Chapter 037: This Was Her Last Chance

By then, dusk had settled, the sunset melting into gold at the horizon, burning a fiery red glow across the sky. In Shangyue Garden, the flowering branches were gradually withering in the early autumn, leaving only a few scattered twigs swaying back and forth in the wind. Their fragmented shadows fell upon the neatly laid brick ground, faintly carrying a sense of desolation.

And in such an early autumn, Bai Yuning, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, stood smiling before her, calling her “sister-in-law.”

Liu Yandai couldn’t help but recall their first meeting.

That was a long, long time ago. She had brought food to find Zhou Yuanting, only to accidentally witness him and Bai Yuning meeting privately in his room. In a moment of agitation, she had argued with Zhou Yuanting, while Bai Yuning stood by tearfully trying to mediate.

Back then, she had vaguely thought Bai Yuning was a decent person, merely fallen on hard times and forced into their Houfu.

But the events that followed left her stunned, and she dared not make hasty judgments again.

Afterward, once Bai Yuning was driven out of the Houfu, she never saw this person again.

She thought this person would never reappear, especially since Bai Yuning had done so many unsavory things while in the Houfu. Yet, to her surprise, after all the twists and turns, this person had still managed to enter the Houfu and was now affectionately calling her “sister-in-law.”

Gazing at Bai Yuning’s smiling, delicate face, Liu Yandai felt her tongue tie, unable to utter a single word.

Having stayed in the Houfu for many days, she had actually learned some polite formalities. She had previously faked a pregnancy to deceive the Zhou family and handle the Crown Prince quite well. But now, faced with Bai Yuning, she couldn’t simply act as if nothing had happened and accept this address of “sister-in-law.”

Seeing Liu Yandai remain silent, Bai Yuning paid it no mind.

If she could endure the cold looks from a mere servant like Nanny Zhao, how much more could she tolerate from Liu Yandai?

Bai Yuning slowly reached out to take Liu Yandai’s hand, her expression gentle and apologetic as she whispered, “I know sister-in-law doesn’t like me, but I still have something to say to you. Today, the second young master’s visit to your courtyard was indeed improper, but it was out of concern and haste. Please, for the sake of the child in my womb, don’t report this to Pomu.”

Upon hearing Bai Yuning’s words, Liu Yandai suddenly felt a surge of crisis.

How dare she call her “Pomu”!

In this courtyard, only she could call her Pomu!

She was Pomu’s only precious daughter-in-law!

Fighting over that useless Zhou Yuanting was one thing, but now she was even trying to snatch Pomu away from her!

For the first time, Liu Yandai understood what “vying for favor” truly meant. She also understood why the women in the inner courtyard were so ruthless and why Concubine Fang had slapped Aunt Xia so fiercely.

Vying for favor wasn’t just about competing for a few bites of food—it was about digging out her very heart and soul! If Bai Yuning were to rise in status, she would no longer be Pomu’s most beloved daughter-in-law!

Moreover, Bai Yuning had a child in her womb—a real, genuine child. What did she have in her own womb? Only the glass noodles she had just eaten!

If Pomu were to suddenly dote on Bai Yuning in the future, how would she live? How could she survive!

At that moment, Liu Yandai felt like a secure and beloved legitimate wife suddenly confronted by a flashy, scheming concubine, inevitably giving rise to a deep sense of rejection.

Although she knew she was the apple of her mother-in-law’s eye, that her mother-in-law loved her most, and that Bai Yuning posed no threat to her position, the spontaneous disgust she felt was impossible to hide. Just the thought that this person might compete for her mother-in-law’s affection made her scalp tighten.

No one would stand idly by and watch something uniquely theirs be snatched away by others—even a cornered rabbit will kick at an eagle!

Liu Yandai’s mind, which had been rusted for over a decade, suddenly stirred into motion, and her tongue loosened along with it. For the first time, she spoke harshly to someone: “You—you haven’t even entered the household yet. You cannot call her ‘mother-in-law,’ and she does not require your morning and evening greetings.”

For the first time, she adopted the air of the Shizi Furen, reprimanding Bai Yuning: “Return to your Jianming Courtyard. Without Madam’s orders, you should not be out.”

When Bai Yuning competed for Zhou Yuanting, Liu Yandai was timid and submissive; when Bai Yuning competed for Qin Chanyue, Liu Yandai struck with full force!

For the sake of her mother-in-law’s affection, Yandai stood her ground!

Seeing Liu Yandai so agitated, Bai Yuning’s pale pink lips curved slightly, her willow-like eyebrows arched, and a faint trace of mockery flickered in her eyes.

