When Prince Xu arrived at the banquet, he was surrounded by a crowd of people, making it very difficult to emerge from them. Especially those young ladies who had set their sights on him—they blocked his line of sight as if by accident. By the time he managed to extricate himself from the group through various means, an entire hour had already passed. At this moment, the crowd had finally dispersed, each finding close acquaintances to drink and chat with. He searched everywhere for Li Weiyang, spending who knows how much effort before discovering that she had dismissed her attendants and sat alone beneath a willow tree by the shore.

Sensing someone approaching, Li Weiyang turned slightly and, seeing it was him, revealed a slight smile.

“Your Highness Prince Xu, long time no see?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was as usual, as if they had never parted. In that instant, Yuan Lie felt his heart pounding like drums. He couldn’t help stepping forward and said in a low voice, “I’ve been searching for you for a long time.”

Li Weiyang only smiled gently, ripples seeming to flash in her eyes: “I know.” After speaking, her eyelashes trembled slightly as she lowered her eyes in time, so the emotion in her expression wasn’t seen by him at all.

Yuan Lie felt his heart trembling faintly. He didn’t know how much strength it would take to control the trembling throughout his body. He forcibly suppressed his emotions and sat down on a rock beside her.

Li Weiyang looked at him. The current Yuan Lie was no longer the youth who had followed at her side. He wore a gold crown on his head, his features still handsome, but appearing even more noble and extraordinary. In her memory, he seemed to still remain in the past, but in fact, their current identities were both very different from before.

“I thought he would let you return to your original position.” Li Weiyang said softly.

Yuan Lie clenched his fists tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms. Relying on this pain, he finally felt much more clear-headed. He said in a low voice, “I like this position.” When the Emperor asked him if he wanted to return to his position as an imperial prince, he shook his head. In this position, he could more freely do what he wanted to do. As for the so-called identity of imperial nobility—in his view, it meant nothing.

The wind gently brushed past. A few strands of Li Weiyang’s hair fell across her face, but her eyes still held a smile: “Not curious why I’ve become the Guo family’s daughter?”

But Yuan Lie didn’t speak. He didn’t care about this question. What he wanted to know was, “You’ve been here for more than a day or two. Why didn’t you come find me?”

“If I hadn’t seen you today, were you prepared to never come find me for your entire life?”

“Do you hope to be Miss Guo, continue your revenge, and just discard me like that?”

“In your eyes, am I someone who can be casually discarded?” He asked question after question, his expression persistent.

Li Weiyang’s expression showed some fluctuation under his relentless questioning. Almost in the next instant, those glass-colored eyes showed a hurt expression.

“I hate being abandoned most of all.” He suddenly lowered his head and said slowly.

“Before, when Mother abandoned me, you said you would never leave me.”

Abandonment—the two words he hated most. Especially when that person was the one he liked most in the entire world. Aside from her, he didn’t think there was anything in this world particularly worth his concern. Yet this very person, just like his mother, had abandoned him and walked away, leaving him to search everywhere like a madman. How could this be!

Li Weiyang sighed inwardly in her heart. Just as she was about to speak, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with dazzling sparks as he stared unblinkingly at Li Weiyang and said, “Unfortunately, no matter where you go or who you become, I will follow you!”

Li Weiyang looked at him. Under the sunlight, his bright eyes held affection, his thin lips were sharp, his nose bridge straight. His profile was tinged with shimmering ripples, so handsome one dared not look directly at him. She suddenly smiled and said, “Yes, no matter how I try to shake you off, I can’t. So from the very beginning, I never had that intention. I only hoped to give you some time to think clearly…”

At first she left Dali because she couldn’t accept the sudden losses. Later, she didn’t seek him out to give him time to calm down. From when he was in Dali, she had been by his side. To him, what did her existence really mean… This period of separation was enough time for him to see clearly whether his feelings for her were dependence or love. But now, seeing his hurt expression, Li Weiyang felt her heart soften. She gently reached out her hand and grasped his fingers.

Yuan Lie was shocked. Then, wild joy surged in his heart. He grabbed her hand in one motion, gripping it tightly as if never willing to let go again.

