when called and leaves when dismissed? You’re not qualified to order me around.”

“Third Highness, though you are a prince, you don’t have the power to do whatever you please.” Li Weiyang stood straight, then raised her head to meet his gleaming eyes, her gaze very cold. “What exactly do you want to do? Can Your Highness behave so discourteously toward a weak woman? Aren’t you afraid of being seen and subjected to public condemnation?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes were very beautiful—her irises very black and deep, like a tranquil ancient well that could draw people in. Tuoba Zhen discovered his gaze could hardly leave her face. Though she didn’t have Li Changle’s dazzling beauty, she was like a refreshing spring, even more serene and mysterious.

“Public condemnation?” Tuoba Zhen laughed. “What if I proposed marriage to your father? Would he agree to give you to me?”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing. “Tuoba Zhen, are you masochistic?”

Tuoba Zhen’s eyes became very cold. “Li Weiyang, my patience has limits. I can’t tolerate your repeated disrespect.”

Li Weiyang shook her head as if in disbelief. “I haven’t said a single kind word to you. Unless you enjoy being humiliated like this, why would you propose marriage to my father? This can only mean you’re terminally ill!”

“Li Weiyang, you’re certainly more interesting than those noble young ladies…” Tuoba Zhen stared at her without blinking, his thin lips curving into a smile. “Sinister, vicious, clever, cunning—you truly match me well. Don’t you think so yourself? We might be the most compatible pair.”

Did he think he was a god in heaven who could manipulate others’ lives at will? Li Weiyang wished she could pull out all his teeth. How had he treated her when she once admired him with all her heart? Now seeing that she was different from other young ladies, he dared to pester her!

“Yes, I do match you. But you haven’t considered that you don’t match me!” Li Weiyang said word by word, then sneered coldly. “Since you don’t remember what I said at the restaurant, I’ll say it again. You, Tuoba Zhen, don’t match me! So get lost!”

Tuoba Zhen’s eyes became intensely cold. “Li Weiyang! Have you truly fallen for Tuoba Yu? Is he that good? Or are you just trying to attract my attention?! Fine, you’re very clever—you’ve succeeded. I’ve successfully noticed you. Do you still need to keep pretending? Playing hard to get gets boring after too long!”

Li Weiyang almost laughed aloud. Was this man insane? He actually thought her ignoring him was to attract his attention—what bizarre logic!

This kind of person really left her at a loss for words.

Li Weiyang looked at him and said, “I’ve never deceived you. I’ve never looked at you properly, much less would I deliberately act cold toward you to attract your attention. You really are overthinking things. Not all women in the Great Calendar will fall for you. Don’t think too highly of yourself.”

Tuoba Zhen stared at her fixedly, his gaze burning. “Li Weiyang, no woman in this world has dared speak to me like this. How dare you toy with me? If I want you, you must be mine, whether I like you or not, whether you’re willing or not. You should be like other women—doing everything possible to please me, exhausting every effort to attract my attention. But you? You do everything to make me dislike you, detest you, exhaust every effort to escape from me. The more you do this, the more I want to have you. Feel free to try—let’s see which of us is more stubborn!”

Tuoba Zhen acted this way entirely because of a prince’s and a man’s wounded pride. He absolutely couldn’t tolerate anyone not taking him seriously, especially not a woman like Li Weiyang!

Li Weiyang snorted coldly. “Then let’s wait and see whether this stubborn stone of mine will ever nod to you. Wait until the seas dry up and the stones crumble!”

With that, she turned and left without looking back.

“Li Weiyang, you just wait and see.” He looked at her retreating back and said softly.

After seeing through him so clearly, did she still want to pursue Tuoba Yu? Thinking of that day when they had looked at each other and smiled about something, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Li Weiyang walked out of the garden. Bai Zhi said worriedly, “Miss…”

Li Weiyang shook her head. “I’m fine.” Then she gave very serious instructions. “You must keep this matter absolutely secret. No one is permitted to speak of it, or I will never forgive you.”

Zhao Yue and Bai Zhi exchanged glances and quickly said, “This servant understands.”

After the New Year, came the hunt.

Every year at this season, the Emperor would issue an edict for the royal descendants and civil and military officials to accompany him. Because Li Weiyang held the title of County Princess, plus Li Xiaoran’s deliberate efforts, she was actually on the accompanying list. Such an honor was unique among the Li family’s daughters—an incredible distinction that would make anyone else wildly excited. But Li Weiyang seemed somewhat gloomy.