At that moment, they were alone. The maids, seeing their mistresses conversing, tactfully took a few steps back. Bai Yuning softened her tone and spoke leisurely: “Why is Sister-in-law so angry? I am carrying Chiyewild’s child, so entering the household is only a matter of time. Must you cling to past grievances? I made it clear to everyone back then—it was the Eldest Young Master who pursued me, not I who pursued him. Why blame me for his faults?”

She knew Liu Yandai disliked her. She still remembered how Liu Yandai had deliberately brought Zhou Yuanting past her Huage in the Houfu, causing her status to plummet. Though Liu Yandai appeared obedient and docile on the surface, she was not without her own schemes behind the scenes!

Moreover, Zhou Yuanting had clearly despised Liu Yandai before, yet later, at the banquet where the Second Prince brought her, she had witnessed Zhou Yuanting showering Liu Yandai with care and attention.

To make Zhou Yuanting fall in love with her in just over ten days—this woman surely had some cunning, even if outsiders couldn’t see it!

Thus, upon seeing her now, Bai Yuning also straightened her spine.

She had come today precisely to provoke someone—whether Liu Yandai or Qin Chanyue, she feared neither. Once she entered the gates of the Houfu, she would stand her ground!

Liu Yandai was clumsy with words, having mustered only that brief moment of defiance earlier. Now, she could think of nothing to retort and could only grit her teeth and say: “Don’t call me ‘Sister-in-law.’ You’re not even a concubine. I am the Shizi Furen, married in with proper rites.”

Bai Yuning had no status and had committed so many wrongs—what right did she have to compete for her mother-in-law’s affection? She was the only daughter-in-law her mother-in-law had.

And with that, Liu Yandai struck a nerve in Bai Yuning. The serene smile on that elegant face stiffened and then slowly faded.

The position of Shizi Furen had originally been hers.

If not for her family’s downfall, she would have been the Shizi Furen! Liu Yandai was the one who came later!

Bai Yuning’s heart seethed with hatred, yet she managed to squeeze out a few traces of grievance on her face, as if on the verge of tears. Covering her face, she said, “If Sister-in-law doesn’t wish to see me, then I shall not leave Jianming Courtyard from now on. However, Sister-in-law comes from humble origins and lacked a mother’s upbringing, so she may not understand the customs of Chang’an. As a newcomer to the Houfu, it is my duty to pay respects to Pomu. Otherwise, it would be my fault. I beg Sister-in-law not to drive me away today.”

With her insinuating tone, she mocked Liu Yandai’s lowly background and the early death of her mother, all while speaking softly with tears in her eyes. Liu Yandai nearly choked on her anger.

She understood now! This was exactly what Pomu meant by “concubines causing trouble”!

“You had a mother to raise you, so how did you turn out like this?” Liu Yandai lashed out without thinking, aiming the harshest words at her. “You’re fickle and promiscuous—you’re the one who lacked proper upbringing!”

Upon hearing this, Bai Yuning seemed startled, her face paling as she took a step back. Trembling, she said, “How can Sister-in-law speak such vicious words? I was merely informing Sister-in-law of Chang’an’s customs. Everything that has happened today was never my intention—”

Choking back sobs, as if deeply wronged, she then collapsed backward in full view of everyone and fainted!

Liu Yandai was even more furious!

She remembered this trick!

Oh heavens, if only she had fainted first! She had missed her chance!

No sooner had Bai Yuning fainted than the maids from Jianming Courtyard rushed forward in panic, shouting for a Doctor.

It wasn’t just about Miss Bai fainting—she was carrying a child in her womb. If anything happened to that child, wouldn’t the Second Young Master go mad?

Soon after, the maids hurriedly carried Bai Yuning to Qiufeng Hall. And with that, the news that “Shizi Furen scolded Miss Bai until she fainted” spread throughout the entire Houfu.

Liu Yandai grew even angrier. When she entered Shangyue Garden to pay respects to Qin Chanyue, tears burst forth before she could even speak.

At that moment, Qin Chanyue was reclining on a low couch by the window, admiring a newly purchased pearl headpiece from the estate. Recently, the daughter of her closest friend was about to enter marriage negotiations, and an autumn hunting banquet was being prepared. She intended to bring a gift along when she attended.

Just as she finished examining this fine set, she saw her Daughter-in-law walk in from outside, her face streaked with tears.

Startled by Liu Yandai’s appearance, Qin Chanyue quickly instructed the maids to clear the items away and invited Liu Yandai to sit and speak.

Sitting on the low couch, Liu Yandai sobbed and choked as she lodged her complaint.

She felt too embarrassed to say she was “vying for favor” or “wanted to be Pomu’s only Daughter-in-law”—it sounded too strange. Instead, she fidgeted with her fingers and said, “I quarreled with Bai Yuning.”

