The Jiang family was celebrating a joyous occasion.

Their daughter Xie Xian was sixteen years old this year, precisely a young woman’s best years. Dressed in wedding attire, she sat in her boudoir being made up.

The auspicious woman kept saying lucky words from her mouth.

Beside them, a group of neighbors chatted animatedly.

“Madam Jiang truly has good fortune. She knows the current Empress Dowager. I heard it was the Empress Dowager who arranged the marriage between Miss Xie and the Qi family.”

“The Qi family is Third Rank. Even if he’s a son born of a concubine, he’s beyond what ordinary people can aspire to. I heard he passed the scholar examination several years ago and has great prospects.”

“How many good deeds did Madam Jiang do in her previous life to cultivate such fortune in this life? Truly enviable.”

As they were speaking, someone outside loudly announced—

“The Eldest Princess arrives!”

Everyone immediately closed their mouths, their gazes turning in unison toward the doorway.

A young woman dressed in palace robes walked in with measured steps. She was extremely beautiful. To avoid overshadowing the bride’s beauty, she had specially chosen an elegant plain dress and wore only a single palace flower in her hair. Her entire person was simple and plain, yet people couldn’t take their eyes off her.

“This is the Eldest Princess? She’s truly beautiful!”

“This is my first time seeing the Eldest Princess. She’s truly graceful and noble, more beautiful than peonies in full bloom.”

“I heard the Eldest Princess and Miss Xie are close friends. When Miss Xie frequently enters the palace, it’s to accompany the Eldest Princess.”

“To see imperial nobility with my own eyes in this lifetime—we really have benefited from the Xie family’s light.”

“Why are we just standing here gossiping? Quickly pay respects…”

Before everyone could kneel, Chu Changsheng quickly said: “Today is Xian’er’s happy day. You all don’t need to kneel to me. Do whatever you need to do.”

At this moment, Xie Xian stood up, grasping Chu Changsheng’s hand with a face full of delight: “How did you come out of the palace? I thought…”

Over ten years ago, enemy spies had nearly captured Changsheng. From that time on, Changsheng basically never left the palace.

On her wedding day, she naturally hoped her best friend could come see her off, but outside was ultimately not as safe as the imperial city. Therefore, she had specially written a letter telling Changsheng not to come.

Who could have imagined that Changsheng, having promised not to come, still came anyway.

“You’re getting married, of course I have to come.” Chu Changsheng pinched her cheek. “I want to see how badly the most timid Xian will cry when she gets married.”

Xie Xian pushed away her hand: “The Qi family is only a little bit far from my home. I won’t cry.”

That’s what she said, but when lying on Xu Ti’s back, being carried into the bridal sedan, when the sedan was lifted up and she looked at the people at her family’s doorway, her tears instantly fell.

No matter how near the husband’s family was, this was still getting married.

From now on, to see her mother, she would have to take a carriage back. She could never be like before again.

The bridal sedan gradually moved away. Madam Jiang cried heartbreakingly, but because guests were still present, she forcibly held back her tears. Looking toward Chu Changsheng, she said: “Eldest Princess, don’t stand. Sit inside. The banquet is starting.”

Chu Changsheng waved her hand: “Aunt Jiang, don’t trouble yourself. I’ll go eat at the Qi family.”

Going to the Qi family, she could personally watch Xian’er perform the wedding ceremony, and might even sneak into the bridal chamber to keep Xian’er company.

Xian’er had always been very timid. This time going to someone else’s home where she didn’t know anyone, who knew how frightened she would be.

Chu Changsheng rode her horse following behind the bridal sedan, heading toward the Qi family.

Minister Qi was a Third Rank official at court. His eldest son was a Seventh Rank official at court. Xie Xian was marrying Third Young Master Qi, who was a scholar. Although he was a son born of a concubine, the Qi family was still holding a grand wedding banquet, inviting many people from court to attend.

Chu Changsheng arrived uninvited, making the Qi family people especially anxious. They quickly invited her to the seat of honor.

She had originally come to support Xie Xian anyway, so she sat in the place of honor without courtesy. After eating until five parts full, she followed along and mixed her way to the bridal chamber area.

A group of Qi family women accompanied Xie Xian in the bridal chamber, talking with her while introducing the Qi family members to help her get acquainted. The atmosphere was very pleasant.

Chu Changsheng didn’t go in to disturb them. She led her horse and left the Xie family.

This horse was given to her by Father Emperor and Mother Empress from the south in the year of her coming-of-age ceremony. It was an especially gentle horse that she really liked.

Having been confined in the palace year-round, she rarely had a chance to leave the palace. Naturally she wanted to walk around and browse more. Elder Brother liked to eat Eight Treasure Duck—why not bring one back for Elder Brother? That kid Jue’er liked to eat roasted chestnuts from a street vendor, an old gentleman—she should also go buy some…

She led her horse to the street, but saw the chestnut roasting stall surrounded by people.

An old gentleman lay on the ground, his face deathly pale.

“Oh my, what happened to Old Master Li? Could it be his time has come?”

“A person over seventy years old, still coming out every day to set up a stall selling chestnuts. Living has no meaning.”

“What nonsense are you talking? Old Master Li still has a simple-minded son to support. If the old man passes, the simple-minded son won’t live long either.”

Amid everyone’s discussion, a young man pushed his way in.

He was just about to crouch down to check on the elder’s condition when he was blocked by well-meaning common folk: “Who are you? What are you doing? Before the doctor arrives, no one should touch Old Master Li.”

The man’s voice, like his appearance, was refined and cultured: “I am a doctor.”

“You as a doctor are really too young.”

“Yes, you look like you’re only sixteen or seventeen, still a child. How could you be a doctor?”

“Child, Old Master Li’s life has been too hard. Don’t make trouble.”

The man insisted: “I truly understand medical principles. Let me try.”

His features were proper, his eyes clear and bright. This actually made people trust him somewhat, so they moved aside to let him forward.

The man crouched down, extended fingers as long and refined as jade, placed them on Old Master Li’s pulse, looked at his tongue coating. His tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, and he smiled: “No harm, a small problem.”

Speaking thus, he took out a paper packet from his sleeve, extracted a very common piece of candy, and was about to place it in Old Master Li’s mouth.

“Child, don’t act recklessly. Don’t put just anything into the old master’s mouth.”

“Don’t tell us this candy can save someone.”

“Too frivolous.”

The man frowned: “The patient has deficiency of both heart and spleen, accelerated pulse. It’s obviously low blood sugar. Eating a piece of candy will do the trick.”

“Too ridiculous.”

“First time hearing such a thing.”

“If sweet candy can cure illness, why would we need those bitter-to-death medicinal herbs?”

“Hey, why won’t you listen to advice, child…”

Everyone saw the man, with lightning speed, stuff the candy into Old Master Li’s mouth.

Immediately, the surrounding people began condemning him mercilessly.

Suddenly, a young woman’s voice rang out: “He’s awake, Old Master Li is awake.”

The speaker was precisely Chu Changsheng.

When she was young, she liked peace and quiet. The older she grew, the more she liked watching excitement, especially having been cooped up in the palace for so long. Naturally she wanted to see something novel.

She had been staring at Old Master Li the entire time. When she saw Old Master Li’s fingers move, she knew he was about to wake.

This was also her first time hearing that candy could actually save someone.

She couldn’t help but look toward that man who had saved the person.