Li Weiyang felt the warmth from that palm and sighed softly. Yuan Lie, you’re truly foolish. Someone I’ve set my sights on absolutely cannot escape. In the future, regardless of whether your feelings for me change or you come to like someone else, I will have you stay by my side forever. She had no way to control her possessiveness. Perhaps, in her bones, she was a very frightening person.

“What’s this—you two actually know each other?” A voice sounded from behind.

Yuan Lie took the opportunity to shield Li Weiyang and nodded to Guo Cheng behind him with a smile: “Third Place Scholar.”

Guo Cheng smiled slightly, his face appearing very humble: “Your Highness Prince Xu.”

Yuan Lie seemed not to care at all about being seen by him. Instead, he said unhurriedly, “I’ve met your younger sister a few times before. I didn’t expect to reunite today. It’s truly fate.”

Guo Jia had previously been adopted by others. Although Yuan Lie also grew up among commoners, these two people had nothing to do with each other—how could they know each other? Guo Cheng was very good at reading people and wouldn’t believe such words at all. Moreover, if Guo Jia and Yuan Lie had originally known each other, the implications would be profound. He raised his eyebrows, his lips curving slightly as he asked, “Oh, what a remarkable coincidence indeed. May I ask where you two met?”

Yuan Lie smiled and said, “Just during the period when Miss Guo was temporarily staying in the capital, we happened to meet a few times. Why, is the Third Place Scholar interested?”

Guo Cheng narrowed his eyes and smiled: “I’m merely curious for a moment. Your Highness Prince Xu needn’t think too much. Guo Jia is my younger sister. It’s only natural that I care about her.”

Guo Cheng had always been perceptive. Li Weiyang didn’t think she could hide from him the fact that she and Yuan Lie were familiar. Moreover, looking at the current situation, there was no need to hide it. The Guo family supported Seventh Prince Yuan Ying. Yuan Lie, deeply favored by the Emperor as Prince Xu and having inherited all the title and power, would naturally be courted by all sides. The Guo family wouldn’t reject this friend. Li Weiyang’s closeness to him not only had no drawbacks, it could even bring benefits to the Guo family. But this also didn’t mean she liked being scrutinized and teased. Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Third elder brother, Mother was just looking for you everywhere.”

“Oh, really?” Guo Cheng laughed. He very much wanted to know what relationship Guo Jia had with this Prince Xu before him. However, since they were so blatantly chasing him away, standing here shamelessly seemed rather inappropriate. He touched his chin with a half-smile: “Then I’ll go first.” With that, he turned as if to leave. After just two steps, he suddenly turned back: “Oh!”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows to look at him. He laughed heartily and said, “Little sister, Mother still wants to keep you around for a while longer. Don’t be in such a hurry to marry yourself off!” With that, he quickly walked away, as if afraid of being caught by Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang was speechless. Yuan Lie, however, laughed and said, “Guo Cheng should already know you’re not the real Guo Jia.”

Li Weiyang nodded and said, “Yes, in this household, Duke Qiguo and him should both know. However, what he knows is only part of it. They all think I came to the capital merely because I had no one to rely on and came to seek relatives. They don’t know I came to find someone for revenge.”

After a long silence, Yuan Lie quietly turned his gaze, looking into Li Weiyang’s clear eyes. In a trance, he smiled softly: “May I help you?”

Li Weiyang’s expression looked like rippleless spring water—calm and indifferent. But in her heart, a trace of tenderness swept past in an instant. Her voice was very soft: “Alright. However, the Emperor can deceive everyone in the world, but he can’t deceive Empress Pei. She must already know your identity, so you must be extremely careful.”

Yuan Lie smiled and said, “I know. From the moment I entered the capital, she’s already had her eyes on me.”

“Has she made any moves?” Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s heart jumped.

Yuan Lie nodded and said lightly, “Four times, but all were close calls without real danger.”

There will be more in the future. Li Weiyang sighed softly. The more the Emperor cherished Yuan Lie, the more Empress Pei would resent him. In fact, Yuan Lie’s choice to give up restoring his identity as an imperial prince was equivalent to showing the Emperor that he had no ambition to inherit the throne. So the Emperor gave him the safest identity as Prince Xu—with power in hand, plus connections and status, he became an object of competition for all the princes and aristocratic families. But Empress Pei still moved against him. What did this indicate?

