Wen Xin’er lightly tapped Wen Ning’er’s forehead with her finger:
“Second sister, settle down! Le’er, today is your day. Go greet the other ladies; don’t mind us.”
“Alright! Cousin Xin, Cousin Ning, you sit here for now. I’ll come back to chat later.”
Sui Changle released their hands and then instructed:
“Lan Jian, take care of these two young ladies.”
Lan Jian acknowledged and led the Wen sisters to a nearby pavilion, where maids served various teas and snacks.
Just as Changle turned, she spotted Lin Qingwei, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel, and Shen Wanyan, the third daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis, approaching together.
Behind them, maids carried ornate brocade boxes—clearly birthday gifts for Changle.
“Little Sister Sui, today you truly look like a figure from a painting,” Lin Qingwei said as she handed over the box.
“This is a gift I specially chose for you. May your birthday be joyous and your years peaceful!”
Changle bowed politely and accepted the brocade box:
“Thank you, Sister Lin, for your thoughtfulness.”
She passed the box to Meiyin, who accompanied her.
Shen Wanyan, holding her own box, smiled:
“This is a gift for you as well. May you live long and free from worries, year after year!”
“Thank you, Sister Shen!”
Changle handed the box to Meiyin, then gestured:
“Cousins Xin and Ning are already in the pavilion ahead, waiting for you.”
The young ladies had been close friends for some time, always gathering to chat and laugh at events like this.
Hearing this, Lin Qingwei and Shen Wanyan both smiled with delight.
“Perfect! It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper chat with the Wen sisters,” Shen Wanyan said.
Lin Qingwei added, “Little Sister, go ahead and attend to your guests. We’ll find the Wen sisters ourselves.”
Changle arranged for Lin Qingwei and Shen Wanyan to join the Wen sisters.
Though it was Changle’s birthday banquet, she only invited a few close friends.
She then approached Wen Shiyi, politely paying respects to the assembled ladies.
After more praise and warm words from her mother, Wen Shiyi encouraged:
“Le’er, go chat with your friends. When the banquet begins, I’ll have the maids call you.”
Changle nodded, excused herself from the ladies, and led Meiyin to the pavilion by the water.
There, the friends greeted each other warmly, exchanging smiles and light conversation.
Suddenly, a soft, melodious flute sound drifted across the garden. Everyone paused in surprise.
Lin Qingwei’s curiosity was piqued:
“What a lovely tune. I wonder who is playing it.”
A maid hurried over, bowing:
“Ladies, it is His Highness, the Second Prince, performing at the waterside pavilion.”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s interest was sparked, glancing toward the distance.
Changle, however, knew exactly why the Second Prince had arrived uninvited: simply to see the daughters of the General of the National Guard.
In her previous life, Prince Xiao Chenrui had always sought to draw the General’s household into his sphere of influence, initially planning to marry one of the Wen daughters as his consort.
With the daughters aligned with him, the General’s household would naturally be seen as under the Second Prince’s influence.
However, the General soon realized the Prince’s intent and married the daughters off elsewhere.
Xiao Chenrui, though frustrated, could do nothing—he could not risk competing for wives against other officials, nor defy the Emperor, which would have earned him the Emperor’s disfavor.
Later, when Sui Jingxing switched allegiance, Changle had been married off to the Second Prince as a secondary consort.
Changle’s mind churned with memories, but her face remained composed. She picked up a piece of crystal osmanthus cake and lightly bit into it:
“Sisters, let’s chat among ourselves. No need to mind anything else.”
Lin Qingwei glanced at Changle and smiled:
“Little Sister Sui is still such a child at heart.”
“Indeed! Always eating and enjoying herself,” Shen Wanyan teased.
The Second Prince himself was tall and elegant, with a face as refined as jade. His eyes, under sharp brows, were gentle and warm like a spring lake. His lips carried a faint smile, and every movement exuded refined grace.
Born outstanding, and with his mother, Lan Fei, favored in the palace, Xiao Chenrui naturally became the object of admiration among the capital’s noble daughters.
Lin Qingwei and Shen Wanyan noticed that Changle showed no interest in the Prince and assumed she was simply too young to understand.
While they were chatting, Prince Xiao Chenrui appeared in a moon-white brocade robe, holding a jade flute, and approached the pavilion.
Seeing him, all the ladies bowed:
“Greetings, Your Highness, the Second Prince!”
Xiao Chenrui’s smile softened further. He raised a hand in a gentle gesture and said warmly:
“No need for such formalities, ladies. This is not a formal occasion, and excessive courtesy makes us strangers.”
His gaze swept across each face like a warm spring breeze.
“I heard it was Miss Sui’s birthday and wished to present my respects. I hope you’ll forgive my boldness.”
Behind him, his attendants presented a delicately crafted box.
Changle’s heart surged with resentment at seeing the man who had caused her past grief. She clenched her palms, forcing down her hatred, and returned a calm bow:
“Thank you, Your Highness. Your presence truly graces my birthday celebration.”
Wen Ning’er stole a glance at the Second Prince, admiration in her eyes, cheeks slightly flushed.
Wen Xin’er, though looking downward, was similarly blushing.
Xiao Chenrui’s gaze lingered on the Wen sisters as he smiled:
“I have long heard that the two daughters of the General of the National Guard are both talented and beautiful. Today, seeing them, I can confirm it is true.”
Changle sighed inwardly. The Prince’s intentions were transparent—he sought to charm the sisters, just as before.
Subtly frowning, she positioned herself slightly ahead of the Wen sisters, smiling gracefully:
“Your Highness, today is my birthday banquet. The feast will begin shortly. Would you care to stay for a meal?”
She doubted he would dare to linger among a gathering of women.
Xiao Chenrui was momentarily taken aback, then smiled:
“No, I’ve been presumptuous enough. Ladies, enjoy your conversation. I have matters to attend to, so I shall not stay.”
Changle’s face remained pleasant as she bowed politely:
“Very well, then your Highness, I shall not keep you any longer.”
Xiao Chenrui felt a strange sensation rising within him—this granddaughter of the General seemed unusually resistant to his charm.