Chu Ruoyan's heart skipped a beat as she saw Princess Ansheng enter, supported by her maidservant.
Today, the princess wore a plain-colored robe with no hair ornaments, save for the peony floral design painted between her brows.
The gathered ladies all curtsied in unison: "Greetings to Your Highness! May the princess live a thousand years!"
Princess Ansheng raised a hand lightly. "No need for such formalities."
Lady Jiang the Younger hurried forward. "We were unaware of Your Highness's arrival and have been remiss in our hospitality. Please forgive us!"
Princess Ansheng smiled. "You exaggerate, Duchess. Today is the investiture ceremony for County Princess Changle. It is only proper for me to attend. However, as I am in mourning, I cannot stay long. I’ve merely brought some small gifts as a token of my regard."
As soon as she finished speaking, the servants outside began announcing the presents—
"Her Highness gifts one radiant colored-glass cup!"
"Two luminous pearls from the Southern Seas!"
"A pair of butterfly-patterned gold-inlaid jade bracelets..."
Lady Jiang the Younger's eyes widened in astonishment, while the noble ladies around her couldn’t hide their envy.
To say nothing of the rest, those butterfly-patterned bracelets had been bestowed by the Empress Dowager just last year, and the Southern Sea pearls were this year’s tribute from foreign lands—only six existed in the entire imperial household!
These were hardly "small gifts" from Princess Ansheng; they were clearly treasures from the palace’s own collection!
Chu Ruoyan frowned slightly, unable to decipher the princess’s intentions.
As if reading her thoughts, Princess Ansheng spoke warmly, "County Princess Changle, you needn’t dwell on it. I simply find you exceptionally delightful. These worldly possessions mean little to me, so I thought to offer them as a gesture of goodwill. I hope you won’t disdain them."
"Not at all, not at all!" Lady Jiang the Younger discreetly tugged at Chu Ruoyan, signaling her to express gratitude. Yet Chu Ruoyan only said, "Your Highness’s generosity is too great. Ruoyan feels undeserving."
The reaction among the ladies was mixed—some thought her ungrateful, others admired her for refusing unearned rewards. Only Princess Ansheng’s smile deepened with approval as she said gently, "If you feel undeserving, then accompany me for a stroll. This is my first visit to your Duke of Chu's Mansion, after all."
Lady Jiang the Younger immediately interjected, "Eldest Miss, since Her Highness has invited you, you must show her around!"
Chu Ruoyan met Princess Ansheng’s gaze, realizing the princess had come specifically for her. Pressing her lips together, she replied, "Ruoyan obeys."
Duke of Chu's Mansion, Rear Courtyard
With the ceremony keeping the servants occupied at the front, the rear courtyard was unusually quiet.
Princess Ansheng waved a hand, and her maidservant tactfully withdrew beyond the garden, leaving only the two of them.
Chu Ruoyan studied the woman whose simple attire could not conceal her innate nobility and lowered her eyes. "Your Highness, if you have something to say, please speak plainly."
Princess Ansheng’s lips curved. "You truly are exceedingly clever. As I said before, Lady Xie’s matchmaking was well done!"
Chu Ruoyan stiffened at the mention of Lady Xie and couldn’t help asking, "Does Your Highness truly believe it was a good match?"
"Indeed. You and the Third Young Master are a golden pair, destined by fate."
Her words were so sincere that Chu Ruoyan was momentarily at a loss.
Princess Ansheng continued, "I know you hold reservations toward me because of Imperial Son-in-law Cao’s actions. But now that he has passed, does your resentment still linger?"
She said "your resentment"—clearly referring to both her and Yan Zheng!
Which meant the princess likely knew about their secret investigations into her affairs, even their earlier inquiries at the Manor of Princess Qingping!
Chu Ruoyan hadn't felt this way in a long time, yet in the presence of this kind-faced, benevolent Princess Ansheng, she found herself inexplicably unnerved!
Gritting her teeth slightly, she asked directly, "Princess, since we’ve come this far, I’ll be blunt—were you aware of Imperial Son-in-law Cao’s actions?"
Her eyes locked onto Ansheng’s, not missing even the slightest flicker of emotion.
The princess’s gaze wavered briefly before she let out a soft laugh. "What if I knew? What if I didn’t? He, too, is a pitiable soul..."
It sounded like an admission, yet her words were deliberately ambiguous, offering no concrete proof.
Chu Ruoyan studied her for a long moment before pressing further, "Then... do you resent the Yan family?"
Ansheng arched a brow. "Why should I? A-Yuan was my dearest confidante, and Elder Brother Yan was once someone I admired. If anything, my feelings lean toward affection, not hatred."
She chuckled again. "Changle, I know what you’re thinking. But I am not your enemy. Think carefully—have I ever acted against you or your allies?"
Chu Ruoyan fell silent.
Far from opposing her, the princess had even intervened when she was framed by Gu Feiyan and others during her visit to the Cao residence. Later, when the Empress Dowager openly favored the Marquis of Pingjing in the Hall of Heavenly Worship, it was Princess Ansheng who stepped forward, proposing to spare Su Tingyun and execute the marquis instead.
Yet the more she helped, the more Chu Ruoyan sensed something deeper at play.
Just then, a maidservant announced from outside, "Your Highness, it’s almost time."
Princess Ansheng acknowledged her before turning back. "If you still doubt me, come to my manor the day after tomorrow. I’ll give you answers... though you must first survive the trials ahead."
Chu Ruoyan’s brows lifted as the princess turned to leave, her laughter lingering in the wind. "The tallest tree catches the fiercest wind. Changle, I truly admire you—don’t disappoint me..."
She stood rooted in place for a long while.
Only when Yulu hurried over, saying, "Miss, the madam asks you to come quickly—Her Majesty the Empress is arriving," did Chu Ruoyan snap back to reality. With a bitter smile, she murmured, "I can’t see through her..."
"Eh? See through who?"
She shook her head without explaining.
The princess’s final words were clearly a warning—today’s investiture ceremony would not go smoothly.
This was hardly surprising. In defending the Yan family, she had made powerful enemies, many of whom would be present today.
Moreover, as the first county princess ennobled by the emperor in two years, her prominence signaled imperial favor. Some would seek her alliance, others her friendship... and some would want her gone.
But why was Princess Ansheng helping her?
Nanny Zhou suddenly rushed over, scolding Yulu, "I told you to fetch the young lady—where have you been? Her Majesty has already entered the main gate!"
Chu Ruoyan collected herself. "Don’t blame Yulu. I was lost in thought. Let’s go!"
In the main courtyard, the assembled guests rose to greet the imperial procession.
As Chu Ruoyan arrived, a eunuch’s shrill voice rang out: "Her Majesty the Empress arrives—"
Empress Pei strode in at the forefront, flanked on her left by the haughty Consort Xue and on her right by the demure Concubine Shu, who was accompanied by Princess Jiahui. Behind them followed three imperial princes and Prince Qin.
The prince’s gaze swept the courtyard, but when he failed to spot the person he sought, his expression lapsed back into its usual indolence.
Princess Jiahui eagerly scanned the surroundings for Chu Ruoyan, and when she finally spotted her, a triumphant smile curled at the corners of her lips.
The assembled crowd bowed in unison, their voices rising in reverence: "We pay our respects to Empress Pei, Consort Xue, and Concubine Shu! May Your Highnesses live a thousand years!"
Empress Pei rose gracefully with a warm smile. "Please, rise. There's no need for such—"
Before she could finish, a small black-and-white dog suddenly darted out from the side and lunged at Empress Pei, its jaws snapping toward her!
