“Miss, the Princess Huayang you asked this servant to investigate was the original wife of Marquis Changchun. She passed away many years ago.”

Luo Sheng bit her lip hard, keeping her voice calm. “How did she pass away?”

“Twelve years ago when Prince Zhennan’s manor met with disaster, Princess Huayang voluntarily proposed an amicable separation. Marquis Changchun’s household valued loyalty and refused. Later, Princess Huayang fell ill—presumably from suppressed feelings—and after lingering bedridden for several months, she passed…”

Hong Dou, listening nearby, curled her lip. “Marquis Changchun’s household values loyalty? Bah! I don’t see it.”

Luo Sheng looked toward Hong Dou.

The little maid’s voice was clear and crisp. Only after her “bah” did she continue, “If Marquis Changchun’s household valued loyalty, why don’t the son and daughter left by the original wife live as well as the second wife’s children? This servant doesn’t understand all those twists and turns—I only know whoever lives well is truly favored.”

Luo Sheng fell silent.

Whoever lives well is truly favored—what a brutally honest statement. If you didn’t believe it, just look at Miss Luo.

If it had been Luo Ying or her sisters flirting with princes and keeping male favorites, it would be a wonder if Grand Marshal Luo didn’t slap them to death.

“Tell me exactly how they’re favored.” Luo Sheng’s tone was calm, but anyone who understood Princess Qingyang would know the princess was angry.

Kou’er said, “There haven’t actually been rumors that Marquis Changchun favors his second wife’s children. However, Marquis Changchun’s household’s Second Miss is only twelve years old yet already has a reputation for talent in the capital, while the First Miss is already seventeen but still hasn’t had a match arranged. She spends more than half the year living at Duke Ningguo’s manor…”

Luo Sheng didn’t listen carefully to what came after, her attention caught on Marquis Changchun’s Second Miss’s age.

“Twelve years old? This means that not long after Princess Huayang passed away, Marquis Changchun remarried?”

The current Marquis Changchun had been the heir apparent at that time.

People of that era counted by nominal age. If Marquis Changchun’s Second Miss was now twelve years old, this meant her eldest brother-in-law had remarried at most half a year after mourning her eldest sister.

No matter how much a man claimed deep affection for his first wife, if he remarried less than six months after losing her, how genuine could that deep affection be?

Moreover, eldest sister’s health had always been fine. Even if she’d been affected by her natal family’s disaster, how could she have died in just a few short months?

After one catastrophe, she was willing to harbor the greatest malice when speculating about those people.

“Marquis Changchun married his cousin five months after Princess Huayang’s death, supposedly to conveniently care for the pair of young children Princess Huayang left behind.”

Luo Sheng’s eyes turned slightly cold, her tone flat. “How very thoughtful. What about Princess Wuyang then?”

Kou’er couldn’t quite determine what Miss meant by having her investigate these matters, but Miss asked and she answered.

“Upon hearing her natal family had met with disaster, Princess Wuyang swallowed gold and took her own life—” Seeing Luo Sheng’s face turn pale, Kou’er’s tone faltered. She asked with concern, “Miss, what’s wrong? Is your body still not fully recovered? This servant said you should rest a couple more days. Worrying about so much won’t do…”

Luo Sheng quietly listened to the little maid’s chatter, not finding it bothersome at all.

Her heart was too cold, too sorrowful. Having people around her who were more lively, more unrestrained, made her feel she was still in the mortal world.

She’d prepared herself mentally for her two sisters to be unhappy, but she hadn’t expected they were both gone…

Luo Sheng took a deep breath, her expression recovering its calm. “Continue.”

“Princess Wuyang’s husband has continued teaching at the Imperial Academy and has never remarried. He has one son studying at Qingya Academy, a renowned talent among the younger generation…”

“I understand. You may withdraw.”

For the next two days, Luo Sheng didn’t step outside the main gate once, holing up in Miss Luo’s dedicated training ground to pick up her slack martial skills again.

Grand Marshal Luo, noticing his daughter’s activities these past few days, felt somewhat panicked and secretly came to the training ground to observe.

A feathered arrow flew like a meteor from the fully drawn bowstring, striking dead center on the target.

