The two brothers had come quietly to fetch their sister. Now that she was missing and a death had occurred, they naturally had to go through considerable trouble to cover it up.

Duke Chengguo received the news and was so angry he paced in circles, yet dared not make a commotion.

The Duke Chengguo manor was still in the mourning period. Every day, relatives and friends came to pay their respects. During daylight hours, the filial sons and grandsons wearing hemp garments and mourning clothes keeping vigil before the spirit were essential.

Especially since the Duke’s manor’s young lady was missing, they couldn’t make a big show of it. They couldn’t even send out too many servants to search for her, which inevitably weakened their efforts.

Several days passed in a flash, but there was still no sign of Zhu Hanshuang.

Duke Chengguo’s heart was anxious, and white frost quietly crept into his temples.

The capital’s excitement didn’t cease with the completion of Duke Chengguo’s wife’s funeral. Soon news spread that Prince Pingnan’s heir had gotten engaged to the granddaughter of Wang Shaoqing of the Court of Imperial Stud.

Once the news spread, it shocked quite a few people.

The difference in status between the two families was truly too great. Moreover, it was Wang Shaoqing’s younger granddaughter who was engaged, not the elder granddaughter.

Over tea and after meals, there was inevitably much discussion.

“I heard Wang Shaoqing’s younger granddaughter hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet. I never expected she could get engaged to Prince Pingnan’s heir. Logically, the elder granddaughter would be more suitable.”

The person who heard this spoke meaningfully: “The third young lady of the Shaoqing residence is an exceptional beauty. The eldest young lady can’t compare.”

The gossiping people exchanged knowing smiles.

Tsk tsk, Prince Pingnan’s manor’s actions were truly unexpected. In selecting a wife for their heir, did they value appearance more?

Prince Pingnan’s manor selecting a wife for their heir was such a major matter that they naturally had to report it to Emperor Yong’an.

Emperor Yong’an had no objections to this and was quite satisfied with Prince Pingnan’s manor’s tactfulness.

Previously, he had felt Prince Pingnan’s manor was insatiable. Now seeing them select a wife for their son, they still had some sense of propriety.

Prince Pingnan’s heir getting engaged to the granddaughter of the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud—some were shocked, some satisfied, some envious. But Young County Princess Wei Wen found it unacceptable and hurriedly went to see Princess Consort Pingnan.

Because her son’s marriage was settled, Princess Consort Pingnan’s melancholy had eased somewhat. Her complexion looked better than before.

“Wen’er has come.” Princess Consort Pingnan reclined against a screen and beckoned for Wei Wen to sit beside her.

Wei Wen bit her lip and asked, “Mother Consort, why did you select a wife of such background for Second Brother?”

Even if it were a young lady from the Court of Imperial Stud Minister’s family, she wouldn’t be qualified enough to be Prince Pingnan manor’s heir’s wife, let alone just a junior minister.

A girl from the household of a subordinate of a horse-keeping official!

At the various gatherings in the capital, the young ladies from the Shaoqing residence didn’t even have the qualifications to speak with her. Who would have thought one would suddenly become her sister-in-law?

How could she accept this?

“What, do you think your future second sister-in-law’s background is too low?” Facing her usually sensible daughter, Princess Consort Pingnan’s attitude was very gentle.

“Isn’t it? Mother Consort, many people outside are laughing at our Prince’s manor!”

“Laughing about what?”

“Laughing that this marriage match wasn’t chosen well. What else could they laugh about?” Wei Wen didn’t dare repeat those truly harsh words to Princess Consort Pingnan, feeling increasingly stifled.

The capital was much less particular than the south. Even rumors about Second Brother having an affair with the third young lady Wang had spread.

These gossips had no bottom line at all!

Wei Wen felt indignant in her heart, but Princess Consort Pingnan smiled slightly. “Wen’er, do you remember when your second brother publicly argued with the Crown Prince?”

Wei Wen nodded.

How could she not remember? At the time, Second Brother nearly upset Mother Consort to the point of illness.

Princess Consort Pingnan looked at the closed window and sighed. “That matter reached your imperial uncle’s ears and certainly caused him to have grievances against our Prince Pingnan’s manor. Mother Consort selected such a marriage match for your second brother also to compensate somewhat for his recklessness.”

