On the first day of the twelfth lunar month in the third year of Ningde, heavy snow blanketed the land like goose feathers. The road to the ferry was deserted, with only two wheel tracks winding from the capital to the riverbank.

Prime Minister Fu Zhang stepped out of the waiting pavilion. After glancing around to confirm no one was nearby, he walked with measured dignity toward Yao Suyi.

Yao Suyi wrapped her arms around his waist, her face shy and radiant. “Zhang-lang, you’re finally back!”

Fu Zhang pried her hands away. “Don’t let anyone see. Better safe than sorry. It’s cold—why did you come in person, Sister-in-law?”

“I wanted to see you sooner…”

Fu Zhang looked around again. “Let’s talk in the carriage.”

“Mhm. If Princess Yunshang finds out, she’ll throw another fit.”

“Don’t worry. She’s petty, arrogant, and sharp-tongued—but she’s not clever. I have no feelings for her anyway.”

As they exchanged sweet words, the carriage curtain lifted, and a little girl jumped down, bouncing over to Fu Zhang.

“Father, you’re back! It’s mine and Third Brother’s birthday today—did you forget?”

Fu Zhang handed her a delicate sandalwood box and said gently, “How could I forget? Take a look.”

The girl opened the box and gasped. “Wow! Mother, look! Father bought me a necklace—seven pearls and gemstones. It’s so pretty!”

With few boats in winter and the ferry far from the capital, Fu Zhang and Yao Suyi assumed no one familiar would see them. They acted intimately without restraint. But upstairs in the pavilion, Liang Youyi stood at the window, eyes cold and heart aching. A rush of blood surged through her, and a bitter taste rose in her throat. Had she not ridden out early and hidden upstairs to watch, she never would’ve seen this shameless pair embracing in broad daylight. Her fiancé—who swore he’d never take a concubine—was having an affair with his widowed sister-in-law. Those “nieces and nephews” were their own children.

She was a noble first-rank princess, the only legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, and the Empress Dowager’s beloved niece. She had poured everything into helping Fu Zhang rise to the position of Prime Minister, only to discover she’d been played for a fool.

Six years ago, the late emperor had granted her engagement to Fu Zhang. She was only thirteen then, not yet of age, and Fu Zhang was a low-ranking scholar from a poor family. On the day she came of age, Fu Zhang said, “My foster father treated me with great kindness. I wish to mourn him for three years.”

Everyone praised his loyalty and virtue. Liang Youyi was moved—she was still young and didn’t mind waiting. She waited three years without complaint. By then, Fu Zhang had risen to a third-rank official. Then he said, “The late emperor was generous to me. He’s only been gone three years—how could I celebrate a wedding in the household?”

This time, she stayed silent.

The Empress Dowager praised his integrity, saying he was a model for all officials. Fu Zhang was promoted again, becoming Prime Minister of Chen.

So Liang Youyi waited another year and a half.

Now, with less than a month until her twentieth birthday—an old age for a woman on the Eastern Continent—she finally saw the truth.

If not for that dream she had recently, if not for today’s confrontation, she might still be fooled by his excuse of “state affairs.” She had overestimated Fu Zhang—and the virtue of “a sister-in-law is like a mother.”

“All his underclothes, belts, shoes, and socks—I sewed every stitch myself. I’ve cooked his meals for sixteen years.”

“He never forgets my birthday. Every year, he hand-rolls noodles for me, always sneaking two eggs into the plain broth.”

The elder sister-in-law cared for her young brother-in-law; the young brother-in-law revered his widowed sister-in-law.

Yao Suyi had once told Liang Youyi many stories about Fu Zhang’s past, and Liang Youyi had never doubted her. Now, all the things she’d never considered, all the moments she couldn’t make sense of, suddenly clicked into place—rushing forward, connecting like a chain of revelations.

Yao Suyi’s praise of Fu Zhang’s loyalty and virtue—wasn’t it just veiled bragging?

Furious, Liang Youyi took a deep breath and descended from the second floor.