Li Minde asked curiously, “Why isn’t Third Sister happy?”

Li Weiyang said mildly, “What’s there to be happy about?” Ultimately it was just a slaughter among nobles, meaningless and time-wasting, where she’d see many tiresome people. Like Tuoba Zhen and the Duchess of Weiguo and their ilk.

Li Minde blinked. “Just treat it as going out to relax. This time we’re heading north, where there’s a vast grassland specifically for imperial hunts. They say it’s wild prairie, boundless as far as the eye can see, where you can see many sights different from the capital.”

Li Weiyang nodded, gazing at the pines in the garden. “I don’t know why, but I feel somewhat uneasy.”

“How could that be? Uncle brought you along to help you relax!”

“Relax?” Li Xiaoran was probably now shifting his focus onto her. Li Weiyang shook her head, then turned to Zhao Yue. “Has your elder brother returned?”

Zhao Yue frowned. “This time Elder Brother has been gone for over half a month without any news.”

Zhao Nan possessed extraordinary martial skills. Li Weiyang had sent him to attack Li Minfeng midway, creating an opportunity to eliminate him through an accident. This shouldn’t be difficult and normally wouldn’t warrant excessive worry, but—if the other side was already on guard, it wouldn’t be so easy. Among the First Lady, Li Changle, and Li Minfeng, Li Weiyang had chosen to strike at Li Minfeng first because attacking outside was more convenient and easier, less likely to leave evidence.

“Is Third Sister worried something happened to Zhao Nan?” A cold light flashed through Li Minde’s eyes, gone in an instant, too fast to detect.

Li Weiyang nodded. “Though Li Minfeng has already been rejected and abandoned by Father, I still feel the First Lady has left some backup plan.”

Li Minde said decisively, “What methods could an old woman already frightened into madness still have? Moreover, she can’t even leave the Li household—”

Li Weiyang smiled. “A centipede is dead but not stiff. Why would you think she had no advance precautions? Furthermore, over these many years Elder Brother has been studying away from home—if the First Lady hadn’t arranged sufficient people around him, how could she feel at ease letting him go? Previously we saw her狼狈, but overlooked her consistent caution and vigilance. I fear Zhao Nan may encounter danger.”

Zhao Yue seemed very confident. “Miss, rest assured. Even if my elder brother can’t succeed, he definitely won’t be in danger.”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help turning to look at her. Seeing her face full of confidence, she smiled. “I hope so.”

On the day they left the city for the hunt, the main road was completely closed, commoners forbidden to pass. Roadside food and drink vendors and shops all ceased business. From both sides of the imperial road hung continuous brocade screens ten feet high. The five-colored ceremonial dress and honor guard formed distinct arrays, proceeding in succession—for a time banners and headgear covered the sky.

This time, the Emperor brought many consorts. The Empress remained in the palace due to poor health. Among the consorts were Noble Consort Mei, Worthy Consort Wu, Virtuous Consort Zhang, Gentle Consort Rou, and several other favored concubines. Among the princes, apart from the Crown Prince who couldn’t accompany them because he was handling state affairs, basically all the others came. Because the Emperor had graciously decreed that accompanying officials could bring family members, even personally designating certain people—Li Weiyang was among those receiving the Emperor’s special favor. Some officials also brought carefully selected family members for various purposes. Li Weiyang noticed that those who came were each family’s most outstanding young ladies. Then there were three thousand Imperial Guards, five hundred close guards, plus imperial physicians, palace maids—a vast procession of nearly a thousand people.

Li Weiyang sat in one of the following carriages, bored as she opened the window to look outside. She saw a young man wearing an extremely long cloak, the hood obscuring his features, the garment’s hem revealing exquisitely crafted purple-gold stirrups. He had originally been galloping past but suddenly reined in his horse before Li Weiyang’s carriage, turning his face toward her—in that instant his expression was extraordinarily clear and handsome. Li Weiyang recognized him at a glance as Tuoba Yu. She smiled at him openly. He politely raised and waved his whip tail, then spurred his horse to lead his attendants and guards in formation ahead, following closely behind the imperial carriage.

Soon the scenery changed from the prosperous city to farmland and waterways. Outside the window, green mountains rose and fell continuously, with farmland along both sides of the road. Li Weiyang watched for a while, growing even more bored, and took out a book to read. After an unknown time, Zhao Yue said, “Miss, we’ve arrived at the campsite.”

