She could hear him clearly from behind, and naturally, everyone in front could hear it as well.

Their expressions were stunned.

But the surroundings were a flower forest and bamboo grove, with artificial hills and rugged terrain—there was no one in sight.

At this moment, a gentle female voice responded, “No, I didn’t suffer any grievances. It’s just that seeing Sister Zanying’s graceful demeanor and boundless affection, I couldn’t help but miss my parents and feel sorrow for my own fate.”

The man was silent for a moment. “How could she compare to you.”

Empress Yu gasped and cursed inwardly.

She decided to quickly cover up and, with a faltering smile, said, “There’s nothing much to see here. Let’s return.”

Her attempt to cover up only attracted the attention of those behind the artificial hill. Li Jinghuan, recognizing the voice of the Empress, wondered why she was here and stepped out in confusion.

When he emerged, he immediately saw a group of women, adorned with hairpins and jewelry, surrounding him.

Li Jinghuan’s brows twitched, and he instinctively called out, “Li Jian,” but there was no sign of the troublesome figure.

Fu Zhuangxue, who came out after, was also startled by the scene and turned pale.

The crowd had blocked their way, and their expressions were filled with intrigue.

Even though the Empress was in the front, these aristocratic ladies, with their deep-rooted backgrounds, were respectful but not fearful of the royal authority, and they whispered among themselves.

“Why is the Crown Prince of the Fu family here with her?”

“Today is Miss Fu’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the ritual has not yet been completed. Why is she involved in such unclear matters with her cousin?”

Among all the murmurs, only Zanying stood quietly to the side, looking calm.

“How could she compare to you.”

It was as if the words hadn’t changed at all.

She had heard this in her previous life already.

Last time, hearing it so suddenly had crushed her heart, her muddled and painful emotions seething within her.

Yet, she had to maintain composure for the greater good, for the Emperor and Empress, for the Crown Prince, and for her family, until she endured the entire ceremony and then futilely questioned the situation.

At the ceremony, the jade hairpin that was placed into her hair felt as though it pierced her heart.

That day, Zanying wondered why growing up had to be so painful, like being skinned and crushed.

Later, she understood, it was because the man she admired had dismissed her with the disdainful tone one might use for an old rag.

Today, Zanying’s eyes, as cold as a frigid spring, held only indifference. “The Crown Prince and my younger cousin are quite close. May I ask when they became acquainted?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent.

Li Jinghuan was taken aback by Zanying’s gaze.

This was the first time he had seen her since their quarrel on the eighth day.

He knew she had a natural grace, and even without makeup, her simple beauty was striking.

But now, she wore white, with an icy demeanor, her gaze so cold it felt like a heavy snowfall in his heart.

Li Jinghuan stepped forward with some difficulty, “Zanying, please let me explain.”

Last night, he had tried to meet her outside the Jade Candle Palace but had not been able to see her.

Frustrated and displeased, he had drunk more than usual at the banquet today.

What had begun as casual drunkenness led him to the rockery, where he heard someone sobbing.

To his surprise, it was Fu Zhuangxue.

Out of consideration for Fu Ze’an, he had offered some concern, and the comment “She is not as good as you” had been made in the heat of the moment.

Zanying stepped back, avoiding his touch.

At this moment, Fu Zhuangxue, seeming to awaken from a dream, knelt down. “It was my mistake for not knowing the way in the garden. I happened to encounter His Highness by chance. Please, elder sister, do not misunderstand His Highness.”

Zanying looked at her with a smile, her tone soft, “Do not worry. I neither misunderstand him nor you. But I heard you speak of self-pity over your background. Could you tell me what your background is, so I may understand?”

The two were in stark contrast—one kneeling, the other standing, one in tears, the other smiling.

Zanying’s smile was pale and colorless, like a fleeting dream, more moving than tears.

Although it was the first time the esteemed guests had seen Miss Fu, they found her polite, graceful, and well-mannered.

Regardless of her status as the Crown Princess, this first impression was very good.

In contrast, the crying woman on the ground evoked an immediate sense of disapproval.

After all, which household didn’t have a few tender and affectionate concubines vying for favor?

Thus, Fu Zhuangxue’s teardrops seemed to become stuck in her eyes, unable to fall or stay.

“Zanying, you’re not the type to be harsh. Please don’t act like this.”

Li Jinghuan realized that Zanying’s concern for him made her forget propriety and publicly questioned Fu Zhuangxue in front of many guests.

Fearing she might lose face in front of others and be scolded by the Empress, he intervened to mediate.

At the same time, Fu Ze’an, having heard the commotion, hurried over.

Seeing his sister with the Crown Prince and surrounded by curious onlookers, Fu Ze’an’s mind whirled with confusion.