And she had lost the argument.

Losing the argument was bad enough, but she hadn’t even managed to faint first.

Now the entire Houfu believed she had bullied Bai Yuning, and there was no telling if Zhou Chiye would come to cause trouble for her later.

At the mere mention of “Bai Yuning,” Qin Chanyue understood exactly what had happened. That woman simply refused to stay quiet!

Waving her hand, she said, “There’s no need to cry anymore. Pomu knows.”

Bai Yuning dared to stir up trouble here solely because she relied on the seed in her womb. She knew that as long as the child remained unborn, Qin Chanyue wouldn’t push her to the brink of death.

If this had happened in any other household, even though Bai Yuning had secretly provoked the situation, Liu Yandai’s reckless words were also at fault. To maintain harmony within the household, others would have sent some gifts to Bai Yuning as a gesture of consolation.

But Qin Chanyue paid no heed to such conventions. With a wave of her delicate hand, she instructed the maid beside her, “Once Miss Bai wakes up, send her back to Jianming Courtyard. Have someone keep an eye on her and forbid her from leaving the courtyard in the future. If she causes any more trouble, have her moved out of the estate and arrange a separate residence for her to give birth.”

The maid acknowledged the order and went outside to relay the instructions.

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu Yandai’s heart immediately settled.

See, she was Pomu’s only daughter-in-law!

“In the future, there’s no need to interact with her,” Qin Chanyue said, pushing some fruits and pastries on the table toward Liu Yandai. “Avoid being used by her.”

Qin Chanyue had allowed Bai Yuning into the estate precisely to catch her in her schemes. If Liu Yandai got too close to her—whether out of animosity or friendship—she would inevitably be dragged into Bai Yuning’s troubles.

“Perfect timing,” Qin Chanyue added. “Tomorrow, a close friend of mine is hosting a hunting banquet. I’ll take you to the mountains for some hunting fun. Mountain hunting is incredibly enjoyable, and I’m sure you’ll love it.”

The mountains in Chang’an were different from those in Nanjiang. In Nanjiang, the mountains were always lush with rain, humid and warm, while Chang’an’s mountains experienced four distinct seasons. By early autumn, the mountains grew cold, and the animals began storing food for the winter, making it an ideal time for hunting.

Wealthy families would often cordon off a mountain for leisure, sending sturdy servants to drive small animals out for the young masters and ladies to hunt.

The game caught would then be roasted and eaten by the servants below, adding a rustic charm to the experience.

Typically, such hunting banquets lasted five to ten days. During this time, many young masters and ladies would interact discreetly in the secluded corners of the mountains. With so many people around, it was inevitable that some would exchange meaningful glances, leading to a small wave of engagements after the banquet.

Whether admiring the crimson foliage covering the mountains or gazing at distant figures amidst the scenery, the banquet offered plenty of delights.

After eating a few pieces of fruit, Liu Yandai felt less aggrieved. Hearing that she could go out and have fun again, she immediately brightened up and happily agreed.

With her spirits lifted, Liu Yandai left Shangyue Garden and returned to Shuhai Courtyard to rest. However, Bai Yuning’s situation in Qiufeng Hall was far less pleasant.

After fainting at the entrance of Shangyue Garden, she had been taken to Qiufeng Hall. When the doctor from Qiufeng Hall came to examine her, she showed no fear, weakly extending her hand and allowing the examination.

Since she had dared to come under the pretext of “being pregnant,” she had made thorough preparations. She had taken a potent drug, passed down from the Southern Barbarians, called the “Infant Gu.” It was said that ordinary women who used this gu would develop a swollen belly and produce milk like a pregnant woman, but there would be no baby inside—only a mass of dead tissue.

Moreover, no one examining her would be able to detect anything amiss. She could deceive everyone.

When the doctor examined Bai Yuning, he indeed failed to detect the false pregnancy, only advising her to take care of her health, avoid excessive worry, and prescribing some prenatal medicine.

Bai Yuning paid no mind to this. After the doctor left, she pulled a nearby maid closer and asked, “What did Madam say?”

She didn’t put on this pitiful act for nothing; she had to make everyone know how miserable her life was, especially Zhou Chiye.

Previously, Zhou Chiye had been confined for trying to leave the estate to find Bai Yuning, indirectly costing him the use of one hand. As a result, Zhou Chiye had long believed he was unloved and harbored considerable resentment toward the Houfu, though it hadn’t yet reached its peak. She needed to further catalyze that resentment.

Another maid returned from gathering information, her face pale as she relayed the words Qin Chanyue had ordered her servants to say.

Upon hearing the maid’s report, Bai Yuning felt a slight sense of relief.

