The bustling streets were lined with shops, teeming with people of all kinds brushing shoulders as they passed by.
On the teahouse balcony, a figure leaned lightly against the railing, gaze slowly falling upon the crowd.
"Imperial Elder Sister, try this."
Xiao Jingyi held two sticks of tanghulu, offering one to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li merely glanced at it and pushed it away: "No appetite."
Xiao Jingyi had come to find her early this morning, coaxing and pestering to take Xiao Li out for fun.
Xiao Li was ordinary – having experienced prosperity and technology, she had little interest in touring this world.
Ancient customs and traditions were fine to appreciate as tourist attractions, but when they became reality, the human lives you witnessed were struggles others couldn't escape no matter how hard they tried. To stand high above looking down while talking about peaceful times and worldly pleasures was simply ironic.
Three years ago, Gu Ling was merely Pingyang Hou's illegitimate son, hunted by Pingyang Hou Furen. Injured, he hid in Liu Jia where Liu Xueyin rescued and cared for him. Later, he managed to counter-kill Pingyang Hou Furen, bringing his mother from outside the household into the main residence and even becoming the heir.
After Liu Xueyin became Empress, Lu Yanzhi silently guarded her here as the Imperial son-in-law, while Gu Ling, seeing she had found happiness, chose to go to the borderlands to protect the common people and also protect her.
The previously indifferent Xiao Li finally turned her thoughts back, vaguely recalling there was indeed such a plot.
"If the Imperial son-in-law were really a man, how could the Princess remain untouched after three years of marriage? He must be incapable."
"We'll definitely reform and never offend again! Please, Princess Consort, Young Master Heir, Young Master Liu, give us a chance!"
Just as the two were enjoying the drama, noise erupted downstairs. Soon, all the spectators rushed out. Xiao Jingyi's guard went to check and quickly returned: "Seventh Lord, it's Zhao Yuan and Li You harassing a young woman together, but she turned out to be Chen Wangfei, so they got beaten up by Pingnan Hou Shizi and the young master of Liu Jia."
The thin man lay on the ground continuously begging for mercy and saying nice things.
There were many spectators. The two, protected by their attendants, squeezed through the crowd and immediately saw the two men being forced to kneel on the ground apologizing.
"Chen Wangfei?" Xiao Jingyi doubted his ears.
"Hey, your news is outdated! The story has moved to another part now – the Imperial son-in-law and Princess are fighting again! This time the Imperial son-in-law got his face disfigured by the Princess, though the Princess doesn't seem well either. They've even summoned the Imperial Physician – must be serious."
The fat man lay on the ground nodding tearfully, face swollen beyond speech.
Xiao Li watched the entire farce from the building across the street, her perpetually cold face finally showing a smile.
Xiao Jingyi: "Does Elder Sister want to go see?"
The two men had been beaten up, both bruised and swollen. Though it shouldn't be funny, it was genuinely comical.
"My heavens, they're really fighting?"
Among the few who knew the truth, Xiao Jingyi sighed inwardly – Lu Yanzhi's sullied reputation would never be cleared in this lifetime. — Xiao Jingyi, having benefited, had specifically brought Xiao Li out today to distract her.
Normally, the first thought about this topic would be the Princess's noble status preventing the Imperial son-in-law from fighting back, but now everyone who heard immediately burst into sympathetic murmurs.
The eldest young master of Liu Jia was Liu Xueyin's younger brother. As for Pingnan Hou Shizi, Xiao Li knew this was the third male lead — Gu Ling.
Xiao Li stood up, raising an eyebrow with a malicious smile. "Let's go. Isn't this more exciting than an opera?"
Xiao Li couldn't care less about their family backgrounds, but their contrasting physiques were truly eye-catching.
The commotion wasn't far—just through an alley.
"Fresh news! They say Xuan Yang Princess didn't go through with the Heli with her Imperial son-in-law. Bixia is hosting a banquet to reconcile them—they definitely won't separate now." Xiao Jingyi pointed out the plump man who resembled a steamed bun, named Zhao Yuan, and the stick-thin one called Li You. Both came from middling families and were notorious idlers in the capital, spending their days loafing around.
The two men behind them glared hostilely at Xiao Li.
These people were utterly endearing.
Grateful for the Liu family's kindness and secretly admiring Liu Xueyin, they defended her at every turn.
Their eyes swept over Xiao Li's hands, both wrapped in bandages, flickering with complex emotions.
Such beautiful love—pity she was Xuan Yang Princess, a mere cannon fodder character, unworthy of appreciating such noble affection.
"Quick, take out your silver to buy everyone drinks, or this isn't over!"
Ahead, two lavishly dressed noblemen shielded a delicate woman in white—undoubtedly Chen Wangfei, Liu Xueyin.
The crowd erupted into chaos. No matter how the accused protested his innocence, nobody believed he hadn't taken bribes, forcing him to pay for the wine in the end.
"Wait, everyone knows this. Why are you suddenly defending the Imperial son-in-law? Did the Lu family bribe you?"
"Hah! The Imperial Physician said so, but who knows if the Lu family bribed him?"
Xiao Li preferred drinking tea while admiring scenery, strolling streets while watching dramas—staying within bounds but ensuring her own comfort.
Liu Changge offered a perfunctory bow. "Your Highness, Princess."
Xiao Jingyi's mouth twitched in agreement.
"Exactly! Scholars care about face—how could they admit incompetence? Of course they'd bribe the Imperial Physician to save face."
Let's see if you'd still appreciate fireworks when you become one of them.
Xiao Li didn't consider herself a pessimist, but she'd never been an optimist either. Having fought desperately for everything she wanted—only to be trapped in this novel before enjoying her achievements—she knew she was but an insignificant spark in this mortal world.
"Xuan Yang!" Liu Xueyin suddenly shouted, striding toward Xiao Li with sharp, accusatory eyes.
"Tch, how could it be fake? Last time the Imperial son-in-law was beaten bloody and demanded Heli. Now that it's off, another fight seems inevitable."
"But how could a delicate princess overpower her grown husband?"
"My apologies! This lowly one failed to recognize your eminence—like drowning the dragon king's temple in floodwaters. I beg forgiveness from Your Highness and the Young Master!"
"Haha! That Imperial son-in-law is useless, hardly a man. Isn't it normal he can't beat the Princess?"
"Wait, wasn't it proven false? The Imperial Physician certified the Imperial son-in-law is physically fine!"
The truth-teller was instantly besieged.
Who in prison would praise, "This cell is truly beautiful!"? Unaware of her turbulent thoughts, Xiao Jingyi noted Xiao Li wasn't eating, so he could have two skewers himself.
Gu Ling was far less polite, his stern face full of sarcasm. "Princess Xuan Yang, I've long heard of your reputation."
Clearly not a favorable one.
Xiao Li glanced sidelong at him, nodded dismissively, and said nothing more.
The show was over, and he was about to leave, but Liu Xueyin grabbed Xiao Li's wrist with a resolute attitude. "Xuan Yang, I have something to say to you."