The coachman spotted her first and gasped, quickly alerting Fu Zhang: “Prime Minister, Princess Yunshang is here!”

Fu Zhang and Yao Suyi immediately broke apart, letting go of each other’s hands and stepping back three feet. They turned to face the woman approaching with upright posture and graceful steps. Her hair was as dark as ink, her skin as pale as snow, brows like emerald feathers, eyes like frosty stars. Her face still held a touch of baby fat, lips small and full. Her waist was slender enough to encircle with one hand, yet her chest and hips were lush and curvaceous. Even winter garments couldn’t hide her striking figure. Her icy beauty made Yao Suyi seem like a wild hen from the mountains.

Princess Yunshang—peerless in appearance, the most beautiful woman on the Eastern Continent—her reputation was well earned.

Yao Suyi panicked. It’s over. Why was Princess Yunshang here? Did she see everything?

Fu Zhang, seasoned in court politics, always felt a deep unease whenever he faced her stunning yet aloof face. He forced calm. “Princess, what brings you here?”

Liang Youyi’s lips curled with cold authority. “Fu Zhang, is she the reason you’ve been stalling our wedding?”

“You’re jumping to conclusions. Don’t tarnish my sister-in-law’s reputation!”

“I heard her daughter call you ‘Father.’ Are you still going to deny it?” She didn’t shout. Her tone was icy, sharp as a blade.

Yao Suyi’s face turned pale. She waved her hands frantically. “No, no, Princess, you must’ve misheard.”

Fu Zhang snapped, “You were spying on me? In my hometown, nephews and nieces call their uncle ‘Second Father.’ What’s the problem?”

“Yes, yes, Yu’er called him Second Father. That’s how we address uncles back home…” Yao Suyi chimed in hastily.

Father? Second Father?

Liang Youyi’s eyes narrowed. “Fu Zhang, do you take me for a fool?”

“What are you making a fuss about? Don’t be so petty! My sister-in-law supported my studies—I care for her out of duty! My brother died young, and my niece lost her father. As her uncle, it’s only natural that I care for her. You, a noble princess, are being absurdly narrow-minded.”

Liang Youyi curled her fingers and smiled faintly. “Then tell me, Lord Fu—when do you plan to formally propose at the Duke’s manor? When will the wedding be set?”

Fu Zhang barked, “Marriage is a matter for our elders. How can you discuss it so brazenly in public? It’s improper!”

“It’s been nearly seven years since the late emperor granted our engagement. Why have you kept delaying?”

“The realm is unstable. State affairs are pressing. Does the Princess think I’m idle?”

“The late emperor decreed we marry once I came of age. At this point, you’re practically defying imperial orders. Are you busier than His Majesty?”

Fu Zhang was both angry and stunned. What had gotten into Liang Youyi today? She’d always been easy to placate, obedient to both him and Yao Suyi.

“If the Princess can’t wait, she’s free to ask His Majesty to annul the engagement,” Fu Zhang said, trying to turn the tables.

An imperial engagement—who would dare defy it?

Liang Youyi adored him. She’d never cancel the wedding. And if she did—who else would want her?

“Oh? So the Princess is just desperate to marry?” Yao Suyi stepped forward, emboldened. She adjusted her ornate red jade phoenix hairpin and sneered, “A noble lady chasing a man through the streets, demanding marriage—how unbecoming.”

Liang Youyi’s eyes turned icy. Suddenly, she struck—“smack, smack”—two fierce slaps landed on Yao Suyi’s cheeks.

She’d used all her strength. Yao Suyi collapsed to the ground, and even Liang Youyi’s hand stung from the impact.

Fu Zhang rushed to help Yao Suyi up, roaring, “Liang Youyi! First, you abandon propriety; now, you act with arrogance. Apologize to your sister-in-law at once—or I’ll file a formal complaint!”

Liang Youyi calmly wiped her hand with a handkerchief. “Fu Zhang, you’ve deliberately delayed our wedding, and now you dare to accuse me? You are no gentleman. I—am—calling—off—the—engagement.”