First, Empress Pei wouldn’t let any possibility go and wanted to eliminate Yuan Lie when his power was weakest. Second, Empress Pei wanted Yuan Lie dead not as an empress, but as a woman. If it was the first, then Empress Pei was an exceptionally cautious and careful person. If it was the second, then Empress Pei must have extraordinary feelings for the Emperor, making her unable to forgive Yuan Lie’s existence. Just because the Emperor’s most beloved woman was Princess Qixia, Empress Pei was so obsessed with pursuing and killing Yuan Lie…

Li Weiyang shook her head. Regardless of which it was, Empress Pei was not someone easy to deal with.

“Setting aside Empress Pei for now, how do you plan to deal with Yuan Yu?” In the capital, Yuan Yu was definitely a big problem. He might very well report to Empress Pei after recognizing Li Weiyang, or spread Li Weiyang’s true identity until everyone knew. This would be big trouble.

“That’s not a problem. If he doesn’t find me, I was going to find him anyway. We still have an account to settle.”

Yuan Lie looked at her curiously. Li Weiyang asked thoughtfully, “Is the most famous courtesan in the capital currently Chu Yun who performed the dance today?”

Yuan Lie shuddered, then understood, saying with a half-smile, “You mean—”

Yuan Lie had understood her meaning so quickly—Li Weiyang sighed and said, “You should go now. If you don’t leave, people will really suspect that His Highness Prince Xu fell in love at first sight with the Guo family’s daughter at the banquet. That would frighten my mother.” She had already grown accustomed to calling her “my mother.” Yuan Lie gazed at her fixedly. Originally, he thought that when they met again, it would be a Li Weiyang on the verge of collapse, because in one night, she had lost so many people she cared about… But now, she was stronger than before, her smile more beautiful. Because of the Guo family… He thought this in his heart, but said aloud, “I want to participate in this matter.”

Li Weiyang looked at him with a half-smile: “Then you should make arrangements in advance even more.”

“When do you plan to act?”

Li Weiyang slowly exhaled and said, “Today.”

Yuan Lie finally left reluctantly. Li Weiyang didn’t want to return immediately, so she walked along the lakeside, quietly organizing her thoughts. However, just as she reached near a wall, she suddenly heard rustling sounds. Looking up abruptly, she saw Yuan Lie had somehow climbed onto the wall, his black hair reflecting the sunlight like a piece of satin, shining brightly. She was stunned—hadn’t he just left the garden? Who knew that in just a moment, she would see Yuan Lie grab some vines and jump down from the wall. The corners of his lips lifted, containing a slight smile, his extraordinarily handsome appearance unable to conceal his elation. She was surprised. Before she could speak, he had already pecked her on the lips. She was greatly shocked and instinctively looked around. Fortunately, no one was there. Before she could get angry, he had already climbed back up, turned his head with a smile and said, “I’ll come see you again later!”

Li Weiyang was dumbfounded, but her face burned intensely, the shame and anger about to burst forth spreading boundlessly.

Prince Xu’s early departure didn’t attract much attention. Probably in their view, Prince Xu was inherently not an approachable person. Although his handsome appearance attracted the admiration of many young ladies, in the eyes of aristocratic families, his position as Prince Xu, if not for the Emperor’s strong support, probably wouldn’t be very stable. After all, he still had a stepmother watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey, impatiently lurking in the shadows, seeking every opportunity to pull him down.

When Li Weiyang returned, Madam Guo had already been anxiously searching for her for a long time. Upon seeing her, her eyes immediately lit up: “Jia’er, where did you go?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “There were too many people at the banquet. I felt stifled, so I went for a walk by the lake.”

Madam Guo felt relieved and said, “That’s good then. Princess Yan has arrived and says she wants to see you.”

Li Weiyang’s gaze looked toward the distance and indeed saw Princess Yongning sitting calmly at the banquet with a placid face. When people nearby spoke to her, she was extremely cold, clearly not wanting to pay attention to anyone. Li Weiyang smiled and walked over: “Your Highness Princess.”

