“A challenge?” Jing Hengbo blinked. Why issue a challenge out of nowhere? Had she offended them somehow?

Yong Xue knocked on the door outside. After Jing Hengbo responded, the young girl entered with a stern face, presenting a gold-adorned box. Inside was an invitation. Jing Hengbo opened it to find an invitation to a palace banquet three days hence, inviting the Emerald Queen to attend Shang Kingdom’s royal palace main hall, Dragon Splendor Hall. There was no mention of any challenge.

When asked, Yong Xue replied expressionlessly: “The eunuch who delivered the message had poor manners. After we lectured him a few words, he suddenly shouted like that. He said Your Majesty was quite arrogant at the welcome banquet a few days ago and wasn’t very friendly toward the Ji Kingdom princesses. Many of Shang Kingdom’s noble ladies are close friends with the Ji Kingdom princesses, so they also want to see Your Majesty’s grace – to see what kind of noble, outstanding woman could make Ji Kingdom and Yu Kingdom bow down and steal away so many good things. If they could also make them bow down, that would naturally be best.”

She spoke impatiently, and Jing Hengbo listened even more impatiently – another group of wealthy daughters with nothing better to do, spending all day comparing clothes, makeup, jewelry, and bags like green tea bitches. In the past she might have been interested in competing with them, but now Her Majesty the Queen was concerned with national affairs – where did she have the mood to compete with a bunch of little girls? She lazily waved her hand: “Well then, no need to compete. I’ll bow down to them.”

“The other party said,” Yong Xue continued slowly, “if you don’t dare compete, that’s fine too. Just apologize to the Ji Kingdom princesses and them in the hall later, everyone can reconcile, and wouldn’t friendly relations between the two countries be good?”

“Why do these people have nothing better to do? Why provoke us for no reason? What’s the reason?” Jing Hengbo touched her chin, looking outside where a eunuch stood rigidly waiting for a reply, his face full of arrogance.

“Crown Prince Shang is the ideal husband for both the Ji Kingdom princesses and Shang Kingdom’s noble ladies. Who doesn’t want to be Crown Princess, the future Queen?” Yong Xue hit the nail on the head.

“What does that have to do with me?” Jing Hengbo wondered. “Shang Lue is interested in me, but even a fool can see he’s just playing around without real feelings.”

“You’re a queen – also an ideal marriage partner for Shang Lue.” Yong Xue pursed her lips. “Besides, what about Young Marshal Pei?”

“What does it have to do with him?”

“Young Marshal Pei is also the ideal husband for young ladies everywhere.” Yong Xue chuckled.

“Oh, they resent me for having men on both sides, monopolizing all the handsome men in the world.” Jing Hengbo suddenly understood. “That is quite annoying – not just occupying one, but two or three. Hey hey, it doesn’t matter – I’ll give them all away.”

From behind, Pei Shu’s sinister voice came: “Give them to whom?”

“Ah! I said I’m not giving anyone away!” Jing Hengbo turned to smile charmingly at him.

Pei Shu’s gaze was quite fierce, though this fierceness seemed powerless because it came from caring.

Jing Hengbo walked to the window and addressed the still-waiting arrogant eunuch: “Go back and tell your masters: I am a queen. What I need to compete for is territory and armies. Women’s romantic schemes are games for you boudoir misses. Forgive me for having no time to play along. Or when any of them obtains a piece of territory by whatever means, then without their invitation, I’ll automatically regard them as enemies. Other than that, I decline all flirtation.”

After speaking, she smiled and pulled down the window with a “clatter,” shutting out the eunuch whose face had changed dramatically.

Behind her, someone applauded vigorously – it was Pei Shu, laughing loudly: “Good! Worthy of the woman I fancy – more and more spirited. They’re truly not even worthy of carrying your shoes!”

Jing Hengbo curved her lips in a smile, hearing Yong Xue outside rudely driving the person away: “Not even the same level of opponent, yet daring to bark challenges. Come back when you’ve become queens!”

Footsteps scattered chaotically – the eunuch must have been driven away quite miserably. Jing Hengbo shook her head. Pei Shu was still sprawled in his chair, half-playfully saying: “Why don’t you come bandage my wounds?”

