Hearing this voice, Shen Guiyan reached out and pulled Gu Chaobei to his feet.

General Yuwen—a man who currently commanded heavy troops and enjoyed the favor of both the Emperor and Empress—was naturally someone they could not afford to offend.

“Oh, so there are people here as well.” Yuwen Changqing’s gaze was calm, and acting as though he didn’t recognize Gu Chaobei, he swept a glance over them and said to the official beside him, “It seems we lack the proper fate. The matter you wished to discuss, my lord, should perhaps be saved for another day.”

The official laughed dryly, wiping the sweat from his brow, and after agreeing twice with “yes, yes,” he cast an unwilling glance toward Shen Guiyan and Gu Chaobei before turning and walking away.

Shen Guiyan kept her head lowered without looking up. When that person had left, however, Gu Chaobei raised his eyes and locked gazes with Yuwen Changqing for a moment.

“Everything arranged?”

“All set. Just act according to circumstances.”

The Imperial Garden was crowded with prying eyes, so Yuwen Changqing should not linger. Yet he swept a glance at Shen Guiyan and inexplicably found his feet unwilling to move.

Alas, this thing called affection—even ropes couldn’t quite hold it back. These past few days he had lost sleep, having thoroughly investigated everything about this Third Miss of the Shen family. The person before him probably didn’t recognize him, yet he already knew even what dishes she liked to eat.

Gazing wistfully at the evening clouds on the horizon, Yuwen Changqing wondered: if he went now to exchange greetings with this Third Miss Shen, would anything come of it?

That hasty encounter at Swallow Tower—she shouldn’t remember his appearance, right? And even if she did, she wouldn’t think the man who climbed walls in the dead of night could be General Yuwen. If he now put on airs and struck up an acquaintance, at least she would know his name, and his heart would be somewhat at ease.

Seeing him standing there motionless, Gu Chaobei raised his eyebrows slightly. He was just considering whether to pick up a rock and throw it at him when Prime Minister Gu, who seemed to have noticed the situation here, hurried over to mediate.

“General Yuwen.” Prime Minister Gu smiled. “How fortunate that you’re here—allow this old man to make introductions. This is my son Chaobei, and his principal wife, Lady Shen.”

With the Prime Minister present, Yuwen Changqing naturally couldn’t say much more.

Gu Chaobei stood up and properly performed the courtesy: “I have the honor of meeting General Yuwen.”

Shen Guiyan followed with a bow.

Yuwen Changqing smiled slightly. “No need for such formality. So this is the Prime Minister’s fourth son—I have long admired your reputation.”

Prime Minister Gu felt somewhat awkward. Generally, those who had heard of Gu Chaobei’s reputation knew nothing good about him. Nevertheless, with General Yuwen present, he smiled and said, “My incompetent son cannot compare to General Yuwen’s youthful accomplishments. I would hope General Yuwen might offer him guidance.”

“I also find your esteemed son quite agreeable.” Yuwen Changqing smiled. “However, guidance can wait for next time. The Empress has summoned me, and I must first report to her.”

“Very well.” Prime Minister Gu nodded.

As he turned to leave, Shen Guiyan took the opportunity to raise her head and look once more. Just then, Yuwen Changqing’s face turned toward her, and he even revealed a smile.

Why does this person seem somewhat familiar? Shen Guiyan thought. Where have I seen him before? Especially his eyes—they felt so recognizable.

“You and Yan’er take care of yourselves. I must still speak with Scholar Fu.” Prime Minister Gu said, “Yan’er, keep a close eye on Chaobei and don’t let him cause trouble.”

“Yes.” Shen Guiyan nodded.

Once Prime Minister Gu had left, Gu Chaobei immediately became restless. “You stay here. I want to go look over there.”

Shen Guiyan frowned. “How can my lord leave this concubine here alone? One cannot wander freely in the palace. What business do you have over there?”

Gu Chaobei glanced at the sky and frowned slightly. “Father is right over there, so how can you be considered alone? I… I need to use the privy, is that not acceptable? Must you follow me there too?”

Shen Guiyan looked at him. Though they hadn’t been together long, she could still tell when Gu Chaobei was lying.

“Very well then, return quickly.” She didn’t press him and instead took a step back.

Gu Chaobei breathed a sigh of relief and turned to walk toward the outside of the Imperial Garden.

Shen Guiyan remained in place for a moment, lifted her eyes to scan the surroundings, then slipped out after Gu Chaobei.

Gu Chaobei walked extremely fast, and it certainly wasn’t in the direction of the latrines. After following for just a few steps, Shen Guiyan lost sight of him. Panting, she thought: This fellow is supposedly obsessed with beauties all year round—how can his body be so fit? He runs faster than anything, and without making a sound at that.

Looking left and right, she realized she had run to a place with fewer people. She should turn back early and speak with Gu Chaobei after he returned.

“Fourth Young Madam?” Just as she turned around, she saw General Yuwen walking toward her. Shen Guiyan jumped in fright and quickly lowered her head. “General.”

Yuwen Changqing chuckled softly. “Am I so frightening?”

“Not at all.” Shen Guiyan said, “This lowly concubine did not expect to encounter the General and startled herself.”

Yuwen Changqing nodded. “Why are you here?”

“Just walking about.” Shen Guiyan bowed. “I shall not disturb the General further. This lowly concubine will return to the garden first.”

“Very well.” Yuwen Changqing watched Shen Guiyan walk two steps before turning toward the direction she had come from.

