Chapter 2

"It turns out Your Highness has a beauty to accompany you," Song Lin'an's slightly teasing voice drifted in, "then I, a humble servant, will not disturb Your Highness."

Pei Shuo ignored him, just tightened his hold on my waist slightly, as if punishing me for paying attention to Song Lin'an.

The carriage wheels rolled over the cobblestone road, producing a rumbling sound.

Pei Shuo was the Crown Prince of the current dynasty, and Song Lin'an was originally his study companion.

Because of Song Lin'an, Pei Shuo and I always had opportunities to meet in the past.

A crown prince's companion should be a trusted aide of the crown prince, but after both of them came of age, Song Lin'an was not favored by Pei Shuo like the other two companions.

Anyone could see Pei Shuo's dissatisfaction with Song Lin'an.

At that time, I was utterly puzzled.

It wasn't until I was sent back to Qingzhou by the Song Family and Pei Shuo followed me there that everything started to become clear.

It turns out he had been jealous for so many years.

4

The carriage swayed gently as it traveled through the streets and alleys.

Pei Shuo firmly clasped my hand, planting fine kisses along my neck.

Desire surged in his gaze, and the air was filled with ambiguity. When the rain drizzled in through the carriage window, he bit my lower lip.

Then he released me.

"Two years in Qingzhou," his thumb pressed on my lips, neither too light nor too heavy, "you came back just to see him, I am displeased."

I opened my mouth, "I have no ties with him anymore, don't be so jealous."

Pei Shuo was still unhappy, so I wrapped my arms around his neck and coaxed him for a while.

The carriage arrived at the doorstep of my residence in the Capital, and he finally calmed down.

I stepped off the carriage, watching him leave.

Just as I was about to go inside for a good rest, someone knocked on the door.

It was Tang Xuezu's people.

The leading nanny looked not easy to deal with.

"Our miss originally thought Miss Yue would never have the face to return to the Capital."

"After all, back then, the matter of Miss Yue disregarding moral ethics and confessing to her brother caused an uproar in the whole city."

The nanny used a handkerchief to cover her nose, smiling without sincerity.

"However, thinking Miss Yue has been in Qingzhou for three years, she should have changed her ways by now."

"Our miss said, if you no longer covet what you shouldn't, then our miss and you can still live in harmony."

After speaking, she gestured, and a few young maids came forward with clothes in their arms.

"These are gifts from our miss, all the latest styles in the Capital. After all, Miss Yue is still the adopted daughter of the Song Family."

"Those rustic outfits from Qingzhou should be changed when in the Capital."

The maid beside me, Qingtao, almost went up to smack that nanny out of rage.

I stopped her.

Having returned to the Capital, I didn't want to cause any more trouble.

5

After all, the Song Family is the Song Family.

My return to the Capital wasn't kept a secret for long.

They sent invitations several times, wanting me to return, but I refused on the grounds of not feeling well.

I deliberately avoided contact with outsiders.

But the Princess's Spring Banquet was something I couldn't avoid attending.

I arrived late, and the Princess Mansion was already filled with guests.

Two years ago, the scandal involving the siblings of the Southern King's Mansion was used by someone with ulterior motives as a weapon against the Song Family, spread throughout the Capital.

So even though I was dressed plainly enough, my appearance still drew many curious glances.

Quite a few people used their round fans to cover their mouths, whispering excitedly to those beside them.

I intended to find a quiet spot for a while, but when I turned, I unexpectedly met Mrs. Song's gaze directly.

Seeing me, Mrs. Song was first startled.

Then a look of undisguised disgust appeared on her face, followed by a reluctant smile as she pulled Tang Xuezu, who was next to her.

"Yue'er, come meet your future sister-in-law."

She smiled warmly, heavily emphasizing the words "sister-in-law."

I hesitated for a moment but still managed to curve my lips into a smile, walked up to her, and respectfully called, "Mother."

She casually responded, then, as if to prove something, she declared loudly, "It's good you're back, from now on you and your sister-in-law must get along well."

I nodded.

Mrs. Song exchanged a few more polite words with me, then, beaming, led Tang Xuezu towards the crowd.

I sat for a short while, constantly being the subject of gossip at the banquet.

Unable to bear it, I rose and used the pretense of being drunk to leave.

The Princess loved peonies, and most of the garden flowers were rare varieties; I admired them in fascination.

Raising my eyes again, unexpectedly, I locked gazes with Pei Shuo.

Who knows how long he had been watching there.