Jing Hengbo sighed helplessly and had to do it herself. Fortunately, having cared for Yélu Qi and Gong Yin, she was quite experienced with medical care. She ordered the best medicine and clean water brought to treat Pei Shu’s knee injury first. She wanted to call a doctor, but Pei Shu refused, firmly saying there was no fracture, at most a crack. Jing Hengbo simply bound wooden splints on him. Pei Shu didn’t resist – as long as Jing Hengbo was doing it, even if she tied him up like a bear, he’d think the binding looked best.

He stretched out his long legs, lazily leaning on the couch, watching Jing Hengbo bustle about. Her hair was slightly disheveled, scattered on her forehead. Her eyelashes drooped, covering her dark, moist eyes. Fine sweat appeared on her nose, sparkling like tiny diamonds in the dim room. From this angle, her usual gorgeous features weren’t clearly visible, but a gentle, virtuous flavor could be seen.

This made him sigh with satisfaction, hands behind his head, eyes narrowed: “It would be best if you served me like this for a lifetime…”

Jing Hengbo’s hands didn’t stop, but she suddenly tightened the cloth strip. Pei Shu cried out “Aiya!” and was about to glare at her angrily when she straightened up, sat beside him, and smiled: “Done.”

Pei Shu looked at his neatly and beautifully bandaged knee, feeling somewhat unaccustomed. He couldn’t help asking: “You don’t look very capable, so how are you so skilled at bandaging wounds?”

Jing Hengbo immediately told him honestly: “Because both Yélu Qi and Gong Yin have been injured, and I’ve cared for them…”

“Stop!” Pei Shu cut off her words, somewhat annoyed, and pushed her away: “When will you stop ruining the mood, woman?” He lay down with a cold face: “I’m tired and going to sleep. Remember to close the door when you leave.”

Jing Hengbo looked at this fellow with mixed laughter and tears – his young master temper came and went, truly difficult to serve.

But she also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had intentionally deflated Pei Shu because she didn’t want to be alone with him too long in this situation. He wasn’t a gentleman like Yélu Qi – he loved getting handsy and pestering endlessly. Since she owed him and felt guilty, she’d be unable to be firm or soft when the time came, which would be awkward instead.

She glanced at Pei Shu. He had really fallen asleep. Only with his eyes closed could she see his poor complexion – exhaustion finally couldn’t be hidden. As she tiptoed out and closed the door, she worried that he still needed care. If only Meng Potian could come, but the distance was too far. By the time Meng Potian received news and rushed here, they might already be heading back…

She missed Meng Potian and sighed with regret, not knowing that at this moment, Meng Potian was less than ten li from Shang Kingdom’s border.

Though even if Jing Hengbo saw her now, she probably wouldn’t recognize her.

In a carriage sat Meng Potian, no longer dressed as a martial world young woman but wearing very bright, noble clothing. A apricot-yellow heavy brocade long dress with the hem trailing at her feet. Heavy brocade’s unique texture and luster, combined with apricot-yellow’s bright yet restrained color, forcibly added several degrees of noble bearing – a bearing that was hidden, not eye-catching. The hem was embroidered diagonally with twining flowers, adding several degrees of lively charm. Her draped silk was the finest material, thin as light clouds. With the slightest movement, the silk ribbons caught the wind, appearing ethereal and spiritual.

It was hard to imagine that one outfit could add several different qualities to a person, perfectly covering Meng Potian’s originally somewhat rough, wild, insufficiently refined flaws while doubling her charming spiritual grace.

Originally, such clothes would make Meng Potian uncomfortable, but now her posture was very natural – arranging her clothes and sleeves in accordance with etiquette without seeming deliberate.

Her appearance had also undergone subtle changes. Her thick eyebrows had been trimmed, retaining their heroic spirit while removing messiness. She wore a little rouge, dotted at the corners of her eyes and cheeks, echoing a rhombus flower mark between her brows, still maintaining youthful tender beauty. Her skin had been very well cared for recently, gleaming with pearl-like luster. The few freckles from before were completely gone.

The changes were subtle, but the effect was earth-shaking. Now not only would Jing Hengbo not recognize her – even Meng Potian herself often felt confused when looking in mirrors.

