Princess Changping had still not appeared.

When the host goes to the trouble of organizing a banquet and inviting guests, and then fails to show her face long after all the guests have arrived — that is a very considerable breach of propriety.

However, the assembled young ladies all seemed accustomed to it, and not one showed even a flicker of impatience — though if any did feel vexed in their hearts, they would never allow it to show on their faces.

Just as everyone was reaching the limits of their patience, an ornate and magnificent painted pleasure boat came gliding slowly into view.

The boat was quite large, easily capable of holding several dozen people. All those at the oars were eunuchs of handsome appearance, and from within the boat there drifted the faint strains of string and woodwind music.

Without even stopping to think, one knew that such a striking and lavish entrance could belong to none other than Princess Changping.

For a moment, every eye in the pavilion turned toward the boat.

Ling Jingshu followed the crowd’s gaze toward the pleasure boat, and a flash of bone-deep, ice-cold hostility crossed her eyes before vanishing in an instant. Under the cover of her wide sleeves, her hands quietly tightened, curling into fists.

By the time the pleasure boat drew near the viewing pavilion, Ling Jingshu had already composed herself, her expression calm, a smile on her face, as she rose with the rest to receive the Princess.

The eunuchs set down a wide, sturdy plank, then laid a pure white carpet over it, after which both eunuchs and palace maids arranged themselves in two rows and disembarked from the pleasure boat…

Having arranged the scene with full ceremonial pomp, Princess Changping at last made her appearance before the assembled guests, composed and graceful.

Today, Princess Changping had clearly undergone an elaborate and meticulous preparation for her appearance. This entrance, as expected, was quite a breathtaking sight.

She was clad in a purple gown of a fabric that was neither entirely gauze nor entirely silk, yet was lightweight, supple, richly colored, and clung gently to Princess Changping’s elegant figure. Her dark hair was loosely gathered into a flowing cloud-style chignon, and at each side of the coiffure was pinned a magnificent gold hair ornament with swaying tassels, the long fringes cascading down to her ears, adding yet another layer of allure. Her languid phoenix eyes swept the room in a slow arc, and as her gaze shifted with the faintest ripple, there was an abundance of enchanting, effortless grace in every glance.

Judged purely on appearance, Princess Changping was not quite in the very highest tier of beauty. Yet this high and noble air of hers, mingled with a certain seductive allure, was beyond anyone else to match.

Ling Jingshu’s gaze moved to Commandery Princess Fumin, standing at Princess Changping’s side.

As expected, Commandery Princess Fumin was also among the guests of honor. Yet rather than coming directly to the viewing pavilion on arrival, she had gone to keep Princess Changping company instead.

Beside Princess Changping’s captivating, soul-stirring radiance, Commandery Princess Fumin appeared considerably dimmed today. Standing at Princess Changping’s side, she wore a well-behaved and gentle smile on her face.

It seemed Commandery Princess Fumin was not entirely foolish — just a bully who knew her audience. Sharp-tongued and aggressive toward young ladies who were no match for her in rank or status, but mild and docile as a lamb the moment she was in the presence of someone whose position far outstripped her own, such as Princess Changping.

In the end, what everyone held in deference was not Princess Changping herself — a woman of frivolous and dissolute character — but the rank and position of being a princess.

“We were kept waiting on Our dressing and makeup — We have kept everyone waiting for a long while.” Princess Changping smiled before she had even spoken, though her voice carried little in the way of genuine apology.

Jiang Rongyue laughed mischievously. “We did wait rather a long time. But having had the chance to behold the Princess’s unrivaled countenance makes it worth it.”

Princess Changping broke into a delighted smile. “Rongyue, one word from that mouth of yours is always enough to put Us in high spirits.”

Su Ying smiled and smoothly took up the thread. “Jiang Younger Sister can certainly be said to have spoken what was in all our hearts. There is a danger of it sounding like flattery and fawning — and yet not saying what is true would go against the principle by which I live. If Your Highness the Princess finds such words cloying, please do not let on — I would still like to preserve a little of my dignity.”

This string of wit and charm not only sent Princess Changping into genuine laughter but brought the whole atmosphere of the gathering into warm harmony as well.

The young ladies all began chatting, one after another, in cheerful liveliness.

Ling Jingshu smiled and listened, offering no comment.

