Xiao Zheng pondered for two days and was about to take the imperial edict to explain things to Lu Chao when his guard, Lu Cheng, rushed in with a frantic expression.
"General!" Lu Cheng whispered a few words into Xiao Zheng's ear, and his expression darkened. For now, Lu Chao would have to wait—he strode toward the door.
"Let's go! Take a look!"
The sound of hooves echoed as Xiao Zheng and his men tethered their horses outside the village and approached a farmer's house on foot.
"General, after the princess's maid escaped, she hid in the home of Li Fulai in Meishan Village. While gathering clues discreetly, I overheard villagers mention that Li Fulai had taken in a woman from the northern lands who could speak fluent Central Plains dialect. After tracking them here, I suspect she is the princess's maid. The woman rarely steps outside, so to avoid alerting her, I only stationed a few covert guards nearby. We haven’t captured her yet—awaiting your orders!"
At present, the Fourth Prince, Chi Na, was still imprisoned in a secret dungeon. The forged letter from Prince Xinkang didn’t match the handwriting of any court official, so she needed to find another lead—the Tartar princess being one of them.
However, when the northwestern army was ambushed by the Tartars, that fool Xiao You'an had executed the Tartar princess on the spot. By the time her head was delivered to Shuo Prefecture, it was already rotted beyond recognition. Who could say for certain whether it was truly the Tartar princess?
Though Xiao Zheng suspected the Tartar princess might still be alive, he lacked proof. After returning to the city, he had ordered a discreet search, and now, at last, there was a trace of a lead.
After observing for a day, the woman only stepped out twice, each time with a scarf covering her face. When the wind lifted a corner of the fabric, Xiao Zheng caught a glimpse of the hideous scars on her face, further confirming his suspicions.
"Disguise yourself as a peddler and keep watch in this area for the next few days. Gather information discreetly, and above all, ensure her safety. If I’m not mistaken, we’re not the only ones searching for her—those behind this will surely want her silenced."
Lu Cheng quietly acknowledged the order.
Spring sunlight spilled through the trees, and peach blossoms bloomed.
Recently, the talk had shifted from the marriage of the formidable female general to the upcoming flower-viewing banquet.
Many noble ladies were eagerly preparing—some dieting, others practicing dance or music. Meanwhile, the fabric shops in the capital were doing unprecedented business, their owners grinning from ear to ear.
Flower-viewing banquets weren’t uncommon in the capital, occurring every now and then. But this one was different—why? For no other reason than that it was hosted by the Grand Princess!
The emperor’s aunt, bearing the title of Grand Princess, held an exalted status. Though she was of an older generation, she was actually two years younger than the emperor. As the youngest daughter of Emperor Taizu, she had been born during a time of stability and had been doted on since childhood, growing up pampered and carefree.
The Grand Princess adored peach blossoms. When she was eight, while accompanying Emperor Taizu on a visit to Taoyuan Mountain, she had burst into tears upon seeing people trampling the fallen petals. Moved by her distress, the emperor gifted her the mountain, and from then on, Taoyuan Mountain became her private estate.
The Grand Princess gave birth to a daughter the year after her marriage. Years later, to provide her daughter with companions, she began hosting gatherings at Taoyuan Mountain. But after her only daughter passed away from illness a decade ago, the mountain had seen no more festivities.
Now, the only one who could persuade the Grand Princess to host a banquet was none other than the emperor himself. Thus, receiving an invitation was already a great honor.
Moreover, everyone knew the true purpose behind this flower-viewing banquet.
Lu Chao only learned he was attending the banquet the night before.
"Isn’t this inappropriate? You’re the one picking a wife—what am I going for?"
Xiao Youcheng took a sip of tea and gave him a meaningful look before replying casually,
"You have a sharp eye. Help me assess them."
Lu Chao frowned.
"Fine, I suppose. Is Xiao Zheng going?"
Xiao Youcheng nearly choked on his tea, coughing for a moment before catching his breath.
"She’s already engaged—why would she go?"
Lu Chao scratched his head. Right, this was for Xiao Youcheng to choose a consort.
Still, to uphold his virtue as a married man, he ought to inform his wife.
He wondered what Xiao Zheng had been busy with these past few days. He’d sent Liu Yao to discreetly inquire, but the servants at the general’s residence said she wasn’t home.
Now that Xiao Youcheng had somewhat stabilized his footing, and since Lu Chao’s identity was already known to the emperor, he no longer bothered hiding their association. He openly kept Lu Chao by his side, if only to shut up those in the capital who sneered that Lu Chao was a freeloader—it was infuriating!
Butterflies flitted among the peach blossoms on the spring equinox.
The road to Taoyuan Mountain grew lively, with fine carriages trailing behind stately steeds, their lingering perfume hanging in the air long after they passed.
The Grand Princess lounged in a rattan chair, irritably nibbling on pastries.
"How annoying. Why must they arrive so early? All this chatter is unbearable."
"That nephew of mine! Forcing me to host this banquet! The palace is vast—can’t they admire flowers there? If not, I could’ve just transplanted some peach blossoms inside! He’s only doing this because I didn’t return to see him when he was ill—what petty revenge! Hmph!"
What use was her old bones anyway? She could barely lift a sword, and those old foxes at court wouldn’t listen to her! Petty, grudging man! Judging by the court bulletins, he might even be setting a trap for his own son! Well, she wanted no part in this mess! She’d lived long enough—let someone else deal with it.
"At least my imperial nephew has some conscience, sending people early to help with preparations. Otherwise, my poor back wouldn’t survive!"
"And he should be the one arranging it! After all, he’s the one choosing a wife! Why should I labor while he reaps the rewards?"
Qing Yu, the maidservant attending her, couldn’t help covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Your Highness, don’t be upset. Taoyuan Mountain has been quiet for too long—a bit of liveliness is nice. They say a lively place yields more peaches—perhaps this year will be a bountiful one!"
After venting, the Grand Princess felt slightly better. Hearing Qing Yu’s words, a faint smile finally appeared on her face.
"Then we must make more peach preserves this year! Soft ones—my teeth aren’t what they used to be. And add extra sugar!"
"Of course, my lady."
Once the Grand Princess was dressed and ready, most of the noble ladies had arrived.
With a long sigh, she forced a stiff smile and turned to Qing Yu.
"Do I look… benevolent enough?"
Qing Yu nodded earnestly.
"Kind and gentle, the picture of warmth."
"Then let’s go! Time to pick a wife for my imperial nephew!"
From the moment they entered, the noble ladies held their heads high, as if stepping into an examination hall. Their steps were light and graceful, their movements poised.
Even when encountering bitter rivals, they exchanged sweet words and radiant smiles, maintaining an air of perfect harmony.
"Her Highness, the Grand Princess, arrives!"
A sharp voice announced her entrance.
The ladies in the hall rose to their feet, their gazes turning toward the entrance. There, a silver-haired woman dressed in deep crimson palace robes, her hair coiled in an elaborate panfulong hairstyle, made her entrance, followed by seven or eight maidservants.
"Your humble subjects (and wives) pay respects to Her Highness the Grand Princess. May Your Highness enjoy boundless fortune!"
The Grand Princess twitched the corner of her mouth—just how much powder had these women applied? The scent was overwhelming!
"Rise," she commanded.
