Princess Changle stared at Su Yao, her eyes full of meaning.

Su Yao met her gaze and regained his composure: “I don’t understand Your Highness’s meaning.”

“Hehe.” Princess Changle laughed derisively and shook her head. “Su Yao, you’re being no fun like this.”

As she spoke, she extended her slender fingers to lift Su Yao’s chin, saying meaningfully: “For people who are no fun, this princess has no patience, like my cousin for instance.”

On that face beautiful as peach blossoms and plum trees, her smile was cold, and her gaze was cold too.

Su Yao’s expression changed, his demeanor taking on additional meaning: “What exactly does Your Highness want? Could you really intend to keep me in the Princess Mansion as your lover?”

Princess Changle withdrew her hand and sat down in a chair to one side, glancing askance at Su Yao as she asked: “First tell me, are you and this princess the same kind of person?”

Su Yao remained silent.

This time, Princess Changle didn’t press him, only watching him lazily.

Finally, Su Yao curved his lips slightly, revealing a faint smile: “Is this the reason Your Highness holds me in such high regard?”

This was undoubtedly an indirect admission.

Looking at the man as pure and clean as a magnolia flower, Princess Changle smiled with satisfaction.

Beneath that spotless exterior was wrapped a poisoned heart.

She had truly discovered a treasure.

Princess Changle stroked her slender, fair fingers and said unhurriedly: “There’s no need to keep you in the Princess Mansion. I just can’t stand watching you put on an act and wanted to be honest with you.”

Su Yao stared at Princess Changle and suddenly smiled: “That is this subject’s honor.”

Princess Changle raised her eyebrows and leaned forward, bringing her face close to Su Yao’s.

For a moment the two were extremely close, so close their breaths intertwined.

A report came from outside: “Your Highness, someone has come from the palace.”

Princess Changle immediately stood up, her face tense as she said: “Come in.”

A maid lifted the curtain and entered the inner chamber. Without looking sideways, she curtsied to Princess Changle: “Your Highness, someone has come from the palace to convey an oral decree. His Majesty requests that you enter the palace.”

Princess Changle listened and glanced at Su Yao.

Su Yao also stood up, his face returning to indifference.

“Send Compiler Su out first.” Princess Changle ordered coolly.

The maid curtsied slightly to Su Yao: “Lord Su, please follow this servant.”

Su Yao cupped his hands toward Princess Changle: “Your Highness, then this subject will take his leave.”

Princess Changle’s gaze fell on his face as she asked with a smile: “Lord Su, next time this princess seeks you out, there’ll be no need to snatch you again, will there?”

Su Yao smiled faintly: “Your Highness jests. To receive Your Highness’s favor is this subject’s honor.”

Princess Changle laughed heartily.

After Su Yao left with the maid, Princess Changle stopped laughing, changed her clothes, and left the Princess Mansion.

When Emperor Yong’an was waiting for Princess Changle in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, someone came from Yuhua Palace to invite him.

“Your Majesty, Her Ladyship requests your presence.”

Emperor Yong’an, who maintained an expressionless face before his officials most of the time, showed a slight change in expression: “Is Her Ladyship unwell?”

“Her Ladyship says she feels somewhat stifled in her chest.”

Emperor Yong’an hurried over and saw Imperial Noble Consort Xiao reclining on a beauty couch, drinking water.

“How does my beloved consort feel?” Emperor Yong’an walked over quickly and grasped Imperial Noble Consort Xiao’s hand to prevent her from rising.

Imperial Noble Consort Xiao smiled: “I just felt somewhat stifled in my chest earlier, but seeing Your Majesty, I suddenly feel much better.”

“As long as you’re all right. Summon the imperial physician to examine you.”

“I’ve already sent someone to call for one.” Seeing Emperor Yong’an’s genuine concern, Imperial Noble Consort Xiao curved her lips.

She wouldn’t stoop to using the child in her belly to win the emperor’s concern, but it was time to let those little vixens sober up.