Seeing Li Weiyang, Princess Yongning’s eyes immediately brightened. Then she instructed the maidservant beside her, “Miss Guo and I want to take a casual walk. You don’t need to follow.” With that, she stood up and intimately took Li Weiyang’s arm, saying loudly, “I heard the Guo family has a precious ink-colored peony. I wonder if Miss Guo would be willing to show it to me?”

Since Princess Yongning had married into Yuexi, she was still accustomed to her previous lofty princess status and wasn’t close to people here. Moreover, she wasn’t favored by Empress Pei and was detested by Prince Yan, so everyone kept a respectful distance from her. It was only out of respect for her identity as a Dali princess that they didn’t dare treat her too coldly. Today at the Guo family’s banquet, according to custom they had sent her an invitation, but even Madam Guo had originally thought she wouldn’t appear at all. Who knew that halfway through the banquet, Princess Yongning actually came? Not only that, she showed great enthusiasm toward the Guo family’s young miss. This couldn’t help but seem strange to everyone.

Seeing this, Pei Bao’er felt increasingly unhappy. What charm did this Guo Jia possess that made everyone treat her differently? In her view, her own appearance far exceeded Guo Jia’s, yet at today’s banquet, Guo Jia had become like the moon surrounded by stars. It truly made her heart uncomfortable.

On this side, Princess Yongning had already said impatiently, “I did as you said. I returned to Prince Yan’s residence. He was very surprised, but I said I had already forgiven him. I also told him that as long as he preserved my position as princess consort, I would turn a blind eye to his actions. To gain his trust, I even sent him two beauties. So during this period, he’s thought I was deliberately trying to please him and has become even more unbridled.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. Someone like Yuan Yu would naturally open a dye shop if you gave him three colors. She said slowly, “Princess, do you know what to do next?”

Princess Yongning said through gritted teeth, “Tell me. I’ll do everything.”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Today’s banquet—His Highness Prince Yan didn’t come. What a pity.”

Princess Yongning frowned and said, “What do you mean?” She didn’t understand. Li Weiyang should be very afraid of meeting Yuan Yu. Why would she want to see Yuan Yu? Wasn’t she afraid her true identity would be exposed? When Princess Yongning received Li Weiyang’s secret letter, she had been truly shocked. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang would transform and become the Guo family’s daughter. This was truly too incredible.

Li Weiyang looked at the peonies blooming in the distance, her smile as always: “I heard His Majesty summoned all the princes on some matter, but I presume by now, Prince Yan has already left the palace.”

The Emperor merely summoned them to discuss the southern floods—actually just going through the motions. The edict had already been issued. Yuan Yu naturally wouldn’t stay long in the palace. But Princess Yongning didn’t know why Li Weiyang would suddenly mention this…

Li Weiyang had already continued: “If the Princess immediately sends someone to tell Prince Yan that the famous courtesan Chu Yun is performing at the Guo residence today, would Prince Yan be interested?”

Princess Yongning looked at Li Weiyang uncomprehendingly, obviously unable to react at all.

Li Weiyang’s smile was subtle and gentle: “I heard from my mother that the reason Chu Yun is praised as a famous courtesan is first because she excels in both beauty and artistry, and second because she maintains her virtue, values herself highly, and rarely participates in those complex banquets. It’s said that even to this day she’s still a pure performer.”

Princess Yongning considered herself noble and naturally looked down on such courtesans. But at this moment, she recalled and said, “Indeed, Yuan Yu has also exhausted all means trying to invite this woman, but she’s been very careful and won’t easily take the bait. If I send someone to tell him this woman is also at the banquet, he’ll definitely come. But why do you want to lure him here?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes merely moved slightly as she said slowly, “When he arrives, the Princess will naturally know.”

Princess Yongning had complete faith in Li Weiyang’s methods. She immediately sent someone back to inform Yuan Yu that Chu Yun was also at the Guo residence. As expected, an hour later, Prince Yan arrived at the Guo family with gifts. Duke Qiguo had never liked this prince with a handsome exterior but filthy interior, especially being very wary of his reputation for loving women. Hearing he had come, he merely instructed Guo Cheng to arrange a seat for him and then left him aside.

