Less than twelve hours after Shaoshang saw Huo Buyi, rumors sprouted wings and flew consciously throughout the entire capital. Only three women had been present that day—Shaoshang herself wouldn’t speak carelessly, the Fourth Prince’s consort was shy and reserved with minimal social interaction, and while Luo Jitong’s intentions couldn’t be guaranteed, her intelligence could be—the Luo family wouldn’t spread rumors so groundlessly.

The conclusion was—those fifty or sixty Upper West Gate guards and soldiers present that day all had loose tongues and big mouths!

Men having faster mouths than women was nothing unusual in the Cheng family. Shaoshang hadn’t planned to conceal anything, but before she’d even finished changing clothes, her twin brother had already shouted the entire incident to their parents—wasn’t that a bit too exaggerated?

The news that Huo Buyi had returned carried no less impact than rebel troops approaching the city gates. The Cheng couple squatted in Jiuzhui Hall for quite a while, ultimately at a loss. Madam Xiao expressed she would first resolve that Fifth Cheng matter. Cheng Shi indicated there was no rush, to take it slowly. “First lock up that scoundrel for a few days to grind down his sharp edges. If our son-in-law changes in a while, we won’t need to expend so much effort persuading that Fifth Cheng”—he nearly got beaten up by Madam Xiao.

Actually, more than one person harbored such thoughts. When the news first spread, General Han even privately told Cheng Shi, “Had I known Huo Buyi would return so quickly, your family could have delayed last month’s betrothal banquet.” This angered Cheng Shi into furiously retorting to his old friend: “Even if the son-in-law truly changes again, we won’t hold another betrothal banquet this time because we already held one before, rest assured!”

More tragic than the Cheng family was the Luo family. The news of the Crown Prince’s intention to match Luo Jitong with Huo Buyi had barely spread for a day when news that the prospective son-in-law in their bowl might rekindle old feelings with his former fiancée flooded the court from top to bottom. For several consecutive days, the Colonel Director of Waterways and other Luo clan members all wore black faces.

Cheng Shi was extremely embarrassed but didn’t dare pat his chest and guarantee his daughter definitely wouldn’t have anything with Huo Buyi. So after avoiding the Cai family, he now had to avoid the Luo family too.

The Yuan family fared no better—knowing smirks appeared everywhere. Fortunately Governor Yuan was capable, returning each teasing remark directed at his son one by one, whether well-intentioned or malicious, which made Yuan Shen feel somewhat better.

Although Shaoshang felt the fault wasn’t hers, she still felt apologetic toward Old Master Cheng and Yuan Shangjian. So when Yong’an Palace summoned her back to help organize a banquet, she immediately complied—she decided to seriously and publicly declare her position.

After three busy days, Yong’an Palace welcomed its liveliest day since opening. Besides two princes and two princesses, there was a heap of noble relatives who entered under various pretexts—such as the heir apparent of Prince Ruyang’s consort and her two new daughters-in-law, Marquis Yu’s wife and several of her lady friends who regularly visited Grand Empress Dowager Xuan, Marquis Xuan’s wife and several of her sisters…

The Fourth Princess came accompanying her mother-in-law, Marquis Xuan’s wife. The Fifth Princess brought Luo Jitong. Seeing Shaoshang bustling about inside and out, she laughed coldly: “My, look how busy you are! Everyone inside and outside listens to you—just short of treating the palace as your own home, aren’t you?”

Shaoshang immediately retorted: “If Princess wants to treat Yong’an Palace as home, that’s fine too. Anyway, I’ll be married soon, so then Princess can enter the palace to keep Her Majesty company.”—As long as you’re willing to give up the colorful world outside.

The Fifth Princess’s expression changed as she flicked her sleeve and left. Luo Jitong smiled apologetically at Shaoshang: “That’s just her temperament. Don’t mind her.”

Shaoshang’s impression of Luo Jitong was still quite good. Seeing her smile was as gentle as five years ago, her demeanor dignified, she immediately went over to link arms with her, laughing: “I’ve arranged an upper seat for you and General Huo. Look, right there. General Huo is still inside talking with Her Majesty and the Prince of Donghai… You know, before the banquet starts, past grievances must be cleared up first. You can go sit there first.”

Luo Jitong’s eyes brightened as she hastily expressed thanks—just now when she’d paid respects to the Crown Prince, for some reason he wasn’t as cordial as that day, only giving a faint acknowledgment with no follow-up. Just as she was worrying about how to sit beside Huo Buyi, Cheng Shaoshang came to help.

She glanced toward the other side and smiled: “Young Master Yuan is here too. How would Her Majesty invite an outside official to the banquet? You’re abusing your authority for personal gain, aren’t you?”

