Madam Kou angrily slapped her daughter’s arm once: “You girl, you only know how to anger me.”

The young lady was Princess Yi’an’s biological younger sister, with the given name Kou Wan.

She turned her head away, not wanting to speak.

“These Lin family sisters are truly interesting—they’re constantly becoming topics of heated discussion. Even someone like me who stays in the palace year-round has heard quite a bit.” Princess Yi’an spoke indifferently.

“Exactly! My ears have grown calluses from hearing it. Previously when Miss Lin was betrothed to Prince Wei, it was glorious enough, but back then Prince Wei was too fat so there wasn’t much talk. This time with Second Miss Lin betrothed to the Heir of Prince Jing, in Mother’s mouth it’s as if she married an absolutely peerless excellent son-in-law that others can’t even catch up to.” Kou Wan took the opportunity to complain.

Madam Kou made a gesture as if to strike: “A young lady with such a sharp tongue…”

Impatience flashed through Princess Yi’an’s eyes as she stopped Madam Kou from continuing her lecture: “I’ve heard the Heir of Prince Jing is a sickly person. There are plenty of men of outstanding character and appearance in this world. Mother, you shouldn’t keep saying these things to younger sister.”

“Exactly! Brother-in-law is very good.” Kou Wan said with a giggling smile.

Madam Kou also smiled: “Of course—this was the husband the Empress Dowager selected for your elder sister.”

Princess Yi’an’s special circumstances made it so Madam Kou couldn’t put on maternal airs before her, but instead always spoke in a coaxing manner.

Princess Yi’an smiled slightly and planned to return to the palace.

Having entered the palace since childhood to accompany the Empress Dowager made it very difficult for her to become close with her mother, but the Empress Dowager often told her to go home and visit, so she had no choice but to do so.

Hearing her daughter wanted to leave, Madam Kou felt somewhat reluctant: “At least stay for the midday meal before going back.”

“The Empress Dowager’s health hasn’t been quite well lately. I should return early to spend more time with her.”

“Then hurry back to the palace.” Madam Kou didn’t dare delay her further. “Wan’er, see your elder sister out.”

Kou Wan accompanied Princess Yi’an as she walked outside.

The Kou Manor was spacious and imposing. Rare flowers and exotic plants competed in beauty in the spring day. Princess Yi’an’s floor-length gown slowly brushed across the spotlessly clean bluestone ground as she said indifferently: “That Second Miss Lin—younger sister should be careful when dealing with her in the future.”

Kou Wan’s eyes widened somewhat: “What about her?”

Princess Yi’an sneered coldly: “A woman who was just kidnapped, escaped from the bandits’ hands using who knows what methods, then in the blink of an eye could climb up to the Heir of Prince Jing—could she be that simple?”

Moreover, it wasn’t only the Heir of Prince Jing—Princess Yi’an thought of that glazed flower lantern, and the thorn that had stabbed into her heart on Lantern Festival drove ever deeper.

“Younger sister understands.” Kou Wan obediently agreed, and when she thought of Lin Hao again, added an extra layer of disgust.

Princess Yi’an rode in the palace sedan toward the direction of the Imperial City, lifting the curtain to look outside with casual disinterest.

The streets were crowded with people coming and going—peddlers carrying shoulder poles and hawking their wares, mischievous children chasing and laughing, young ladies carrying flower baskets.

“Stop for a moment.” Princess Yi’an suddenly spoke.

The sedan quickly stopped. She bent down to exit, supported by a palace maid as she descended from the sedan, but before she could give any instructions to the palace attendants, the figure that had caught her eye had already disappeared.

“Princess, what are your orders?” the close palace maid asked.

“It’s nothing.” Princess Yi’an shook her head and sat back into the sedan.

She seemed to have just glimpsed the top-ranked scholar Yang Zhe.

Princess Yi’an kept the curtain lifted all the way until returning to the palace, her mood exceptionally poor.

Also in a poor mood was the Crown Prince upon hearing of Lin Hao’s betrothal.

In the inner chamber where only his new favorite Wang Fu stood in attendance, the Crown Prince lifted his foot and kicked over a small stool to vent his anger: “Why is she always working against me!”

Wang Fu silently watched the small stool being kicked back and forth, rolling around. Only after the Crown Prince stopped did he move forward: “Your Highness, if you have troubles on your mind, speak them out. Don’t hold them inside.”

