Zhuang Yushan smiled and said: “Fourth Sister has always pursued the ideal of one life, one world, one pair. She even disapproved when Father took concubines. Fourth Sister’s thoughts are quite… unique.” While on the surface this praised Hanyan’s faithfulness in love, the listeners interpreted it quite differently.

Sure enough, a matron immediately burst out indignantly: “How can a child question their parents’ affairs? I hear this Xuanqing Princess Consort isn’t even fifteen yet, but dares to judge her parents’ decisions—this is unfilial! A woman’s unique thoughts? It’s not uniqueness, it’s not knowing her place and not following proper rules!”

This comment immediately drew agreement from those around. In this world, once someone reaches a high position, they inevitably attract jealous gazes, and too many jealous gazes lead to gossip. Deng Chan was among the banquet guests and, hearing Zhuang Yushan’s words, wanted to loudly refute them.

Zhuang Yushan’s words were too malicious, clearly taking advantage of Hanyan’s absence to defame her. But when her mother tugged at her sleeve and gave her a warning look, Deng Chan, though unwilling, dared not anger her mother. She could only glare at the culprit Zhuang Yushan.

What puzzled her was that some of these ladies had known Hanyan before and knew her character was nothing like what Zhuang Yushan described, yet they not only failed to defend her but sat watching the drama unfold, even agreeing with Zhuang Yushan. Deng Chan felt Hanyan deserved better.

Among them, one person remained neutral toward Zhuang Yushan’s words—Li Jiaqi.

Previously, Zhuang Yushan had told her that Hanyan might become the Young Master Wei’s Primary Consort, causing Li Jiaqi to constantly oppose Hanyan. But at the Zhuang Prince Manor, after personally witnessing Zhuang Yushan seducing Wei Rufeng and their intimate relations being discovered, Li Jiaqi came to despise Zhuang Yushan. Now Hanyan had become the Xuanqing Princess Consort and would have no further connection with Wei Rufeng, yet Zhuang Yushan had transformed herself into the Young Master’s Secondary Consort. Soon, Li Jiaqi would enter the Wei Prince Manor as Wei Rufeng’s Primary Consort. Naturally, Li Jiaqi was pleased to marry someone she liked. However, before her entry, Wei Rufeng had already taken a Secondary Consort—Zhuang Yushan—who stuck like a thorn in Li Jiaqi’s throat, impossible to ignore. Seeing Zhuang Yushan still defaming Hanyan, she contemptuously declared loudly: “What can be done about it? The Xuanqing Prince loves her! He’s willingly faithful to her alone, and their betrothal was witnessed by the court and Emperor himself.”

At these words, those who had been mocking and criticizing Hanyan fell silent. Indeed, the Xuanqing Prince’s actions showed he would have only Hanyan as his consort for life. For women to envy someone, that person must first be worthy of envy. For a woman, nothing was more pride-worthy than having an excellent man’s wholehearted devotion, and Hanyan had undoubtedly achieved this.

Deng Chan looked at Li Jiaqi in surprise, puzzled that someone who had been Hanyan’s sworn enemy would now speak up for her—truly unexpected.

Zhuang Yushan was furious. Li Jiaqi’s words implied that her marriage to Wei Rufeng only happened because of their premature intimacy, making it improper and forced, suggesting Wei Rufeng had reluctantly taken her into the household. Though thinking this, she dared not offend Li Jiaqi, secretly vowing that once Li Jiaqi entered the manor and failed to win Wei Rufeng’s heart while she gained favor, she would deal with her as she pleased. So she smiled amiably: “Indeed, Fourth Sister is truly blessed.”

The Empress continued her casual conversation with the general’s wife, seeming to both hear and not hear the ladies’ earlier discussion. Noble Consort Chen smiled as she served tea to the Empress Dowager, both silently observing the commotion below. Though their smiles remained proper, the depths of their eyes held unknowable intentions.

Just as the ladies finished discussing Hanyan, a eunuch announced: “The Xuanqing Princess Consort arrives…” Then Hanyan entered the hall, followed by two maids.

This young lady, though not fully grown and retaining some childishness, carried herself with noble bearing. Without any nervousness or shyness, she moved like a royal princess, each step measured and steady. At first glance, it was hard to believe that any thirteen-year-old girl could possess such composure.

As she drew closer, everyone could see her more clearly. She was a girl with delicate features, though only delicate—her beauty couldn’t compare to Zhuang Yushan’s striking allure. Instead, she was like a clear spring, flowing comfortably through one’s heart, proper and detailed. She wore a rose-purple satin jacket with dense embroidery, pearl, and jade ornaments on the collar, covered by a gold-trimmed pipa-style outer jacket, paired with a pink silk pleated skirt. A string of bright pearls adorned her neck, and her hair was styled in a Wangchun bun, both dignified and lively. Her upturned lips and smiling eyes appeared extremely docile and gentle, yet within that gentleness lay a barely perceptible coolness, making her seem like an aloof outsider, coldly mocking all worldly matters, neither engaging nor shedding tears.

This young lady, though not strikingly beautiful, possessed a certain magnetism. All her brilliant talents seemed hidden within her calm, clear eyes, inexplicably inspiring some fear in others.

This image completely contradicted the jealous, willful, unfilial, and cruel person that Zhuang Yushan and others in the capital had described.

Hanyan bowed: “Hanyan pays respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Noble Consort.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand: “Rise.”

Hanyan expressed her thanks.

However, Noble Consort Chen didn’t let her return to her seat, instead looking at her and saying: “Now that you’re the Xuanqing Princess Consort, you must be even more careful in your conduct.” Then she called out: “Yu’er.”

Zhuang Yushan quickly stepped forward: “Your Grace.”

Noble Consort Chen beckoned her forward, took her hand, and smiled warmly: “I’ve always thought the Young Master was promising. Now that you’re his Secondary Consort, seeing how well-mannered you are, I’m very pleased.” She then removed a hairpin from her head and placed it in Zhuang Yushan’s hair: “I have nothing better to give—take this hairpin.”

Zhuang Yushan acted overwhelmed: “Your Grace, I couldn’t possibly… I haven’t done anything…”

“When I tell you to take it, take it,” Noble Consort Chen seemed slightly annoyed. “I’m giving it to you because I care for you.”

Zhuang Yushan hurriedly thanked her and continued chatting and laughing with Noble Consort Chen.

Throughout this exchange, Hanyan remained standing below Noble Consort Chen, unable to move. Noble Consort Chen hadn’t dismissed her but focused on talking with Zhuang Yushan, deliberately leaving her standing there. The Empress Dowager merely sipped her tea, showing no intention of helping Hanyan out of this awkward situation. The Empress glanced over a few times before turning back to chat with the general’s wife, seemingly unwilling to involve herself in the matter.