She slowly lay back on the bed, thinking to herself: the harsher and more heartless Qin Chanyue was toward her, the more Zhou Chiye would hate Qin Chanyue. For now, he would treat her better, and soon, he would become even more obedient.

As she pondered this, a servant announced Zhou Chiye’s arrival. She first dismissed the maid, then gathered her strength, preparing to deceive Zhou Chiye once more.

——

When Zhou Chiye hurriedly entered through the courtyard gate, he saw Bai Yuning lying on the bed, her face deathly pale.

At the sight of her, his heart swelled with pity. He quickly approached, embracing Bai Yuning on the bed, and whispered, “I told you not to come.”

When Bai Yuning had said she wanted to pay respects to Qin Chanyue, Zhou Chiye had urged her not to, but she had insisted. Now that she had come, disaster had indeed struck.

“I only wanted to plead with sister-in-law,” Bai Yuning said with a weary expression. “You offended her for my sake earlier. If she complains to Pomu, I fear your life will become even more difficult.”

“I just never imagined sister-in-law would despise me so much.”

As Bai Yuning sighed with downcast eyes, Zhou Chiye felt as though his heart were bleeding, mingled with intense resentment.

What kind of person was Liu Yandai? Just a country bumpkin from the wild mountains of Nanjiang—how dare she bully Bai Yuning?

He had achieved no merits, held no official position in the court, and within the estate, he could only rely on others’ favor. When his mother had doted on him, he had lived as the carefree and unrestrained second young master. But now, without his mother’s affection, he was nothing. He couldn’t even stand on his own two feet, let alone protect the woman he loved.

His gaze gradually fell on his hand.

Outwardly, his right hand appeared intact; he could still eat and hold things with it. But only he knew he could no longer wield a sword.

If his hand were still whole, he could have joined the military, even as a common soldier, to earn merits and build a career—far better than living off others within the estate walls.

As Zhou Chiye stared at his hand, his hatred for Qin Chanyue deepened.

At that moment, Bai Yuning leaned against Zhou Chiye’s arm, gently rubbing her face against it twice before whispering, “I see Lady Qin despises me greatly and doesn’t treat you well either. If Zhou Yuanting returns in the future, there will be no place for us in this estate.”

Zhou Chiye’s right hand tightly gripped Bai Yuning’s, the force so great that a faint, stabbing pain shot through his palm.

He wanted to say, “That won’t happen,” but the pain in his right hand left him speechless.

Wouldn’t it?

No, it would.

He was no fool; he could clearly sense his mother’s indifference toward him. Even if his elder brother did not return, he was gradually losing his footing in this household. His mother would rather give everything in the Houfu to the unborn child in Liu Yandai’s belly than leave anything for him. He had some money, but it was merely a thousand taels of silver saved up from before—what could such a paltry sum accomplish?

His hands were ruined, and he himself was finished. Zhou Wenshan would never stand again, and even if he could stand, it would be of no use.

Soon, he would become an old loafer in the Houfu—without money, without power, without ability, relying solely on his mother to survive.

Where, then, would he have a place to stand?

For a moment, Zhou Chiye felt lost.

As the son of an official family, he could not lower himself to engage in other businesses. The only way out was to find a way to enter the court as an official.

In Dachen, sons of officials enjoyed hereditary privileges. If his father were alive, he could have directly requested an official position for him, which would have been respectable. But his father was dead, and his mother could not secure him an official post. He still had a maternal uncle, Zhennan Wang, but… he likely couldn’t count on him either.

What else could he do, then?

Was he truly to become such a useless person, bringing shame upon himself, his wife, and his children?

In his moment of confusion, Zhou Chiye suddenly heard Bai Yuning’s soft voice from the bed: “Chiye, if one does not act for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. Your hands were ruined by your parents, and your child is of no concern to your mother. Our future days will be very, very difficult. Others may not help you, but I cannot abandon you. Right now, there is a path that could give you a promising future again. Are you willing?”

Zhou Chiye felt his blood surge violently through his veins, rushing up to his scalp with a roaring sound. His heartbeat seemed to quicken by two beats.

Future… the word “future” sounded simple, but when broken down, it meant boundless power, vast sums of money, the eager flattery of old friends, and one beautiful woman after another.

To wield power over the world while awake, and to lie drunk in the lap of a beauty.

Every man dreamed of such things.

How could Zhou Chiye not desire it?

He had already reached a dead end. Standing in the bright and glorious Houfu, he appeared as splendid as before, but he knew that every step he took from now on would be downhill. He could foresee his future—it would be utterly miserable.

Nothing in the Houfu would be given to him. His hands were ruined, and he could no longer earn glory for himself. All that awaited him was the label of “useless.”

