Whether it was the imposing vermilion-lacquered main gate or the majestic stone lions before it, none of it was unfamiliar to Luo Sheng.

The last time she came was to attend Princess Consort Pingnan’s birthday banquet; this time it was to congratulate Prince Zhennan on taking residence in the prince’s manor.

With complicated feelings, Luo Sheng followed behind Grand Marshal Luo, then heard him call out “Your Highness.”

In that instant, she thought the young man who had become Prince Zhennan had appeared. She immediately looked over, only to see Wei Han striding toward them.

“Your Highness arrived early.” Grand Marshal Luo harbored a bellyful of grievances but maintained a smile on his face.

If he wanted to put on airs, he’d have to wait until this youngster came to propose marriage—now was not the time.

“Good day, Grand Marshal.” Wei Han nodded in response. When his gaze fell on Luo Sheng’s face, it immediately softened. “I didn’t expect Miss Luo would come as well.”

Luo Sheng curtsied slightly and smiled: “I came with Father to see the excitement.”

Vice Minister Wang from the Ministry of Rites, who had walked over preparing to greet Wei Han and Grand Marshal Luo, heard these words and his mouth twitched violently.

Grand Marshal Luo’s daughter was truly spoiled to the point of lawlessness—completely improper.

Vice Minister Wang approached and cupped his hands toward Wei Han in greeting: “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Wei Han had just wanted to ask Luo Sheng a few more questions but was interrupted. He gave a cold nod: “Vice Minister Wang need not be so courteous.”

Vice Minister Wang, having inexplicably received the cold shoulder, turned to greet Grand Marshal Luo instead.

Grand Marshal Luo was also wondering whether he could sit with Prince Kaiyang to probe what the other party was really thinking while drinking. He hadn’t expected this troublemaker to arrive—how could he have a pleasant expression?

Vice Minister Wang received two cold faces and was still puzzled even after entering the banquet hall.

Luo Sheng was arranged to go to another hall, said to be specifically for receiving female guests. After entering, she discovered she was the only one there.

There were quite a few servants, led by a woman in her forties.

Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are there no other guests?”

The woman had been assigned from the palace and nearly couldn’t help curling her lip at this question.

The new Prince Zhennan was only fourteen years old and had no parents or relatives. What female family members would be so tactless as to come on such an occasion? Only this Miss Luo, apparently.

“There are no others.” The woman answered with a smile.

“Has Prince Zhennan already begun receiving guests?”

Wariness flashed in the woman’s eyes as she deflected: “This old servant isn’t quite clear about that.”

His Highness was still so young—what was Miss Luo trying to do?

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together.

If that was the case, then she would just go over and see for herself.

Just then, a voice came from the doorway: “Is Miss Luo here?”

Princess Changle was escorted in by attendants. Seeing Luo Sheng, her eyes lit up with delight: “A’Sheng, you really are here.”

Luo Sheng rose and went to meet her: “I didn’t expect Your Highness would come either. Just now the woman was saying I was the only female guest.”

Princess Changle didn’t spare even a glance for that woman, saying with a smile, “I hadn’t planned to come originally, but then I thought since I had nothing else to do, I might as well. Being able to see A’Sheng is an unexpected joy.”

Luo Sheng curved her lips: “I also find it unexpected.”

Princess Changle linked arms with Luo Sheng: “A’Sheng, why are you waiting here foolishly all alone?”

For people like them, was it a meal they lacked? What they lacked was something interesting to do.

“Come on, let’s go see Prince Zhennan.”

Watching as Princess Changle pulled Luo Sheng by the hand and walked out, the woman opened and closed her mouth repeatedly but didn’t dare obstruct them.

Obstructing Miss Luo would be one thing, but who would dare obstruct Her Highness the Princess?

The banquet hall receiving the officials and nobles was already quite lively.

Everyone had come to offer congratulations, fulfilling the proprieties. In fact, such occasions were more about officials connecting with their colleagues. As for that sequestered young prince, who would truly care?

