Imperial Consort Li felt a suffocating anger trapped in her chest, unable to rise or fall.
The very excuses she had once used to manipulate others were now being turned against her by Yun Chaorong.
Yet she could not refuse, forced to grit her teeth and accept the task of organizing the palace banquet.
Imperial Consort Li glared resentfully. “The princess truly possesses a clever mind. I was blind before, failing to see it.”
Yun Chaorong wore an expression of “magnanimity.” “It’s good that you recognize your own blindness. This princess will not hold it against you.”
With that, she strode out of Linhua Palace in a few quick steps.
Imperial Consort Li covered her face and ran back to her own chambers to weep.
Yun Chaorong walked along the vermilion palace pathways, her mood exceptionally bright.
Behind her trailed a large crowd carrying screens, holding vases, cradling jade ornaments… as if moving house.
Even the usually composed Michun was smiling broadly, though her smile faltered halfway.
“Princess,” Michun leaned close to Yun Chaorong and whispered, “Regarding the Lotus Viewing Banquet you mentioned yesterday, are you truly entrusting it to Imperial Consort Li?”
If Imperial Consort Li were to gain influence from this, she would only become more confrontational with the princess in the future.
Yun Chaorong smiled mysteriously. “Of course I am truly entrusting it to her. This princess has my reasons.”
The palace banquet must be well-organized, but the reputation it brings… may not be what one expects.
After all, inviting those noble families was not merely to reassure them…
“Rong’er!” Suddenly, someone called out to Yun Chaorong from behind.
Curious, Yun Chaorong turned around. Few dared to address her so intimately within the palace.
A grinning young man sprang forward, followed by an elegant young lady with a dignified demeanor.
At first glance, the two shared identical faces, though the young man was slightly taller.
This distinct feature immediately reminded Yun Chaorong—they were the twin siblings Shen Yazhi and Shen Qingzhi.
The Shen twins were the grandchildren of Grand Tutor Shen. Selected since childhood as study companions for the princes and princesses, they often studied together in the Hall of Thoughtful Learning. Having grown up together, they shared a closer bond than most.
“Rong’er, we haven’t seen you at the Hall of Thoughtful Learning for many days. We heard you were ill.”
Shen Qingzhi winked at Yun Chaorong, his tone shifting playfully. “Could it be lovesickness, haha?”
Despite his delicate features, his expression was utterly punchable.
“Brother, mind your words. Have you forgotten Grandfather’s admonishments from the other day?”
Shen Yazhi shot a glare at her foolish brother before curtsying to Yun Chaorong. “How has the princess been lately?”
The brother was mischievous, the sister composed—they had been this way since childhood. Shen Qingzhi had endured many beatings for his mischief over the years, yet his nature remained unchanged.
Grand Tutor Shen had lamented countless times: why were their personalities reversed?
Yun Chaorong found the siblings amusing and smiled. “Very well.”
At the sight of Yun Chaorong’s smile, both Shen siblings were momentarily stunned.
“Rong’er, you’re not angry anymore?”
Yun Chaorong: …Should I be angry?
Yun Chaorong glanced back at Yingxia.
Yingxia successfully interpreted the princess’s look and leaned in to whisper:
“Princess, have you forgotten? You previously had a falling out with the young master and young lady of the Shen family over Imperial Consort Li and General Xie.”
Yingxia didn’t know why the princess’s memory had been poor lately, but this presented a perfect opportunity to showcase her talents.
Though palace gossip could not be spread, she had diligently kept track of all the minor dramas surrounding the princess!
Young Master Shen disliked following rules, Miss Shen was strict and proper, while Yun Chaorong fell somewhere in between. The three of them would often end up arguing at the slightest provocation, each standing their ground—you argue with me, I argue with him, he argues with you…
Yun Chaorong felt that digging out these small details from the plot was too difficult, but she knew the general direction of the future.
After the original host returned from Northern Qiang, when she faced criticism, it was Shen Qingzhi who silenced the crowd and publicly vindicated Yun Chaorong.
When she hid behind a face that was neither human nor ghost, too afraid to step into the sunlight, it was Shen Yazhi who sought out the elusive miracle doctor and restored her appearance.
In life, one walks a long road, and only upon looking back does one see clearly what is true affection and what is false pretense.
Yun Chaorong looked at the Shen siblings and smiled broadly. “It’s nothing serious, I wasn’t angry.”
Shen Qingzhi noticed the Morning Sun Palace attendants carrying a large pile of items. “What’s the occasion? You’ve received so many rewards?”
“These aren’t rewards; they originally belonged to the princess.”
Shen Yazhi, who often visited Morning Sun Palace in the past, recognized the rosewood screen and celadon carved plum vase being carried by the attendants as furnishings from Morning Sun Palace.
However, these items had once ended up in Linhua Palace. Shen Yazhi had criticized Yun Chaorong over this, and the two had had disagreements because of it.
Yun Chaorong said, “Yazhi has a good eye. These borrowed items are returning to my Morning Sun Palace today, with interest.”
Shen Yazhi’s gaze toward Yun Chaorong shifted, carrying a faint sense of elder-like approval.
“As long as the princess understands, please be more careful in the future.”
Yun Chaorong gestured for two attendants to step forward, each holding a set of pearl headwear and a jade thumb ring.
“These two items suit you both.”
“For me?” Shen Qingzhi leaned in, happily slipping on the jade thumb ring. “It fits perfectly!”
Shen Yazhi shook her head. “I cannot accept gifts without merit.”
Yun Chaorong replied, “…Then help me organize the lecture notes from these past few days. Consider this a thank-you gift. No refusals allowed.”
Only then did Shen Yazhi accept the headwear.
Seeing the sparkle in Shen Yazhi’s eyes, Yun Chaorong knew she liked the set.
Liking it aside, Shen Yazhi reminded her, “If the princess is feeling better, please come to the Hall of Thoughtful Learning. Don’t fall too far behind in your studies. The princess should set an example for noble ladies across the land…”
Yun Chaorong rubbed her forehead. “Alright, alright, I’ll go in a couple of days.”
Shen Yazhi’s expression finally brightened with genuine joy. “I’ll bring the lecture notes tomorrow.”
Shen Qingzhi exclaimed, “Yazhi, you’re so harsh! Rong’er finally gets a chance to skip class, and you insist on dragging her back to catch up.”
“The princess was ill, not skipping class.”
“That’s not my point!”
The siblings looked like they were about to start arguing again.
Before Yun Chaorong could speak, another voice chimed in.
“What’s going on?”
Yun Chaorong thought to herself: Well, the palace corridors are lively today. Walk a few steps and run into three acquaintances.