But the stern matron sitting across from her was still staring at her with complete dissatisfaction. She flipped through the portrait and dossier in her hands – the portrait was clearly of Pei Shu, and the dossier had a golden cover. Opening the title page revealed an inside page numbered “1.”

To complete Gong Yin’s mission without compromise, Yu Chun had even brought out Spider Web’s secret files. From “Golden Number 1,” it could be seen that in the Quiet Courtyard’s eyes, Pei Shu’s status and importance in the Golden Tribe exceeded even tribal leader Jin Zhaolong – he was truly the number one figure.

The matron came from Imperial Song, originally a Royal Attendant in Yuzhao Palace, specifically responsible for the clothing and makeup of queens and royal women. Later she left the court, traveled the world, and became a regular guest in royal courts of the six kingdoms and eight tribes, advising many queens and princesses on etiquette and dress. Highly respected in all countries, this time Yu Chun urgently transferred her specifically to train Meng Potian.

“From the portrait and materials, this person has a stubborn, resolute personality. The prominent bone between his brows indicates prosperity and wealth. Thick eyebrows show attention to character. A long nose indicates stubbornness, while large eyes see far and control others. But possessive desires are intense.” The matron studied the materials, took a makeup box from the side, slowly applied cosmetics to Meng Potian, and said: “Remember, your future makeup should always be like this.”

“What does this mean?” Meng Potian didn’t understand.

“All things in the world have their principles, including compatible and incompatible appearances. If they’re truly incompatible, ordinary people have no recourse, but I still have methods to adjust.” The matron said proudly. “Your original features weren’t bad either, but they clash slightly with his. I’ll trim the sharp points of your eyebrows, adding some rounded harmony to minimize conflicts when you two interact. I’m also adding peach blossom color to increase romantic fortune. Remember, when you meet him, don’t use dark colors like black or brown for this eye rouge – choose peach red or pink.”

Meng Potian shifted uncomfortably but under the matron’s intimidating gaze, unconsciously sat properly. The matron frowned, saying quietly: “Training you is truly difficult. This is the first time I’ve encountered such requirements – not seeking elegant etiquette and aristocratic bearing as usual, but simply needing to make a man’s heart flutter with affection. Hmm, fortunately you little girl have indeed developed spring feelings…”

Meng Potian blushed slightly and instinctively wanted to lower her head, but the matron sternly said: “Don’t lower your head! He doesn’t like overly shy women – you must be composed and natural!”

Meng Potian instinctively raised her head. The matron continued: “Don’t keep your legs pressed so tightly together! I’m not teaching you to be purely ladylike – he doesn’t like that either. Relax your sitting posture more… Right! Now get out of the carriage and walk around.”

Meng Potian got out of the carriage, still nimbly jumping down without waiting for assistance. But the matron shouted from behind: “With that trailing hem, your jump wasn’t natural enough. Jump again!”

Meng Potian had to jump again. After three attempts, the matron was finally satisfied and let her down. After walking for a while, they found an open space where, taking out ingredients, she taught her to cook.

This was mandatory daily study during rest periods. Meng Potian wasn’t interested in these things, but thinking of cooking for Pei Shu made her heart sweet, giving her motivation. This matron had excellent culinary skills and taught wholeheartedly, repeatedly telling her: “To capture a man’s heart, first capture his appetite.”

If Jing Hengbo were here, she’d have to praise this as truly sharp-eyed talent. Early on, this person had summarized the famous modern saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” That “compatible appearance method” was also quite ingenious.

Meng Potian studied cooking wholeheartedly but had unresolved doubts. She didn’t know who was training her – only that one night she was suddenly abducted from her gang, stuffed into a carriage where this matron waited, immediately beginning training without a moment’s delay. Being uneasy, she’d considered escaping, but guards were tight everywhere with experts all around – escape was impossible. When asked, the matron wasn’t clear either, only saying someone extremely powerful had arranged this work, someone irresistible, requiring her to be obedient.

Seeing the other party seemed to have no ill intent and was indeed powerful, she had to accept the training. But she found it strange – if Pei Shu clearly liked Jing Hengbo and they wanted to train her to replace Jing Hengbo, they should make her learn to be like Jing Hengbo. But now the matron was training her to be elegant yet lively, generous yet natural, good at managing households while cultivating both inner and outer qualities – a completely different type of person.