Indeed, at this moment the great procession stopped amid neighing horses and jostling people. The female family members emerged from their carriages one after another and withdrew to one side. People began setting up camp and pitching tents. Servants started fires for cooking. Li Weiyang watched everyone bustling about, watching tent after tent erected. The centermost one had a bright yellow top embroidered with a fierce five-clawed golden dragon—the Emperor’s tent.

The female family members gathered together chattering excitedly, enthusiastically discussing which tent the princes were staying in. Li Weiyang had participated in many such imperial hunts before, so she felt no novelty. She had Bai Zhi go help organize things while she took Zhao Yue out for a walk. Wearing lightweight riding attire and small cowhide boots, she walked along treading on soft green grass, feeling the refreshing breeze on her face—quite pleasant in its own way.

Just then, a clod of dirt suddenly flew toward her. Zhao Yue struck it with her sword, and the dirt flew back the same way. A young girl jumped out from the grass, her head and face covered in crumbled dirt. “Li Weiyang!”

Li Weiyang looked—wasn’t this girl the Ninth Princess? However, now her face was full of fury, hardly appearing cute at all. Beside her stood a boy blinking his eyes, looking at Li Weiyang with curiosity. She immediately guessed his identity. “Greetings to Eighth Prince and Ninth Princess.”

The Eighth Prince said with a grin, “Are you the County Princess who makes Imperial Sister stomp her feet? After Imperial Sister returned to the palace, she mentions you seven or eight times a day!” All through gritted teeth.

Li Weiyang walked over and pinched the Ninth Princess’s cheek. “Princess, long time no see. If I’d known you missed me this much, I would have entered the palace to see you.”

The Ninth Princess jumped up a full foot high. “Li Weiyang, you’re too much! Don’t think I won’t do anything to you. I’m going to tell Father Emperor—”

Li Weiyang reminded her coolly, “Right, right, Ninth Princess can tell Father Emperor you were bullied by me, so you went crying to him.”

The Ninth Princess’s little nose wrinkled. She had originally come looking for Li Minde, but upon seeing Li Weiyang, she was so angered she forgot Li Minde entirely. The Eighth Prince beside her spoke with some childishness. “Imperial Sister, don’t go around telling everyone. Being bullied by a subject woman two years older than you—if word gets out, won’t it make Mother Consort a laughingstock too?”

Li Weiyang smiled hearing him speak like a little adult. “Eighth Prince speaks truly.”

The Ninth Princess huffed and turned to leave. The Eighth Prince quickly ran after her, constantly looking back at Li Weiyang.

Laughter suddenly came from behind a nearby tree. Li Weiyang turned around to see Tuoba Yu emerging from behind the tree, his face full of smiles. “An adult bullying a child—you really have no shame.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows. “Seventh Highness is older than me, isn’t he? Aren’t you also bullying the weak? Moreover, I’m only fourteen—hardly an adult.” Not having had her coming-of-age ceremony, she could pretend to be a child. Women, regardless of age, were very sensitive about their years—no one wanted to be called old. Li Weiyang had finally been given a chance to live again and was very particular about age. If she counted her previous life’s age of thirty-six plus her current fourteen, that was half a lifetime—an old woman by any measure. Just thinking about it made her scalp tingle…

Tuoba Yu laughed at this, though what amused him wasn’t clear. He walked over, looking at the distant tents. “Why aren’t you with the others?”

Logically, she should be with those noble ladies.

Li Weiyang said coolly, “I have no interest in discussing what Seventh Highness wore today, nor any interest in hearing them gossip about which young lady Fifth Highness helped up yesterday.”

Tuoba Yu couldn’t help smiling. He discovered that being with Li Weiyang, he was always amused by her few words. Though she didn’t deliberately try to make you laugh, he always found her very interesting.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Tuoba Yu suggested tentatively.

Li Weiyang frowned. “Now?”

Tuoba Yu nodded. “Yes, now. Is that not allowed?”

Li Weiyang laughed. “I thought you should be ingratiating yourself before the Emperor.”

Tuoba Yu smiled. “Ingratiation can happen any day, but opportunities to see the County Princess aren’t so common.”

With that, he walked straight ahead while saying gently, “Behind this forest, there’s a very beautiful stream. I once caught fish there—very interesting.”

Li Weiyang was intrigued by his description and brought Zhao Yue along with him. Tuoba Yu’s words proved true. In just half an hour, before Li Weiyang’s eyes appeared a stream like a jade ribbon, its surface sparkling with rippling light under the sun. Around it grew some ordinary wild grass. Though she couldn’t name them, she could see crystal-bright dewdrops rolling on the leaves and flowers, more dazzling than any pearls or precious stones.

