But those who wagered on Wen Yuzhu believed that the Wen family, having received the favor of Empress Wen, enjoyed considerable imperial grace.
As for Wen Yuzhu herself, having lost her mother at an early age, she had been placed in the palace by her father, Duke Wen, since childhood and was only brought back home at the age of thirteen.
In the eyes of the world, Wen Yuzhu and the Crown Prince were both cousins and childhood sweethearts, their relationship far closer than that of ordinary young ladies.
Whether for public or private reasons, forming a marriage alliance with one's own maternal family was advantageous and harmless.
And who wouldn't favor such a union of kin?
As word spread, the calls for Fifth Miss Wen grew louder and louder.
But in the end, who would become the Crown Princess was something Liu Yun cared little about. What she needed to worry about was her own situation.
Seeing Wen Yuzhu arrive, Liu Yun quietly retreated to the side and began to play the invisible woman.
This Fifth Miss Wen was similar to County Princess Rong'an, but the difference was that Wen Yuzhu's family background was far more solid and formidable—her father and brothers all held substantive positions at court, and with her kinship to Empress Wen, Fifth Miss Wen's chances of becoming the Crown Princess were extremely high.
She was in no way comparable to County Princess Rong'an.
With someone like that, even with Liu Yun's good social graces, it would be very difficult to forge any connection.
After all, everyone has their own circle wherever they go.
That subtle retreat was noticed by a discerning eye, and a brow unconsciously furrowed.
Wen Yuzhu merely cast a casual glance at Liu Yun, and seeing only a strange young lady of modestly pretty appearance, paid her no further attention. She curtsied to the Crown Prince and Princess Changyang, saying playfully, "Greetings to Cousin Crown Prince and Cousin Changyang."
"It is Yuzhu who has come late; I hope you will not hold it against me."
As men and women should keep their distance, Wen Yuzhu did not presume to approach her cousin the Crown Prince, but only affectionately took Princess Changyang's arm and chattered away prettily.
Wen Yuzhu had a charming and lovely face, and her disposition was exceptionally sweet and clever—even Liu Yun felt her heart soften involuntarily at the sight.
She looked at the siblings. The Crown Prince showed no reaction, still aloof and noble as he leaned against the soft couch, saying nothing.
So it fell to Princess Changyang to respond.
"It's no matter. I had thought Yuzhu might not come this year either?"
Princess Changyang smiled, treating this young cousin with considerable warmth and generosity.
Wen Yuzhu's bright eyes darted about, landing deliberately or not on Crown Prince Xiao Heng, her pupils shining as she said, "How could I not? Yuzhu heard that this year's Peony Banquet would be especially lively, so I thought I'd come to see for myself."
Princess Changyang knew in her heart that this little girl wasn't here for her flower banquet at all—she had clearly learned that her younger brother would be attending and had come chasing after him.
What a pity.
Princess Changyang secretly glanced at the Liu family miss, who was shrinking away like a quail, and said with pointed meaning, "That's wonderful then. Today my household has many fine young men. Yuzhu, see if any catch your eye—if you find one you like, your cousin will make the arrangements for you."
Her younger brother had never been interested in their young cousin, and now that his heart belonged elsewhere, she thought it best to persuade the girl to give up her hopes early.
But clearly, her cousin misunderstood. Her cheeks suddenly flushed, and with a shy, hesitant expression she said, "…Cousin always loves to tease me."
As she spoke, she stole a careful glance at her cousin beside her, her brow filled with girlish bashfulness.
Looking at her brother again, impatience was already showing in his eyes.
Indeed—the cousin's arrival had forced the Liu family miss to retreat.
No wonder her brother was displeased.
Changyang could hardly bear to watch, so she turned instead to Liu Yun, who was shrinking nervously to the side, and said, "Miss Liu, go enjoy yourself for now. We'll speak later."
Liu Yun felt as if she had received a pardon. She immediately bowed and turned to leave, scurrying away with quick little steps.
But she still overheard Wen Yuzhu's curiosity about her.
"Cousin, who is that?"
Princess Changyang said, "That is Miss Liu, daughter of the Vice Minister of Works."
"Oh, just the daughter of a fourth-rank official."
The words were light and airy, carrying a hint of contempt and disdain.
Whether anyone spoke after that, Liu Yun could no longer hear. She couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
What did she mean, "just a fourth-rank official"?
For her father to reach fourth rank at his age was already quite impressive!
How many officials toiled until their hair turned white, only to stop at fifth rank and finally retire, returning to their hometowns in old age.
Though her father's recent promotion had a bit of luck involved, it wasn't his fault those others were so indiscreet!
Her father was diligent and hardworking, and lucky too—he was the best!
But then she reconsidered. Wen Yuzhu came from a first-rank Duke's household, her aunt was the late Empress Wen, Princess Changyang was her cousin, and the Crown Prince was her cousin as well—of course she wouldn't think much of a mere fourth-rank official.
