When the news reached Minggao Courtyard, Cheng’er, who was busy preparing summer clothes for the grand princess, furrowed her brows and tossed her dust cloth aside.

“Why is Miss Xing from the Xing family accompanying Madam Mei? I’ve heard before that the Mei and Xing families are long-time friends, but now that the grand princess and Lord Mei have been separated, why does she bring an unmarried girl to our door? Isn’t this the one most displeasing to the princess? What does she take the Grand Princess’s residence for?”

As she spoke, she hurried out, but Hong’er pulled her back. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to have Mr. Bi open the storeroom to get some red silk for the path!”

Cheng’er, frustrated on behalf of the princess, had fire in her eyes. “What kind of courtesy is it for a lady of rank to meet the grand princess? Shouldn’t it be a proper bow or kneel? I’m not afraid if they don’t follow the rules!”

Hong’er quickly stopped her, feeling both distressed and amused. “Little ancestor, calm down! Things are already chaotic enough; the grand princess hasn’t even said anything. Don’t create more trouble. It’s one thing to incur the princess’s displeasure; if you disrupt her matters, it would be impossible to atone for it!”

Cheng’er glared at her, tears suddenly streaming down her cheeks.

Realizing she had said something harsh, Hong’er quickly spat three times on the wood, trying to soothe Cheng’er while grappling with her own turmoil.

The two of them were among the top ladies in the household, and everyone’s eyes were on how well the Grand Princess managed her affairs.

No matter how chaotic it got outside, as long as the princess hadn’t given orders, they couldn’t act out of line.

At that moment, a clear child’s voice rang out from the main gate of the Long Princess’s residence: “Grandmother!”

There stood Mei Baoya, dressed in a pink floral dress, joyfully rushing into the arms of the newcomer.

As Madame Mei stepped down from the carriage, she saw her granddaughter, whom she hadn’t seen in over six months, rushing towards her.

The soft, tender face of the little girl, with sparkling purple eyes and exquisitely styled double buns adorned with orchid flowers, was delightful.

As she ran, the little fragrant ball of silver tassels hanging from her satin robe swayed, releasing a refreshing and vibrant aroma.

The Mei family’s little girl was adorable in every way.

Madame Mei, feeling joyful from her long journey, bent down to catch her and planted kisses on her rosy cheeks.

“Grandmother!” Baoya exclaimed again, just as Mei Yu, drenched in sweat, caught up from behind.

He hurried and hurried, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t catch up to the horse-drawn carriage.

Seeing Xing Yun already standing at the door, he sighed, realizing there was nothing more he could do.

He was the foster child of the household, much older than his two younger siblings, and naturally aware of many matters.

Having lived in Yangzhou during his childhood, he had heard tales of the budding relationship between his father and Miss Xing, and at that time, he had still called Mei Heting “uncle.”

Whether it was uncle or father, Mei Yu truly felt a mix of anxiety for this elder who was clueless about romantic matters.

“Yu’er, you’ve grown taller! Where have you been running around?” the woman, dressed in a water-ink bamboo-patterned silk dress, smiled warmly.

Madame Mei’s maiden surname was Yue, and though she was under fifty, her well-maintained appearance showed no signs of aging, which was why she was addressed as such.

Mei Heng also bowed in greeting, and Madame Yue nodded kindly.

Baoya leaned against her grandmother, curiously looking at the unfamiliar elder sister beside her.

Madame Yue smiled and took Xing Yun’s hand.

“This is Princess Huaining. She used to be like a sister to your father, so you can call her ‘Auntie,’ and it will feel natural.”

Mei Yu coughed lightly, and Baoya turned her eyes towards Mei Heng.

Mei Heng glanced briefly at the smiling Xing Yun, but remained silent, prompting Baoya to imitate him.

Xing Yun smiled gracefully, saying, “I can’t accept such titles from the young masters and mistresses.”

At that moment, the Grand Princess’s chief steward, Bi Jingshan, and Granny Cui appeared, guiding the group as they rounded the elegant jade wall.

Xuan Mingzhu and Mei Heting were waiting there.

Mei Heting gazed absentmindedly at the side profile of the woman.

Upon seeing Xuan Mingzhu, Madame Yue momentarily released her granddaughter’s hand, taking a few steps forward to adjust her clothing and bow. “I pay my respects to Your Highness. I apologize for the abrupt visit; please do not hold my rudeness against me.”

In the past, at this moment, Xuan Mingzhu would have smiled and stopped her mother-in-law, making a slight bow herself.

Today, however, she accepted the courtesy openly, looking at the sunlight and casually saying some pleasantries, “Madam, not at all. It must have been a tiring journey. Why hasn’t your husband come?”

While they exchanged pleasantries, Xing Yun, dressed in a light silk gown and pomegranate skirt, stood gracefully, her hand still holding onto Madame Yue’s.

A woman nurtured in the water town, even in silence, exuded charm, casting her gaze toward the two standing side by side.