Grand Marshal Luo got his wish to sit at the same table as Wei Han. Raising his wine cup with a jovial smile, he asked, “Will Your Highness still go to the wine shop today?”

Wei Han nodded as a matter of course.

“Sheng’er’s wine shop isn’t cheap. Going every day—one’s purse can’t withstand it.” Grand Marshal Luo hinted implicitly.

Was this youngster foolish? Hadn’t he thought that if he married Sheng’er, he wouldn’t have to spend money?

Wei Han smiled faintly: “I can still afford it.”

Grand Marshal Luo had nothing more to say.

Understood—foolish but wealthy.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Luo Sheng and Princess Changle arrived at the entrance to the banquet hall. Luo Sheng’s gaze swept across and landed on the seat of honor.

There sat a slender-framed young man, appearing somewhat lonely amid such liveliness. The young man looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old. Although his face showed restraint, those slightly elongated eyes couldn’t conceal their natural charm and handsomeness.

Luo Sheng stared fixedly at that young man, her eyes involuntarily moistening.

The moment she saw the young man, she thought she was seeing another person: Si Nan.

The man she had personally ended but who had smiled and thanked her.

The young man’s features and bearing resembled Si Nan by at least fifty percent, and he happened to be one of the infants sent away thirteen years ago.

The day Prince Zhennan’s manor met disaster was her wedding day. Si Nan’s parents and relatives had all died on that day. Looking at this young man whose features resembled Si Nan’s, she couldn’t help forming a conjecture: Could Si Nan still have relatives living? Was this young man his younger brother?

Once this thought arose, it spread like wildfire, impossible to resist.

Or rather, from the bottom of her heart, Luo Sheng hoped this was the case—it would make her feel better when she thought of Si Nan.

When Luo Sheng stopped at the doorway, Princess Changle had already strode inside. An announcement rang out: “Princess Changle has arrived—”

The bustling banquet hall immediately fell silent.

Wei Han silently gazed at the young woman standing in the doorway.

No matter how slow he was, he could see that Miss Luo’s attention was entirely focused on Prince Zhennan.

What was special about that child?

Wei Han glanced at the young man in the seat of honor.

If there was something special, it was probably just that he was quite good-looking…

Luo Chen sat beside Grand Marshal Luo. Seeing this, he couldn’t help frowning.

If Luo Sheng didn’t still have this habit of staring whenever she saw a handsome young man, he might almost think she was a normal older sister.

When the great hall fell completely silent, Princess Changle was already walking toward the young prince, saying with a smile as she walked, “This princess has come to congratulate Prince Zhennan. Everyone, please continue as you were.”

Very quickly, someone laughed dryly and said to those around him, “Drink, drink.”

Under Princess Changle’s威压, everyone awkwardly but diligently tried to restore the liveliness.

Just let Princess Changle go torment Prince Zhennan—as long as she didn’t torment them.

Princess Changle walked before the young man and casually picked up a wine cup from a maid’s tray, raising it toward him: “Congratulations to Your Highness.”

The young man stood up and thanked her, suppressing his nervousness.

Princess Changle looked the young man up and down and smiled slightly: “Your Highness need not be so courteous. Although you are a prince of a different surname, Father Emperor has said that the Wei and Qi families have always been one family.”

Yet the scrutiny in her eyes and the playfulness in her tone showed not the slightest intention of treating him as family.

Luo Sheng’s gaze turned cold.

Even if the young man wasn’t the real Bao’er, he was now the Prince Zhennan recognized by the world.

Princess Changle was showing not the slightest respect to Prince Zhennan in full view of everyone—how could she not be furious?

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together and walked toward Princess Changle.

Interacting with Princess Changle required walking on eggshells, but that didn’t mean she could remain unmoved seeing Princess Changle act this way.

Just then, a cool voice rang out: “Changle.”