Yuan Yu had long known about the Guo family’s sanctimonious habits. In any case, Empress Pei and the Guo family had never gotten along, so he didn’t particularly care. At this moment, he only stared at Chu Yun, who sat resting to the side after finishing her dance, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.

This woman—the first time he saw her, he had already wanted to possess her, but unfortunately she was too ungrateful, refusing his invitations time and again. Previously, he still had patience to conquer such women, but now he was becoming increasingly impatient. So he decided to treat her like that actress, properly crushing this little beauty’s pride.

Yongning wore a smile on her face and proactively instructed her maidservant to pass Yuan Yu a cup of wine.

Yuan Yu smiled and glanced at his princess consort. If she weren’t a Dali princess, he would have kicked her away long ago, sparing himself from seeing this old face that reminded him of those very unpleasant memories… Fortunately, this woman had learned her lesson now and was becoming more sensible. Not only had she proactively sent him beauties, she no longer competed for favor jealously. An old woman should be exactly like this.

Yongning smiled and said, “My lord, I toast you.”

Yuan Yu didn’t suspect anything and drained the wine cup, saying, “The Guo family’s wine is indeed not bad.”

Princess Yongning only lowered her eyes and glanced at the fine wine in the cup. This powder was given to her by Li Weiyang—she didn’t know what effect it would have.

Before long, Yongning saw the powder’s effect, because Yuan Yu was already so hot and restless he couldn’t sit still. He twisted and turned in his seat, completely unable to maintain the dignity befitting a prince. That face more beautiful than a woman’s was tinged with a flush. He instructed the maidservants beside him to fan him, but it was still useless. He simply stood up and walked straight toward Chu Yun. From Yongning’s angle, Yuan Yu seemed to say something, then went to grab Chu Yun’s wrist. As a result, Chu Yun became angry, flicked her sleeve and walked away.

Yuan Yu surprisingly still wouldn’t give up and reached out to grab her again. Chu Yun was also quite stubborn, absolutely refusing to acknowledge him. Yuan Yu became even more excessive, actually pulling her over to kiss her. Other people nearby seeing this scene all changed color. The dignified Prince Yan was publicly harassing a courtesan, and when she was unwilling, he still forced himself on her like this—truly too tasteless!

Yongning sneered coldly. Although Yuan Yu was originally shameless, on the surface he still maintained a facade, because he feared others would catch him and report him to the Emperor. But she hadn’t expected him to become so shameless after being drugged. However, was Li Weiyang deliberately trying to make him lose face? Or did she have some other intention?

The scene of Yuan Yu pursuing Chu Yun relentlessly was truly too unseemly. With one glance from Madam Guo, Guo Cheng and Guo Dun immediately walked forward, grabbing Prince Yan from left and right. Guo Cheng smiled and said, “My lord, you’re drunk! Someone, quickly help the prince to rest on the side!”

Yuan Yu was forcibly held by the two of them and could only watch helplessly as Chu Yun left. Yuan Yu was very angry but knew this wasn’t the place to lose his temper. Soon, Yongning brought over a cup of warm water for him to drink. Yuan Yu only felt the restless heat in his heart dissipate considerably. That evil fire from earlier also subsided. He opened his eyes and looked around, only to find everyone looking at him with strange expressions. He was somewhat puzzled for a moment—what had just happened to him? Could the wine have such a strong aftereffect that it made him lose composure in public… Thinking this, he looked suspiciously at Princess Yongning.

However, Princess Yongning said with concern, “My lord, what happened to you just now? You really frightened me!”

It couldn’t have been Princess Yongning who did something. This woman was now his princess consort—what could she do? She could only desperately try to please him to ensure she had good days for the rest of her life. Thinking this way, Yuan Yu’s suspicions diminished by thirty percent. He stood up and said, “I was a bit drunk. I’ll be fine after walking around.” Just then, he suddenly saw a group of people standing in the distance. Originally that group had been standing among the peony flowers, and he had only been focused on watching Chu Yun without paying attention. Only now did he see clearly, and his heart suddenly jumped in alarm.

