At the first light of dawn, Xianyun Courtyard became bustling with activity.

A row of six maids stood before Luo Sheng, holding complete sets of clothing and jewelry for her to choose from.

“Miss, please wear this cloud-patterned floral skirt—it matches perfectly with this set of ruby jewelry.”

“Actually, this lake-blue twelve-panel Xiang skirt is also quite nice…”

Kou’er skillfully braided Luo Sheng’s hair, her mouth never stopping.

Luo Sheng casually pointed to a set of pale green garments. “This set then.”

Kou’er blinked. “Miss is wearing green today? That’s good too. Miss has fair skin—green complements your complexion best.”

As she spoke, she selected an emerald pearl flower from the vanity case and carefully inserted it into Luo Sheng’s hair. Then she stepped back half a step and nodded with satisfaction.

Once Luo Sheng was properly dressed, she brought Hong Dou and went out.

The carriage was already waiting outside. With a sweeping glance, Luo Sheng saw not only Grand Marshal Luo but also Second Miss Luo Qing and Fourth Miss Luo Yue.

Seeing Luo Sheng’s gaze linger on the two concubine-born daughters, Grand Marshal Luo felt inexplicably guilty. He cleared his throat and explained, “Having your second sister and fourth sister accompany you provides company.”

Thinking of that arrow striking dead center at the training ground yesterday, he felt anxious. After much consideration, he felt more at ease having two concubine-born daughters accompany her.

Luo Sheng had no objection to Grand Marshal Luo’s arrangement, only asking, “Why don’t I see eldest sister?”

Grand Marshal Luo answered casually, “Your eldest sister doesn’t like going out.”

His eldest daughter’s engagement was already set. She didn’t like getting involved in such matters—she was the daughter who gave him the least worry.

His second daughter originally didn’t trouble him either, but who would have thought that since Sheng’er started keeping male favorites, no matchmakers came calling anymore.

By now, Grand Marshal Luo had prepared himself for the worst-case scenario of supporting three daughters for life.

“It’s getting late. Get in the carriage.” Grand Marshal Luo looked at his three flower-like daughters, his heart aching.

His daughters were clearly beautiful as flowers—how had they ended up as burdens?

Grand Marshal Luo rode his horse while the Luo sisters took the carriage. Before long, their party arrived at Prince Pingnan’s manor.

The Grand Marshal’s manor and Prince Pingnan’s manor were only separated by two streets. If one didn’t care about appearances, walking was also feasible.

By this time, the entrance of Prince Pingnan’s manor was already bustling with carriages and horses.

The steward standing at the manor entrance to welcome guests saw Grand Marshal Luo and hurried forward.

“Grand Marshal, please come in.”

Grand Marshal Luo dismounted and stood outside the carriage window to instruct them. “The manor has quite pleasant scenery. Sheng’er, you all enjoy yourselves. If anything happens, have someone send word to Father.”

The carriage curtain lifted, revealing the young lady’s cool profile.

“Alright.” Luo Sheng answered concisely, her eyes slightly focused.

From this angle, she could just see Prince Kaiyang’s manor in the distance.

According to Great Zhou’s established rules, princes would leave the capital for their fiefs upon reaching adulthood, but before coming of age they would reside on Vermilion Bird Street near the imperial city—the street of princely manors.

Currently, two princes lived on Vermilion Bird Street—Prince Pingnan and Prince Kaiyang. The two manors weren’t far apart.

At this moment, Wei Han was just walking out from Prince Kaiyang’s manor gates, his crimson robes especially striking.

He glanced over casually and met the young lady’s bright eyes.

Wei Han’s brow twitched. He coldly withdrew his gaze.

Luo Sheng’s expression was even more indifferent than Wei Han’s. She briskly lowered the carriage curtain.

The stopped carriage moved again, entering Prince Pingnan’s manor through the side gate.

Grand Marshal Luo greeted Wei Han as he approached. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Wei Han nodded slightly. “Grand Marshal is too polite.”