Sighing, Liu Yun steadied her mindset, made her way through the crowd, and found Zhenzhen, who was waiting for her with a worried expression.
"Shanshan…"
Thinking that she was far enough from Princess Changyang with enough people in between that no one would notice, Liu Yun stopped hiding her emotions and threw herself into Zhenzhen's arms, whimpering, "I was so scared just now—I thought I'd done something wrong~"
Zhenzhen was considerably taller than her and more full-figured, and Liu Yun found complete security in her embrace, unable to resist nuzzling against her.
Chen Wei was tickled by the nuzzling and giggled while pushing her away.
"Alright, alright, it's all over now. Let's keep eating chestnuts!"
Even from a distance, Xiao Heng seemed to hear the young lady's sweet, coquettish voice. His gaze drifted, almost imperceptibly, toward the girl nestled in someone's arms, acting coquettishly. His fingertips trembled slightly, and his throat went dry.
This moment of distraction caused Xiao Heng to be completely lost in thought, paying no attention to anyone around him.
Wen Yuzhu was always bold and lively, but in the presence of her beloved cousin—who carried the dignified air of the Crown Prince—she would restrain herself considerably.
But just moments ago, her cousin had scolded her. Wen Yuzhu guessed that his mood today was indeed not good, so she dared not act rashly.
Just now, after muttering about that Liu family, before she could think of something to say to strike up a conversation with her cousin, she saw him look over with a cold, sharp gaze and ask flatly, "What about a fourth-rank official?"
Wen Yuzhu was caught off guard by the question and didn't understand its meaning. She could only stare blankly at her cousin the Crown Prince, her heart filled with unease.
"Cousin…"
She wanted to ask what he meant, but he continued, "Any official who is diligent, steadfast, and serves the country and the sovereign—regardless of rank—is a worthy minister of our Great Yan. They must not be looked down upon or belittled. Do you understand?"
Wen Yuzhu was scolded into a daze. The increasingly formed imperial authority washed over her, and she dared not raise any objection. She immediately said in a subdued voice, "I understand. I misspoke just now. I hope my cousin will be lenient."
Xiao Heng merely gave a soft "mm" and said no more.
Princess Changyang had discreetly observed the entire scene. Fearing that her younger brother's coldness and bluntness might hurt their sincere little cousin, she spoke a few comforting words.
"Yuzhu, don't mind him. The older Aheng gets, the more airs he puts on. He's just so proper and serious when he speaks—that's how he keeps the old fogies in court in line!"
With her cousin's words as a way out, Wen Yuzhu took the opportunity to step down gracefully, smiling as she said, "Isn't that right? My cousin is the Crown Prince—he should be exactly like this."
Even as she felt a pang of discomfort, Wen Yuzhu marveled at how her cousin increasingly possessed the bearing of an emperor.
This was the cousin she admired!
…
Not long after, Liu Yun pulled Zhenzhen along to tour the princess's residence and admire the other peonies.
Unexpectedly, yet understandably, she ran into Yang Sanlang.
Because of the relationship between their elders, Yang Sanlang smiled and walked over as soon as he saw Liu Yun.
"Yun Mei."
The young man raised a gentle, scholarly smile and greeted her with a cupped-fist salute.
Liu Yun, recalling her mother's words, was flustered for a moment before barely suppressing her racing heart to return the greeting.
"Xiuyuan gege."
When she was nine, her father had taken her to visit the Yang family, and that was when Liu Yun first met Yang Sanlang.
He had been sixteen then, already in the form of a young man.
Liu Yun had no elder brother. Seeing how gentle and kind he was, how considerate and attentive toward her, she felt that this must be what an elder brother was like.
But who could have imagined that now her parents actually wanted the two of them to become husband and wife!
Liu Yun found it hard to adjust, to the point that now, whenever she saw Brother Yang, she felt awkward and uneasy.
What Liu Yun failed to notice, however, was that today's Yang Sanlang was also somewhat different from usual.
Take the way he looked at her, for instance.
There was a trace more intimacy than before, and it seemed even gentler.
Before the palace examination, his parents had told him something.
They said that if he could pass and earn the jinshi degree this time, they would go to the Liu family to propose marriage on his behalf, and asked whether he was willing.
Yang Xiuyuan had been surprised at the time, but recalling the gentleness, purity, and ethereal beauty of the Liu family's younger sister, he had smiled and nodded in agreement.
"I will follow my parents' arrangements."
After that night, Yang Xiuyuan prayed that the palace examination would go smoothly, allowing him to earn a good ranking and a respectable official post—and then, to bring honor to his future wife.
Perhaps due to a certain confidence in himself, Yang Xiuyuan had already made up his mind. So when he saw the Liu family's younger sister again, he unconsciously drew closer.
No longer the closeness of treating her as a younger sister.
Willows brushed against the embankment. On the opposite shore, across a vast expanse of emerald water, Xiao Heng's eyes pierced through the shimmering, rippling surface of the lake and fixed upon that man and woman.