She didn’t know that Yu Chun wouldn’t dare have her trained as a second Jing Hengbo. As Gong Yin’s personal guard, Yu Chun understood Gong Yin’s cleanliness obsession better than anyone – including spiritual cleanliness. He absolutely couldn’t tolerate a fake version of Jing Hengbo appearing to defile the unique woman in his heart.

So Yu Chun could only give Spider Web’s agents near Shang Kingdom an extremely difficult mission: train someone Young Marshal Pei would definitely like, but who was absolutely different from Jing Hengbo!

For this mission, the omnipotent Spider Web agents brought out all of Pei Shu’s secret files, held over ten meetings, secretly consulted many wise people, analyzed all of Pei Shu’s preferences and personality traits, even personally investigated the village where Pei Shu was born, learning about the appearance and temperament of the girl called “Er Ya” he most liked to hold hands with during his runny-nose days. With a spirit more serious than writing national development reports, they compiled and analyzed to produce a thirty-page report. The report provided extremely detailed analysis of Pei Shu’s youthful preferences, experiences, personality, birth, nature, and other aspects, concluding three possible types of women Pei Shu might like. Finally, they selected the most likely type from the three. Ultimately, it was placed on the laps of the matron and Meng Potian.

With a “sizzle,” a fragrant, colorful “Emerald Diced Chicken” came out of the pan. Meng Potian held the dish, inhaling the aroma with intoxication, eyes narrowed: “So fragrant.”

“Remember, he doesn’t like eating shrimp.” The matron said. “When he eats shrimp, his whole body turns red and his limbs stiffen. And for certain reasons, he deeply detests this dish – you must remember.”

Meng Potian blinked and couldn’t help curving her lips. This smile suddenly had several degrees of Jing Hengbo’s charm.

No matter how they tried to avoid it, training her inevitably overlapped with Jing Hengbo in some ways.

The smile on Meng Potian’s face gradually became somewhat ambiguous. Thinking of the real reason he didn’t eat shrimp, her ambiguous smile mixed with several degrees of disdain – who would have thought that former Queen Ming Cheng, with such status, would do such things. No wonder later when Pei Shu became famous and countless young ladies threw themselves at him, he avoided them like the plague. So that was why…

She smiled, slightly raising her chin.

Along the journey, she had memorized Pei Shu’s preferences, learned many of his taboos and little secrets, mastered all the dishes he loved – like a carefully polished gift gradually radiating brilliance.

She awaited giving Pei Shu a surprise.

At this moment, in a room not far from her, Pei Shu sleeping on Jing Hengbo’s couch suddenly shivered for no reason…

Jing Hengbo had been having headaches lately. With Yélu Qi and Pei Shu, two great beauties of outstanding temperament, staying in her courtyard, they attracted hatred without needing to prove their identities. This directly led to her courtyard receiving many visitors recently, most coming for Yélu Qi and Pei Shu. Unable to bear the disturbance, she simply took Yong Xue out shopping, ostensibly to order jewelry and formal wear needed for the palace banquet, but secretly preparing for the later trip to Treasure Platform Mountain to dig up the Purple Orchid Vine.

First, they went to a teahouse for breakfast, where she heard many strange tales. For instance, a royal from the Falling Water Tribe recently bought a divine bird that could write poetry and treasured it greatly, specially keeping it in his wife’s courtyard. But the bird was utterly shameless, specifically enjoying watching the wife bathe. After watching, it would compose poetry – half elegant, half lewd, with obscene words unbearable to hear. That wasn’t all – this fellow did something completely unacceptable. Once when the Falling Cloud Tribe secretly met with old rivals from the Floating Water Tribe for negotiations, afterward they showed off by having the bird compose poetry for entertainment. The bird immediately declared: “Bright moonlight before the bed, two pairs of shoes on the ground. A pair of shameless lovers, doing it wild and free.”

The first line had simple yet profound artistic conception. Everyone listened attentively expecting earth-shattering continuation, but the style suddenly shifted, leaving people dumbstruck. The host immediately froze while guests suppressed laughter for a long time before hastily taking leave. Before they’d gone far, explosive laughter erupted. Thinking he could never again hold his head up before his enemy nation rivals, the host nearly crashed into a wall.

