Hanyan gave a somewhat melancholic smile. Despite her sincere devotion to her brother, in his eyes, she had become someone full of schemes and ugly suspicions. She hadn’t meant any harm to Ying Zi, but the mere mention of brothels had put her on alert. The fact that Ying Zi’s sister was in a brothel made Hanyan suspicious.

According to her story, they came from extreme poverty, yet Hanyan had noticed her hands—white and delicate, showing no signs of ever having done hard labor. Wasn’t this contradictory to her story? Was Ying Zi lying? When Hanyan pressed her, Ying Zi’s response was suspiciously dramatic—why threaten suicide over something that should have been simple to explain?

During the argument between Hanming and Hanyan, Ying Zi had merely looked flustered without trying to stop it. Any ordinary servant, seeing their masters quarrel over them, would have tried to defuse the situation.

Wasn’t this all too strange?

Hanyan gazed at the flower branches before her and asked, “Am I really… that despicable?”

Hearing this, Shu Hong quickly shook her head: “Please don’t say that, Young Miss. The Young Master is still young and doesn’t understand your difficulties.” Seeing Hanyan’s dejected expression, she felt heartache: “We servants all see what Young Miss does for the Young Master. Here, being kind to enemies is being cruel to oneself. With the current situation so complicated—Gongtong Court, Furong Garden, and the Master’s side are all difficult to deal with. Young Miss has no choice. Who would willingly live a life of scheming every day? Who wants to plot against others? It’s only because we fear that the moment we close our eyes, someone will push us down.” Shu Hong, usually reserved, rarely spoke so much. Seeing Hanyan’s expression, she was truly worried and tried to comfort her.

Hanyan smiled slightly: “Thank you, Shu Hong.” Indeed, who wouldn’t want to live innocently, spending days appreciating flowers and playing music, without having to navigate relationships or guard against schemes? But circumstances were cruel—she couldn’t let her previous life’s fate repeat itself. Even if Brother Ming hated her and saw her as utterly evil, she had to accept it.

“Shu Hong, have someone keep a close eye on that Ying Zi,” Hanyan said. Anyone who could make the usually obedient Hanming turn against her wasn’t ordinary.

However, Hanyan lowered her eyes, realizing this had exposed several issues. Hanming was growing up day by day. She didn’t plan to tell him about her rebirth, hoping he wouldn’t have to bear the same pain she did, hoping he would maintain his pure heart and become an upright, honorable person. But this meant Hanming couldn’t understand that as long as they remained in the Zhuang manor, their days of scheming and being schemed against would never end.

She wanted to tear off the hypocritical masks of those in the manor and let Hanming see clearly that in such a place, kindness was the least necessary thing.

But was this the right thing to do?

For the first time, Hanyan began to doubt her own decisions.

A few days later, it was time for Noble Consort Chen’s birthday celebration in the palace. The Emperor, favoring Noble Consort Chen, specially arranged a banquet in the palace. The banquet was mainly for female guests, with both Hanyan and Zhuang Yushan among the invitees.

Madam Chen started selecting clothes for Hanyan early in the morning: “Young Miss’s status is different now. As the Xuanqing Princess Consort, those plain clothes from before might be unsuitable. You need something more vibrant.” After hours of selection, still unsatisfied, she said: “We should have had new clothes made…”

Hanyan smiled: “Any choice will do. We’re just going to offer birthday wishes, nothing else. As long as it’s proper and appropriate, it’s fine.”

Madam Chen shook her head disapprovingly: “Young Miss is looking for convenience, but the Prince wouldn’t think so. Now Young Miss represents the Prince’s face—when Young Miss looks presentable, the Prince looks presentable.”

Hanyan almost laughed out loud. She was Fu Yunxi’s face? Thinking of Fu Yunxi’s handsome, refined features, she sighed inwardly. When that man simply stood in the center, others likely lost face—how could she possibly add to his prestige? Perhaps others were right—she, Zhuang Hanyan, had truly married above her station.

After Madam Chen helped her dress and Ji Lan and Shu Hong did her hair and makeup, Hanyan stood up and stretched. Every palace visit or banquet felt like going into battle, but with more experience, she had grown accustomed to this life.

However, Noble Consort Chen’s birthday celebration—Noble Consort Chen being the Seventh Prince’s birth mother—specifically adding her name to the invitation card suggested ill intentions.

She felt for the plum blossom dagger in her box, weighed it, and slipped it into her sleeve before telling Ji Lan and the others: “Let’s go.”

In the palace, perhaps the most magnificent was the Caifeng Hall, with walls of white jade and floors of golden bricks. Coral and precious stones were displayed everywhere, countless rare treasures adorned the space, and Persian wool carpets cascaded down the steps, soft and bright. Precious sandalwood incense wafted from bronze crane censers, and even in winter, the crystal plates still held summer fruits.

At the ladies’ section, the tables were set with delicately crafted pastries and fine wine, with noble ladies chatting warmly. Noble Consort Chen sat beside the Empress Dowager, beautifully adorned on her birthday. The Empress sat on the other side, smiling and chatting with generals’ wives. Suddenly, a somewhat shrill voice said: “I hear the Xuanqing Princess Consort will attend today—how unexpected!”

A woman in a matronly dress covered her mouth and smiled: “Now we can see what makes the Xuanqing Princess Consort so special.” Fu Yunxi, successful and distinguished in his youth, handsome and noble, from an extremely prestigious family, was the dream lover of countless noble daughters. When news of the Xuanqing Prince’s engagement spread, many young ladies cried themselves to sleep. At today’s birthday banquet, many maidens had once dreamed of becoming the Princess Consort. Already harboring jealousy, upon hearing that the Xuanqing Princess Consort would attend, they all craned their necks, eager to see her.

“Fourth Sister might arrive later,” said Zhuang Yushan. She had dressed up elaborately today, radiating brilliance. Unlike her maiden beauty, now as a married woman, she had blossomed differently, exuding a completely different charm. Her movements were alluring and graceful, causing many young ladies to sneer in disgust. Jealous of Zhuang Yushan’s beauty, they noted that despite being a concubine’s daughter, she had married well as the Young Master Wei’s Secondary Consort. Some who had never met Hanyan assumed that since she was Zhuang Yushan’s sister, the Xuanqing Princess Consort must also be a seductress, and already harbored a dislike for this unseen Princess Consort.

“I hear this Xuanqing Princess Consort is jealous, not allowing the Xuanqing Prince to take concubines or mistresses,” one noble lady remarked.