Cheng Changyan wore a moon-white robe.

He was usually dressed in dark colors, but this moon-white robe had not a single crease — clearly brand new.

His deep black eyes swept through the crowd and landed on one person.

The coldness between his brows instantly softened.

Li Zhiyue responded with a smile.

Bai Ruzhu also laughed beside her: “Yue Niang, Lord Cheng is looking at you.”

“It’s just a polite greeting, what are you thinking about, Mother…”

Li Zhiyue’s face flushed from the teasing.

The guests were seated in an orderly manner.

As usual, there was no separation between men and women.

Over a hundred small tables were arranged in the hall, and guests sat according to their rank, with families seated together.

The Marquis of Xiangyang’s household wasn’t among the highest-ranking, but it wasn’t low either — their spot was somewhere in the middle.

Li Zhiyue sat down and looked up.

She saw that the sky above the Princess Royal’s residence was decorated with countless large red lanterns, making the clouds look like colorful embroidery. In front, a big stage had been set up, and the sound of the opera had already begun — the grandeur of the birthday celebration was breathtaking.

As she scanned the area, she caught sight of a familiar figure: Lu Jingxue.

Lu Jingxue was standing beside the old Madam Song, looking obedient and demure, her head slightly bowed.

Li Zhiyue was a little surprised.

After Madam Zhen(Lu Jingxue’s mother) had climbed into bed with Grand Tutor Song and become his concubine, Madam Song should have despised the mother and daughter.

Yet here she was, bringing Lu Jingxue out to attend the banquet?

Soon, she understood the reason.

Lu Jingxue had painted a portrait for the Princess Royal and embroidered it into a screen.

When the screen was opened, it showed the Princess Royal’s noble and smiling face; on the reverse side, it was filled with blooming flowers — a rare double-sided embroidery, crafted with exquisite and breathtaking skill.

“Wonderful! Truly wonderful!” The Princess Royal’s face lit up with joy. “To incorporate a portrait into embroidery — I believe you’re the first in our dynasty! Someone, reward her!”

A servant immediately brought out a tray of silver ingots.

Lu Jingxue quickly said, “It is my blessing to have pleased Your Highness. I dare not accept the reward.”

As she spoke, she lifted her gaze slightly, sneaking a glance to the side — where several princes stood.

Her eyes quietly swept past the Fourth Prince.

Ever since her mother Madam Zhen-shi became a concubine in the Song family, Lu Jingxue had been thrown into a side courtyard by Madam Song, left to fend for herself.

Her days were worse than a servant’s.

She knew that if she didn’t carve out her own path, she’d eventually be married off to some random man by the Song family, and her life would be over.

So she took a risk, asking her mother to cover for her as she repeatedly sneaked out of the Song residence to “accidentally” encounter the Fourth Prince.

She believed that she and the Fourth Prince were fated — some lingering connection from a past life — why else would he treasure her and want to give her a title?

Her presence at the Princess Royal’s banquet today was thanks to the Fourth Prince pressuring the Song family to bring her along.

Today, the Fourth Prince would fight to give her a title.

“Royal Aunt, silver is such a vulgar reward,” the Fourth Prince, Ning Ye, stepped forward. “If you’re going to reward her, it should be something else.”

The Princess Royal smiled. “Ye’er, what do you have in mind?”

Ning Ye bowed and said, “I ask Royal Aunt to grant Miss Lu as my concubine.”

Madam Song felt her head go blank.

So that’s why the Fourth Prince had specifically sent word, insisting that Lu Jingxue be brought to this banquet!

Turns out Lu Jingxue had entangled herself with the Fourth Prince!

Like mother, like daughter — the mother became a concubine by climbing into bed, and the daughter, still a maiden in the boudoir, had already ensnared a prince!

The shame she brought upon the Song family was unimaginable!

Lu Jingxue stood there, her face glowing red.

This was the second time the Princess Royal had seen Lu Jingxue.

The first time, Lu Jingxue had presented a poem.
This time, she presented a double-sided embroidery.

Without a doubt, she was a talented woman — only her background was a bit lacking.

The Princess Royal hesitated.

Ning Ye lowered his voice and said softly, “Royal Aunt, I have no say in my main consort, but I, too, want someone who understands me.”

That one line moved the Princess Royal.

Because she and her husband, the Prince Consort, had married for love.

They’d been together for over twenty years and still shared a deep bond.

She smiled. “Since it’s a concubine you want, I indeed have the authority. Miss Lu, are you willing to enter the Fourth Prince’s household as a secondary consort?”

Lu Jingxue was overjoyed.

She immediately knelt down. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

She had known it — she was destined for greatness.

Once she entered the Fourth Prince’s household, with his backing, she was sure she could rise even higher.

Around them, the crowd was abuzz.

“A mere daughter of a poor widow, and she’s landed the Fourth Prince!”

“The Fourth Prince is brilliant — if only he’d been born to the right mother, he’d have been Crown Prince by now.”

“But the Fourth Prince doesn’t care about such things — why else would he let a commoner’s daughter become his concubine? This is true love…”

Li Zhiyue’s expression grew solemn.

So many plotlines had changed, yet Lu Jingxue and the Fourth Prince were still coming together, just as written in the book.

Were key plot points truly unchangeable?

Her gaze fell on the Fourth Prince.

At that moment, Cheng Changyan, standing in the distance, happened to be watching her.

He followed her line of sight and saw the Fourth Prince.

His brows furrowed.

At the last banquet, she had paid particular attention to the Fourth Prince. This time, it was the same.

Did she have feelings for the Fourth Prince?

“Lord Cheng.”

As he stood frowning in thought, a voice sounded beside him.

He turned to look — somehow, the Commandery Princess of Danyang had sat down beside him.

He had come to the banquet alone, so this table had only his seat, with plenty of empty space. And now Danyang had simply taken over that space.

“Royal Aunt just granted a marriage between Fourth Brother and Miss Lu,” Danyang said with a smirk. “Say, if I go beg her, would she grant me a marriage with you, Lord Cheng?”

Cheng Changyan smiled. “The Commandery Princess can certainly try.”

Danyang raised her wine cup, narrowing her eyes. “You sound awfully sure that she won’t.”

Cheng Changyan, unusually patient, replied, “The Commandery Princess need not waste her time on me — it won’t come to anything.”

“You say that, but now I’m determined to try.”

Danyang stood up, walked straight over to the Princess Royal, and playfully said, “Royal Aunt, since you’re in such a good mood today, can I ask you for something too?”

The Princess Royal smiled warmly. “Danyang, you have something to request? Go ahead, what is it?”

Danyang’s face turned red, and she leaned in to whisper, “I want to marry Lord Cheng. Please help arrange it.”

The Princess Royal froze.

“Which Lord Cheng?” she asked.

“The Minister of Justice, Cheng Changyan!”

“Absolutely not!”

The Princess Royal’s expression changed instantly.

She grabbed Danyang’s hand. “In all the capital, you can marry any young man you like — except Cheng Changyan.”

Danyang was stunned, then blurted out in disbelief, “Royal Aunt, don’t tell me you want to marry your own daughter, Qingping, to him?”

Qingping, the Commandery Princess, was the Princess Royal’s beloved legitimate daughter.

The Princess Royal shook her head. “No. But remember — you must never bring this matter up before His Majesty, or else…”

She closed her eyes, hiding the emotion in her gaze.

Just then, a servant rushed in from the entrance: “Your Highness! Prince Consort! Something’s wrong — the Jinyiwei have surrounded the Princess Royal’s residence!”