Li Weiyang! It was actually Li Weiyang! How was this possible! He desperately rubbed his eyes, almost suspecting he had seen wrong.

Li Weiyang was together with the two Han sisters, saying something unknown before suddenly laughing. That smile was very gentle and noble. Her appearance was even more mature and beautiful compared to half a year ago. Yet Yuan Yu still recognized her at a glance.

Yes, how could he forget this woman! Because of her, he was forced to lose his carefully cultivated shadow guards; because of her, he was thrown to those lowly brothel women to be toyed with; because of her, for a while he was even afraid when he saw women… He could never forget this humiliation for the rest of his life!

But how could she appear in Yuexi! Why!

Yuan Yu abruptly sat back down. Then he turned to look at Princess Yongning and lowered his voice: “How can she be here?!”

Yongning looked at him, showing a surprised expression: “Who is my lord talking about?!”

Yuan Yu said word by word, as if the words were being forced out from between his teeth: “Li Weiyang!” Then Princess Yongning looked in the direction of his gaze, seeming unable to react: “Ah! You mean Miss Guo! Yes, she and Princess Anping are really very similar. When I first saw her, I was also startled. To think there are such similar people in this world?!”

“Miss Guo? Guo Jia?” That was clearly Li Weiyang. Even if she turned to ash, Yuan Yu wouldn’t forget. The woman he hated most in this life was Li Weiyang. Last time, Empress Pei’s most important base in Dali was destroyed, and he had to act with his tail between his legs in front of Empress Pei for quite a while. All of this was caused by that woman! Now—the young miss retrieved by the Guo residence was Li Weiyang?! Haha, could there be such a coincidence in this world? Yuan Yu didn’t believe it at all.

Sparks flew from his eyes as he said in a low voice, “Yongning, Li Weiyang is clearly Li Xiaoran’s biological daughter. How could she become the Guo residence’s beloved daughter?”

“This—” Yongning seemed somewhat uncertain, hesitating: “My lord, perhaps you’re mistaken. People can be similar—”

How could there be such similar people in the world?! Did they think Yuan Yu was a fool?! Yuan Yu immediately stood up, grabbing his princess consort, and said to those around them, “I drank too much and need to sober up. My apologies, I must take my leave first.” With that, he practically half-dragged, half-pulled Princess Yongning away from the banquet.

Watching this scene from a distance, Li Weiyang only smiled faintly and didn’t take it to heart.

Seeing her strange expression, Han Lin curiously asked, “Cousin, what’s wrong?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was like a spring breeze brushing one’s face, opening budding flower petals: “I was thinking, why did Prince Yan lose his composure so badly today?”

Han Qin disdainfully pursed her lips and said, “He’s always been dissolute and excessive. Before, he at least restrained himself somewhat, but I don’t know why—after marrying Princess Yongning, he’s actually gotten worse. It’s truly too much!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. Having married a woman past her prime, Yuan Yu’s heart was stifled with anger, so naturally he needed to find ways to vent it… Getting worse wasn’t strange. However, no matter how excessive he was, he wouldn’t lose composure in public. Today, naturally it was because she had arranged for Princess Yongning to drug him. Using just a little would make his emotions excited without being detected by others…

Yuan Yu, using drunkenness as an excuse, had Guo family servants find a quiet room and specially instructed his own guards to watch over it before asking breathlessly, “What on earth is going on?! Why is Li Weiyang in the capital?!”

Princess Yongning’s face showed some surprise: “My lord, you don’t even know, so how would I know?”

Yuan Yu was very cunning. Thinking of his disgraceful behavior earlier, he immediately knew Li Weiyang had done something. But he had never touched anything handed to him by Guo family servants. The only possibility was Princess Yongning. This meant this woman had already colluded with Li Weiyang! Yuan Yu immediately thought of how Princess Yongning had originally hated him bitterly, yet now suddenly returned from the nunnery and not only that, treated him with every kindness, even personally sending him two beauties. Such a change wasn’t without strangeness… Thinking of Li Weiyang’s thousand and one methods, his heart momentarily filled with terror. She had suddenly come to Yuexi—there must be some conspiracy! It seemed this matter needed to be reported to Jiang Nan quickly. No! He also needed to inform Empress Pei!

