Wei Qiang’s gaze fell upon the Crown Princess’s face.

The Crown Princess had an oval face and could be considered a beauty with gentle temperament. At this moment, however, her face was covered with a layer of gauze, revealing only her eyes.

Sensing his scrutiny, the Crown Princess instinctively turned her face away despite knowing the veil concealed it, presenting the uninjured half toward him.

Wei Qiang coldly retorted, “Why can’t I bring Court Lady Yu? Must I seek the Crown Princess’s approval for which concubine I bring?”

The Crown Princess’s clasped fingertips trembled slightly as she said coldly, “Isn’t Your Highness afraid that when Father Emperor sees Court Lady Yu, he’ll recall her secret consumption of contraceptive medicine?”

Wei Qiang’s expression turned cold. “Father Emperor attends to myriad state affairs daily and won’t remember such trivial matters. I advise the Crown Princess not to trouble herself with needless concerns.”

“Your Highness, Court Lady Yu has humiliated you so—can you truly not care at all?” The Crown Princess’s voice rose slightly.

Wei Qiang’s expression grew even colder. “Whether I care or not is none of the Crown Princess’s concern.”

Did he care? Of course he cared.

If he didn’t care, how could he have flown into such a rage at the time, ordering Yu Niang to move out of the Jade Langzhai Pavilion?

But to say he cared enough to cast Yu Niang aside forever—that wouldn’t be the case either.

The one he truly held in his heart had never been Yu Niang.

He merely thought of that person through Yu Niang, nothing more.

Wei Qiang withdrew his thoughts and looked coldly at the Crown Princess. “Rather than worrying whether Father Emperor will recall Court Lady Yu’s matter, the Crown Princess should think more about herself.”

The Crown Princess’s entire body trembled, her complexion growing even more deathly pale.

In such a short time, her originally plump figure had become as thin as paper, as if she could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

Yet those bloodshot eyes harbored unwillingness.

If her position as Crown Princess were destroyed by that lowly servant’s single hairpin thrust, wouldn’t she become a laughingstock?

The Crown Princess left in a daze, her mind filled with only one thought: How could she possibly summon the divine physician?

In the study, candlelight flickered and the illumination dimmed.

Wei Qiang sat quietly for a moment before walking out of the study toward the Jade Langzhai Pavilion.

The next day was indeed the fine weather predicted by the Imperial Observatory—clear skies stretching for miles, auspicious for travel.

Kou’er stood on the stone steps at the entrance, crying her handkerchief wet. “Miss, you must return early! Outside is never as comfortable as home—what if you get sunburned or grow thin from exhaustion…”

Hong Dou could bear it no longer and angrily said, “Kou’er, you’ve been wailing for nearly a full hour now. Will you ever stop?”

“I’m just worried about Miss! Going out for so long without me accompanying her, and you’re incompetent—how can I not worry?”

Hong Dou rolled up her sleeves. “Who are you calling incompetent? Say one more word and see what happens!”

“Stop this nonsense.” Luo Sheng spoke up to halt the two maidservants’ bickering.

On the other side, a group of concubines surrounded Luo Qing and Luo Yue, chattering instructions all at once.

“This is the first time the two young ladies are going out for so long—you must be careful!”

“Yes, Second Miss must look after Fourth Miss a bit—Fourth Miss is still young.” Sixth Concubine stole a glance at Luo Sheng, and seeing she wasn’t paying attention to this side, lowered her voice to advise, “If Fourth Miss accidentally offends Miss, Second Miss must help her out.”

Another concubine said quietly, “Perhaps it’s better not to go, just like in previous years. Before, the two young ladies never went either.”

“Right, right, right—home is better. Eldest Miss isn’t going, after all.” This remark immediately drew agreement from several concubines.

Luo Yue could bear it no longer. “Concubine Mothers, stop worrying needlessly. Second Sister and I will be fine.”

In previous years they hadn’t gone because Third Sister was too domineering and simply wouldn’t allow them to go.

This year they could finally go—why wouldn’t they?

Eldest Sister didn’t enjoy excitement, and with her wedding approaching, that’s why she wasn’t going.