This poem was truly deadly, because the Emerald Dog Jiro was kept in the wife’s inner chambers – what it composed naturally reflected what it had seen. The Falling Cloud royal immediately stormed off to question his wife angrily. The wife, her virtue sullied, cried innocence and sought death several times, nearly losing her life. The matter grew bigger and bigger until gradually all the capital’s nobility knew.

Hearing this, Jing Hengbo was also dumbstruck for a while. She knew Er Gouzi had great destructive power but hadn’t expected it to be this great – enough to affect a nation’s image. She silently wiped sweat, secretly resolving that even if she starved to death, she’d never again sell Er Gouzi, while thinking Er Gouzi would probably be driven out and return to her soon.

Then she heard that Ji Kingdom Princess Ji Qiong, who bought Feifei, now had all her alpacas refusing food and drink with frantic behavior. Some even crashed into walls while Ji Qiong bathed at night, causing her to be exposed several times.

Jing Hengbo felt Feifei would probably return soon too.

Continuing to listen, she heard that the Liuli Tribe area recently had daily ghostly wailing with clusters of colorful flashing shadows floating about. Once when someone went to deliver items to the Liuli Tribe, they actually saw half a person pass before them – the visible half even showed internal organs with a heart beating “thump thump” like a red ghost lantern, immediately scaring the poor fellow unconscious.

Shang Kingdom had received news and sent monks and Taoists to exorcise demons, but they were driven away. Now after nightfall, no one dared approach the Liuli Tribe’s area.

Jing Hengbo thought the Liuli Tribe would probably be driven away. When would dear Qi Yi return?

There were also rumors about Meng Kingdom’s widowed Princess Imperial, saying she recently often sent people to brothels to purchase aphrodisiacs and breast enhancement formulas. Initially secretive, but due to enormous quantities, it attracted brothel attention. Later, eighteen brothels in the pleasure district had to unite to provide sufficient aphrodisiac supplies. The quantity was staggering – enough for a hundred strong men to use with a hundred beauties for a hundred years. Shang Kingdom’s brothels nearly thought the old king had regained his vigor wanting to father a son, but investigation revealed it was only the widowed Princess Imperial using them. Vague rumors emerged that someone had seen the princess’s chest becoming increasingly formidable – from afar looking like two huge balls moving with no face visible.

Jing Hengbo worried whether Lu Er might really create a bunch of little Lu Ers. Reportedly this Meng Kingdom Princess Imperial controlled Meng Kingdom’s economic lifelines and was an important figure. If someday a group of little cuckolds called her “Auntie,” that would be too thrilling…

Also heard that Zhan Yu, the war chief of the Cutting Feather Tribe, had been very bad-tempered lately, having beaten several servants to death. Because his beloved daughter declared she’d marry no one but a monk and expressed that royal succession laws should be modified to allow female succession.

Jing Hengbo thought if someday the Cutting Feather Tribe also had a queen succession with a smiling prince consort beside her saying “Amitabha, benefactress, long time no see,” that would also be quite amusing.

Crown Prince Shang’s purchase of Si Si showed no movement. Jing Hengbo felt if there were movement, it wouldn’t be now – if anything significant happened, Shang Kingdom would probably change rulers.

As for Xiang Kingdom, which bought the three jokers last, since the jokers all knew He Wan, presumably nothing major would happen.

Finding nothing fresh, Jing Hengbo left the teahouse to go shopping. Shang Kingdom’s capital Brocade Street was a high-end women’s pedestrian street forbidding men, serving Shang Kingdom’s noble women. Reportedly the Queen and princesses sometimes came shopping incognito.

This made the street particularly noble. The entrance had an archway with countless gorgeous carriages with gold wheels and silver decorations parked before it. From outside, the road appeared spacious and clean with bustling crowds, mostly people in brocade clothing. Indeed no men were present – not only that, even commoners in ordinary dress would detour far around this area.

Each shop’s assistants respectfully welcomed customers at their doors. When Jing Hengbo entered, though only accompanied by Yong Xue, her extraordinary bearing made the assistants very attentive. Jing Hengbo also needed formal wear – she couldn’t wear Shang Lue’s gift again. Seeing the shops offered custom tailoring with distinctive displayed garments, she strolled into a store.