The two men had little rapport. After Wei Han politely responded, he stepped forward, keenly aware that Grand Marshal Luo was secretly observing him with a strange look in his eyes.

Wei Han was somewhat puzzled.

Last time when Grand Marshal Luo had apologized to him over Miss Luo’s matter, he’d seemed quite normal. Why was he looking at him with such an odd expression today?

Since they weren’t familiar, though Wei Han was confused, his face showed nothing as he walked inside as if nothing had happened.

Grand Marshal Luo secretly shook his head.

He clearly looked imposing—how could he be so mercenary?

Yes, there were no free benefits in this world. The favor his daughter owed should be repaid.

But Prince Kaiyang was a grown man after all. Choosing to accept money made him despise the prince.

Couldn’t he have demanded that his daughter marry him in gratitude!

Of course, if such an unreasonable demand were made, he absolutely wouldn’t agree immediately. But not making this perfectly reasonable demand and instead taking money—was he even a man?

Grand Marshal Luo felt indignant inside, and it showed on his face.

Wei Han caught sight of this from the corner of his eye and slowed his steps.

He could now confirm that Grand Marshal Luo was dissatisfied with him.

Perhaps very dissatisfied.

Wei Han entered Prince Pingnan’s manor full of doubt.

The Luo sisters were led into the garden by manor maids, while the maids they’d brought stayed in the front hall for tea like the maids brought by other noble ladies.

“This way, please, young ladies.”

The manor garden was extremely large, occupying the entire western side of the estate. As they walked deeper, they could see graceful figures in groups of twos and threes in the pavilions.

When the Luo sisters arrived, the cheerful laughter and conversation in the pavilion suddenly halted, and countless meaningful gazes turned their way.

Luo Qing felt somewhat embarrassed and lowered her eyes slightly, suddenly regretting coming out.

“Miss Luo has arrived.” As the host, Wei Wen naturally couldn’t pretend not to notice. She approached with a smile on her lips.

Luo Sheng looked carefully at Wei Wen but couldn’t see any trace of her childhood self.

Princess Pingnan strictly controlled this daughter of her old age, forbidding her from doing many things normally.

Twelve years ago, Prince Pingnan’s manor’s young princess had been only a four-year-old girl who always liked to surround her begging for candy whenever they met.

The current young princess was even a year older than Miss Luo. Though she greeted her with a smile, her eyes were completely indifferent.

Perhaps beneath that indifference, annoyance was also hidden.

Before approaching the pavilion, Luo Sheng had already observed the intimacy between Wei Wen and Zhu Hanshuang.

Birds of a feather flock together. Zhu Hanshuang didn’t even hide her hostility toward Miss Luo. How good could the impression of Miss Luo be for the young princess who was so close to Zhu Hanshuang?

Luo Sheng was very self-aware. After taking her seat, she only drank tea and didn’t speak.

She’d come today hoping to see Prince Pingnan and his wife as well as Wei Qiang. She had no interest in wasting time on a little girl.

Once all the noble ladies had gathered, Wei Wen chatted for a while before saying with a smile, “Sisters, please enjoy some fruits and refreshments first. Allow me to excuse myself briefly.”

The birthday banquet would soon begin. As the only daughter of Princess Pingnan, she naturally had to go make an appearance.

As for these noble ladies in the garden who’d all come with their mothers, there was no need for them to be constrained by staying with the elders.

Simply put, this was an opportunity for the young ladies to gather and socialize.

The ladies all laughed and said, “Princess need not mind us. Please go quickly.”

“Then please excuse me.” Wei Wen politely excused herself and turned to leave.

Luo Sheng, who had been quietly drinking tea all along, set down her teacup and called out, “Princess, wait a moment.”

Luo Qing and Luo Yue couldn’t help but change expressions. Under everyone’s gaze, it wasn’t appropriate to say much, leaving only hearts full of anxiety.

“Does Miss Luo need something from me?” Wei Wen suppressed her surprise and asked gently.

Luo Sheng rose and walked toward Wei Wen, saying with a smile, “I’ll go with the Princess.”