It went without saying that the palace banquet, especially one held to congratulate the two princes, had invited many people.

Not only did the officials come, but they brought their wives and daughters as well. The weather had been growing warm lately, but the air was fresh thanks to the rain last night.

The imperial garden was particularly lively. The palace servants had prepared a variety of fruits and pastries as appetizers for the guests while they enjoyed the scenery. Even though it was the beginning of summer, there were still many flowers blooming in the garden. Coupled with the greenery that lined the paths of the yards, the entire place was brimming with vitality.

Ning Xueyan and Ao Chenyi entered the palace together, though the latter was summoned by the Emperor the minute he got there. Ning Xueyan was left to stroll in the imperial garden with Xinmei. There were so many maids and eunuchs all over the palace today that the rules were quite lax.

From time to time, they could see several young ladies chatting and enjoying the view with young aristocrats, looking leisurely and cozy. There were also several people reciting poems and painting in the pavilions nearby. It was the very picture of elegance. Ning Xueyan took in everything from a distance; she didn’t want to join such gatherings.

A palace maid appeared from the corner of the wall. When she saw Ning Xueyan, she walked over and bowed respectfully to her. “Princess Yi?”

Thoughts ran through Ning Xueyan’s mind as she looked up and down the beautiful palace maid. She asked curiously, “You’re…”

“Don’t you remember me anymore, Your Highness? I’m Yan Zhen, Honored Consort Xia’s maid. We met the last time.” Yan Zhen raised her head ever so slightly.

“You’re Honored Consort Xia’s maid, yes. We did meet the last time. Do you have business with me?” Realization dawned on Ning Xueyan after she sized up the palace maid.

She had indeed met this maid, Honored Consort Xia’s maid, the last time. But she was only a consort then, so there wasn’t much respect in this maid’s eyes. Now, however, the maid was altogether a different person from her expression to gesture.

“Her Highness wants to know if you’re free. If you’re free, she wants to meet you at the place last time. Her Highness has always been timid and an introvert, yet she found you to be an easy companion after meeting you the last time. When she heard that you’ll be coming to the palace today, she sent me here to invite you.”

Yan Zhen lowered her head again and spoke softly.

Honored Consort Xia, who had never shown her face in public, found her to be an easy companion? A trace of coldness crossed Ning Xueyan’s glistening eyes. Few people had ever seen the Emperor’s favored consort, who seemed to be hidden behind layers of mist. Even her name or family was unknown.

She was the Emperor’s favored consort, and a greatly adored one too. How could she be a nobody? After all, she was able to enter the palace and earn the Emperor’s favor. It would be a great advantage for her family, so it felt unnatural for her to hide behind the scenes.

It was either Honored Consort Xia had a secret that kept her from appearing in public or her identity was problematic in itself. Ao Chenyi had repeatedly warned her to be careful of Honored Consort Xia, so she couldn’t recklessly accept the invitation.

The fact that Honored Consort Xia, who had never interacted with others, would be able to send someone to meet her the minute she entered the palace, showed that she was no ordinary consort. Of course, it could also be explained as Honored Consort Xia having her servant wait at the door and relay the news as soon as she came.

However, Ning Xueyan didn’t think she was so important that she could make Honored Consort Xia, who had always hidden from everyone and never appear in public, gain such a great interest in her.

“Does she want to see me now?” Ning Xueyan seemed conflicted. “Before entering the palace, His Highness told me to wait for him here. He’ll be coming back from the Emperor’s palace soon.”

Yan Zhen fell silent for a moment before suggesting in an enthusiastic voice, “Well… Why don’t you go over first? I’ll have someone stay here. Once Prince Yi comes here, we’ll let him know that you’re at Her Highness’ place.”

Ning Xueyan was still smiling but her eyes had gone cold. These words might be fine for other people, but who in the palace didn’t know that Prince Yi couldn’t be refuted? If she went off to meet another person despite being told to stay here, she would surely draw his ire.

Since Honored Consort Xia was able to station her servant here to wait for her, she must have known that about Prince Yi. The fact that Honored Consort Xia was trying to get her into trouble in such an elusive way showed that she was lying about befriending her.

“No thanks. Please tell Her Highness that I’ll tell His Highness when he comes later before visiting her,” Ning Xueyan replied, following the usual procedure to the tee. Knowing Ao Chenyi’s temper, this was the right way to proceed. Otherwise, she would just anger him.

“Princess, my master is the Emperor’s most beloved Honored Consort Xia. It’s rare that she is in a good mood to meet you, but you’re making her wait for you until you’re free to see her? Since when can a princess ignore our Honored Consort Xia?”

Yan Zhen didn’t expect Ning Xueyan to reject her. Her expression sank as she looked up at Ning Xueyan, looking a bit more arrogant. In her opinion, her master could even be the Empress if it weren’t for the problem with her identity. Now, her master was kindly inviting this lady, originally Prince Yi’s consort, over as an act of utmost grace, yet she dared to reject her.