What else could he do but protect his sister’s reputation?

Fu Ze’an stepped in front of his sister, gritting his teeth, and bowed deeply to the Empress. “Your Majesty, my younger sister is indeed the illegitimate daughter of my late father. She has only recently arrived in the capital and is unfamiliar with court etiquette. Any offense was unintentional, and I am to blame for not instructing her properly. I am willing to accept responsibility.”

This declaration caused an uproar.

Wasn’t this girl just mentioned as a collateral member of the Fu family?

How did she become the illegitimate daughter of the main branch so suddenly?

Fu Langjun’s biological mother had clearly passed away, so if you calculate her age, could she be from Fu Rong’s time at the border?

Zanying’s gaze grew darker.

Very well, to protect his sister, Fu Ze’an had publicly revealed a long-held secret, just to provide Fu Zhuangxue with family support.

He was indeed decisive and dignified as a brother.

This was even better.

She took a timely step back, her expression full of helplessness. “What? She is my uncle’s daughter? Why has Big Brother never told me?”

The crowd’s expressions varied.

Such significant matters—why had the Fu family kept them from Miss Fu?

Moreover, this incident involved the Crown Prince.

Although the Fu family was not a top-tier noble house, they were a scholarly family with a long history.

What were they plotting?

“Crown Prince?” Zan Ying clutched her chest, her red eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Li Jinghuan. “Do you know about this too?”

Li Jinghuan hesitated, knowing the truth but unsure how to speak of it under the gaze of the entire garden of guests.

He lowered his voice to the faintest whisper, “Aying, let’s discuss this later.”

Ignoring him, Zhan Ying turned to Empress Yu with a bitter smile. “So, Your Majesty also knows about this?”

“Aying, the Crown Prince is right. We can talk about this later,” Empress Yu’s face was barely able to maintain its composure, her voice straining with suppressed anger. “Please, return to the water pavilion and continue enjoying the ceremony. Let’s not make a fuss.”

She was trying to cover up the situation.

Zhan Ying’s sarcastic gaze swept over the Empress, and she shook her head, speaking in front of the guests, “Since the Crown Prince has other affections, and Fu Zanying is not worthy of him, our engagement is null and void.”

The sudden declaration was like a thunderclap.

The expressions of everyone in the garden were even more astonished than when they heard the Grand Marshal had entered the palace.

Cheng Yun, who was closest to Zhan Ying, saw her swaying and quickly reached out to support her.

Before she could reach out, Fu Zean, who had been focused on Fu Zhuangxue, seemed to suddenly remember he had a sister and exclaimed, “Aying, are you trying to kill your sister?”

Empress Yu was equally caught off guard, glaring at Zan Ying’s resolute expression.

She finally realized that the situation had spiraled beyond her control.

With Zan Ying’s declaration of nullifying the engagement, regardless of her original intentions, it seemed the winds of the capital would change.

Even in chaos, there should be limits.

Empress Yu clenched her fists, adopting a tone of mournful reproach as she maintained her composed anger. “A’ying, I have no daughters and have cared for you as if you were my own for twelve years. Even if it wasn’t a great contribution, it was out of hard work and care. If you have grievances or things to say, say them. But to speak so recklessly, don’t you fear hurting my feelings?”

Zhan Ying, fighting back her disgust, with cold fire in her eyes, replied word by word, “Your Majesty’s twelve years of care, I will remember deeply and will repay in the future.”

Before her words had fully faded, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her wrist.

Li Jinghuan had stepped forward, gripping her wrist with a look of heavy disappointment and reluctant indulgence.

In the depths of his gaze, there was a trace of panic that even he did not notice.

“Do you understand what you’re saying?”

His voice was slow, and the pressure on her wrist was painful.

She had felt worse pain before.

Zhan Ying stared into those once-admired phoenix eyes, trembling slightly as she removed the jade hairpin from her hair.

Her gaze and voice were eerily calm.

“Today, in front of everyone, I, Fu Zanying, swear on the heavens to break off the engagement. If I go back on my word, may this hairpin pierce me.”

The jade hairpin was thrown at the corner of the artificial hill, breaking into two pieces.

She shook off Li Jinghuan’s hand, the breeze lifting her white robe’s sleeves.

Her gaze swept over the crowd, taking in the layers of green tiles and flying eaves beneath the white clouds, the golden and purple roofs.

It was as if she stood by the riverbank of the Luo River, casting one last glance at the mortal world.

In that moment, no one was beside her.

She was alone.

Yet, Zhan Ying did not feel lonely or weak. Instead, she felt a resolute determination to break free from her restraints, leaving without a backward glance.