“A’Sheng, is this a guest at your wine shop?” Princess Changle asked with a trace of casualness, her gaze not leaving that refined and handsome face.

To Princess Changle, men’s significance was limited to being male favorites.

Naturally, her attitude toward male favorites couldn’t be called solemn.

Luo Sheng curved her lips. “That’s right.”

“From which family?”

Sheng Erlang, who was walking in front, frowned.

Which noble lady was this, discussing men so brazenly to their faces?

Seeing the young lady’s familiar attitude toward Luo Sheng, Sheng Erlang’s mouth twitched.

Now he truly understood what it meant for birds of a feather to flock together.

“Cousin, we’ll be going back now.” Sheng Dalang called out to Luo Sheng.

A’Sheng’s cousin?

Princess Changle looked toward Luo Sheng. “A’Sheng, are they all your cousins?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “The two gentlemen in front are my eldest cousin and second cousin. That young master in the back has nothing to do with me.”

Princess Changle gazed intently at Su Yao and smiled. “I see… Then who is this young master?”

Sheng Erlang couldn’t help but say, “Cousin, we have urgent matters. We’ll leave first.”

This woman was clearly plotting designs on Second Brother Su.

Since Second Brother Su became the top scholar, they’d seen plenty of young ladies with such intentions, but this was the first time they’d seen someone express it so boldly.

Princess Changle’s expression darkened slightly. “Having met this Princess, shouldn’t you perform a courtesy before leaving?”

Princess?

Both Sheng Erlang and Sheng Dalang froze in surprise.

The astonishment that flowed across Su Yao’s face was like a wisp of thin cloud, not affecting his calm composure in the slightest.

Luo Sheng spoke up at the right moment. “This is Princess Changle.”

All three cupped their hands together. “Greetings to Your Highness.”

Princess Changle nodded slightly, her gaze not leaving Su Yao. “A’Sheng, I remember your maternal family is far away in Jinsha. How did your cousins all come running to the capital?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Both my cousins and Compiler Su came to the capital to take the imperial examinations.”

Compiler Su?

Princess Changle stared fixedly at Su Yao and smiled sweetly. “So this means you’re the new top scholar?”

The palace examination’s first tier only admitted three people, called the top scholar, second place, and third place, but only the top scholar would be granted the position of Compiler at the Hanlin Academy after the palace examination ended. Second and third place would be granted positions as Academy Editors.

Since A’Sheng said this was Compiler Su, he was obviously the new top scholar.

Handsome appearance, talented, and most importantly—no beard yet.

Princess Changle’s interest in the young man before her grew even stronger.

After Princess Changle’s question, Su Yao openly cupped his hands. “This humble minister is indeed.”

Princess Changle narrowed her eyes.

“Humble minister”—she liked this form of address.

Princess Changle’s attention to Su Yao made everyone else uneasy, yet only Su Yao remained composed as always. “If Your Highness has no other instructions, we’ll take our leave.”

Princess Changle nodded slightly.

Seeing that Princess Changle wasn’t making things more difficult, Sheng Dalang and the others quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After quickly leaving the wine shop, Sheng Erlang tapped his palm with his folding fan. “Second Brother Su, you’re in trouble!”

Su Yao’s expression remained calm. “What trouble?”

“That’s Princess Changle—haven’t you heard of her?”

Su Yao frankly shook his head.

Sheng Erlang reacted. “That’s right, we haven’t been in the capital for even a year yet, and Princess Changle wasn’t in the capital before, so it’s normal no one mentioned her to you. I know about this Princess because of my cousin.”

“Because of Miss Luo?” Su Yao asked softly, his eyes gradually deepening.

“Yes, Princess Changle and my cousin are close friends, and both of them… like to keep male favorites.”

“Second Brother.” Sheng Dalang glanced at Sheng Erlang, his tone somewhat displeased.

Sheng Erlang curved his lips. “Second Brother Su isn’t an outsider—what can’t be said? Would Elder Brother rather have Second Brother Su completely unprepared and ruined by that Princess Changle?”