Seeing the palace maid raise her head out of arrogance, Ning Xueyan smiled and maintained a neutral expression. “I wouldn’t dare to ignore Her Highness but neither do I dare ignore His Highness’ order. The order of the husband is absolute. Besides, he has given me the order in the first place. Or is it that Honored Consort Xia’s status is higher than His Highness? Or, instead of wanting to befriend me, Honored Consort Xia wants me to anger His Highness instead?”

A wife should always be faithful to her husband, the way a minister should be loyal to his emperor!

Ning Xueyan didn’t voice the last sentence but the implication was as clear as day. Yan Zhen’s expression changed. No matter how favored Honored Consort Xia was, she was ultimately still a consort. In terms of status, she certainly couldn’t be compared with Prince Yi who had the power to rule over the world. Besides, everyone knew that Prince Yi could very well be the future emperor, so no one dared to put on airs of seniority in front of him.

If they were to annoy the Demon King, the consequences would be disastrous.

This gentle and weak Princess Yi was an unexpectedly difficult opponent. Moreover, she spoke rather loudly earlier and caused quite a few passersby to stop and look in their direction.

“It’s my mistake. Please come over after you meet Prince Yi.” Yan Zhen gritted her teeth with an ugly expression. Naturally, the fact that Honored Consort Xia’s invitation to Princess Yi couldn’t be revealed. If news of it was to reach the Emperor’s ears, it would cause a scandal. The Emperor might even become infuriated.

Thus, she had no choice but to retreat. Besides, her master had already made plans for when she couldn’t get Princess Ning to come…

“All right.” Ning Xueyan smiled and nodded calmly. She watched Yan Zhen leave using the same small path that she came from with a trace of contemplation in her eyes.

They had caused quite a bit of a commotion earlier. Ning Xueyan’s words at the end even carried a trace of anger. Although she was standing in a quiet place, her loud voice still drew the attention of others, especially when she mentioned Honored Consort Xia. A few of the married women who were walking by exchanged looks and went to greet Ning Xueyan.

Ning Xueyan greeted them in return with a smile.

“Who were you talking to, Your Highness? Had a palace maid offend you?” one of the married women asked curiously.

“Honored Consort Xia wanted me to see her. I’m still waiting for the Prince, but when he gets here, I’ll go and see her,” Ning Xueyan replied without even thinking, still with a smile on her face. Under normal circumstances, one couldn’t discuss this particular consort so easily.

The most mysterious Honored Consort Xia? And the most favored one of the lot? The married women looked at each other in surprise.

“You’ve seen her, Your Highness?” another married woman asked expectantly. Quite a few people were curious about the Emperor’s beloved consort. Since Princess Yi was willing to answer, they would surely keep throwing questions at her. Nearly no one had seen the Emperor’s beloved consort. Anyone they asked would just shake their head, which just fueled their curiosity.

“I’ve seen her once. Honored Consort Xia is very beautiful.” Ning Xueyan smiled meaningfully. “Maybe she’s drawn by the excitement today and wants to join in the fun.”

So, Princess Yi had truly met Honored Consort Xia before! The married women became filled with excitement. It was an impressive feat indeed. It was their first time hearing such a clear reply from someone in so many years. They couldn’t help but feel excited. Never mind these married women; even the consorts at the palace said that they had never seen Honored Consort Xia before. This showed how mysterious she was.

“How old is Honored Consort Xia?”

“Is Honored Consort Xia really that beautiful?”

“Is Honored Consort Xia very gentle?”

“Did Honored Consort Xia say when she wants to meet you? Can you take us with you?” …

The married women were still quite young, so they were particularly enthusiastic. They looked at Ning Xueyan expectantly, hoping that she would take them to see her. It was the most mysterious Honored Consort Xia! Few could hope to even learn anything about her.

“Princess Yi!” A cold voice emerged from the crowd. Everyone turned their heads and saw the palace maid who had left earlier. This was apparently Honored Consort Xia’s maid. Her expression wasn’t pretty at the moment as she looked at the women in anger. It was obvious that she was furious.

The married women immediately shut up. This was the palace and some words naturally couldn’t be said here.

“Do you have more to say?” Ning Xueyan raised an eyebrow as if she had only just seen her.

“Princess Yi, Her Highness invited you because she thinks you can be her friend. It’s very inappropriate for you to speak unscrupulously about Her Highness with others,” Yan Zhen said angrily. It went without saying that she didn’t leave earlier. She waited on one side for Ning Xueyan. Her master had said that if Ning Xueyan was unwilling to come, she could invite her again later. If that didn’t work, she could keep inviting her. They believed that Ning Xueyan would eventually come.

Little did she expect that Ning Xueyan would tell others that her master had invited her. How could others find out about her master? So, she listened until she couldn’t endure it anymore and stepped out.