With Su Xin and Zhen Zhen arriving, the four rooms in the inner courtyard quickly became overcrowded.

Rong Rong decided that Su Xin should share a room with Chun Xing, and Zhen Zhen could stay with her.

Rong Rong hadn’t seen Zhen Zhen for a long time and was happy to share a room with her, not feeling cramped at all.

They chatted all night under the covers.

The next morning, when Su Xin came over and saw Rong Rong’s eyes, she was shocked.

She couldn’t help but say, “Miss, didn’t we agree to go to bed early last night? Look at the dark circles under your eyes, it’s not good to go out like this.”

Zhen Zhen, still sleepy and yawning, asked, “Are we going out today?”

Su Xin replied, “Miss, today we are attending a banquet at Prince Su’s residence.”

“Going to a banquet at the Prince’s residence?” Zhen Zhen suddenly became alert and looked at Rong Rong with regret. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? If I had known, I wouldn’t have kept you up talking.”

Rong Rong didn’t blame Zhen Zhen at all.

She hadn’t seen Zhen Zhen for so long and had so much to talk about.

Moreover, Zhen Zhen had shared some big news with her last night, so even without Zhen Zhen’s encouragement, Rong Rong had plenty to say herself.

Seeing Su Xin’s worried expression, Rong Rong walked over, linked arms with her, and said kindly, “Isn’t that why we have you? Our Su Xin is so skillful, I’m sure you can find a way.”

Su Xin, flattered by Rong Rong’s praise, sighed, “But Miss, you usually don’t like wearing makeup. It’s hard to work without materials. How can I help?”

“Today, I’ll do whatever you say. You can apply as much makeup as you want.”

Hearing this, Su Xin finally smiled, “Then it’s settled, you’ll listen to me! Zhen Zhen, you can be our witness.”

“Alright,” Zhen Zhen agreed happily, lying on the bed and watching Su Xin dress Rong Rong.

Su Xin picked out a purple brocade dress for Rong Rong, a soft lavender color with delicate grapevine embroidery at the hem and cuffs, very elegant.

Such a subtle dyeing could only be done at the imperial weaving workshops.

It looked beautiful, but…

Seeing Rong Rong’s gaze, Su Xin quickly declared, “Miss, you just promised me, everything today is up to me, no objections allowed.”

Without waiting for Rong Rong’s response, Su Xin added a soft golden shawl to her outfit.

Rong Rong pressed her lips together, swallowing the words she was about to say.

Zhen Zhen, watching from the side, was amazed.

“Rong Rong, you’re already beautiful, but today you look even more stunning.”

Su Xin, hearing this, smiled proudly, “Wait a bit before you praise her, Zhen Zhen. We’ve only just changed the clothes. Wait until the makeup and hair are done, and then see how she looks.”

Rong Rong was gently pushed to sit in front of the dressing mirror as Su Xin skillfully arranged her messy hair, making it smooth and neat.

Today, Su Xin styled Rong Rong’s hair in a “Hundred Flowers” hairstyle. The hair was gathered at the top of her head, with the ends left loose, draping over her shoulders like a swallow’s tail.

This was a style that unmarried daughters of noble families loved to wear.

Usually, Rong Rong would tie up all her hair, but since she was going to admire the flowers today, this hairstyle was perfect for the occasion.

The best part was that this style didn’t require any heavy hair accessories.

Su Xin just placed a few small pearls in her hair, and that was it.

Rong Rong looked at herself in the mirror and was quite satisfied.

Seizing the moment, Su Xin began to apply makeup to her face.

Rong Rong usually disliked makeup, but Su Xin’s powders and rouge were from the palace and didn’t have that overpowering, unpleasant scent, so she didn’t mind too much.

“Miss, close your eyes.”

Rong Rong knew Su Xin was about to shape her eyebrows, so she obediently closed her eyes.

However, instead of using the usual black dye, Su Xin dipped a fine brush in some rouge and began to paint between Rong Rong’s eyebrows.

