The two sisters turned around to see Prince Qin standing there.
Several days had passed since their last meeting, and he appeared noticeably more haggard—his face thinner, his beard unkempt along his jawline.
Chu Ruoyan gave a faint curtsy, while Chu Ruolan deliberately teased, "Which sister is Your Highness inquiring about? If it's my fourth sister, well, she's right over there. But if it's my second sister..."
She deliberately drew out her words, leaving the sentence unfinished. A flicker of anxiety flashed in Prince Qin's eyes. "Your elder sister—she hasn't stepped out of the Duke of Chu's Mansion for days, and she's absent from tonight's New Year's banquet. Is she unwell?"
Chu Ruolan suddenly became sharp-witted. "How does Your Highness know my second sister hasn't left the mansion for days?"
"I..." Prince Qin hesitated, unable to continue.
How could he admit that he had taken leave from the emperor and spent those days lingering outside the Duke of Chu's Mansion?
He had hoped to catch even a glimpse of her, even if they couldn't speak. Yet, she had vanished as if she no longer existed in this world!
Chu Ruoyan found his disheveled appearance amusing. Back when her second sister had poured her heart out for him, he had turned a blind eye. Now that he had lost her, regret had come too late.
"Third Sister, just tell Prince Qin the truth. Otherwise, he might lose his mind and actually chase after her to the mansion."
Chu Ruolan let out an "Oh" and said, "Your Highness, to be frank, Cousin Huaian spent a fortune acquiring Shi Jinnian's collection as a gift for Second Sister to admire. He even hired a renowned arithmetic tutor from the capital to personally teach her accounting. That's why she hasn't had time to attend."
"Jiang. Huaian."
So it was him!
Prince Qin gritted his teeth. "Wasn't he supposed to leave the capital? Why is he still here?"
Chu Ruolan blinked innocently. "Your Highness, it's the New Year—what's the rush? Besides, they’ve already made plans to go boating on the Lantern Festival. I heard Cousin Huaian reserved the largest painted boat on the river. Ah—ah? Your Highness, I wasn’t finished! Where are you going?"
Without looking back, Prince Qin strode away. "Changhua! Open the treasury and gather every piece of Shi Jinnian’s collection. If we don’t have it, buy it at any price in the market. I refuse to believe we can’t find them all! Also, notify the Water Bureau—no other boats are allowed on the Wei River during the Lantern Festival. I’ll be hosting guests!"
Changhua hastily acknowledged the orders. Seeing his master about to board the carriage, he hurriedly added, "But the New Year’s banquet is about to begin, Your Highness. Perhaps it’s better to—"
"I can’t wait! That brat Jiang Huaian is taking advantage of his proximity to Ruoyin. He knows she loves arithmetic, so he hired a tutor to teach her accounting. Now she won’t even leave the mansion for the New Year’s banquet! I underestimated him. Inform Her Majesty and the Emperor that I—"
Before he could finish, the Feng family’s carriage approached.
Prince Qin clenched his fists, instinctively wanting to avoid it, but the carriage stopped before him. A delicate face peeked out from within—Feng Ying, dressed in the same plum-blossom-patterned robe she had worn upon returning to the capital, draped in an embroidered fur-lined cloak, with the plum hairpin he had once crafted for her adorning her hair.
Memories flooded back, and Prince Qin sighed. "No, I’m not."
Feng Ying’s face brightened slightly. "Truly? You’re not lying to me, are you?"
Prince Qin shook his head. "Aying, we grew up together. Even if you made a mistake, I should guide you, not resent you. But I don’t want you to misunderstand—I was once confused, mistaking childhood camaraderie for romantic affection. I apologize for the distress I caused."
He clasped his hands and bowed. Feng Ying’s eyes flashed with resentment, but she quickly masked it. "Ninth Brother! I know I was wrong, and I won’t pester you anymore. But tonight, I’d like to offer a toast to make amends. Will you allow me?"