Sheng Dalang had nothing more to say.

They had studied hard in cold windows and succeeded at the imperial examinations—who among them didn’t have aspirations to fulfill? If they became a princess’s male favorite, that would truly be worse than death.

“Second Brother Su, you must be careful from now on.” Sheng Erlang patted Su Yao’s shoulder.

Su Yao smiled. “Second Brother Sheng worries too much. Once Princess Changle learns I’m betrothed to the young princess from Prince Pingnan’s estate, she won’t act recklessly.”

“That’s true—after all, the young princess and Princess Changle are cousins.” Hearing Su Yao say this, Sheng Erlang wasn’t as worried anymore.

Stealing her cousin’s fiancé to be a male favorite—even if Princess Changle was lawless, she wouldn’t do something like that, would she?

Su Yao turned to glance back.

The evening sky was still painted with sunset clouds. The wine shop with red lanterns hanging under its eaves was shrouded in thin twilight, appearing quiet and warm.

Su Yao turned his head back and walked forward calmly.

In the main hall, Princess Changle was inquiring about Su Yao. “A’Sheng, wasn’t the new top scholar seized as a son-in-law after the examination results were posted?”

“No.”

Princess Changle shook her head slightly.

Such talent and yet no one snatched him up?

This batch of noble ladies was inadequate—after her and A’Sheng, not a single straightforward one emerged.

“However, he is betrothed.” Luo Sheng mentioned casually.

Princess Changle raised her eyebrows and asked indifferently, “Which noble lady?”

“The young princess from Prince Pingnan’s estate.”

Princess Changle paused before saying, “It’s her.”

If it was Wei Wen, that would indeed be somewhat troublesome.

But as long as it was something she wanted, what could she not obtain in the end?

Princess Changle smiled. “Wei Wen finally showed good judgment for once.”

Luo Sheng didn’t respond.

Her revenge was directed at Wei Qiang and Prince Pingnan’s estate. As the princess, Wei Wen had enjoyed wealth and status these years, so suffering hardship along with the estate’s downfall could be considered cause and effect.

But as long as Wei Wen didn’t come looking for trouble, she wouldn’t deliberately target her.

As for whether Princess Changle would clash with Wei Wen, that had nothing to do with her.

Princess Changle also didn’t continue this topic, instead examining the main hall with great interest. “A’Sheng, your wine shop is quite impressive. I’ll dine here today.”

“Excellent—Your Highness can try the cook’s culinary skills.”

At this moment, two wine guests entered. Hong Dou greeted them and led them inside.

Princess Changle heard the sound and looked over, couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.

Was this really a wine shop A’Sheng opened? Why were all the wine guests who entered quite pleasing to the eye?

The arrivals were the two brothers Lin Teng and Lin Shu.

Lin Teng worked at the Ministry of Justice and wasn’t one to wander about everywhere. When Princess Changle was still in the capital indulging in keeping male favorites, she hadn’t encountered him.

As for Lin Shu, his literary reputation only spread in these past two years. When Princess Changle left the capital, he was still a half-grown youth hiding in the academy studying.

As soon as the two brothers entered, they discovered a beautiful young lady staring straight at them.

Had they entered the wrong place?

The two brothers instinctively looked toward the counter. Seeing Luo Sheng, they relaxed slightly.

“Miss Luo, we’ve come to eat.” Although the pressure of being stared at by a strange young lady was somewhat great, Lin Teng still spoke up.

“Please help yourselves, you two.” Luo Sheng shot Kou’er a look and asked Princess Changle, “It’s been too long since I’ve shared wine with Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness’s tastes have changed?”

Princess Changle could plot designs on Su Yao all she wanted, but if she plotted designs on her nephew, that absolutely would not do.

Princess Changle hadn’t yet tasted the wine shop’s delicacies and naturally didn’t find it particularly attractive. She was just about to ask about the origins of Lin Teng and his companion when she saw a young man in crimson robes walk in.