Shaoshang openly winked at the solitary Yuan Shen: “So what if I am? He’s my invited guest. Her Majesty won’t object.”

Luo Jitong, seeing how well she and Yuan Shen got along, felt greatly reassured and went to take her seat.

At this time, Huo Buyi was indeed having a long conversation with Grand Empress Dowager Xuan and the Prince of Donghai in the inner chamber. As Shaoshang withdrew, she heard Grand Empress Dowager Xuan forcefully patting Huo Buyi’s back, crying and scolding: “Inconsiderate rascal! How did you become so thin? Why has your hair turned white?” and so forth.

Huo Buyi’s changes were indeed significant. Five years ago, however cold his temperament, he was still a martial and noble young master raised amid golden jade and wealthy environs. Now, however, his spirit was completely restrained—when he looked at people silently, he naturally possessed the bearing of profound depths and towering peaks.

The Crown Prince paced back and forth outside the inner chamber door, his anxious manner exactly like an expectant father waiting outside a delivery room. Seeing Shaoshang, he even asked several irrelevant foolish questions.

“Lady Cheng, will you truly marry Yuan Shen?”

“Oh my, Your Highness, the Yuan and Cheng families are already engaged. Why wouldn’t we marry?” They’d already received another sum of betrothal gift money too.

“…You’ve also been engaged twice before.” Meaning engagement didn’t equal marriage.

“Things don’t go past three times. This concubine feels this time it will succeed.”

The Crown Prince looked at Shaoshang with a complex expression for a long while, ultimately saying nothing.

When Grand Empress Dowager Xuan, the Prince of Donghai, and Huo Buyi emerged from the inner chamber, all three had reddened eyes and relieved expressions. It seemed not only had the grievances from five years ago been discussed through, they’d also stirred up emotions. The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to pat the Prince of Donghai’s shoulder.

To show respect, the Crown Prince specially invited the Prince of Donghai to take the seat of honor, sitting at the same table with him. Next was Huo Buyi. He swept his gaze around the hall, passed over the eagerly expectant Luo Jitong, and went straight to sit beside Yuan Shen.

Everyone was shocked—what kind of trend was this? Could former and current fiancés sit together? Wouldn’t that mean in the future ex-husbands and current husbands could all walk arm-in-arm in friendship?!

Yuan Shen uttered in a low voice: “…What are you coming over here for?!”

“Shangjian and I have served in the same hall for several years yet never conversed freely. Today I’ll make up for it.” Huo Buyi said indifferently.

Yuan Shen laughed coldly: “There are many who serve in the same hall. Does General Huo intend to converse freely with each one?”

“Naturally not. I only wish to talk with Attendant Gentleman Yuan.”

“What is there to discuss?”

“Cheng Shaoshang.”

“…”

When Shaoshang finished directing all arrangements in the back and entered the hall excitedly, she discovered everyone was already seated in pairs. Only the seat beside Luo Jitong was empty, while her former and current fiancés were sitting together at one table—her jaw nearly dropped.

Having no choice, she could only sit beside Luo Jitong.

After Grand Empress Dowager Xuan spoke a few formal words, the formal banquet began.

Marquis Yu’s wife was all-around smooth and sophisticated—one moment praising Grand Empress Dowager Xuan’s good complexion, asking if she’d formulated some new rouge; the next moment praising how well Shaoshang had arranged the banquet, how good the dishes were, how fine the fruit wine, how elegant the accompanying music. With the heir apparent of Prince Ruyang’s consort occasionally chiming in to add to the excitement, the atmosphere wasn’t too cold.

Hearing everyone’s cheerful laughter, Grand Empress Dowager Xuan gradually developed some interest. She asked whether Marquis Xuan’s wife and the Fourth Princess got along harmoniously. Marquis Xuan’s wife naturally praised the Fourth Princess like a flower, and the Fourth Princess reciprocated, expressing that Marquis Xuan’s wife was a rarely good mother-in-law under heaven—marrying into the Xuan family was her good fortune.

Seeing this, both the Prince of Donghai and Crown Prince were naturally very gratified. The Fifth Princess laughed coldly repeatedly from the side, though nowadays she’d learned to be much more clever—at least she didn’t dare make a scene in public.

Seeing everyone talking animatedly, Shaoshang hastily asked Luo Jitong: “What’s going on?” She glanced across, suppressing her agitation. “How did those two end up sitting together?!”

Luo Jitong smiled helplessly: “…Perhaps they have things to discuss. Since sitting down, those two have been talking constantly.”

Shaoshang looked over. Indeed, Huo and Yuan were continuously speaking in low voices, going back and forth non-stop—she didn’t know what they discussed so enthusiastically. However, while Huo Buyi’s expression was normal, Yuan Shen’s face kept changing—sometimes surprised and uncertain, sometimes hesitant and undecided.