How could he accept this?

How could he resign himself to it…

“What…” A faint sound escaped Zhou Chiye’s throat, tumbling out in a muffled manner, carrying a suppressed desire.

This desire was like boiling water bubbling fiercely, emitting a barely perceptible scent.

The scent was light and faint, as if passing by in a fleeting moment, but Bai Yuning caught it.

She raised her head and looked at Zhou Chiye.

By then, the sun had completely set. Outside the window, the sky was shrouded in dusky twilight, like ink dripping into a bowl of water, staining the sky black.

No lamps were lit in the side chamber of Qiufeng Hall. In the dimness, the silhouette of the man sitting by the bed was hidden in the shadows, making his face indistinguishable.

But Bai Yuning knew—he was tempted.

She was a clever person, always knowing what to say to whom.

In most cases, to move a woman, one could talk to her about children, family affection, or her husband. For example, with Concubine Fang, when she was caught, just shouting “I’m willing to testify” would drive Concubine Fang into a frenzy to verify it. But to move a man, one had to talk to him about interests.

He didn’t care for family affection, didn’t care for children, and even love could be set aside. All he wanted was tangible money, power, and status.

As long as the interests were sufficient, a man could let go of anything.

Men and women think differently, Bai Yuning had known this for a long time. This world teaches men to go out and fight, to strive, while women are taught to support their husbands and raise children. Thus, women are inevitably confined to the inner quarters, while men are all driven by ambition.

As long as there is ambition, as long as one desires to strive, they will inevitably take action.

And Bai Yuning only needed to give him a slight push forward, offering him a reason, and he would naturally step forward.

Bai Yuning rubbed against Zhou Chiye’s hand and whispered softly, “I cannot tell you directly. If you wish to know, go to Qinyin Ge in Pincha Fang tomorrow and sit for a while. Someone will tell you.”

Zhou Chiye firmly remembered this place.

Pincha Fang, Qinyin Ge.

By then, the sky had darkened.

Zhou Chiye and Bai Yuning quietly conspired in the side chamber of Qiufeng Hall, unknown to anyone. A night breeze swept in, causing the branches outside the window to tremble gently.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure slipped silently away from beneath the window and hurried toward Shangyue Garden.

——

Night.

Shangyue Garden.

Early autumn had arrived, and the weather in Chang’an grew colder day by day. The wind swept through the garden, swaying the flower branches back and forth. The moon hid behind the clouds, its glow dimmed. Lanterns hung under the eaves, swinging left and right in the wind.

Amidst this swaying, the private soldier who had eavesdropped delivered the message to Qin Chanyue’s ears.

After listening carefully, Qin Chanyue remained silent for a long moment before murmuring softly, “Keep a close watch on the Second Young Master tomorrow.”

She knew that the Second Prince’s grand scheme had reached its critical moment. Victory or defeat hinged on this final step.

Coincidentally, she would be leaving the estate during this time, allowing these two to lower their guard further—with Qin Chanyue absent, they would surely act more freely.

It remained to be seen who would have the last laugh.

——

That evening, as Qin Chanyue bathed and changed her clothes, her thoughts lingered on this matter.

The wheel of fate turned and turned. The events of this life had long diverged from those of her past life, and she had no way of knowing what lay ahead, only that she must strive step by step.

As she lay on the low couch lost in thought, a maid outside lifted the curtain and entered, announcing, “Madam, Steward Zhou has arrived.”

Steward Zhou—ah, she had almost forgotten, this man was now the steward.

Qin Chanyue waved her hand and said, “Let him in.”

The maid nodded in acknowledgment and withdrew from the room. Moments later, the curtain to the side chamber was lifted once more.

Qin Chanyue lay on the low couch with her eyes closed, but when one’s eyes are shut, the ears become exceptionally sharp, allowing her to hear a different sound.

When ordinary maids lifted the beaded curtain and entered, they did so with the same rhythm, the beads colliding with identical precision. But her little male favorite was different.

His movements as he lifted the beaded curtain were slow and deliberate, the beads gently clinking together, producing a distinct melody. Accompanied by the sound of footsteps, he gradually approached from outside the side chamber.

Qin Chanyue had already drifted into a light slumber, vaguely aware but weary. She lay on the low couch, unwilling to speak, simply waiting for this newly appointed male favorite to attend to her.

As she dozed lightly, Chu Heng outside the beaded curtain had already walked to the low couch.

The candles in the side chamber burned quietly, and Qin Chanyue was in a light sleep.

The sleeping Qin Chanyue appeared gentler than usual, with less sharpness and flamboyance, and more serene beauty. Her brows were like crescent moons, her lips like crimson tassels, and her ink-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering like flowing water.