"This..."
Prince Qin glanced toward the palace gates. Changhua whispered, "Your Highness, if you miss the banquet to see Second Miss Chu, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will be displeased..."
That was true. The Empress Dowager already held deep prejudice against Ruoyin. He couldn’t afford to worsen it.
Reluctantly, he nodded. "Very well. Let’s attend the banquet first."
Feng Ying’s heart swelled with triumph. She had known Prince Qin wouldn’t abandon her so easily—one word from her, and he was hooked again.
Meanwhile, Chu Ruoyan chatted with her family.
Chu Tingfeng approached, leading Lin Yunshi by the hand. Both young faces were flushed with shyness. "Eldest Sister, on the eighteenth of next month, Yunshi and I will be wed. We humbly invite you and Brother-in-Law to join us for the celebration."
"So soon?" Chu Ruoyan was surprised.
A strong, aged voice interjected, "Not soon at all! On the sixth of next month, my granddaughter will also marry. I hope the Chief Minister and his wife will honor us with their presence!"
Everyone turned to see Old Madam Cao approaching with Xue Ling in tow.
Chu Ruoyan beamed. "Cousin, you and Scholar Xie have settled it?"
Xue Ling’s cheeks reddened as she nodded. Old Madam Cao chuckled. "If we delayed any longer, that boy would’ve worn out our doorstep! Don’t worry, Ling’er. With me here, you won’t suffer. If that Xie boy dares treat you poorly, you can follow your mother’s example—there are plenty of men in this world. We’ll find you another!"
Xue Ling’s ears burned crimson. "He wouldn’t," she murmured.
Old Madam Cao laughed heartily. "See? She’s already defending him, and they’re not even wed yet!"
Chu Ruoyan, worried Xue Ling might be overwhelmed, quickly changed the subject. "Madam, why hasn’t Auntie come?"
"She’s with child. The New Year’s banquet is too crowded, so I told her to rest at home. She’ll join the festivities next year."
Old Madam Cao spoke casually, but Chu Ruoyan understood immediately.
Consort Xue and the Marquis of Chengen’s family would also attend tonight. With her aunt pregnant, there was no need for unnecessary encounters. Moreover, this ensured the Xue family couldn’t stir up trouble.
Having a clear-headed elder in the family was truly a blessing!
"Auntie is fortunate to have married into the Cao family," Chu Ruoyan said sincerely. Beside her, Lady Jiang the Younger nodded in agreement.
Just look at her sister-in-law and niece—once the subject of ridicule after leaving the marquis’s household, they had now married into prestigious families. Even Chu Tingfeng, though marrying a Lin family’s daughter, had gained fame for his bold petition to the throne and earned the empress’s favor, receiving a grand residence as a reward. His future would surely be comfortable.
But her own daughters?
The elder’s engagement to Prince Qin had fallen through, and the younger… well, best not to mention her.
What a headache!
Chu Ruolan, oblivious to her mother’s glare, cheerfully clung to her elder sister, asking about the latest gossip.
Meanwhile, among the officials, Old Censor Wang nodded approvingly as Grandma Yan arrived with the Chief Minister.
"Filial piety is the foundation of virtue. It is commendable that the Chief Minister has reconciled with his grandmother and heeded wise counsel."
Ritual Master Guo added, "Indeed. After the incident involving Old Madam Feng, reverence for filial duty has spread among the people. Scholars and commoners alike now hold it in high regard. Recently, I heard some scholars even submitted letters to the Censorate accusing the Chief Minister of neglecting his grandmother. Now, such rumors are dispelled, and the public can rest assured."
Yan Zheng scoffed under his breath.
Ayan had indeed predicted it right—when they found no fault in his political achievements, they began targeting his filial piety instead.
At that moment, the palace gates swung open, and a eunuch's voice rang out, announcing, "It is now three quarters past the hour of the Rooster—all officials shall enter the banquet!"