The Crown Prince sat down heavily in a chair, his face iron-blue: “It’s nothing.”

Only Wang Gui had known those thoughts of his.

Thinking of the deceased Wang Gui, the Crown Prince grew even more irritated and viciously kicked the table. The table slid far away, and the fresh fruit in the fruit dish rolled all over the floor.

Wang Fu moved behind the Crown Prince and quietly kneaded his shoulders. After a while, the Crown Prince actually took the initiative to speak.

“I have my eye on a woman, but she’s become betrothed.”

Wang Fu’s movements massaging the Crown Prince’s shoulders didn’t change in the slightest as he said with a smile: “This slave thought it was some major matter. That woman is only betrothed, not yet married. If she knew she had Your Highness’s favor, who knows how happy she’d be.”

“The one betrothed to her is the Heir of Prince Jing.”

That damned Heir of Prince Jing!

Wang Fu’s brows rose slightly, his expression changing: “You fancy Second Miss Lin?”

The Crown Prince turned his head to look at him: “You know about it too?”

Wang Fu hurriedly said: “The matter of Second Miss Lin’s betrothal to the Heir of Prince Jing—quite a few people in the palace are talking about it.”

“Then tell me, what should I do?”

Wang Fu’s face showed difficulty: “This—”

“Say whatever you’re thinking!”

Wang Fu didn’t dare hesitate any longer: “If it were an ordinary family it would be easier to handle, but the Heir of Prince Jing is from the imperial clan, so it truly is difficult…”

“I knew it!” The Crown Prince slapped the chair’s armrest. In his heart it felt as if there were a fire burning, scorching upward with fury.

Fourth Brother had broken off the engagement with Miss Lin, and he’d thought his opportunity had come. Who would have expected that so quickly Second Miss Lin would become betrothed to the Heir of Prince Jing!

Was Heaven deliberately toying with him?

The Crown Prince stood up and paced back and forth, his anger growing fiercer, even his face turning crimson red.

Drowsiness struck, yet his body felt unbearably hot and agitated. The Crown Prince hastily called to Wang Fu: “Bring the Five-Color Powder.”

Wang Fu quickly presented the Five-Color Powder. Seeing the Crown Prince’s face still showing dissatisfaction after taking it, he considerately said: “If Your Highness still feels troubled, you might as well use more. This Five-Color Powder is most effective at broadening one’s mood.”

The Crown Prince had discovered the benefits of the Five-Color Powder some days ago. Hearing this, he nodded without the slightest hesitation.

The Eastern Palace quietly returned to peace and harmony.

Qi Shuo waited several days after the startled horse incident before arranging to meet with Jinlin Guard Commander Cheng Maoming.

Cheng Maoming, having earned merit for preventing the bandits’ plot to bomb Golden Embroidery Street, had received Emperor Tai’an’s commendation and was in an excellent mood. Seeing the Heir of Prince Jing who had delivered this achievement to him, his attitude was even better.

“I haven’t yet congratulated the Heir on finding an excellent match.”

This polite remark made Qi Shuo’s lips curve upward: “Thank you.”

Cheng Maoming glanced at Qi Shuo’s expression and gained some understanding: it seemed the Heir of Prince Jing was very satisfied with this marriage.

“I’ve come to find the Commander today because I have a favor to ask.”

Cheng Maoming’s expression grew serious: “Please speak, Heir.”

“It’s like this—there’s someone I find annoying to look at, but he kept pestering, so I had him arrested…”

Cheng Maoming listened, his expression becoming strange.

A woman had been desperately clinging to the Heir of Prince Jing, and the Heir actually had her arrested? This showed no understanding of tender feelings toward the fairer sex.

“What does the Heir need me to do?”

Qi Shuo’s face showed helplessness: “It’s not appropriate to keep the person confined in the Prince’s Manor. Could we borrow a place at the Jinlin Guard?”

Cheng Maoming was stunned for a moment.

He actually wanted to confine the person at the Jinlin Guard?

Qi Shuo frowned slightly: “If the Commander finds this difficult—”

Cheng Maoming came back to his senses and hurriedly said: “The Heir is too polite. What’s difficult about this? However, let me ask one more question—do you only need to keep the person confined?”