Seeing the Grand Princess in good spirits while Mei Heting appeared absent-minded, it was indeed a scene of superficial harmony masking a deeper disconnect.

A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

As she unconsciously looked up, her gaze met the Grand Princess’s teasing eyes.

Xing Yun felt a slight chill in her heart and quickly curtsied with a smile.

Xuan Mingzhu’s eyes narrowed as she asked Cheng’er, “This girl looks familiar.”

Cheng’er chuckled. “Your Highness, have you forgotten? This is a young lady from the Xing family in Jiangnan. Their family has always been very proper. If I remember correctly, Miss Xing has her own mother, but she later adopted a foster mother. Now she’s here accompanying her elder brother’s mother. Such a rare display of filial piety—I’m not sure if it’s enough!”

The implication was more embarrassing than a slap to the face, and Xing Yun, still with her head bowed, felt a flush of awkwardness.

Madame Yue, puzzled by the situation—perhaps due to not having been to the capital for a long time—found the princess’s maidservants seemed sharper than before, smiling to ease the tension.

“Your Highness, you may not know, but thanks to this girl, when I was crossing the city gate, my carriage had a tear. I happened to run into her, and she was so kind, escorting me all the way here.”

Xuan Mingzhu laughed lightly. “What a coincidence!”

Cheng’er rolled her eyes at the back, seeing that shameless woman blushing with pride at the praise from Madame Mei, glancing over at Mei Heting.

Unbeknownst to her, Mei Heting’s gaze was solely focused on Xuan Mingzhu, entirely unaware of anything else.

The last sentence she had said in the study was like a heavy hammer, shattering all his thoughts, leaving him still dazed and confused.

The calm demeanor he showed to others was just a facade he was trying to maintain.

As he watched the household servants coming out to greet his mother, he realized she was saving him face.

She was the Grand Princess of the Empire , and didn’t need to make such formalities.

As a son, it was natural for his mother to greet her.

However, since their marriage, Xuan Mingzhu had waived all formalities from the Mei family before her, treating them instead as her in-laws.

Not only that, she also dismissed the protocol for the prince to bow and greet the princess.

She had once said, “The man I choose can’t bow to anyone else; it’s unacceptable.”

She was willing to disregard all customs for him.

In contrast, he had adhered strictly to the rules, serving her as a subject for seven years.

—How many times have you called her “Your Highness”? How many times have you called yourself a subject? Have you counted?

Suddenly, Mei Heting understood the meaning of her words!

His heart raced like a drum, as if he had found a way out of a dead end.

He desperately wanted to say something to Xuan Mingzhu, but his mother’s voice interrupted:

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Yun’er. She’s now a county princess and has grown into such a beautiful young lady. It’s truly a delight to see.”

Mei Heting’s gaze darkened—once again, it was Xing Yun.

In the past, he hadn’t felt that there was anyone between him and Xuan Mingzhu.

Xing Yun was merely a younger sister of a family friend, and he wouldn’t even have thought of her had he not seen her in person.

He had felt unburdened, thinking explanations and avoiding suspicion were unnecessary.

But that was not the case.

He had caused her distress.

It felt as if rough iron sand had been shoved into his throat, and the more he thought back, the more he felt guilty and lost control of himself, even his breath turning painful.

Desperate to speak to Xuan Mingzhu, he heard her continue with his mother’s words, laughing, “Indeed, the county princess has been promoted at just the right time. Coincidentally, Jingling is still in need of a suitable daughter of a noble family for its burial rites. I see that this girl is perfectly fitting.”

At those words, everyone froze.

Xing Yun’s eyes flickered with panic, and she forced a smile. “Your Highness is joking. I am crude and foolish, and I don’t understand the rules…”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the rules, as long as you’re self-aware,” Xuan Mingzhu replied, glancing at Cheng’er. “Cheng’er, you understand the rules; teach our county princess about the rites of worship and the proper bows, since the Grand Princess’s gate is wide, and all visitors are guests. Make sure she is properly received before nightfall.”

Xing Yun’s smile immediately faded, her lips trembling in distress, and her gaze shifted sideways.

Xuan Mingzhu turned her face away coldly. “Madam has traveled a long way; please, come inside to sit.”

Without waiting for a response, she took Hong’er’s hand and led the way.

“This…” Madame Mei felt a bit confused.

Not only had the people around the Grand Princess changed, but the princess’s temperament seemed to have become more inscrutable as well.

Madame Yue, coming from a family of scholars, had been nurtured in a harmonious household and later married a refined and courteous gentleman.

She was simple-minded.

Having not lived with her son and daughter-in-law for these past years, she was unaware of the complicated entanglements among the three.

Having watched Xing Yun grow up, she felt a bit closer to her, pitying her for losing her parents at a young age.

At a loss for what to make of it all, she failed to understand the deeper meaning behind Xuan Mingzhu’s words, believing that the Grand Princess genuinely wanted to keep Xing Yun in the residence for a while.