He gazed at her greedily, taking in this different Qin Chanyue.

Qin Chanyue had initially been in a light slumber, but at some point, she had truly fallen asleep. The tall man standing before the low couch remained there for a long time, never disturbing her.

Seeing her sleeping so soundly, Chu Heng slowly fetched a silk quilt from the bed and draped it over her, then extinguished the nearby lamp.

As the candlelight faded, the side chamber plunged into darkness. The moonlight, having drifted out from behind the clouds at some point, cast faint shadows through the window, illuminating her form.

She continued to sleep peacefully.

Chu Heng watched her from beside her couch.

He tidied her disheveled hair, removed her shoes and socks, loosened her tight waistband, took off her hairpins and earrings, and finally, tucked the quilt snugly around her.

His hands were too gentle, or perhaps it was because he had grown accustomed to serving her during this time, understanding the reactions of Qin Chanyue’s body. After he had finished tending to her, Qin Chanyue remained unaware.

She slept deeply on the low couch, while the tall man standing before it watched quietly.

In Chu Heng’s eyes, Qin Chanyue was perfect in every way.

It was perfect when they were locked in passionate embrace, oblivious to the world; it was perfect when she bound him with red silk; and it was perfect now, as she lay here so peacefully. The moment he saw her, the emptiness in his heart was filled, and his lifeless city came alive once more. The resentment and jealousy that had risen during the day because of Zhou Hai were now soothed.

As long as, as long as it was him by her side now.

At that moment, the moonlight fell entirely upon her. Chu Heng gazed at her, as he had every night before, slowly removed his mask, leaned down before her, and gently kissed her forehead.

My bright moon.

——

Qin Chanyue knew nothing of this.

She had fallen asleep lost in thought, unaware of everything around her. When she opened her eyes again, it was already dawn.

Upon waking, she instinctively stretched her limbs, the strange pulling sensation between her bones and muscles bringing immense comfort.

The morning light pierced through the window, and the overlapping chirps of birds echoed among the leaves. She lay dazedly on the low couch, slowly sitting up before belatedly recalling the events of the previous day.

She had actually fallen asleep on this low couch.

And upon noticing her removed shoes, socks, and hairpins, she could guess that her little male companion had come to attend to her yesterday. Seeing her asleep, he likely chose not to wake her and left on his own.

Qin Chanyue thought, his temperament was truly obedient; she ought to pamper him a little more.

But today, she had to attend the mountain hunting banquet, so she let it be.

Although Qin Chanyue was not particularly restrained within the Houfu, she would never bring this man to the mountains. The mountain banquet was crowded and full of prying eyes; it would not do for him to be seen.

She would simply summon him anew after returning from the mountains in a few days.

Qin Chanyue then rose, called for her things to be packed, and set off directly for Lady Jiang’s residence.

Preparing for the hunting banquet was not particularly difficult. The usual procedure involved the madams, young ladies, and young masters from each family preparing their carriages, servants, and trunks for transporting belongings. They would then drive to the host’s residence, forming a caravan. After arriving at the host’s home, they would sit for a while, have a couple of cups of tea, and then follow the host’s lead as they made their way into the mountains.

The journey to the mountains took one or two days. They would then spend four or five days enjoying themselves in the mountains before returning to Chang’an.

The mountain paths were nothing like the paved stone roads of the city. Many of the trails were uneven and full of potholes, making the trek quite strenuous. Just hearing about it made it clear that this would be a lengthy banquet.

Not long after Qin Chanyue got up, Liu Yandai finished her preparations and came looking for her.

As luck would have it that day, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were dressed in vibrant shades of red, looking strikingly bright and radiant—perfect for an autumn hunting excursion.

There were still many matters to attend to in the household: the second young master, Bai Yuning, and the quietly subdued Aunt Xia. Apart from Aunt Xia, the other two sounded rather unreliable. However, neither the mother-in-law nor the daughter-in-law paid them any mind. They simply left all other household affairs to Nanny Zhao and headed straight to Lady Jiang’s residence.

The carriage rolled smoothly over the neat bluestone pavement all the way to Lady Jiang’s home.

Lady Jiang had married into the Chen Family. Her husband was the commander of the Ji Gu Guard and had been extremely busy in the capital lately due to the Gu worm killings. Lady Jiang had been sighing and worrying all day long.

If her husband failed to handle the case properly, he would lose face before the Emperor and face consequences later. She and her husband shared a deep bond, so she truly had no heart for hosting a banquet.

However, the banquet had been scheduled long ago, and there was no reason to postpone it. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and invite all the guests.