The shop contained scattered groups of noble ladies selecting clothing. Seeing Jing Hengbo enter, they all looked up at her exquisite figure and alluring physique, jealousy flashing in their eyes.

The shop owner personally attended, seating her and serving tea and pastries, bringing special clothing patterns for Jing Hengbo’s selection – complete VIP treatment. Jing Hengbo was accustomed to such treatment and casually selected several garments. The more natural her manner, the more the shopkeeper knew this person was truly high-born, increasingly attentively inviting Jing Hengbo to the inner room for measurements.

The inner room had specialized women for measurements. Jing Hengbo secretly praised Shang Kingdom’s business acumen – knowing money came fastest from women, thinking what her own women’s mall could learn for when she returned to Daimo.

While being measured, she suddenly heard someone enter outside, speaking with the shopkeeper. She vaguely heard the shopkeeper exclaim “Ah!” in surprise. The visitor spoke sternly several times, the shopkeeper lowered their voice submissively responding, then the visitor left.

Jing Hengbo paid no attention. After measurements, she lifted the curtain and emerged, smiling: “Shopkeeper, how much deposit? Please finish quickly and deliver to West Capital Street’s Huicheng…”

“Sorry, miss.” The shopkeeper’s smile suddenly became a bitter expression, bowing to her: “These garments you ordered – our shop lacks sufficient materials and cannot sell them. Please try another shop.”

“Insufficient materials? Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Jing Hengbo found this strange.

The shopkeeper only smiled bitterly, continuously bowing, insisting on insufficient materials – clearly meaning they wouldn’t sell to her. The surrounding noble ladies all put down their catalogs, watching while giggling, their gazes quite meaningful.

Jing Hengbo sensed something wrong but couldn’t quarrel with a shopkeeper – that would be beneath her. She nodded and left for another larger-looking shop.

The result was identical. Shopkeepers began with attentive service but quickly changed faces, using various excuses to refuse sales. Jing Hengbo tried seven shops including clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories – without exception. One jewelry shop coldly drove her toward the door, saying sarcastically: “Our Rui Fu Lin jewelry only sells to truly noble ladies with distinguished bearing. Someone like you, miss, please have mercy and don’t ruin our reputation.”

Every shop contained many noble ladies who seemed to have received notice, clustering together, not mediating or inquiring, coldly watching and silently staring with mocking laughter, making her isolated ejection from shops appear even more embarrassing.

Yong Xue’s face went white with anger, wanting to argue with shopkeepers, but Jing Hengbo restrained her. Looking around, every shop had people secretly poking their heads out, watching her with sneaky, hostile gazes.

She understood. Shang Kingdom’s noble ladies had actually banded together to ostracize her, deliberately ensuring she couldn’t buy any clothing or jewelry in Shang Kingdom, planning to humiliate her at the palace banquet.

Arguing with these shopkeepers was useless and would create more spectators. No point seeking shops willing to sell to her – that would only invite more humiliation.

She stood in the long street, slowly surveying her surroundings.

From all directions, countless mocking, malicious gazes emerged.

She slowly smiled, her curved lips carrying a mocking arc.

Her skirts wished only to sweep across the world, yet autumn grasshoppers always hopped before her toes.

Then she pointed, seeming to address everyone: “Those who humiliate others will themselves be humiliated. Remember my words.”

After speaking, she turned and left. Mocking laughter came from all sides with someone saying sarcastically: “Fleeing in defeat yet still maintaining face.”

She pretended not to hear.

Who was maintaining face – they’d see.

Bearing hostile gazes, she walked to the street entrance, boarded her carriage, and traveled only a short distance before a carriage caught up from behind with someone calling: “Miss, please wait.”

Jing Hengbo ordered her carriage to stop and lifted the curtain. The pursuing carriage was also exquisite, designed for Shang Kingdom noble ladies but lacking the usual family crests. Through dim silk curtains, she could see someone with hair in a high coiffure adorned with pearls and jade – apparently a noble lady.

