As the summer heat began to subside slightly, Guogong Mansion received an invitation to Princess Jingyang’s Lotus Appreciation Banquet.
This Princess Jingyang and Pei Yunshu could be considered “birds of a feather” in the capital.
Both were of noble status, both were rare, indulgent noblewomen in the capital, and both were equally flamboyant and unrestrained.
But recently, Pei Yunshu had suddenly closed her doors to visitors. Princess Jingyang couldn’t resist sending an invitation, likely unable to hold back any longer.
Princess Jingyang, Xie Sifeng, was the daughter of a brother of the late emperor and the current Your Majesty. Although their relationship wasn’t particularly close, it wasn’t bad either. Her father was now an idle prince, yet his status remained highly respected.
Xie Sifeng had brothers, but she, as the daughter, was the most doted upon. According to her father, among all his children, only this daughter of his had inherited some of his true essence as a wayward prince.
Pei Yunshu took the invitation to her mother, saying she wanted to bring her younger sister along this time.
Madam Jiang looked at her for a while, then nodded slightly. “Since she’s going with you, you decide.”
That evening, Jiang Liuyan learned of the matter.
Jiang Liuyan held a book in her hands, but her heart was filled with even greater confusion. Recently, Pei Yunshu had indeed been acting strangely. If it wasn’t a sudden maturity, then perhaps she had discovered something?
Jiang Liuyan’s thoughts churned endlessly, yet she couldn’t reach a conclusion. Pei Yunshu had often come to speak with her in the past few days, but—wait. Jiang Liuyan frowned, the candlelight blurring her expression.
That day, what Pei Yunshu had discussed with her was her marriage arrangement. What if Pei Yunshu had intentionally brought it up?
Pei Yunshu had discovered her private dealings with the Crown Prince, which was why she had been deliberately distancing herself, why the marriage arrangement had suddenly come up, and why she had intentionally helped Pei Qingwan.
It seemed she wasn’t too foolish after all, but she had realized it too late. On Jiang Liuyan’s desk also lay an invitation.
Too late. Now, she no longer needed to rely on Pei Yunshu.
But she still needed to test the waters a little. If it truly was because of her private dealings with the Crown Prince, once the matter was exposed, not only would she be in trouble, but even Xie Changyan would face significant difficulties.
If Pei Yunshu were to make a scene, she would surely cause an uproar throughout the city. She and the Crown Prince would need to prepare in advance.
Or perhaps, strike first.
On the day of the banquet, when Pei Yunshu saw Jiang Liuyan, she paused while boarding the carriage. “Cousin, since you’re going out today, I suppose we’re heading to the same place.”
Jiang Liuyan nodded. “After all, it’s an invitation from Princess Jingyang. I couldn’t very well decline.”
Pei Yunshu turned and boarded the carriage. “Then let’s go, Cousin.”
When the carriage from Guogong Mansion arrived, Xie Sifeng was waiting at the entrance to greet her.
“Ah, look who it is! Isn’t this our Miss Pei? Finally willing to come out of your mansion?”
“Since the Junzhu invited me, of course I had to come. Otherwise, I’d be as good as dead in your eyes.”
Xie Sifeng stood before the mansion gate, dressed in a martial outfit with her hair tied in a high ponytail. Xie Sifeng often wore this style. Back then, someone had even submitted a memorial impeaching the prince’s mansion for lax discipline. But when one was already a prince, what use were rules and etiquette?
In the end, even the censors and other officials grew tired of impeaching her.
Xie Sifeng reached out a hand to help Pei Yunshu down from the carriage.
“After all, the Junzhu specifically sent two invitations to my mansion.” As she said this, Jiang Liuyan happened to walk over and bowed to Xie Sifeng.
“Since the Junzhu has matters to discuss with Yunshu, I’ll go in first. Please excuse me.”
Jiang Liuyan walked away, not quickly, but she could still hear Xie Sifeng’s words.
“That invitation for your cousin was given by my mother. As you know, my mother and the others adore her type the most.”
Jiang Liuyan smiled faintly. All the efforts she had made over the years had not been in vain.
Xie Sifeng watched Jiang Liuyan leave, somewhat puzzled. “What’s going on? Have you two finally had a falling out?”
“Finally? What’s wrong with her? Why do you dislike my cousin so much?”
“Nothing, I just don’t care for her kind.” Xie Sifeng shrugged and led Pei Yunshu inside. “The lotus-viewing banquet is in the garden at the back. I originally wanted to take you to see this year’s new garden, but my father said there are distinguished guests there today and forbade me from causing any mischief with others.”
“It’s best to keep a respectful distance from the Prince’s esteemed guests,” Pei Yunshu teased.
Xie Sifeng rolled her eyes. “You’ve been holed up in your mansion these days, and I’ve been so bored.”
“How about I treat you to drinks another day to apologize to our esteemed Junzhu?” Pei Yunshu said, waving to Pei Qingwan. “Let’s go, we should first pay our respects to the Princess Consort.”
“As my elder sister arranges.”
Hearing this, Xie Sifeng glanced over. “This one seems genuinely well-behaved.”
“She is,” Pei Yunshu nodded.
She and Xie Sifeng acted so boldly, yet these people never dared to mock them openly—only because of their status. Behind their backs, however, was another matter, though on the surface, many still sought their favor.
Jiang Liuyan had already met the Princess Consort. Watching Pei Yunshu arrive with the Junzhu, she could tell that while the Princess Consort appreciated her, she was more affectionate toward Pei Yunshu. This distinction was clear to her.
“Princess Consort.”
Pei Yunshu knew how to be charming, and with just a few words, she had the Princess Consort beaming with delight, full of indulgence for this junior of her family.
“You two needn’t stay by my side. I know you can’t sit still for long.”
After a few words, the Princess Consort dismissed them, also inquiring about Pei Qingwan. Since it was Pei Yunshu’s first time bringing her along, she gifted her a bracelet.
“I don’t see what’s so special about this. Aren’t the lotuses the same every year?”
By the lotus pond, a dozen or so young ladies from various families had gathered, commenting on the scenery. Unexpectedly, Xie Sifeng approached and made this remark.
They fell silent, unsure how to respond. It was Pei Yunshu who chimed in, wholeheartedly agreeing. “It is rather dull. What’s the point of admiring these flowers when they’re always the same?”
Xie Sifeng gestured to the servant beside her. “Bring some entertainment. What’s the point of everyone standing around like fools?”
Pei Yunshu leaned against the side, watching as the people by the lotus pond scrambled into action. In no time, three swings had even been set up.
Pei Qingwan stood nearby, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
“You should be able to get along with them. There’s no need to stay by my side.”
Pei Qingwan pursed her lips. “But I’m not familiar with these people.”
“You don’t need to be familiar. As long as I’m here, they’ll befriend you.”
Pei Qingwan watched as Pei Yunshu said this with an air of nonchalance, and suddenly understood why her elder sister was the way she was—because she knew no one would dare refuse to give face to Pei Yunshu of the Guogong Mansion.
“Understood.”
Pei Qingwan went off to play. Jiang Liuyan approached at some point. “Niannian.”
“Cousin, are you going to join the fun too?”
“I’ll leave the children’s games to them. Niannian, why did you bring Qingwan along this time?”
“This matter, Concubine Jin pleaded with Mother, wanting to find her a husband in the capital. Mother asked me to take her around more often.”
“Then, is Niannian deliberately distancing herself from me?”
Pei Yunshu looked over; Pei Qingwan still wore a gentle smile, tinged with a hint of grievance, as if she had merely asked casually.
“Cousin, that day, when I took your carriage, how did you return from Princess Chang’s Mansion?”