Shaoshang turned back, smiling as she asked: “Since you married into the northwest, it’s been so many years—I never asked if you lived well there.”

“Living well or poorly, either way I was widowed.” Luo Jitong’s expression grew dim, pitiful and pathetic. “However, I knew early on my late husband’s health was poor. To fulfill the promise our elders made years ago, I considered it fulfilling filial duty. Alas, when my late husband’s illness was severe, I attended him day and night, yet still couldn’t avoid gossip saying I was waiting to remarry. Because of those words, after my late husband passed, I insisted on serving the Jia family’s parents-in-law for several more years…”

Shaoshang felt somewhat uncomfortable. Regarding Luo Jitong’s marriage, they’d discussed it over five years ago.

At that time, many people felt indignant about Luo Jitong’s marriage. Not only did they advise her to refuse the marriage, but because of her virtuous reputation, quite a few noble wives declared they’d be willing to welcome her as a daughter-in-law. Even Grand Empress Dowager Xuan was willing to personally intercede, pleading with the Jia family on her behalf.

However, Luo Jitong refused everything, repeatedly insisting on upholding the elders’ promise.

In Shaoshang’s view, if there were no choices, that would be one thing. But when choices were placed before her yet she refused them, then the subsequent suffering should be swallowed silently without coming out to sell misery.

When young, watching melodramas, she often found it incomprehensible regarding those female leads who clearly had N escape routes yet insisted on fighting to the bitter end, preferring to be humiliated, wronged, disdained and beaten in every way yet still refusing to leave—such people were either masochists or had self-moved personality types.

Five years ago, regarding Luo Jitong’s insistence on fulfilling the marriage contract, Shaoshang had simply considered her an extremely faithful person—people have different aspirations, so she hadn’t thought much about it. But now…

“Oh my, don’t dwell on past matters.” Shaoshang’s smile became more artificial. “People must always look forward. In the future, good things will come to you endlessly.”

Luo Jitong smiled coyly: “You’re right—people must always look forward. Although General Huo is strict with others, he’s quite tolerant toward me. Once, I spilled soup on a map he’d just drawn, yet he never scolded me. Later I was afraid of causing him more trouble and didn’t dare enter his study anymore. But if I didn’t go in, when he got busy he wouldn’t eat or drink…”

Shaoshang’s smile slowly faded.

She wasn’t some generous and kind-hearted person. Even when others misspoke innocently, she couldn’t help but retort—let alone words laden with such deep meaning. What did this mean? Showing dominance, or showing off affection?!

“Since you two get along so well, I suppose the marriage has already been settled?” she asked directly.

Luo Jitong, not detecting this, continued her performance. She sighed deeply: “Actually, last month the Governor of Liangzhou received His Majesty’s decree requesting he urge General Huo to marry soon. At that time, the Jia family elders—my late husband’s parents and uncle—had already proposed marriage to General Huo on my behalf. If we hadn’t received news days later that Her Majesty was gravely ill and missed General Huo, by now we would have been engaged.”

Shaoshang’s smile vanished as she said coldly: “Seems Her Majesty’s illness came at an inconvenient time, delaying Lady Luo’s good fortune.”

Luo Jitong finally noticed her changed expression and hastily said: “No, no, no, that’s not what I meant…” When she left the palace to marry, she hadn’t felt Shaoshang and Grand Empress Dowager Xuan’s bond was very deep—these five years of companionship she’d only considered currying favor by the Cheng family.

“I know that’s not what you meant.” Shaoshang interrupted her. “When Her Majesty was in the Empress’s position, she protected your Luo family more than once. With such great kindness before you, how could you resent Her Majesty for delaying your good fortune? That would be the behavior of beasts!”

Luo Jitong’s face alternated between red and white, unable to speak.

Shaoshang turned her head away, too lazy to deal with her anymore.

When conversation doesn’t align, half a sentence is too much. She liked Wan Qiqi’s frank and forthright nature, appreciated Madam Sang’s humor and cheerfulness, admired Old Madam Wan’s passionate decisiveness, and even Grand Empress Dowager Xuan’s gentle forbearance, Madam Xiao’s wisdom and strategic thinking, Yin E’e’s love-focused brain, plus Cheng Yang and Lady Qing Cong’s silent dedication… she could feel the beautiful qualities in all of them. Hmph, Luo Jitong—forget it.

Today’s banquet was essentially a large-scale gossip gathering. How many of these women truly came to see Grand Empress Dowager Xuan’s mother and son reconcile with Huo Buyi? Only when everyone’s gazes met, no one knew how to begin.

Finally, the Fifth Princess lived up to expectations and was first to lose her composure.