Seeing His Majesty taking turns favoring new women these past days, they thought this noble consort had fallen out of favor—did everyone think they could fly up to the branches and become phoenixes?

“Would my beloved consort like to eat some pastries?”

“No, they’re too sweet.”

For a time, Yuhua Palace was filled with harmony.

Emperor Yong’an remained in Yuhua Palace, so naturally Princess Changle came up empty after entering the palace.

“Father Emperor is at Yuhua Palace?” Standing in the empty hall, Princess Changle’s eyes grew heavy.

Zhou Shan had accompanied Emperor Yong’an to Yuhua Palace, leaving behind an eunuch named Little Zhenzi.

Little Zhenzi hastily said: “Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”

“How long has Father Emperor been there?”

“About half an hour.”

Half an hour?

Princess Changle’s brows furrowed.

Having been gone so long without returning—was he guarding Imperial Noble Consort Xiao through childbirth or what?

“Father Emperor summoned me to the palace, so why would he be at Yuhua Palace?”

Intimidated by Princess Changle’s years of accumulated authority, Little Zhenzi dared not refuse to answer: “Imperial Noble Consort is somewhat indisposed, so Yuhua Palace sent someone to invite him, and His Majesty went over. Your Highness, please have some tea first…”

Princess Changle silently drank two cups of tea. Finally unable to wait any longer, she instructed Little Zhenzi: “Take this princess to Yuhua Palace.”

“This—” Little Zhenzi hesitated.

Princess Changle’s phoenix eyes swept over him, her tone icy: “What?”

Little Zhenzi smiled awkwardly and bent at the waist: “Your Highness, please follow this slave.”

At this time, the flowers and trees in the palace gardens were all covered in white snow—jade branches and trees in silver wrapping, adding several touches of beauty to the bleak winter day.

Princess Changle walked gracefully forward, looking at the scenery before her and finding it somewhat unfamiliar.

She couldn’t help but stop, a strange feeling arising in her heart.

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since she had walked through the palace.

She arrived at Yuhua Palace.

After Little Zhenzi explained the reason, a eunuch from Yuhua Palace said to Princess Changle: “Please wait a moment, Your Highness. This slave will go in and announce you.”

Princess Changle’s expression was bland as she nodded, but the hands tucked in her sleeves clenched tighter and tighter.

Her long nails pierced her tender palm, where there was a slightly hard line—a scar left from when Wei Wen had wounded her with a golden hairpin.

Thinking of Wei Wen, she couldn’t help but think of the beautiful and dignified Birthday Immortal Maiden, and a bored, empty heart began to stir restlessly.

Hearing the eunuch’s report, Emperor Yong’an finally remembered he had summoned his daughter to the palace.

Since she had already arrived at Yuhua Palace, naturally he had her brought in.

Princess Changle walked into the inner hall and gracefully bowed to Emperor Yong’an: “Greetings, Father Emperor.”

She paused, then said impassively: “Greetings, Imperial Noble Consort.”

From above came Emperor Yong’an’s indifferent inquiry: “Changle, have you been causing trouble again today?”

Officials had come to complain to him about Changle twice. The first time was when Changle had just started keeping male lovers—the officials found it difficult to accept, though of course they gradually got used to it later.

The second time was this instance, when Changle had snatched the top scholar right off the street.

Princess Changle already felt aggrieved having to bow to Imperial Noble Consort Xiao, and what awaited her was not permission to rise but a reprimand, making her feel even more stifled.

Even so, she showed no unusual expression on her face. Her brows furrowed slightly, displaying some grievance: “Is Father Emperor asking about Compiler Su?”

Emperor Yong’an glanced at her: “So you do know?”

Princess Changle pressed her lips together: “Your daughter was only joking with Compiler Su. I sent him out of the mansion long ago.”

Emperor Yong’an’s expression eased slightly: “You sent him out? How have I not heard about this?”

Princess Changle laughed coldly to herself.

Father Emperor was so focused on accompanying the six-months-pregnant Imperial Noble Consort Xiao that he had even forgotten summoning her to the palace—how could he be concerned with other matters?