When Jiang Xuening returned to the flower hall, she encountered the You sisters hurrying along the path to handle this matter. Clearly they had already heard the news that Jiang Xuening, an outside guest, had actually interfered in their manor’s affairs. On one hand there was the “old grievance” from earlier in the flower hall, on the other hand the current “new enmity.” You Yue stared at her with eyes that seemed able to spit fire.

Even You Shuang’s complexion wasn’t good, only exchanging a cool greeting with her.

Jiang Xuening also responded perfunctorily.

The grudge with these two sisters of Count Qingyuan’s manor was definitely established.

But she didn’t care.

Who in the world fears being hated by an ant?

After returning to the flower hall, news of You Fangyin “falling into water” had spread everywhere. Because no one knew the specific truth, the rumors were actually even more outrageous than the facts.

Some said she was a maid in the manor who, unable to endure the master family’s humiliation, threw herself into the water.

Some said she was a proper young lady whose concubine mother had just hanged herself, and in her moment of despair did something foolish.

Of course, the most widely spread was none other than what Jiang Xuening had said earlier: This young lady was a concubine-born daughter of the You manor, bullied by wicked servants—the “falling into water” matter was probably not so simple…

Because Yan Lin had earlier come to speak with her, the many noble family young ladies in this flower hall, who normally followed rules and propriety, were seeing this kind of public “private meeting” for the first time. After Jiang Xuening left, they had quite a few criticisms of her.

Moreover, everyone had originally harbored some thoughts about Yan Lin.

Who would have thought that halfway through, Second Miss Jiang would appear, making them feel that for Heir Yan to dare act this way before his coming-of-age ceremony, the marriage must already be more or less settled in private.

It truly made people feel sour.

But helplessly, immediately afterward came the matter of You Fangyin falling into water.

The days of noble family young ladies were dull—how could they resist the temptation of gossip? Just as the hosts had gone to handle matters, some took the opportunity to gather around Jiang Xuening to inquire.

Jiang Xuening then told what she had seen.

Neither adding embellishment nor omitting half a detail.

Before long, the You sisters returned, only saying it was a concubine-born daughter in the manor who had accidentally slipped and fallen into the water. Fortunately the women had discovered it early and rescued her. Now a physician had been found to examine her—there was no problem.

Everyone’s faces naturally displayed a look of relief that “it’s good the person is fine.”

But these noble family young ladies had already heard Jiang Xuening’s account earlier. Which family didn’t have some sordid conflicts? Some things they understood upon hearing—they simply couldn’t be bothered to believe the You sisters’ nonsense. But they were the hosts, so some face still needed to be given.

As for how they would spread the story after the banquet ended and they returned to their own homes, that was their business.

Next came the midday feast, chrysanthemum viewing, poetry composition, and painting.

For Jiang Xuening it was truly boring.

If it weren’t for Yan Lin saying earlier to wait for him at Cengxiao Tower after the afternoon ended to go see the lantern festival together in the evening, she would have left right after seeing You Fangyin.

The last half hour, she only sat to the side, watching these noble family young ladies wield brush and ink, using fine brushwork on sheets of laid-out rice paper to depict autumn chrysanthemum paintings in various poses.

After everyone selected a winner, this banquet would be considered concluded.

But no one expected that just as this elegant gathering was about to end, a voice suddenly announced at the entrance, “Grand Princess Leyang arrives!”

Grand Princess?

Everyone in the hall was startled. Before they even had time to look up, they all hurriedly performed courtesies, “We respectfully welcome the Grand Princess!”

When Jiang Xuening heard this announcement, her eyelid twitched, and in her heart she had already begun to curse herself bitterly for not leaving early.

But thinking again, she was currently in women’s clothing.

So she forced herself to relax that suddenly tensed nerve, following everyone in the corner to perform courtesy, subconsciously burying her head very low.

Light footsteps came from the front of the hall, along with the sound of pendant ornaments hanging from a noblewoman’s waist colliding with each other.