“Eleventh Brother.” The Fifth Princess raised her cup. “Not seeing you for many years, today seeing you still heroic and martial, my heart is greatly comforted. Let me toast you first.” Finishing, she drained her cup first to show respect.

Huo Buyi smiled and returned the toast.

“Eleventh Brother, I remember you and Attendant Gentleman Yuan were only casual acquaintances before. How did you end up sitting together today?” The Fifth Princess raised her eyebrows, looking at the two men she’d successively favored.

The Crown Prince frowned: “Zicheng and Shangjian have things to discuss. What business is it of yours?” He’d never liked the Fifth Princess, but today with Grand Empress Dowager Xuan and the Prince of Donghai present, he couldn’t help but soften his tone, reducing the killing power by half.

Sure enough, seeing the Crown Prince wasn’t very stern, the Fifth Princess boldly teased: “Your sister is just curious what they could be discussing! Could it be… reminiscing about old times? Old matters, old people…?”

The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. He decided to scold her a few times to wake the Fifth Princess up, but Huo Buyi spoke first. He smiled and said: “What Attendant Gentleman Yuan and I discussed is actually concerning Lady Cheng Shaoshang.”

—Everyone in the hall excitedly gasped, N faces excited!

The Fifth Princess also hadn’t expected this and was startled: “Concerning Lady Cheng? What did you discuss?”

Luo Jitong’s expression changed drastically. Shaoshang was extremely nervous. Her eyes radiated threatening intent as she smiled without mirth: “General Huo, you… better not speak carelessly…”

Huo Buyi continued: “I told Attendant Gentleman Yuan that although Lady Cheng and I had affinity but no destiny, the fault doesn’t lie with Lady Cheng—she’s actually quite good as a person. Except for speaking without restraint when quarreling, loving to punch and kick when losing her temper, and always forgetting to add salt when making soup—aside from these things, everything else is good.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Shaoshang angrily stood up abruptly. Yuan Shen lowered his head, covering his forehead.

Everyone in the hall: …

Noticing all eyes upon her, Shaoshang slowed her tone and forced a smile: “General Huo truly loves to joke. I no longer lose my temper carelessly now, and my soups are extremely delicious. Everyone can ask Her Majesty if you don’t believe me. Your Majesty, oh, isn’t that right?”

Grand Empress Dowager Xuan turned her head to suppress her laughter, making an effort to nod: “Not wrong, not wrong…”

Huo Buyi said without changing expression: “Oh, I see. Looks like Shangjian is blessed.”

Shaoshang was so angry she wanted to kill someone.

Huo Buyi turned toward the Fifth Princess: “Is what I just said what Your Highness wanted to hear?”

The Fifth Princess was stunned.

Huo Buyi expressionlessly told everyone in the hall: “Just now was all joking. What Shangjian and I discussed were various trivial matters after the Shu campaign. I hope everyone won’t make groundless speculations.”

—Even an idiot could see his mood was poor. Plus with the Crown Prince ferociously glaring at everyone from the side, the women could only honestly retract their gossiping hearts.

Shaoshang was so frightened she covered her heart. After taking a long breath to steady herself, she picked up her wine cup and walked straight toward the opposite side.

Everyone in the hall turned to look.

Shaoshang stood before the table, raising her wine cup toward Huo Buyi, smiling: “General Huo, you and I were once engaged—this matter is known to all. Concealing and covering it is meaningless. Better to speak plainly today.”

She spoke at a volume everyone in the hall could hear: “I’m now engaged to the Yuan family. I expect General Huo will also welcome a talented and beautiful bride in the future. The past goes with the wind, circumstances have changed—when we meet in the future, we’ll still be old friends.”

Finishing, she very boldly drained the wine in one gulp.

Yuan Shen watched his fiancée with shining eyes, his joy nearly bursting through his chest. Grand Empress Dowager Xuan smiled faintly, offering no comment. The Crown Prince looked pained. The others expressed various emotions—some joyful, some surprised, with differing expressions.

Huo Buyi stared fixedly at the girl. In his deep amber-brown eyes, various emotions flowed.

He said: “Good.” Then he also drained his cup.

Shaoshang returned to her seat, heavily setting down the wine cup on the table, and leaned close to the dazed Luo Jitong’s ear to whisper—

“Two things. First, I’ve never entered Yuan Shen’s study, never sent soup or meals, yet from when I nodded agreement to the Yuan family proposing marriage was only a matter of days. If Huo Buyi wanted to marry you, he’d have married you long ago! Accumulate more capital before coming to show off to me!”

“Second, I originally intended to pull you along to toast together, and by the way clarify matters between you and Huo Buyi before everyone present today, which would have helped you. Now, figure out your own solution!”

Seeing Luo Jitong’s pale face full of regret, Shaoshang felt extremely satisfied—as for why she wanted to feel satisfied, she herself didn’t know.