The group hurried to see the Crown Prince and the princes. If they were accidentally chosen, then in the future… The more they thought about it, the more excited they became, and their footsteps unconsciously quickened. In no time, Yan Wuxin could no longer see their figures.
Yan Wuxin leisurely strolled around, occasionally admiring something here or glancing over there.
When her gaze fell upon a deep palace courtyard, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark figure flipping in from the outside. The speed was extremely fast; if Yan Wuxin hadn’t undergone extensive training, she might have thought it was a hallucination.
This scene immediately piqued Yan Wuxin’s curiosity. A slight smile curled at the corner of her lips as she quickly ran toward the direction of the dark figure.
However, the dark figure had already vanished from the surroundings. Just as she was deep in thought, a faint voice reached her ears.
“Master, I have investigated everywhere. That thing has not yet appeared. What we obtained this time is likely false information again.”
“Hmm.”
“What should we do next? Continuing like this is not a solution.”
“Keep waiting.”
Hearing the conversation inside, Yan Wuxin was slightly taken aback. She couldn’t help but tilt her head and search her memory—the two voices inside were all too familiar. Where had she heard them before?
That’s right, it was him…
A sense of danger suddenly washed over her. Without time to think further, Yan Wuxin swiftly slipped into Kongjian.
The man scanned the surroundings but found no one. Frowning slightly, he then vanished.
Who were those two people, and what exactly were they plotting?
“Sister, what’s wrong?” Xiao Li walked over and handed her a piece of fruit.
“It’s nothing.” Yan Wuxin took the apple and began to nibble on it.
After a long while, sensing that the two had likely left, Yan Wuxin emerged from Kongjian and hurriedly left the palace courtyard, heading toward the Peony Garden. At that moment, a scrutinizing gaze fell upon her, accompanied by a chilling aura.
Suddenly, the presence of numerous hidden guards filled the surroundings, making Yan Wuxin feel as if she had fallen into a tiger’s den.
The oppressive aura emanating from this person was too strong; she absolutely could not act rashly. Taking a deep breath, she turned around. “Um, I’m here to attend the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. I just got lost. Could you please tell me how to get to the Peony Garden?”
When the man in white saw Yan Wuxin, a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes before they returned to their usual coolness. He narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing her up from head to toe.
Meeting his profound gaze, Yan Wuxin felt a slight shock in her heart. Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, clenched tightly, ready to engage in battle at any moment.
After a long pause, the man in white still said nothing. Yan Wuxin didn’t want to say anything more either, only wishing to quickly leave this dangerous place.
“The Peony Garden is straight ahead. Turn a corner, and you’ll be there.”
“Thank you.” After expressing her gratitude, Yan Wuxin brushed past him and quickly walked away.
“Your Highness.”
A man dressed in eunuch’s robes approached the man in white, frowning with concern. “Your Highness, do you think it was her who eavesdropped just now?”
Hearing this, the man in white’s brown pupils tightened slightly. He took out a white pendant from his sleeve, gently rubbing it with his thumb, then seemed to recall something.
“At the birthday celebration, men and women are separated. What exactly is she planning to do this time?”
The eunuch shrugged and touched his nose. “I heard they might be selecting consorts for you all.”
Meanwhile, in the Peony Garden…
“What’s going on? Wasn’t the Fourth Miss of the Yan Family with you? Where is she?” The Empress Dowager, dressed in dark red embroidered with peonies, sat in the main seat of the Peony Garden. She glanced at the crowd already seated before her, then turned her gaze to Nanny Liu.
Nanny Liu lowered her head, her expression troubled. She had been occupied earlier and had instructed a senior palace maid to fetch her. The maid said the Fourth Miss of the Yan Family had clearly been walking with them—how could she suddenly disappear?
Though the Head of the Yan Family wore a look of anxiety on her face, her heart was filled with excitement. This fool really thought the imperial palace was like the outside world, causing trouble for herself—did she not want her head anymore?
Now that the Empress Dowager was displeased, let’s see what kind of punishment she would face later. If the Empress Dowager was unhappy, then the position of Crown Princess…
Yan Qingyu noticed this and instinctively glanced at the Empress Dowager, thinking she was about to impose punishment, but then she heard an extremely apologetic voice.
“Mother, please forgive me. I just ran into Xin’er and specifically asked her to chat with me for a bit. I lost track of time—my apologies.” At that moment, the Emperor, dressed in bright yellow robes, appeared with Yan Wuxin.
Xin’er…
Yan Qingyu and the Head of the Yan Family nearly choked with anger, their hands tightly clutching their silk handkerchiefs. This affectionate address, this full-faced benevolence—what kind of spell had the Emperor fallen under? Their Qingcheng was a talented woman with strong cultivation aptitude, yet why did the Emperor take a liking to this good-for-nothing?
This ugly girl is just an ugly girl. I don’t know what my son sees in her, insisting she become the Crown Princess. The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Wuxin, who wore a veil, feeling deeply displeased.
“Go on.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Yan Wuxin nodded. The Emperor had left a good impression on her—unlike the portrayals in dramas, he was actually very amiable and kind.
Seeing his daughter safe, Yan Nantian let out a deep sigh of relief. Yan Wuxin offered a faint smile, signaling for her father to be at ease.
Earlier, on her way, she had encountered the Emperor. At first, he had called her Yin’er, but after realizing his mistake, he inquired further and learned that the Emperor had mistaken her for her mother. Concerned that her appearance might attract gossip, the Emperor had her wear a veil.
“Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince and the other princes have arrived.” Nanny Liu bowed, pointing ahead.
“And that person?”
“This old servant did not see him.”
A flash of intense disdain crossed the Empress Dowager’s eyes as she looked up and saw several elegant figures approaching her direction. Seeing her beloved grandson walking at the front, her displeasure vanished instantly, and her face broke into a wide smile.
Yan Wuxin followed the Empress Dowager’s gaze, scanning the crowd. Not spotting the figure of the man in white, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to pick up a piece of fruit to eat, she was unexpectedly kicked by Yan Qingyu, who stood tall and proud alongside all the other noble daughters, preparing to bow to the Crown Prince and the princes.
Yan Wuxin curled her lip, silently cursing the nuisance, then turned her head away, pretending not to understand. After all, her former self was a fool—someone who had never learned etiquette wouldn’t care about such things.
The Emperor glanced into the crowd, about to inquire about the Crown Prince, when a eunuch’s voice came from beside him. “Your Majesty, it’s the Third Prince. The Third Prince has arrived.”
As the words fell, everyone followed the eunuch’s line of sight.
From the direction of the center of the Peony Garden, a figure in dark cyan robes slowly approached. A jade crown adorned his head, and an aura of cold pride and celestial grace emanated from his entire being.
Since the passing of his mother, the Third Prince had not appeared in public view. Unexpectedly, he now showed himself before the crowd.
Yan Wuxin glanced over briefly before continuing to eat on her own, thinking to herself, “This man is in such high spirits—he even took the time to tidy himself up before meeting a girl.”