Yong Xue warily got down to negotiate. After a while, the other carriage departed and Yong Xue returned carrying a large box, looking surprised: “The woman in that carriage had someone give me this. She said what happened on Brocade Street involved deliberate sabotage that she found excessive, but the opposition was powerful and she dared not speak out, only feeling guilty. So she specially caught up to gift you formal wear and jewelry she just acquired. Please don’t mind or think all Shang Kingdom people are rude and despicable.”

Jing Hengbo paused, accepting the box and using her object manipulation ability to open it remotely. Inside was indeed an exquisite bright red formal gown and a set of silver-red South Sea pearl jewelry. Both clothing and jewelry showed fine, meticulous craftsmanship – clearly from top artisans and quite valuable.

“Weren’t Shang Kingdom’s noble ladies united against me? How could someone have a change of heart?” Jing Hengbo looked at the dress, raising an eyebrow with a smile: “Sending this dress now is truly sending charcoal in snow, warming the heart. Oh right, did she identify herself?”

“No. Only repeated apologies with sincere tone. But never saw her face.”

“This gift truly cannot be refused.” Jing Hengbo stroked the golden-gleaming red brocade, her lips curving slightly: “Put it away.”

She returned with this box of clothing and jewelry. When Yélu Qi and Pei Shu asked about her shopping gains, she said this was formal wear she’d bought. Both men showed interest in seeing it, so Jing Hengbo helplessly showed them. After looking, they exchanged glances then looked at her.

“Why are you looking at me?” Jing Hengbo touched her face, inexplicably feeling guilty.

But neither answered. Yélu Qi smiled: “This formal wear is indeed nice. Oh, I remember I should also buy clothes to accompany you to the palace banquet. Now that everyone from the Yélu family is dead and Yu Kingdom royals are forced not to attend, I can appear publicly.”

“Dream on.” Pei Shu immediately said: “Why should I handle all the hard work while you get to accompany her and show off? If anyone’s buying, it should be me. I’ll go, I’ll accompany her.”

Yélu Qi completely ignored him, smiling as he greeted Jing Hengbo before leaving. Pei Shu angrily raised his eyebrows: “That bastard dares look down on me! I’ll beat him good!” He also limped out after him.

Jing Hengbo shouted: “Come back! Come back! Neither of you is healed – no one is accompanying…” Before finishing, both had vanished.

Jing Hengbo faced the empty wall and sighed. She missed Gong Yin even more – only the official boyfriend could control boring rivals…

Yong Xue stood on tiptoe watching their departure, expectation glittering in her eyes. Jing Hengbo glanced at her and sighed again with a headache.

She hoped those two really were just buying clothes…

…

As evening approached, an exquisite but ordinary carriage carried twilight colors through the majestic palace gates.

Heavy wheels rolled over the long white jade palace road while soldiers respectfully saluted in succession.

The carriage bore no emblems, appearing like an ordinary noble’s carriage, but all palace guards knew this was the Queen’s special carriage for visiting Brocade Street. Not wanting to disturb others, she always traveled with minimal escort.

Heavy curtains hung low in the carriage, with vague voices hidden deep within.

“That dress… has it been carefully examined?”

“Rest assured.”

“Will she have any suspicions?”

“Even if she does, she’ll certainly be grateful for your assistance. You know at that moment she was thoroughly humiliated, at her lowest emotional point – your timely aid will earn her eternal gratitude.”

“Hehe, I think so too.” The woman’s voice was gentle and warm with a hint of gravity: “…It’s also helpless, this roundabout salvation – all for Yao’er’s sake…”

“Your Majesty, rest assured. The Third Prince is brilliant and intelligent, has the Great King’s favor, and with Your Majesty’s careful management, he has perfect timing, terrain, and people – he’ll definitely ascend to the throne!”

…

At this moment, countless Shang Kingdom noble ladies celebrated their victory in ostracizing Jing Hengbo, eagerly awaiting her disheveled appearance at the palace banquet with various harassment methods already planned.

At this moment, a bright red brocade formal gown gleamed seductively before Jing Hengbo.

At this moment, a princess carefully dressed before her mirror, remembering her mother’s instructions – three days hence she must make that person fall in love at first sight, willing to trade armies for her.

At this moment, another carriage raced across Shang Kingdom’s land.

The carriage carried sixteen luxurious formal gowns, countless jewelry pieces, unique high-heeled shoes, warming medicines, and tart apricot jam.