Li Weiyang casually sat down on a large rock. “This scenery is truly nostalgic.”

Tuoba Yu was startled by this statement. “Isn’t this your first time here?”

Li Weiyang smiled, something flashing quickly through her eyes. “I’ve seen paintings of grassland streams before. Did Seventh Highness think only you had been here?”

Tuoba Yu said unconcernedly, “Whether it’s your first time or not, you must be careful and vigilant. Though this place looks peaceful, there are often many fierce beasts at dangerous times. You should keep your maid close to protect you.”

Li Weiyang watched small fish swimming in the water, her mood becoming cheerful. “I’m naturally aware of that.”

Then she suddenly remembered something. “Has Tuoba Zhen shown any reaction lately?”

Tuoba Yu laughed aloud. “I unknowingly eliminated most of his people, but he suspects Fifth Brother did it. Now he’s instigating the Crown Prince to clash with Fifth Brother. Fifth Brother requested Father Emperor’s permission to take your elder sister as his proper consort, but the Empress undermined him from behind, exaggerating Li Changle’s affairs and reporting them to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager specifically summoned Fifth Brother to scold him, saying such a woman absolutely cannot be brought into the family or she’ll definitely bring calamity. But I think Fifth Brother hasn’t given up yet—just now he was looking everywhere for your elder sister.”

Looking for Li Changle? She was still on the mountain eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures. Li Weiyang said with a straight face, “Fifth Highness is truly devoted. I hope he and Elder Sister will be lovers finally united.”

Tuoba Yu couldn’t help laughing. “Stop pretending. Do you think I don’t know you detest Li Changle? But I can understand your feelings. Anyone with such an elder sister would be unhappy.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, seeing he had misunderstood her reason for detesting Li Changle. How could this man before her understand her feelings? Probably no one in this world could understand.

Just then, footsteps sounded nearby. They both looked up to see Tuoba Zhen approaching with two guards.

His expression was calm, his gaze cold and condensed, a barely perceptible smile playing at his lips, yet his eyes were icy. Li Weiyang knew this was the expression he wore when in a very bad mood.

“Third Highness.” Li Weiyang curtsied.

Tuoba Zhen nodded as if nothing was amiss, then said, “You two truly have leisure and refined interests. Especially you, Seventh Brother—why aren’t you by Father Emperor’s side protecting him? How did you run off here?”

Tuoba Yu said mildly, “Third Brother worries too much. With three thousand Imperial Guards surrounding us, could Father Emperor possibly be in danger?”

Li Weiyang unconsciously curved her lips in a cold smile.

Seeing this, Tuoba Zhen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Tuoba Yu smiled. “Moreover, the County Princess and I merely encountered each other by chance. Or did you perhaps come searching deliberately?”

Hearing the words “encountered by chance,” Tuoba Zhen felt very uncomfortable, though his face showed no trace of it. He smiled lightly. “I only heard there was a stream here with very good scenery, so I came especially to look around.”

From the moment Li Weiyang saw Tuoba Zhen appear, she had grown rather impatient. She said coolly, “Seventh Highness, my luggage isn’t yet packed. Please excuse me.”

Tuoba Yu smiled. “County Princess, please do as you wish.”

She wanted to leave the moment he arrived. Seeing this, Tuoba Zhen’s expression immediately darkened.

However, before Li Weiyang could leave the forest, someone blocked her path.

Gao Min stood before Li Weiyang, glaring at her furiously.

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows at her, somewhat puzzled why she looked as if she wanted to devour her.

Seeing Li Weiyang, Gao Min trembled with rage, her eyes wide. Slut, what right do you have, what right!

Zhao Yue stood vigilantly at Li Weiyang’s side, seeing that Gao Min’s expression was extremely unnatural.

After a long while Gao Min still hadn’t spoken a word. Li Weiyang, too lazy to bother with her, turned to leave.

Seeing this, Gao Min recalled how just moments ago Tuoba Zhen had been speaking pleasantly with her, but upon seeing Li Weiyang walk past, he immediately abandoned her and left. A fire surged straight upward, and she could no longer restrain herself, blurting out, “Li Weiyang, why do you leave upon seeing me—is it guilt?”

Li Weiyang sneered, stopped, and turned back to look at her. “Cousin, that’s a strange thing to say. Why should I feel guilty?”

Normally Gao Min valued her status. Though she detested Li Weiyang, at most she would mock her coldly. Today she looked ready to eat someone, as if having suffered some stimulation.