So she would actually follow Chaobei out—her mind was quite meticulous. Fortunately she was just a weak woman and certainly couldn’t catch up with Chaobei, otherwise that would be disastrous. Yuwen Changqing thought: A beauty is beautiful indeed, but he must still have Chaobei maintain vigilance.

All along the way, Shen Guiyan kept wondering why she found this General familiar. When she returned to sit behind the artificial hill in the garden, idle chitchat continuously filled her ears. Suddenly two sentences caught her attention and pulled her wandering thoughts back.

“Earlier someone wanted to marry their daughter to General Yuwen—truly foolish dreaming. When has General Yuwen ever looked at anyone? Apart from the three masters in the palace, who could catch his eye?”

“Exactly. Everyone scrambles to establish connections with General Yuwen, hoping to leap upward. But shortcuts are not so easily taken.”

Something flashed through her mind, and Shen Guiyan suddenly seemed to remember.

Those eyes—she had indeed seen them at the Shen residence. A man in black clothing had suddenly appeared on Swallow Tower and startled her. Later, Chaobei had climbed through the window and caught her attention, and she never mentioned that incident again.

That person looked exactly like General Yuwen, even their voices were identical.

But how could that be? How could a distinguished general appear at the Shen residence in the middle of the night like a thief? And how could Gu Chaobei help cover for him when they were only introduced today through the Prime Minister?

A multitude of doubts filled her mind. Shen Guiyan sat behind the artificial hill pondering for a long while, until Gu Chaobei returned and took her hand, saying, “The banquet is about to begin.”

Shen Guiyan looked up at him. Gu Chaobei’s expression showed nothing unusual, except his breathing was slightly unsteady, as though he had run the whole way. Where had he gone just now? She was quite curious about that too.

“Let’s go.” Gu Chaobei led her outward. “There are many people today, and we’ll be seated in the outer hall. If we arrive late, we might not have seats.”

“Alright.” Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes and followed him along the way.

Was the person beside her truly just a dissolute nobleman? For the first time, Shen Guiyan harbored such doubts. But his palm was very warm, holding hers this way, as though he would never let go no matter the circumstances.

Should she trust him? Or should she investigate the secrets he carried?

The evening banquet was arranged according to official rank. Since neither Gu Chaobei nor Shen Guiyan held any official position, they naturally sat at the very back. When wine and meat were served—all delicacies—Gu Chaobei couldn’t resist taking a sip of wine first and clicked his tongue twice. “The palace is indeed the best.”

Shen Guiyan looked around and whispered, “My lord, have you noticed something amiss?”

“What?” Gu Chaobei didn’t even lift his head.

This was clearly the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, yet the expressions of all the officials around them were exceedingly solemn, and as the ceremonial bell chimed, they grew even more tense.

“It’s none of your concern, so you needn’t worry too much.” Gu Chaobei said quietly, “It’s just other people’s drama.”

How could she not be tense? This atmosphere felt as though armed conflict could break out at any moment. The Emperor and Empress were clearly husband and wife, but seated together at the head table above, they seemed like two opposing peaks neither yielding to the other. Shen Guiyan didn’t know if she was overthinking it, but she felt the Empress’s expression was rather unfriendly.

“Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, such an auspicious occasion. This palace believes it would also be appropriate to establish the Crown Prince.” The Empress wore heavy makeup that made her look somewhat fearsome. “What does Your Majesty think?”

The Emperor smiled broadly, his face full of benevolence. “The matter of the Crown Prince has been disputed for so long. Does the Empress have a good solution today?”

The Empress laughed lightly. “Since ancient times, the legitimate son is established over the eldest. This palace does not understand what there is to dispute in this matter. The Sixth Prince is both virtuous and talented, and of sufficient age. Why does Your Majesty refuse to establish him?”

A perfectly good birthday banquet had become a battle for the position of Crown Prince before it even began. Shen Guiyan sighed, finally understanding why everyone’s expressions were so tense.

This was never meant to be a proper birthday banquet from the start.

Just as she was feeling worried, a piece of meat appeared at her lips. Gu Chaobei smiled and said, “Why are you so nervous? Come, watch the show, eat meat. We’re sitting far away anyway—no one can see us.”

Shen Guiyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Looking at him, she said, “Don’t you feel nervous? The Crown Prince will be the future Emperor, affecting all the people under heaven.”

Gu Chaobei snorted lightly. Only this fool thought the Crown Prince affected the common people. In the eyes of everyone present, who became Crown Prince only concerned their own interests.

“The Sixth Prince excels in civil matters, but the Fifth Prince is accomplished in both civil and martial arts. In terms of talent, I believe the Fifth Prince is more suitable.” The Emperor turned to the Empress Dowager. “What does the Empress Dowager think?”

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly and raised her wine cup. “Why bring up such matters at today’s birthday banquet? All you beloved ministers, let us drink together.”

As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke these words, half the court officials immediately stood up.

The Emperor’s expression grew somewhat unpleasant. Though the Empress Dowager’s words seemed conciliatory, she was using the court officials to pressure him. Half the court consisted of the Wen family’s people.

The Empress also stood up smiling. “Mother is quite right. After we finish this cup of wine, perhaps Your Majesty could consider the matter more carefully?”

The Emperor’s smile vanished, and he did not raise his wine cup.

“I shall pour wine for Your Majesty.” Yuwen Changqing stood up and, receiving the Empress’s signal, personally stepped before the Emperor.