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After praising Princess Xueyan, the Emperor’s gaze turned to Lady Chang, remembering she was Lady Chang because she was Empress’s own niece, the legitimate daughter of General Chang.

It had only been a month since the last incident, and even if he wanted to forget, he couldn’t.

Before Lady Chang entered the palace, the Empress had praised her for being proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Today, upon seeing her, it was nothing special.

Out of consideration for the Empress’s dignity, the Emperor didn’t say anything and turned to leave for Fengyi Palace.

Even though the Emperor said nothing, Lady Chang had completely lost face, and her previously established image of a talented lady had now collapsed.

Those who usually fawned over her now turned to curry favor with Princess Xueyan.

"Princess Xueyan is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, surpassing the rumors by far."

"Isn’t that right? With her noble status and outstanding talent, Princess Xueyan is not someone ordinary people can compare to."

Princess Xueyan’s eyes brimmed with a gentle smile, already accustomed to the words of praise.

Lady Chang nearly spat out blood in frustration; these very people had once praised her in the same manner, only to turn around and speak so highly of another person—it was utterly disgusting!

Concubine Xu was so excited she could hardly contain herself, "She boasts about being proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, holding herself up as a talented lady day after day. Today, she’s finally met her downfall!"

Shen Chuwei glanced at her a few times, and then at Concubine Xu, who was by far the most thrilled and excited.

It still didn’t affect her struggle to keep her eyelids from battling each other~

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Princess Xueyan, who was surrounded by people. Sometimes having a lot of women around does have its advantages.

Shen Chuwei was still thinking about resting her head on Xiao Jinyan’s arm for a while, but just as she closed her eyes, a familiar voice came from above: "Let’s head back first."

After Xiao Jinyan spoke, he took Shen Chuwei, still drowsy, and left the Imperial Garden.

Shen Chuwei instinctively followed his pace; a few seconds later, she realized they were heading back to sleep, and immediately felt overjoyed.

Concubine Xu was watching with satisfaction and turned her head to speak to Shen Chuwei, only to find that the living person beside her was gone.

"Where is Lady Shen?"

Looking around, she finally noticed two figures not far away.

Xiao Jinyan was leading Shen Chuwei in the direction of the East Palace.

In Concubine Xu’s eyes, it looked as if Xiao Jinyan was dragging Shen Chuwei away.

"There’s that violent tendency again."

Tao Chenghui, upon hearing this, withdrew his gaze and looked at Concubine Xu, his eyes full of confusion, "Who has a violent tendency?"

Concubine Xu, pulling Tao Chenghui closer and pointing at the two distant figures, whispered, "Your Highness has a violent tendency. Look, he violently dragged Lady Shen away."

Tao Chenghui observed for a moment, "Doesn’t seem like it!"

Concubine Xu focused on the clasped hands of the two and said seriously, "Look closely, isn’t His Highness grasping Lady Shen’s hand?"

Tao Chenghui nodded, "I see it."

Concubine Xu added, "That is evidence of a violent tendency."

Tao Chenghui turned to look at Concubine Xu, "Why do I see it as His Highness holding Lady Shen’s hand?"

Concubine Xu was taken aback, stared at their hands again, and suddenly became uncertain, "...Is there, really?"

After shaking off the others, Princess Xueyan turned to look for Xiao Jinyan, but after searching everywhere, she couldn’t find him. "Where has Your Highness gone?"

Seeing Princess Xueyan searching for His Highness, Concubine Xu strolled over, swinging her handkerchief, "Princess Xueyan, His Highness is a very busy man. We sisters hardly ever get to see him. He must be occupied with official duties now."

Princess Xueyan withdrew her gaze to look at Concubine Xu. In the East Palace, her status was the highest—something she had come to understand these past few days.

"Is he that busy?"

"Of course, if you don’t believe me, just ask the sisters here. It’s quite common not to see His Highness for ten days or even half a month," Concubine Xu asserted with confidence after glancing at the sisters present.

Princess Xueyan looked at the sisters present, all of whom were outstanding beauties.

Concubine Xu Chenghui dabbed her tears with her handkerchief, "I only get to see His Highness once every two months. If not for today, who knows how long it would have been."

"It’s been a month and a half for me. I only got to see His Highness during today’s lunch," Lady Li sighed.

Doubts filled Princess Xueyan’s eyes before she turned to Concubine Xu again, "What about you? How often do you see His Highness?"

Concubine Xu adjusted the hairpin on her temple, quite proud of herself, "I’m different from them. As a concubine, it’s only every three to five days or so."

Concubine Xu wasn’t lying—in fact, she did see His Highness every three to five days. And every time, it was to go to Hehuan Hall to whisper to Shen Chuwei, but she was always interrupted by Xiao Jinyan, which infuriated her to the point of gritting her teeth.

Princess Xueyan then looked towards Lady Chang, "What about Lady Chang? As the niece of the Empress, is she able to see His Highness daily?"

Lady Chang, who was about to leave, suddenly found herself named and stopped in her tracks. She was inclined to ignore the question, wanting to get away from there.

Concubine Xu glanced at Lady Chang, seeing through her thoughts and called out loudly, "Lady Chang, Princess Xueyan is asking you, how often do you see His Highness?"

Lady Chang was annoyed to the point of itching to scratch someone. Her confinement for a month was a well-known fact in the Imperial Palace, and yet Concubine Xu was deliberately asking!

Indeed, Concubine Xu was doing it on purpose, wanting to embarrass her.

Lady Chang, holding back the urge to curse, turned to face Concubine Xu only to find her looking back with a smug smile on her lips.

Even someone as dignified and elegant as she was struggling to control her emotions and was on the brink of slapping Concubine Xu, who had made her lose face on purpose.

Concubine Xu lifted her chin, annoyed, aren’t you? Come on, if you’ve got the guts, come hit me. If you dare touch a hair on my head, I’ll make sure you spend a month touring the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. No, that’s too lenient for you—one for three months!

Lady Chang suppressed the dissatisfaction in her heart and turned to Princess Xueyan with a forced smile, "Princess, His Highness is the Crown Prince, and there are so many women in the East Palace.

It is normal for His Highness to be busy and not to meet every day, it has nothing to do with status. "

Emphasizing the last sentence, Lady Chang meant to imply that even if you are a noble princess, it doesn’t guarantee the Crown Prince will favor you upon your marriage into the East Palace!

Although Concubine Xu didn’t like Lady Chang, she agreed with her point. So Princess Xueyan, you might as well give up now!

Princess Xueyan smiled slightly, "Lady Chang makes a good point. So, maybe Lady Chang won’t be seeing His Highness for a long time. It seems His Highness does not favor Lady Chang."

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang felt as if she had been stabbed in a sore spot, nearly spitting blood in anger.

Concubine Xu held her handkerchief to her mouth, giggling behind it, "Princess Xueyan is so clever."

Lady Chang was so angry that it physically hurt. Unable to bear it any longer, she swept away with a huff.

On the way back,

Tao Chenghui leaned closer to Concubine Xu and whispered, "This Princess Xueyan, she is not simple."

Concubine Xu asked curiously, "What’s so special about her?"

"Princess Xueyan is only fifteen, yet she excels in music, chess, literature, and painting. She speaks calmly and thoughtfully, even eclipsing Lady Chang," Tao Chenghui, born into a family of merchants, had learned to judge people from her father and was quite discerning.

"What’s there to fear? If Princess Xueyan truly wishes to marry His Highness, Lady Chang will be the first to object. With her scheming ways—last time she nearly caused trouble for me and Lady Shen—I don’t believe she will willingly let Princess Xueyan take the Crown Princess’s position."