Soon, everyone heard a voice transmit from overhead, “No need for such formality. This princess and Ashu merely heard that Count Qingyuan’s manor’s banquet was not yet finished, and came along the way to see what it was like. Rise.”

Each word like pearls and jade falling on a plate.

Actually like celestial music, as if from a heavenly being.

Hearing this voice, everyone couldn’t help but imagine what kind of divine immortal-like appearance Grand Princess Leyang, who possessed such a wonderful voice, must have.

Though the noble family young ladies were of prestigious status, they had never entered or left the palace.

Most people had never seen a princess, so after rising, they all raised their eyes to observe.

However, the instant they saw this princess’s appearance, everyone was stunned, their gazes inevitably revealing some peculiarity, followed immediately by a kind of pity arising, secretly saying in their hearts, “What a shame.”

Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi was born to the Late Emperor’s favored consort, the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort. From childhood she received utmost favor, clothed in brocade and fed with jade, her skin raised to be delicate and snow-white. Her features inherited the Imperial Noble Consort’s refinement, exceptionally bright and radiant. When she smiled, there were even sweet little dimples that made people feel joy upon seeing her.

However, half an inch below her left eye near the corner, there was actually a scar.

Though the color had faded somewhat and it wasn’t very long, on such a flawless face, it was particularly conspicuous, particularly glaring, making it hard for people not to notice. The beauty of what had originally been a complete face was completely ruined by this scar, making people involuntarily sigh with regret, “A pearl with a crack, fine jade with a flaw.”

This was a disfigured face.

Even using rouge and powder to cover it, one could still see clearly.

Having such a beautiful voice, yet lacking an appearance to match.

Jiang Xuening, however, knew that this scar on Grand Princess Leyang’s face was left behind twenty years ago when Prince Pingnan raised troops in rebellion and attacked the capital. At that time she was merely a nursing infant, snatched from her wet nurse’s hands by the rebel army to be used as a hostage. They had used a dagger to cut her face, coercing other imperial family members hiding in the Imperial City to reveal themselves.

Later the loyalist forces arrived and quelled the rebellion.

As a princess, Shen Zhiyi was naturally safe and sound, but this scar was permanently left on her face, accompanying her from childhood to the present.

Though twenty years had now passed, everyone in the court and palace who had experienced that upheaval, upon seeing this scar on her face, couldn’t help but recall that upheaval that had soaked the palace in blood—

Grand Princess Leyang’s scar was the shame that Prince Pingnan’s treasonous party had carved on the face of the vast Great Qian dynasty!

Precisely because of this, the current Emperor was especially fond of this younger sister.

Whatever requests Shen Zhiyi had, as long as they didn’t involve the survival of the nation and state, he would fulfill them. Even if she wanted to pluck the stars from the sky, Shen Lang would have people try to see if they could pluck them before giving up.

Shen Zhiyi had grown up in the palace. From childhood she had seen countless people’s gazes when looking at this scar on her face—some pitying, some caring, some mocking. Occasionally she would even see from the faces of some beautiful palace attendants their inner thoughts: So what if you’re a lofty imperial princess? With this scar, your beauty ruined, you’re truly inferior even to us lowly palace attendants.

When young she hadn’t yet understood the meaning of these gazes.

After gradually growing up and understanding, anger turned to hatred, and hatred gave birth to sorrow.

Which woman under heaven could truly not care about her own appearance?

Shen Zhiyi swept her eyes across them. Everyone’s observing gazes were all captured by her eyes. Only one person in the corner kept her head buried without raising it, keeping her head pressed down low the entire time.

How unusual.

She had grown accustomed to such gazes in the palace. Though at this moment her heart felt like a thorn was lodged in it, she didn’t lose her temper, only saying coolly, “You may continue your painting.”

Everyone was startled by her sweeping gaze and hurriedly withdrew their looks.