The guests alighted from their carriages and gathered at the Chen residence, where they briefly shared a couple of cups of tea and acquainted themselves with one another to avoid feeling awkward once they reached the mountains.

At the Chen Family’s banquet, everyone was seated separately.

The seating arrangement was simple: married madams sat behind a long table, unmarried young ladies sat behind another, and unmarried young masters sat behind a third.

Most of the madams brought their eligible daughters and sons. Liu Yandai was the only married junior brought along. Knowing that Liu Yandai’s temperament wouldn’t mesh well with the group of madams, Qin Chanyue seated her at the table for unmarried young ladies, allowing her to chat with girls closer to her age.

The guests at the banquet came from a wide range of official ranks.

Lady Jiang’s husband, Lord Chen, was of high birth—a member of the imperial family. However, his family later fell from grace due to some wrongdoing and was reduced to humble origins. Through sheer perseverance, he eventually rose to become the commander of the Ji Gu Guard. Over the years, he had made friends from all ranks of officialdom. As Lord Chen’s capable wife, Lady Jiang always invited the wives and daughters of his old comrades whenever she hosted a banquet, which made the guest list particularly diverse in terms of social standing.

Among them, Qin Chanyue held the highest status. Below her were officials of the third, fourth, and fifth ranks, and even lower, there were daughters of sixth-rank officials.

The hunting banquet was always a lively affair with many people, so Lady Jiang had invited over ten households. When the group sat down, they first had to exchange names to know who was who, sometimes even indirectly probing into each other’s family connections.

Relationships in Chang’an were intricate; many daughters and sons from prominent families married into each other’s households. Sometimes, your aunt might be my sister-in-law, and after all the connections were traced, there were always a few familiar faces.

Since Qin Chanyue held the highest status, Liu Yandai’s standing also became the most elevated. The young ladies nearby were wary of her position and dared not provoke her, treating her with considerable courtesy.

Liu Yandai had been quite excited about this outing. She had only lived in Nanjiang before, where there were no hunting banquets—just insects everywhere, and no one dared to stay long in the mountains. She had never seen a hunting banquet before, and it sounded incredibly novel.

But once she sat at the table and spoke with a few young ladies, she began to feel uneasy.

Because she spotted the daughter of an “enemy.”

To call her an “enemy” wasn’t entirely accurate; it was just that Liu Yandai disliked her personally.

A few days earlier, when Pomu hosted a banquet, a lady referred to as “Lady Wan” had mocked Pomu, and Liu Yandai had remembered it ever since.

She held grudges easily.

At the table, there was a plain-looking young lady with red-rimmed eyes, sitting quietly and not speaking to anyone, as if she had suffered some great grievance. Liu Yandai heard others say her name was “Wu Wanqing,” the daughter of that Lady Wan.

Upon hearing the name “Lady Wan,” Liu Yandai immediately disliked her and became particularly attentive to her, frequently stealing glances in Wu Wanqing’s direction.

Wu Wanqing was beautiful—slender and delicate like a willow swaying in the wind, her complexion as pale and tender as pear blossoms, resembling a fragile pear branch trembling pitifully in the breeze. It was unclear what had happened to her, but at the banquet, her eyes would occasionally redden, and the young ladies beside her kept whispering words of comfort.

At the time, everyone was drinking tea at the table, and the seating was too close for Liu Yandai to ask anything outright. She only exchanged a few words with the young lady beside her.

After everyone finished their tea, the group returned to their carriages and set off for the prearranged mountain hunting grounds.

The mountain was called Dabie Mountain, vast in size and relatively close to Chang’an City. The carriage journey took only a day and a half.

Liu Yandai specifically invited the young lady she had spoken with earlier to ride in her carriage for a while.

The Houfu was extravagant, befitting its marquis status. The carriages were large, and Qin Chanyue had arranged for four four-horse carriages to accompany them. The interior of the carriage was spacious, almost like a small side chamber, complete with a washroom, a bed, footstools, and a tea table. The table was laden with various snacks and pastries, all securely fastened to prevent them from shaking loose. The carriage floor was covered with thick, soft golden silk carpets, allowing one to sit or recline comfortably.

With such large carriages, Qin Chanyue occupied one, Liu Yandai another, while the remaining two carried luggage and servants. Everyone had a place to rest, making the journey both lavish and comfortable.

However, it might not be the same for other families. The official ranks in Dachen dictated the size of carriages one could use. Families of lower ranks often had to squeeze everyone into a single carriage, not even daring to drink more than a few sips of water, as there was no way to relieve oneself inside the carriage. Being of humble status, they dared not ask everyone to stop the carriage and wait for them, so they had no choice but to endure.