Grand Marshal Luo walked over, his mood indescribable—was it relief or worry? “Sheng’er’s archery has improved considerably.”

Previously, his daughter only knew showy but useless moves. Today, just watching her archery showed real skill.

This being the case, wouldn’t she be even more enthusiastic about fighting?

“Tomorrow you’re going to Prince Pingnan’s manor for the banquet. Why are you spending all day at the training ground, Sheng’er?”

“More skills don’t weigh one down. Perhaps they’ll come in useful.” The young lady holding the bow spoke calmly.

Some things she could have Hong Dou and the others handle, but some things only she could do herself.

Grand Marshal Luo’s heart trembled. He earnestly advised, “Sheng’er, when you arrive at Prince Pingnan’s manor, you’ll likely be received by the young princess. Things like long whips, daggers, sleeve arrows—better not bring such items. What a waste of talent that would be.”

“Fine.” Luo Sheng lightly uttered one word.

Seeing his daughter agree so easily, Grand Marshal Luo couldn’t feel reassured at all. He reminded her again, “Tomorrow the Crown Prince will also attend. Sheng’er, you mustn’t cause trouble, or else if you disturb the Crown Prince, Father will probably have to send you to your maternal grandfather’s home again.”

“The Crown Prince will also attend?” Luo Sheng raised her eyebrows.

She’d guessed Wei Qiang would go, but hearing definitive confirmation felt different.

“Naturally he’ll attend. After all, it’s Princess Pingnan’s birthday banquet, so Sheng’er, you must restrain your temperament somewhat.”

Luo Sheng lowered her eyes slightly, appearing very obedient. “Father, rest assured. I won’t cause trouble.”

Today she’d combed her bangs up, revealing a smooth, full forehead, looking refined and elegant.

Grand Marshal Luo felt relieved and smiled. “Then tomorrow Father will wait for you. Dress respectably.”

Since returning from Jinsha, his daughter had worn only plain clothes. Though she still looked very good, young ladies were more striking in reds and greens.

Perhaps someone would take notice and come to the Grand Marshal’s manor to propose marriage.

Grand Marshal Luo secretly fantasized.

When Zhu Hanshuang, Second Miss of Duke Anguo’s manor, learned of Luo Sheng’s attendance while having a small gathering with Young Princess Wei Wen, malicious thoughts immediately churned in her heart.

“I never expected Luo Sheng would come to the banquet. It’s simply vexing.”

Wei Wen smiled helplessly. “Invitations still had to be sent. Who knew she’d actually come?”

Zhu Hanshuang sneered coldly. “I think her intentions lie elsewhere.”

Tomorrow Prince Kaiyang would also attend.

Thinking of Wei Han’s special treatment of Luo Sheng that day, Zhu Hanshuang’s heart felt as if it were being cut by a dull knife.

Zhu Hanshuang bit her lip and leaned close to Wei Wen’s ear, whispering, “Princess, are you really content to watch such a person hopping around before your eyes like a grasshopper you can’t swat dead?”

“Hanshuang, tomorrow is my mother consort’s birthday banquet.”

“But it’s also the best opportunity, isn’t it? Luo Sheng is so spoiled by Grand Marshal Luo that she’s lawless. At ordinary occasions, even if she causes trouble, not a hair on her head gets harmed.”

Wei Wen fell silent.

Seeing this, Zhu Hanshuang’s lips curved upward.

Don’t be fooled by the princess’s mild tone when mentioning Luo Sheng—her heart’s disgust for Luo Sheng was no less than her own.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made this suggestion.

“What do you plan to do?” After a long silence, Wei Wen asked.

Zhu Hanshuang revealed her calculations. “Think of a way to lock her in a room with a man, then expose them publicly—”

Before Zhu Hanshuang could finish, Wei Wen shook her head. “This method won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Luo Sheng has a terrible reputation. If the man looks ordinary, people won’t believe it.”

“Then choose one who’s handsome.”

Wei Wen glanced at Zhu Hanshuang, her tone complex. “But if we do that, won’t she just take him home with her?”

Zhu Hanshuang: “…”

She’d forgotten—the other party hadn’t grown up following normal conventions.