Since the princess had spoken, they naturally dared not refute.

So each returned to their original positions—those painting continued painting, those composing poetry continued composing poetry.

Jiang Xuening also lightly breathed a sigh of relief, retreating to continue pretending she didn’t exist at all.

But she hadn’t even waited to sit back down when Shen Zhiyi actually came directly toward her. Standing before her, she said, “You are Jiang Xuening? Raise your head.”

“…”

She truly didn’t know why this ancestor had noticed her again!

Jiang Xuening was no longer Empress now. Compared to her status as an imperial princess, she was merely a young lady from an ordinary minister’s family. The difference in status and position was clear—she didn’t dare disobey. She raised her head as instructed.

In this instant, undisguised amazement flashed through Shen Zhiyi’s eyes. After a moment, it transformed into a bit of plaintive envy as she sighed softly, “I came today specifically for you.”

Jiang Xuening’s eyelid began twitching wildly again.

But Shen Zhiyi said, “No wonder Yan Lin, whom no one can tame, is devoted to you unto death. Being so beautiful, even I feel moved seeing you—truly enviable…”

She had originally been attending the banquet at Duke Chengguo’s manor today, but upon arriving had heard that her elder brother Shen Jie had gone to Count Qingyuan’s manor. Shen Zhiyi had always been attached to this gentle-natured and extremely good-tempered older brother. Later she heard that Yan Lin, who had played with her since childhood, was also there, so she had people inquire. Only then did she learn that Shen Jie had gone to Count Qingyuan’s manor because of Yan Lin, and Yan Lin had gone because of some official family’s young lady.

This aroused her curiosity.

Seeing Duke Chengguo’s banquet ending, she pulled along Xiao Shu, the eldest daughter of Duke Chengguo’s manor who was on good terms with her, and came here to see what kind of divine being this legendary “Second Miss Jiang” was.

Shen Zhiyi knew Yan Lin’s temperament—he had never been very interested in women.

If he could take a liking to someone, there must be something exceptional about her.

So when she swept her eyes around earlier, that unique figure with lowered head had caught her attention. Walking closer and having her raise her head to look, it was indeed that Second Miss Jiang—a face of matchless beauty, seeming cold yet not cold, seeming alluring yet restrained, making one unforgettable at first sight.

In Jiang Xuening’s heart, however, she cried out “what kind of twisted fate is this?” Hearing Shen Zhiyi’s meaning, it seemed she had come to see her because of Yan Lin. Even if she didn’t want to encounter her, they had encountered each other.

This Grand Princess Leyang’s future fate, she knew clearly.

Originally, after the Marquis Yongyi’s manor that held military power was exiled due to being implicated by Prince Pingnan’s old case, within two months, the northern Tartars became restless. A new khan ascended and wanted to seek a princess from Great Qian to become queen. The Emperor didn’t want to reinstall the Marquis Yongyi’s manor, so he sent Grand Princess Leyang for a marriage alliance.

Four years later, after the Tartars finished recuperating their strength, they completely raised troops to invade.

The entire court of civil and military officials only welcomed back the princess’s coffin.

By that time, the Emperor had changed to Shen Jie.

In his grief, he finally overturned Shen Lang’s conviction of the Marquis Yongyi’s manor from years ago, rehabilitated the Marquis Yongyi’s manor, and reinstated Yan Lin who had been in exile for four years. Yan Lin finally got the opportunity to lead troops as one bearing crimes, pacify the border troubles, drive out the Tartars, fighting until the barbarians didn’t dare step foot across Great Qian’s borders. He was enfeoffed as a general, given command of the tiger tally, and returned to the capital.

Afterward came Jiang Xuening’s “disaster.”

She remembered when they first met in the previous life—she was dressed as a man, but saw that Shen Zhiyi was overly concerned about that scar on her face. So she took up the fine brush others used to paint lanterns at the lantern festival, dipped it in a bit of cherry powder, and traced over that scar below her left eye for her.