Thus, when Liu Yandai invited this young girl to rest in her carriage, the girl hurriedly went to ask her mother, who immediately agreed and even instructed her daughter to befriend Liu Yandai properly.

Although the Houfu had lost a Marquis and its two young masters appeared disheartened, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. With Qin Chanyue holding things together, the Houfu remained more respectable than families like theirs. Getting closer to the Houfu was a good thing.

Once Liu Yandai brought the girl into the carriage and served her fruit platters one after another, the girl was almost entirely won over by Liu Yandai’s sweet words.

The girl’s surname was Liu, and her given name was Chunyu, meaning “spring rain”—a single drop as precious as oil. She had fair and delicate skin, but there was a hint of timidity in her eyes, as she was the only one present from a sixth-rank family.

After watching operas with Qin Chanyue and sparring with Bai Yuning—though never winning—Liu Yandai had learned a thing or two and seemed a bit wiser. She even knew how to pull this young girl aside to gather information. In just a few sentences, she figured out the story behind that “Wu Wanqing.”

It turned out that Wu Wanqing had been crying throughout the banquet because her father had passed away recently.

Her father, Wu Xingzhi, was the first victim in the Gu worm murder case.

“After her father died, her mother, Lady Wan, wanted to marry her off to an old man as a second wife while the mourning period was still fresh,” Miss Liu whispered while chewing on dried fruit. “She refused, insisting on finding a good match herself. Lady Wan, worn down by her persistence, brought her to the banquet, but—”

Miss Liu wanted to say, but with her father dead, who would agree to marry her at such a sensitive time?

Liu Yandai understood.

She thought to herself, most girls were like this, never knowing if they could marry someone they truly loved. Well, since Miss Wu was already so pitiful, she decided not to dislike her anymore.

Then, Liu Yandai happily shared many delicious treats with Miss Liu.

Qin Chanyue doted on her, knowing how much she loved to eat. He had filled all six drawers in her carriage with various sweet and sour desserts and packed plenty of storybooks for her. Since she and Miss Liu were around the same age and neither was particularly shrewd, the two girls got along quite well and had a great time together.

That night, Miss Liu slept with her in the carriage.

At noon the next day, they arrived at Dabie Mountain.

At the foot of Dabie Mountain stood a manor called “Dabie Manor,” which specialized in rental accommodations for visiting nobles and officials. It could be considered a large-scale inn.

Dabie Manor was extravagantly built. Despite being in the wilderness, it was no different from the mansions in Chang’an.

Originally, Lady Jiang had reserved the manor in advance. Since they were attending a banquet, it was only fitting to stay in the most respectable place. They certainly couldn’t have the ladies, young masters, and young ladies staying in some rustic mountain temple.

However, when they arrived at the manor, the manager stood at the entrance, blocking their way, and humbly offered to refund their money.

“Our Manor has already been reserved by esteemed guests.” The manager bowed, offering a string of apologies: “We will compensate you double.”

Lady Jiang nearly fainted from rage!

Her entire group of distinguished guests had arrived, and now suddenly they were told the place was “booked,” leaving them with no accommodation! Where would she put her face then?

Could they really go into the mountains and let these esteemed guests stay in a wild temple?

Naturally, she refused. Standing before the Manor, she sternly rebuked the manager, but he wouldn’t budge an inch. As the two argued, it inevitably drew the attention of those in the carriage procession behind.

Liu Yandai lifted the carriage curtain and peeked outside.

It was just past noon outside, with the mountain wilderness graceful and autumn hills lush.

Just as she leaned out of the carriage window to look, she happened to see a tall man in a black robe riding a fine horse, leisurely passing by the procession.

Liu Yandai was startled by the sight of his face, and in that instant, she understood why the Manor manager would rather ruin his own reputation than let them in.

The man on horseback seemed not to have noticed Liu Yandai at all, holding the reins with a cold expression as he calmly rode toward the Manor entrance.

In another carriage, Wu Wanqing leaned out of the window, staring intently at the man’s retreating figure.

This was… the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince she had longed for day and night.

Wu Wanqing tightly covered her face with her hands, afraid she might make strange sounds.

Behind her, Lady Wan was still muttering: “If you can’t find anyone to propose marriage after this banquet, you’ll marry as I said. What’s wrong with being a second wife? Your status will be higher in the future. Don’t always yearn for what you can’t have! Seize what’s in front of you.”

Inside the carriage, Wu Wanqing strained to lean out, watching the Crown Prince’s departing figure.

Meeting the Crown Prince here—was it the gods taking pity on her unwillingness, arranging this fateful encounter for her?

Tears blurred her vision, but she knew she must seize the Crown Prince.

She must seize the Crown Prince! This was her last chance!