Seeing Fourth Miss’s impatient manner, the group of concubines silently sighed.

They didn’t want to worry so much either, but thinking of the two young ladies having to spend day and night with Third Miss for over a month made their hearts clench with anxiety.

The two young ladies were beautiful as flowers and jade—what if they returned missing arms or legs?

Luo Chen stood not far away, coldly watching the group of concubines’ reluctant farewells, his lips pressed tight.

These concubines were quite caring toward Second Miss and Fourth Miss.

Glancing again at the plain-clothed young woman with her indifferent expression, he couldn’t help feeling frustrated.

Did that fool Luo Sheng even realize she was being ostracized?

The youth strode over and asked Luo Sheng with furrowed brows, “Are we leaving?”

Luo Sheng nodded and called to Luo Qing and the other, “Time to go.”

Luo Ying waved goodbye to everyone.

There were two carriages in total—Luo Sheng and Luo Chen would ride in one, while Luo Qing and Luo Yue would take the other.

Given Luo Chen’s status, he should have ridden a horse, but considering his physical condition, Luo Sheng had him take the carriage instead.

Luo Chen didn’t insist otherwise.

Though his health had improved considerably, he still couldn’t compare to someone like Xiao Qi. If he rode a horse and fell ill upon arrival, would he have to watch helplessly as Luo Sheng enjoyed herself with Xiao Qi?

Luo Chen lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

Xiao Qi wore a brand-new sapphire blue outfit in the nomadic style, sitting astride his fine horse looking spirited and vigorous.

The youth let out a soft snort, feeling inexplicably disgruntled.

“Luo Chen,” Luo Sheng called out.

Luo Chen turned his head toward her.

“Want some pastries?” Luo Sheng pointed to the lacquered box on the small table.

“Yes.” Luo Chen picked up a piece of rose cake from it and ate it, suddenly feeling his mood improve.

Carriages and horses from various mansions converged toward the Imperial City from all directions, then formed a long procession that slowly made its way out of the city.

The Emperor’s travels were grand occasions, and the city’s common people crowded both sides of the road to watch the spectacle.

Sitting in the carriage, Luo Sheng heard periodic exclamations from outside.

“Look, is that Prince Kaiyang?”

“Which one?”

“The one in crimson robes!”

“My goodness—Prince Kaiyang is so handsome!”

“Young and handsome, and I heard he hasn’t taken a princess consort yet.”

This was followed by a string of silvery laughter, mixed with shyness and excitement.

Even Hong Dou couldn’t stand listening anymore and pursed her lips. “Why are they only discussing Prince Kaiyang? Surely His Majesty and the Crown Prince are more imposing.”

Luo Chen truly thought this maidservant rather simple-minded and said flatly, “Discussing His Majesty or the Crown Prince could result in beheading—no one dares speak carelessly. Given Prince Kaiyang’s status, he should be positioned right behind the imperial carriage. He’s young, handsome, and hasn’t taken a princess consort—who else would they discuss if not him?”

Young and handsome?

Luo Sheng, who had lifted the carriage curtain to search for the Crown Prince’s carriage, heard these words and unconsciously let her gaze fall upon that crimson-robed figure.

Just then, the person glanced back.

With carriages and horses between them, this glance naturally didn’t meet Luo Sheng’s eyes.

That backward glance seemed more like a casual gesture, devoid of any particular meaning.

Yet the crowd on that side of the road erupted in commotion and laughter as sachets, handkerchiefs, fresh flowers, and other items rained down like droplets toward that crimson-robed figure.

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together lightly.

Young and handsome, and quite the flirt attracting admirers like bees and butterflies.

“Wow, a carriage full of thrown fruit!” Hong Dou loved joining in excitement and casually grabbed a red plum to toss over as well.

“Hong Dou!” Luo Sheng said with a stern face, chiding her.

Hong Dou quickly shrank back into the carriage.

Luo Sheng then saw that person catch the red plum amidst the rain of sachets and flowers, then look over.

Their gazes met.

The man dressed in crimson robes curved the corners of his lips and took a bite of the red plum.