Shen Zhiyi at that time had mistaken her for a man and developed feelings for her.

Later, learning she was a woman, naturally she couldn’t get past it in her heart.

But before going to the Tartars for the marriage alliance, she had specifically asked someone to invite her over, to paint makeup for her like when they first met, then sat quietly before the vanity mirror, gazing at that charming face in the mirror while two lines of tears ran down her cheeks.

After Shen Zhiyi left, Jiang Xuening had asked herself many times: If given another chance, would you still paint that stroke for her upon first meeting?

At that time there was no answer.

She thought she wouldn’t.

But now, when Shen Zhiyi truly stood before her alive again, when she truly had such an opportunity, Jiang Xuening discovered that her answer was: I would.

“Your Highness the Princess originally possesses natural beauty beyond compare, is the most dazzling pearl of the entire Great Qian dynasty—how could this subject woman compare to even one ten-thousandth?” She raised her eyes to look at her, smiling slightly. “You need not envy this subject woman.”

These words truly sounded like flattery spoken with eyes closed.

The first instant Shen Zhiyi heard them, she felt disgust.

But when she met her gaze, she discovered there was complete sincerity and unfeigned solemnity in these words. For a moment she was stunned.

Jiang Xuening then turned, actually pulling her to the painting table in the furthest corner where there was no one. She lightly lifted a fine sheep-hair brush, gently dipped it in a bit of light cherry powder, said “pardon the offense,” then leaned forward and lightly traced a few strokes over the scar mark below Shen Zhiyi’s left eye.

What had originally been a glaring, eye-catching scar momentarily transformed into a crescent-moon-like powder mark.

Very much like a fallen flower petal.

When she withdrew, the palace attendant following beside Shen Zhiyi had already softly exclaimed, eyes revealing amazement.

Jiang Xuening only said, “Some scars, if Your Highness cares too much about them before others, then everyone will know this is Your Highness’s vulnerable spot, and all can wield swords and spears to wound Your Highness. But if Your Highness shows them before others, not caring or pretending not to care, then people won’t know Your Highness’s weakness and cannot harm you. Your scar was originally the glory of the dynasty—why need you be ashamed of it?”

Shen Zhiyi was completely stunned.

Never had anyone spoken such bold words to her. Though clearly quite direct and sharp, it was like a stream of clear wind and water, brushing across her heart, smoothing over certain scars.

She gazed at this Second Miss Jiang meeting her for the first time, unable to move her gaze away.

After Jiang Xuening finished painting that stroke, she felt at ease in her heart. Thinking again, she pondered: Although she had again intersected with Grand Princess Leyang, in this life she still didn’t know how Xie Wei would deal with her. If she could curry favor with Her Highness the Princess, even if Xie Wei wanted to move against her, he’d probably have to weigh his options carefully.

This wasn’t a bad thing.

Only when she collected herself and turned her eyes back, encountering Shen Zhiyi’s gaze looking at her at this moment, her scalp suddenly tingled!

This gaze…

How was it exactly the same as in the previous life?!

She subconsciously lowered her head to look at what she was wearing: It was indeed women’s clothing.

But why this gaze…

In a flash of lightning, a thought that had never occurred before suddenly emerged in Jiang Xuening’s mind, causing her entire body to tremble, involuntarily raising a string of goosebumps—

Who said that in the previous life, Grand Princess Leyang definitely developed feelings for her because she was cross-dressing as a man, mistaking her for a man, in a case of mistaken identity?

The same situation could very well have another explanation—

That is, seeing her dressed as a man yet with an entirely feminine air, she felt close to her, only the Grand Princess herself might not necessarily have realized it!

If this were the case…

Jiang Xuening’s fingers, still holding the brush and not yet having time to put it down, suddenly stiffened.

In this instant, under Shen Zhiyi’s gazing eyes, she was like being struck by lightning. Her wooden head only produced three words—

I’m finished.