Only after finishing did she pick up the black dye.

“Miss, open your eyes and see today’s ‘Peach Blossom’ look.”

Rong Rong opened her eyes and saw her reflection: bright eyes, fair skin, and a delicate pink peach blossom drawn between her willow-like eyebrows.

“Rong Rong, you look so beautiful, just like a peach blossom fairy!”

Zhen Zhen, who had been watching curiously from the bed while Su Xin painted, was amazed when she saw the finished look.

Rong Rong also thought the peach blossom makeup was beautiful, but it seemed a bit too flashy.

She hesitated and looked at Su Xin with a troubled expression, “Maybe we should wipe it off…”

Before Rong Rong could finish, Su Xin’s face turned cold, “Miss, you promised to listen to me today, why are you changing your mind?”

“No changing your mind!” Zhen Zhen chimed in, “Rong Rong, you’re so beautiful. If I were the Crown Prince, I’d be completely mesmerized by you. No, I’m already completely captivated by you!”

“Stop it! How can you lie with a straight face like that?”

Su Xin quickly chimed in to calm the situation, “This peach blossom makeup has been worn by many ladies in the palace, and even common folks have started imitating it. It’s not about showing off. You’re naturally beautiful, so no matter how you’re dressed, you’ll outshine everyone else. There’s no need to make a fuss about it.”

Su Xin was always so eloquent that Rong Rong often found herself speechless in response.

But thinking it over, she realized Su Xin had a point.

With her status, just attending the banquet at the prince’s residence was enough to attract attention.

Even if she dressed plainly, people would still gossip about her.

So she might as well go dressed beautifully.

Besides, today’s outfit chosen by Su Xin wasn’t made of particularly luxurious materials—no fancy hairpins, jewelry, or earrings.

The fabric was ordinary, but the way it was put together suited her perfectly. If someone else wore the same outfit, it might not stand out at all.

With that, Rong Rong had no more objections.

Just as she was about to ask about breakfast, Xue Xiaoshan appeared at the door. “Rong Rong, the carriage to take you has arrived.”

“Got it, thanks, Second Brother,” Rong Rong replied, turning to smile at Xue Xiaoshan.

Her smile was like the moon emerging from behind clouds, or a rainbow appearing after the rain, filling the small room with a radiant light.

Xue Xiaoshan was momentarily stunned, then quickly lowered his head, feeling as if her dazzling smile had pierced his heart.

Rong Rong didn’t notice Xue Xiaoshan’s reaction.

After acknowledging him, she turned back to the mirror, tilting her head from side to side to inspect her flawless makeup. Satisfied, she stood up and headed for the door.

“Rong Rong, you haven’t had breakfast. Take some pastries to eat on the way,” Xue Xiaoshan said, handing her an oil-paper-wrapped package as he escorted her out of the courtyard.

These were pastries he had bought in the street the day before.

He had intended to give them to her last night, but with Zhen Zhen’s arrival, he never got the chance to talk to her.

“Thank you, Second Brother,” Rong Rong said happily, accepting the pastries.

Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, a small figure came running towards her and threw itself into her arms.

“Auntie!”

Rong Rong crouched down, gave Yuan Bao a kiss on the cheek, and then took his hand as they got into the carriage.

“Old General,” someone greeted as they passed.

The Old Duke An glanced at Rong Rong, thinking to himself that Liu Zhen had good taste.

He then instructed the coachman to start moving.

He sat alone at the back of the carriage while Rong Rong, holding Yuan Bao, sat by the window, peeking out through the curtains to admire the street view, laughing and chatting all the while.

The Prince’s residence, like the Eastern Palace, was in the inner city, so the carriage ride didn’t take long before they arrived.

As soon as the gatekeeper saw the carriage from the Eastern Palace, he hurried forward and asked, “Is it Miss Xue who has arrived?”