Every young lady who had been invited to attend this banquet had an impressive background. She was newly arrived and had not yet taken the measure of anyone’s temperament — it was best to keep a low profile.

And yet, though Ling Jingshu wished to keep a low profile, Commandery Princess Fumin — the most petty and grudge-bearing of people — was not about to let her be.

“Cousin, you are hosting a Lotus Appreciation Banquet here at the residence — how is it that you have even invited people from the Ling Family?” Commandery Princess Fumin’s voice was not particularly loud, yet calibrated precisely so that everyone present could hear it. Combined with her contemptuous tone and scornful expression, it was clearly a calculated act of humiliation.

Jiang Shi’s expression changed immediately.

The way Commandery Princess Fumin had put it — targeting the Ling Family by name like that — meant this was no longer directed solely at Ling Jingshu. If they swallowed the insult and backed down without a word, how would Jiang Shi, as a daughter-in-law of the Ling Family, ever show her face in public again?

A flush of furious red rose in Ling Jingyan’s cheeks as well. Her temper was the most impulsive and reckless of any of them, and without a moment’s pause she shot back, “What of it, that the Ling Family is here? We received Her Highness the Princess’s invitation in proper form and have come as legitimate guests. What exactly do you mean by saying that?”

Commandery Princess Fumin had aimed her barb at Ling Jingshu, and only now did she properly take note of the spirited and lovely Ling Jingyan.

Commandery Princess Fumin was not naturally sweet-tempered to begin with, and being so sharply rebuked by Ling Jingyan left her feeling thoroughly stripped of face. She gave a cold snort and said, “Isn’t my meaning clear enough? What makes you think people like you deserve to be guests at this banquet?”

Ling Jingyan: “…”

Ling Jingyan was beside herself with fury, and reflexively clenched her fist and took a step forward — only to be caught by Ling Jingshu at her side.

Let go of me! Let me go pummel that vile creature! She won’t know what hit her!

Ling Jingyan was grinding her teeth in rage.

Don’t be reckless. This is the Princess’s residence. If you raise a hand and strike a Commandery Princess here, today will truly be beyond salvaging.

Ling Jingshu met her with a calm, steady gaze and checked her impulse. Then she stepped forward two paces.

Commandery Princess Fumin looked at Ling Jingshu with a provocative gleam in her eye, laughing coldly inside. If she dared to be insolent today, she would have the perfect excuse to slap her across the face in full view of everyone.

Best of all if she could ruin that face of hers — then let her try to go on seducing Imperial Physician Wei after that.

No one could have anticipated what happened next. Ling Jingshu did not so much as glance at Commandery Princess Fumin. Instead she turned to Princess Changping and offered a curtsy. “When we happened to encounter Your Highness the Princess at the Crown Prince’s residence a few days ago, Your Highness was gracious enough to extend an invitation to us. We have come here today with full hearts of joy and reverence, and we would not for anything wish to see the smallest blemish cast over Your Highness’s Lotus Appreciation Banquet, nor to cause Your Highness even the slightest vexation.”

“Today’s matter originated with me — I ask that Your Highness not hold Commandery Princess Fumin to blame.”

Commandery Princess Fumin: “…”

That wretched girl — the last time they had crossed paths, she had been sharp-tongued and quick-witted enough to leave her half-dead with anger. So why was she now willing to bow her head and offer an apology so meekly?

This was completely outside anything she had expected.

None of the others had said a word, and yet the looks directed at Commandery Princess Fumin carried a certain unmistakable disdain.

Even Princess Changping showed a measure of displeasure toward her, fixing her with a sharp look. “Fumin, did you take the wrong medicine today? What is this pointless temper tantrum all about? The Ling Family guests were invited by me. Do you have some objection to raise?”

With Princess Changping displeased, Commandery Princess Fumin had to swallow whatever resentment she harbored and answered, sulkily and with ill grace, “It’s nothing really. It was just that the last time I encountered Ninth Miss Ling at Huichun Hall, we had a bit of a quarrel, that’s all.”

Huichun Hall?

Princess Changping turned it over in her mind for a moment and immediately grasped the full picture, a mocking, sardonic smile forming on her lips.

This Fumin — truly did not know the limit of her own reach.

Did she actually think Imperial Physician Wei was someone she could set her sights on?