Wei Wen listened in a daze, her face turning pale.

Princess Consort Pingnan gently stroked Wei Wen’s cheek. “Alright, you needn’t think too much about these matters. In the future, argue less with your second brother.”

If the siblings’ relationship became too strained, it would truly be the daughter who suffered.

“I understand.” Wei Wen nodded reluctantly and lowered her head to gently massage Princess Consort Pingnan’s legs.

Princess Consort Pingnan shifted to a more comfortable position leaning against the headboard screen and said nothing more.

When Wei Wen looked up again, she discovered Princess Consort Pingnan had already fallen asleep.

She couldn’t help but study her mother and was shocked to discover that among her mother’s black hair there was already quite a bit of white, and her plump cheeks had deeply sunken in.

Mother Consort… had grown old.

Wei Wen left the main courtyard with a heavy heart, but didn’t want to return to her room. She simply walked out of the Prince’s manor to wander aimlessly.

This wandering brought her unknowingly to Qingxing Street.

Qingxing Street was bustling as always. The cold weather hadn’t diminished people’s enthusiasm for going out on the street.

Wei Wen stood looking into the distance. Up ahead, a blue wine banner fluttered in the wind, attracting the gazes of passersby.

That was You Jian Tavern. It was still early before opening time.

Wei Wen couldn’t help but recall that time she and her friend Zhu Hanshuang came to You Jian Tavern to drink wine and happened to run into the two young ladies from the Wang Shaoqing residence.

Because they arrived late, they had no choice but to share a table with the two young ladies Wang. Her friend’s disdain couldn’t be hidden at all.

How long had it been since then? Hanshuang’s family had undergone great changes, and the Wang family of the Shaoqing residence, whom they had never taken seriously, was actually about to form a marriage alliance with the Prince’s manor.

Wei Wen stood for a moment, then lifted her feet and went to a teahouse diagonally across from You Jian Tavern.

The teahouse had two floors. Wei Wen was led upstairs by a server and at a glance saw that the young servant standing outside a private room was one who attended Wei Feng.

The servant was also startled to see Wei Wen and hurriedly bowed.

“Is Second Brother inside?”

“Yes.” The servant admitted with lowered head.

Wei Wen pushed open the door and entered.

Wei Feng, who had been looking out the window, turned his head at the sound. Seeing it was Wei Wen, he instinctively frowned. “What is it? Has something happened at home again?”

He came out to drink tea. Being controlled by Mother Consort was one thing, but did he have to be controlled by his sister too?

Wei Wen found these words very grating. As she walked further inside, she said, “Nothing’s wrong at home. I came out for a stroll, got tired, and came up to drink tea. I happened to see Second Brother’s servant here.”

Surveying the private room with a glance, Wei Wen asked nonchalantly, “Why has Second Brother taken to drinking tea here?”

The window faced directly toward You Jian Tavern. She could see the tavern servers beginning to clean.

Wei Wen frowned inwardly.

Could Second Brother be possessed? You Jian Tavern wasn’t even open, yet he was keeping watch from the teahouse diagonally across?

Speaking of which, the food at You Jian Tavern was indeed delicious.

Wei Feng was about to casually make up an excuse to brush her off when his eyes suddenly lit up.

A large white goose with a bow tied on it swaggered out from the tavern, followed by a young man chasing after it.

“Da Bai, don’t wander outside. Bad people will catch you and eat your meat.” The young man called out and led the goose back into the tavern by its wing.

Wei Wen saw Fuxue and was startled for a moment by the young man’s beauty.

“Second Brother.”

Wei Feng whipped his head around. “What?”

Though Wei Wen felt Wei Feng’s reaction was somewhat excessive, she didn’t think much of it and said lightly, “Later, let’s buy some wine and dishes from You Jian Tavern to bring back to the Prince’s manor.”

“Uh.” Wei Feng nodded perfunctorily and continued looking out the window.

What exactly was Second Brother looking at?

Wei Wen also looked outside.

A young lady ran hurriedly toward the tavern.

Sheng Sanlang looked at the approaching young lady and asked in puzzlement, “Why is Fourth Cousin running in such a hurry?”

“Where’s my third sister?” Luo Yue was out of breath, her hair loosened from running. “Something’s happened at home!”