Liuli got off the carriage first and handed a note to the gatekeeper, saying, “In the carriage are Miss Xue, the Old General of the An Guo Duke’s estate, and His Highness the imperial grandson.”

The gatekeeper was shocked and quickly signaled someone to go inside and pass on the message.

Meanwhile, he instructed others to bring a footstool to assist the distinguished guests in getting off the carriage.

The Old Duke An was the first to step out, followed by Yuan Bao, and then finally Rong Rong.

They hadn’t even reached the entrance of the prince’s mansion when Prince Su’s warm voice echoed from within, “Lord An, it’s an honor to have you here! Please forgive me for not coming out sooner to greet you.”

Old Duke An was a veteran of two reigns, holding a high position with numerous military achievements second to none.

He also possessed an iron-clad decree from the late emperor, and as the father of the empress, he was Prince Su’s maternal grandfather.

Given his status, Prince Su indeed should have been at the door to welcome him.

“I’m here uninvited today, just tagging along with Rong Rong to enjoy your hospitality. Just don’t kick me out,” the Old Duke of An joked.

Normally, in the Eastern Palace, the old Duke had never addressed Rong Rong by her name.

Hearing him say it so calmly now surprised not only Prince Su but also Rong Rong herself, though she quickly felt reassured.

It was clear the old duke was here to support her.

Yuanbao stepped forward and politely called out, “Second Imperial Uncle.”

Prince Su gently touched Yuan Bao’s cheek and kindly said, “Liu Lin has been talking every day about wanting to play with you. Today, there’s no school, so you can have fun together.”

With that, Prince Su led the three guests from the Eastern Palace into the mansion.

The Su Prince’s mansion was built according to the strict regulations for a prince’s residence.

The decorations and furnishings were neither extravagant nor simplistic, everything just right, much like Prince Su himself.

“Princess Zhaoyang and a few others are already playing in the peach grove. It’s all women over there, so perhaps you and I should find a quiet place to have a drink. I’ll have someone bring Liu Lin over so the children can play together,” suggested Prince Su.

“Sounds good,” the Old duke An agreed with a nod.

He had no interest in being around a group of chattering women, as the noise irritated him.

Rong Rong had no objections either and followed a maid toward the back garden.

The peach grove in the Su Prince’s mansion was located in the northernmost courtyard, with several dozen peach trees planted there.

Though not many, these were of a superior variety, blooming with dense and vibrant flowers.

During the blooming season, the trees formed a sea of flowers.

Even before they got close, the sound of laughter could be heard from within.

The voice was clear and crisp, likely belonging to Princess Zhaoyang.

“Please go ahead, miss,” the maid said, stopping at the edge of the peach grove.

She didn’t enter, as she was a servant of the outer courtyard and couldn’t serve closely to the noblewomen.

Rong Rong nodded slightly in acknowledgment and walked into the grove with Liuli.

In the center of the grove was a large round table, around which sat Princess Su, Princess Gong, Princess Qing, and three princesses.

Princess Qing, seated directly facing Rong Rong, was the first to see her approaching.

However, she didn’t speak, instead turning her head to listen intently to Princess Zhaoyang’s jokes.

It wasn’t until a maid behind Princess Su noticed Rong Rong that she whispered something in Princess Su’s ear, prompting her to turn and smile, “Miss Rong Rong, you’ve arrived late.”

Rong Rong stepped forward and respectfully greeted the princesses.

Princess Gong smiled and said, “I thought today would be just a family gathering, but it seems my second sister-in-law invited His Highness the Crown Prince’s distinguished guest as well. It’s truly lively.”

Everyone present was quick to catch the meaning behind Princess Gong’s words.

Though she praised Rong Rong as a distinguished guest, she was actually expressing displeasure at Princess Su.

The flower banquet was attended by principal wives and princesses, yet Princess Su, in an effort to curry favor with the Crown Prince, had invited a concubine with no official status from the Eastern Palace.

It was seen as improper and servile.