He glanced at Princess Yongning, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. Li Weiyang was cunning and crafty—she must have already colluded with Princess Yongning… If he suddenly left now to inform on them, Li Weiyang would definitely notice and might use Yongning to do something! No, he had to find a way to stabilize Yongning first. A vicious plan flashed through his mind: Whether it was Empress Pei or himself, if they acted, they would be discovered by the Guo family. Yet not one person in that family was easy to deal with. If this thoroughly provoked them, it would be counterproductive. But thinking from another angle, the Guo family was so illustrious, and Madam Guo had spent so many years searching for that Miss Guo. If they knew Li Weiyang was an impostor, they would definitely hate her thoroughly. Then he could eliminate Li Weiyang without dirtying his own hands. So the urgent priority was still to stabilize Princess Yongning—thinking of this, he sneered coldly in his heart.

As long as Yongning was a woman, he had ways to make her obediently listen. Yuan Yu had seen countless women. When he was hateful, he could make people feel utterly terrified, but when he wanted to please a woman, it was also extremely easy. He softened his tone and said gently, “Yongning, I know Li Weiyang must have gone to the nunnery to see you, right?”

Yongning frowned at him and didn’t speak for a moment.

Yuan Yu sighed and said, “I know this woman has a vicious heart. She must have used every means to sow discord between us as husband and wife. Yongning, you’re so kind-hearted—you must have been persuaded by her words to turn around and target me. Don’t you know she’s only using you!”

Princess Yongning’s face showed a shocked expression: “I don’t understand what you’re talking about at all!”

Yuan Yu wasn’t discouraged and continued, “You and I are husband and wife. Although I like to play around, those women are just for show. I’ve never been serious about them. The person I love most is still only you.”

Hearing Yuan Yu’s words, Yongning realized they were almost identical to what Li Weiyang had said before. In times of crisis, he would instinctively use that set of methods for handling women… Li Weiyang truly understood human nature so well—she had even guessed what Yuan Yu would say.

Seeing Yongning not speaking, Yuan Yu thought she had already been moved by him and quickly said, “I was angry at that poisonous woman Li Weiyang before, which is why I took it out on you as well. Now I already know I was wrong and plan to cultivate myself morally from now on and live a good life with you. You know that I’ve now been rejected by Father Emperor. The only person by my side is you. If even you don’t care about me, what will I do in the future?” As he spoke, tears seemed to glimmer in his eyes. If Li Weiyang hadn’t already foreseen his tactics, Princess Yongning might have believed him.

Unfortunately, not all prodigal sons would change for a woman. Most of the time, he would hurt you once again. Princess Yongning’s heart was filled with resentment to the extreme, but on her face she said, “You… is what you’re saying true?”

Seeing Yongning had taken the bait, Yuan Yu immediately nodded: “Of course it’s true. All banquets under heaven must eventually end, but you and I as husband and wife are for a lifetime. Now Li Weiyang is deliberately approaching you—she must want to use your hands to harm me. Yongning, you must help me!”

Princess Yongning looked at him and said quietly, “Then according to your meaning, what should I do?”

“Find a suitable opportunity and expose Li Weiyang’s true identity in front of everyone!” A cold smile appeared on Yuan Yu’s face. Indeed, people could be similar. If he rashly announced Li Weiyang’s true identity, how many people would believe him? Would a dignified Dali princess run here? Li Weiyang was silver-tongued and might easily exonerate herself. But what if Princess Yongning testified against her? Yongning had lived in Dali for so many years and had long been acquainted with that Princess Anping. How could she mistake her own friend? Therefore, Princess Yongning speaking would be far more likely to gain the trust of the Guo family and others than Yuan Yu speaking himself.

Princess Yongning said, “You mean now?”

Yuan Yu thought for a moment and said, “Today’s banquet is filled with guests—it’s the best opportunity! As long as everyone knows she’s Dali’s Princess Anning, this performance of hers will have reached its end!” Personally watching Li Weiyang be exposed on the spot would be far more interesting than telling Empress Pei to handle it!

Princess Yongning looked at the pleased smile on Yuan Yu’s face and thought: Yes, your road has also reached its end!